Every girl wants to be Alpha's girlfriend, except me.

As his guardian, I have no wish to be just another mark on his bedpost.

But I didn't expect he would want to mark me!

As I walk through the halls of my high school in between classes, my best friend, Jason, jogs to catch up to me.

“Hey, what are you doing after school?”

“I’m doing my usual, hanging out with dad.”

“And by ‘hanging out’ you mean training? That’s your secret right, you get to train with the biggest badass that this pack has ever known?”

I stop and look at my long-time friend.

He’s right, I do train with my father everyday.

From the moment I was born, I was meant to be a warrior.

My job is to be the strongest, fastest, most powerful warrior in the pack.

My legacy is to one day protect the Alpha, even at the cost of life, just as my mom did.

My only problem with that is our future alpha doesn’t even know who I am.

What kind of alpha doesn’t know the daughter of the man and woman that are the sole reason that he and his family are alive?

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Alpha Rik with his entourage of females.

His harem continues to grow. It's due to my parents sacrifice so he can be the man whore now.

I understand the alpha’s desire to show off how great he is.

It’s what alphas do. And if I’m being honest, Alpha Rik has it all.

He’s definitely strong. I’ve watched him train, he’s a beast.

Unlike me, I have to be smarter and work harder than any alpha if I’m going to be his protector.

I’m a relatively small female in my slight, fit 5’4” frame.

But that just means that my opponents tend to underestimate me.

My fellow warriors have learned that I’m not an easy target.

But I refuse to be one of Rik's crowd of admirers.

I have no wish to be just another mark on his bedpost.

And really, have some respect at least for your future mate.

“It’s a good thing we’re in agreement on this one” my wolf Artemis says, ‘I wouldn’t forgive you if you offended our mate.

I can’t wait to turn 18 so we can find him.’ My wolf is much more excited about finding our mate than I am.

I realize I’ve zoned out and Jason is still talking to me while I’ve been staring at Alpha Rik.

Suddenly, he must feel my eyes on him as he looks right at me, his ice blue eyes staring holes into my soul.

I feel my wolf purring in my head. 'Artemis? What was thatl?’

‘I honestly don’t know, maybe it’s because he’s an alpha?’

‘It’s instinct, I can’t help it.’

I shut her out and drag my eyes away from Alpha Rik to turn my attention back to Jason.

“Cara, are you even listening to me? I said the harem continues to increase in size as Alpha Rik gets closer to his 18th birthday, you know they are all hoping they will be his mate.”

“Yes, but 'there can be only one” I say.

“Anyway, back to my original question. what you are doing after school?”

Oh right, sorry. You know Alpha Anders always comes and has dinner with my dad and I on Thursdays.

So, after training, I’ll be making dinner, then homework.

“I forgot it was Thursday” Jason replies. “Well, are we still set for clubbing tomorrow night?”

“Yep, always ready to blow off some steam.”

“Excellent!”

I sigh as we walk into class.

After classes finished, In headed for my locker.

A shadow falls over my locker when I’m rearranging my books.

I look up into the glacial blue eyes of Alpha Rik.

I reign in my impatience and aggravation.

No use pissing off the one I’ll most likely be bound to for my entire life.

I take a deep breath, “Alpha, how can I help you?”

“Hey there beautiful, I don’t believe I’ve seen you around before.”

Seriously?

This is his opening line?

Like we haven’t gone to the same schools our ENTIRE lives?

I put on my best fake smile, “I guess you haven’t. It’s a bit hard to see past all of your adoring fans.”

I close my locker and lean my shoulder against it, facing him.

I decide to have a little fun and bat my eyes.

“You ARE an alpha right?” I ask, making sure to give him my best wide-eyed, star-struck look.

“I am, sweetheart, but don’t let my aura intimidate you. I hear it can be a bit overwhelming.”

This guy certainly thinks highly of himself. Even Artemis snorts in my head.

The joke’s on him. Guardians are completely immune to the Alpha aura or command.

But I have no intention of letting this douchebag know who or what I am.

“Oh wow”, I bring my hand up to my heart as if I’m trying to hold my palpitations at bay, “It’s really nice to meet you.”

