Mate!

Damn! I still can't manage to catch a glimpse of him! I've been picking up his scent for a week now. My birthday is another two weeks away, but Waylon started clawing and howling Sunday night after the Alpha Council meeting. I know it's a male because of the pheromones and I could be wrong, but I have an inkling that he is a very strong and dominant Alpha. Waylon refuses to tell me if I'm right about it or not. I'm so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize that I stumbled into someone.

"Oh, sorry man." I say, unfortunately I find myself having to stretch my neck a little.

I see his eyes first. Always his eyes. It's like I'm being sucked into a black hole sometimes. And then it hits me like a fucking train!

Mate! Mate!- Waylon starts to whine and whimper. Yea, whimper.

I would call myself a strong Alpha, but this guy…he and his dad are on another level. If there were an Alpha King it would totally come from their bloodline. For now though they just have a stronger position in the council.

"Hi, Xavier."

"Mmn." Ah! Typical!

He and his small crew continue walking past me. A smirk forms on my face as I watch their retreating backs while silently taking in his delicious scent.

Ugh! These halls start to become stifling just then.

"Ow! YOU –"

"Haha! What are you daydreaming about Nancy?"

"Ugh! Amber, why are you such an asshole?"

"Because it's fun! And I will always be your asshole."

I snort a laugh at this crazy chick. My future Beta has always acted like a toddler since we were toddlers. Even after she finds her mate, she will remain the same. I used to think that it would be hope for her after finding that person…but…no…it's wishful thinking.

We head in the opposite direction of Xavier and troop to our Chem class. He's a Senior ready to graduate in a few months and I'm only a year behind him. Now I know why he started acting weird around last May. After that spectacular party of his. I can't help but envy him sometimes. I mean our pack is well off, but his…man! They have a large pack house on 100 acres of land surrounded by beautiful green forest and lakes. Smaller mansions for families and those that don't want to live in the pack house after a certain amount of time are scattered outside of the gates of Red Eclipse Estate.

The next day was bad. My morning started off Ok, perus'. Same routine. Papa's cooking breakfast and dad's setting the table.

"Only four days away. Are you ready?" Dad says while handing me a plate.

"Yessir! Totally." I really am ready for this. Waylon has been bouncing around since yesterday's discovery.

"Dig in." Papa says, after bringing the biscuits to the table.

"So..do you feel anything yet?"

"Hmm?" I don't know if it's a good idea to tell them yet. I still can't get a read on Xavier and Waylon hasn't been able to talk to his wolf let alone find out his name.

I start to have a terrible feeling.

"Hey dickhead!"

The slim arm wraps around my shoulders and a bit of the brown waves fall on my chest. I used to think that I was so tall especially compared to her until Xavier suddenly sprouted in sixth grade. I'd like to have died…

"Wassup asshole?"

"Oh nothing, just finishing up the prep work for your over the top party this weekend."

"Ahh! Over the top? It still won't compare to his."

"Argh, maybe you're right. But it will still be something for the ages!"

As we make it to the steps of the front entrance our ears are bombarded by low growling.

Amber's neck snaps to the tall group of guys next to us.

"Umm…hehehe…How did that arm get there?" She pulls away her arm and smacks it. Her nervous giggling begins as we just stand there having a staring contest with the future leadership of the Red Eclipse Pack.

"Mmn." He grunts and they walk off.

I didn't know it until they left that we both had held our breath.

"Bbbhhhh….oh mah gawd!" We both grip our chests. "Yo, I think I shitted my pants."

"You are so classy."

We tried our best not to bump into them for the rest of the day. So lucky that they sit a mile away from us during lunch.

Heading to my car I feel a chill down my spine before his intoxicating scent hits my nose.

"Hey."

Mate! Waylon screams.

"Mmn."

"Xavier…I know that you know."

He crosses his arms and just looks at me. I swear that his eyes sparkle for a second before turning cold again. Even through our aviators I can see them. I take mine off and step closer to him.

"What if I do? It doesn't mean anything." The hardness in his tone makes me stumble back a little.

"You're my mate, Xavier." My voice comes out shaky. This guy still intimidates me.

The brooding aura seeping off him makes my knees quake.

"Mmn…I don't know about that."

"What?!" I step closer feeling the rage build inside me.

He tilts his head down and to the side as if thinking about something. Wes walks up behind him. He looks at me again and his lip twitches before he turns to leave.

I hide in my room as soon as I walk through the door. The house is empty because my parents are still handling pack business. So grateful for that. I let everything out once I crash onto my bed. I have no idea how long I laid there balling my eyes out before dozing off.

Knock…knock…knock…

"Mmmmm…."

"Time to eat."

"Mmgggrr….mm…"

"Come on, sleepy head!" My dad laughs trying to wake me from a horrible nap.

I had an awful dream of feeling the rejection pains, my vision blurred as his fuzzy silhouette faded from my sight. All I could hear was Waylon howling and whimpering. I shiver at the table remembering it.

"Have you felt it yet, Dean?" Dad says.

"Hmm?"

"Some of us feel it weeks, months even before we come of age. But we told you this before." Papa says.

