The Never Wanted Mate

Shut Out

Devin

I never wanted to find a mate. I loved my life. No responsibilities, careless and carefree. It was perfect. I managed to make it to twenty five and life’s been a riot. Well it was, right up to this fateful moment.

When I started to smell an intoxicating jasmine smell, I knew I was in trouble. I tried not to look that way. God knows I really tried. I told myself that if I didn’t see her, I would be fine.

My wolf, Terrance or Terri, was pissed off as hell while I fought off all my natural instincts. That was, until I heard a gasp followed by soft thud.

Shit! Did she get hurt? I couldn’t bare the emotional torture of not knowing, so against my better judgement, I turned around to see the most beautiful girl in the world. At least, of what I could see. Her brown hair was curled just past her shoulders. Her tanned skin had a good afterglow from the sun, and I swear, she was shining. I follow her torso down, and she has all the right curves in all the right places. Damn! Just checking her out is getting me hard.

My feet were moving before my brain could process anything. I had to see more of her. I have to memorize every inch of that creature. Yet, somehow, I knew that my memories won’t be enough. I knew I needed her by my side, forever. s**t! How can you fall for someone you haven’t really met? Damn mate bond!

I see her struggling to stand, so I put my arms around her tiny waist and lift her up onto her feet. She is a lightweight and my actions threw her off balance because she feels a little unsteady. I hold onto her, probably longer than I need to.

I swallow dryly as she slowly looks up at my face. She has the face of an angel. Soft green eyes with the longest eyelashes I’ve ever seen. A little button nose that sticks out and finishes with some very plump lips. I have a desperate need to capture those lips in mine.

I need to run before I get too caught up. As I squash my desire, Terri loses his mind and starts howling in my head. You would think he lost a loved one already.

I have to get him to stop or else my ears are going to start ringing. I managed to calm him down by agreeing to have a conversation with my mate.

The mate who I tried my best to avoid. I tried to fill that role with plenty, meaningless sexy women. Well, karma’s a b***h because one look at her face and I knew, I have just entered a lifelong celibacy. Because if I didn’t have her, I wouldn’t want anyone else either. I try not to think about everything, so I just held onto her. At least, just a little longer.

Her nervous attempt at conversation was just adorable, like her. I try to figure out how to push her away. I go with a taunt. I hope it works.

Her look of amazement quickly changes and she definitely looks like she wants nothing to do with me.

“My life could do without an asshole.”

I can't stop the laughter that comes out of my mouth. For a second, I thought she was nervous and shy, but I wouldn’t expect my mate to be anything but feisty. I found my heart melting even before I could contain it. I let her go. Holding her just made me want her so much more. I run a hand through my hair. I want her so bad it hurts.

The attitude she gave me before she walked out on me just made me want her more. s**t! I knew I was in trouble. I couldn’t stop staring at her.

Her hips swayed back and forth as she walked into a building. Does she live there? She peeped over her shoulder very indiscreetly and our eyes locked again. Just momentarily, as she slammed the door shut. I hope I didn’t just shut myself out of her life forever.

I knew she carved her way into my heart without even trying and there was no going back now. I stare at the building, confused. Not sure what to do with my life anymore.

Her last words keep ringing over and over again in my head. “Welcome to adulthood.” I guess that’s what this is. This is my wake up call to grow up. 

I walk down the street to my class, but my heart is not in it. I’ve become obsessed with my mate. Where did she go? Will I be able to find her again? My wolf gets very agitated at that. “We have to see her again!” He shouts in my head. I agree with him. She is mine, and I have to do everything I can to find her! 

As I walk towards school, Aiden runs up to me. Aiden and I are twins, and we are both in grad school. The end goal of grad school is to become architects. Our pack owns a traveling business, so we figured that we could contribute by making innovative ways to make resorts. 

“Hey, man, what planet are you on? I’ve been calling your name for about five minutes” Aiden says, interrupting my thoughts. 

“Just have a lot on my mind,” I tell him. I’m not ready to talk about the mate thing yet. He gives me a funny look. I know he knows that I’m hiding something from him. We have stuck together for our entire lives and rarely keep secrets from each other. Even when we try to keep secrets, it doesn’t last very long. He will find out soon enough, but it’s just not going to be right now. 

“Well, I’m on the struggle bus already. I need some tutoring. This design class is already kicking my ass, but I hear they hired a new TA. She’s got office hours tomorrow, are you gonna come with me?” He asks.

“First of all, I know you aren’t on the struggle bus. You have a 4.0. Second of all, I, also, have a 4.0, and I’m not interested in wasting my time by going to meetings I don’t need,” I snap. 

“Woah, chill out! I just heard that the new TA is very hot. Thought that would interest you, but obviously something is really bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?” He asks. 

“Like I said, I’m not interested. I don’t want to talk about it. You can go meet the new TA. I think I’m going to skip class today. Take notes for me?” 

“Sure.”

I ignore the concerned look on his face. I just need some alone time right now.