Not His Type Of Mate
Chapter 77

Nora's

POV

"How do I look?" I asked Dora as I turned around for her to take a better look at me. "You look stunning. I bet Alpha Leo won't be able to take his eyes off you," she praised while I blushed and tucked my hair behind my ears. "We are going for lunch," I said, and Dora nodded. "Have fun," she told me, and I smiled before leaving the apartment.

As I stepped out of the apartment, I saw Alpha Leo standing by his car, dressed in a pair of black jeans and a black button-up T-shirt. His hands were tucked in his pockets, and his gaze was on me. "Mine," Lolita howled in my head, sending a different type of feeling to envelop me.

As I approached him, we didn't break our gaze; rather, I held his gaze until I reached the car. "Alpha Leo," I greeted.

"You look beautiful," he commended and tried to get closer to me, maybe to give me a kiss, but he stopped and smiled instead.

"Shall we?" he asked, and I nodded, feeling strange, wondering why he was holding back.

He opened the door for me, and I got in before he got into the car. As I put on my seatbelt, I watched him start the car, but he didn't move; instead, a frown appeared on his face.

He was oddly quiet and lost in thought. "Are you okay?" I asked, and he sighed and nodded.

I saw him frown again, and this time he groaned before holding my gaze. "I'm sorry, but there is a little problem," he announced.

"What's wrong?" I asked, and he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair before responding. "I have to be somewhere, and I totally forgot. Today is the graduation ceremony of the protectors, and I totally forgot," he groaned and relaxed his head on the headrest of the car. Just by looking at him, I knew he was angry at the turn of events.

"Protectors? What are protectors?" I asked because I haven't heard of such names.

"We refer to them as the Alpha Third Eyes. They undergo several types of training for five years, and after they graduate, they join the pack warriors, but not just as ordinary warriors. They are the men who stand on the front lines of war with me," he explained while I listened attentively.

"Their training is so different from other warriors. These protectors are trained in water, in air, and on land. They only get to see their families once every year during the period of five years, which is their training period," he explained, and I frowned. "Isn't that unfair to them?" I said, and Alpha Leo scoffed. "They are lucky. My training took me seven years, and I didn't see my father or mother. We only talked on phones or through mind link," he announced while I held his gaze, but he looked away.

We both remained silent until I spoke, breaking the silence. "So they are graduating today after undergoing training for five years," I asked, and Alpha Leo hummed.

"Is it a secret parade? Because I haven't really heard of such a parade," I asked.

"The parade is held once every five years, and it's not an open ceremony. The protectors graduating are only allowed to bring two family members to see them graduate, and apart from them, it's only I and Jayson that will be present," he explained, and I nodded and took off my seat belt.

"It's alright, maybe we can have the meal as dinner," I suggested, but he shook his head and held my gaze. "Do you want to come with me?" he asked, and I furrowed my eyebrows. "I can come with you to the passing out parade?" I asked, and he nodded. "It will be fun," he urged me, and I smiled. "Really, there won't be any problem?" I asked worriedly, but he scoffed and shook his head.

"They won't be any problem when you are with me. So, will you join me?" he asked, and I nodded excitedly.

"Then let's go," he said, starting up the car while I put on my seatbelt, and the car drove off.

A comfortable silence filled the car until I spoke. "Is this your first time inaugurating them?" I asked, but he shook his head.

"This is my second time inaugurating them. I became an Alpha when I was just twenty because of my father's illness," he explained, and I nodded, noticing the sad look on his face when he mentioned his father.

"Although I didn't grow up in the pack, my father made sure I attended every passing out parade with him," he said, and I stared at him, wishing I could know more about him. There were so many things about him that I didn't really know.

The drive remained silent until the car drove through a black gate. As he drove in, I realized it was a large field.

The field was filled with a few people, but they all seemed to be members of the pack. There was an air of excitement and anticipation surrounding the place. Alpha Leo parked the car in a designated area, and we stepped out together. He took my hand in his, and we walked towards a small group of people.