Artemis snickers in my head, ‘Laying it on a bit thick aren’t you?’

Maybe I am. but, honestly, an alpha should know his pack members.

My family has given so much for his and he doesn’t even know who I am? Well, it just grinds my gears.

He puts his hand out to shake mine, “I’m Rik, Alpha heir of the Canyon Ridge Pack, maybe you’ve heard of me?”

I attempt to look even more flustered. “Oh, oh wow, nice to meet you”, and I shake his hand.

What I didn’t expect was to feel a jolt, like an electric current going through my hand, making the hair raise up and down my arms.

It wasn’t unpleasant, but very much unexpected.

Rik looks startled for a moment and I wonder if he felt it too.

He’s holding my hand and looking at me expectantly.

I’m wondering what he’s waiting for and why he’s not letting go of my hand when he finally speaks.

“It’s customary where I’m from to introduce yourself after someone introduces themselves to you”.

He gives me a charming smile, as if making females speechless is an everyday occurrence for him.

And possibly it is. He is surrounded by stupid followers all day every day, it can’t be that hard to make them speechless.

However, I am not one of his fellows.

“So, sweetheart, what’s your name and what pack are you from?”

Ok, so now I’m getting pissed. He really doesn’t have a clue as to who I am.

“What makes you think I’m not from your pack?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

He frowned. “Well sweetheart, I know every member of my pack, and I don’t know you.”

I lean into him, putting my hand on his chest.

I get up on my tip toes and bring my mouth up toward his ear.

Luckily, he takes the hint and leans into me as well so I can whisper in his ear, “Well, obviously you don’t know EVERY member. And my name isn’t Sweetheart.”

I’m pretty sure I heard his quick intake of breath as I turn on my heel and start to walk away.

Alpha Rik wants to mark me.

But he doesn't know that I'm the broken warrior's daughter, and his guardian.

He also doesn't know that I had been secretly flirting with another man for a year.

Friday night, after training with Dad, my friends and I go to a local club, Dark Moon.

It’s become the place that I meet up with Alpha Liam, who froms the Shadow Falls pack.

He knows that I am waiting for my mate, so we’re not exactly friends with benefits.

So he is being patient and I think he’s secretly hoping that we’re fated mates.

In truth, I am too.

I like Liam a lot. he’s got the hottest smolder that I’ve ever seen.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say my lady parts get all hot and bothered when he turns that look on me.

We get our shots and I pay for the first round.

I’m just about to turn around for my second shot when I lock eyes with Alpha Rik.

“For God sake!” I turn around, pick up my shot and clink my glass to friends’ before downing the drink.

“I’m going to dance, anyone coming?” I lean over to shout above the music.

I can feel ice blue eyes on me as I begin to dance.

Lacey leans over to ask, “Alpha Rik hasn’t taken his eyes off of you since we walked out here, what’s up with that?”

“He sort of hit on me yesterday at school. But he has no idea who I am.” I replied.

“How is that possible? EVERYONE knows who you are.”

I shrug. “I guess I’m just not important enough for the future alpha to know.”

She looks back at Rik once more then at me, “Well, now I’m Team Liam all the way.”

When I look up, I see Liam smiling at me.

Oh Goddess help me, that smolder.

Good thing these jeans are dark because a line of heat just went straight south and now there’s most definitely a wet spot giving away my desire for him.

As soon as a slow song starts, Liam heads my way.

As he walks up to me, I slide my arms around his neck as he slides his down to my behinds, pulling me closer and sniffing my neck.

His mouth slides up to my ear and he whispers, “Hello beautiful, still saving yourself for me?”

“You know I’m saving myself for my mate.”

He pulls back enough to look me in the eye. “Right, saving yourself for me, as I said.”

I can’t help but laugh. Cocky Alpha.

As we dance, he continues talking softly in my ear, “You look hot, baby, did you wear this for me?”

I lean back to look him in the eye, giving him my best smirk. “Maybe.”

Leaning in, he rubs his nose against mine.

It’s a tight rope that I walk with Liam.

