The Alpha’s Fated Choice (Alpha's Fated Encounter Trilogy #1)

Not his fated mate. His mate.

My wolf feels smug at this development and rumbles happily.

“Shut up,” I mumble under my breath. “It was a slip of the tongue. He didn’t mean to call me that.”

My wolf silently disagrees.

*** **

Lake Mist is a hidden gem in this town. It is said that the lake has been enchanted by witches, and at night, it glows under the moonlight. I’ve never seen it like that because I’ve never felt inclined to come all the way out here at night. It’s just as beautiful in the daytime, I’m sure—the water is a clear, crystal blue, and the sun’s reflection gives the lake a shimmery, mystical appearance.

Somebody had the idea to install a couple of benches around the lake. I think it must have been a human. I can’t imagine shifters wanting benches so they can sit and stare at the water. They would rather lie on the rocks or swim in the lake. My preference is usually to dive straight in and try to explore the bottom, which I’ve never actually reached. But today, I find myself sitting on one of the benches with my legs crossed underneath me, just gazing at the environment. It is serene. I listen to the sound of birds chirping in the trees and see the wildflowers blooming all around. It lets me take a sigh of relief.

Alex was truly angry. I never expected that sort of reaction. Annoyance perhaps. Maybe even irritation that Nathan tried to kill me, especially since I’m helping Alex look for the Silver Wolf. But the kind of fury I saw in Alex shocked me. It’s not like he hasn’t been protective of me in the past; he always gets agitated when I’m injured or being threatened. But the fact that he turned on one of his own people over me is something I am having a tough time wrapping my brain around.

“Nobody in our pack will ever accept you.”

Nathan’s words still make me feel small. I lower my gaze to my hands and twiddle my thumbs, trying to keep the raw emotions at bay. I wasn’t asking anybody to accept me. So, why does it hurt so much?

I already knew Patrick does not consider me a good fit for Alex. I overheard him saying so. Why should it surprise me that the other members of their group feel the same way?

My wolf’s excitement about being at the lake dims at my heavy thoughts.

I am no stranger to exclusion, but this time it cuts me to the core. Pulling my knees up to my chest, I rub my eyes fiercely, mumbling, “I don’t need them. So what if they don’t want me? I don’t want them, either! It’s not as if I’m dying to join their pack or anything.”

I wipe a stray tear from my cheek.

My chin now resting on my arms, I stare out at the lake. Water has always soothed me. I never understood why, but even as a child, I felt most at peace when I was near a body of water. Even after Noah attempted to drown me, I never developed a fear of water. If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would like to come back as a shark or a whale. I want to be something fierce but also get to swim in water all day, away from the troubles and heartbreak this world has to offer.

A giggle escapes my mouth as I imagine myself as a shark.

“I’m glad to see you’re in a good mood.” Alex’s voice from behind me has me nearly falling off the bench.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t even notice him. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to check up on you.” He sits down next to me. “Why were you laughing?”

“I was thinking silly thoughts.” I turn my attention back to the lake.

“Like what?“ He leans back against the bench, but I can feel his eyes on me.

I feel embarrassed. “I was just wondering if we get another chance at life. Life after death.”

“You mean reincarnation?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“What’s so funny about reincarnation?”

“I decided I want to be a shark in my next life,” I declare. “It made me laugh, imagining myself as one.”

Alex shakes his head. “I can’t see you as a shark. You don’t have those bloodthirsty tendencies.”

“I could be a shark if I wanted to.” I give him an irritated look. “And who’s asking you, anyway?”

“I would rather you be born a shifter in your next life, so that we can meet again,” Alex says quietly, staring at me. “Perhaps in circumstances that won’t separate us.”

I’m about to say something nasty to him, but my heart is suddenly filled with a terrible, suffocating sadness. My eyes feel dewy, and I look away from him.