Mate

Chapter 4

Breeana bit into her strawberry birthday cake and it tasted like ash in her mouth.

She went through the motions; laughing with her dad, feeding him the cake, smiling for the camera, hugging Arianna and acting like her entire world hadn't just come crashing down.

Reece. The arrogant fool. The boy who dunked her head in her 3rd birthday cake. The wolf whose only redeeming feature had been that he was dating her sister was somehow her mate?

He just stood there frozen like a moron. She rolled her eyes and passed by him to hug his dad. It wasn't like she wanted him as her mate either could he be any more obnoxious?

Mate, mate, mate. Scar declared.

I heard you loud and clear the first time. Breeana quipped back.

Although it was growing considerably difficult to fight the growing need to go to her mate, she just couldn't do it.

He was Ari's boyfriend, her sister's soon-to-be mate. She couldn't do that to Arianna. Even if Breeana had wanted to betray her sister, it was Reece. Reece of all people.

They aren't together anymore. Scar urged.

Scar, he didn't take his eyes off her all night. Until this happened. I think it's safe to assume they are still together. Bree replied.

Ah yes, how could Breeana forget? The infamous breakup. It was mostly rumours and hearsay about Reece cheating or Ari cheating.

Neither of them had actually confirmed or debunked the rumours but they weren't as lovey-dovey as usual so Breeana guessed there was actually trouble in paradise. Although she still felt the cheating theory was a far stretch. The two of them were mad about each other. It just wasn't possible.

****

The birthday dinner was a smaller affair than the lavish celebration. It was just Breeana's family, the Alpha and Reece, with some extremely close friends. Reece was seated exactly opposite Breeana and Breeana tried her best to not meet his gaze even though she was hyper-aware of every small movement he was making.

The way he cut his food, ate it, swallowed, and licked his lips.

Get a hang on yourself, Brenna. He's just freaking eating. There is nothing, I repeat nothing remotely intriguing about that. Brennan shook herself awake and tried participating in the conversations being struck up.

"...I definitely want to focus more on fashion. I mean look at me. I'm such a styling expert. It would be a shame to waste it." Sarah said.

Breeana's eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head.

Stylish? Huh, right. More like slutish.

Callie snickered as though in tune with Breeana's thoughts and Breeana fought back a laugh.

Somehow Sarah Kayes was at their private birthday dinner. Probably because she was now Ariana's bestie. Seriously, Bree couldn't see what her sister saw in her.

Sarah turned to face Ryan who sat by Breeana's side on the opposite side of the table, her expertly styled bottle-blond hair swinging with the movement in a dramatic swish. Breeana hoped she didn't take out someone's eye with that hair flip.

"What about you Ryan? Still drawing?" She batted her lashes at him.

"Yeah." Ryan looked vaguely discomforted. He looked at me. "What are you planning on doing now that you are eighteen, Bree?"

Hmm. Was there trouble in paradise there too? Why was Ryan acting so weird with Sarah?

"Yeah, I was thinking about volunteering more at the clinic. Been waiting out my applications. That sort of thing." Breeana said tightly noticing Reece's attention was now on her.

"You always did like to help people." Ryan smiled.

Then Sarah cut in. "Yeah, speaking about help. Can someone help me understand why everyone is talking about our Alpha couple splitting up? The wedding isn't off, is it?"

The entire table went silent even with their parents who'd been carrying on their conversations at the other end of the table. All eyes were now fixed on Ariana and Reece.

Ariana blushed turning pink as she spoke. "Actually we are–"

"Were having a fight." Reece cut in looking at Ariana, who was seated right next to him, his eyes full of love. "But I can't take it anymore. I love you so much. I want us to put everything behind us, Babe. If you'll have me." He lifted her left hand and kissed it.

Maybe it was just Breeana but it seemed like Ariana was really shocked at the turn of events before she regained composure.

"Of course, Reece. I love you so much." She smiled.

Reece leaned to kiss her, caught the stern disapproving glares of Arthur and Martha Connor, and gave her a peck on the cheek instead and the conversations continued.

Scar whined in Breeana's head. Sounding low and pained.

Breeana tried to console her. But Scar was inconsolable.

To think that she used to pity the person who would end up being Reece's mate. Not knowing all the while that she would end up being that unfortunate person.

"Anna. What's wrong? Not happy your brother-in-law is getting out of the dog house?" Reece smirked looking closely at Breeana for a reaction. Any reaction.

"I've told you to stop calling me that. As for your relationship, congratulations." Breeana said not giving Reece any attention as she dug into her food.

This is wrong. Ray said angrily.

We can't stand each other besides she doesn't want me or care. It's better this way. Reece replied.

The only problem was that Reece hadn't forgiven Ariana for what she did. Every time he saw her, the image of her riding that other wolf and the moans she made kept entering his head.

But he'd had to do it because he knew Breeana didn't like him. Which was fine because the feeling was mutual. Even with everything going down with Ariana, he still loved her. A lot. That would never change.

Maybe it had been his fault for touching Breeana that way. For dancing with her like that, for wanting to do a lot more than dance with her. Maybe this situation with Ariana was his penance.

"Please excuse me." Breeana left the table and went into the house. Reece waited a bit before making his own excuses too. He listened around for her. She was in the kitchen.

He stood by the doorway watching her search for something, her back to him.

"Are you planning on standing there all day and staring at me like a creep?" Breeana said as she opened the fridge, her back still turned to him. She got out some ice cream finally turning to face him.

"You aren't that fascinating, I assure you. I came in here for something."

Breeana cocked a brow in disbelief. "Well get it and get out." She lifted herself and sat on the kitchen island and began to lick the ice cream.

Reece shouldn't have been looking at the way she licked that ice cream cone thinking about her in an entirely different position. Or the way that dress was made for her. Clinging to her curves, it made her look like a woman not like the annoying younger sister of his girlfriend he could barely tolerate.

He shook himself startled at the direction his thoughts had taken.

Was this the power of the mating bond? Was it affecting Breeana in the same way?

She definitely didn't show it.

"Look about this bond, I have to reject you…we won't ever have anything together. I love Ariana–"

Breeana began to laugh. She laughed so hard she nearly choked on her ice cream. She slid down from the island and dumped her cone in the trash before sauntering towards him, her hips swaying with every step and Reece's eyes drawn to the movement. Had she always been this curvaceous? He had never noticed.

"Don't bother Reece, with the rejection or anything else. Even if you weren't with my sister, I would never accept you as my mate. You are an arrogant self-important manchild who can't see anything or anyone beyond yourself. Do me a favour and stay away from me. Dick." She clipped his shoulder as she walked out of the kitchen.

He heard something like "Accept him?" followed by Breeana laughing hysterically in the hallway. She was laughing at him. Reece stood shocked into silence. Had… had he just been rejected?