I blanked.

Okay, not really the response I was going for, but they were in a meeting, I had an inkling it had something to do with the packs moving in, and I realised after a few seconds I was interrupting, but the buzzing that swirled through my body hadn't stopped and my feet just weren't moving. 

But he'd turned away, like he hadn't just been staring straight at me for several seconds. My confusion grew, this wasn't how these sort of things went.

Alpha Conal glanced up and saw me standing there, and he smiled warmly. 

“Katie! I would like you to meet Alpha Davis and his son, Kade Pelletier. Men, this is my pack healers daughter, Katie Shaw.” He nodded his head, indicating I could come in. I walked in on wobbly legs, watching carefully as Kade tensed with every step I took, until he stood stock still, staring at the window like it held all the answers to the impossible questions in the world. 

“Pleasure to meet you, Katie.” Alpha Davis smiled, his dark brown eyes taking me in. Surprise lit up his features when he noticed my eye colour. “What descent are you, Katie? Your eyes are uncommon.” He said, his voice professional but friendly. 

I gulped, looking quickly over at Alpha Conal. He stilled too, his face becoming harder, more closed off. 

The silence stretched out longer, and I opened my mouth to speak when Alpha Conal spoke for me instead.

“Katie hasn't found her line of descent yet, but I am positive it's the fire wolf line, just like you and your son,” He said, and I sent him a quick thank you through our mind link. A ghost of a smile appeared on his face before it disappeared into an emotionless line again. 

“At your age? That's quite rare that you haven't discovered it yet.” Alpha Davis commented, his eyes turning to his son, which my wolf had been whining about since we'd walked in the room.

“Well, it's not that bad. I mean, it would be nice to figure it out but I'm fine with waiting.”

Alpha Davis nodded, then replied. “I hope you're not one of the unlucky few wolves that are weakened by this same problem.”

Problem? He thought it was a problem? I scrunched my nose up and replied before I could stop myself. 

“In all due respect, Alpha Davis, but how is this a problem?”

“Well, I don't mean to be blunt as we've just met Katie, but in my opinion, and in most of packs too, a wolf without descent is a weak wolf.”

Well, how did I answer to that without insulting him?

I peeked up at Kade, shocked to find his eyes already on me. Time slowed again, and my heart rate jump started at his stare.

He was most definitely a fire wolf. His hair was an almost black colour, falling in a tousled mess on the top of his head. His skin was tanned and golden, and his face had the angles of a future Alpha, sharp jaw, high cheekbones, strong nose. My eyes trailed down his body slowly, taking in the broad shoulders and narrow waist underneath the grey shirt he wore. His jeans fit perfectly, showing off the strong thighs and calves. My eyes trailed back up, passing his delicious arms until they connected with his own eyes again, the rich brown darkening even further. 

He looked...angry. 

Completely sexy, but angry. 

“W-well, it's nice to meet you, but I have to get going, so I'll see you round.” I said, lowering my eyes to the floor as my heart dropped in my gut and my wolf shrank back, confused and anxious. Why hadn't he done anything yet? Talked to me, tried to jump me, anything? 

I tried to remain slightly put together as I exited the room and started towards the stairs again, wondering what the hell was going on. This wasn't how mate meetings were supposed to happen. I mean, your mate normally at least talked to you. Sent you some sort of message or signal or something. 

Not stone cold silence. 

My wolf started to whine again, pushing against me to go back in the other direction, but I kept walking, my mind too full of questions to notice anything else. 

“Katie.”

If his voice didn't get the blood rushing, I don't know what would.

Spinning quickly, I looked around wide eyed until my eyes landed on Kade, who stood a few metres away, clenching his fists as well as his jaw. I watched the muscle tick in his jaw in fascination as I answered. 

“Yeah?” 

“Fuck.”

Okay, not what I was expecting. 

Kade's face contorted into a scowl, his anger confusing me more. What was his problem? 

“What's wrong?” I asked, and his eyes snapped up to mine again, as if he hadn't expected me to talk. 

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I'm pretty sure you and I...you know. I found you.” That thought crossed my mind as my mouth lifted into a smile full of happiness and I took a few steps closer, watching as Kade tensed again, his whole body tightening. 

“Stop moving.” He hissed, looking at me with sudden hate. I faltered my steps, but took a few more until I was close enough to touch him. 

The smell was overwhelming. His scent hit me like a bus, my wolf rolling in the smell. His own nostrils flared as I reached out to touch him, but he did something that stilled my movement completely. 

Taking a step back, he snarled and spat out, “Touch me, and you'll regret it.” 

“W-what,” I whispered, hurt flaring inside me. “But you and I are mates-”

“No. No, I'm not mates with a freak.”

Everything froze. My thoughts, my heart, my breathing. He took another step back, his face full of undisguised disgust. 

“What did you say?” I asked in a tiny voice, my throat tightening to the point of pain. Kade narrowed his eyes, obviously not happy with my confusion. 

