The Rejection of Fate: The High Alpha’s Chosen Mate

Solenn

I feel like death.

The doorbell rings. The sound slices through my skull. I jolt and bury my face into the pillow, cringing as the noise echoes in my ears.

I grunt, hauling my heavy limbs out of bed. My head spins. I plant a hand against the wall to steady the room. As soon as I lift my foot, my stomach lurches. I slap a hand over my mouth and stumble toward the basin in the corner.

I vomit until my throat burns. I stare at the mess, panting. I haven't eaten in a day, yet my body still finds things to purge.

The bell rings again. I let out a sharp, jagged scream of frustration. I snatch my white fuzzy blanket, wrapping it tight around my shoulders like a shield. I shove my feet into slippers and limp toward the door.

It rings a third time just as I hit the hallway. A scowl carves itself into my face. I storm down the stairs. Most people would have taken the hint and left.

I stop at the mirror by the door and freeze. My jaw drops. I look like a corpse from a low-budget horror flick. I frantically rake my fingers through my matted hair, but it’s a lost cause.

The bell rings again.

"Screw it," I mutter.

I force a fake, plastic smile onto my face and throw the door open. A boy stands there. He blinks, his expression shifting from impatient to slightly terrified.

'You could have put a bra on,' Eva grumbles in my head.

'You could have stopped me from puking,' I snap back.

"Uh, is this the Thorne residence?" he asks. He stays a safe distance back.

"Yes. Who are you looking for?"

I don't know him. I know every wolf my age in this pack, but his face is new.

"I'm looking for Beta Thorne," he stammers.

"My dad. He’s in meetings all morning." I wiggle my toes in my slippers, trying to bleed off the nervous energy humming in my gut.

"You're the future Beta?" He looks me up and down. "You don't really look like one."

I stare at him, dead-eyed. My nose is too stuffed to catch his scent. "And what is a Beta supposed to look like?"

I’m too exhausted for a witty comeback. I just want him gone.

"Just saying," he shrugs. "Anyway, tell your dad the sixty wolves from the Baxter pack are here for the convention."

"I'll tell him. But you'll probably see him before I do." I take a step back into the cool shadows of the house. "What’s your name?"

He grins and holds out a hand. I stay still.

"I’m sick. You don't want this," I say, punctuating the warning with a wet sniffle.

"Finn. Beta of the Baxter pack." He chuckles and nods. "I'll let your father know we met."

I watch him walk away before I bolt the door shut. The house is silent. I must be home alone,