His Desired Mate

Chapter Seven

2 Days Ago 

Lexi’s POV 

“What do you think of the red one? I thought it looked beautiful on you!” 

“Mom, please can we go to lunch this is the 10th dress I have tried on today!” I groan, spinning around in the latest dress she has picked out for me to try. 

“Hmmm, if we get the red one, we can go now?” she offers with a sly smile. 

“You win! The red it is!” I chuckle, shaking my head. 

Shopping is definitely not one of my favourite things to do but I have to admit, spending the day hanging out with my mom has really been amazing. Infact, this whole visit home has been great. Mom and dad seem less anxious about my living away from home and the atmosphere has felt light and breezy as a result. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed and joked so much with either of them. 

I emerge from the changing room holding the long red silk gown. It’s not something that I would usually wear but I’m happy to end the shopping trip in favour of a cheeseburger. 

After paying for the dress we head to a local diner and place our orders, my stomach already growling in anticipation. 

“Ella is so excited that we are all coming to Blackstone for the ceremony. She practically choked on her words when I said we would be attending.” my mom laughs sipping her coffee. 

“How did you get Dad to agree to going?” I ask interestedly. 

“Well since you are off at college now and have been making your own way in the world,  I think he has realised that at some point we must start letting you make your own decisions.” she smiles gently. “and since you are quite capable of leaving the country and having no harm come to you, I think he has realised a trip to Blackstone isn’t exactly lethal” she adds, sounding so relieved. 

I can’t help but smile for my mom. I know that she loves my dad with her whole heart but he definitely is not the easiest man to live with. A part of me feels like my new found freedom has helped them both find theirs too. I never wanted to be a burden on them or an anchor around their necks. 

“That’s great Mom, I’m glad you will get to see your friends again.” I answer, biting into my large burger. 

“Oh yes definitely. I can’t wait to see them. What about you? Aren’t you keen to see Blackstone again? You spent a lot of time there when you were little?” she asks curiously, stabbing at her salad leaves. 

“I guess so... it’s a nice place. There are some places I would like to visit again. Like the lake and  I’d love to fit in a little hiking before we head home.” I shrug. 

The truth of the matter is I could do without this trip to Blackstone. I’d much rather get back home to my apartment and get back to helping Anima out in the shop. I called her yesterday and she reassured me that everything is fine but I still wouldn’t like to leave her without help for too long. Not to mention a visit to Blackstone comes with an unavoidable encounter with Zack Blackwood. It’s not that I hate him, I just don’t have anything in common with him at all. As pups we would play together along with his little sister Jessica and we had a lot of fun spending summers by the lake but as we grew older he began to really grate on my nerves. His brutishness was irritating and his cockiness hit new levels of arrogance! 

“Ella is very proud of Zack. She said he will make a fine Alpha. He was top of his class at Alpha training, although I guess that is no surprise with Lucas and Ella’s guidance behind him. Goddess I couldn’t believe it when she showed me the picture Lexi he is one handsome young man.” 

“Yep I’m sure he is... and I’m sure he knows it too.” I mumble rolling my eyes. 

“Don’t tell your father I said this but Lucas was always very attractive, Zack is definitely his fathers son. I’m pretty sure he had a little crush on you when you were both young. Just you be careful not to fall for his charms.” she giggles raising her eyebrows at me suggestively. 

There is definitely no chance of that. I’m not sure he has any charms that I am interested in if I’m honest. He’s pig headed, vain and not to mention a serial womaniser. The last thing I need is to be mixed up with a man who is:

a) as smug as him or b) has enough psychotic ex’s to fill a f*****g football field. 

“I can promise you right now with confidence mother, that no matter how good looking he is, no matter how charming he is, I will never EVER fall for Zack Blackwood.” I declare in my clearest most animated voice causing my mom to howl with laughter. 

*** 

“So where are you off to now?” Becca asks me as she walks me out the door of the restaurant. 

“Urgh I have to go to this stupid ball at Blackstone so I will have to rush home and get ready. Personally I would rather avoid the whole thing but my mom would kill me.” I laugh. 

“Oh that’s right the Alpha ceremony was today right? Oh Goddess I’m sorry you missed it! You should have said. You didn’t need to come!” Becca apologises. 

“Don’t be silly! It’s your birthday and you are my best friend. You come first not some asshole who I haven’t even seen in 3 years.” I say reassuringly. “Anyway, I’ll make it in time for the ball, if I head now to get ready.” 

Becca’s mouth drops open in shock. 

“Wait... your dad is letting you travel there alone?” 

“Haha nah, we aren’t quite at that level of chill yet! Andrew is driving me!” I laugh, hugging her tightly before heading back in the direction of the pack house. 

“Have some fun will you Lexi!!” she calls after me. 

After I get dressed I assess my look in the mirror. I now have to agree with my mother that the red silk of the gown really complements my olive skin tone and chestnut brown hair which I have arranged in a loose bun at the nape of my neck. Leaving delicate pieces landing softly around my face. The floor length dress fits my body like a glove and I feel a little self conscious at it’s tight grip around figure. I quickly finish up getting ready and head out to meet Andrew out front. 

