How to Find a Mate

Marcel finally found her, tracing the scent around the room until he made it to the bar.

Just from the back he knew he wasn’t going to be happy with what he’d been given. She was thin and her dress was nice, but he could tell she was a lower rank.

“Great,” he huffed before stepping forward.

Zoey had her back to the dance floor, no longer interested in watching random wolves grope each other. She talked with Trevor, enjoying the evening with her friend and the endless fruity drinks.

She gave Trevor a puzzled look when he suddenly stopped speaking mid-sentence and lowered his head. “Alpha Marcel…”

Zoey straightened, turning around with her head lowered in submission. “Alpha Marcel,” she said quietly.

She looked up at him after he didn’t answer. Her eyes met his and she knew. She could feel her wolf Dara dancing in circles.

“Mate,” she whispered in unbelief. How could she possibly be Marcel’s mate?

He gave a low growl before taking her hand and pulling her through the crowd. She was much prettier than he had assumed. Her curly blonde hair was wild and her deep hazel eyes were stunning.

She didn’t have as much curve to her as he liked, but she was lean and tall, her blue dress forming well to her body.

He walked out of the event hall, his wolf still running in circles at the fact that they’d found their mate.

She yanked her hand back as they made it outside. “Please let go!” she huffed, rubbing her wrist as she stepped back.

“What is your name?” he spoke low.

“Zoey. Zoey Grey,” she replied, her mind still a jumble as she tried to process the fact that she had actually found her mate.

He stood tall. “Well, Zoey Grey, do you think you have what it takes to be a luna?”

Zoey shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’ve never been a luna before.”

Marcel gave an unamused growl before stepping closer, his body forcing her against the side of the house.

He breathed deeply, her scent filling his mind and making his wolf wild, begging him to just take her right here and mark her.

“I guess we’ll find out then, won’t we?” he replied before heading back inside.

Zoey stood frozen against the wall.

I can’t believe our mate is an alpha! He’s so handsome! We’re going to be so happy! Dara sang as Zoey continued to stand there in shock.

“I guess we’ll find out then…” she whispered before finally gathering her wits and heading back inside.

Zoey walked back inside slowly, her mind and body in shock as she began processing the fact that she had found her mate.

That he was an alpha. That she was going to leave here tonight to a new pack, a new home, and that she would be a luna.

“Zoey!” Trevor hollered as he pushed past people inside, making his way out of the event hall. “Girl, tell me is isn’t true! Are you about to be a luna?!”

Zoey shrugged. “I guess so.”

Trevor shook his head. “How the hell do you find an alpha mate the first time you come to a mating party? I’m so jealous!”

He hugged her tightly before pulling back, gripping his hands on her shoulders. “Let’s go get you packed. I can’t imagine an alpha likes to be kept waiting,” he winked.

Trevor practically dragged her out of the pack house and to her little home she shared with her mother down the road.

***

“An alpha?!” her mother hollered in shock as she dropped onto the couch. “How did you get an alpha?!”

Zoey shook her head. “Beats me! I didn’t even think I’d find a mate tonight. Heck, I was planning on not finding a mate tonight.”

“Well, what’s he like?” her mother asked as she and Trevor leaned forward, hoping for juicy details.

“He’s…intense,” she said quietly. “Honestly, I don’t really know. I guess I’ll find out.”

Trevor smirked. “Ugh. He’s drop-dead gorgeous, brooding, charming, intense, mysterious. Pretty much the whole package!”

Zoey smiled. At least someone was excited. She wasn’t sure that she or Marcel were excited about this match.

***

She handed her bags to one of Marcel’s men before walking around the side of the car.

“Are you ready, Zoey Grey?” Marcel asked, his scent feeling weirdly off as she stood beside him.

“Yes, are you?” she asked, giving him a sidelong glance. She couldn’t tell what was different, just that something was off.

She shrugged, chalking it up to being tired and having such an emotional night.

She climbed into the car, Marcel sitting beside her in the backseat as the car moved forward to take them to his pack.

Zoey sat silently, not sure what to say to him. She took a deep breath, knowing they would need to break the ice sometime. “So, can I call you Marcel?”

“I suppose,” he replied quietly as he looked down at his phone.

“Okay, Marcel,” she continued. “Tell me about yourself.”

Marcel looked up and gave her a sarcastic glare. “Small talk? Really?”

“I’m sorry, would you rather sit in silence and never get to know each other?” Zoey asked with a huff.

Marcel’s eyes darkened, displeased at her response.

“Little wolf, you and I are mates. That’s all there is to know. Let’s just get back to the pack and get this all over with. You’ll have plenty of time to get to know me.”

Zoey looked down in submission and mild disappointment. “Yes, Alpha.”

He let out an exaggerated exhale, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I’m sorry, Zoey. I didn’t mean to snap at you. Let’s just make a deal that we won’t force this thing. If it works, it works. I need a Luna and apparently you are it.”

Zoey turned toward the window so he wouldn’t see how hurt she felt. “Okay,” she whispered, letting the silence grow between them.