MATED TO A STRANGE ALPHA

Sitting at the entrance of a field nestled within the woods, Emily smiled with contentment as she gazed up at the dark blue sky that enveloped her pack. Her eyes sparkled like crystals beneath the vast expanse, mirroring the hue of the sky above. She blinked her blue eyes, feeling the gentle caress of the fresh air as it danced through her hair. Taking a deep breath, she pushed back the branches of the woods and decided to relax on the soft carpet of grass beneath her.

Laying down, she crossed her arms behind her head, using them as a cushion. Not long after, she noticed the moon beginning to rise, its luminous glow making its grand entrance. This was the full moon that every werewolf had been eagerly anticipating for weeks. A wide grin spread across her face, revealing her thirty-two gleaming teeth as joy coursed through her veins.

Suddenly, she felt a shadow fall over her, but instead of fear, a sense of calm washed over her. The air was filled with a soft, soothing scent of fresh lemons that wafted into her nostrils, further relaxing her nerves. Curiosity piqued, she lifted her head to see who had approached her, and to her surprise, a strikingly handsome man stood above her.

He exuded an aura of strength and power that left her momentarily frozen in shock. Emily tried to shake off the trance that had enveloped her, and after a moment, she stood up to face him. He remained silent, his presence commanding yet inviting.

"What a beautiful moment to behold an angel sent by the moon goddess to make this day spectacular," he said, his voice smooth and seductive. Emily felt a blush creep onto her cheeks as she smiled back at him. His deep brown eyes locked onto her blue ones, and he gently blew a soft breath across her forehead, brushing aside the strands of hair that had fallen into his view.

"I..." she began, but he placed a finger gently across her lips, silencing her. Before she could process what was happening, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. Shock coursed through her, and she felt an instinctive urge to pull away, but instead, a wave of warmth enveloped her, suppressing any anger she might have felt. Who was this man? What was he doing to her?

As their gazes locked, an undeniable connection sparked between them, and in that moment, they both realized they were mates. Just as quickly as the kiss had begun, he pulled away, and Emily felt a sudden emptiness as he started to turn away. Panic surged within her, and she instinctively grasped his arm, feeling as though she would lose her breath if she let go. It was as if he was her lifeline, and she didn't care where he came from; she simply wanted him.

He sensed the longing in her eyes and, without hesitation, pulled her back into his embrace, capturing her lips once more. They kissed passionately under the bright full moon, the world around them fading away. Soon, he lifted her effortlessly and began to run, carrying her away from the field. Emily couldn't believe what was happening, but a sense of trust blossomed between them as they raced into the night.

As they ran, she caught sight of a car parked not too far away. Confusion washed over her, had she seen that car before? The thought sent a strange headache through her mind, but just then, she felt his warm palm on her head, grounding her. He helped her into the car, and they continued to kiss, lost in each other's presence until the vehicle came to a stop.

When Emily looked out the window, she was greeted by the sight of a grand building. It loomed before her, and she could sense it was a hotel. As they stepped out of the car, she felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Ethan, as he had introduced himself, took her hand and led her inside.

Once they reached a suite on the top floor, he shut the door behind them with a soft click. Emily looked up at him, her heart racing. "What is it?" he asked, a playful smile dancing on his lips. She couldn't help but smile back, feeling a rush of warmth.

Without warning, he playfully tossed her onto the bed, and she landed softly, feeling a wave of relaxation wash over her. They were at the highest point of the hotel, surrounded by privacy and the enchanting glow of the moonlight filtering through the window. Ethan gazed out at the night sky, the clouds darkening as stars twinkled above them, creating a magical atmosphere.

He turned his attention back to Emily, his eyes filled with admiration. "Can you at least tell me your name?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Ethan. And you?" he replied, his smile widening.

"Emily," she giggled, feeling a flutter in her stomach. "Ethan, you are magical. You seem to have a strange control over me. I definitely won't regret this night."

"Emily, you are alluring, more charming than I had predicted. The moon goddess truly led me to you," he said, and her heart raced at his words. They locked lips again, the intensity of their connection growing stronger as he explored her body with gentle touches.

As the night unfolded, they found themselves wrapped in each other's arms beneath the duvet, their clothes forgotten in the heat of the moment. Emily had never experienced anything like it before; it felt as if they were two souls intertwined, lost in a world of their own.

When morning light began to filter through the curtains, Emily stirred awake, feeling both exhausted and refreshed. She placed a hand on her hair, caressing it as memories of the previous night flooded back. A smile crept onto her face as she recalled the magic they had shared.

