My Alpha's Pain

Note: This series is a darker werewolf series. Be aware of betrayal, violence and loss of loved ones. -Bella- The winter ball was truly spectacular. The ballroom was packed with guests eager to enjoy the festivities—eating, drinking, chatting, dancing—there was no shortage of things to do, and I relished every moment. However, my expectations extended beyond just indulging in the celebrations. I was searching for that one person who would make my world spin and my heart race. The person my brother had found in his mate, Cara. It had been a year since they met and became a couple. I had just turned eighteen three months ago, and I had hoped to find my soulmate by now. I understood that it could take time. Dean didn’t find Cara until he was twenty, but I still held onto hope. I dreamed of meeting him, and among my family, I felt like the only one still waiting. My cousins had all found their mates, even Mary, who I’d been close to since childhood. She was planning to move soon, which meant I was about to lose my best friend. Now, finding my soulmate felt even more important. As I searched desperately through the crowd, my brother approached, offering me a glass of champagne. Cara stood beside him, wearing a stunning golden dress with her hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail. She had changed significantly since we first met—now more trusting, though still someone you wouldn’t want to cross. My brother was dressed in a sharp black suit, effortlessly attracting attention despite his commitment to Cara. I wore a long silver dress and matching shoes, my white hair cascading down to my waist. “Searching for something?” my brother inquired with a grin. I flashed him a smile and shook my head. “Just taking in the party. It’s incredible this year,” I said. “Maybe that’s because you helped set it up,” my brother pointed out. I blushed slightly, taking a small sip of my drink. I had enjoyed helping with the winter ball when my mother asked me to. It was a lot of fun. But I was more excited about the party itself, knowing that many guests from outside would be attending, which meant there was a chance my mate might be among them. “I’m off to dance with my lovely mate,” Dean announced, handing me his glass and taking Cara’s hand. Cara gave me a warm smile and an affectionate eyeroll, clearly excited to dance with my brother. She seemed thrilled to do anything with him, and all I could think was that I wanted that too. I wanted a mate who would lead me to the dance floor, twirl me around, joke with me, and kiss me. I couldn’t deny I was a bit envious, but I reminded myself that I still had time to find... What was that incredible scent? I scanned the room, desperately trying to locate its source. I set my drink down on a nearby table and moved through the crowded room, searching for the incredible aroma. It was difficult to pinpoint with so many people around, and eventually, I lost it. No, no, no! Where did it go? I looked around frantically, but the scent had vanished. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized I might have missed my chance. I turned away from the party and made my way outside into a quiet hallway. Leaning against a cold wall, I buried my face in my hands. How could I have lost track so quickly? What kind of mate was I if I couldn’t even follow a simple scent trail? I felt utterly pathetic. “Hey.” I turned my head at the sound of the most captivating voice I had ever heard. Mate! I looked into a pair of mesmerizing blue-green eyes that sparkled with warmth and belonged to an incredibly handsome man. He had dark brown hair, was very tall, and looked absolutely irresistible in his blue suit. “Looking for me?” he questioned with a playful grin. “I-I…” Where was my voice? I wasn’t able to form just one sentence as I faced the most handsome male I had ever laid my eyes on. I just stared at him. What was I supposed to say to my mate when we first met? Of course I had forgotten to ask my mother about that. Then again, I wasn’t sure she could offer much guidance, given how she and my father had met. “I’m Mason,” he introduced, extending his hand to me. In a daze, I took his hand without shaking it, just holding on while I continued to stare at him like a fool. “Are you going to tell me your name, or am I supposed to guess my own mate’s name?” he joked. That finally jolted me out of my awkward, embarrassing trance. “Sorry… I’m B-Bella,” I managed to stammer. He laughed at my flustered reaction, and I didn’t mind at all. I loved the sound of his laughter and wished I could hear it all the time. It was pure bliss. “Bella,” he said, making my heart skip a beat. “Such a beautiful name.” He stepped closer, then closer still, until our bodies were pressed together. Gently, he traced a finger down my cheek, sending a shiver of delight through me. “Just as beautiful as you,” he whispered, leaning in to press his lips to mine. The kiss ignited a fire within me instantly. I was astonished by how incredible it felt as his warm lips moved against mine. When his tongue slipped inside, sweeping over mine, it made my core tighten with need. “So sweet,” he murmured against my lips. “I want you. Now.” “What?” I asked, pulling back slightly. “Do you not want to be mine?” Oh yes! I wanted to be his. I wanted us to be completely connected. This was everything I had wished for. So why did I feel a hint of hesitation? “I do,” I replied. He smiled at me warmly before kissing me again, then took my hand and led me away from the party. We climbed a grand staircase, passed through a dark hallway, and looked into a few rooms before finding an unoccupied bedroom. He ushered me inside, closed the door, and immediately came over to me, kissing me passionately. “There’s a party going on downstairs,” I said, pulling back slightly. “And?” “You’re not worried that someone might come up here?” He shook his head. “No, and neither should you. It’s just the two of us here,” he whispered. He kissed his way down my neck, erasing my worries and making me feel like it was only the two of us in the world. *** I lay in bed, my breath coming a little heavier from what had just transpired. Oh my… I had just had s*x with my mate for the very first time! We hadn’t marked each other yet, but this was a significant part of becoming fully connected. I was grinning from ear to ear when I felt Mason stir beside me. I watched him curiously as he got up from the bed and began to dress. “So, when should we tell people?” I inquired, unsure if he wanted to wait until we knew each other better. Mason had put on his pants and shirt but hadn’t buttoned it. When he turned to face me, he looked puzzled by my question. “Tell people what?” he asked. I frowned, confused by his response. What did he mean? “About us? That we’re mates,” I said. Mason’s smile turned almost cruel as he shook his head. “We aren’t mates.” “What?” I inquired, sitting up in bed and clutching the blanket tightly around me. I gripped it so hard that my nails dug into the fabric as I watched Mason put on his jacket. “I’m rejecting you,” he said. His words felt like a punch to the gut. I stopped breathing for a moment, unsure if my heart was even beating. Everything seemed to freeze as his words echoed through the silent room. “W-What… Why?” I asked, tears welling up in my eyes. “W-What did I do wrong?” “I don’t want you,” he spat. “I just wanted to sleep with you, and now I have. You were an easy target, and the night was ending.” He was… using me? “B-But… we’re mates,” I whispered. “Not anymore. I reject you.” He didn’t say anything further. He simply turned his back on me and left, closing the door behind him. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry and yell, but I had lost my voice… I had lost my mate.