Page 2 of The Alpha’s Forced Plus-Size Mate (Silverfang Creek Wolves #3)

“Wipe that sour look off your face.”

I turned to Whitney and scowled, “No. I feel sour. I have so much paperwork to do at the storage facility—”

The other she-wolf only sighed, waving a dismissive hand in the air. “Where’s your sense of adventure? What if you’re the only one getting a mate today?”

“As if,” I checked my phone for the time once more, biting the inside of my cheek in annoyance. “I’m going to go and check to see how much longer this thing will last. I’ll catch up with you at the end.”

Whitney had already lost interest in me and looked starry-eyed towards the cauldron where our Alpha’s mate and resident pack witch, Faye, stood, stirring her concoction. It almost made me laugh. Whitney, a demon-slaying specialist and certified badass, was still caught up in the so-called magic of the mating ritual. It almost made me feel silly for being so dismissive…but then again, Whitney was interesting, beautiful, and strong. I was—normal.

I had meant to move through the crowd a little and see if I could get an idea of how close Faye was to being finished, but the crowd began to stir before I could leave. It was nearly time.

Mating rituals were normally held on Friday or Saturday nights so everyone could drink and party to their heart's content. Having one on a Monday afternoon was strange, and I had every intention of skipping until the Alpha made it clear that every eligible wolf was expected to be there.

There is no mate in the world for me. I've already figured that out as I watched everyone else around me get married, settle down, have kids, and live perfect lives. Beautiful people, beautiful future.

But I was Normal Naomi. No one was interested in chubby, Normal Naomi. God forbid I was ever matched with a mate—it would ruin their lives to have to be paired with me.

Some might say I was being too hard on myself, but they hadn't ever walked in my shoes. I'd been the background character to everyone's main story, and there was no changing that.

I was a rule follower, though, so when the Alpha said to show up to the mating ritual, I showed up. Now, I was milling around on the outside of the crowd, waiting for the petals to rise to the surface and reveal the newly formed mate couples so I could go back to work.

The Silverfang Creek pack had always been home, but home was different for me than it was for most of the other members. I was around six months old when my so-called parents dropped me off with the pack doctor, and no one had heard even a whisper about them since.

Growing up in the pack’s boarding school wasn’t all bad, but it wasn’t great for a young wolf, either. At first, I didn’t feel all that different from the other kids, but it soon became clear that they had parents showing up for games, activities, and holidays. I spent many a December day with my nose pressed to the cold glass of a school window, watching the other kids be picked up to go home for Christmas. Meanwhile, I was left behind, alone besides the live-in teachers and nannies.

I was accepted as part of the pack but never found a permanent home. I spent 18 long years at that school before getting a job and moving out on my own, and my memories of the place were confusing. There was comfort in them, remembering the warmth of my little bed and how sweet the women working there were to me, but there was also a feeling of isolation. Of abandonment. Of being allowed to exist, but never actually being wanted.

All the reminiscing wasn’t doing me any good, so I swallowed it down and pulled my mind out of the past and locked it back onto the dreaded match ceremony.

I wasn't expecting anything exciting, so when I heard "Naomi Frazier," called out by the Alpha's mate, Faye, I was sure that I was hearing things at first. Faye, confused, called the name again, and then a third time, until Whitney grabbed me by the elbow and hissed, “Go on!”

The world felt like it was flipping upside down. No way. No way did I just get a mate. This wasn't my destiny; this wasn't in my future plans. For one brief moment, I was filled with joy that I didn't know was possible. I wouldn't be alone my entire life. I'd have someone to love me, just like I always wanted.

I squashed that joy down just as quickly as it popped up. Without even knowing who my mate is, there's no reason to be happy. My so-called mate is bound to be disappointed when they see me.

Pulling at my beige sweater, I swallowed and made my way through the crowd. They parted for me, many of them with their mouths hanging open. I could hear whispers of surprise, and they made me lower my head even more. Being the center of attention in a crowd like this was my worst nightmare. I couldn't help the blush that spread across my face, and my heart beat loudly in my chest.

