MY MATE. MY CRUSH

Audrey's Pov

"Fuck!" I curse, slamming shut the book I was reading.

My eyes glanced to the door, obvious irritation and distaste on my face as I eyed it. This night was supposed to be silent, if not for anyone, but at least he should have taken it in for me, to let me have it for the death of my parents and partly his father. 

Today was the ritual night of my parents' death eight nights ago, yet the stupid bastard brother who showed up claiming the throne of the Alpha of Our pack won't even let them have it. 

I sat up from the bed, leaning on the headboard as I closed my eyes. I didn't want to bore myself with questions, which might lead to unnecessary accusations, but it deeply hurt. 

I have always thought people heightened the loss of someone's loved one, unnecessary crying, wallowing for months, and not moving on, but the sight of my parentsgasping for breath with black liquid pouring out of their mouths that night proved me wrong.

Everything has been going well, from the food to their smiles. My birthday was coming in the next three days, and they were happily discussing what theme I wanted for this year. I was Audrey, the daughter of Alpha Ballowe and Luna Aurora, one of the most substantial packs on the whole continent. Every party of mine has to come with a theme.

A tear and a sad smile slid down my eyes as the horror I saw next flashed in my brain again, from a big smile plastered on both of their faces to their eyes widening in horror as they started to vomit out black liquid, a symbol of wolfsbane. I didn't even get the chance to get out of the house and find the pack doctor before they passed out, leaving me alone in this cold and hurtful world. 

My mother has said she can't go with the theme I left for them, and I should pick another one unless she doesn't attend. I thought she meant it jokingly until she passed off anddragged my father with her. 

I sniffed in, cleaning the tears away from my eyes and angrily pressing the bell my stupid bastard brother had installed beside me to attend to all my needs. The maid rushed in instantly, bowing down with her arms folded to herself,

"You called. Is it something urgent? Why did you press the bell like that, Princess?"

In eight days, things have changed in the house. A man has shown up and gained all the elders' charm, even calling him the crowned Alpha without him having a crown, being crowned, calling himself my stupid bastard brother. 

The corners of my lips curved up in a small smile as I stared at the maid absentmindedly. I had no interest in ruling the park before, and with the look of things, my opinion did not matter to any of them. 

"I'll like to eat. What's up for dinner?" I blinked back to the maid.

"Just some of the party food the alpha eats with his friends."

My heart stabbed lightly as she told him the title belonged to my father, not some idiot. I stood from the bed, walked to the maid, and turned my back to her. She zipped down my dress for me before I turned back to face her,

"Don't worry. Prepare me for the party. I should dine with them." 

"But...

"I am the Princess of this pack. Prepare me for the party now!" I called out to her harshly. 

She nodded, walking out and coming back inside with the other maids as they prepared me for the party. As much as I would have loved to storm into their dinner and spout harsh, foul words at him, I still cared more about my image and how I looked, and without dressing up, I looked like a depressed princess. 

"Thank you," I said to the maids before walking to the mirror.

As I dressed in a pink floral dress with diamonds embedded at the neck, my diamond necklace sat elegantly on my neck, the one my mother gifted me for my seventh birthday, and the earrings on my ears, too. 

My brown hair has been made into curls, resting heavily on my back. I walked out of the room with no interference from the maids, and I had not taken more than three steps when a sweet smell wafted into my nose. 

"What's going on, Drea?" I mind-linked my wolf instantly, aware of her heightened sense.

Her following words left a hole in my chest and an abrupt halt to my steps, "mate? Our mate is here?" 

"Yes," she responded. 

I sniffed around, trying to get where the scent was coming from. Turning to my right side, I pursued it, turning to every corner as the smell grew stronger. I was nervous deep within me, scared and excited, too. I have always looked forward to meeting my mate, and even after the death of my parents, I have prayed for it wildly to the moon goddess.

My feet stopped as I got to the long hallway, needing to stop at the front of a particular door. 

"Open the door. I can't wait.." Drea squealed in me. 

I reached for the doorknob but felt hesitant to open it. What if it was one of the devils of my stepbrother? What if it was an ordinary guard? Different questions pooled in my head at the thought of who could be inside.

"Or it could be Asher..." Drea, my wolf, taunted me.

"Shut up, Drea." I cut her off and locked her from my mind.

Asher was the Alpha of the nightshade pack and my crush for years. I met him during a party, and I've been swooning over him after a dance. I've prayed and prayed to the moon goddess to make him my mate, and despite all the signs I've given him to make me his bride, he hasn't spared me more than a knowing smile. 

I closed my eyes lightly, sighing and taking a deep breath before turning the door knob. As I opened the door, I first saw the familiar black hair I knew too well, one that I'd dreamed of touching every time I saw him. I gulped down as I closed the door, stepping towards him. He turned back to look at me with those familiar black orbs staring right back at me,

"Mate..." he called out. My face broke into a smile, a genuine one. It was the first natural smile I've had in days.

"You're my mate, Asher," I whispered.

As a magnet pulled towards each other, I didn't wait to hear any further word from him, rushing towards him and drawing him straight into a deep kiss. I muttered a curse word as I sent my hand through his hair, closing my eyes at the pleasure I got from it. It was silk and soft, just as I had imagined. I kissed him hungrily, those lips I've always lusted over, smooth and plump as they look. 

His hand circled my waist, lifting me and walking to slam my back against the wall. We continued to kiss, his hand touching my breast, massaging it from outside the cloth with my legs clasped around him. He broke the kiss and looked at me, his sexy eyes staring at mine,

"You're one hell of a bold lady." He muttered.

I pulled him back towards my lips, crashing it back. It didn't take long for him to find the zip of my dress and drop it to give him full access to my breasts,

"And a sexy one too, by the way..." he added as he trailed kisses down my neck, bringing it to my breast. 

As his lips got to my nipple, I closed my eyes and inhaled the heavenly pleasure, clenching my thighs and burying his head more into it. I didn't know or care if it was the feeling of discovering he was my mate or how badly I wanted him. I just wanted him to touch me and continue to massage me. 

I pulled the rest of my dress down, revealing my panties. He looked up again and smirked at me, pulling them down before sending one finger down there,

"And a fucking slut!" he said as he continued to delve in and out into me. 

Something about him felt different as those words left his mouth, not the Asher that was always composed when I saw him in meetings with my father or the one who elegantly kissed my hand on one of the feast nights. But I didn't care, not at this moment. Asher was finally mine. My dream man was finally man.

"Is this your first time?" He breathed out.

I replied shyly as he smiled at me, "Don't worry. It won't hurt much."

With another nod, he plunged slowly into me, making me comfortable before we started to move in rhythm, not caring what tomorrow held for either of us.