The Designated Mate novel Chapter 53

It took everything in me to hold myself back as I watched her let out a puff of air right before slowly dragging the Alpha Aaron's across her palm. She winced at the sensation before handing the weapon off to the man next to her without looking away from the place where she was now bleeding. I couldn't help the quiet growl that rolled from my chest when Alpha Aaron touched my mate. My growl grew louder as their hands stayed connected for what I felt was an unnecessary length of time. I heard a few gasps from the people closest to me and remembered to reign my wolf and me in.

"With no oppositions, I am proud to announce the addition of pack member Poppy Nichole!" Alpha Aaron yelled out to the crowd while lifting their conjoined hands into the air. My body began to tingle everywhere as I allowed her name to run through my mind over and over.

Poppy Nichole, Poppy Nichole, Poppy Nichole. So beautiful, just like the vibrant little flower she shares a name with.

I licked my chops while continuing to examine her as the pack erupted into loud cheers of excitement, rising to their feet in celebration. A happy smile overtook her face and she proceeded to laugh joyously. Seeing her smile caused my heart to thud harder in my chest as my blood flowed through my body faster, providing my necessary muscles more oxygen so I could spring forward and run to her as fast as my body would allow.

But I wouldn't be doing that just yet.

Her eyes scanned the crowd before stopping right on me, our gazes locking together as my breath caught in my throat. I'm sure all she saw staring back at her were two glowing yellow eyes. She squinted, probably trying to get a better look, but I had to leave. If I didn't leave right now I was going to do something I couldn't take back. If I didn't leave now, I would forcibly mark her in front of everyone and I had a feeling she would hate me for it.

Fighting against every fiber of my being, I backed up and ran from the clearing. My wolf and I both needed to run off the tension that was plaguing my body. With every additional step I took, I could feel my wolf's anger with me withering away. I'd met almost all of my possible destined mates, the first having been just a month after turning eighteen.

But none of them felt right.

I couldn't remember the last time I smiled.

She took a few minutes to gather herself before eventually grabbing the blade and jamming it back onto the handle. I almost snickered when she cautiously gave it a few test swings. She raised her hands once again, a few remanent giggles bubbling out of her lips before swinging the ax forward and finally making contact with the tree.

"I did it! Oh my God! I'm really doing it!" she cheered loudly while doing a quirky little dance. That was the last straw before a real bark of a chuckle passed through my wolf's lips. She was going to be the woman I spent the rest of my life with, the woman I had pups with; I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life. Sitting back on my haunches, I continued watching her as thoughts of our future we'd soon have flitted through my mind.