“You're not my mate, I don't want you. You don't even know your descent line. Pathetic.” He spat, and the lump forming in my throat blossomed into the size of a golf ball. “You're pathetic.”

I was starting to suffocate, but my lungs wouldn't take in any air. Eyes filling with unshed tears, I stared at him for a long moment, as if his words weren't processing and I needed more time. Something flashed in his eyes, but I was too busy focusing on his comment to read into it properly.

“I'm pathetic?” 

“Yes. You heard my father, only weak wolves don't know they're descent.” Kade's face formed a cruel smirk, his eyes pinning me to the spot with disappointment shining in his inky stare.

“I was supposed to have a strong mate, and I ended up with you.”

“You don't even know me.” I said suddenly, my hurt channeling into anger. “How would you know who I am?” 

Then I found myself stumble back as Kade growled loudly and stepped forward menacingly. 

“I know the type. This would never work, even if I wanted it to.” 

I bit my bottom lip, to keep the tears in. Kade's eyes followed the movement, his eyes growing black and stormy. 

“I, Kade Pelletier, reject you, Katie Shaw, as my mate.” 

“W-what?” I breathed, barely audible. He heard it though, and rolled his eyes as if bored with the whole conversation. 

“Are you stupid as well? I reject you. Got it?”

I couldn't move, literally. It was like he'd glued me to the spot and my whole body had gone numb. 

Kade spun and started to walk away, but not before stopping and turning to look at me one more time. “Don't come near me again.”

Coldness seeped through my skin and I started to shiver slightly as I clutched my chest with one hand, choking out a sob once he'd disappeared. The pain was stinging, stabbing, nailing against my organs, and my wolf wasn't making it any easier as she howled in despair as tears fell freely now. 

I didn't remember getting to my room, but that's where Emeli found me a few hours later, curled up in a ball on my bed. 

“Katie, you'll never guess what-oh my gosh, what happened?” She gasped as she rushed to my side, but I couldn't respond. My mind had gone blank, my wolf shut down and silent, my body numb. 

All I could remember was his words. I, Kade Pelletier, reject you, Katie Shaw, as my mate. 

Fresh tears stained my comforter as Emeli pulled me into her arms, soothing me with words and stroking my hair but nothing was working. 

Nothing was working because I'd just been rejected by the one guy who was supposed to be my life.

“Katie, please tell me what happened. I'm getting really worried here.” Emeli said in an anxious voice. I opened my mouth a few times, before shutting it again, not really sure how to tell her.

In the end, I just opted for the bluntest option. 

“I just met my mate.” Emeli's face filled with happiness as she sat up on my bed, grinning from ear to ear. 

“That's amazing! But why are you crying?”

“Because he rejected me.”

Well, if that didn't ruin someone's day, I'd bet my right arm nothing else would. 

“He what?” 

“Don't make me repeat it, Em.” I whispered, and she pulled me into a hug which I was grateful for. 

“Maybe he's gay.” She whispered in my ear, and I laughed slightly, but I knew that wasn't the case. “I don't think he is.”

Emeli sighed, hugging me tighter. “It's okay, maybe he's in shock, I would be too if I got a beautiful mate like you.” Emeli said, and I smiled at her attempts to cheer me up, not that any were working. 

“No, I think he meant it.” I whispered, pain contracting my chest until I was clutching it with one hand again. “It hurts.” I said, my eyes filling with tears again. 

“Oh, honey.” She said, pity and sadness in her eyes. I didn't want to see any of it, so I got up from my bed suddenly, feeling the urge to get out of the small room I found myself feeling claustricphobic in. 

“Can we keep this between the two of us for now please, Em? I'll tell my parents but...just not now.” Emeli nodded, and I sighed, running a hand through my hair. 

“I'm going for a walk, I'll be back in an hour or so.” 

“Do you want me to come-” Emeli started, but I held up a hand and shook my head. 

“No, you go and get to know your hot mate. I want to be alone anyway.” I added, then realised that I could be for good now. 

Not alone in having no one sense, but the mateless werewolf sort. I cringed when I passed my free standing mirror, and tried to rub away the redness of my eyes and the blotchy, swelled parts of my face. 

Getting down the stairs without seeing anyone was easy enough. I checked my phone quickly and saw it was six o'clock, glad it was early enough for me to have a few hours outside until night fall. 

As I walked into the large, open plan living space, Hanah's obnoxious chortle assaulted my ears, and I cringed.

“Oh, look what got hit by the ugly stick.” I hear her voice say as I passed silently, hoping they would just ignore me like they did 50% of the time. 

My luck had obvously ran out yesterday, however. 

“Hey, freak, did you not hear me?” She yelled out as I kept walking, trying to ignore her. “Do you not want to meet the Blood Sand teenagers?” 

My steps faltered as that same woodsy scent crept up my nostrils. My wolf whined sadly, cowering away from it in humiliation. Glancing over at the group sitting on many of the couches, Hanah sitting closest to Kade who I spotted instantly. His gaze connected with mine again, and a little part of me still held hope he'd stand up and come over. 