However, as she looked around the unfamiliar room, reality began to set in. She wasn't in her usual space, and confusion washed over her. What had happened? How had she ended up here? She sat up slowly, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the events of the night before.

It took Emily some time to realize that she might have just made a costly mistake. Shocked, she sat up immediately, her heart racing as she turned to the other side of the bed, but there was no one there. What just happened? she thought, desperately trying to convince herself that everything in her memory was true. How and where was she going to search for him if she wanted to see him again? Her gaze fell on a stain on the bedspread, a stark reminder that she had just lost her precious virginity. Taking a deep breath, she opened the window wide, welcoming the fresh air that rushed in through the hotel room.

Ethan! That name echoed in her mind, fresh and vivid. He had introduced himself with a charming smile, and she could never forget it. She placed both hands on her face, closing her eyes for a moment as a wave of conflicting emotions washed over her. She had just had a one-night stand, but why did it feel so different? Wasn't it supposed to be simple? Why did she still feel that magnetic attraction towards him? It was as if he should come back and claim her, as if she still wanted him badly.

Trying to shake off the lingering feelings, Emily swung her legs over the side of the bed. But as soon as her feet touched the floor, she felt something beneath them. She lifted her foot to see what it was and spotted a small piece of paper. Curiosity piqued, she picked it up and froze. It was a passport photograph of Ethan! Her heart raced with hope as she got off the bed and rushed into the bathroom to clean up.

After a quick wash, she emerged with a white towel wrapped around her waist, feeling both exhilarated and anxious. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she glanced around the room, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Ethan. Just then, something caught her eye-a letter lying on the bedside table. Had he left her a note? Did he hope to see her again? She thought, her heart pounding as she lifted it up. But as she unfolded the letter, her excitement turned to confusion.

"Do not look for me! We are not of the same class. That money is yours, from me. Bye!"

Emily froze, her heart sinking. What did he mean? They had shared beautiful moments together. She tried to control her racing thoughts, but anger bubbled up inside her. Pissed off, she stood up and got dressed, holding the passport photograph, the money, and the letter tightly in her pocket. She left the hotel room, her mind a bag of emotions, and managed to find her way back home.

As she reached the middle-class neighborhood she called home, and paused for a moment before stepping inside her house. "I have been looking for you, Emily! Hope you are well," Sia exclaimed, rushing towards her and enveloping her in a tight hug, as if she had been missing for days.

"I'm sorry... I can't explain," Emily replied, sinking onto the couch. The apartment was modestly furnished, a stark contrast to the lavish hotel room she had just left. Sia, another werewolf and her best friend, looked at her with concern, relief flooding her features. "I wonder what can't be explained. Either way, I made breakfast, and I know you must be famished. Go have a cool bath and come join me in the dining room."

Without wanting to stress Sia further, Emily complied. After a refreshing shower, she walked into the dining room, feeling slightly more composed. Sia was busy dishing out food for both of them, acting like a sister who had feared losing her twin. They ate in comfortable silence, the tension slowly dissipating as they settled into their routine.

Once they finished breakfast, they moved to the sitting room, where they curled up on the couch to watch a movie they had been following for weeks. It was a welcome distraction, but Emily's mind kept drifting back to Ethan. Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, she confessed, "I had a one-night stand."

Sia froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. "One-night stand? Is that even a thing?" she stammered, trying to process the information. It took her a moment to regain her composure. "What do you mean, girl?"

"I'm serious," Emily replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

"No, you can't be. Do you know what that means?" Sia asked, concern creeping into her tone.

"I guess I do, but I still feel like I want more of him," Emily admitted, her heart aching at the thought.

"More of him? Well, that's not a one-night stand then. Maybe he's a lover," Sia suggested, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know him. I don't even know where he lives. He's a stranger, but the feeling is different," Emily said, her voice tinged with sadness.

"Where did you guys meet?" Sia inquired, leaning forward with interest.

"At the field. In the woods," Emily replied, recalling the magical night under the full moon.

"Last night was the full moon. I told you to come home earlier. Are you sure you weren't mated?" Sia asked, her eyes narrowing with concern.

"I don't know what it is, but I just feel like I want more. But I think it's different for him," Emily said, feeling a wave of despair wash over her.

"Girl, you are tripping. Chill. I think it's just a fling. There's nothing serious there. Dada asked about you," Sia said, trying to lighten the mood.

"What does he want?" Emily asked, her curiosity piqued.

"No idea, but how do you intend to tell him about this? You know he likes you," Sia replied, her tone serious.

"Well, I don't," Emily said, shrugging as they continued to watch the television, though her mind was far from the screen.

