The Alpha's Abandoned Mate

Lila POV.

"Are you serious right now?" A sharp, annoyed voice jolts me from my peaceful sleep. The once dark and quiet room is suddenly illuminated as my sister barges in. "Lila! I told you to wake me up two hours before we had to leave! But instead, you're still lying in bed, doing nothing!" Sophia's angry voice fills the room as I groggily open my eyes. Before I can fully process her words, I see a pillow flying straight at my head.

I instinctively raise my hands and manage to catch the pillow just in time. "Sorry," I mumble, still half-asleep, rubbing my tired eyes. My gaze shifts to my irritated sister, standing impatiently in my doorway. She's wearing a silky pink robe that stops mid-thigh, showing off her long, tanned, and perfectly toned legs. Her light brown hair, which is usually styled to perfection, looks messy as it falls over her shoulders. She rolls her eyes dramatically, her lips pulled into a disapproving frown.

"Get up already! We're leaving for school in less than an hour," she huffs, flipping her messy hair over her shoulder as she walks out of my room with a dramatic strut.

Whoever said older siblings are the boss clearly never met Sophia. Technically, she's younger, but only by 11 months. Our parents, being soulmates destined to love each other forever, had me first, followed closely by Sophia. They say mates are supposed to share a bond so deep that their children are the ultimate representation of their love. If that's true, then I must've been an accident because, in their eyes, Sophia is the golden child.

She turned 17 last week, and my 18th birthday is just around the corner. Unlike her, I can't wait to leave. Once I find my mate, I'm getting out of this pack and far away from the constant comparisons. To my parents, Sophia is everything—beautiful, intelligent, and their pride and joy. And me? I'm just… there.

I drag myself out of bed, knowing that if Sophia comes back and finds me still in my pajamas, she'll throw another tantrum. Nothing good ever comes from one of her fits. I shuffle over to my closet and lazily pick out an outfit for another day of misery.

Sophia is the queen of the school, adored by everyone, while I'm the loser, the pack's weak link. At least, that's what they all think. No one besides my parents has ever seen me in my wolf form. They forbid me from running with the rest of the pack, claiming my wolf is small, frail, and useless. They've repeated it so many times that I almost believe them. Almost. But when I shift, I feel strong and powerful, even if it's a secret I must keep hidden.

The truth is, my wolf is black—a rare color among females, and something my parents despise. Black wolves are usually Alphas, and they don't want anyone to know about me. I turned for the first time on my sixteenth birthday, and ever since then, I've felt like something about me is different, like I don't belong.

I glance at the full-length mirror on my wall, taking in my reflection. My gray eyes, reminiscent of the moon, stare back at me. My skin still holds a soft tan from last summer, and my hair—a unique shade of silver—shines naturally under the light. People think I dye it, but it's been this color since I was a baby. I run my fingers over the crescent-shaped birthmark on my wrist. It's slightly raised and lighter than the rest of my skin. I've always thought it was unusual, but I never gave it much thought.

I sigh and adjust my tank top, pulling it higher to cover my chest. Sophia could spend hours admiring herself in the mirror, but I can't stand staring at my reflection for too long. I quickly throw on ripped jeans and a T-shirt before grabbing my bag, already packed with books and binders.

As I head to the bathroom, I pray that Sophia has finished her endless grooming routine. To her, every day is a chance to look perfect, like she's stepping onto a runway. For me, it's just school—another day of judgment from my sister and her clique. Werewolves don't go to school to learn; they go to size each other up. Sophia and her friends make it their mission to torment anyone who doesn't fit in, especially me.

Still, I manage to survive. I have a small circle of friends who keep me afloat, and Sophia's taunts don't sting as much as they used to.

"Move it, Lila!" Sophia's impatient voice echoes from downstairs.

I splash cold water on my face, brush my teeth, and apply just enough makeup to avoid any comments from my mom. I slowly make my way downstairs, dragging my feet. The kitchen feels like enemy territory.

