Chapter 42

Annie’s POV.

I’m shaking as I watch the clock tick the hour away. My door is locked, but I doubt it will be enough, he’s determined to convince me that I’m his mate. I pull my blanket tighter. Tomorrow is my birthday, which means on the stroke of midnight, I’ll be able to determine my mate. One minute. I can barely breathe, I’m so scared. I wipe the tears that have run down my face. I’m near a panic attack as the dial moves completely vertical. I close my eyes and curl my body tighter. I hear nothing, but I’m not able to relax. Any minute he could be walking in here.

I am not able to sleep and before I realize it, the sun begins to rise. One night of safety, but no sleep. I don’t know what to do, I’m too scared to go downstairs, but I’m even more frightened to stay in my bed. A soft knock sounds at my door and I hold my breath. “Annie, dear?” Maxine whispers.

I jump out of bed and let her in, locking the door behind her. “Maxine. I don’t know what to do.”

“I have your bedroom key, but that doesn’t mean he can’t break the door down. I don’t think he’ll attack you, he’ll try to convince you first.” She advises and presses the key into my palm. I nod, slightly relaxing. “I’ll have breakfast ready soon so you can eat before you hide out. I’m making cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing. They're rising now. Alpha is already at the training center. It’s just the females and the pups here now.”

“Thank you, Maxine. You’re the greatest.” I hug her tight.

“Go shower and try to calm yourself. The day is yours, try to enjoy it. Happy birthday, dear.” I follow her to the door and lock it behind her.

She has never heard anything about me from the other residents of the Alpha house other than they like me. Tanya and Timothy are sweet little pups and I enjoy playing with them. Laurent and Rowena are genuinely kind to me. They’re good people and I’m comfortable with them.

Luna Ellen is still civil, but I know that’s going to change today. Alpha A-hole took me to visit the orphanage as he said he would, but we only stayed for five minutes and Xavier wouldn’t come to me with him sitting next to me. It broke my heart. Afterward, he took me back to the Alpha house and tried to convince me I’m better off there.

Since then, he’s become much more touchy. He holds my hand every chance he gets, but he also kisses me, caresses my arms and legs, and plays with my hair. I’ve been keeping it in a tight ponytail just so he can’t run his fingers through it. Still, he’ll pull out my ponytail. I started adding pins and intricate braids.

I take a long hot shower then put my hair into two tight braids, then spin the ends into little buns. I look younger than I am with my hair like this, but that’s never been a deterrent for him. I smell the cinnamon rolls as I dress in a long-sleeved shirt and overalls. Before I leave, I hide my room key in my secret spot with my treasures.

No one is in the kitchen yet when I stand beside Maxine as she slathers the icing over the buns. “You’re too young to have bags under your eyes.”

“I didn’t sleep last night. I was too scared,” I whisper in reply.

“At least you can eat. Alpha is throwing a party for you tonight. It’s just the household so Gamma Vance, Enforcer Laurent and his family, the Luna, and Alpha.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be here, baking your cake.”

I hear feet running down the stairs and I know Tanya is on her way with her mom and brother. Maxine serves me a cinnamon roll and I sit at the table to eat it. Tanya sits beside me and I help her with her milk.

“Good morning, Anna. Happy birthday.” Rowena places Timothy into his high chair. “Oh, Maxine, those look and smell wonderful.” I like Rowena, she’s respectful to Maxine whereas Luna Ellen ignores her existence.

“Thank you, Rowena, but I’m not very excited about it.”

She tilts her head and knits her brows. “Why wouldn’t you be excited to be 18? You can find your mate now.”

Maxine meets my eyes behind Rowena. “That’s what I’m afraid of. I’m scared I’ll get stuck with someone that I don’t like.”

She smiles sweetly. “You’ll be surprised how quickly that can change. I didn’t like Laurent. I thought he was beastly and wild, but now I can’t imagine life without him. He’s truly my perfect match.”

“Enforcer Laurent is a gentle giant. You’re lucky. What if my mate is a disgusting, sex-crazed, pig?” I mumble as I take another bite of my breakfast.

“Don’t be afraid, Anna. Your mate will love you.” That’s exactly what I don’t want.

I finish my breakfast then go outside into the garden. The flowers are blooming and the air is cool against my face. Normally I sit on the bench, but right now I’m huddled up hidden under a few bushes. Once Alpha A-hole returns from training, I’m expected in his office. Not today, buddy. I will not be subjecting myself to his unwanted advances, at least for as long as it takes for him to find me.

