His Desired Mate

"I said the answer is no and that's final Lexi, I don't want to hear anymore about it!"  "I am not asking your permission Dad! I'm telling you that I am going. You can't tell me what to do. I am 19 years old and not your little girl anymore!" I huff sinking back into my chair angrily.  "You will always be my little girl Lexi and I don't care what age you are because I am your Alpha as well as your father and whatever I say goes. Now do you understand?" my dad questions as he sits back down behind his desk.  "Why do you want to go to Paris anyway? I don't see any need for this trip whatsoever." "I don't see what the big deal is! I'll be going off to college soon anyway. You can't keep me tied to this pack any longer than you have already Dad!" I protest, my arms flailing around in annoyance.  "Well it's one thing you going off to college on human territory. Its another you leaving the country completely. At least when you are at college nearby I can keep an eye on you." he answers, picking up his pen and continuing his paperwork.  "URRGG, Mom you need to help me with him! He is impossible. He won't listen to me!" I look towards my mom, Anna, with pleading eyes and she smiles gently as she walks behind my fathers chair and places both her hands on his large shoulders.  "Lorenzo, you have to let her live her own life. She is an adult now and has the right to make her own decisions." my mother reasons, running her fingers through his hair.  My father lets out a loud sigh and spins his chair around to look up at her. They stare at each other for a while and I realise they are having their own private conversation through the mind link. I wait hopefully, my eyes darting between the both of them. I feel a little bit bad bringing my mom into the constant stream of arguments between my father and I, but I have no other option. She is the only one who can get through his stubborn shell and make him see what an ass he is being.  Don't get me wrong, I love my dad to pieces. As an Alpha, he is cold, strong, ruthless even, but he has always been caring and loving with me. Growing up I was a complete daddy's girl. I followed him around everywhere and it was fair to say he was my best friend. While all of the other pups were outdoors playing, I preferred to curl up in dad's office with a book. After work he would take me to the pack dinner hall for ice cream and he would read to me my favourite stories before bed. My dad has always been fiercely overprotective of both my mother and I. This is something that I didn't mind when I was little but as I grew I began to crave my independence. When I shifted for the first time at 16, it quickly became clear that I was not like any other wolf. My parents feared for my safety, especially my father. He barely let me leave the territory. It became my own luxury prison. This is when the incessant arguing started. It has taken my mother and I months to get my father to agree to my going off to study art and literature at college. He is determined to keep me within the confines of this territory and I am determined to escape from it. "FINE!" my father finally booms out in annoyance, turning around to shuffle some papers on his desk.  My mom looks at me from over his shoulder and gives me a small smile and a cheeky wink. I am impressed that she has managed to work her magic on him yet again.    "Thanks Dad! It will be fine. Its only a little weekend trip and I will be back before you know it!" I squeal, running around the desk and throwing my arms around his shoulders.  "Hold on a minute young lady, I am not done..." Shit. I should have known he wouldn't have caved so easily.  "You will take two pack warriors on the trip with you. I have already mind linked Andrew and Evan to let them know they will be accompanying you to the airport first thing tomorrow morning." "But-" I start hopelessly, before I am cut off.  "This is not negotiable Lexi." my father says sternly, with a serious look in his eyes.  I admit defeat, happy to at least be going on the trip, even with two extremely large bodyguards. If truth be told I don't mind Andrew coming along so much. Andrew has a good sense of humour and doesn't take himself too seriously the way some warrior wolves do. My mother is very close friends with his mate Avery, who had lost her mate, the former Gamma, years ago before finding Andrew. They were not fated mates but fell in love naturally, which is something I have always admired. It's not that I am against having a fated mate, if it happens that's fine but I won't be actively looking for him. In fact, I am more than happy to be on my own right now. The last thing I need is another overbearing male in my life.  "Okay Dad, fine. Andrew and Evan will come too. Got it." I concede, making my way back to my seat in front of him, readying myself for the oncoming lecture.  "So the rules are... you don't go anywhere without Andrew of Evan present, no talking to strangers out-with your group, no partying, no boys and no shifting." "...so in other words no fun, honey." my mom giggles, shaking her head softly at my father and his over-the-top rules.  I nod quickly in agreement and spring up from my chair making my way towards the door, eager to make my exit before he changes his mind. To be quite honest, I won't find it hard to stick to his rules anyway. I've never been one for parties or men and as for not shifting, well I'm used to that too... I head straight back to my room to call my friend Rebecca and let her know that I can come along on the group trip to Paris after all. When she told me about the trip last month I had a terrible feeling in my gut. I had just finally got my dad to agree to my going off to college, there was no way I thought he would agree to this too. I know that my parents are nervous about me moving off of the pack territory but for me it's long overdue. These past few years have made me feel trapped and isolated and my heart craves freedom. Despite being the daughter of the Alpha, I have always felt a little out of place amongst the pack. I had some friends at high school, Rebecca being my closest, however, even she doesn't know my secrets. When my dad realised I was different, he put up a protective wall around me. I wasn't allowed to leave the territory with my friends, to go on pack hunts or shift in the presence of anyone except my mum, dad and a few trusted warriors.  My secrets held me hostage, unable to make deep connections with other wolves. My own wolf, Astra, has grown frustrated with our situation and I know she can't wait to leave here too. I know that she is sad that she is leaving her pack behind but like me, she has also felt trapped. I walk over to the window and sit on the comfy bench, letting my eyes wander over the forest below. This is the beginning of a new chapter for me. One where I am finally in control. One where I can be truly free for the first time in my life.