The Alpha's forbidden mate

(Because My Life is So Unfortunate)

Present Day

Alpha Cyrus leaned back, arms crossed, looking at me as if I were a moldy piece of bread someone had left out in the sun too long.

Then, with a grin that made me want to knock his teeth down his throat, he said, "You? As my mate? Please. I've had women nearly throwing themselves at me for the opportunity."

He snorted, eyeing me up and down like a man chiding a particularly sad garage sale find. "You're weak. My wolf would never turn out this way."

Oh wow. Charming. Where'd this guy get his customer service training?

I slow-clapped him sarcastically. "Congratulations. Congratulations, you just won Biggest Ego in the Room. And believe me, that's a stiff contest."

His smirk faded just a little. "This isn't a joke."

I grinned, tilting my head. "But how do you sound like one?"

His jaw twitched. Oh, did I touch a nerve? Excellent.

"I don't have time for you and your childish antics," he growled, his voice thick with condescension.

"And I don't have time for whatever it is you've got going on here with this overcompensating macho act, but here we are," I shot back.

His eyes darkened. "You have no idea what you're signing up for."

"Oh, I think I do," I replied, crossing my arms. "I've been dragged into this against my will, insulted before breakfast, and now I have to stand here while you set about impressing yourself with the how superior you are." Did I miss anything?"

His lip curled. "You wouldn't survive one day in my pack.

I gave him my cheesiest, phoniest grin. "Oh no! Whatever will I do? How am I going to live without the legendary Alpha Cyrus breathing down my fucking neck 24/7?"

His patience was wearing thin, and quite frankly? Good. Because mine had long since evaporated.

Three Days Earlier

"You want her? Take her. She's yours."

The words had barely escaped my stepfather's mouth when my stomach plummeted like a terrible rollercoaster ride.

I blinked. Wait. He was serious?

I looked at my mother, silently pleading for her to tell me that this was some terrible misunderstanding. That she'd laugh and say, "Oh sweetheart, of course we're not selling you like a goat at the market!"

But no.

Instead, she huffed, massaging her temples as if I were giving her the headache. "Agnes, don't complicate this."

Difficult? Oh, I was sorry - was my reluctant involvement in human trafficking upsetting to her?

I made a sharp, humorless laugh. "Oh, my bad. "I figured next time I'm being placed in the care of a stranger I'll say 'thank you' before anything else."

My mother's jaw tightened. "Enough with the attitude."

"Enough with the-" I swallowed my own disbelief. "Mother, you're literally allowing this to happen!"

She shut her eyes as if she were calling forth patience from a magical plane. "It's for the pack's best interest."

Ah yes, the old 'good of the pack' excuse. Isn't it funny how that always meant something bad for me.

"And 'the pack' of course means you and stepdaddy dearest?" I asked, arms folding. "Because let's be honest, no one else here is getting auctioned off like a prize cow."

"Watch your tone," my stepfather barked, contorting his face into a scowl. "You should be grateful. Alpha Cyrus is powerful. He could do worse."

"Oh, I'm sorry. You want a medal for your generosity? I snapped. "Or perhaps a plaque that reads, 'World's Okayest Human Trafficker'?"

My mother sucked in her breath, as if trying not to slap me. "You think you're being clever... here is your reality, Agnes. You shall accompany Alpha Cyrus, and you shall do as it is expected of you.

My heart racing, I stared at her. "Are you really okay with this? You're all right with trading me like some medieval bargaining chip?"

She hesitated. Hesitated.

That was as much of an answer as I needed.

I shook my head, laughter coming up out of me, only it wasn't the funny kind. It was the 'I'm a nervous breakdown away from torching this whole place' type.

"Wow. You know, I always thought that, if I got kidnapped or something, my mom would at least fake some concern. It turns out, you'd likely say that you'd pack my bags."

My stepfather growled. "Enough! You'll do as you're told."

I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly stuck. "Or what? You'll ground me? SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY IN YOUR ROOM WITH NO DINNER? Oh wait, I won't have a room, because I'll be too busy being handed out like a party favor at the Alpha's annual self-aggrandizing contest!

A knock at the door sliced through the tension like a knife.

And there he was.

Alpha Cyrus stood in the doorway, a picture of the arrogant wolf prince he seemed so convinced he was. Black hair, sharp jaw, and a smirk that could curdle milk.

