e new Alpha?” I never had anything much to say, I just nodded and agreed with whatever they had said. I was too busy waiting on Linsey to come on so

with someone that I love because I chose them for myself. I just don’t know how to feel about this.” He said, running his hand through his light dark brown hair and letting out a deep sigh. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you all of this, I barely even know you.” He said, realizing that we had only met 30 minutes prior. “I guess I just feel like I can talk to you, I can’t explain it. Sorry if I’m unloading too much on you. I can shut up if you want me to.” He continued. In all honesty, I felt the same way. I felt like I could tell him my deepest, darkest secret and he would keep it for me, even know we don’t even know each other. “No, I get what you’re saying. And it’s okay.” I said without even thinking. “You know, I had never really thought about mates the way you just said. I always saw the mate bond as something to look forward to. But now that you say something about it, it kind of feels like an arranged marriage in a way.” I said, making eye contact with him. “See? You get it. You understand what I’m trying to say. Thank you.” He said, but before we could finish our conversation, his father walked out and said “There you two are! Get in here and come have some drinks with us! The party is almost over and you don’t want to miss last call, do you?” Barry said. Arthur got up and said “Yeah, you’re right. I can’t be the first one to leave my party.” I laughed at that and he looked back at me to shoot me a smile. “See you inside?” Arthur asked and I could have sworn I heard a twinge of flirtation in his voice. “No, no, no, no, no Elizabeth we are NOT thinking about this right now!” My wolf, Amiika said to me. “I’m not thinking about anything!” I yelled back in my mind to her. “Oh you dirty little liar. Did you forget that I can also see your thoughts in here? Don’t be ridiculous. That’s Linsey’s mate. Don’t even think about it!” Amiika yelled at me through our mind link. “Okay! Okay! I’ll stop! But you have to admit, he sure is handsome.” I said wistfully in my mind. “Get back in there and get Linsey.” She commanded me. I obeyed and went back into the Great Hall to grab a drink and Linsey before I left. She was just sitting there with Arthur’s parents looking as happy as ever chatting away with them. Arthur was near the bar, where I was going. I walked up beside him and ordered a whisky sour and he looked at me and said “Oh, a whisky girl. I can appreciate that.” I laughed and said “Well after drinking champagne all night, I need something a little stronger.” I said, taking the glass from the bartender’s hand. I downed the drink like it were a shot and let the warmest of the alcohol spread throughout my body. “Well, you ready to go back over there?” I asked Arthur who was half