Dear Alpha, You Are Not My Type!

Ariana There are some moments in life when you’re absolutely certain everything is perfect, and no matter what happens, nothing will change that. Today was one of those days. The music hummed in the background, laughter floated in the air, and the scent of cake and sweet wine lingered on the breeze. My 19th birthday party was in full swing, and it was everything I wanted—a gathering of close friends and family under the soft glow of string lights. There was a peacefulness in the atmosphere, a comforting warmth that made me believe, at least for tonight, nothing could go wrong. “Happy birthday, Ari!” My best friend, Ethan, grinned as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. His usual easy-going smile was in place, and his green eyes sparkled with mischief. “How does it feel to finally be nineteen?” I turned in his arms and gave him a playful shove. “I feel the same as I did yesterday. Except now, I’m officially one year older and wiser.” “Wiser, huh?” Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you’ll finally admit I’m always right then.” “Not a chance,” I teased, rolling my eyes. Ethan had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. He was steady, reliable, and the person who always managed to make me laugh. If anyone could make today even better, it was him. I looked around the backyard, taking in the sight of everyone having a good time. My parents had gone all out for the party, inviting the entire Beta family and a few pack friends. There was no grandeur or formality—just the right amount of intimacy, and that was exactly how I liked it. I didn’t want to be one of those girls whose life revolved around pack politics or the idea of finding my “fated mate.” The idea made me cringe. I didn’t need a mate to complete me. I had my family, my friends, and my freedom. Life was perfect just the way it was. I glanced up at the full moon in the sky, feeling a small thrill of excitement. My wolf had been unusually restless all day, a light buzzing beneath my skin that I chalked up to birthday nerves. I didn’t give it much thought, though. Not when everything was going so smoothly. “Hey, Ari, we’ve got cake coming in a few!” My mom’s voice called from the kitchen, and I nodded, waving in acknowledgment. “More cake? I’m going to need to work out for a month to burn off all the food from tonight,” Ethan groaned, but he was smiling as he grabbed a drink from the table. I chuckled, savoring the moment. Everything felt right, and I was convinced nothing could shake this peace. At least, that’s what I thought. Just as the night was winding down and guests began to trickle out, something shifted in the air. A tense, electric energy that caused my wolf to stir more aggressively than before. I froze, my body going rigid as a sharp scent flooded my senses—smoky, like burning wood, mixed with something wild and dangerous. I blinked and turned to see the source of the scent. And that’s when I saw him. Ryder Blackthorn. Even among the crowd, he stood out like a dark shadow. The future Alpha of the pack, Ryder was the guy every girl swooned over but also knew to stay far away from. He had a reputation—arrogant, controlling, and above all, dangerous. His bad-boy persona wasn’t just an act; it was woven into the fabric of who he was. And right now, he was standing near the drinks table, his sharp blue eyes locked on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. My wolf stirred again, this time more violently. A loud, insistent scream echoed in my mind, a word I never thought I’d hear. Mate. “No,” I whispered under my breath, shaking my head as if that could erase what I just felt. But the pull between us—the bond—was undeniable. My heart pounded in my chest, and a wave of heat surged through me, making it hard to breathe. I took a step back, colliding into Ethan, who immediately sensed something was wrong. “Ari? You okay?” “I—” My voice caught in my throat. I glanced at Ethan, then back at Ryder. This couldn’t be happening. Of all the people, of all the possible mates… him? No. Fate couldn’t be that cruel. But it was. Ryder’s lips curved into a smirk, as if he could sense the turmoil I was going through. He didn’t move from where he stood, but the air between us practically crackled with tension. The way he wasn’t as surprised as I was only meant one thing… he already knew what we were. And my wolf was practically howling with excitement, completely oblivious to the fact that this was the worst possible scenario. “Ariana,” Ryder’s deep voice sliced through the noise of the party like a knife. He took a slow, deliberate step forward, his eyes never leaving mine. “We need to talk.” I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to keep my composure. Every instinct in my body screamed at me to run, but I couldn’t. My feet were glued to the spot, helpless under the pull of the mate bond. Ethan shot a glance between Ryder and me, his brows furrowed in confusion. “What’s going on?” Before I could answer, Ryder was already in front of me. He towered over both of us, his presence suffocating and magnetic at the same time. “Go inside, Ethan. This conversation doesn’t concern you.” Ethan’s hand tightened around my arm protectively. “Like hell, it doesn’t. You think you can just—” “It’s fine,” I interrupted, my voice barely above a whisper. I needed to get this over with, fast. The last thing I wanted was to cause a scene at my own party. “Just give us a minute, Ethan.” He hesitated but eventually nodded, stepping back with a wary look. I could feel the tension radiating from him, but he trusted me enough to walk away. As soon as he was gone, I turned my full attention to Ryder, my heart racing. “You’ve known, haven’t you?” I spat, anger rising in my chest. “You’ve known we were mates this whole time.” His smirk softened into something else—something almost… regretful? “Since the year I turned nineteen.” That was like a year ago. I felt my stomach drop as the realization hit me. He’d known for an entire year, and he hadn’t said a word. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath. “I figured it was best to let you figure it out on your own,” Ryder continued, his voice smooth and unbothered. “You’re not the type to take kindly to being told what to do.” My blood boiled at his words. He was right—I hated being controlled. And I especially hated the smug way he was acting, like this was all some game to him. “Well, congratulations. I’ve figured it out. Now, leave me alone.” Ryder’s smirk faded, his eyes darkening. “I don’t think you understand, Ariana. You can’t just walk away from this.” “Watch me.” I turned on my heel, but before I could take a step, Ryder grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not painful. “Why are you fighting this?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “We’re mates. You know what that means.” I yanked my arm free, glaring up at him. “Yeah, I know what it means. And I don’t care.” His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something raw in his eyes, something that almost looked like he was hurt. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the familiar mask of arrogance. “You can’t just reject the bond, Ariana. Not without a damn good reason.” I crossed my arms over my chest, standing tall despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me. “You want to know why, Ryder?” He leaned in slightly, his blue eyes burning with intensity. “Tell me.” I held his gaze, unflinching, and let the words spill from my lips, each one sharper than the last. “Because you’re not my type.”