I am the Unwanted Mate

Virgin girls were not my thing, though. Not at all. I had been with a few before, and they were nothing but high maintenance. "Taking care" of a girl whom I wouldn't see after the night was not my idea of a good time.

Call me a jerk if you want. I don't care.

"Okay, seriously, Carson, what the hell is wrong with you?" I asked my wolf, who had started howling inside my head.

"Mate," Carson replied, panting.

I mentally rolled my eyes. "Can you stop obsessing over your imaginary mate for a while, Carson? We don't have one. So chill out."

I had turned 18 just last month, and my dad threw a massive party to celebrate the fact that the new beta had come of age. The purpose of the party was simple—just like every other parent out there, my dad wanted me to find my mate. He invited the entire pack and some important people from neighboring packs as well. Everyone expected me to find my mate that night.

But I didn't.

No big deal, though. I was actually kind of glad about it. Mates meant commitment, and I wasn't looking for that right now.

Commitment scared me. And as someone who had never been in a relationship, I didn't want to start now.

I was too young, anyway. I wanted to enjoy my life as it was right now. My mate could wait.

"You disgust me!" Carson scoffed in my brain.

"I don't care about what you think," I replied, dismissing his opinion. "I can kind of sense her here. Get your lazy ass up from this spot and get moving. Let's explore this place and try to catch a whiff of her scent."

I rolled my eyes at my wolf's persistence but obliged anyway. I didn't want him whining about it later. He would learn his lesson when we returned mateless, anyway.

As I walked around the house, something surprising happened—I didn't look at or flirt with other girls. Maybe I was intrigued too.

Could my mate really be here? The possibility lingered in my mind as I continued to explore, eager to uncover any signs that might lead me to her.

I was nearing the dance area when suddenly everything went dark. The room filled with groans of annoyance as the power went out. A power cut was unusual, but not unheard of. I knew the generators would kick in soon and restore the light.

As I sighed, anticipating the return of the lights, I felt a sudden collision with another body. "Owwww!" I hissed, rubbing my arm where the impact had landed.

"Watch out!" I cursed at the person, but my annoyance was met with a soft apology.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry-" she began, but her voice trailed off as her skin brushed against mine. In that instant, I felt a surge of electricity, as if sparks were igniting in my arm.

My eyes widened, and a sense of recognition and excitement coursed through me. Could it be? Had I found my mate?

Holy mother of Jesus...

In the darkness, her hand reached out, tenderly touching my face. I inhaled sharply, feeling the tingles spread from my face to my toes. I couldn't deny the pleasure I felt from her touch.

But just as I was about to speak, the lights flickered back on, illuminating her face.

"YOU?" I bellowed angrily, pushing her away from me.

She gasped, falling to the ground in shock, clearly not expecting my reaction.

Regret was absent from my emotions. She deserved my anger.

"KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF ME, YOU BITCH!" I spat at her, my voice dripping with disgust.

She remained stunned, her gaze fixed on the ground as I cast her a final disgusted glance and walked away.

To hell with being mates.