The Designated Mate novel Chapter 2

"The pleasure is all mine, Poppy." He purred before trailing a single finger down the side of my upper arm. I swallowed before nonchalantly stepping backwards so he wouldn't be touching me any longer.

"Were you needing to speak with my father about pack matters?" I asked, my tone short but polite.

"No, actually. I was invited over for dinner." He said with a slimy smirk before leaving me behind as he made his way to our dinner table, leaving me alone in the foyer. I gulped as the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Something's not right I thought to myself as my wolf stirred unhappily in my mind. Squaring my shoulders, I followed the way Alpha Williams had just gone. All eyes in the room snapped to me as I entered, making me squirm and fold in on myself in discomfort.

I silently took the only available seat at the table, which just so happened to be right next to Alpha Williams. Yes, something is very wrong. Scooting my chair in, I unfolded my napkin and spread it out on my lap while I waited. It was customary for your Alpha to serve himself and take the first bite out of respect.

"Everything looks absolutely delicious, it's not every day you get a nice southern home-cooked meal when you're unmated." Alpha Williams joked.

"Poppy prepared everything by herself from scratch, didn't you?" My father replied, eyeing me expectantly.

"Yes, I did." I murmured quietly, unsure what game he was playing at. He never gives me credit for anything...

"Well, I guess that's just one more thing that makes you perfect, isn't it?" Alpha Williams grinned towards me while leaning in close, completely disturbing my personal space. I tried to be as obvious as possible while straining my neck backward to avoid our noses from touching.

"That's very kind of you to say," I responded cryptically before looking away, praying he would take the hint to leave me alone. He did, but seconds later I received a harsh kick to my shin from under the table. I whimpered as the action caught me off guard and caused pain to radiate up my entire leg. My head snapped up to my father who was sitting directly across from me. He looked absolutely murderous - though I was unsure as to why. I had been nothing but polite the entire time.

Food was passed around the table as the Alpha asked my mother about the clinic and how she liked volunteering there. The pan of mac n' cheese had finally gotten to me, but before I could grab it Alpha Williams snatched it up and started serving me himself.

"Poppy, we've been working with Alpha Williams for a while now to come up with a treaty. It's dire that we come to an agreement between our packs as Alpha Carmichael has become more ruthless than he was before, something that every pack recognizes as a major concern and threat to our way of life as we know it. With that being said, it's been agreed upon by your father and I for you and Alpha Williams to be mated in two weeks time. This will forge a great alliance between our packs and bring incredible strength to both. It will ensure our people's safety, and theirs as well as we share a common border." I couldn't help my body's knee-jerk reaction as I shot up in my seat, my chair knocking back against the ground with the force it had been shoved with.

"What? No! You can't be serious! Alpha Williams already had a mate, and while I'm sorry she's passed, we aren't fated!" I insisted, becoming hysterical as I saw the hard, unchanging look in my Alpha's eyes.

"See, but Alpha Williams needs an heir to his pack and he's been gracious enough to choose you, Poppy. He will make a good mate, and, if I may suggest, it would do you well to sit down." My Alpha said maliciously, letting me know that I was going to be in for a world of hurt if I didn't listen to what he said. Tears sprung to my eyes as a helpless feeling weighed down on my shoulders. I threw a desperate look at my mother who was already crying silently.

"Please excuse me." I sobbed out before running from the room. I slammed the front door open, ignoring the calling of my name as I sprinted to a home that I'd been at more than my own since I turned fifteen.

"Kiara!" I screamed out when I was a few feet away from her front door. "Kiara!" I yelled again, but louder this time. She emerged onto the porch just in time for me to collide with her body. I let myself go, unable to breathe I was crying so hard.