His One and Only Mate

Chapter 5

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*ALINA POV*

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The door knocks and I look at the mirror’s reflection of my mom coming into my room. Of course, she’s in jeans, shirt, and jacket, since she doesn’t have to be a host tonight. Makes me want to hit Micah even more for wanting this formal party.

“Look at you,” she beams while I give a hesitant smile. “Lets do something with your hair. Up or down?”

“Down, I guess.”

After patting my shoulder from my remark, she starts to weave magic through my hair, forming tighter curls that will make my hair seem slightly shorter. It’ll still be in the middle of my back, but hopefully I won’t have to stay at the party for more than a few hours.

I compare us through the mirror, seeing all the similarities people have always complimented on. We share the same eyes- blue in the right that represents my witch heritage, and the left, a deep orange with a bright green circle outlining it. My says she was born from forced dark magic- an experiment that created the first hybrid, which is why we look so different from others. She raised me to love my difference though, and to embrace my duality since she didn’t get the chance as a child.

Other than that, I’m a perfect blend of my parents. Where mom’s dark hair is unruly curly, dad gave me the genetics of softer, more manageable waves- thank goddess. My cheekbones are high like dads, and I have mom’s small nose and pouty lips. Aunt Florine and mom have joked about me having small breasts, which I would rather have because bras suck, but unfortunately, I’m already filling out more than I want. Everything else is ‘skinny minny’, as Tink likes to say, but thanks to the training mom and I go through, I don’t look so frail as I did when I was younger.

I look down at this pink dress. It really is pretty with the pounds of flowy skirts that will make a dramatic effect when I run or dance, but what it represents… it just doesn’t feel like me.

When mom walks out of sight from my reflection, I stare at the familiar stranger I was brought up to be. I don’t mind being a princess… I mean, the perks are pretty good, but I’ve always questioned about what I want to do in life. What can I really do as a princess? I mean, sure, dad is basically approaching 900, but mom is still young. How long until they retire from their reign and expect me to rule? And will I always live in the castle? The constant smiling and bowing, but never really accomplishing anything?

Mom comes back to pin my hair to the side as I choke back an uneasy feeling crawling through my mind. What if Caden truly doesn’t want a mate? What is my life going to look like with nothing to look forward to…. all alone?

“Momma?”

She immediately gives me her attention. I usually only call her ‘momma’ when I’m sick or sad. “Yes, baby?”

I haven’t talked with mom about my feelings on Caden. For the longest time, there was nothing to talk about. I’m sure she knows, especially how she kept me occupied with training this past year, but she never pushes me for any information. “Nevermind,” I say, mentally shaking my head and forcing a smile on. “It looks pretty. Thank you.”

I can tell she doesn’t buy my change of thought, but turns me around and hugs me just the same as if we did just have a heart to heart. “Thank you for wearing the dress,” she smiles out when she pulls away.

“Like I had a choice.”

I watch her tidy up my vanity area, wishing I could lounge in my bed until time to go, but goddess forbid if I caused a wrinkle. “I’m not sure if anyone told you, but Caden is going to be your escort for your entrance. He should be ready by now.”

My stomach drops. “W-why not dad or Micah?” I think I’m the last person Caden would want to escort, no matter how much that hurts to even think about.

“You’re too tall for Micah, and me and your dad have a date night since all you kids are having your own thing.” She goes into my closet and pulls out the small heels I’m expected to wear tonight. Just another reason to hate formal parties.

We both turn as happy knocks dance on the door. “Everyone’s ready!” Maddie exclaims, letting herself in. “Oh, Alina! You look positively beautiful!” I feel a small blush at her exuberance and she crashes a hug to me.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you and Acker supposed to be with Micah?” my mom asks.

“Acker needed to talk with Connor before you head out. You should see how my baby boy looks- so grown!” I almost laugh while picking up my dress to head on out. The sooner I get to the party, the sooner it should end. “Where is Connor taking you tonight?”

“Well, I offered to take us to the mountains to see the aurora lights but he—”

I make my way out in the hall, trying not to have a mini freak out about being next to Caden again. As the entry way comes into sight, I see dad and Acker in a hushed conversation. Acker has worry lines in his brow. I hope it doesn’t have anything to do with what happened earlier.

I’ve never seen Caden get that aggressive before. Maddie asked me to help serve drinks at the training ring and to get Micah to go inside to start his day of pampering. I knew he was there, and I didn’t want to see him so soon after this morning, so I tried to keep busy and talk to the adults. One minute, cheers were heard- another victory for Caden, but then people started shouting, and Acker quickly went on alert. By the time I turned around, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Caden’s wolf was attempting to force himself out, and the anger on his face… it was enough to even scare me.

Everything changed when he looked at his dad. There was so much flickering through his aura- too much to get a read on, but his eyes started glazing over. I’ve never seen Caden cry before. I doubt anyone has. And it hurt my heart to see him in pain….. but, he pushed me away… again.

And now, I have to walk with him into the party….

“Alina… you look beautiful.” I look up as dad and Acker make their way to me, both wearing smiles as if nothing was wrong. Dad embraces me in a tight hug, and I hear mom and Maddie’s voices venture into the hall.

“You sure you don’t want to come tonight? Alina might gain a stalker or two,” Acker teases dad, making him growl through his chest. When I let dad go, Acker pulls me in with an equally as warm hug. “You look lovely, dear.”

“Thank you.”

