Chapter 2. Mate?

Maddison Spencer-Bennett

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going, mate?” said the stranger, with a frown and a clenched jaw.

I opened my eyes wide, swallowed hard and said, “Mate? What the hell are you talking about? I’m not your mate! Now, let me go!”

I tried to get out of his grip, but he was stronger… much stronger than me.

“Oh no. I won’t let you go. I’ve been waiting sixteen years for you to be ready. And I will not stop claiming what is mine... And your little mate? You were mine from the moment you were born.”

Did he say that he had been waiting sixteen years for me to be ready? What does he know I don’t?

I watched him in silence. I cleared my throat and said to him, “Do you know who I am?”

He sighed and said, “I’ve known you’re mine for years, Maddie. But I had to wait until you were ready. I wanted you to be the one to recognize me and choose me as your mate... but my wolf can no longer be far from you... I can’t be far from you, little one.”

I frowned. “Who are you?”

He let go of my wrist, leaned against the wall, and said, “I am Alonso Corleone.”

My eyes widened at the realization of who the mystery man was…

“Wait… Alonso? Just like Alonso Corleone, the CEO of the Promises of the Future Academies Network? We knew about your existence when I was studying at the academy, but we never saw you.”

“I never went to visit your academy. I was afraid that if I saw you or if I was in the same place as you, I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from marking you. And believe me. It has been years of torture, waiting for you to stop being a girl.”

I remained completely silent.

 “So you’re basically saying you know I’m your mate since I was a little girl? Doesn’t that make you a little perverted?”

“Why do you think I walked away? The mere thought sickened me! No little one. You must be a woman when I saw you again. For me, that was never in discussion.”

“Discussion? Discussion with whom?”

“I see you haven’t spoken to your mother.” He said, crossing his arms, making his biceps look quite delicious. Focus, Maddie!

“Every time I exchange words with my mother, it never ends well.” I told him, looking down.

He sighed, ran his hand through his hair, which brought back a flashback of the night before, where I was on top of him straddling him and while I pulled his hair, I demanded that he impale me harder... Shit, stop it, Maddie!

In a second, I felt my cheeks turn red.

“Maddie! Are you okay? You are very red! Do you want me to call the doctor?”

“Oh? What? No! How do you think?… Don’t worry, there’s nothing to worry about…” I told him, extremely uncomfortable, while I backed away with all the intention of making a great escape.

I watched as he walked towards me, slowly, like a predator stalking his prey.

“Maddie, are you freaking out? It’s a lot to take in. I know it, little one.”

“Me? Freaking out? How do you think? Phew! It’s hot in here… Don’t you think?” I felt like the clothes were suffocating me.

“Maddie, look at me… Little one?”

I vaguely heard him spark his fingers near my ear, hoping to draw my attention to him, but it was too late.

I wanted to escape my fate by going to a bar and giving myself to a complete stranger... Well, that’s what I thought until now. I learned we were never strangers... he had always been meant for me.

I don’t know if that made me feel better or worse, but for my addled brain, which was still suffering from the effects of alcohol and lust, it was the exact reason for shutting down.

So, the last thing I remember... is that everything went black.

______________

I don’t know how much time had passed, but when consciousness reached me, I opened my eyes lazily. My mouth felt dry.

I looked to my right and there he was sitting… Alonso.

Was he really my mate? I mean, if I think about it carefully, it could be possible. The sparks I felt on my skin when he touched me and the attraction he provoked in me were undeniable.

Not to mention that his peppermint smell and his muscles made my panties soaked... To tell the truth, it was quite embarrassing to be provoked like that. But without a wolf to confirm it, it was difficult to trust.

“Are you okay, little one? You had me so worried.” Alonso said, caressing my hand, tracing small circles on it.

“Where am I?” I asked him with great difficulty, since my tongue felt numb.

“You’re in a hotel room, Maddison.”

My blood turned cold. That disapproving tone belonged to my father, Peter.

I turned my head slowly and there he was, leaning against the door with his arms crossed and his brow furrowed. Damn! I’m in big trouble! Does he know I slept with Alonso?

Oh, my goddess! Swallow me to earth. I want to die!

One of my worst fears came true... That one of my parents would surprise me having an affair?

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and said, “Dad? What are you doing here?”

“I called him, little one. I figure out that they would be worried at your house, not hearing from you since last night.” Alonso said, apologizing with his look.

“You are in big trouble, young lady. Do you have any idea how worried we were? What the fuck were you thinking? Go to a bar telling no one where you were and make out with a stranger? What if it had been one of our enemies? Since when did you become so reckless?”

“Hey! Stop it! I got the point. I screwed up! I’m sorry… But stop yelling!” My head felt like it was being hammered.

“No, Maddison. You don’t get the point. You turned twenty-one. Your mate has been found. That means it is time for you to begin your training as queen regent.”

He approached the bed and continued saying, “When you find your other three mates, your training will be complete, and you will be ready to claim the throne with them. This is how the law says: One sovereign queen and four alpha kings at the four cardinal points.”

Alright... If I didn’t feel like I was going crazy before, now I do. Queen regent? I? I can’t even decide what shoes to buy! Shit!

“You’re not a little girl anymore! The people of the north and the south fought and died so that you could live and rule one kingdom. And this is how you pay it? Letting yourself be guided by an impulse? We raised you better than that, Maddison!”

[Damn! Dad is calling us Maddison... Bitch, you really screwed up this time.]

Brilliant! Now I receive a scolding from my conscience. Thank you, conscience! For pointing out the obvious!

“Don’t you think you’re being too harsh on her? It’s a big change she’ll have to make in her life. Give her a break, Peter.”

I suddenly sat up, looking at Alonso, “And since when have you been talking to my father so informally?”

Then I looked the other way, “And since when do you allow it? Even the members of the council of elders may not call you by your name, Dad.”

He sighed “I’ve allowed him since we found out he was your mate sixteen years ago. Honestly, Maddie, there is a lot you don’t know… and I think it’s time for you to learn the whole truth.”