Chapter 1 The Mate's Choice

Elizabeth Point of view

"One of the Stone brothers is my mate," I said, and beside me my best friend, Elaine, fiddled with my red locks. She dropped them and gave me a small smile.

"How lucky you are," she said, and I rolled my eyes. I wasn't a bit lucky; I was stuck finding which one was my mate, and I wasn't up for that. Elaine sighed beside me and patted my shoulder.

"It can't be all that bad. Besides, you don't have to meet them, and I'll never know," she said, and I shook my head.

"What if they do find out?" I said, and Elaine shrugged.

"With luck, one of them will be kind enough, and you might eventually fall in love," she said, and walked to a shelf to grab a drink while I pondered her words. I heard so much about the alpha brothers and how powerful they were. I really didn't want to be caught up in a power struggle for who was going to have the alpha title. Elaine came over with a bottle of wine in hand and poured some into a glass for me.

"The one I know of is Logan. He is not exactly kind, but he is not bad," she said, and I stared at her.

"What of the other two?" I asked, but she shook her head.

"No one knows that much about them; they aren't always around," she said, and I nodded. Maybe I wouldn't meet them at all. My wolf seemed to go haywire at the prospect of meeting her mate, but I wasn't ready for that. I still wanted to keep on going to college, and meeting a mate who was an alpha might crush those dreams. Elaine patted me on the shoulder and headed upstairs, probably to crash in. I sighed, and an idea popped into my head and I grinned. I took off my clothes and transformed into my wolf form, then I charged for the woods, breathing in the musky evening air. I ran to the familiar cabin and bounded in. I pushed open the door and transformed instantly, walked to the quarters, grabbed some clothes, and put them on. The cabin belonged to my parents. It was here I first learned to shift. I smiled as I whipped up hot coffee and toast, my favorite when I was out of the main house. A knock jostled me from my thoughts and I opened the door to see a tall, handsome man with brown hair and green eyes, and my mouth fell open.

What was Logan Stone doing here?

"Hey," Logan said, and I stared at him on the porch and offered a small smile.

"Hello, sir," I said, and he shook his head, his eyes dancing with an emotion I couldn't read.

"Sir? I prefer Logan," he said, and I nodded, still at the doorway. What was he doing on the porch?

"Umm, can I help you?" I asked, and he smiled, and I was momentarily stunned. He looked so handsome up close that it took my breath away.

"I was having trouble with my car," he pointed to a Benz outside, "and it's about to rain," he said, and I nodded.

"I am so sorry; come in," I said, and he gave me a smile and walked in. The large cabin suddenly looked so small as his powerful, tall frame came in. He sat slowly on the sofa, and I gave him the tea I had already prepared and toast. He shook his head, but I nodded. Outside the cabin, thunder rumbled, and the rain started to pour down hard.

"It's really nice. Have a try," I said, and his intense eyes studied me with interest. Then he beamed and nodded.

"If you say so," he picked up the cup and took a sip. His eyes met mine.

"It's good," he said, and I smiled back. For some reason, hearing him praise me felt like music to my ears. He sipped his tea again, his eyes trained on mine and smiled.

"I am Logan. Logan Stone," he said, and I nodded and sat across from him, digging into my meal.

"I am Elizabeth," I said. I watched Logan watch me, then he dropped his teacup and stood up and sat beside me. He suddenly looked nervous.

"I want to say something, Elizabeth," he said. His eyes roamed my face and stopped at my mouth.

"What's that?" I said, and he smiled at me and held my hand.

"Ever since we met, you have just been on my mind. Elizabeth, I think I have fallen in love with you. I know this might sound crazy and stuff, but can you come with me to my house? Stay with me because I think you are my mate," he said, and I sighed. If only he knew, he was still holding my hand, and since my wolf was silent, he was not my mate, but it was worth a try.

"Alright," I said. "I'll come with you," I added, and he grinned at me.

"Thank you," he said and stood. He stared at the window. The rain probably had subsided because everything was so quiet. I quickly sent Elaine a text, then I pocketed my phone and smiled at Logan.

"Shall we?" I said, and he nodded, and we headed for the car. I knew it was too sudden and fast, but my life sucked. Ever since my parents died in a car accident and I graduated from high school, my life has been pretty predictable and boring. I welcomed a change, so if going with Logan was that change, then so be it. We slipped into the car, and he drove off. We burst out of the woods, and he tore across the highway, and I smiled. It had even been a while since I entered a car. I grinned, and Logan caught me smiling.

"What's it?" he said, "You look happy," he added, and I smiled at him.

"I am feeling more alive," I said.