“I think you and Maddie have it covered,” mom giggles out. I turn around and dad already has her in his arms, nibbling on her neck. Gross.

“I’m going to head on down…”

“Have fun Alina! Love you! And remember- no magic unless absolutely necessary. Everyone’s a were, not mixed company!”

“Yes, mom…”

I lift up the skirt and make way down. I only stagger twice with these heels in the maze of halls, which is probably my best record. When I get to the last and main stairwell, my eyes travel down to the bottom, only freezing as Caden stands there with his back to me.

As if he can sense that I’m here, he turns his body, and the energy seems to freeze around me as something in his eyes calls to me. It makes me stand a little straighter and feel a little better about going to this party. I take one step at a time, neither of us losing eye contact as I glide down. My breaths are shallow as if I ran up the stairs instead of gracefully walking down them. I haven’t felt like this since the night he kissed me almost two years ago, and I want to imagine that’s what he’s feeling as well.

I stop on the last step and take him in. Even though he’s wearing a basic tux, he looks very handsome, and very grown. His hair is slicked back and off his brow, making his blue eyes even more intense than usual. For a moment of time, it feels as if we are back to the old us.

“Wow,” he says almost to softly and I feel a blush creeping up.

“Oh, Caden- you look so handsome!”

Maddie’s voice breaks the trance, and I take the last step of the stairs, but Caden doesn’t react fast enough, causing me to bump into him, and that’s when it hits me- the smell of intense alcohol. Is he drunk?

Maddie brushes his shoulders off, continuing complimenting him more. I tune her out and focus on his mannerisms. His eyes are slightly reddened and glassy looking; his hair is slicked back, but looks as if that was his only option as if in a rush. The top two buttons of his shirt are undone and his jacket is wrinkled.

The more I see, the more hurt and angrier I get. Is this the only way he can stand to be around me? To drink himself stupid and have an excuse on why he was nice to me? I start to dig myself into the emotional turmoil, and I can feel my magic pulsing, reacting to my mood. I can’t let it control me.

Maddie walks towards the ballroom, calling us to fall in step behind her. Each step I take, I become more angry, and I would rather do this entrance alone than forcing him to do something he doesn’t want to do.

“You okay?”

I barely hold it in, choosing instead to roll my eyes. “Does it matter?” There’s barely anyone in the hallway and Maddie is talking the ear off of a guest as she guides them to the ballroom.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asks incredulously. Each exhale he takes definitely proves he’s been drinking. Maddie must be too excited to even notice. “Hey,” he says gently… reaching for my wrist to stop us but I keep in stride. “Talk to me….”

“Oh, now you want to talk,” I grit out softly. I turn to look at him while we walk. “You haven’t wanted to talk for a long time now, Caden. What’s the difference now?” He stops in his tracks and hurt flashes across his face, but I feel like I’ve been hurting longer than him with his cold treatment. “Fine, if you want to talk so bad, tell me what upset you today.” I cross my arms, waiting for his answer, but I can already tell he’s not going to give it to me. I hate that it’s gotten this far with us, and it’s painful. I’m tired of feeling dejected by my own mate. I can feel my lip wobbling involuntarily and I try to hold it in. “I don’t know what I did, but I thought you cared about me….”

“Alina, I –“

“No, Caden,” I speak softly, shaking my head. “You push me away every chance you get. And now, you can’t even walk me into a party without drinking.” I look up to him, seeing shock and shame cross his face.

“You ready guys? Micah’s getting impatient,” Maddie calls, right before slipping into the ballroom.

I pick up my skirt, plastering on a fake smile. “Yes, coming.” I look back to him, flipping my face just as quickly. “I can’t keep doing this, Caden.” And I lower my voice into a whisper. “You know we’re mates, and all you’re doing is hurting me, and you don’t even respect me enough to tell me why.”

I turn to walk towards the double doors, trying to hold my head up high, but all I wat to do is just steal some ice cream from the kitchen and hole up in my room.

“Alina, please…” My chest does that hurt dip, hearing his voice c***k on his plea. I feel his body rush up to mine, but I keep my sight on the double doors. “Please… lis-“

“Her royal highness, Princess Alina Maureen Paxton. Escorted by Caden Hugh Yates, Son of Beta Acker and Lady Madeline.” I can hear the soft clapping as the doors start to open.

“Just smile like we were taught. Once we get in there, you’ve fulfilled your obligations and can walk away from me, just like you have been for the past year and a half.” My fake smile is in place, even though I want to crumble on the inside. His body goes stiff, but as expected, Caden holds his arm out. I place my hand on top of his as we enter the ball room. The static almost burns between us from our touch that’s been denied for so long, almost causing me to break the mask that I’m wearing.

The small crowd parts for us as we get to the center of the room. We turn to each other, and his eyes hold regret, and his aura is longing, wishing to soothe me, but he won’t…. and I can’t. I won’t get pushed away again today.

“And the guest of honor!” the announcer loudly claims as the lights dim. My smile completely shreds to a faint line and I turn my body away. “Micah Bartholomew Yates, son of---"

As the lights shine brighter on the birthday boy, I wander off the dance floor, too conflicted internally to stand next to Caden any longer. On one hand, I’m glad that I’ve confronted him about his hurtful behavior. But on the other, I just want to crawl into a hole.

Wishful thinking just wants him to take me into his arms and tell me why he’s being like this, but he doesn’t come after me, and doesn’t call my name. And I feel completely alone.