Alpha Zander
Chapter 45

Exhausted after everything, I didn’t want to go to the cottage last night. I knew Kia had enough strength to last me one more night. As much as I hated the interaction with him yesterday, even if he said nothing, It was good to be in the same room as him. I needed to see his decision which he so clearly made. Whether he knew it or not, he chose her, and I am officially finished with him. I tried everything, I gave him a choice, and he chose her.

So here I am on what is supposed to be the happiest day of our school year, sulking in my bedroom on my bed while Chloe is in the bathroom getting ready for our school formal. Every girl looks forward to the formal in their senior year. Every girl looks forward to being asked out by their crush and hopes they like them back, or my mate. A part of me wants him to show up tonight and pick me up, but the other half doesn’t want to face the embarrassment of my family. Only two people know he’s my mate. And for now, I’d like to keep it that way.

“What do you think?” Chloe came out of my bathroom and did a little spin, letting her beautiful golden hair flowing down around her. She looked stunning in her maxi mint green gown and golden accessories. The front had a sweetheart neckline, off the shoulders, and no straps with a light white lace pattern of flowers embedded on some of the front and around half the waist.

“You look amazing, babe, truly” I smiled.

She looked at me and frowned. Seeing I was still in my comfy tracksuit and shirt. “Why haven’t you gotten ready yet ?”

I sighed and lay back in my bed, staring at the ceiling. “1 don’t think I’m going.” I mumbled. I didn’t want to see him with her, the one he chose over me. I didn’t , want to see him at all tonight. As much as I cared for him before, it was just Kia’s feelings for Jace or the mate bond at work. He destroyed the last bit of love l had for him yesterday. I came back home, and mum knew instantly something was wrong. I still haven’t spoken with her yet. I don’t know if l can.

So after my run, I snuck through the back door without dinner last night and went straight to my room, thankfully avoiding everyone. Ollie knew something was wrong on the way home. He questioned if Zander was my mate when we were back at Charwoods pack house.

It’s annoying how observant he is sometimes. Of course, he caught my reaction and realized what had happened before I could confirm. He didn’t press for any answers on the way home, as much as I could tell he wanted to.

But I also didn’t want to talk about it. Even though the meeting, there were parts I should have spoken up about but remained quiet. I was mulling over what happened.

It probably hasn’t helped anything, but I can’t just switch it off. That’s why I went for a run yesterday until my body ached and Kia let all of her anger out, and today I tried to keep my mind busy and study for most of the day because I missed a fair bit this week because I stayed home, so I wanted to catch up.

“Ok, who is he?” She asked as I looked up at her and saw her arms folded across her chest and a stern look on her face.

“Who is who?” I asked, trying to sound offended, but my voice came out as a small squeak.

“Come on, babe, you haven’t ever been this sad or depressed before, and well, if it’s not a guy, then what?”

I sighed. If l can’t share my problems with my best friend, what’s the point of having one?

“Please don’t make this a big deal, ok? I’m just trying to figure out a lot of stuff”

She frowned and stepped forward, sinking into the space beside me on the bed. “Babe, I’m here for you if you need me. What’s up.”

I sucked in a sharp breath before telling her. I knew I might get a bit of backlash for not telling her a few weeks ago when I found out he was my mate.

“I found my mate, and right now, it’s just a bit complicated. I’m just trying to figure stuff out before letting people know. So far, only you, mum, and Ollie know.”

Her eyes flew wide at my statement, knowing I had found my mate, a massive wave of relief washed over me, not having to keep the most important secret from my best friend anymore.

“Are you ok?” She asked, gently rubbing one of my legs in comfort.

“Hopèfully, I will be one day, But right now, it’s just a bit messy, and I can’t see him tonight. I just don’t want to face any more humiliation,” I said softly.