Finally, I reached the cauldron and had to face Faye. She held two petals. I was distracted trying to read the names on them, but when Faye cleared her throat to speak, I finally looked up at her face, and my heart sank. Faye looked disturbed—unhappy even—and it all had to do with whoever my mate was.

“Naomi Frazier's mate is Daniel Turner of the Red Canines!” she announced, and the murmurs in the crowd exploded into surprised exclamations. Everyone started talking and pointing at me, and I knew that my cheeks were as red as they could possibly be. I tried to look back down at the petals, but Faye was moving away. She was still holding both petals, and her face was stony.

And that was it. My mate had been declared.

Oh no, I thought. Oh no, no, no. This can't be happening. Daniel Turner, also known as Danny, was the Alpha of the notorious Red Canines clan. They were a group of rowdy, rough, tough, and violent wolves who didn't play by the rules. They were criminals and had a reputation for having the most fun, too. I didn't know much else about them, but I did know this: Danny was my worst match.

I was boring. Calm. Certainly not a criminal. And my idea of fun was a whole lot more subdued than what the Red Canines got up to.

I looked up to see the rest of the Silverfang Creek pack staring at me. There were gasps, some smiles, a few looks of concern, and then, all at once, the crowd started clapping. I stood stock still, trying to figure out what to do.

I walked through the crowd, which parted for me like water now. I felt self-conscious and a little bit nauseous. The idea that I was going to have a mate, and it was him, was terrifying. I had never even spoken to the man before, and here I was, going to be linked to him? It was unthinkable.

I couldn’t tell for sure, but my mind insisted that people were already gossiping. I was Normal Naomi, boring and unassuming. The least interesting person in the pack, and now I was going to be mated with the Red Canines' leader. It was laughable.

The ritual continued on—I wasn't the only one to be mated today—and I took the opportunity to try and disappear into the crowd as best I could. Apparently, my mating was the most exciting, though, and no one was making it easy for me to hide.

I heard chattering from the edges of the field where the ceremony was being held, and when I peeked over the heads of some of the other attendees, I saw Alpha Hector scanning the crowd. Something told me that he was looking for me, and I definitely didn't want to be found. A conversation with my Alpha about my new mate being an enemy Alpha from a problematic pack would just add insult to the injury of this so-far horrible day.

I turned around and pushed people out of the way, trying to get lost in the madness of it all. It was hard, and a couple of times, people stopped talking mid-conversation and turned their heads to stare at me.

I felt a hand on my arm and whipped around to see Whitney, her eyebrows drawn together in concern. “Naomi, are you okay?”

I shook my head, hair flying, and kept moving. “No. No. I just need some air.”

She was behind me by the time I heard her call, “Naomi!” but there was no way I was turning back. There was still a crush of people between me and freedom, and I had to fight through it.

“Excuse me, excuse me, sorry, coming through.”

My voice sounded muffled by the murmuring of the crowd, but I continued to push and shove my way through the throng of people, not stopping until I reached the other end.

There was a small opening in the line of trees at the edge of the field, and without looking back, I ran toward it. I still had to make it to where everyone was parked to get my car, but I knew that the further I could get away from the ceremony, the better.

Finally, I emerged and made a beeline for the parking lot. I'd never been so happy to see my old red hatchback in my entire life. I heard the sound of multiple pairs of boots on the ground and the low sound of men talking, and when I turned, I could see Hector and a few of his men getting closer.

Not happening. I'm out of here.

I was in the driver's seat and pulling out of the field before they made it to me, but I couldn't help but spare a glance at all of them in the rearview mirror, watching me go. It made me feel a little bit like a circus attraction, which made me scowl.

Normal Naomi gets a man, which must be headline news for them, I thought with a sneer. Whatever. I didn't care what any mating ceremony said, there was no way in hell I was going to the Red Canines and giving myself over to their Alpha like a wrapped Christmas gift. The idea of leaving everything I knew behind made me feel ill, but maybe I'd just have to be on the run for a little while before the heat died down and I could go back home.

Little did I know just how wrong I was.

