Alpha's Blinded Mate

What the HE**

Max POV

"Where did you go with the newbie?" I questioned my Beta, sounding upset.

"I took her home. She was the only one without a ride, plus it took her 30 minutes to get home by foot. Why does it matter?"

"It doesn't. I just wanted to make sure you weren't doing something you're not supposed to with a minor," I said, lying. I was irritated with him but did not know why.

"Dude, I would never. I get enough action as it is, but I won't lie and say that I'm not interested in her. Plus, her 18th birthday is tomorrow, so you know." Don said with a smile on his face, grabbing my shoulder.

I was pissed. "Know. What?" the words hissed between my teeth.

"Chill, bro. I feel a connection with her, so maybe she's my mate, or if not, maybe we can date casually. Look, your 27, too, so you must know how lonely it is without a mate, and only hooking up with random she-wolves just doesn't feel right anymore. Why do you care so much? You didn't even bat an eye when Tally attacked her?"

" I could care less about her and the fact that I don't have a mate. I have Layla, for that matter. Just don't go do anything crazy. You're the Beta, for crying out loud," I said, and immediately walked away. I don't understand why this conversation was pissing me off and not just me, Dax too.

"Maybe she is our mate?" Dax said.

"No, no way the goddess would do that to us. She's blind. How do you expect her to manage a pack if she can't even see it? Weak Luna, equals weak Pack. She is not our mate."

"If she is, you better not mess this up, or I will tear you apart from the inside out." He usually said that when I was with Layla, but his tone was different this time. Almost like he meant it.

After my pack duties, I head to my room to take a shower and wash away the sh*t Don was spitting today. While the shower was heating up, I was picking out some sweats from my closet when Layla mind linked me. Asking if I needed her to sing me a lullaby to help put me to sleep. Just the thought of her naked made me sick to my stomach. I chose to ignore her whims and blocked her out completely. After stepping into the shower, I lower my head underneath the water, allowing the water to run from my head to my toes. My mind began to calm itself and suddenly I reminisced about the smell of that petite, gorgeous girl with eyes like the setting sun. Her aura was warm yet playful. Her skin looked soft as silk, and her build was small with curves. Ugh, why can't I stop thinking about her? I bet she tastes better than she smells. Another unnecessary thought clouded my mind.

She looked like she was inexperienced, but that made me happy. I wanted to be the one to teach her what pleasure was. I wanted to explore her uncharted bud. Finger and lick every inch of her until I could remember all of her sweet spots. I need to be the one that makes her flower blossom. I would gently open up her wetness, making her submit to me but not how I made other girls. I wanted her differently. In ways that only I could have her. I yearned to make her mine....

Instantly, I stopped the thought, opened my eyes, looked down, and realized I was hard as a rock. What the h*ll is wrong with me? Well, there is nothing like a cold shower. I hopped out of the shower and lay in bed, still thinking about the newbie, when I realized Don said her birthday was tomorrow. I wonder what she likes. Oh, she will be a part of the first moon shedding at the end of the month. I wonder what her wolf looks like. Probably just as small and cute as she is. I don't know what it is about her, but Dax is set on protecting her. He has the same feelings as I do, making me a bit nervous. It could be because she was so innocent-looking that our Alpha gene felt the need to protect our pack members. Thinking about her made me think about the Luna position. This is crazy. Why am I thinking about her as my Luna? I'm getting too old for this sh*t. It's easy to see that my y d*ck is controlling my mind. I need hurry and place a Luna by my side. I need to hold my Luna ceremony soon so Dax and I can chill out. Besides, tomorrow is the mating ceremony, and maybe she will find her mate there.

The next day I woke up early to get ahead of the crowd. I wanted to let Dax out for a run to decompress before my stressful day began. Once we were out of the packhouse I shifted and Dax sprinted towards the border. It was just before sunset when I shifted back and started to make my way back towards the packhouse, when I suddenly was hit with an aroma so strong I had forgotten what I was doing. The smell was so allouring that I felt like I was floating. I began to follow the smell deeper into the woods when I heard singing. The voice was angelic and soft. I could tell it was filled with so many emotions. I could feel her sorrow, excitement and pain. I begin to panic because I knew what this meant. Dax didn't have to say a word becasue I could feel it. I could feel her.

"What are you doing? You can smell her too. Go there now!" Dax demanded.

"Give me a moment. Let me think." I was conflicted, I could feel her saddness and I did not want to scare her. I'm sure if I felt her she could also feel me.

"What is there to think about? Go get mate now." We began to argue between us for a while when we both realize that she was no longer there. I take off towards the direction of the smell and was only left with the smell of incents or candles. F*ck, why was I so nervous to meet her? Why did I wait? I thought to myself myself while rubbing my forehead.

"Don't say sh*t, I'm already pissed off enough as is. P*ssy."