Kia had gone back into hibernation after the run last night, trying to preserve her strength. She knew I didn’t want to see him for a few days. I felt her move around a bit. And yesterday, she talked to me about a few things, but she’s hurting and trying not to let me feel that hurt, or it might completely destroy me. If this is what it feels like to not be around him without a rejection, I can only imagine what it ‘ll be like when he rejects me.

“Come on,” Chloe tugged at me. I frowned at her. Did I not tell her I wasn’t going tonight?

She sighed and said, “you are not letting some a-sshat of a guy ruin the best day of our senior year. You get up and wear that beautiful gown we bought a few months ago. You show him that you are not bothered by him being a stupid d**k, that you are a strong independent woman, and if he is going to make things difficult for you, then you are going to make things difficult for him and live your life, show him what he is missing.” She encouraged tugging on me again.

“But.” I begin to protest.

“No buts, babe, this will be good for you, you haven’t been at school all week, and it’ll be nice to see some of our friends. We are sitting at a table with everyone else,,away from everything. It might not be as bad as you think.”

I sighed and looked over at the beautiful flowing dusty pink gown hanging on the closet door. It really would be a waste if I didn’t wear it tonight. I had already bought my graduation dress, so one of them wouldn’t be worn if I didn’t go tonight. It was a beautiful dress with embedded flowers woven all through it. The shoulders would be halfway down, just resting on my arms.

“Fine,” I sighed heavly and scrambled off my Chloe grinned, clapped in triumph, and started rambling about what I needed to do in the next hour to get ready.

“First, we should do your hair, that takes the longest, and then we will do makeup.”

Over an hour had passed by the time she had fixed all of my hair and makeup. I was standing in front of my dress before putting it on. When I chose it, I had hoped I would have met my mate by now. I soo wanted to be with him tonight. As much as I hated to admit it, I still wished I had tonight. Even after everything, I still wished he was picking me up and being with him one more time.

The chatter grew louder as I opened my bedroom door and headed down the stairs into the room full of our family and friends.

Victoria was hanging off Ollie as he talked with Brent and some of his mates. I saw Chloe and Skyla by the kitchen, getting a few drinks. I made my way to the girls.

They turned around and smiled when I got closer. I leaned in and hugged Skyla as she moved forward. I was sad she couldn’t get ready with us, but it was nice she was able to come over for drinks beforehand.

Skyla wore a beautiful flowing blue dress, a lace-up corset bodice held by delicate shoulder straps, and flairs dramatically at the bottom, letting it all flow around her.

She looked stunning.

Mum and Dad made their way through the crowd holding a camera and waving it in the air, “We need to get a few photos of you kiddies before you head off,” she called, smiling between the girls and me, leaning in to give me a big hug.

“You’re not wearing it?” she asked quietly, pulling back and putting a stray hair back in its place.

I svcked in a sharp breath, knowing exactly what she was referring to, “l can’t, not after yesterday” I whispered softly, shaking my head. I debated for hours whether I should wear the gift he gave me on my birthday, and after yesterday, as much as it broke my heart. I can’t wear it, knowing it means something so significant. I won’t stand around and wait for him anymore, not after the choice he made.

She smiled sadly and squeezed my hand, “Maybe just put it in your purse, in case you change your mind?”

I frowned but nodded. Our purses and coats were already in my room, so I would have to remember to get it before heading out.

“Photo time?” Mum called around, getting everyone’s attention.

We all made our way toward the center of the room, trying to scramble around each other for a photo. We took one with all of us, then just the girls and guys separately, and then a couple with the three of us. Mum also wanted a few with Ollie, me, and Brent.

After what seemed like forever with the photos, someone announced the humer was here to pick us up and take us to the hall.

We pulled up to a beautiful-looking venue, a loop driveway with a massive fountain in the middle spraying out water continuously, a beautiful stone staircase leading up to magnificent double doors already wide open, allowing everyone access.

We all waited in line to go through the double doors.