Sophia stands at the granite island, holding a mirror as she applies lip gloss. Our mother is there too, packing her lunch with a smile. They look so alike—both with tan skin, blonde hair, and beautiful features. I force a small smile at my mom, but she barely acknowledges me, her sharp green-and-brown eyes scanning me briefly.

"Morning," I mutter, not expecting a response.

As predicted, no one replies. I grab the sandwich and apple I packed the night before and shove them into my bag.

"I'm leaving," Sophia announces, striding over to Mom. They share a warm hug, their identical eyes meeting affectionately.

"Have a great day, sweetheart," Mom says, kissing her on the head and handing her lunch.

"Where's Dad?" I ask softly, watching as Sophia leaves without so much as a glance in my direction.

___________________

I don't understand it. We used to be so close—friends even. Sophia wasn't just my sister; she was my playmate and my partner in laughter. But something shifted about five years ago. At first, she started ignoring me, and before long, it turned into outright hatred. I try not to dwell on it too much, but sometimes I can't help but wonder: what went wrong?

“He went to check on your uncle. He wasn't feeling too well last night or this morning,” my mom says without even looking in my direction.

“Oh, is he okay?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation going.

“He'll be fine. He's the Alpha, after all,” she replies curtly, walking away before I can say another word.

“If it's alright with you, I'll visit him after school!” I call out after her, but she doesn't bother to respond. I sigh and mutter to myself, “Guess that's a no.”

My uncle, Damian, is the Alpha of our pack. He's been in charge ever since my grandfather died in battle. Years ago, a neighboring pack tried to invade our territory, and although we managed to defend ourselves, we lost my grandfather in the fight.

Uncle Damian didn't find his mate until later in life. He was 24 when he met Harper, who was 19 at the time. Now he's 45, and they've been together ever since, though their journey hasn't been without struggles. Harper is finally pregnant, expecting a son. For years, they tried to have a child, but things didn't work out. The pack started worrying about the lack of an heir, and nearby packs saw this as a weakness. So when news of Harper's pregnancy broke, the entire pack celebrated.

Adjusting the strap of my bag, I step out of the house, letting the cool morning breeze hit my face. The golden light of dawn filters through the thick pine trees surrounding our pack, sending a chill down my spine. Our pack is nestled deep in the forest, with all the houses built close together like a little community. I glance at the massive house next to ours—the Alpha's residence. Naturally, it's the largest home in the pack.

The Alpha isn't just the leader but also the head warrior. The warriors train every day and share a special mind-link, a connection that all wolves in the pack have. When you find your soulmate, you gain a private mind-link with them. You can connect with the pack's mind-link as you grow older or with the Alpha's permission.

But I haven't connected yet. And honestly, I'm glad. I don't want anyone hearing my thoughts, and I definitely don't want to hear theirs. I already hear enough judgment directed at me.

My thoughts are interrupted when Sophia pulls out of the driveway in her shiny red Mustang convertible. “What are you doing?” I call out, hurrying toward the car.

“Find someone else to take you. I can't deal with you today,” she snaps, backing out before I can stop her.

I stand there, stunned, watching as her car disappears down the road. “Are you serious right now?” I groan, clenching my fists in frustration.

Without wasting another second, I grab my phone and call the one person I know I can count on. “Sienna, I need a ride,” I say the moment she answers.

She laughs on the other end of the line, but I'm too annoyed to join in. “Let me guess—the devil ditched you again?” she asks, using her favorite nickname for Sophia.

I pout. “Yes.”

Sienna chuckles again. “Lucky for you, I haven't left yet. Come over.”

I exhale in relief. “Thanks, Sienna. I'll be there in a minute.”

I walk two houses down to Sienna's place and spot her car still in the driveway. Just as I approach the door, she steps outside. Her wavy dark brown hair is half-up, with loose curls cascading down her back. Her bangs frame her face perfectly, and her lightly tanned skin glows against her white tank top and black jeans.

She notices me and smirks. “Don't even say a word,” I warn, crossing my arms.