"Hey," he drawled, eyeing me up and down. "Aren't you just adorable?"

I folded my arms. "And what are you if not the walking embodiment of misplaced confidence?"

His smirk widened. "Feisty. This should be fun."

Oh yeah. A blast.

My mother's jaw tightened. "Enough with the attitude."

"Let's just pretend that -" I sputtered with my own disbelief. "Mother, you are literally allowing this to happen!"

She flinched but said nothing.

The man in the corner finally said something. "His voice was deep, smooth, arrogant.

"If you've done wasting my time, take your shit. I don't like waiting."

Oh. So it not only felt as if I was being sold off - I was being sold to an impatient jackass. Fantastic.

I looked back at my mother one last time, hoping - praying - for a miracle.

She wouldn't even look at me.

Something inside me snapped.

I stood up straight, squared my shoulders, and sneered at my so-called 'buyer.' "You're in a hurry? Wow. Desperate much?"

His green eyes sparkled dangerously. "Watch your mouth."

I grinned wider. "Or what? You'll return me?"

His lips twisted into something between a smile and a scowl. "You wish."

Saying Goodbye (Sort of. But Not Really.)

I slang my bag over my shoulder and walked into my small room for the final time.

Gertrude and Edwin were waiting for me, worry in their faces.

"Are you really leaving?" Gertrude, her big eyes glistening, said through her tears.

I smiled with difficulty, swallowing the lump welling up in my throat. "Nah. Taking a little trip to Hell. Be back soon."

Edwin frowned, his small face narrowing in disapproval. "Mother says you're going to work for that man.

I snorted, moving my bag on my shoulder. "Yeah, you could say that." Or: 'passed around like a white elephant gift.' "

Gertrude grabbed my arm, her little fingers biting into my sleeve. "But what if he's mean?"

I barked a low laugh, rumpling her hair. "Oh, he is mean," I told her. "But don't worry. I plan to be way meaner."

Edwin squinted in concentration and crossed his arms, as if a little general planning a battle. "You need to sock him in the shins and run."

I grinned, glancing at him. "Tempting. But he likely has better reflexes than I do. Not to mention, a pack of wolves at his command."

Edwin puffed out his chest. "Then kick him twice and run faster."

Gertrude gasped, scandalized. "You can't just kick an Alpha, Edwin!"

He shrugged. "Why not? If he deserves it."

I snorted, covering my mouth. "You know what? That's solid advice. I'll use it as a backup plan.'"

Gertrude sniffed and rubbed her nose on the back of her hand. "Who's gonna braid my hair now?"

I knelt in front of her, tucking a rogue curl behind her ear. "You are. Time to learn, little one."

Her lower lip wobbled. "But I suck at it!"

"Then you'll suck at it with confidence." I grasped her hands in mine, squeezing lightly. "And I'd better not come back to find out you gave up. "If I do, then I'm gonna get Edwin to do your hair."

Edwin's eyes grew wide with horror. "No way! She'll be looking like a birds nest!"

Gertrude sniffled and giggled at the same time. "Fine. "But if I do end up looking ridiculous, I'm still blaming you."

I stood, patting her cheek. "Deal. Just don't hack it all off in frustration. Trust me, I've been there."

She gasped. "You have?"

I smirked. "Let's just say I had a tragic accident with a pair of kitchen scissors when I was seven."

Edwin shook his head, frustrated. "You're weird."

"And you love me for it," I teased, hugging both of them quickly and then stepping back. "Now behave while I'm gone. And, of course, if everything else fails - "

Edwin grinned. "Kick twice and run."

I winked. "That's my boy."

He laughed through his tears, and for a moment I almost forgot the hellscape I was entering.

Almost.

And Then...

In the living room my new 'owner' stood behind my stepfather, looking as bored as ever.

Then all of a sudden he took out a dagger-

-and slit my stepfather's throat open.

I gasped. My mother screamed. Blood sprayed on the wooden floor.

My stepfather gurgled, his hands clawing at his neck, and then his body collapsed.

I looked back at the man who had just nonchalantly murdered someone in my home.

He cleaned the blade on my stepfather's shirt and told my stepfather, "I don't tolerate traitors."

Silence.

I blinked. "Well... that escalated quickly."