Sidonie's POV

"Donnie, get back here!" My father yelled as I stormed toward the door that led out of the living room. My mother stood beside him, her l*ps pressed into a firm line and her brown eyes glared at me.

The very brown eyes I had inherited from her.

"No, I will not!" I screamed back at him, baring my teeth in anger. "I cannot believe you two!"

"What exactly can you not believe?" Mom asked, folding her arms. She only did that when she was done with my antics and from the look on her face, she certainly was fed up.

That made two of us.

I was fed up with my parents constantly thinking they could make every single decision on my behalf!

"How could you two marry me off without my consent?! That's… That's so old school! Nob*dy does that shit anymore!"

"You will watch your language, young lady!" Dad snarled, pointing at me menacingly. I didn't care. I was too damned angry to care. "We made that decision in your best interest! The Alpha of Alphas has asked that you be his bride. It is an honor, Sidonie!"

"I don't give a shit about honor!" I snapped. "I don't care who he is. What about my true mate? What about experiencing that? What happens when my true mate comes along?"

"Honey, not everyone gets to meet their mates." My mother said, her brown eyes softening slightly. "That rarely happens these days. Marrying the Alpha is the best way to secure your future."

"Just because it didn't happen to you two, doesn't mean it won't happen to me!" I hissed. "This is totally unfair! I don't even know him!"

"You will eventually!" Dad said, throwing his hands up in the air as if that fixed everything. "We've set up a meeting and you two can finally meet each other-"

"-I don't want to," I said as defiantly as I could, my black hair whipping all over the place. It had always been my dream to meet my true mate. To feel the bond, that special pull that everyone yearned for.

I wanted love and passion and madness and everything in between! Not some stone-cold betrothal to a wolf I didn't even know. Alpha of Alphas my foot!

"How could you make such a decision for me?" I asked, lowering my voice as tears stung the corner of my eyes. "Don't you want me to be happy, Dad? I want a mate."

My parents exchanged glances, and I could see a vein pop in my father's n*eck. He raised a hand and pointed in the direction of my room.

"Go to your room. Your mother and I will be here when you're calmer and able to think rationally!"

I fixed him a glare, and glanced at the door that led out of the house, wishing I could just tug it open and disappear. If they never saw me again, they couldn't marry me off to some idiot. But my father would most likely catch up with me. His wolf was strong despite the white strands that covered his head. He would catch me, and I'd be in serious trouble.

My shoulders fell and angrily, I stomped into my room, resisting the urge to fl*p them in the middle when I slammed the door close.

I flopped face down on my bed, frustrated and angry with everything. I was a good girl. I had been a good girl all my life. I had obeyed their every demand, their every want. Why couldn't they just allow me to have the one thing I wanted? To find my true mate.

What was the point of being such a good daughter if they weren't going to let me have my wish?

I sat up, pursing my l*ps in thought. The wind rushed in gently through my open window, ruffling my hair. I glanced at it to see the slightly dark sky. It was evening and while young people my age were having the time of their lives, I was fuming over being betrothed to some dude.

"I might as well enjoy my freedom while I still can," I muttered, jumping to my feet. An idea slowly formed in my head and I grinned. It would be the perfect revenge on my parents.

And the perfect way for me to let loose for once in my life.

****

I tugged at the hem of my skimpy dress as I walked into the club. It was a short black thing that hugged my frame tight and ended just beneath my backside. I had managed to do a little bit of makeup and I felt every bit like a goddess.

The club's loud music rushed through my head as well as the many scents that filled the air. A combination of humans and werewolves.

But one scent was distinct. A scent of wood and pine that made my wolf purr with desire.

Trying to ignore the heady scent, I walked to the bar.

"A glass of bourbon," I told the bartender, who nodded briskly and grabbed a glass.

I glanced around me, feeling nervous and excited at the same time. The plan was to find someone to spend the night with. If I was going to be forced into a marriage against my will, then I was going to do something for myself.

I was going to give out my virginity freely.

The bartender slid the glass across the counter and I picked it up, staring at the liquid inside it. The scent of wood and pine grew stronger. I felt drunk on it and I hadn't even sipped alcohol. My wolf purred again and goosebumps littered my skin. A presence appeared behind me.

I shuddered, dropping the glass on the counter before it sl*pped from my hands, and looked up at the intruder.

The first thing I noticed was his eyes. Blue and violet orbs stared down at me and damn, he was s*xy.

"Isn't Bourbon a little too strong for you?" His deep, husky voice rumbled in my ears.