Chapter 1 The Mate Trial

I worked 15-hour shifts every day at the restaurant, barely enough time to catch my breath. Parties and banquets? They felt like they belonged to a different world—one I’d never be a part of. I was just a waitress who was hip-deep in debt, a nobody in the eyes of most people. Therefore, when the Alpha announced the Mate Trial, I figured I would be the only one in the pack who would be completely unaffected. Besides, even if I was interested in the trial—which I wasn’t—I had no time to take part. I couldn't afford to stop working for even a second, still drowning in the medical debt I took on years ago to save my baby. “Oh, it’s just so exciting. The chance to be the Alpha’s mate! I hope he picks me!” As I wiped down the table and listened to a nearby conversation between two women, I sighed quietly. It wasn’t the first time today I’d heard this very conversation, and it wouldn’t be the last, either. I put a wad of tips in my apron as I heard her friend reply. “I can’t believe all eligible females are being summoned for this Mate Trial. But I mean, it’s nice that the Alpha plans to consider everyone, even the more… unfortunate ones.” The woman’s gaze flicked to me, and I reddened. It was no secret around these parts that I was a ‘workaholic’ waitress, which was frowned upon in the shifter world. Most females would rather go to the salon, shop, and go to parties, but I was here every day, working hard. The comment didn’t bother me too much, though. I liked taking care of myself and brightening the days of my customers that came into the diner. Besides, there was no way that I was going to participate in this Mate Trial. But these girls didn’t know that. “Everyone thinks he’ll choose Ava Blake anyway since the Blakes are such an elite family,” the other woman replied with a wave of her hand. “It will give him more connections.” The conversation faded as I walked behind the counter and topped up a cup of coffee for one of our regulars, who grunted his thanks. My coworker, Betty, smiled at me as she walked past. “Agnes Blake, Ava Blake,” Betty mused under her breath. “You’ve both got the same last name.” “Never heard of her. Must be a coincidence,” I replied quickly. Of course, everyone within 1000 miles of Bark Hollow knew who Ava Blake was. Even lone shifters knew about my stepsister. Our family was prestigious, and word got around fast about how beautiful she was. But Betty just shrugged, either not caring to press it further or choosing to believe what I said. Either way, I was grateful to spend another day under the radar. If anyone found out that a Blake daughter was waiting tables… Well, it would raise plenty of eyebrows and ruffle just as many feathers. After all, why would the daughter of one of the most well-known families be waiting tables to pay off medical debt? No one would understand that there were many reasons behind why I had left my family’s shadow, things I didn’t want to get out. Things that were painful. I couldn’t care less about this Mate Trial or my stepsister’s part in it. I also firmly believed that this Alpha would not choose Ava to be his bride. As part of his Mate Trial announcement, he’d also mentioned his prior marriage and his six-year-old daughter—she would be a package deal that came with marrying him, and taking care of her was one of the stipulations mentioned. My stepsister loathed kids with the same level of disgust she showed to the insects in the garden. She’d never make it past the first stage of the trial. Just then, the bell chimed to announce a new customer. I glanced up to greet them with a smile but was met with the sight of my best friend, Elise, eyes wide with worry as she barged through the door. I hadn’t seen Elise in a few months. She’d been my best friend for my entire life, but I’d decided it would be best to minimize contact with her, in case my family tried to follow her to track me down. Not that they had. Or would, for that matter. My eyes widened. “Eli—” “Bathroom, now,” she ordered by way of greeting. Whatever it was had to be serious if it had her acting like this after not talking for months. Frowning, I tugged off my apron and followed her. Once we were in the bathroom, she locked the door behind us. “Elise? What’s wrong?” I asked, confused. Her red curls were wind-blown, and her blue eyes were red and puffy. She’d been crying. She put her hands on my shoulders and took a deep breath. “Aggie, I know it’s been awhile, but I desperately need a favor. A major one. I’ll owe you big time.” When I didn’t answer her right away and just stared at her in shock, she added, “Please, Aggie.” “Alright, alright,” I finally said. “What is it?” “I need you to pretend to be me and go in my place for the Mate Trials.” I blinked. “You need me to what?” “Please, Agnes.” She paused, shuddering a little. But there was also a tiny smile touching her lips. “I… I’ve met