***

My apartment was dark when I got back home, and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that I had at least a little time to pack. My mind had been racing since I left the mating ceremony, trying to conjure up a plan to escape out of thin air. I didn't think there would be any real help for me here among the Silverfangs—most of them would think that poor Normal Naomi should take whatever man would have her.

So that meant I had to leave and find my assistance elsewhere.

It placed me way closer to the Red Canines than I was comfortable with, but I did have a friend named Kate, a dancer in Athens, Georgia, who might be far enough removed from the situation to keep me hidden for a bit. She was human and, therefore, uninvolved in complicated pack politics.

I called her as I unlocked the door to my apartment, and she picked up on the third ring.

“Naomi, hey,” she said.

“Hey, Kate," I answered. “Sorry this is out of the blue, but—I'm wondering if I could crash on your couch for a bit?”

There was a brief silence, and then she asked, "What's going on? Are you okay?”

“I will be,” I told her. “It's—it's really hard to explain, but I just need somewhere safe to stay for a little while.”

Kate lived a whopping four hours south of my place, but if I could just get there, I was pretty sure the Silverfangs wouldn't come looking for me. Not right away, anyway.

“Of course, Honey,” Kate said, her voice concerned. “You know you're always welcome here.”

“Thank you." I sighed. “I'm really sorry to ask this.”

“No, no,” Kate protested. “We're good. Just stay safe and give me a heads-up when you're close, okay?”

“Will do. See you soon.”

After I hung up the phone, I stared at the screen for a minute. I'd done it. I'd actually done it.

I was leaving my home.

Maybe for good.

With the sun setting over Beaufort outside of my windows, I tried to figure out what the most important parts of my life were and if they could fit into a single duffle bag. It was hard. I'd had a life in Beaufort for a long time, and it was impossible to just abandon it all.

Still, I had no choice.

As much as the pack liked to pretend otherwise, we weren't living in a modern world. Mating rituals and traditions were the law of the land, and no matter how I felt about it, there was no getting out of this.

I couldn't stay. If I did, they'd have to drag me to the Red Canines, kicking and screaming the whole way. The more I thought about it, the more it felt like a good idea. I'd head south to Athens, crash with my old friend Kate for a while, and figure out what the hell to do next. All while staying out of the way of Danny Turner, of course. Not that I think he'd actually want me anyway, but who knows? Some wolves had such an outdated view of the world that he might think I was his property once it was announced we were mates.

Ugh. No, thank you.

I packed clothes, coming to the conclusion that I didn't have nearly enough hot weather stuff for somewhere like Athens. Confidence in my body and appearance wasn't exactly a strong suit of mine, so I was sorely lacking in the shorts and breezy tops department, but I did the best with what I had.

For my escape, I dressed in head-to-toe black and covered my head and neck with a black scarf. I planned to drive a little bit south, ditch my car to throw off the rest of the pack, and hitchhike from there. If that didn't work, I'd hoof it to the Greyhound station and pay for a ticket. I needed to empty my bank account when I was closer to Kate’s house, but for the time being, I shoved a $50 bill in each shoe for safekeeping and was on my way.

Four hours. That was all the time between me and freedom.

I was almost giddy as I slung the duffel bag over my shoulder and walked out of my apartment, locking the door behind me. It's been a long time since I've gone out of town, and a change of scenery would do me good.

When I walked out of the building, the street was quiet. The moon was high in the sky, and a slight breeze rustled the trees.

All in all, the night was perfect for an escape.

My car was waiting in the lot, and I popped the trunk and threw my bag inside. With one last look at my apartment, I swallowed back my tears and climbed into the driver's seat. It was now or never. Run, or end up Danny Turner's mate.

So I ran.

I drove forty-five minutes south to a rest stop, passing by farmland on my way. Once I arrived, I pulled the scarf tighter over my head, grabbed my bag, and locked up my car once more. I patted the hood, thanking it for a job well done, and went in search of a ride.

I've known truckers all my life working at the storage center—some will rent a unit to keep their things in, living out of their trucks for long periods of time between homes. They've always been kind to me, which is why I wasn't too afraid to try and score a ride with one.

