The blaring alarm on my phone woke me up the next morning. Groaning, I crawled out of bed and made my way to the bathroom to start getting ready for the day. A quick glance at my phone told me it was 4 a.m. Too early for a normal person to be awake, but early enough for someone with a lot to do. I felt horrible; my stomach hurt, and I felt nauseous. I wondered if it was the fast food I'd inhaled last night.

After I showered, did my hair, and applied some light makeup, I went down to the kitchen and began the long process of making breakfast for everyone, including our extra guests. We were currently hosting the Alpha and Beta from the BloodMoon pack. I wasn't aware of the reason for their visit, but it never mattered if I knew or not.

I looked at the menu my uncle had posted on the side of the fridge. As usual, it was elaborate and annoying: bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, pancakes, and cut fruit. Oh, and don't forget the coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice.

I focused on cooking everything quickly, not caring if it tasted good or not. I wouldn't get to eat any of it.

I was so engrossed in cooking that I didn't notice Alpha Arlo come downstairs. He was seated on a barstool at the far end of the tiny island in the middle of the kitchen. I looked up when he cleared his throat. He wasn't trying to gain my attention; he was focused on a book he was reading. I started the coffee and waited for it to brew so I could grab him a cup. Once it was done, I pulled a cup from the cupboard above me and picked up the pot. A large, warm hand covered mine, stopping me.

"I can get my own coffee. You're nobody's slave, and I won't let you be mine while I'm here," his deep, sleep-filled voice whispered in my ear. His warm breath against my neck raised goosebumps all over my body. I turned to face him, my eyes wide and my heart racing. He adjusted his hands on the counter behind me, caging me in and staring at me intently as if trying to figure me out. Then, as quickly as it started, the moment was over, and he beamed a huge smile at me, one that made the edges of his gorgeous blue eyes crinkle. I slipped out from under him and continued to cook, stunned into silence. While he sat there reading his book and sipping his coffee, I dared to steal glances every now and then. Each time, my heart jumped and my stomach churned.

I was truly doomed. He's an Alpha; I can't fall for him. But something was drawing him to me, and I couldn't place my finger on it.

The moon goddess assigns each wolf a mate, and they meet when the time is right for them and they can benefit from each other the most. Each wolf gets one mate, one chance at a happy life with them. If a mate is rejected, the bond snaps free, and it's the most painful thing in the world. They'll live with the sense that they lost something great and will pine for each other.

Is Alpha Arlo my mate? We both seem to be drawn to each other.

I gathered my courage and cleared my throat, ready to confront him, but he interrupted me.

"Don't. It's too complicated to even consider right now," Alpha Arlo said dismissively, sensing where I was going. "Do you know why I'm here?" he asked, looking up from his book with his eyebrows raised.

"No, nobody tells me anything around here," I replied, shaking my head and casting my gaze to the ground.

"Stop doing that. You are not lesser than me; you're my equal. We both know alpha blood runs through your veins. Stop bowing to others, Melanie," he snapped, staring at me angrily.

My mouth fell open in a perfect "O." How did he know my lineage?

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"Okay," I replied, trying to gather some courage. He sighed and ran his hand through his messy hair.

"I'm here to talk about an arranged marriage with your cousin," Alpha Arlo said, and my heart dropped.

"Oh," was all I could say. I'm sure my disappointment showed on my face more than I wanted it to.

I turned to finish the last batch of pancakes just as everyone started to file into the dining room. Everything was ready; I just had to serve it.

Alpha Arlo stood up, and I felt his gaze on my back for a few moments before I heard him turn and walk into the dining room. Pleasantries were exchanged, and everyone seemed happy. Longing filled me as I listened to everyone talk. It had been three years since I'd held a happy conversation with anyone.

I filled the giant trays in front of me with all the food I'd prepared. One held all the cut fruit, another the meat and eggs. Finally, one held the pancakes and small containers of syrup and butter. I picked up two of them at once and took them into the dining room, setting them in the middle of the long table. Then, I grabbed the tray of pancakes and placed it in the middle of the table as well.

Before I started cooking, I had already set a pile of plates and silverware in the middle of the table. I stepped back for a second and admired all I had accomplished. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I saw it was 7:15 a.m. Not bad.

It was quiet as everyone sat down and started to eat. I was called here and there to refill cups and take away syrupy plates. I sat in the kitchen, scrolling on my phone and listening to music at the lowest volume I could, trying to distract myself from nibbling on a piece of bacon until everyone else was done eating. The last time I'd done that, it had earned me a punch in the face from my uncle.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash as something fell to the floor and broke. I looked up from my phone and started to stand when Alpha Arlo's voice rang out.

"Knock it off. None of that talk is necessary. She did a good job making all this food and serving your lazy asses. Be grateful," he boomed as I heard his chair scrape against the hardwood and his steps ascend the stairs.

"I-I don't know how to explain that outburst. Sorry, Alpha Kyle," Xavier, Alpha Arlo's Beta, offered.

"It's fine, let's just continue with our meal," my uncle replied as I heard my aunt snigger.

My cousin, however, was quiet. I hadn't heard her in that exchange at all, which was unusual. She was my aunt's twin, both condescending and rude constantly. She was beautiful on the outside, but it didn't match the ugliness in her soul.

They finished eating, and one by one, they dispersed. My uncle reminded Xavier of the meeting they were holding later in his office before he put on his coat and left the house.

Once I finished eating some eggs and the few pieces of bacon and sausage that were left, I worked on washing the dishes. Annoyed that the sink water had gotten the front of my T-shirt wet, I pulled it off and set it across one of the barstools. I was wearing a tank top underneath, and it was hot, so it would be acceptable. High-waisted yoga pants and a tank top were the comfiest options I could choose and get away with.

Walking into the dining room, I was shocked to see Alpha Arlo picking up the broken plate and food from the floor. I gasped and rushed over to him, knocking his hands out of the way and cursing myself for not getting to it sooner.

"I can clean it up; it's my mess," Alpha Arlo snapped. I shook my head adamantly.

"I will clean it up. You are a guest, and guests shouldn't have to clean," I told him as I finished picking up the broken ceramic pieces and placing them on a folded paper towel on the table above us.

He growled at me as he pushed me off my feet and landed over top of me under the table. He pinned my arms down and straddled me as he pulled the tablecloth down, hiding us from view. His back was hunched so he'd fit under the table comfortably. Leaning down, he pressed his entire body against mine, and as he nipped my ear, my whole body shivered.

"You'll have to learn to listen to me, or you'll get yourself into some interesting situations," he whispered, his breath against my neck once again eliciting goosebumps all along my body. My breath hitched as he started to feather kisses down my neck. His smell enveloped me, and it was all I could focus on. He smelled like cloves and sandalwood. Suddenly, he sat back slowly, hunching his back once more. A look of regret crossed his face for a few moments before he lifted a leg and was on his knees next to me.

"Your eyes are beautiful," he said as he grabbed a piece of broken plate next to the table leg. He winked at me as he crawled out from under the table. I heard him set it on the table and then watched his feet walk away, taking my heart with them.