The Mate Cruise

This is a short 15 chapter story that popped in my head. Hope you enjoy it :)

Chapter 1

“Overboard”

POV Anna

“No! Absolutely not! I’m not going on some love cruise just so you can auction me off to some random stranger, Father!” I bellow as I bolt down the hall, his guards hot on my heels.

“Your mother and I met on that cruise.”

“And look where that got me, Father. I’m a hybrid. My fated mate would rather jump into the freezing ocean than be stuck with me.”

“Stop being so dramatic, Anna. No one is watching.”

Every guard looks at one another and says nothing.

“You’re twenty-three. It’s time. Humans would consider you a spinster.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not human!” I howl.

“I need to know you’ll be taken care of if something happens to me, Banana,” Father pleads.

I roll my eyes.

“You leave me no choice. If you don’t agree, you’ll force my hand.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I would if it’s in your best interest.”

“Dmitry, now!” Father yells.

The guards pin me down as I kick and thrash. My oldest brother, Dmitry, plunges a massive needle into my arm.

“I’ll never forgive you,” I barely whisper as my vision blurs.

Then everything fades to black.

Centuries ago, humans nearly wiped out wolves, dragons, and countless other species.

Fated mates became rare.

So some genius decided the solution was trapping thousands of desperate singles on a floating palace until they found either a chosen mate or their fated one.

Feels more like kidnapping, really.

I wake up in a luxurious cabin with two massive guards watching me, and I can’t feel Ava, my wolf.

Panic sets in.

A maid walks in carrying a gold dress and lays it neatly across the bed.

“I’m not wearing that. Where the hell are my hoodies and sweatpants? I don’t want a mate. I want to be single and free forever,” I howl.

“You need to shower and change,” the maid says firmly.

“Or what? You’re going to spank me?”

The door opens, and Dmitry walks in holding another needle, ready to stab me at a moment’s notice.

“I don’t really give a fuck if you find a mate, Anna. I’ll even buy you two new hoodies and sweatpants if it means I don’t have to shove another needle into you. Just do as Father asks. Understand?”

“Fine!” I hiss, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves.

I shower and reluctantly put on the stupid gold dress. I refuse to wear makeup or fancy shoes.

My hair is still dripping wet by the time I finish.

My brother looks pleased that I’m actually wearing a dress.

“You look beautiful, Anna,” he chuckles.

I glare at him before pulling on my sneakers, waiting for him to strike again with the needle.

Thankfully, he doesn’t.

We make it to the top of the grand staircase.

The ballroom below is packed.

Thousands of wolves, vampires, dragons, witches, fae, and every other species imaginable laugh, dance, flirt, and stare at one another with hopeful smiles.

Somewhere in that crowd is supposedly my future.

Then panic hits.

This is it.

One claim, one signature, and I may never see my family again.

The walls begin closing in.

Every instinct I have screams.

Run.

Before I can stop myself, I jump over the boat railing.

The moment I hit the freezing ocean, my chest tightens and I feel like I can’t breathe.

Maybe this wasn’t my smartest idea.

Strong arms wrap around me.

Dmitry.

He drags me back toward the ship before I become fish food.

By the time we’re hauled back aboard, we’re both soaked from head to toe.

The staff escort us through passenger registration and straight to the main office.

A Delta dragon studies us while water drips from our hair, forming a puddle beneath our feet.

“I understand your sister is a hybrid.”

“Yes, sir,” Dmitry answers.

“What species is she joining?”

“The wolves, sir.”

The Delta’s eyes settle on me.

“I get the sense she’s more than a wolf.”

“Father wants her on the wolves’ floor, sir. She’s not allowed to reject a fated mate or chosen mate who claims her, provided Father approves,” Dmitry explains.

The Delta nods.

“Good. We’ll keep her hybrid status hidden unless a match is made.”

He hands us our room assignments.

“The wolves occupy the third floor. You’re dismissed.”

We climb the stairs and find our rooms.

Dmitry’s is directly across from mine.

Once the staff delivers our luggage, they leave us alone.

I collapse onto my bed.

My brother sits beside me.

“I know you don’t want to be here, Banana, but this is what Mom would’ve wanted.”

“You don’t know that. You can’t speak for the dead.”

“Mom met Dad here, and you better believe she would’ve hog-tied you to get you on this cruise.”

I sigh.

“You know it doesn’t matter who I find. The minute their parents learn what I am, they’ll reject me. Again and again.”

“You don’t know that. Hybrids are rare and often find their real mates. Your fated mate is not going to let you go. You’re an asset, not a burden,”

“Not everyone sees me through your eyes.”

“If you weren’t my sister, I’d marry you in a heartbeat,” Dmitry teases.

I stare at him.

“That sounded kind of creepy, you know that?”

He laughs as he stands.

“I’ve got to report to the other alphas.”

Then he’s gone.

I French braid my hair, pull on my favorite hoodie and sweatpants, and explore the wolves’ floor.

I eventually find my assigned table at the very back of the dining room.

My brother’s table is in the centre with all the other alphas.

I wander onto the deck.

I walk to the deck and stare out into the ocean.

I want to throw myself in, but now I know how cold the water is.

“Excuse me,” a sinfully husky voice says, making my toes curl.

I turn around and find a breathtaking man who towers over me, with deep blue eyes and a pale face.

Is he a vampire?

He’s definitely not a wolf.

Should I be worried?