someone. Someone I truly love. My mate. But my parents don’t approve and want to throw me into the Mate Trials to get into better standing with the pack!” Tears began to streak her face. She wiped at them with her sleeve. “Please, Aggie. You’re the only person I can come to. I need your help.” “Your parents would find out in a heartbeat,” I said immediately. “Yes, but by the time they do, my mate and I will be gone. We’re leaving the pack. We have it all planned out.” “What about me?” I found myself asking. I wanted to help my friend, of course, but this was risky. “If we get caught… And besides, I can’t stop working. I have to pay off that medical debt—you know that.” “You’re a Blake by birth,” Elise pleaded, “which protects you from any fallout, and you’re an eligible female with the right to participate. The Alpha won’t punish you. And I’ll… I’ll pay you.” For a moment, I just stood there, stunned. But then I shook my head as thoughts of seeing my stepsister began to turn my stomach. “I don’t want to see Ava—” “Fifty thousand dollars.” I blinked at Elise, wondering if I had just heard her right. Fifty grand… I owed so much money and interest on my debt… fifty thousand dollars would change everything. Even if it meant having to see her or potentially getting a slap on the wrist for taking Elise’s place. “O-Okay,” I finally squeaked out. “I’ll do it. For you.” Elise squealed and hugged me. “Thank you, thank you! I have to go—we’ll catch up once it’s all over—but here.” She shoved an envelope into my hands. “My invitation,” she informed me as she began unlocking the door. “Be there at noon. Don’t be late!” I put on the simplest dress I could find in my closet, a pale blue chiffon with a hemline below the knee, paired with plain white flats. I wasn’t looking to draw the Alpha’s attention, if there was even a slim chance he would be interested in me. I kept my makeup simple, not accentuating my full lips or gray eyes, and I pinned my long dark hair up in a bun at the base of my head. My current look wouldn’t turn heads compared to the other women, that was for sure. But I wasn’t trying to turn heads. I was just trying to blend in long enough for the trial to be over, and then I could get my money. I took a deep breath as I walked through the large ivory, ornate doors of the Alpha’s mansion. “Are you Elise Matthews?” The burly guard at the entrance asked. I nodded, and bit my lip nervously, but he waved me on through. My shoulders relaxed. The room he’d waved me into was already filled to the brim with other girls. It looked like I’d been the last to arrive, but thankfully, none looked my way. Just like I thought, they were dressed similarly to me, but with hemlines slightly shorter. Most had full blowouts and a lot more makeup, but I’d expected that too. I kept my head down as I found a seat in the corner of the room, thankful that so many people were here. It would make it much easier to go unnoticed. I glanced up through lowered lashes and saw Ava across the room, chatting with one of her friends. She luckily hadn’t noticed me, but I marveled at how she looked the same as the day I had left. Not one thing had changed about her, and she seemed like she hadn’t lost any sleep over what had happened, either. Not that I was surprised. I watched the way she held the attention of the rest of the girls, enrapturing her audience like a queen. It made me glad that she could do so at this moment because it meant that it was more likely that I would slip through these Mate Trials unnoticed, without a second glance from any of these girls. And hopefully, the Alpha would pass me over and grant me a quick exit that would bring me closer to the plans I had in mind once I finished this farce and Elise gave me that money. Suddenly, the room began to stir, interrupting me from my thoughts. The burly guard entered. “Introducing Alpha Elijah Hudson!” he boomed. The girls who were seated stood. The others preened as the Alpha walked through the doors, murmuring and giggling amongst themselves, but I kept my head down and stuck to the corner. My view was also blocked by the girls, so I only caught a quick glimpse of a large, toned bicep as the Alpha walked in before I glanced back down, curling my hands into my dress. He walked around for a minute, not saying a word. The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop, save for the clicking of his shoes against the marble floor. And then: “Everyone, leave. Except for you.” I let out the breath I’d been holding in relief. Well, he had chosen someone rather quickly. Which meant I could go home. With a chorus of confused and disappointed murmurs, the girls in front of me filtered out of the room, and I stood to do the same. But as I scanned the rest of the room, my stomach sank. Something was wrong. All the girls had left. I lifted my head and met the icy gaze of the Alpha, Elijah. I gaped at him. “Me!?”