“Lexi honey you look stunning!” Avery coos as I fly out of the front door in a bit of a hurry now. 

“Thanks Ave” I grin, blowing her a kiss before climbing into the car. 

“Okay lets her Cinderella to the ball.” Andrew jokes starting up the car. 

“Oh piss off Andrew.” I giggle staring out of the window as we leave the driveway. 

*** 

When we arrive at Blackstone the sun has just begun to set in the sky. The colours of orange and yellow tinge the horizon as the sky begins to descent into darkness. Gosh this territory is as beautiful as I remember, I think to myself as we drive through the quaint streets towards the pack house. I climb out of the car and Andrew heads to park the car.

“I’ll get you inside Lex, will you be okay?” he asks me with concern. 

“Of course I will, I am not a little pup you know.” I growl out a little unintentionally. To which Andrew just chuckles in response. 

I begin to wander the cute gardens for a bit when I spot the prettiest flowers growing by the entrance to the house I stop to admire them and think how beautiful they would be to paint. 

Suddenly a large presence appears at my side and causes me to almost jump out of my skin. When I spin around I see a handsome face staring back at me. He is tall and broad, muscular yet lean. His dark brown hair is neatly positioned yet still effortless and sexy. His suit is tailored to perfection, his strong jawline stubbled giving him a gentlemanly, yet rugged appeal. This man is a contradiction. Everything about him screams sexiness. His eyes look into mine and almost look black under the emerging moonlight. When I regain my composure it dawns on me. 

It’s f*****g Zack. 

I shove my thoughts about his appearance to one side and fix my face in a scowl. 

Just then his hand shoots out and touches my face. What the f**k? What is he doing? 

“MATE” he calls loudly as his fingers drop down my cheek. 

What is he talking about? My head is spinning at his declaration. I quickly slap his hand away from me. I haven’t seen this man or even so much as spoken to him in three years and yet he thinks he has the right to touch me. The arrogant asshole! Then I speak the words I know to be true...

“You are NOT my mate!” I retort loudly. Making myself extremely clear. 

He looks at me in utter shock with a hint of pain in his expression. 

“Lexi is it really you?” he demands breathlessly. 

“Yes Zack its Lexi. Now what the hell is going on here!? Is this some sort of sick joke?” I demand taking a step back from him. 

His brow furrows as he advances towards me closing the gap between out bodies. He looks slightly pissed at my response. 

“You are mine Lexi. My mate.” he exclaims wrapping a strong hand around my wrist. 

“I can assure you that I most definitely am not!!” I protest trying to wriggle my arm free from his grip. 

“Don’t you feel it!? Can’t you feel those sparks? Lexi, they are lighting my body up like a f*****g Christmas tree you must feel them too?” he questions and I detect honesty in his words. 

“No Zack I don’t feel them. I literally don’t feel anything towards you.” I say honestly. 

His face contorts in a mixture of both anger and confusion. 

“Lexi your wolf must be telling you. My wolf has no doubt about it. You are our mate. You belong to us.” he says strongly, tightening his grip around my wrist and placing the palm of his other hand back on my cheek. 

“Goddess you are so beautiful.” he breathes out looking into my eyes again for some sort of acceptance, of which I can offer him none. 

“I’d like to leave Zack, let go of my arm.” I growl out between my teeth, still struggling against him. 

“What are you talking about? you’re not going anywhere. You are staying by my side.” 

“LIKE HELL I AM!!” I scream frantically pulling away with all my might. 

Suddenly my whole body become airborne and the world shifts upside down as in am tossed like a rag doll over his broad shoulder. 

“LET ME DOWN YOU ASSHOLE!” I shout out loudly beating my fists against his large back. 

“Stop it Lexi. We need to talk!” he hisses out, half demanding, half pleading. 

I notice we I am being carried through the lobby of the house and up a flight of marble stairs. I continue to scream and shout out but the sound of loud music emerging from the hall lets me know that I won’t be heard. 

When I realised we are walking down a dark hallway my brain is suddenly struck with paralysing fear. Where are we going? What is he going to do with me. 

I hear him fiddle with keys before he unlocks a room door and strides inside, placing me down on my feet. 

I shuffle back as quickly as possible and look around to realise we are in a bedroom. Most likely his. 

“You... you stay the f**k away from me!” I demand, raising my pretty useless fists. 

He doesn’t come towards me. Instead he only examines me with pain in his eyes. 

“Lexi I won’t hurt you. I would never hurt you. Surely you know that about me? I’m your mate.” he pleads. 

“Stop saying that!! It’s not true!” the tears now beginning to fall from my eyes. 

I realise now that I will have to do the one thing I hoped I would never have to do. 

Mind link my father for help. 

“Dad please I need you.” I call out frantically in my mind. 

“What? Lexi where are you? Are you hurt?” 

“Alpha Zack’s bedroom. Please Dad.” I reply quickly, cutting off the connection to keep my full wits about me. 

“Please... don’t cry... I don’t know what to say... I just... Lexi you have to feel it too. You’re scent is driving my wolf crazy right now. This is all true- just try to-“ 

He doesn’t get to finish that sentence because all hell breaks loose...