He just grimaced, and looked away again. 

“Guys, this is our packs resident misfit. Katie, meet the people who really don't want to be your friend.” Hanah smirked, her shoulder brushing Kade's purposely.

My wolves hackles raised, but she was still too heartbroken to get too riled up. 

“Well aren't you going to say something?” Hanah said again, getting annoyed with my lack of response.

Normally, I'd shut her down with a witty remark, but I just couldn't even begin to think of one. 

“What's there for me to say?” 

“I don't know, how about defending yourself or something, or are you that pathetic you can't?”

As she said pathetic, I felt myself flinch, and noticed Kade tense, his face void of any emotion. I refused to look at him, though, and stared flatly at Hanah. 

“Why? You've already got me all figured out, don't you?” I said, my voice surprisingly strong for someone who just got rejeted by her soulmate.

“Someone has to remind the ugly chick what she is, since she doesn't know herself.” 

My eyes glanced to Kade, who looked up at that very moment. I waited, looking for a sign of defending me, or anger at her words, but nothing. 

Again, nothing. 

“At least I didn't lose my virginity to the economics tutor when I was fourteen.” 

There, low blow, but it was all I could think of. Hanah's jaw dropped again as there was gasps, then little giggles and guffaws around the room. 

Without waiting for a comeback, I walked towards the front door, pulled it open, and stepped out into the warm evening, my skin not thawing from it's suddenly cold temperature. 

I was stupid. Of course my mate wouldn't want me, I don't even know who me is, but that didn't mean I was going to show him what his rejection had done to my wolf and I. 

I took a deep breath of the fresh, pine air and started to walk down the driveway, aiming for some place far away. 

* * * * 

“I was starting to get worried,” Emeli said the minute I opened my door to my room again. She sat on my bed, biting her pinkie nail which meant she was anxious about something. I sent her a small smile and sat next to her on the bed, staring at the wall I'd decorated with photos and souveniers from different places and people. 

How're you feeling?” Emeli asked softly, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I shrugged, sighing. 

“Like someone set my heart on fire.” 

Emeli tightened her arm around my shoulder, growling slightly. “Did you meet him?” I asked quietly, and Emeli nodded after a hesitant silence.

“Yeah, I did. Alpha Davis's son? Does anyone else know what you two are?”

“Not unless he told someone, and I doubt he did. I'd like to keep it that way, too so that people don't think I'm even more pathetic then I am.” 

Emeli turned to look at me fully, a frown gracing her perfect features. “Stop that, stop speaking down about yourself. You are too good for him anyway. If any guys going to treat you like that, he doesn't deserve you because you're an amazing, incredible, hilarious and gorgeous girl.” 

I had to smile at her determined tone of voice and scolding facial expression. It was endearing, Emeli being the one to try and take control of the situation. 

“So what's the verdict about them moving near us, anyway? I supposed I missed the meeting.”

“It's happening, I don't really know why. Apparently rogues are getting worse, so the Alpha's want to strengthen ties between our packs in case there's an attack.” 

“Goodie,” I muttered sarcastically, and stood up from my bed. Walking over to my closet, I pulled out a pair of shorts and a tank top, slipping them on. Walking back over to my bed, I clambered under the comforter and Emeli lay down next to me after she'd closed her eyes.

“What are you doing?” I asked, confused. Emeli looked at me with a weird expression and closed her eyes again. 

“I'm sleeping in here tonight.” 

“No, you've got a mate to get to-”

“Katie, I just met him today! I'm not going to share a room with him suddenly, too. Besides, my dads a little wary of the age gap so we've decided to wait until I've graduated before we mate properly.” 

I saw the blush rise on Emeli's cheeks, and even in the low mood I was in, I had to tease her a little. 

“Poor guy, you're going to make him wait that long?” 

Emeli gasped and slapped me on the forehead, and I groaned. “Yes! It's only another six months.” 

“Like I said, poor guy.” 

Emeli told me to shut up kindly, and we both closed our eyes, falling into a comfortable silence. I heard her breathing get even after a while, but I was lying awake, staring at the ceiling. 

At least Emeli had someone. Me? All I had was a mate who didn't want me and for some reason, pretty much hated me, and a wolf that was already mourning the loss. 

She howled in a soft, broken way, and my heart responded to it. I tried to close my eyes and tell her it was okay, that we were okay, but she wouldn't listen.

To our wolves, finding our mate was the most important thing there was, so for her to lose hers so fast, I felt angry, hurt and slightly depressed by the whole situation. 

Why didn't he want us? She asked, and I sighed, repling.

Because he thinks we're not good enough, that's why. 

She shrunk back into her ball, growing silent and withdrawn. I didn't like it, not having her near, talking to me. But she was heartbroken, and so was I. 

All because of my unknown descent. 

****

So what do you think? Shall I continue? What am I asking, I will anyway psssh writing a werewolf story is so EXCITING