Emric.

"Hey it's okay I got you, just let it out." My heart broke knowing he was hurting, I really liked Linden, he wasn't just brains, he was strong too.

But even the strongest of people need to have moments of weakness. Watching him getting picked on because of who he is made me angry and protective of the nerd in my arms.

He was sweet and never looked down on people, he kept to himself and treated everyone else with the respect he got from them, yet they still picked on him because they knew he wouldn't fight back.

That's why I made him a promise, I would fight back for him if he couldn't, I would be there for him when no one else was, that's why I'm here with him, comforting him.

"Hey you feel better?" He nods and sniffles a bit. I pull out my handkerchief and wipe away the tear-stained and flushed cheeks.

"I'm sorry, I probably made you miss your lesson." Always considerate that's what drew me to him even more, he's not my mate but watching him hurt makes me hurt as well.

"You're more important than calculus, and you needed me more." He faintly smiles and splashed his face with water.

"Want to talk about it, if you don't, that's totally fine." I help him with the wipes. "The bathroom isn't exactly the best place to talk." He was right.

I pulled off my hoodie and pulled it over his head, he looked cute in it, I just wanted to squeeze him and kiss him, whoa Em don't go there.

"Let's go." I held his hand unlocked the bathroom and walked out toward the busy hallways, lunch was over and now the students were rushing to get to class but not before they stopped to stare at Linden in my hoodie.

He was still a little shaken up so I held his close and everyone parted their way for us, some of the kids enrolled here were part of the pack, so they knew not to bother him after this.

"They are all starring." I chuckled. "You look cute in my hoodie and who wouldn't be jealous of you, ignore them just focus on me." He breathed in and out a few minutes, his heart was no longer drumming.

Tossing our bags in the car, Train comes running when I close the door to where Linden was sitting. "Is he okay?" I look at Linden who smiles back.

"He will be, but he can't stay here, so we're skipping class, cover for me with dad!" I yell as he hurried back to the school main building.

"If you leave with me, won't Train need a ride home?" Linden asks fiddling with his fingers. "No he won't, he'll find his way, what's important is putting a smile on that face of yours, so where do you wanna go." He seemed to be in thought for a second.

"My house, no one is ever there anyway." I nod and he gives me directions to his house. It was a two story house, white and grey furnishing with blue overall paint. "Come on in." The inside was beautiful, though the grey tiles and white walls contrasted a bit.

"Don't worry my brother is never here and my mom is a workaholic, she is also rarely around." I wondered why he never mentioned his dad but looking at the pictures all I saw was a picture of a couple with two kids the toddler and an older boy.

"That's my dad, he died a year after that picture was taken, I never really knew him, that's my brother and my mom."

"That's why you never talk about him." He nods leading me upstairs, his room was fairly large, the white walls and the black bed covers made a statement. He did like black after all.

"This is my room, across the hall my brothers, and down there is my mom's room." I started to look around, the room screamed Linden, yet it was clean and personalized to suit him.

I took off my shoes and sprawled on his bed, he lays next to me and places his head on my chest. It felt good. "So wanna tell me what's wrong."

"It was during lunch break, I was with Train some jocks bullied me and I ran because they spilled a milkshake on me, I'm sure Train beat them up, having been bullied like that over my body makes me insecure and nervous.

I'm not slim or fairly built I'm just chubby, I've grown used to it but it keeps getting repeated and I guess it's gotten to a point whereby I've started to think they're right, that I am a troll and I don't deserve love."

Hearing him break down like this made my heart clench, so I held him closer and kissed the top of his head. "I think you're an amazing person, you're smart, funny, a literal bookworm and the most adorable person I know, so don't let it get to you, most bullies do it, to make themselves feel good about themselves, which never really works."

He laughs lightly when I tickle him. "You're perfect, and don't let anyone tell you anything else."

"Thank you Emric, for everything." He kisses my cheek leaving himself flushed. "But I think it's time I get rid of the relationship weight, when I was dating Matt, I got so comfortable I forgot to take care of myself and my health, I always thought that I didn't need to do it because I secure with him but now—." He sighs and curls closer to my body.

"It's different." I finish his sentence for him. "Yeah it is, so will you help me, you're athletic." He blushes as I pull up my shirt to show him my eight pack.

"Okay I get it, you're hot." He looked gorgeous with that blush, so I kiss his cheek making him even redder. "I think that's the yes you want." If he wanted to be better and take care of himself then I would help.

I also knew that exercising and getting into fitness mode would help him get over his ex. "Is Matt your ex on the team?" I might have said that with too much jealousy.

"Yes, jealous guy he is." He chuckles when I look away embarrassed. "Don't worry, I don't plan on ever getting back with him." That was relief I needed.

"Do you want to make dinner, before you leave." I nod but we stay in bed more just cuddling and talking about our families and I learned a lot more about him today. I just wish I could tell him about wolves.

"Wake up." A hand caressed my cheek and I open my eyes to see the cutie standing by the bedside. "Dinner is ready, you slept, I didn't want to wake you." Something about being in his room and bed had me feeling relaxed, peaceful, I guess that's why I fell asleep.

I make my way downstairs, it was evening but not as dark yet. "This is delicious." He breaks out in a fit of laughter.

"You've eaten like three plates of that." I couldn't get enough of his food, the steak was tender and so edible, his food would be the death of me. "I love your food, I'm sure my mom would love it too." He smiled looking at me.

I was glad he was feeling better. "I've gotta get going, my parents would get worried, I will text you and find good running clothes, and be up by five." I was by the door and he gently places a kiss on my cheek.

"That was a thank you for today, and these are for Train and your mom and dad." I accepted the Tupperware with treats. "Goodnight Linden." With my goofy smile, I walked to my car and waved one last time.

The drive to my house was short since Linden's street was closer to the woods, putting it in pack territory.

I park my car and when I reach for my bag I realize Linden left his bag in my car. So I took it with me, probably do his homework for him, unlocking the door I'm faced with the Alpha and his Luna.

"Where the hell have you been?" I expected that. "And whose scent is on you?" I also knew that was coming. "His name is Linden, he's a friend, though I really really like him, and he baked you these, he was having a rough day so I was with him, and you'll love him when you meet him, he's so cute, he really makes my wolf happy—."

My parents looked amused when I rambled on. "Slow down son, these are really good, I want to meet this boy whose making my son crazy." My mom chuckles so does dad.

"Just tell us next time, we were worried." I nod to my dad and he goes upstairs. "So tell me about him." I sit down with my mom and tell her everything.

"Could he be my mate mom?"

" It's possible but we won't know till you're 18 and that's three weeks and a day from now, so hang on."

I nod to my mom, I really hope he is.

+++

LMJ