How to Find a Mate - Book cover

How to Find a Mate

Kelsie Tate

Chapter 5

Zoey stood in the middle of their room; the ceremonial morning inspection began as Marcel walked around her quietly. Every once in a while, he would mumble, never actually speaking to her.

After a few minutes she let out a huff. “Are we finished now?”

He looked up at her with a scowl. “We’re finished when I say we’re finished.” He turned, circling her again before glaring at her. “I don’t like the dress. Pick another.”

She looked at him in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

“I said pick another.”

She growled before walking into the closet and coming back out in a new dress.

He stared again. “It will have to do.” He walked toward the door as he told her, “You should really care more about your appearance.”

Zoey watched him leave in disbelief. “Are you…is he serious right now?” she huffed, turning to Gerard, who just shrugged innocently as though he hadn’t seen what had just transpired.

She gave an angry squeal before following him out of the room to do her duties for the day.

***

“So, have you marked and mated the girl yet?” Alpha Julian asked as Marcel sat across from him in his office later that day.

“No. I’m not sure about her yet,” Marcel said quietly as he looked down at his work.

Julian shook his head. “She’s your mate. You can’t run the risk of never finding a second-chance mate if you reject her. Get it over with and just mark her already. She’s pretty enough.”

Marcel rolled his eyes. “She’s not my type.”

Julian straightened in his seat. “Your mother wasn’t my type. I made her my type. Change her to suit your desires.”

Marcel thought for a moment, before nodding in understanding.

The next morning Marcel stood there as Zoey was preparing for the day. Gerard stood beside her, applying her makeup.

“I want it nice. And make sure her hair is done the way I specified.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Gerard said quietly as he concentrated.

“Your outfit is laid out on the bed. Put it on when you’re finished,” Marcel said before stepping out of the room.

Zoey looked up at Gerard with a wary look. “I don’t like this.”

He shrugged. “Sorry, honey. Alpha’s orders. It was bound to happen. Marcel has a type and you don’t quite fit it. Apparently, he’s making you fit it, just like Alpha Julian did to Luna Jennifer.”

“Really?” she replied, curious as to how someone would let themselves be changed so much.

“Yep. She got hair extensions, dyed her hair, has her makeup done, nails done, and all of her clothing is picked out by Alpha Julian.”

“Wow, a bit controlling, don’t you think?” Zoey mumbled as Gerard pulled at her hair to style it.

“That’s just the way it is here. The she-wolves are submissive and the pack is big on outward appearances. You’ll get used to it.”

Not likely… Dara growled.

Marcel entered the room just as they finished with Zoey. He looked at her and saw her designer skinny jeans and form-fitted shirt were hugging her body like a second skin.

Her hair was curled, flowing nicely down her back in waves. He stepped forward, staring at her for a moment before nodding his head.

“Much better. You will do this every morning, Gerard.”

Zoey looked up with hesitation. “Uh, I’m not sure—”

“This is what I said. And what I say goes,” Marcel interrupted before taking her arm and pulling her out of the room.

***

A few days later Zoey looked in front of the mirror with sadness in her eyes. She didn’t even recognize herself. Why did she have to change so much?

“I thought a mate was supposed to love you for you,” she said quietly.

You look ridiculous, Dara huffed.

“Ready for the day?” Marcel hollered as he walked in, more chipper this morning than he had been lately.

Zoey stood as he circled her. She narrowed her eyes as she watched him, his scent mingled with something else. He didn’t smell right and she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Where were you this morning?” she asked.

“I was training a bit, why?” he replied as he walked around her.

“No reason,” she said softly.

“Gerard, you’re doing much better. She looks much better,” he said before leaving the room as quickly as he entered.

“Okay then, good talk…” she muttered before leaving the room.

She watched Marcel as he worked, sitting quietly on the couch of his office. She had shadowed Luna Jennifer for the last month and now she was to work with Marcel and assist him in his duties.

She looked on as he read through some papers, shuffling things around. He looked up with an odd look. “What?”

“Nothing,” she replied quickly, looking back down at her work.

Something had been off this morning and she couldn’t put her finger on it. Marcel suddenly stood from his desk and walked to the door. “Let’s go.”

“Go? Where?” she asked, grabbing her things.

“I have business. You will follow me and assist when needed. Don’t ask questions, just obey,” he replied as he walked through the door.

“Yes, Alpha,” she said softly as she followed him out of the office.

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