His Spitfire Mate

Devastating Blows

My mother left a note with my maid to be ready to have lunch together today. All morning I have been nervous because the note was accompanied by an outfit in a style I have never worn before. It's a white skirt suit set with a low neckline that's tight to my waist. I have never been dressed like a grown woman, only like a naive young girl and this change worries me.

My dark blonde hair is in long waves down my back and my make-up is bolder and more sophisticated. We've traded in the normal pink lip gloss for a deep cherry lipstick.

My mother is waiting for me in our parlour with what looks to be a lunch for 6. I would assume my brothers are coming but the suit has me ready for anything.

My father steps out of his room and sees me, "Nice job with Josephine, Daphne."

My mother smiles at the compliment and keeps fussing over the table.

My father walks to me with a stern expression, "Today is an important day for us, so don't do anything stupid, you hear?"

"Yes father."

A knock on the door gets our attention and my parents take one last look at each other before the maid escorts our guests in.

I do everything I can to keep my face neutral but every fiber of my being wants to run from this room.

Luna Ivory and Alpha Sharp enter, followed by Stone. They all exchange greetings and pleasantries as they move further into the room to where I am standing. My time to collect myself has come to an end as my mother introduces me.

"What a beautiful daughter you have," Alpha Sharp praises, "it's an absolute pleasure to finally meet you Josephine."

I bow to the Alpha and say, "The pleasure is all mine sir."

"What a doll," Luna Ivory says while clapping her hands like I'm a puppet on strings and not a thinking and breathing being.

We head to the table and I am sat beside Stone, who slides his chair closer to mine than necessary. As our parents jump into conversation, he turns to me with a hand on my thigh that I really wish I could push away.

Being in such a small, informal setting, I can't help but notice how imposing Stone is. He has wavy blonde hair like his mother, so blonde it is almost white and he has dark eyes that are almost black like his father. He has very angular features that would be handsome if he didn't always wear an expression that makes me think he is thinking of ways to hurt me. This close to him, I can't help but feel small and breakable. He is easily above six feet and I can feel the callouses on his hand touching my thigh, which tells me he most likely trains a lot.

"Told you I would be seeing you soon."

"You seem to be more acquainted with my schedule than I am," I say calmly, though I feel the opposite. "I hope you aren't missing school because of this."

"School for me is more of a formality, there is nothing they can teach me that would be of use where I live," he says condescendingly.

"I'm sorry they are wasting your time," I respond, "Why do the subjects they teach not help your pack like they do the rest?"

He trails a finger up my arm and twirls it in my hair, giving me goosebumps. He smiles at my reaction, confusing it for attraction.

"My pack is in a completely different environment, a harsh and unforgiving environment that requires stronger, more vicious fighters. We need to learn how to fend for ourselves at a younger age because of the scarce resources and that training tends to seep into how our pack interacts. But don't worry, I can protect you as long as you stay on my good side."

I tilt my head in confusion and say, "I don't know if I'll ever visit Northern Star pack, but if I do I'm sure I will appreciate the help."

"Cute," he says with a kiss to my nose, "you have no clue what is going on here."

"What do you mean?"

He gives me an indulgent look, "I know you are too young to feel it but we are mates. I felt it yesterday. It's the reason for this impromptu dinner."

I can't hide the shock on my face. He can't possibly be my mate.

I look up to see our parents have stopped their conversation and are looking at me for my reaction. I blush and look down, overwhelmed by the attention and the news. I know they are waiting for me to say something, so I pull myself together.

I look back up to the people around the table and say, "We'll then it's good my birthday is in a few weeks, so we can confirm the bond. I'm excited to know how it feels to have a mate."

"Honey, Stone and his parents need to return to their pack as soon as the celebrations are over. They can't wait the extra two days until your birthday." My mother informs me, "Since we are all here together already, we will have a mating ceremony and then you will travel to Northern Star pack with Stone."

My face pales and everything about this moment feels so wrong, but I know there is not a single person in this room who cares what I think. I simply nod and turn to my food in shock. They seem to notice my change in mood, but let me be as the conversation now turns to plans for the mating ceremony to take place at the end of the celebrations.

I watch Stone from the corner of my eye and observe how commanding he is in this room of people who outrank him for the time being. His parents seem tough and unyielding, but something about Stone makes me think there is something more to him, something more sinister and dangerous. My parents are obviously overjoyed and eat up everything he says.

I thought my only chance at a better life was finding my mate, but I have a feeling my life with Stone will be a whole lot worse.