I am mad.

I took Skylar to my grandmother's house for her birthday party and introduced him to my family, only to find a thirsty cousin all over him. Susan, what the hell?

She was rejected by Ravenwood - just another middle class Gamma from nowhere of consequence - but now that she has seen my so-called prospect, she has been drooling over him. It's embarrassing!

Quite honestly, I still don't consider Skylar as my prospect because we are an impossible match. There is no way I would ever get approved by his father, I know that.

But she didn't know that. The entire evening, Susan kept thirsting after him as if she had never seen an Alpha before in her life. Come on!

Not to mention all the inappropriate questions involving money. It took my mother to tell her to politely back off because her parents were too amused by the whole thing to stop her.

My mother said it best when she declared that she didn't send me to Ravenwood to prospect a rich partner. All she ever wanted for me was to be secured as a partner.

She did not want me to suffer through what she had. It's not that she regrets having me, of course not, but I was supposed to be raised by a mother and father.

As an Omega, all I have going for me is the very same thing that could be my downfall. My ability to conceive. I'd love to be a father one day, but I am in no rush to do so.

And when that happens, I want a partner that I can trust to be there for me and the baby. That's why I am attending Ravenwood.

So I don't need my freaking cousin to covet the guy I brought to introduce to my family. Even though the whole thing was a happy accident of sorts.

Apart from that, the evening itself was a success. Skylar was a hit among my family - especially with the female demographic. My uncle and aunts, my cousins... - everyone loved him. I had no idea where the night would take us, but I was pleasantly surprised by him.

He was polite, gracious. He answered questions and engaged in a heated debate with my grandfather about baseball. If my mother wasn't convinced about him before, I am sure she is now. At least, as far as any mother could be convinced that the most coveted Alpha of the year wanted to prospect her son who although very worthy, it would be a tough sell on paper. That is my guess, anyway.

I did not realize how charming Skylar could be if he wanted to. From his lack of tact at school, you'd think he would always be an ass. But no, he was raised right just as I suspected he would be after meeting his parents and obviously, Seth, who is a kind hearted soul.

By the time the night was over, I realized two things.

First, if Susan grazes her hand "accidentally" on Skylar one more time, I will cut a bitch.

Why does she need to keep laughing at everything he says? He is not a comedian, much less a dentist! He doesn't need to see your teeth so widely. *grunts in annoyance*

Second, I can see now how much potential Skylar actually has as an Alpha. By that, I mean as a leader of his pack. He is not an insufferable jackass as he likes to depict himself. He can be challenging at times, sure, but what has been challenging for me is dealing with his magnetic charisma and wicked charming smile.

He does have a winning personality after all. All he ever needed was to put in the effort.

All this adds up to one staggering truth I can not deny. Skylar is determined to make this work, by whichever means necessary. He has not complained once about anything. He was more than accommodating to me and the situation here in Boulder. He answered all my mother's questions head on yesterday and did not shy away from going with me to anywhere I wanted to take him.

From a fancy restaurant to mountain climbing, he did it all without so much as a frown.

So, either he is a sociopath who is doing all this just to get me to love him only to dump me like Jayden did... or he is in it for the long hall. There is a reason for him to have broken up with Victoria and that reason is me. *blush*

It's Saturday night. After we endured a hefty meal and curious relatives, Skylar and I were back at the apartment with my mom who was looking content for the successful outing. She seemed fulfilled to see her mother's sixtieth birthday and I was just happy to be there too.

Skylar hopped into the shower, so in the meantime, I went to her suite to talk to her.

She then told me how happy she was to share that moment with me and that she was really surprised by how well Skylar handled himself. She did not know how that would go for a person who grew up privileged, but never once has Skylar twisted his nose or demonstrated disinterest in talking to our family or eating our food - which was delicious, by the way. My grandmother is an excellent cook.

In fact, if we did not know any better, we would think he was just like any of my old classmates from high school. He was probably the best dressed out of the entire household tonight, but that was the only distinguishing factor about him. He kept himself humble and attentive.