“I'm sorry,” she says, though her smirk doesn't fade. “It's just… I can't believe your parents let Sophia ditch you like that. Again.” Her playful expression shifts to anger, her bright blue eyes narrowing. “It's ridiculous.”

“Yeah, I know,” I say with a shrug. “But hey, at least I have you to save me.” I hug her side playfully as we walk toward her car.

Sienna laughs, pushing me off with a grin. “Who said it's free?” she teases, raising an eyebrow and holding out her hand like she's waiting for payment.

I roll my eyes and laugh as I hop into the passenger seat. Some days, she's the only reason I make it through.

Lila POV.

Sienna parks the car in front of the school, and we both release a heavy sigh, clearly not thrilled about facing another Monday. I grab my bag and start to open the door when she stops me with a tap on my arm. "Wait! Why don't we just ditch this place? Let's text Dylan and head out for a run," she suggests, her eyes lighting up. "I've been dying to stretch my legs! My dad kept me grounded all weekend because of that small pack intrusion."

She's referring to last week, when two rogue wolves managed to sneak into our territory. Although they didn't hurt anyone or take anything, they slipped past our defenses and left everyone on edge. "Come on, Lila! I really need this!" she pleads.

I chuckle softly and shake my head. "You know Alpha would never allow us to skip school just to go running," I say, smiling.

Sienna's expression shifts, and she leans forward slightly. "How's he doing, by the way? I heard he's been unwell."

I shrug, adjusting the strap of my bag. "I'm not sure. I plan to check on him after school." Pausing for a moment, I add, "And you know I can't run with anyone else, Sienna. My parents wouldn't allow it."

Her brows furrow, and she tilts her head slightly. "I'll never understand your parents. Just because your wolf is—" She stops herself abruptly, realizing the weight of her words.

I stiffen and snap back, "I'm not weak."

Her face softens as she realizes her mistake. "Lila, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry," she says, her shoulders slumping. But her apology feels hollow, and the sting of her words lingers.

Without another word, I grab my bag and step out of the car, leaving her behind. The thought loops in my mind: *I'm not weak. I wish I could prove it.*

---

Trying to blend in, I walk with the crowd of students, keeping my head down. First and second period drag on like molasses. As I step into the hallway during the break, someone bumps into me hard, making me stumble forward.

"Watch it, weak mutt," sneers a voice behind me. I turn to see one of Sophia's flirty followers, a pack warrior, smirking at me as he walks off. My chest tightens, and I clench my fists, trying to swallow the insult. I've heard similar comments countless times. It doesn't hurt less, but I've learned to endure it.

Looking around, I spot a friendly face in the crowd. Dylan waves at me, a wide grin stretching across his face as he approaches. His goofy energy instantly brightens my mood.

"Hey, Lila," he teases, dragging out my name.

I groan, but my lips curl into a smile. "Dylan, you know I hate when people call me that," I say, rolling my eyes playfully.

He chuckles and nudges me with his elbow. His sandy blonde hair falls effortlessly across his forehead, complementing his sharp features. He leans in for a brief hug, his warmth comforting against the cool air of the hallway.

Suddenly, an obnoxious voice pierces the moment. "Wow," Sophia sneers, clicking her heels against the floor as she approaches. "Getting cozy with someone already? Shouldn't you be saving yourself for your mate?" Her tone drips with venom as she flips her sleek brown hair over her shoulder. "Then again, you'll probably never find him. And if you do, he won't want you."

I stiffen at her words, and Dylan steps in with a growl. "Why don't you keep your mouth shut for once, Sophia?" His voice booms across the hallway, drawing everyone's attention.

Sophia freezes in her tracks, her face twisting in shock. She glares at us but eventually storms off, her posse scrambling after her.

As soon as she's out of earshot, I whirl around to face Dylan. "Why did you do that?" I hiss, my cheeks heating with embarrassment. "Now everyone's going to think we're...together."

He smirks, an amused glint in his eyes. "Would that be such a bad thing?"

