MATED TO MY ALPHA MATE
"Diva, you're going to be late!" her younger brother shouted from the kitchen. The smell of burnt toast wafted through the apartment, making her wrinkle her nose.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Diva called back, rushing to get dressed. She threw on her favorite hoodie and quickly tied her hair into a messy bun. As she padded into the kitchen, she found her brother, Jason, frantically trying to scrape the burnt edges off the toast.
"Seriously, Jay? How hard is it to toast bread?" she teased, stifling a laugh.
He shot her a glare but couldn't hide his grin. "Hey, at least I tried! Unlike you, who sleeps through breakfast."
"Touché," she replied, grabbing a piece of fruit off the counter. "I'll grab something on the way to class."
"Good plan. Just don't forget your bag this time!" he called after her as she headed for the door.
"Yeah, yeah, I won't!" she replied, but her mind was already wandering to the rest of the day ahead. As she stepped out into the bustling city, the familiar sights and sounds surrounded her. People rushed by, immersed in their own worlds, and she felt a strange mix of comfort and isolation.
Diva made her way to the bus stop, where her friend Mikael was already waiting. He waved enthusiastically. "Hey! Did you almost sleep in again?"
"Don't remind me," she groaned, rolling her eyes. "Jason nearly burned the place down trying to make breakfast."
Mikael laughed, a sound that was always contagious. "You're lucky to have him! I'd kill for someone to make me breakfast—burnt or not."
"Yeah, well, you can have him," Diva replied with a playful shove as the bus pulled up. They hopped on, finding seats near the back.
As the bus jolted forward, Mikael leaned closer. "So, any plans for the weekend? We should totally hang out."
Diva shrugged, looking out the window. "Not sure. Just trying to get through this week first."
"Still thinking about what the soothsayer said?" he asked, his tone shifting to something more serious.
She sighed, the weight of his question settling over her. "I don't want to talk about that right now."
"Okay, but you know I'm here if you need to vent, right?" he pressed gently.
"Yeah, I know. Thanks, Mikael," she replied, forcing a smile. She appreciated his support but felt stuck in a spiral of confusion and frustration.
The bus rolled to a stop, and they both got off, stepping into the hustle of the city streets. As they walked toward campus, Diva tried to focus on the chatter around her, but her mind kept drifting back to the thoughts she didn't want to confront.
"Hey, let's grab some coffee after class," Mikael suggested, breaking the silence.
After a long day of classes, Diva trudged out of the lecture hall, her mind swirling with a mix of lectures, assignments, and the weight of everything she was avoiding. She spotted Mikael waiting for her outside, leaning casually against the wall, his phone in hand.
"Finally! I thought you got lost in there," he joked as she approached.
"Believe me, I would've rather been lost in a coffee shop," she replied, rolling her eyes.
"Lucky for you, that's exactly where we're headed!" he said, motioning for her to follow.
They strolled to their favorite café, the warm aroma of coffee and pastries welcoming them as they stepped inside. Diva ordered a mocha, while Mikael went for his usual black coffee. They found a cozy corner table, and she sank into the chair, finally feeling a bit of weight lift off her shoulders.
"Okay, spill," Mikael said, leaning forward, his expression serious. "What's really going on with you?"
Diva sighed, taking a sip of her drink. "It's just... everything feels so overwhelming right now. Classes, home life, and don't even get me started on that stupid soothsayer."
Mikael raised an eyebrow. "You still thinking about what she said? You know she's just some random woman with a crystal ball, right?"
"Yeah, I know, but it's hard to ignore," Diva admitted, running a hand through her hair. "Being mated to some alpha I've never met? It feels like a bad joke."
He laughed lightly, but his eyes showed he was taking her seriously. "Okay, let's say it's true for a second. What's the worst that could happen?"
"I don't know," she said, frustration creeping in again. "What if he's a total jerk? Or worse—what if he's just like… dangerous? I can't just accept this fate!"
Mikael nodded, thinking it over. "Well, you don't have to accept anything yet. You've got time to figure things out. Besides, you've got me to help you dodge any crazies."
"Yeah, but what if I can't dodge this one?" she replied, biting her lip. "What if this is just part of something I can't control?"
"Then we'll handle it together," he said firmly. "You're not alone in this, Diva. You've got your family, me, and whoever else you decide to keep close."
She looked at him, warmth filling her chest. "Thanks, Mikael. I really appreciate it."
They chatted a bit more, the conversation drifting to lighter topics like the latest music and the upcoming weekend plans. For a moment, Diva felt the weight of her worries lift, buried under the laughter and shared stories.
Eventually, they finished up and stepped back out into the bustling streets, where the sunset painted the sky in hues of pink and orange. Diva took a deep breath, the cool air refreshing against her skin.
"Let's walk a bit before heading home," she suggested, wanting to soak in the atmosphere a little longer.
"Sounds good to me," Mikael agreed, matching her pace. They strolled through the city, taking in the sights and sounds, all the while Diva felt the edges of her anxiety slowly starting to blur. For now, she could forget about the future and just enjoy being here, in the moment.
But as they rounded a corner, she caught sight of that same car parked across the street again, the driver leaning back, watching her. A chill ran down her spine. She tried to brush it off, but the feeling of being watched lingered.
"Mikael?" she said, her voice suddenly tense.
"Yeah?" he replied, looking over.
"Do you see that car?" She pointed, her heart racing.
Mikael squinted. "Which one?"
"That one," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It's been there twice now."
"Maybe it's just someone waiting for a friend," he suggested, but she could see the concern starting to creep into his eyes.
"Maybe," Diva said, trying to sound casual, but she could feel the unease creeping back in.
They kept walking, but the nagging feeling didn't go away. She was just about to shake it off when Mikael nudged her. "Hey, if it really bothers you, we can head back now."
"No, I'm fine," she said, forcing a smile. "Let's just keep going."
But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
***
To be continued.....