Chapter three

Annie," Samuel began, finally meeting my gaze. His hazel eyes held a storm of emotions – worry, sympathy, and a hint of dread. "Your mate is here"

My heart plummeted. This was bad, very bad" How... how does he know he's my mate?" My voice trembled. "I only met Alpha Ronnie and Future Alpha Chris. One's already mated, and the other… well, he didn't exactly make his feelings clear."

"It's neither of them," he explained. "It's Damian". He could smell you on Father. You hugged him before coming down, and your scent stuck."

"It could be anyone he was near," I insisted, denial rising like a tide. "It's not me. It can't be me."

"Annie," Samuel pleaded, "Come on, they're all waiting."

"All? How many mates do I have?" Panic tinged my voice.

"Just one, kiddo. But we need to go. We can't keep them waiting."

"No, Samuel. No!" I balked, fear constricting my throat. "I'm not going up there just to be rejected and humiliated. This can't be happening. It has to be a mistake. I can't have a mate."

Cody, sensing my escalating panic, stepped in. "Annie, it's okay," he soothed. "You've always assumed you wouldn't have a mate, or that they'd reject you. Maybe that's not true. Maybe he'll see the amazing wolf you are."

Their words were meant to comfort, but they rang hollow. In their eyes, I saw a reflection of my dread. Samuel, especially, seemed burdened with a worry I'd never seen before. My supposed mate must be truly terrible for my brother to be so concerned.

The air grew thick with tension, stealing my breath. Walls seemed to close in, and each inhale became a struggle. My anxieties, usually kept tightly bottled, overflowed. Without either of them noticing, I slipped off my shoes. There was a back door leading out, right behind them. They were both faster, Samuel with his Alpha strength. Escape was my only option.

Tears streamed down my face as Samuel, ever the protective brother, pulled me into a comforting hug. The gesture disarmed me momentarily. Despite my fear, his embrace felt like a haven. However, the looming prospect of facing my father and mate spurred me on. I used the hug as an opportunity, letting out a choked sob as Cody approached. In that split second, I pushed past Samuel and sprinted towards the door.

My hand met the knob, and to my relief, it wasn't locked. Bursting through the door, I raced into the familiar embrace of the garden. With each step, the scent of Samuel on the breeze grew fainter. I dared a glance back to see both men standing outside the kitchen entrance. Cody had an arm wrapped around a defeated-looking Samuel.

"Just let her go, Samuel," Cody's voice drifted on the wind. "Give her time to process."

I continued running for a while, fueled by adrenaline. But when it subsided, I settled into a brisk walk. My bare feet sank into the soft earth, ignoring the damage this might do to my carefully styled attire.

This wasn't supposed to be my life. My family loves me, and of that I was certain. Yet, at every turn, I feel like an outsider. They claim they couldn't bear the thought of letting me go after finding me as a lost child. But who abandons a three-year-old in the woods?

Memories surfaced. Lost, alone, and filled with a terrifying emptiness. Who were my parents? Did they love me? Or was I left behind, unwanted?

I'd tried to bury these questions, but they resurfaced with renewed intensity. As I grew older, the differences between me and the other pups became stark. I couldn't keep up with their games, which is why I cherished Cody's friendship. We shared a love for exploration, and the day we first stumbled upon the hidden Brooks was etched in my memory.

The memory brought a smile to my lips, momentarily lifting the weight of my burden. However, the reprieve was short-lived. Trouble always followed us, and this time, my father's anger at our reckless adventure had been magnified by worry. I distinctly recall Cody's mother's apologies, my father's stern demeanor, and my mother's amused smirk, urging him to calm down.

Looking back, I realized why Dad had become overly cautious about my safety. My differences made him vulnerable. He forbade me from venturing into the woods alone, even with Cody by my side.

Now, on top of being different, I was a burden – a liability to my pack and, apparently, to the mate I never thought I'd have. Rejection seemed inevitable. What use could a mate have for a clumsy, unconventional wolf like me? He was probably an Alpha, and while most she-wolves would be ecstatic, for me, it was the worst possible scenario.

Reaching the back of the garden, my haven, I found solace in its familiar peace. Few ventured here, allowing me a space to contribute to the pack in my quiet way. It wasn't much, but it was mine. The afternoon sun beat down, and I sought refuge under the sprawling squash trellis, its shade a welcome embrace.

Time seemed to blur as I sat hidden. The initial panic subsided, replaced by a dull ache of acceptance. I knew they'd find me eventually, but for now, I clung to this stolen moment of solitude.

Suddenly, a rustle from the direction of the house piqued my curiosity. Peeking out cautiously, I saw a figure standing near my father's study window. It was a man, tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair that fell past his neck. He held a glass, its contents swirling amber in the sunlight. Expensive bourbon, most likely, meant to ease whatever tension my actions had caused.

Our eyes met across the distance, and a jolt of electricity shot through me. He held my gaze, his expression unreadable. Was this my mate? The fear that had been simmering all afternoon roared back to life, tinged now with a spark of curiosity.