MATED TO MY ALPHA

Isolde had always known that turning eighteen would be a significant milestone in her life. She had heard the stories while growing up about the day when the bond would find her, the day when everything about her life would change. But she never thought it would happen to her because she wasn't one of the powerful wolves or someone of high status. 

Her family had never been part of the pack's inner circle. In fact, Isolde had always felt like 

She was on the outside looking in, forever the maid and never the one who would be noticed.

It was not that she didn't dream of it. Every so often, she would imagine what it might be like to have someone look at her with affection, to feel what others spoke of, this special connection between two wolves that was deeper than anything else. She had hoped, maybe even wished for it, but deep down, she knew it was foolish. People like her were termed commoners and were not meant for such things. And Kaelen, the alpha's son, certainly wasn't someone who would look 

Her way. He was destined for greatness, and Isolde was simply a maid.

Her eighteenth birthday passed like any other day. There were no grand celebrations or lavish gifts; she did not get any gifts at all. Just the usual morning duties, sweeping the floors, preparing the food, and serving the pack members as they came and went. 

The sun was barely peeking through the thick curtains of the main hall when she started her work, wiping down the counters with a cloth that had seen better days. The air felt thick with the weight of the morning, but it didn't feel any more special than any other day.

Still, Isolde couldn't help the small flutter in her chest as she went about her chores. She knew Kaelen would be around today. He was always present, always busy with his responsibilities. She didn't expect him to stop and acknowledge her, he never did, but she couldn't help but wish he might see her in a different light, if only for a moment.

The hope was small, like a tiny spark in her heart. But she tried to ignore it, pushing it down beneath the weight of her work. She focused on the task at hand, trying to keep herself busy. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't escape the quiet yearning that lingered in her thoughts. After all, she was just a maid.

As the day wore on, her anticipation started to grow. She tried to tell herself it was silly to expect anything, that her life would remain the same as always. But still, there was that tiny spark of hope. She couldn't deny it. The day had a strange feeling about it. It was as if something was quietly building, just beneath the surface. Something she couldn't yet understand.

She heard footsteps approaching from behind, and her heart skipped. She turned instinctively, and there he was, Kaelen. As always, he looked like someone out of a dream. Tall, commanding, with the kind of presence that made people turn their heads as he passed. His eyes met hers, and for a fleeting moment, Isolde thought she saw something in them, something soft, something that might have been warmth. But just as quickly as it had come, it was gone, and Kaelen moved past her without so much as a glance back.

Isolde's heart sank, and she quickly looked away, swallowing the disappointment that threatened to rise in her throat. No, she reminded herself. She wasn't important to him. He was the future Alpha, destined for greatness. And she was just her. Still, the flutter of hope remained. The discovery came when Isolde least expected it.

Still, a small spark of hope remained. The discovery came when Isolde least expected it, she was standing in the courtyard, finishing up her chores as the evening sun cast a golden light over the grounds. The other pack members had scattered, leaving the space quiet and empty, save for the rustling of the trees and the distant sounds of nature. Isolde was trying to take a moment for herself, just a brief pause and a chance to breathe.

That was when it happened.

A sudden, overwhelming wave of warmth washed over her, starting from her chest and radiating outward. Her entire body seemed to hum with energy like the very air around her had come alive. She froze, eyes wide, as the sensation rippled through her. It was the bond, it was here.

It hit her like a storm, the warmth, the pull toward him; it was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Her chest became tight with the force of it, and before she could even think, she felt herself turning, her eyes were searching for him.

For Kaelen.

She didn't know why she knew it was him. She couldn't explain it, but the connection, the pull and the bond all led to him. And in that moment, she felt a deep ache, a longing she couldn't describe. It wasn't just physical, it was emotional and spiritual, a pull that rooted itself deep within her soul.

Her heart was racing, pounding in her ears, as the air around her seemed to thrum with energy. She could feel it, it was Kaelen. He was near. The bond was there between them, as if it had always existed, just waiting for the right moment to reveal itself. Isolde's hands trembled, and she had to clutch onto the edge of the stone wall to steady herself. 

She had heard the stories, of course. But never did she think she would experience this. Never did she imagine it would happen to her.

She closed her eyes, her breath was shallow as she tried to process what was happening. Was it real? Could it really be that she was mated to the alpha? When she opened her eyes, there he was. Kaelen stood across the courtyard, his eyes locked onto hers. The bond swelled within her, and for a moment, she swore she could feel his emotions mingling with hers, filled with a mix of confusion and a spark of something else she couldn't name, but mostly coldness. He was looking at her, but it was not the same way he had looked at her earlier.

The world felt too loud, too heavy. The bond between them was pulling her in ways she couldn't control. She felt weakand , small, as if the enormity of what had just happened was too much for her to handle. Her mind was spinning, trying to make sense of it. But all she could do was stand there, her heart was racing and praying that somehow, Kaelen would see it too.

As the bond settled, so did the confusion. The warmth lingered, but it was quickly replaced by fear. What did this mean? Was it possible that Kaelen felt it too? Or was she just imagining things? Her heart still pounded in her chest, but at the moment, there was a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to believe that Kaelen would see her differently now, that the bond would be something that would change everything. But deep down, she knew better. She was just a maid. Nothing more than that. Kaelen was the future Alpha, destined for greatness. He didn't need her. He did not even want her. The thought of it made her stomach turn. 

The connection she felt was so real, so raw, but in her heart, she knew that Kaelen didn't share her feelings. She tried to hold onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, he would come around. But the reality of her situation hit her like a slap to the face. She had no power, no standing. She had nothing to offer him.

The tears she had been holding back suddenly threatened to fall. She blinked them away, quickly brushing the back of her hand across her eyes. No. She couldn't let him see her like this. She couldn't show him how much she wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, the bond would bring them together.

It wasn't that simple, she couldn't afford to hope. She couldn't afford to let herself believe in something so impossible. So, she buried her feelings and the hope. She shoved it deep down where no one could see it, not even herself. It hurt, more than she cared to admit. But the pain of disappointment was something she had learned to endure.

As she turned to leave the courtyard, the bond still pulsing through her, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had just lost something precious. She didn't know what it was, but it was slipping away from her, piece by piece. And there was nothing she could do to stop it.