His Mate?

"What's that little shit doing up there?" Brad was the first one to speak from up front, then the crowd followed suit, grumbling under their breaths.

"That creep? What is he doing?"

"Get him off…"

"What the hell?"

"Why is he still standing there?"

"Is he deaf?"

The grumbles continued and despite the teachers begging them to settle down, Soph decided to take the matter into her own hands. She ripped herself out of Miles' hold on her waist, flipped her hair over her shoulder and strutted forward in her heels. Her hips swayed from side to side as she moved, then her flawless long legs became the center of attention when she began climbing the small stairs at the side.

Brittany looked away. She felt sorry for him but she promised herself not to help him. Was he blind, anyway? Why would he go up there?

"I'm sorry sir," She stepped up onto the podium beside the Alpha, and showered him with the most blinding smiles in her arsenal. "I'll get him down immediately~"

"Oye!" Her face did a complete 180 when she darted her eyes to Nathan. "You damn shit, get the hell off!" She went to grab him by his clothes but Nate's swift shift made her latch onto nothing but air. She glared. "What the hell? Don't make me k---"

"Oh him? Ah…" Alpha Denzel turned and looked at Nate, then out of nowhere, his hand slapped down on his shoulder, pulling him forward. "This guy might seem a bit raggedy but he's my son. There's nothing to worry about." A laugh came through his lips.

The crowd fell silent and it took moments for his words to sink in before gasps scattered. Brit's eyes snapped up to the podium, wide as saucers. "S-Son?" Her head spun with bewilderment and she wondered if she actually heard him right.

"Y-You…you've got t-to be kidding me…" Sophia took a shaky step back, her hand shaking as she brought it back to her side.

The truth was…Nathan had always been mysterious. No one had ever heard his voice…even his name was taken out of a teacher's mouth. As soon as school was dismissed, he was gone. He wore his scent sprays everyday. And even though he was being bullied, he never missed a day. He was a strange guy. But this…this was not what she or anyone else could've expected. That dork…was the son of the dark Alpha?!

"I hope you all will continue to treat him well throughout his time here." Denzel slapped Nate's back hard yet despite how painful the hit seemed, Nate didn't budge. Rather, Nate's his full attention was solely transfixed on the crowd, particularly on Brittany. She lowered her head quickly, hiding herself behind a heap of bodies. Was he holding a grudge because of what happened? Did he bring his father to eradicate them all off the face of the earth?

"Today is all about my little Nathan here. He's been asking for a while and I'm thinking of giving him the go ahead to claim his mate."

'A mate???' She thought. She was both relieved and curious.

"He tells me his woman is among you young wolves. I have to leave in a bit, I'm just here to see her."

Indistinct whispers spread through the confused crowd and for obvious reasons, Brad's group who were initially at the front…had disappeared.

"P-Pardon me but…his mate?" Teacher Henry stammered, "I apologize, we heard no news of this. W-Who might that be, Alpha Denzel?"

Everyone held their breaths.

"Hmm? Her name…erm…B…Bri? Bri-something? Briana? Brenda? Son, what was it?"

Nathan stuffed his hands in his pockets and his lips were pursed as he stepped off the podium and effortlessly landed on his feet. He approached the crowd and Brittany could feel a hard stare on her. Everyone's gaze followed his and they quickly shuffled off to the side, parting like the red sea. Brit didn't look up, not until a pair of khaki sneakers invaded her sight.

Her gaze snapped up, meeting the orbs that belonged to Nathan. She could feel her lungs give out in that moment and suddenly, she had to fight for air. Nathan stood still in front of her, not a word from his lips even then. She stared at him, both confused and scared.

"W-What?" Her hands tightened together, preparing for the worst.

"Mate." The voice was quiet but deep. It took a second for her to realize it came from him.

Brit's stomach dropped. It was the first time anyone had heard him speak, and the only thing he said was that.

"Ah…it's her?" Alpha Denzel's face twisted. He cocked his head, hand on his chin. "I must say she looks quite…like…the last… You're a cunning one, son. But it's your choice, so I will allow it."

Brittany quickly began to panic. "No. No! I'm not--Y-You have it wrong, sir…He doesn't mean I---"

"Mate." Nathan repeated the word, his voice louder than before. Brittany felt a shiver wrack through her when she witnessed his lips spreading into a lopsided grin. "I want this one." His arm left his side and lifted, palm open wide. He stood there, waiting for her to take it.

Her lips clamped shut. She looked over his shoulder, catching Miles and the rest of her friends staring at them. They looked just as dumbfounded as her but Miles watched her with a particularly odd expression. It was a kind of look she'd never seen before on his face. But she couldn't dwell on him long enough to try to understand it.

Nathan was NOT her mate. That much she was sure of. So why….? What was even happening? Was this some kind of sick joke?

Brittany sucked in a well-needed breath and pushed her trembling hands behind her, stepping back. Her legs were shaking too, she could hardly keep steady. "T-There must be some mistake."

"I don't make mistakes." The response came both swiftly and firm. His eyes fell to his waiting hand then back up to her. It was a silent command for her to accept it, but Brittany kept her hands glued together behind her. His stares were always scary but today, she was even more frightened by it. Now that she knew what kind of wretched family he belonged to, Nate felt dangerous…too dangerous. She absolutely didn't want anything to do with him.

"I…I need…" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "…to go…" She spun on her feet and moved off quickly, shoving through the crowd as if something was hot on her tail.

She was set on getting out of there. No one stopped her. No one said a word.

Adrenaline pumped through her veins, and the next thing she knew, she was already out the big school gates.