I don’t want to tease him into thinking he’ll get something from me that I’m not willing to give, but I also feel fairly confident that he will be my mate.

Is he waiting for me? I don’t ask and we don’t discuss it.

But, he’s a 24 year old Alpha male. I’d be foolish to think that he is waiting to make sure that I’m his mate.

But I also know that if I asked him to, he would. But that’s not fair.

So basically, all this teasing is just a really long bout of foreplay.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He says and he leads me off the dance floor and to the entrance of the club.

I smile and wave goodbye to my friends as we head out.

He opens the door and lifts me up into the passenger seat.

He leans over the seat and I nuzzle my nose against his neck.

“Keep that up love and mate or no, you’ll be in my bed tonight.” He looks at me for a minute to see if I’m willing to keep going, which I’m not.

So he gives me a quick kiss on the lips and closes my door.

We drive to a cafe.

When the waitress is gone, he reaches out and takes my hands in his, looking at me intently. “Tell me about your hopes and dreams Cara.”

I look at him and smile, feeling the need to deflect this conversation, I give a smart ass response. “Well Liam, I like romantic dinners and walks on the beach.”

“I also love a man that knows how to dance and appreciates a strong, intelligent woman.”

“Then apparently, I’m the man for you.” He nods his head as if he’s decided something, then looks up at me.

“Look Cara, I know you’re waiting for your mate, and I respect that. I want you to find your mate, and I hope it’s me.

But, I need you to know that if it isn’t me, I want to take you as my chosen mate.”

I can make you happy Cara. You can have everything you want.

And unlike most women who want the prestige of being a Luna, I know you want respect, to continue your warrior training, and to be treated as an equal by the Alpha in the pack.

I am not intimidated by your strength and ferocity. I find it incredibly charming.

I’m not saying I wouldn’t want to protect you and our pups when we had them, but I also know that as a Guardian and a powerful warrior, I wouldn’t have to, that you could and would protect yourself and our pups.

I would love you, put you first in my life, there would be no one for me but you.

I know it’s a lot and you’re still a couple months away from your birthday, but I need you to know that my feelings for you are real.

That I want you in my life, for the rest of my life.”

I was overwhelmed by his declaration. I didn’t know what to say.

“Liam, I care for you, very deeply. I hope, with all my heart, that you are my fated mate. But, if you are not, I will take what you have said tonight into consideration, I promise.”

His smile lights up the room once again. “That’s all I ask Cara.”

After we finish drinking, he drives me home. He gets out of the car and comes around to open my door.

As I step out, his head whips toward the forest. I follow his line of sight but don’t see anything.

“What is it?”

He shakes his head, squinting. “Nothing.”

He walks me to my door. I turn to look at him and he wraps his arms around me pulling me into his warmth.

“Remember what I said tonight Cara. I meant every word.”

He puts his hands on either side of my face and brings his lips to mine.

It starts out as a gentle kiss, a promise of what could be.

But it quickly turns into something much more passionate and before I know it, Aretmis has pushed forward and I’m drowning in him.

His mouth is everywhere, claiming mine.

His warm tongue skillfully slides into my mouth, tangling with mine, fighting for dominance.

When he wins the battle, he takes his time exploring the rest of my mouth before finally letting me come up for air.

I’m panting and holding on to him as if he is my lifeline. And he is, because my knees are weak and I’d fall if his strong arms weren’t holding me up.

I look up into his eyes, that have gone dark again, showing that his wolf is forward. I know mine are also glowing gold from Artemis pushing forward.

Artemis purrs to Liam's wolf, “Hello Cyran.” He growls in response.

“Artemis.” Cyran’s voice is deeper and more gravelly than Liam’s. 'He has a seducing Alpha voice,’ Artemis says to me.

I pull her back and regain control, seeing that Liam is doing the same with Cyran.

He leans his forehead against mine.

“Baby, one day soon, I hope that we can continue this until both of us are satisfied. Until then, sweet dreams, and I hope they are of me.”

He pulls away from me and winks as he walks backward to his car.

In the distance, I hear a wolf howling into the night.