The Rebound Mate

DEACON

I couldn’t believe that they were suggesting this again.

I groaned at Lucian and Max, my alpha and beta.

“Come on, De,” Lucian said. He was not only my alpha, but also my best friend. “You need to come out with us. We need our wingman.”

My lip curled. We’d been on the road for the last two weeks, searching for his mate. We were staying on the outskirts of the human town close to the packs we were visiting over the next three weeks.

We’d nearly finished the meet and greets around here. Only four more packs to go.

I wasn’t too fond of the meet and greets. Many she-wolves would throw themselves at us. Max was all for it, but I would rather fight or watch paint dry.

I was the gamma of our pack, and all I wanted to do was rest, not fend off eager females wanting a mate. I had been training most of the time we were on the road.

“I need to rest,” I murmured, making them laugh.

“You act like an old man,” Max said. “What’s worse, a human old man!”

I scowled at the insult. “Watch it, dude. I’m not too tired to take you out.”

Max danced in front of me with his fists up, but we both laughed. We’d never get into it like that.

“C’mon, De,” he said. “It’s the last night of being here, then onto the next pack. It can’t hurt to let yourself have a little fun. You’re so serious all the time.”

Halo, my wolf, moved in my head, and his low chuff of laughter flooded me. I glared at his image.

“Don’t you start,” I complained, looking back at my friends. I wasn’t going to win this. I groaned. “Fine. When and where?”

“We’ll go to the human town,” Lucian said. “Maybe find you a human for the night.”

Max and Lucian cheered and hugged me as Halo let out a happy little howl. Halo wanted his mate, but he wanted fun too.

I said nothing. I could feel Halo’s smirk at the mere mention of having fun. I hadn’t had sex in nine months. Being twenty-three, I knew I had a mate out there somewhere. I didn’t want to fuck anything up for us.

Of course, being with a human shouldn’t risk getting in the way of me finding a mate.

“We’ll see,” I said under my breath as I opened the door to the closet to grab a clean shirt and jeans.

I pushed up the sleeves of the shirt to show my tattoos. Halo rumbled his approval.

“Looking good!”

I ignored the horny fucker.

“You guys ready?” I asked Lucian and Max, who both nodded.

“Let’s have some fun,” Lucian said. “If anyone brings a woman back, mind-link each other so we know not to interrupt anything in the morning.”

Max gave a knowing smirk. I said nothing. I followed them out and headed down the corridor of the hotel.

***

SAMARA

Getting ready in Ruby’s house was just what the doctor ordered. Her mum had food and drinks waiting for us. As soon as we arrived, she handed us glasses of champagne.

While we ate, she told me what had happened to her when she was my age. It was a similar story as mine, but her boyfriend had told her to leave him alone as he had found someone better.

I felt for her, seeing the pain in her eyes as she recalled everything. I was lucky. Liam had been too engrossed in his mate to even say a word to me.

He hadn’t even bothered to mind-link or look for me, but I knew that wouldn’t happen with his mate next to him.

After some food, Ruby and I went to her room to get ready. When Ruby showed me the dress, I nearly had heart failure because of its lack of material. I’d never been as adventurous as she was regarding clothes.

Priya soothed me, but she was eager to discover how it would look on me.

Ruby first did my hair and makeup, then started to get herself ready. I took the dress into the bathroom to put it on. I barely recognized myself in the mirror.

Oh my Goddess!

“Damn,” Priya said, coming closer to inspect. “You look good enough to eat.”

“I don’t know if I want to do this.”

“You deserve to be happy, even for one night. Forget about him. He’s not worth it!”

My heart ached. I knew Priya and Ruby and my mum were right, but I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to cry every time I remembered the look on Liam’s face when he saw his mate for the first time. It was like I’d never even existed.

Ruby’s mum was in her room when I came out of the bathroom. They both whistled, making me blush.

“You’re gorgeous,” Ruby’s mother said.

My cheeks heated. Compliments embarrassed me. But it felt good too, knowing that I looked pretty.

Once Ruby was ready, we headed downstairs. My mum was at the bottom with her camera.

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I hugged her.

“I wanted to see you,” she said, pulling back. Her eyes got misty as she looked me up and down. “Oh, my beautiful girl!”

Ruby and I stood together as our mums took our photos. It felt like when we were going to prom.

“Enjoy yourself,” Mum said.

I smiled, feeling hopeful that I’d be able to. “I’ll try.”

She giggled. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Have fun, and I won’t expect you home tonight.”

“Mum!” I screeched.

My mum laughed. “Even if it’s not with a guy, Sam. Stay over at Ruby’s. Have a girl’s night. Be safe and let yourself have a great time.”

“I will.” I grinned and hugged her again.

Ruby’s mum gave us a ride to the club and dropped us off. It was only about fifteen minutes away from their house but in the human town. After she drove off, Ruby took my hand.

“You look stunning,” she said. “I won’t let you do anything you don’t want to.”

Ruby would always ensure I was safe and take care of me before her own needs. I’d do the same for her too.

Priya had settled in my head. I think I wore her out with getting ready.

“Ready?” Ruby asked me with a grin.

I wasn’t, but I nodded. I took in a deep breath and faced the club doors. From inside I could hear the thumping music, and my heart echoed its pounding. I remembered what Mum had said about having a good time.

I didn’t know if I’d be able to forget about my heartache, but I was determined to try my best.

No matter what I had to do.