1. Heartbroken

MILES’S POV

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I’ve never thought the day would come that I would find the love of my life and then lose her a month later…

Emily, my mate…she had the purest brown orbs that soaked you in, filled your life with sweet memories and more. Her dark brown locks use to fall freely around her face, her petite body easily fitted my arms because she was made for me.

She had the kindest heart, fuck…She even made me kinder than what I was, but it’s all broken and destroyed into tiny pieces, pieces I could never get back and she will always be my entire heart.

A knock on my door has my groaning audibly, my teeth baring as I run my hand up and down my face.

“What?” I snap, my tone harsh and my heart cold, just like when I buried my mate in the woods two weeks ago in a spot meant for me when I die, but I gave it up, because she will always be my entire life.

She deserves the best spot.

“I’m coming in.” My mother’s fear tainted voice comes from my door and I sit up, my hooded gaze looking at her as she pokes her head through the door.

“We need to talk.” She smiles, but I could not tell if it were a real one or something she uses to keep me soft and grounded.

“About what?” My hostile glare stays on her green eyes.

“About your chosen mate.” Her throat bobs as she gulps down the lump in her throat.

“I will not be taking a chosen mate.” I seethe, anger bubbling in my chest as I glare at her.

How could she think that I would ever touch another woman after losing my mate?

The only thing that is keeping me sane, is the responsibility of my pack that needs me.

“You have no choice Miles, it’s or you take a chosen mate as your Luna…” I snarl at her, my eyes flicking a bright grey and my hands clasp the edge of the bed, my fingers digging into the mattress.

“Or you have to resign as Alpha.” She finishes her sentence.

“Get the hell out of my room.” I snarl, but she doesn’t flinch or move.

“Miles…it’s taking a chosen mate or losing your title as alpha.” She keeps on explaining.

Frustration bolts through my veins and I push myself off the bed, closing the distance between us and I stop right in front of her.

“I am the Lycan Alpha, no one will take my place.” I seethe and my mother steps back, shaking her head.

“The elders won’t let you rule.” , “Then I will kill them! No one is taking my place!” I bellow, slamming the door shut and she flinches at the loud bang behind her.

“Then be ready to meet your chosen mate that I arranged for you at noon. She’ll be in the restaurant of our pack.”

“You did what?” I yell and she slaps me, my face jolting to the side. “I am your mother, not your punching bag.” She grits out.

“Be there at noon or I will tell the elders to make Jaiden the next alpha, immediately.” She threatens and turns on her heel, stomping out of my room.

I hate that the elders are controlling my life…what if I can rule alone and they just don’t like the idea?

I absentmindedly grab the vase that’s on a pedestal and toss it across the room, but the anger and frustration doesn’t vanish as I watch the glass shatter and I listen to the shards fall on the floor.

How can this be happening to me?

Just a little more than two weeks ago, Emily was in my arms, giggling with her beautiful smile, her bright eyes that had me mesmerized…now here I am and my mother is setting me up for a date.

“She found us a strong mate, it’s not a date.” Tyron, my wolf snorts and I cut him off.

I know he loved Emily, he disappeared on me when she died and this is the first time he has spoken to me afterwards, but to say something so disrespectful makes me want to murder him.

A tug on my mind link makes me open it up, “Miles, she’ll be there at twelve. She’s of alpha bloodline and kind. The elders made an agreement on your behalf to mate her. Be there.” My father’s demand rushes through before I could even focus on cutting him off and a life threatening growl escapes my throat, making my windows shake.

I toss the table across the room, watching as the legs break and snap.

I will go meet her for the sake of my pack, but goddess hear me out, I will not love another- ever.

It’s five minutes to twelve when I put on my black cargo trousers and a black t-shirt, just in case this gets bloody.

I make my way to the restaurant and I want to laugh as everyone I pass bow or just disappear in fear.

I could smell the fear and in a very tiny part, it stings, because I was never the alpha that was feared.

I was respected, but look at me now…feared and people cower away at the sight of me.

It’s a kind of power I never thought I’d possess, but here I am , wielding it with pride.

