The Designated Mate novel Chapter 4

I regretted taking Kiara's advice the second I did. I scanned the room and saw pity and sympathy filled looks staring back at me - most of which came from the women and younger girls of my pack. Well, that news certainly traveled fast I thought with disdain. I heard someone loudly clear their throat from my right, catching my attention. My father's stormy eyes greeted me as he snarled my way. He averted his eyes towards the empty chair in front of him - which also was right next to Alpha Williams. I took in a shaky breath before taking one step at a time.

With each step, I heard a new whisper from those around me. Some crude, some sympathetic.

Poor girl, she doesn't even get the chance to pick her own true mate.

Did you hear that she tried running away?

My mom said they're going to lash her again tonight.

I can't imagine being stuck with saggy balls for the rest of my life.

I tried my best not to cry and to maintain my composure, though it was much harder said than done. My previous appetite had completely vanished, though Alpha Williams insisted on serving me a plate anyway. I stayed quiet while grabbing my fork, attempting to get some food in my protesting stomach when someone cleared their throat.

"Are you not going to thank your mate for providing your body with the nutrients and energy it needs?" My dad growled, irritation lacing his voice.

He's not my mate! I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. Neither my wolf, or I, chose him!

"Thank you," I spoke with my head slightly turned next to me towards Alpha Williams, my voice barely anything more than a whisper. The bite I just forced down tried to make its way back up as the man in question rested his arm on the back of my chair next to my shoulder and began slowly tracing circles on my bare skin. Curse you, Poppy! This is what you get for borrowing an off-the-shoulder top from Kiara when it's the beginning of November.

"Dad said to come and find you," I explained while trying to keep my tears at bay as she gave me a broken look. She clearly didn't want me to go through with this fabricated mating just as much as me. She kept quiet while handing Tansy her favorite baby doll and walking towards her closet. She came back out with a beautiful and feminine blue, green, and purple polka-dotted dress. It had a conservative sweetheart neckline and cinched at the waist - something that would accentuate my larger than normal hips. I fingered the material as my heart dropped in my chest.

Had the circumstances been different, I would've been ecstatic to wear such a stunning, but simple piece.

"Why don't you go put it on so I can see what needs to be done?" She suggested. I nodded stiffly before taking the article from her hands and shutting the bathroom door behind me. The dress was structured enough that it didn't require me to wear a bra - well unless I wanted to suffocate myself.

On second thought, maybe I should wear one...

I zipped up the dress on my own with a little difficulty before admiring its beauty in the mirror. It fell a few inches below my knees, giving it a more formal feel while still remaining simplistic. I wasn't sure what alterations needed to be made as the soft cotton fit against my body like a glove.