Meanwhile, Alpha Ethan sat in his office chair, his thoughts consumed by the events of the previous night. He replayed the moments they had shared, the way her laughter had filled the air, and how her touch had ignited something deep within him. It was evident that he still craved the warmth of her body, but there was no way to find her now. His mother had warned him about leaving the pack on that fateful night, but he had ignored her advice. Was this the consequence of his recklessness?

Ethan sat in his office, staring blankly at the wall, lost in thought.

"What's the great Alpha Ethan doing, sitting on his chair and looking lost?" Bella's voice broke through his reverie. She strolled into his office, wearing a short blue gown that hugged her figure, the turtle neck and short sleeves accentuating her pink eyes that sparkled with curiosity.

Ethan looked up, a smile breaking through his troubled expression. "I'm fine. You should be in your room," he replied, trying to redirect her energy.

"I wasn't born to be stuck in my room. By the way, it's morning. I can do whatever I want, but I guess I am bored," she shot back, her playful tone evident.

Not wanting to be the one to entertain her, Ethan stood up and left the room, leaving Bella in a state of confusion. He needed space to think, to process the whirlwind of emotions that had taken hold of him.

Meanwhile, Emily had decided to step out of her house later that day. She was on her way to visit Dada, her male best friend, who had been searching for her. As she approached his apartment, she felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. She opened the door, as she always did, but to her surprise, the place was empty.

"Dada?" she called out, her voice echoing in the silence. She checked various rooms, but he was nowhere to be found. Just as she was about to give up and leave, a figure suddenly jumped out from behind the curtains, startling her.

"Dada! Why?!" she exclaimed, her heart racing.

"Just wanted to make you laugh," he replied, a sheepish grin on his face.

"That was dumb," she said, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile.

"Sorry! But you don't seem okay. Did something happen to you?" Dada asked, his expression shifting to one of concern as he noticed the subtle changes in her demeanor.

"Nothing. What did you find?" she deflected, trying to keep the conversation light.

"You've changed," he insisted, his gaze piercing through her facade.

"Dada, stop!" she said, plopping down on his couch.

"You look more beautiful. More beautiful than someone who mated with her mate in the last full moon," he said, his words hanging in the air like a spell. Emily froze, the compliment catching her off guard. Was there a special kind of beauty that came with that?

"Did you let any man touch you?" Dada asked, his tone suddenly serious.

"I don't think I want to answer that. That's such a private question," she replied, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over her.

"Tell me it's not what I'm thinking," he pressed, rubbing his blonde hair in frustration, as if he were a man betrayed.

"You're kidding, Dada! I think I should find my way out of here because you definitely want to piss me off," she said, attempting to stand up and leave.

But Dada grabbed her hands, pulling her closer, holding her face in his palms as he tried to bridge the distance between them. "What has come over you?" she asked, bewildered by his sudden boldness.

Dada felt a storm of emotions brewing within him. This was a woman he loved deeply but had kept silent about it, fearing the loss of their friendship. Now, it seemed that someone else had stepped into the picture, and he could sense it.

"What the hell are you thinking about, looking at me like that?" she asked, her irritation rising.

"I sense another man. Who did you let touch you?" Dada demanded, his voice laced with fury.

"Excuse you? What right do you think you have to question me that way?" she shot back, pushing him away.

"I had a one-night stand the night before. It was magical, and up until now, I still can't let go of the moment I shared with this stranger. I have no idea who he is. Now I feel very lonely. I'm telling you because you are my friend, the only male friendship I have and value, but please respect me next time," she said, her voice firm as she tried to make her way out of his house.

Dada's heart sank as he processed her words. "Why will you do that? Why, Emily?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Because it's my body," she replied defiantly.

"Why didn't you call me if you really wanted it?" he pressed, desperation creeping into his tone.

"I would never want you. You've got to figure your shit out because what the heck is going on here?" she asked, clearly confused by the intensity of the moment.

Dada felt a surge of heartbreak wash over him. He had always loved her in silence, wanting something more than friendship, but now it seemed that he had lost her to someone else. Without another word, he released her, feeling as if he were letting go of a part of himself. He had to erase her from his mind forever; it was clear he would never have Emily. He didn't want her as just a friend either. It was either they were an item or nothing at all. He was done pretending.

Emily returned to her apartment, her mind racing with thoughts of the confrontation at Dada's place. She felt a pang of worry but soon found her thoughts drifting to Ethan. A sense of urgency washed over her, and she felt an overwhelming desire to see him. But how was she going to make that happen? She thought, pacing around her living room.