Boredom overwhelms me and I close my eyes. Toby greets me at his piano with a warm, welcoming smile. “I’ve missed you, Annie.” He stands from the piano looking handsome wearing a slick suit and tie.

“I’ve missed you as well.”

“Would you care to dance?” He holds out his hand and I take it. He pulls me closer and his scent fills my nose. He smells delicious, like tonka bean and bergamot, and I hum in delight. He spins me away then back to him, making me giggle. “You look beautiful.” His deep, clear voice is pleasant to my ears.

I look down to see a pale pink dress that hugs my body daintily. Toby smiles as I look back up to his eyes. We dance and dance, the music changing from one waltz to another. I’ve never felt so carefree. Toby and I dance for so long, before I know it I’m dead on my feet. Toby scoops me up and carries me to my room where he lays me down and covers me with my blanket. “Rest well, Anna. We’ll celebrate as soon as you wake up.” He whispers and I shudder uncomfortably. I’m not Anna. Only Alpha A-hole calls me Anna.

I gasp and sit up in my bed. Alpha A-hole is sitting beside me and I flinch back against the headboard. “Anna, it’s okay. Calm down. You must’ve been having a bad dream.” I nod and wipe the sweat from my brow. “Maxine informed me that you didn’t sleep last night. I found you in the garden and I thought you would be more comfortable in your bed.”

I’m trying to catch my breath through my mouth, recovering from the shock of waking from my dream. My dream that I wish was real. “Thank you, Alpha,” I manage to get out.

His smile slips then he reaches out to touch me and I flinch. “Anna. I’m not going to hurt you, I’m your mate. That must’ve been some nightmare.”

“Yes, nightmare.” That’s what my life has suddenly become. His hand connects with my cheek and I gasp. A warm, yet delicate tingle tickles my skin and I look up into his eyes. I never noticed the golden ring on the inner circle of his iris and the dark brown circle on the outside. His eyes are beautiful and I can’t seem to look away.

He softly smiles as I unconsciously lean into his touch. “Well, whatever it was, you’re safe now, my little mate.”

I straighten up at the endearment. “Mate,” I whisper. Oh, Goddess he was right, I am his mate, but how? I inhale a deep breath and Alpha’s scent, the scent in my dream, comforts my clouded mind. “How is this possible? How can you have two mates?”

“The Goddess has blessed me with you, Anna.” He leans in to kiss me and I flinch like I always do. He stops to give me a little smirk. “Don’t you want a birthday kiss from your mate?”

I don’t have an answer. I have always wanted my mate until Alpha A-hole came along. He catches me off guard during my confusion and presses his lips to mine. I don’t return the kiss, but I don’t pull away either. It’s different than before, the mate pull compels me to lean in, but my mind and my heart both know this is wrong. When he pulls back, he seems satisfied. “We’re going to have a party soon and I’ll announce our relationship so everyone will know how special you are.” He stands from my bed. “Change into something nice.”

“Wait.” I get to my feet. It’s now or never. “I Ann…”

He covers my mouth, stopping me from speaking. “That won’t work my little Anna. You see for that to work, both sides have to say the words. You can say it, and I’ll be in pain for a little while, but all I have to do is mark you as mine and everything goes back the way it should.” He releases the hold on me and shakes his head. “I’m disappointed in you, Anna. I thought we were going to be happy together. Guess I’ll just have to train you to love me and let the bond work its magic.”

I swallow as he leaves my room closing the door behind him. I rush to the door and lock it. What is going on? I despise him just as much as I did yesterday, is that normal? This can’t be real. I play with my necklace as I think everything through, the necklace I wear for protection. It’s the one Giselle gifted to me. I squeeze it tight and pray to the Goddess that whatever is going on with Alpha A-hole, I can keep a clear head. Alpha A-hole killed my parents and Beta Patrick. He made me an orphan and we all lived in the shoddy, overcrowded orphanage. He forced Giselle into a life debt. He orphaned his own son, never caring about him, and hitting him for not wanting me to leave. That’s another thing, he forced me to leave my family. Then there’s all the things Gilbert told me about. I don’t like him. I will not mate him, I refuse.

The Grandfather clock downstairs chimes the five o'clock hour and I let out a breath. I slept through most of the day. I can’t just stay here, everyone is expecting me at my party. I wish I could just run away, but that command keeps me here. I change into a nice maroon spaghetti strap dress that Luna Ellen gave me and pin my hair into a chignon. I squeeze my necklace then let out a deep breath and open the door.