His unexpected comment catches me off guard. My heart skips a beat, but before I can respond, Sienna appears out of nowhere, making me jump.

"What's going on? Sophia looked like she was about to go full wolf out there," Sienna laughs, but I just look away, still stung by her earlier words.

"I'll let Dylan fill you in," I mumble and walk off toward class. But Dylan's words stick with me. *Would that be such a bad thing?*

---

Later, as Dylan catches up to me, he tries to lighten the mood. "You know, you're stronger than you think," he says softly, his brown eyes locking with mine.

I hesitate, then glance at him. "I wish I could show everyone that I'm not weak," I admit quietly.

"Then why don't you?" he asks, his tone encouraging.

I sigh, tucking a stray strand of silver hair behind my ear. "Because I'm afraid," I whisper. What if my wolf form—a black female wolf—means something bad? What if it confirms there's something wrong with me?

Dylan steps closer, his hand brushing against mine. "You've got nothing to be afraid of," he says with confidence.

For a moment, I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe he's right. Maybe I do have the strength to prove them all wrong.

________________________

The late afternoon sun casts a warm glow as Dylan and I linger in conversation. “Why not?” I ask.

He hesitates, his face unreadable, but his darkening eyes reveal an inner struggle. “Because I might—” His words trail off abruptly as my phone buzzes, breaking the moment. Quickly, I fish it out, unsure if I even want him to finish.

“Hello?” I answer without checking the caller ID.

“Hey… do you need a ride?” Siennat greets me softly.

“Yeah, I'll meet you out front in a few minutes,” I reply. With that, we hang up.

Looking back at Dylan, I notice his expression hasn't changed; his eyes remain clouded, his breathing uneven. “I have to go,” I say, tucking my phone into my pocket. “I'll see you tomorrow.”

As I turn toward the parking lot, he calls after me. “Wait, Lila—” He stops mid-sentence, his eyes widening as though he regrets speaking. After a pause, he sighs. “Never mind. See you tomorrow.”

I nod, uncertain, and walk away.

---

“He might be your mate!” Siennat blurts out the moment I get into her car, her tone brimming with excitement. I freeze, too stunned to respond.

“Maybe he's already feeling the bond,” she continues, clearly enjoying the drama.

For wolves, the mate bond doesn't activate until both turn eighteen. If the male reaches that age first, he might sense the connection while the female remains unaware. Traditionally, males wait until their mate comes of age to share the truth, though some don't wait and claim their mates early.

“I can totally picture you and Dylan together,” Siennat teases, her blue eyes sparkling with glee.

I give her a doubtful look. “We've been friends forever. Do you really think he'd tell me if I was his mate?”

She shrugs nonchalantly. “Your birthday's still a while away. He might wait so he doesn't overwhelm you. But what will you do if he tells you before then?”

Her question makes my stomach twist. “I don't know,” I admit, trying to sound casual.

Could Dylan really be my mate? The thought is overwhelming. I've only ever seen him as a friend. Sure, he's kind and undeniably attractive, but soulmates? Love? The idea feels distant, almost unreal. Maybe when I turn eighteen, the bond will change everything. But if he is my mate, would he be willing to leave this pack with me? And how would he react when he discovers my wolf form—a black wolf unlike any other?

Siennat pulls into my driveway, where Sophia's flashy car is already parked. My thoughts are still spinning as I open the door. “I can't think about this right now. I'm going to visit my uncle. I'll see you tomorrow,” I tell her, eager to escape the conversation.

But Siennat isn't ready to let it go. Her grin stretches even wider. “I'm just so happy for you,” she gushes as I step out of the car.

“We don't know anything yet,” I remind her, grabbing my bag. “Bye, Siennat.”

As I start to leave, she calls out after me. “Wait, Lila!”

I pause, turning to see her expression turn apologetic. “I'm sorry about this morning…” She trails off, regret clear in her tone.

I offer her a small smile, my earlier frustration fading. “It's okay. I forgive you.” With that, I head toward the house, pushing all thoughts of mates, bonds, and my future to the back of my mind—for now.