My mom raved about how impressed she was with Skylar. She had nothing to go from except the information I had told her about him, but now that she has seen him firsthand, she is sold. He is nothing like she expected of him, keeping himself kind and respectful. I feel the same way, mom. I am overwhelmed with positive feelings right now.

However, she reiterated that it is going to take a battle to win over his father's approval but as far as she is concerned, he is approved by her. *sobs emotionally*

Around midnight...

"You can sleep in my bed tonight. You've earned it." I told Skylar as we got ready to sleep in my room.

"Are you done calling me a pervert?" He sassed me, barely able to keep from laughing at this.

"I never called you a pervert, but yeah... I am ready to sleep next to you." I said, making space for him to lie beside me. I liked to smell his sweet scent, especially freshly showered like he is right now. I love his deodorant. I love everything about him at this moment. I am in awe of him.

"Thank you for tonight. My mom is very impressed by you." I melted at him, as he lay comfortably beside me.

"She is an impressive woman, putting herself through 7 years of college on top of her undergraduate course when she fell pregnant with you. It must have taken a lot from her to keep on studying with a baby to care for and no husband to back her up." He noted, sounding genuine.

Okay, Skylar. I see what you did there. Game on! My mom means everything to me and when you speak of her like that... I am done for. Sold. Checkmate. *swoons*

"She really is. Of course, my grandparents helped a great deal. My grandma babysat me when my mom was in college pursuing her degree. It takes a lot of work to become a psychologist, even more so if you want to teach." I have always been impressed by my mother and how she overcame so many odds in her life.

"I know, right? Two degrees and a PhD? I would never study that much..." He breathed out a tired sigh, adjusting his body next to mine but without actually touching it.

"Don't tell her I said this, but me neither. I will be glad to get a bachelor's degree." I said, unceremoniously cozying up to his body and resting my head on his large chest. Skylar started caressing my head and I almost, involuntarily, had an orgasm. His hands felt so good on my head.

"Deal." He agreed with me, softly stroking my head. I did not feel like we were boyfriends or even partners. At that moment, it was like we were mates. Crazy, I know! There are no more mates. There hasn't been for forty years. I am sure every teenage couple feels the same.

There is something to be said about Skylar, he has never once tried to kiss me. Not when we were in my dorm room and I was in heat, making it impossible for me to refuse his advances, and not now where I could be persuaded to kiss him. But instead, we just lay there enjoying each other's company until Morpheus called us to his realm.

Sunday. November 3rd.

I woke up feeling happier than I had been in a month. Skylar and I slept practically glued together in the bed. We were so close. I had a better sleep than I had in months, but this time neither me nor him were alcoholized. We had some champagne last night, but nothing that would alter our perceptions. Certainly nothing like last Friday.

We took turns using the bathroom and soon we were having breakfast with my mom, who already had the table ready for us by the time we walked into the kitchen. Apparently, she woke up inspired today and made us waffles and French Toast. Wow.

Skylar had fun with syrup as I delighted myself with some of the toast. She asked us how we slept and I told her better than I had in months. Skylar was surprised to hear this but agreed with me.

"I have never had this much fun with anyone before that did not involve sex." He replied to her question, more honestly than I would expect from him. My mom was wide-eyed at his response but understood where he was coming from.

For a boy like him who grew up with privileges in a pack that has his name, I am sure he had everything that he has ever wanted in life. Now comes the hard part. Earning his father's stamp of approval.

"I am glad you feel this way because sex is not on the menu when it comes to my son." She declared in a serious tone.

"Mom!" I cried out, embarrassed that she said that. Skylar laughed at my tantrum.

"I am not the least bit worried about that, ma'am. I want your son as mine. Now more than ever." He stated, boldly. He looked at me in a way that made me feel like I was naked before him. But not in a sexual way, just made bare before his intense gaze. I am in so much trouble right now. *flustered*

This is going faster than I could ever anticipate.

Later that afternoon, we were once again inside the rental car driving back to the Ravenwood Academy. We needed to make it back in time for the mandatory assembly with Headmaster Lockwood. That happens around six p.m. before dinner is served.