"I don't know…maybe." It's so hard to tell them. I'll wait until the actual rejection ceremony. It might be easier to handle that way.

"Maybe? It's a 'yes' or 'no'. What does your wolf tell you?"

"Nothing much. He's still sniffing around dad."

"Okay. Don't worry, son. I'm sure you will find your mate." He says with reassuring eyes.

"Yea. Maybe at the party." I mumble. Still playing with my food. I feel like shit right now.

The rest of the week went by uneventfully except for the occasional growls from behind Amber and I when we got too close for comfort. We've taken to running from them now. Can you believe it?! They're going to reject us but they are jealous of Amber. What a fucking joke!

"Mmmnnn…ahhh! I needed that." I breathe in the cool crisp air. I let myself get depressed and totally messed up my daily routine of running the perimeter with dad at dawn and training the warriors in the afternoon after school. Luckily Amber, Max, and Scott are enough to cover me.

Feeling the cool morning breeze on my skin is enough to bring me to my senses.

After taking a cold shower and dressing in a pair of jeans with a soft navy cotton t-shirt I head out to the pack house. I just tousled my hair with a dab of mousse and hopped on my bike.

The decorations are just my style. It pays to have doting parents who know me inside and out as well as a best friend that loves planning things. The red and silver balloons, floor confetti, streamers, curtains are more than I could ask for.

"I hope you're not wearing that tonight." She scrunches her nose like something foul just passed by.

"Really Ams? So judgemental."

"Whatever! The vision of cream and black feels my gaze once more and I start to drool all over myself. Yum!"

"Asshole, stop dreaming about my mate." I whisper.

"Ahhahahahaha….!" She cackles with her hand to her mouth. "I dream about him all the time."

Slut! - Waylon shouts.

Ahahahahhaa! - Jessie cackles through our wolf's mind link.

These two are so made for each other. Why does she have to be my Beta? I cringe at the thought.

"You can't stop me from having wet dreams about that Gawd."

"I'll be glad when you find your mate, Amber."

"Meow, meow, meow."

"Ah! My eyes!"

My dad turns around and grins. The two of them were going at it in a corner of the corridor a step away from dad's office like two teenagers. You wouldn't know it to look at them but they are well into their forties. I have some good looking parents, not a wrinkle or grain of salt in sight.

Papa blows his blonde bang out of his shimmering blue eyes as they glance at me. Dad runs his right hand through his chocolate tresses before stuffing it in his black trousers with his thumb hanging out.

"It's nothing you haven't seen before champ." The sly grin on his face makes me visibly shake as I think back to all the times I've walked in on them.

Even though it's painful to watch, I'm glad that my parents have this kind of love.

"Happy Birthday shrimp!"

"Ow! Will! What the hell?"

"Please, don't tell me you were going to the party like this?" Skylar appears next to him placing his hand on his shoulder. "Whatsup termite?"

"Nothing much Scuttlebug." Her smile grows wider while flipping her hair. "Hey Alpha Will."

"Hey Ams."

"I think my scalp is bleeding." I whine as I pat my head and smooth out my hair in an attempt to fix it.

My older brothers are such pains. But I would be lying if I said that I didn't miss them.

"Skylar, Will!" Papa embraces them looking on the verge of tears.

Dad bearhugs them. "My boys! How have you two been?" These baritone voices fill up the hall.

Even though I'm an Alpha I have Papa's soft soprano Omega voice. The teasing never stopped when we were younger. Pricks.

"So how are things at Midnight Silver, Skylar?" Dad says as we make our way to his office.

"No complaints. The rogue group that hooked up with those Hunters have finally been dealt with."

"I heard! Great work!"

He chuckles. "I can't take all the credit. My husband and his team are good at what they do."

Yea, Skylar's mate is an Alpha male. For centuries this kind of thing has become commonplace. It's so natural that to frown on same sex mates would make you into an outcast. Some packs still banish those that reject their mate for being of the same sex. Not like they would be of much use after doing so anyway. Breaking the mate bond is dangerous and even worse for Alphas. Your wolf would disappear and you would be like a walking corpse. Most go as far as killing themselves after losing their wolf. The wolf is a part of us.

What really is Xavier thinking?

"Dean! Dean!"

"Huh…?" I shift in my seat looking at all the eyes gazing at me.

"Are you okay?" Will says.

"We've been calling you for five minutes." He irritates easily.

Looking into his eyes I'm reminded of Xavier. They are so alike.

"Wh--What is it?" And now I'm uncomfortable as he continues to scrutinize me.

"Your mate. Hah…have you picked up anything yet?"

"Umm…" I'm still not ready to tell them so I say, "No..nothing yet."

His eyes flash to that golden red color. I look away quickly. Shit! He's the only one that can tell when I'm lying. I lower my eyes and he continues to burn into me like the pits of hell.

"It's okay bud!" Will pats my knee. "You will find them. It took me three years to find Alexis."

I snort.

My nap was so refreshing and well needed. Getting back into the swing of things today was exhausting. And then with my brothers and their families visiting it was draining. My bros love to spar. Skylar never shows anyone mercy. It's not in his dictionary and he never lets you forget that.

