The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 1

1.

TESSA POV

I try not to think of my family’s anger when they find my letter explaining why I’ve vanished. The chilly breeze is stabbing daggers into my aching head.

At least I’m alone on this ancient train platform. It is not surprising. Hardly anyone chooses to leave here. Better than working in hellish underground mines, or facing the cold of the mountains. Farming is considered a winning option by most.

I’m officially quitting this life. Pretending last night never happened. That he never happened.

Ignoring the lingering pain just above my right hip I keep my eyes trained on the horizon, willing my train to arrive faster.

I have to wait almost three years to apply. Alpha Hale stopped all recruitment just as I came of age.

But I kept training. Honed my skills in archery, and when shifted into wolf form, scent tracing. Two sought-after skills. The kind that gets you a permanent Beta position in the packhouse. Never seeing anyone from here again.

Wardens judged my skills in complete silence during the trials. I acted calm, but wept with quiet joy when my acceptance letter finally arrived.

Out of nowhere, the scent of violet hits me, my wolf stirring with unease.

“Juno! We’re going to miss the train!”

I know that voice. Malva Kellett. Short and curvy, with a messy black pixie cut, her non-stop mouth demands attention. I grip my bow and arrows, long copper hair swishing over my shoulder. My wolf urges me to hide.

Shit! They’ve been selected too?

Forever a coward, I dart into the nearest dark corner where a wide wooden post merges into a thick holly bush. It’s pathetic but necessary, the sharp leaves scratching my cheek.

The two women cling to vicious gossip and a fake friendliness that won’t last once the Alpha starts ranking and cutting. I’m wearing clinging tan pants and white-buttoned shirt. Nothing like their heavy, brown farmers skirts. I wanted to look like someone who can fight.

“Now, I know Bethany cheated with that lumberjack. What about Liam Connory? He found his mate…Raeanne Birch?”

“Yes! That’s right. Bet he wishes he hadn’t screwed her sister now!” Juno snorted, swishing her thick brown curls.

Malva continued her usual vicious rant. “Miserable little sourpuss isn’t she? Did you hear about Alice Graham’s youngest sister, the slutty one, she is now mated to…oh I cannot get the name…”

“Was it that Luca character? The scarred one? He’s just got out of lock-up?”

My heart freezes, my meagre possessions almost hitting the floor. My mind dredged up the last time I saw Luca. Wild black hair swinging, my blood smeared upon his face, those dark eyes filled with the most dangerous intent.

“No! Luca spent the whole night asking where Tessa was! My mama told him to get away from her stall.”

Juno tuts before giggling, her brown curls shaking. “Tessa Darnell? Eurgh. Why bother booking for her?”

“Boring virgin sex?” Malva sarcastically jabs. “Riveting conversation?”

“You know she attempted the skills trials too?”

I winced at Malva’s cackling. “What the fuck in? Mutism? How to pick potatoes! Can she even shift because she can’t fucking talk!”

“With that shitty family tree, I doubt it! Maybe into a rat.”

“Juno you’re too evil!” entertaining themselves at my expense.

There is nothing like being witness to your own character assassination. Maybe I deserve it. I dodged a lot of full moon runs and am currently standing silently behind a bush.

The scent of thick, choking smoke approaching leaves me beyond grateful.

“Train!” Malva screeches. A blood-red, rusting steam engine quickly screams into view, the squealing brakes deafening. Burgundy carriages trundle past, etched signs on each shining door.

As per our acceptance letter, the final four coaches are marked “First Years.”

Malva leaps at the carriage door. “HEY EVERYONE!”

Huge clouds of hot smoke billow around, trapped under the stations shoddy wooden roofing. Juno splutters whilst I sprint, scrambling into a different carriage just as a whistle blows.

If someone questions it, I’ll say the smoke stopped me seeing the signs.

Moving quickly, eyes still stinging, I stride forward, my head high. Only for my foot to hit something solid. A bag or pair of boots just as the train shunts forward.

The entire floor lurches beneath my feet, my long coppery hair flying into my eyes, my bag and bow scattered to the floor.

I don’t scream, but another firm chug sees me plunging towards the right hand side of the carriage. My feet leave the ground, my hands clawing at thin air.

My ass is going to smash through the train window. If I don’t die from blood loss, I’m definitely going to die of shame.

Except I land onto something solid. Warm. Smelling of earthy oak and berries. A surprised grunt reminding me of a feral dog. Only for even more solid, leather-clad heat to wrap around my waist.

Oh Goddess. I’m on a guy’s lap. Already blushing, I look up and flinch. I’ve landed upon one smirking, very amused-looking man.

Short, curling dark brown hair, matched with a short, scruffy beard. But the eyes of a tiger. Amber with green at the very edges. Like nothing I’ve ever seen before.

The train’s juddering track keeps me unbalanced, my feet dangling like a child’s. Propped up on his thighs, I’m almost at his eye level. His other arm lifts up, palm flat against the chair ahead forming a barrier, my throat tightens up.

This is mortifying.

“Working fast there Maxim, we’ve not even left the peasant section!” a man shouts, his short black hair twisted into spikes. A group of men and women chuckle along.

Peasant section. Of course that’s what they think of people from the farming set.