We decide to head back to the packhouse and regroup for tomorrow at the same place. Upon our arrival I could tell it was complete chaos and I haven't even opened the door. Everyone was running around getting the packhouse ready for the ceremony. So much noise to be so early in the morning. Making my way through the packhouse to head upstairs to grab a quick shower, I ended up overhearing Don talking with Layla about a new she-wolf that he was interested in, and he hoped that when he sees her this morning they would end up mates and his wolf could claim her tonight. I knew exactly who he was talking about, and I wanted to rip his throat out for even thinking of doing such things. But who was I to feel that way? Wanting to get in her pants and killing my Beta were on completely different spectrums.

"I better leave now so I'm not late picking her up," Don said, heading to the front door.

I need to stop him.

I ran downstairs as if there was an emergency grabbing Don's shoulder.

"Where are you going?" I asked even though I knew the answer

"Remember I told you I was going to pick up Nina" a slight growl came out when he said her name.

"I need you on patrol."

"Now? This will only take 10 to 15 minutes tops."

"Now, we have a lot of wolves coming tonight from all over, and we do not need some rouges ruining the ceremony."

"Fine, but someone should at least let Nina know. I don't have her number so it would be wrong just not to show up. Could you ask Charlie?"

"She needs to find her own way to work. This is not a charity, and I think I have told you that before too."

"Chill, dude. It's just really too hot to walk uphill from where she lives. Plus, I really want to see her as soon as possible."

"Not another word about her, and I mean it," I said in my Alpha tone, making him lower his head. Don didn't respond and instead chose to walk away. I felt awful to make her walk, but I had to get her off my mind. Her shift starts soon, so I'm sure she'll be fine.

Time flew as I checked over the guest list, seating arrangements, etc. when I noticed it's already 8:20 AM and Nina hasn't showed up. My chest tightened and worry set in. Why is she not here? What is wrong with her? Ugh, I hate that I was looking for her and wanted to at least catch a glimpse of her sapphire hair. At least I could drive the roads to make sure she didn't trip over something and come straight back. It's technically my duty as Alpha. I say to myself as an excuse to go check on her.

Not even after 5 minutes of driving, I could smell that intense scent again, but I couldn't see her. I pulled over and walked just inside the tress and was able to spot a small body passed out on the ground. Dax yelled at the top of his lungs, "MATE!".

Mate? No way.

"Mate is hurt. Hurry," Dax yelled, sounding anxious.

My heart was pounding as I exited the car. Her body was not moving at all which triggered some anxiety. I coudl tell just from her hair who was laying on the ground, as lifeless and the rock next to her. I ran to her side, turned her on her back, brushed her hair off her face, and checked to see if she was breathing. She was fine, but her limp body made me feel sick. She needed some A/C and fast. "Nina! Nina!" I yelled while I shook her lifeless body. She was breathing, but it was erratic. I'm sure the heat did not make it any better. She also had bandages wrapped around her wrist. What the hell happened to her? Anger crept into my chest. I linked the doctor and told her to meet me in my bedroom.

I lifted her fragile body and placed her in the car. She was even smaller than I thought. I could feel her ribs and her spine. What the hell is this? This is my mate. I don't think so. Once she wakes up, I have no choice but to reject her. She won't be able to handle the pack, and I won't always have time to be there to protect her. Ugh, just thinking of rejecting her hurt like hell.

"If you reject her, I will reject you. Do not hurt my mate and get her some help now," Dax said with a firm tone.

"Dax, remember that there is no you without me, and without you, there is no me. We have people to protect, and I am sure the goddess will give us a second chance. Please trust me as you always have." I told him to calm him down, but he shut me out before I could say more. I get it. Mates were everything to wolves, and we feel everything they feel, but I will not have a useless person as my Luna. But every time I look at her, my heart melts.

As I get to the packhouse, Layla meets me at the door.

"Who the hell is that in your arms?"

"I don't have time right now, Layla, move out of my way." I ran upstairs as fast as I could to meet the doctor in my room. I gently lay her on my bed so the doc could look at her. After she examines her, she looks back at me and asks what the hell happened to her? I don't know what to say to her and growl.

"Well, first, she's exhausted. She had a small heatstroke which could have been prevented if she wasn't so malnourished. Also, the wounds on her wrist are not healing fast, which is weird, so I took a blood sample. Feed her and let her rest when she wakes up; she should be fine."

"Thanks, doc," I replied.

How did this happen? Was this my fault? Why was she in this condition? I was angry. Angry at myself and whoever has been taking care of her. "F*ck!" It was hurting me so much to see her like that. "She'll be fine. She just needs a bit of rest and a lot of nutrition." I said, reassuring myself to calm my nerves.

I looked towards the bed to see her sleeping silently, and I couldn't help but be curious. She was so small especially compared to me, but she was beautiful. Slowly, I traced every curl in her hair, every curve on her body, and every freckle on her face, but her lips were my favorite. Her neck was long, which made it easier to see her marking spot. My mouth began to water. She looked like she would taste sweet and the best kind of sweetness. What was I thinking? I could never mark someone like her, but I can't lie when I say I was tempted to give her just one kiss on those cherry lips. Just one kiss should be fine, right? I leaned down and took a deep breath of her scent before connecting our lips, sending sparks down my spine.

When I opened my eyes, they were met with a golden brown blaze staring back.

"What the hell?"