Love Me or Leave Me

Chapter Two

My entire body froze as he kissed me, I was unsure of what to do. I tentatively kissed him back, my arms reaching slowly for his neck. He walked me backwards until I was pressed against the wall, his lips still attached to mine. I broke away, sucking in air. I stared wide eyed at Alpha Petrova, my head reeling. I didn't know what to say or what to do. He buried his face in my neck, breathing in deeply, committing my scent to memory.

"You're my mate," he repeated, his voice nearly a growl. I didn't know how to respond. The bell rang and I pushed away from him.

"I-um. Class. I have to go." I ran out the door. Away from my mate. I could hear him calling after me, but I just ran faster.

I made it to my art class with seconds to spare and slid into a seat at the back. We were ordered to get easels and free paint to give our teacher a sense of where we were skillwise. I couldn't help but be distracted by thoughts of Alpha Petrova. My mate. Just thinking of him had me flushing. I didn't understand how the pairing was possible. I may be a princess, but I was still an Omega. And Omegas didn't mate Alphas. It simply wasn't done.

My hand had a mind of its own and when I finally came back to myself I realized I had painted a portrait of my mate. My cheeks burned bright red and I hastily painted over him, hiding the evidence of my infatuation. A quick glance around the room showed that no one was paying any attention to me. With a satisfied nod, i focused on painting a vivid picture of the night sky. Stars dotted the top of the painting sparkling around the moon which shone bright over a dark lake. I felt the teacher come to a stop behind me and examine my artwork.

"This is very good work, Ms. Verlac. Very advanced," she commented.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"Every year we host a showcase for the arts students-it's completely optional-but if the rest of your work is anything like this, I think you should submit to it. There is a cash prize, not to mention the number of people-important people-who will be attending the showcase." At my silence, she shrugged.

"It's a wonderful networking opportunity, regardless of whether or not you choose to submit."

"Um, thank you." I repeated myself, not knowing what else to say.

She nodded again and moved on to the next student. The thought of submitting my artwork for hundreds of people to see and to judge was horrifying. My art was private. It was just for me. I shrugged it off and spent the rest of the period adding to and enhancing my piece.

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After the final bell of the day rang, everyone raced to their cars, eager to escape the drudgery of school. Despite its elitism and exclusivity, it seemed that this school had the same effect on its students. I was forced to wait around for my brother, who was training for..something-I didn't know or care about the details. I decided to wait for Daniel outside. It was a beautiful day and I made myself comfortable under a large, sturdy oak tree. I took out my sketchbook and started to draw. My awareness faded as my sole focus became my new drawing. Eventually, I realized there was a person standing above me. And not just any person. It was Alpha Petrova. My mate. Who I had been meticulously avoiding after our interaction in the gym. Any time I spotted him in the hall, I turned the other way or disappeared into a classroom. It seemed as though, this time, he wasn't going to let me run away.  

"You've been avoiding me." He stated.

"I-"

"Don't bother pretending otherwise. We both know it's the truth. I just want to know why," He said simply.

I hastily jumped to my feet, knowing it was rude not to stand in the presence of an alpha.

"Why? I um. It's not that I don't...It's just I-" I was at a loss for words. How did you explain to your mate-your alpha mate-that you didn't think it was a good match. That you couldn't understand why the gods had paired together such a strong and powerful wolf with such a mundane and ordinary wolf.

"Do you not...want me?" The hesitancy in his voice shocked and scared me.

"No! No, it's not that. It's just-" I took a deep breath. "Do you know who I am?"

He gave me a curious glance. "Of course I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are."

"So you know that I'm not...like my brother? I'm not special like he is." I explained.

"That's what this is about?" He said incredulously.

"Alpha Petrova-"

"Alexander," he interrupted. "Call me Alexander."

"Alexander." His name rolled off my tongue languidly. "You're one of the strongest Alphas of our generation. It is you and my brother who are the most powerful Alphas of our time-no one else even comes close. I may be a princess, but I'm a princess only in that my parents are a king and queen. I'm not strong or powerful in the way that you are. I just don't understand how you could be...happy, I guess. To be mated to someone so..evidently weaker than you." I said.

"Do you really think I care about that?" He asked. "Do you really think I'm so shallow."

"Well it's not as if I actually..know you. I don't know if you're shallow. I just know you're very strong. And very well liked by your people. And I wouldn't want to..do anything that could undermine that."

Alexander was silent, staring at me. I crossed my arms self-consciously, turning my face away from him. He reached out a gentle hand and turned my face back toward him.

"So get to know me," he suggested.

"Um-"

"You said you don't know me. So let's get to know each other." His hazel eyes lit up with the idea and there was no way I could deny him.

"Um. Sure. Okay," I agreed. "When?"

"How about right now?" Alexander was practically bouncing.

"Now?" I repeated.

"Yes! Are you doing anything right now?" He asked.

"Well, no, but-"

"Perfect. Let's go."