As we made our way through the mist of people, I couldn't help but notice the proud and happy faces of the families present. They were eagerly waiting to see their loved ones graduate and become protectors. I felt a mix of curiosity and awe. This was a part of the werewolf world I hadn't been exposed to before.

Alpha Leo led me to a seat, and I noticed everyone bowing their heads to him while he nodded and led me to a reserved section where only Beta Jayson was seated. Beta Jayson smiled warmly at me as we approached, which was indeed odd. I had met Beta Jayson a few times, and he always had this expressionless look on his face, but this time he was actually smiling at me.

"You made it," Beta Jayson spoke, and Alpha Leo nodded. "Greetings, Beta Jayson," I greeted. "Greetings, Nora," he responded with a smile.

I smiled back, feeling a little nervous but also grateful for the warm welcome.

We took our seats. I was seated at Alpha Leo's left hand, while Beta Jayson sat at his right-hand side.

The families of the protectors took their seats, and with my eyes, I counted the protectors and realized there were ten of them.

"Are they only ten?" I asked Alpha Leo, who nodded. "Yes, we chose only ten men after they went through a lot of screening," he explained, and I nodded, excited to see what would happen.

As the ceremony began, I found myself captivated by the proceedings. The protectors-to-be showcased their skills and abilities, demonstrating their training in water, air, and land. It was an impressive display of strength, agility, and teamwork.

As the protectors continued their impressive display of skills, I couldn't help but notice a change in the atmosphere. The families were growing more excited, and whispers started spreading through the crowd. Suddenly, the protectors began removing their shirts one by one, revealing their well-toned bodies underneath.

Curiosity burned within me, and I turned to Alpha Leo, my eyes filled with questions. "Why are they taking off their clothes?" I asked him, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. Alpha Leo looked at me with a mix of amusement and pride in his eyes. "It's time for the final challenge," he explained, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "They will now face me in combat, and whoever can withstand me the longest will be recognized as the best graduating student," he explained while I widened my eyes. "You are going to fight them?" I asked, and he scoffed, "I wouldn't put it that way. I'm just going to have a little fun with them, and besides, I'm not using my ability, just physical strength," he explained with a smirk.

"Boastful," I murmured, and he scoffed with a smile. But then I went on to ask, "What if any of them defeats you?" I asked, and he smiled and leaned closer to me, his intense gaze holding mine. "Have you seen me fight before?" He asked while I shook my head. "That's why you could think of such," he said and tucked my hair behind my ears, slightly touching the back of my ears, causing my legs to weaken.

It's strange how just a slight touch from him could have such an effect on me.

He sat back in his seat while I gulped and stared at the soon-to-be protectors. By looking at them, I could tell they were well-built, able men, and it still surprised me that none of these ten men could defeat Alpha Leo.

"Alpha Leo," I called his attention back to me.

"I want to place a bet," I said, and Alpha Leo raised his eyebrows. "You're so confident that you would defeat all these men, but what if any of them defeats you?" I asked and saw a smile appear on his face.

"You intend to bet that one of the men will defeat me?" He asked, and I nodded. "If you defeat them all, then I'll grant any request you ask. But if any of the men defeats you, then you'll grant my request," I challenged while holding his gaze.

I knew what I was doing was ridiculous. Alpha Leo is known for his gift of strength.

Alpha Leo's lips curved into a smirk as he considered my proposal. His eyes sparkled with excitement. "You're quite confident, Nora. Very well, I accept your challenge."

"But," Alpha Leo continued, his voice low and filled with playful confidence, "since I have full faith in my abilities, I'll declare you the winner if any of the men can withstand me for an entire two minutes. How does that sound?"

His challenge surprised me, but I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This bet was turning into something more than just a challenge. It was a chance to see him fight and maybe even uncover a hidden side of Alpha Leo. "Deal," I agreed, extending my hand towards him. He took it firmly, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.