ess shirts and slacks, all looking quite nice. Then I join the mix, and people start to glance over.

bout mates, unlike myself. When my mother tried to teach me, I forced myself to ignore her, not wanting to get excited about something I will never have. Now I just have t

l, and I slip through the crowd to bother them for

up and try not to be a bother, b

r before the blonde on

oes one experience when one has discovered ones Mate

ok me up and

the blonde—possibly named Stacey—a

t personality two years ago when I sat in the

t know. It's like a feeling, and th

You might feel suddenly horny too—" Stacey says wittily an

, embarrassed by her friend. "Some of u

onversation. "Uh, thanks," I murmur and

years ago, and I take a seat. Everyone around me seems to be having a go

thinking of a possibility where me, Rae, could be mated to him, an Alpha. He was walking with my Alpha, being all Alpha, expecting to find an Alpha-worthy ma

e jumbled. He

so of sitting and ignoring my pesky thoughts, someone finds their mate. The crowd p

n't like that, right? Who am I to know anything about mates? I'm the blubbering idiot who thought she was mated to an Alpha for Goddess sakes. I hope they're happy t

? I'm glad I don't ha

clearly believe that

tucked-in shirt left for a moment. He went through the bathroom doors just a minute ago. My

a crazy person and set it on a random table before sipping the other normally. I'm not supposed to

cut through a couple dancing. They glare a

ha are walking inside. I nearly choke on my wine and turn around, quickly heading the other way. I can smell hi

tray that I once stole it from. The bathroom looks lik

can't be too upset if I come home

. Most of the lights are off, and I assume my mother has gone to bed. I kick her heels

—" I start, but she cuts m

r," she says bluntly.

s dry. "What

ty? Did you flip a table? Did you spill

ho came to t

our pack. I know that. He just said that Ms. East needs

hing. I-I. . . I don't know what

y? What are you ta

n, the

dess, Rae. What did

a panic. "Not our Al

ha?" She says dramatically,

ut just hear me out. I might have found my," I've never thought I'd say these words to my mother, ever, "mate. I might have found my mate, and it

sure what—I don't know what to do in this situation. W-Well, I suppose you sh

en sure abo

then. Just be ready at midnigh

r a second or twenty before she says,

is a smile, and not even a good one. "Alrig

already eleven twenty; I only have forty minutes to figure something out. For some reason, it feels

or whatever is going to be here at twelve. It's not

nce to be forever mated with someone. I need days, weeks, months, heck; I ne

use I can never react like a normal person, I have the brilliant idea to run away from all of this. If I run away, then I will neve

d if I have to shift, I don't mind tearing this dress apart. The wine leaves me a dizzy mess as I flail my arms ab

st want to be wearing clothes I like when he comes and kills me, so I slowly get up and replace the dress for more comfortable

ed to an Alpha. Poor man, mated to a wreck like me. He deserves a beautiful mate, some girl like the ones at the gathering,

rs, the house is quiet enough to he

fe good