It was Magnificant and rich with character, some other students looking around in amazement. Marble staircase leading up, with gold trim along the handle, a ‘do not enter’ sign was fixed across a red rope with a guard in a black suit standing off to the side, not allowing access to anyone. A large board on the side of another double door entrance led into a room filled with tables and chairs, white table clothes, and flower centerpieces. The board had a list of names with table numbers. Each table had 10-15 people sitting around.

Walking into the next room, there was a massive stage in the middle with a wooden floor one would assume for dancing when the time came. You could see outside the tall glass floor-to-ceiling windows all around this second room. The outside looked beautiful, with a fresh white gazebo beautifully lit with fairy lights and climbing roses. The lake behind the gazebo shimmered in the moonlight and lights.

It was such a chaotic moment, getting seated and ensuring we had the right seats. Thankfully Chloe was on the committee that put this all together for us, so she knew where everything was. Chloe grabbed one of my hands and one of Skyla’s and led the way to our table. It was in a lovely spot, just in the corner, where we had a beautiful outside view. I could look out there all evening if I were allowed. “I was able to grab the best seats in the venue,” She smiled happily. “Look how gorgeous this view is!”

Ollie and some of his friends joined our table and started chatting about the final few weeks of our year leading up to the graduation ceremony.

I was chatting with Skyla and a girl named Harper when Kia moved around slightly and murmured, ‘Mate’

My eyes darted all around, looking for him, and my heart accelerated as I got a wave of his scent of sweet honey and wildflowers.

These few days have been hard, and as much as I have made up my mind, it’s hard to resist the mate bond.

I look at the doors we have just entered and see his beautiful hazel eyes staring straight at me. He moves closer, trying to close the gap between us, but one of his friends next to him grabbed his attention and pointed to the other side of the room. He turned back, nodded, and followed his friends to their table. He looked so handsome in his dark tux, with a fresh white top, so alluring I couldn’t help but allow my eyes to follow him to his table.

Throughout the evening, my eyes kept darting over to Zander. He caught me once or twice, our eyes locking for a few seconds before one of us was pulled away into a conversation we were having around the table.

How is it that even though this one person has hurt me so much, all I want to do right now is to let him hold me, to feel the sparks and electricity through us once more?

I fiddle with the heirloom he gave me under the table. I haven’t put it in my hair yet. I don’t know if I will, but having it in my hands makes me want to re-think everything and question if I was making the right choice in letting him go.

Ollie darts his eyes over to me now and then, a silent question asking if l am all right. I guess he can sense the internal struggle I am having right now. I send him a small smile to try to reassure him.

After our three-course meal, the DJ starts up the music and tries to encourage everyone to dance. After one or two failed attempts, he puts on Head and Heart by Joel Corry, and a few girls squeal and run to the center and start swaying to the music. Before long, the dancefloor was filled with some students dancing and getting into the swing of things.

Bobby dragged Chloe off to dance with him. She looked so happy and at peace with him. It would be interesting to see if they ended up being mates in a few weeks on her birthday.

“Are you ok, hun,” Skyla asked, pulling me out of my daydream.

“Yeah, hun, I’m fine. I might go for a walk and get some fresh air. I feel a bit stuffy in here” I smiled back and started to get up, making my way towards the exit to the waterfront.

“Ok, we will be here when you get back,” Skyla called out before turning back to Harper and some others on our table.

I stood in front of the shimmering lake. It was beautiful this evening. Even though it was a cold winter evening, being a wolf helped, but Kia was slightly weaker, so I felt the chill in the air more than I usually would.

The cold helped the pain that consumed me as l stood in front of the water, fiddling with the heirloom, svcking in the fresh air, feeling more at peace than I had all week. My mind was clear, and my heart was clear.

‘Mate,’Kia whispers, and I’m smacked with his scent engulfing all around me. I try not to let him affect me as I feel him move closer to me, closing the gap between us.

I don’t need to turn around to know when he is standing only a few feet away.

He couldn’t just let me have this one night where I tried to enjoy myself without dealing with our problems.