I scanned the parking lot, looking over the semis to see if there were any clues as to which ones might be headed in my direction. Luckily, a man named Frankie, driving a dark blue rig, was headed through Atlanta. I showed him the fifty I had stuffed in my boot, and he took one look at my face and waved me in.

“You’re lucky I ain't no serial killer,” he said. “Good thing you got with me instead of some of the weirdos out there.”

I was grateful and told him so. “Thanks, Man. You're really saving my bacon here.”

Frankie snorted. “That's fine. The money helps, but it ain't necessary. Just get settled back there. It's a long ride to Atlanta.”

I nodded and hopped up into the truck, making myself comfortable in the back. It was a small space, just a bed, a tiny television, and a pile of blankets. It was plenty for me, way better than being squished on a bus, at least.

Frankie didn't talk to me, and I didn't have much to say either, so the first leg of the journey was relatively quiet. The further we got away from Beaufort, the more nervous I became. It's not every day that a wolf packs up and runs away from her pack and her life, but that's exactly what I'd just done.

What if Danny Turner came looking for me? What if he wanted to force the mating and wouldn't let me go, no matter how hard I fought?

I shuddered. It's not the first time someone has been kidnapped to fulfill their mating, but the stories I've heard aren't good.

But what else can I do? Stay and be his prisoner? No thank you.

I was sitting and reading a magazine, and Frankie was smoking his pipe when suddenly he reached out and grabbed his ringing cell phone. He answered it and listened to the voice on the other side. Wide-eyed, I saw him glance back in the rearview mirror directly at me before saying, “Uh-huh, right—Wait, give me that description again? You're kidding.”

A chill ran down my spine, but after that single look, Frankie talked quietly, finished his call, and stayed silent as he continued on his way. I convinced myself I was imagining the shock in his eyes when he looked back at me and forced myself to relax, settling back into the small sleeping cab.

Eventually, I fell asleep halfway sitting up, and when I woke up again, we were at a Pilot gas station. Rubbing my eyes, I checked my phone and saw it was just past 3 am. We'd been driving for hours. We should have been close—right?

“Go use the restroom,” Frankie told me gruffly, stretching as he slid out of the truck. “Don't know when we'll get a chance to stop next.”

“Okay, thanks.”

The gas station was mostly empty, except for a couple of people filling up their vehicles. The cashier watched us, his eyes following Frankie as he went out back and disappeared from sight. I went into the bathroom, and when I was done, I headed outside and leaned against the rig.

Frankie was nowhere to be seen, so I took the opportunity to stretch my legs, walking around the front of the truck. When he returned, he handed me a white plastic bag, a stiff smile on his face.

“Got you some snacks. Figured you'd be a little hungry by now.”

His kindness warmed my heart, and I thanked him profusely before climbing back into the sleeping cabin. The semi jostled me around as Frankie got it started, but then it was smooth sailing again once we were on the highway.

Inside of the bag was a granola bar, a wrapped bologna sandwich, and an orange juice. Frankie didn't speak to me again, so without much else to do, I tucked into the small meal he provided me. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I took the first bite of the sandwich, and my stomach rumbled angrily for me to give it more.

I'd eaten half the sandwich when I opened the juice and took a swallow. Cringing, I put the lid back on—something about the juice was strangely bitter, but at least it was cold. I finished the meal, polishing off the rest of the juice last and wishing for a piece of gum to clear the bitter taste away. I'd have to remember to avoid that brand in the future.

I expected to sleep, watching the streetlights pass on the highway in a perfect pattern. But when my tiredness hit, it wasn't the easy sleepiness that comes at the end of a stressful day. Instead, it felt like I was being hit by a train and then dragged by my ankles down into the abyss of unconsciousness.

Like I had no choice but to sleep.

It came on so fast that I didn't even manage to fully lay down. I had barely a second to realize something was wrong, that this wasn't normal. Then, between one breath and the next, everything went black, and I fell unconscious, slumped against the side of the cab.

The last thing I heard was a sad “Sorry, kid ” from Frankie, and then I knew no more.