The Alpha's Wayward Mate

Scarlett of the forest clan stared out the window of her childhood home. Today was the day that all her dreams would hopefully come true at last. Ever since she was little, her parents had been telling her that she would most likely mate into the Lake clan because of how high class they were.

Her parents desperately wanted a union with the highest, richest clan around. Scarlett never really considered it too much until today, that is. She just wanted to make her parents proud and happy with her.

Now she was moments away from officially finding out who her mate was going to become. She envisioned a life of riches and luxury. The fantasy became so wonderful that she almost missed the horn calling for the gathering of everyone.

A number of females and males her age were preparing for today to meet their mates. She knew no one in her clan was her intended. They very rarely were. That was what the gatherings were for, after all.

Scarlett tried to tamp down her nerves as her mother and sister rushed into the room. Her mother is a beautiful female omega with long red tresses that were currently up in a refined-classic looking bun. Rushed over to her in a tizzy.

"Child, did you not hear the horn?" The older woman practically vibrated with excitement as she checked over Scarlett's outfit for noticeable flaws. Her mother thankfully found none.

Scarlett wore a beautiful green dress with gold embroidered that enhanced her auburn hair and blue eyes. Her facial features were delicate and soft. She had pale ivory skin that made her look delicate like porcelain.

"Yes, I heard it but no one had come to retrieve me until now, and I am unable to go alone." She stated simply. The rule was, once you came of age and the mating females were not allowed to travel alone un-escorted. If a female went into heat before the ceremony someone needed to be there to protect her virtue.

Scarlett's mother and sister helped her finish getting ready and walked towards the chamber where everyone was gathering. Her mother kissed her on the cheek before ushering her insides. The females center stage in their finary while the men had to wait in an anti-chamber to be called forward. The rest of the assembly stood up on the balcony. If, by the end, a female wasn't chosen by a mate, then she would be forced to wait until next season.

Scarlett prayed that she would not be one of those females. She could only hope that one of the Lake males would be her mate. The butterflies in her stomach wouldn't stop fluttering madly as the ceremony commenced.

The factions were split up into four tribes. There was the Lake tribe, which most consider to be the most prestigious of all four because they were abundant in everything. Then there was the Forrest tribe, which is the one she belongs to currently. They were the second-highest class tribe. They didn't have as many resources as the lake tribe, but they were pretty well off. There was the valley tribe. They were third ranked and then last was the desert tribe. They were considered the lowest tribe because they had to work harder than the rest to get what they needed for their people.

Scarlett watched as each female around her was paired off with someone from the lake, forest or valley. Scarlett could feel her heart sink as the last tribe came forward. There were only four females left and as the alpha of the tribe stepped forward, his eyes scanned the woman and then landed on her.

Scarlett felt her heart drop to her toes as he began to walk towards her. 'No, her mind screamed. 'No, no, no!" This could not be happening.

Though the male was ruggedly handsome with broad shoulders and muscular physique, he was not at all what she pictured her mate to look like. Scarlett did not dare to look up at the balcony for fear of seeing her parents' disappointed faces. They had been hoping she would find a mate in one of the lake tribe males.

Scarlett was so lost in her misery that she did not notice the male presence in front of her till he spoke. She jumped slightly at hearing him.

"What is your name girl?" His gruff voice caught her off guard, and it took her a moment to respond.

"Sca.. Scarlett." She stuttered out as her gaze traveled over him, taking in his impressive appearance. The alpha was tall with long dark hair that was shaved on the sides. He wore only a wrap covering his waist and a piece of leather holding it together across his chest. His arms were the largest she had ever seen on a male before. He looked like he could pick up two grown adults and run a mile with them. He chest was broad and tan like the rest of him. On his face was dark stubble.

Scarlett didn't know what to make of him. She had never seen such a man. All the men in her tribe were willowy and fair like herself. Here this male was big and brawny. The man she had visioned was supposed to be like her from the valley tribe.

Her stuttering seemed to amuse him because he was smirking down at her as he responded. "Well Scarlett, it looks like I found my mate. I have to say you are exquisite." His tone turned softer as he complimented her looks. His gaze was kind, but he was so much larger than hers and it was slightly intimidating.