I notice an unknown man standing outside the restaurant, a sword in hand, his eyes wandering.

I inhale his scent as I come closer and notice he isn’t from our pack.

I avert my gaze on the door and stop when I’m next to him, snatching his throat and I shove him against the wall, his feet lifting from the floor.

“You are not from here…” I snarl in his face, my eyes flicking bright grey and I drop him.

His shoulders sink in, his eyes almost pop out of his eye sockets.

“Alpha Armani.” He bows, “I am here to protect Alison Black.” His hands shake and I scoff, “I’d love to see you try, coward.” I spit at his feet before entering the restaurant.

The buzzing room dials down to soft whispers and stares and my eyes glance around the place, my heart thundering until I see a blonde sitting in the same spot my precious mate use to, staring out at the mountains from the booth next to the wall made of glass.

A snarl escapes my lips and I drag my gaze to the counter in front of me and back at the blonde sipping on something hot, her tiny hands cupping the cheek.

I march over to her, uninterested in the sweet talks and introductions.

“Alison, is it?” I sit down, my hands holding one another in front of me.

Her smile is small, her dull green eyes sparkling with life. “Yes, you’re Miles…” she points out the obvious.

“Alpha Miles.” I correct her and her eyes widen, “I didn’t think the titled mattered here…” she shrugs, but the movement is so gentle and smooth.

I lean closer, “For you, it is.” I fight the tug at my lips.

“Well…alpha Miles, it’s nice to meet you.” She holds her hand out and I stare at her hand dumbfounded.

“Don’t touch me.” I snort, “I don’t want whatever germs you have and quite frankly, I am not interested in this little arrangement that the elders set up.”

She blankly stares at me, her arched eyebrows furrowing together, “It’s already been arranged.” She slides her cup to the side, “Are you backing out?” She sits upright, “I can’t, unfortunately.” My lip twitches up into a snarl, “I’m just telling you now…your life will be hell, you’ll be alone and I frankly won’t ever care about a hair on your body.” I lean back, shrugging.

“You know what…I heard about you, the Lycan Alpha who is fair, but that turned into fear. It’s clear to see just walking here and I get it that you need time, after what happened to your mate…”

I stand, growling as I lean over the table with my hands flat against the surface.

“You don’t mention her, ever.” I grit out, but she just blinks, she doesn’t flinch .

She leans back in her seat, crossing her thigh over the other and her arms cross over her chest.

“Oh dear, you don’t want to lose your temper and be seen as unfit, do you?” The grin on her lips make me kick my chair back and the restaurant is cleared out within seconds, even the workers left through the back door.

Her smirk fell as fast as it appeared.

My hand drags along the edge of the table as I round it, my eyes never leaving her face that is being tainted with fear.

“You think you’re tough because you’re of an alpha bloodline, but I am of Lycan bloodline, your superior, descended right from the Moon Goddess herself and you come in here, acting like the Luna you’ll be, but aren’t yet…It’s funny…” I stop beside her and she has broken our eye lock, she’s staring in front of her.

I grab the back of the chair, turning her and I bend over, grabbing her arm and I yank her up.

“You don’t seem that tough now…” I slam her into the wall behind her and she yelps, the sound of her head smacking against the wall brings me some sort of comfort.

“You little…” she rubs her head before standing upright.

I reach for her throat, but I’m caught of guard as she swings her leg up in between mine, her shin crushing my jewels and I haunch over in pain.

She grabs my arm, bending it behind my back and she shoves me against the wall with my legs parted, unable to stand upright with both of my hands behind my back.

“You’re bigger than me, but I am smarter.” She pushes me into the wall and backs away and grabs her purse.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, at our ceremony.” Her face scrunches together, but not in an ugly way, but a cute one and I mentally scold myself for thinking that.

“Tomorrow?” I snort and she stops in the door, turning.

“I have the say when this happens, your parents will probably tell you tonight.” She waves her little fingers at me and leaves and I stare at her dumbfounded.

She’s not afraid of me, not like the rest of my people…