Filed to story: Sorry Alpha I Am Wolfless Novel
We talked about the good old days. The stupid antics that we had gotten up to when we were in our teens. We talked about the future, our prospects, dreams, and what our dream women looked like. We talked for hours, all while drinking.
I remember the first fifth of vodka, but not the second. I remember the first and second fifth of Jack, but not the third or fourth. I didn’t even remember the tequila, but the six empty bottles that were strewn across the floor in the morning clearly indicated that we had gotten that out as well.
The night had become nothing more than a big blur. I stopped remembering what I said, what I did, where I went. All I know is I woke up the next morning with the worst hangover of my life and a strong, intense desire that this year would be a lot better than last year.
But, so far, I couldn’t figure out how that would happen. Ever.
This situation, this depression of mine, would last for a long time. But I was strong, and as long as I was certain it didn’t affect anyone but me I could handle it. I could hang in there. Hang in there until there was a solution in sight or I died of loneliness, whichever came first.
****
Emmalee
****
“Ok, stop. You’re being an even bigger weirdo than usual.” Lacy, a fellow pack mate, friend, and now classmate seemed frustrated as we sat at the little cafe near the University Center. I had been picking at my food and not actually eating any of it, which was so unlike me.
“What?” I asked her as she stared daggers at me.
“What? Oh she wants to know what.” She laughed as she got a sarcastic smile on her face. “Let’s give her What? for five hundred Alex.” She braced her hands on the edge of the table and put her eyes on the same level as mine. ” ‘What’ has got you acting like someone went and killed your puppy, pony, or some other small fluffy animal you wanted?” I couldn’t help myself, I smiled at her as she made her joke.
“You’re silly, you know that Lacy?” I laughed at her.
“Yes, I know, I’m silly, funny, hilarious, and anything else that means funny and is another reason why you get to delay answering my question.”
“It’s nothing Lacy, nothing serious anyway.” I told her as her face fell.
I hated not telling her the truth. But how was I supposed to tell her when I barely understood exactly what had happened? I knew what had happened, don’t get me wrong, I knew that my mate had abandoned me for some reason, but I didn’t know why. I couldn’t explain anything to Lacy yet if I didn’t know, could I?”
“Emmalee, I know we’re not best friends, but we are friends aren’t we? Can’t you please tell me what’s going on with you? You’re hurting, I can see that plain as day. Anyone can see that. So can’t you tell me what’s going on.”
“Lacy.” I felt like the emotions were welling again. “You are one of my best friends. We grew up together, and we go to school together. I hope you know you’re one of my closest friends, Lacy. And you know I love you.” I squeezed her and.
“I love you too, Emmalee. You’re my friend, my Alpha’s daughter, my pack mate, my classmate, you’re my best friend.” Lacy hung her head, like she was embarrassed. “I want to help you.”
“I know you do, Lacy, but it’s not that kind of problem.” I smiled through the awkward feeling I was getting. “It has to do with my mate.”
“I didn’t know you had found your mate.” She was getting excited like my dad had done.
“I scented him, but I haven’t found him yet.” I laughed at the confused look that caused to appear on her sweet little face. Lacy’s rusty red curls seemed to bounce as she swiveled her head side to side in confusion. Her deep, forest green eyes popped open as she stared at me. She really was a cute girl with a unique look.
“How can you scent your mate but not find him? Didn’t you follow his trail?”
“Oh I did. I followed his trail for hours and hours. I searched our whole pack, but he wasn’t there. Either he fled our pack to get away from me, or he’s not from our pack.” I could feel the dam breaking, the emotions were surging again. Why did I get like this every time I talked about my mate?
“How long ago did you scent him?” She asked me, like this mattered for some reason.
“Somewhere around a month ago maybe. It was when I was helping to plan the family birthday party.”
“Is that why you were so emotional over the holiday.” She seemed saddened now. I hadn’t told her what was going on before now and so she was upset that she hadn’t been there to help me.
“Yeah, that’s why.” I sighed heavily.
“How do you know you checked everyone?” She was curious now.
“My dad had that Christmas party.”
“Oh my Goddess.” She interrupted me before I could add more. “Is that why everyone was forced to go to the party? It was a mate hunt for you. That’s so funny Emmalee, you were fishing for your mate at the party.” She was laughing but she didn’t really seem to be making fun of me, just the party so I ignored it for now. I could have been wrong but I was a wreck anyway.
“Yeah, but I didn’t cast my net wide enough obviously.” I went along with the joke for her.
“Could it have been the stranger that used to be here?”
These words sent a shock through me. I felt my brain rattle from the force of the wave of awe that just hit me.
“What stranger?” I asked her. “I didn’t know about any strangers in the pack.”
“There was a man, a nomad I think, that was here for almost a month. He left last month though. He just up and left and no one ever saw him again.”
“When? When exactly did he leave?” I felt the intensity start to blaze inside me, this could be him. Maybe he left because he didn’t think my father would approve of me mating with a nomad. I would find him, even if I had to search the whole world. “Did he leave about when I went to help with the party?” I could feel the heat and intensity burning in my eyes.
“I think so.” She put a hand on her chin to think, she looked childish and cartoonish, and just really not helpful right now.
“What was his name?” The fire was lit now and I would grill her until she was done.