She flushed at his words but didn't reciprocate because she didn't want him to know that she found him attractive.

"I am Maverick of the desert tribe." He bowed before her. When he straightened back up again

Scarlett didn't know what to say or do. Everything has gone horribly wrong. This man couldn't be her chosen mate. Even though she could feel the tug in the pit of her stomach as he stood near her. She was in complete and utter denial.

I was supposed to mate with someone from the lake tribe, which is what my parents always told me. How could this have gone so wrong? Her brain screamed at her. She looked up at her parents finally, and she felt her heart drop as she saw the look of disgust from her mother and a shocked look upon her father's face. Her sister just had a look of pity on her face.

Scarlett felt her world shatter and everything started to spin and turn black. There was a voice shouting, but she couldn't be sure where it came from. All she knew was darkness.

Later on, when Scarlett gained consciousness and opened her eyes, she saw her mother, father and sister standing close to her. The moment her mother noticed she was awake she began to storm towards her with a look of rage on her face. Scarlett shrunk back, never having seen her mouth so angry before towards her.

"You useless girl. How could you not find a mate in the tribe? We wished there were more than enough of them." Her mother screamed as she raised her hand to slap her. Thankfully, his father caught her mother's hand before she could connect with Scarlett.

"Do not angry the desert tribe, or the alpha who is her mate. Wife. They are fearsome if angered, and we are not capable of defending against them. They are not called the warrior tribe for nothing. He frowned down at his mate, then turned to his daughter. "I am so sorry child." He bowed before, but she could tell that it disgusted him greatly.

"Father please." She whispered. He held up his hand. "You will not call me that from this day forward. We are no longer your family from this day on."

Scarlett gasped in shock and horror. She didn't understand what was happening. These people were supposed to be her family. Because she didn't match with the tribe they expected.

"What...I am your daughter." She cries. "Please don't say things like that." Scarlett tries to reach for her father's hand, but he just smacks her hand away.

"We have only one child now." He sniffs disdainfully. "Your sister is the only one now."

Scarlett reared back, her body shaking in silent sobs as she watched her parents walk towards the entrance to the room. Just as they reached the door, they opened and in stepped the large man from earlier.

Scarlett watched him pause and take in the scene. She felt so distraught that she barely heard her mother's words as she passed Maverick and did not hide her loathing.

"She is all your's Alpha." With that, they left, leaving Scarlett and Maverick alone.

Scarlett couldn't even react as the alpha walked towards her with a glass of wine. He handed it to her.

"You need to drink this, it will calm you down."

Scarlett just nodded, taking the drink absentmindedly. She sipped it but didn't really taste it.

"Would you like to tell me what that was all about?" Maverick said gently to her.

Scarlett just looked at him with red-rimmed eyes. She shook her head, not wishing to relieve her family's horrible words.

"Well, now that I have my mate, I think we will spend the night here in the capital before we head to our new home."

She just nodded again but continued to stare at the glass he gave her, not really seeing it. Everything around her felt fuzzy and strange. Maverick must have felt her emotions because he moved away from her.

"I will let you alone for tonight and come collect you tomorrow." With that she watched him walk away. Once he left, Scarlett collapsed on the coach she had been laid upon. Her tears ran down her face like tiny streams landing on the fabric beneath her.

After some time, she finally pulled her emotions and thought back together. As she lay there she couldn't help thinking that if her family didn't want her, and she didn't want to live with a tribe that was rough and unrefined.

Scarlett began to make a plan for escape. If she couldn't have the life she envisioned, then she would create a life for her that would be her own.

After everyone fell asleep, Scarlett collected some clothes and food and then snuck out one of the windows. She went to the stables as silently as she could manage. Scarlett found her horse that she had arrived at. Aurora whined at her softly.

Scarlett shushed her then quietly saddled her back before riding out in the predawn light. Once she reached the gates, Scarlett began galloping. Now that she was alone, she didn't plan to come back here again.

Despite the pang of not being with her mate, she could feel it in the pit of her stomach. It was itchy and irritating, but she convinced herself that she would learn to live with it. She would have too.