Skylar drove for three hours with just a few stops along the way. In the meantime, we talked about our lovely weekend together and how he was feeling after meeting my entire family. I mean, the ones from my mother's side. To me, that is all the family I have.

He told me how pleasant the whole trip was and how delighted he was to spend this time with me. Each time he spoke, I swooned. This is not the same person who used to ignore my presence when he came to talk to his brother and I was around.

When we finally arrived at Ravenwood alongside the vans, we rushed to get our luggage back in our dorm rooms. That is when I met Seth who was already back from his trip to Texas. He seemed content with the outcome of that.

"Good evening, students. Normally, I would talk about something trivial and wish you a good week of study, but this evening I want to reiterate something that you should all know by now." Headmaster Lockwood started his weekly speech with a dead serious tone inside the auditorium. He looked peeved at something.

"We built this academy to offer the next generation of leadership a good chance to find a great partner for you. We screened every single candidate so that whoever you pick from our pool of students, you can not go wrong." He continued, leading up to something.

"However, make no mistake here, no matter who you choose for yourself, you still need parental approval of your prospect. Your parents would not have spent this much money sending you here just to give you free range. You are welcome to make your own choices while you attend Ravenwood, but that choice has to be on par with your parents' view for your future." He declared loudly for the people in the back.

"Every parent wants the best for their children, but that best does not always come at the first choice in prospect. If your parents rejected your candidate, don't be discouraged. It's not the end of the world. This is not a utopia where everybody will do great with their first choice. Sometimes, it takes two or three. That is to be expected." He encouraged us, predicting this type of thing could happen. In my case, it already has.

"That is precisely why we keep you here for eight months. To give you a better chance of success. It is not uncommon to see a prospect fail for one reason or another. But I have complete confidence in all of you and your capability to achieve success. Remember, nothing is guaranteed until both sets of parents approve the contract." He informed us, raising his eyebrow.

"If all else fails, try again. There have been couples that were only formed after the third time here and are living happily ever after in their packs. So, go out there and make us proud. Don't forget next Friday there will be another mixer for the students who have not yet secured approval for their prospect. The Harvest Ball awaits you to mingle and create another opportunity for you to do well here." He sounded hopeful.

"Have a great week of study. Dismissed." He concluded, trying to show us an uplifting smile. Why do I feel like his speech was targeted? I don't mean specifically at me, but I do feel very attacked.

The students started to file out of the auditorium in a disorganized fashion. Most of them were already gossiping about where this was coming from. Some of the students, like me, related to his speech. Now that several people brought home their prospects, rejections are bound to happen if they haven't had already. Who knows?

I asked Seth about his trip back to Texas and he was raving about how well Sean hit it off with his parents. It went better than he thought it would, especially considering he is from another country. That is not an easy pill to swallow for a protective father.

Later that evening, the cafeteria was buzzing with students talking about their weekends. It was the loudest it ever was since I started here, the only quiet boy was Jayden in the Alpha section. I feel bad for him.

"I could be wrong, but I have the distinct feeling that the speech tonight was directed at you, my friend." Kyle, one of the Alphas, told Jayden before he began eating his dinner. He looked at him, who seemed gloomy.

"No comment." Jayden declared, annoyed at the situation.

"How was your weekend, Alpha? You seem happier than I have seen you in a while." Kyle asked Skylar, who seemed to be beaming.

"It was perfect, honestly. I met his entire family. We went sightseeing, we ate together, slept together..."

"What?" Jayden gasped in shock as he heard that. So did Seth at the Omega section with me.

"He meant sleeping as in closing your eyes and resting. We didn't even kiss, let alone do that." I explained to Seth, who was looking at me with his jaw dropped to the floor.

"I thought so. That's my Jake." Jayden glared at Skylar as he said that.

"News flash, buddy. He is not yours anymore. He is mine. He is the reason why I came to this academy. To find someone exactly like him." Skylar rebuked him, ever so confidently.

https://youtu.be/fV4DiAyExN0

A|N: BOOM!

Next comes a surprise nobody expects, but easy enough to guess.

It's aptly called "He used to be mine".

OFF: LOVED the chance to use this song.

Love,

Léo.