I took a warm bath after, because taking a cold one would've made me pass out again from the intense pain of my ribs healing. I moaned the whole time. I hate him so much. He gets so much enjoyment out of torturing me. The day he decided to be the second Alpha of Midnight Silver I promise the clouds parted and the sun's rays beamed down on me.

I hear movement on the other side of my bedroom inside of the Alpha suite that will be mine after tonight.

I groan after spotting his figure and lift up on my elbows.

"You may be able to fool them, but I know you've found your mate." He makes his way across the room pushing himself from the wall he was posted on.

One hand in his suit pocket he points the other hand to a navy blue suit with a red button up cotton shirt and navy tie.

"Wear it."

He opens the door and walks out before I could speak.

Ggggrrr….he gets on my nerves!

Mine too. - Waylon chimes in.

I slick my hair again when I see some frays trying to pop up. My nerves are on pin needles. I'm deathly afraid to face him again.

Walking down the hall I'm hit with all sorts of scents. As I get closer to the door of the ballroom his scent gets stronger. When the door opens I'm hit with a large wave of musk and oakwood. I close my eyes and inhale like there's no tomorrow.

"Happy Birthday!" My ears ring with their loud voices.

I smile broadly and open my eyes as I step inside. I start getting swarmed from all sides with handshakes from a ton of people. Many are the same ones that attended Xavier's party with more Midnight Silver and Crimson Peak pack members. Traveling from The Netherlands to Canada and housing everyone for a few days takes time. It's amazing that they ended up in packs that are in the same country.

"Here you go." Will hands me a glass of golden brown liquid.

"Ggaahh….how do you drink this?"

"Slowly."

"Oh." My cheeks burn from being stupid enough to gulp it down like a tequila shot.

He chuckles at me. "It's a whiskey bud."

I nod my head.

"Happy Birthday Dean!" She engulfs me in a warm hug. Her boobs squished against my chest even though her beautiful gold gown is very modest, her boobs are not.

"Thanks sister-in-law."

"Hey you! Happy birthday! Bring some of that over here!" His voice booms almost causing me to shake. The dark red hair is a stark contrast to his pale blue eyes.

"Hey Joseph!"

I wrap my arms around him and melt a little. Aaaahhh…he is sooo warm. When I first met him I was salivating at the mouth. Skylar is so lucky, I always envied him after finding out that this supreme Alpha was his mate. I have to catch myself whenever he hugs me. Skylar almost ripped my throat out the first time that I hugged this man when they were still in high school. Let's just say, I'm a moaner.

Now we break away from each other after like five seconds of hugging.

"Thanks for the birthday wishes guys."

"Ah, enough of that! Smell anything yet?"

"Aaahh…that question is beginning to make my ears bleed."

Everyone breaks out in laughter. I'm serious though. I really dread that question now. Just then I spot him in the crowd. His smell is all over the room but no matter how tall he is, I still had trouble finding him in the sea of people and other tall giants in the room.

"Um…I need some air." I grab Joseph's glass and gulp down the clear liquid. My throat starts to burn and I gasp. "Aah! What the hell?!"

Everyone laughs again.

"It's vodka you idiot." What a smooth talker.

I run towards the patio doors and see him standing there in front of the wooden framed open glass. He sneers and turns, walking away from the party and the manor. I follow behind him trotting a little to keep up with his long legs that move at their own pace.

He stops in the middle of a clearing near one of the four lakes around here. The trees whistle in the small wind blowing the side of my hair that was stubborn to keep down. I look at his broad back watching his bangs sweep along his right ear. His hand goes up to push the thick strands out of his face.

My heart is beating ten miles per minute.

Waylon?

What?!

Still nothing?

What do you think? He turns and blocks me again.

Damn him, he's been in a shitty mood since that day. Xavier's wolf still hasn't connected with him and he has the nerve to take it out on me.

I hear shuffling in front of me. I look up and see the most beautiful silver eyes shining back at me.

"I – if you go through with this – what will happen to your pack? You're an Alpha Xav —"

Chase!

MMMM….mmhh…Before I knew it, he pounced on me and devoured my lips. I moan and fall limp in his strong arms. His scent is intoxicating. His long, thick tongue snakes around mine, licking the roof of my mouth, tasting me and his teeth biting my tongue. Just when I think I'm about to lose my breath his tongue is gone. I'm so lost in the moment that it didn't dawn on me until I hit the ground that we had stopped. He's walking behind me going back to the party.

"What the fuck!"

I slump down and grab the grass around me catching my breath. I scream over and over until my voice is hoarse.

What is going on with him?

I don't know, but I'm glad his wolf finally talked to me. Waylon starts running around like he's lost his head.

I sigh deeply before firming my resolve, getting up, and heading back inside. Xavier's scent is gone from the party. Some of his pack members are still there because his parents haven't left yet. They are chatting it up with mine.

I jump feeling a large hand patting my back.

"Whoa! Are you alright there kiddo?"

"Yea…yea." I gulp the large lump in my throat.

"I think you need this." Joseph hands me the glass of what I now know is vodka again. He must really like this stuff. "Just wet your palette."