Music starts playing from the speaker in the main room and I stop on the top step. Looking around at the expectant faces, I see more than just the people that live here. Gamma Vance has a date on his arm and there are like five more guards with dates. I spot Alpha A-hole talking to Rowena with a beer in one hand and his other in his pocket. He turns to look my way and smiles. He sets his beer down then rushes up the stairs and offers me his arm. My hands shake as I reach out. “You look beautiful.” He tells me “Thank you,” I whisper as I swallow a lump in my throat. I look into the crowd and Luna Ellen is not happy. “Luna Ellen,” I say as I watch her the whole way down the stairs.

“Don’t worry about her, I’ll explain everything.” He whispers just as we reach the bottom landing.

“That’s not very comforting.” I watch as she folds her arms and steam practically shoots from her ears. “I’ve heard that she gets extremely jealous.”

“She does, but what is she going to do?”

“Rip my hair out, cause bodily injury, maybe even death.” I’m not trying to be sarcastic. But that’s how my words sound. Alpha A-hole just chuckles like I’m telling a joke.

“Everyone.” Goddess, he’s doing it now? “Join with me as we wish Anna a happy 18th birthday. To Anna.” Everyone except Luna Ellen raises their drinks to salute me. It’s a nice gesture.

“Thank you,” I respond then try to remove my arm from Alpha A-hole, but he grabs my hand, keeping me in place.

“I also want you all, to be the first to know that Anna has found her mate.” Everyone cheers while I worry my lip and squeeze his arm. “It’s me!” He boldly announces.

Silence.

I hear my breath in my ears and I’m scared to look Luna Ellen’s way. My jaw is trembling and my dress is getting crumpled in my free hand. I look up only enough to see people looking between me and Luna Ellen. It’s too much and I drop my eyes back down.

“Alpha. How can you have two mates?” Enforcer Laurent asks. I see his shoes as he steps forward.

“I know it sounds crazy, but I believe the moon Goddess has blessed me. As an Alpha, I need an heir and the Goddess knows this. My mate was unable to give me an heir so Anna is my second chance to get that heir.” My eyes lift to Luna Ellen. She’s staring daggers at me. If looks could kill. “To soothe any doubt, watch this.” He steps in front of me and holds my face as he kisses my lips. Though my body wants his kiss, my mind knows better. I refrain from returning the kiss and just stand there like a dead fish. He pulls away and looks at Luna Ellen. “Baby, did you feel that?”

Her jaw clenches, but she shakes her head. “No.” Her guise cracks and a tear leaks down her face. She rushes past us and up the stairs. I feel terrible that she’s upset while everyone else is trying to figure out what’s going on.

“Does this mean we have a new Luna?” Rowena asks.

“No,” I answer before Alpha A-hole has a chance. “I’m not replacing Luna Ellen. She is the true Luna to Alpha.” I barely stop myself before throwing in the A-hole part.

Alpha A-hole kisses my head and I close my eyes until he moves away. “Isn’t she generous?” He says proudly then points to the guard closest to the speaker. “Let’s get this party started. Turn that music up. Come on, Anna.” He takes my hands and pulls me to the middle of the room and starts dancing as if he’s at some dance club. I awkwardly wobble from foot to foot and look around me. The guards are dancing with their dates, but Rowena and Enforcer Laurent are chatting in the corner. Tanya comes up to me so I hold her hands and half-heartedly dance with her, making her the star of the party. Alpha moves behind me and continues his version of dancing.

Maxine has a table filled with finger and party foods so I leave the makeshift dancefloor to make a small plate and hide out in a corner away from the party. Rowena comes up beside me. “Anna. Is it true?”

I shrug my shoulder. “I guess so. I feel tingly when he touches me and his smell intensified today.”

She presses her lips together. “That does sound like a mate, but to have two… it’s just unheard of.”

“I know, but I didn’t choose this. I don’t want Luna Ellen to be upset.”

She touches my arm soothingly. “Of course not. No one chooses their mate. Just be careful, hon.” I nod, grateful for her being understanding and not blaming me for the situation.

Maxine serves the cake and I open my random assortment of gifts. Rowena and Enforcer Laurent gave me a very nice book of piano sheet music, but the rest of my gifts are things I would never choose for myself. Extravagant perfumes, a makeup kit, an expensive purse, a diamond bracelet from Alpha A-hole, all things I think Luna Ellen would enjoy.

I thank everyone, especially Maxine for all of her hard work, then escape to my room at the first available opportunity.