Page 2 of Alpha's Unwilling Mate

“Forcing me won’t blend us together. You know that.”

“Raina—”

“I have to go,” I said, shaking my head. There was no getting through to him right now. I needed distance and air so I could figure out what I’d do to get out of this mess.

“Where are you going?”

“Out,” I said.

“Don’t leave,” my father coaxed, and we both knew he was talking about more than the moment. He knew me well, and I loved him with every fiber of my being. Still, I wouldn’t give on this. “Give it a chance. You can’t fight this.”

That was the problem with my family. They liked to think they controlled everything. My brother had learned there was no controlling me. Then again he’d also loved me and spoiled me rotten. It was obvious Bastion James saw me as no more than a pawn, a means to an end. I was a lot of things, but that wasn’t one of them.

“I need to head out. I have plans tonight,” I muttered, but my mind was spinning. What the fuck was I going to do?

“We need to discuss this.”

“There’s really nothing to discuss, is there?” I challenged, knowing my dad would choose to see it as my acceptance of the inevitable. He always thought the best of me. This time it was misplaced.

“Raina.” My name was part reprimand, part exasperation.

“I’m meeting Ivy,” I told him, which was true. My best friend and I had made plans earlier in the day to meet at the local werewolf watering hole. A few laughs, a few drinks, and maybe some dancing. That had been the plan. Now…my gut was churning. It might be a night of plotting and planning. If anyone could help me, it was Ivy.

He stared at me for a long moment, and I did my best not to appear as if I were up to something.

“Go have your fun, but don’t do anything stupid,” my father warned. “Bastion and several of his group will be here tomorrow to meet with the elders. He’s requested you make yourself available to meet them.”

My fingers clenched. Make myself available. My temper seethed. Had he already chosen who he planned to mate me with, or was I to be paraded before his pack so one of them could pick me? The mere thought had a growl vibrating in my chest. I’d rip their fucking throats out.

“Raina.”

“Ivy’s waiting. I don’t want to be late.” I headed toward the door. “Don’t wait up.”

“This doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Bastion James is a good alpha. He has a strong pack. Something we really need.”

I nodded. I knew they were strong. James’ character was still up in the air as far as I was concerned. A true leader wouldn’t dictate a woman’s future on a whim. My mate. My choice. At the moment, I waffled between reminding my dad of that or running. Both seemed like viable ideas. Honestly, I was keeping my options open. All I knew for sure was it would be a cold day in hell before I made myself available for James and whoever tagged along with him to meet the elders.

I texted Ivy before getting behind the wheel, so she could have her devious-plot hat on by the time I got there. I figured between the two of us my future would be fine. Bastion James might have his pack of alphas, but I’d take Ivy and her crafty mind over them any day.

I barely remembered the drive, lost in a haze of anger and what ifs. I was still struggling to collect my thoughts when I pulled into the parking lot at the bar. Ivy was at my door before I even shut the engine off, and her first words brought a grin to my lips.

“So are we thinking death or just dismemberment?”

I could tell by the gleam in her eyes she was dead serious. That was why I loved her. Most people wanted that friend who would calm them down. Ivy didn’t fit that bill. She was the one who would be up for hiding a body at three a.m. with no questions asked. Even better, she’d face an angry mob for me without batting an eyelash.

“Right now, I’m thinking booze and plenty of it. James had the audacity to order me to be ready to present myself when he and his entourage show up tomorrow.” I was still fuming over that.

“Be ready to…” She broke off, her gaze narrowing. “The hell you say! As if you have nothing better to do than wait for his beck and call. Should you wear something pretty? Or maybe go naked. That way, they won’t have those pesky clothes in the way of judging you. Nice breeding hips are probably a must. Full tits to nurse the pups you’ll carry. Plus you have an amazing ass.”

I stared at her, mouth wide in disbelief.

“Which they can all kiss!” she practically yelled.

“Exactly,” I agreed.

Her gaze raked over my face, and I knew I hid nothing from her.

“Booze,” she said, grabbing my arm and tugging me from behind the wheel. I slammed the door and beeped it locked as she continued to propel us toward the beaconing neon that pointed the way to the door.

“Booze,” I agreed.

“Then we’ll figure out how to handle this,” Ivy tacked on.

I was seriously afraid even Ivy wouldn’t be able to find a way out of this mess. I gripped her arm even tighter, giving it a squeeze as I bumped my hip against hers. Ivy’s gaze met mine, and I saw understanding in her eyes. We both knew there was a real possibility I would be gone by morning.

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