The Beta's Mate
Chapter One: Different Worlds
-Zoe-

"You know...They say that upon our first shift, there is a 50 percent chance you will find your mate shortly after...they also say that chances are high that you One: already know the person, or Two: are in the same pack with your mate." Morgan said with a sly smirk on her face.

I looked at my best friend and smiled...she has always been such a hopeless romantic and I've always adored her for it...but the fact that since we've shifted and neither of us have found our mates...her romantic side has sort of become borderline obsessive.

"I don't know if you've failed to notice...but we've been shifted for over a few years now and have lived in the same places our whole lives..." I said "I'm genuinely starting to wonder...what if I don't have a mate?"

"We all have a mate Zo." She countered, more than a little upset.

"Look, I do agree that somewhere out there we all do have a mate to begin with...I know that much is true." I said "But I also know that life happens, maybe my mate is younger than me and hasn't shifted yet... he could be a human and I've only been around guys from the pack...or, maybe...maybe my mate passed before I had the chance to meet him."

"Please don't say that." she said sadly as she came over and pulled me into a tight hug.

There was a knock on her bedroom door and her Brother poked his head in. "Sorry, everything okay?" He asked worried.

"Everything's fine Trace...I'm sorry, I mean....Alpha Trace, I was just telling Mo bye." I said as I really did have to get going before my mom frisked out that I still wasn't home.

"Zo...you're practcally my little sister, " Trace chuckled. "It'll always be just Trace ...anyways I'll leave you girls to it then... Morgan, don't forget about dinner tonight." He said as he smiled at us before leaving.

"I think He's gonna make a good Alpha." I said once it was just Morgan and I again.

She nodded, "He will, but I like giving him shit still." She smiled.

I shook my head, "Alright, I really do need to get going, My Dad and the Step-Monster are coming for me and I still gotta pack."

"I can't believe you're leaving me right now."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head lightly at her dramatics before I smiled, "Well... I have to at least go and pretend to have a good time but...I'll be back, hopefully soon too."

"Hopefully." She echoed as she pulled me in for another hug and squeezed me. "And call me." She added.

I nodded before I got up and we began making our way down the stairs.

I was beginning to feel antsy and I genuinely did not want to leave now, I thought I'd better grab a run before my dad arrived.

"Hey maybe when I call you can tell me all about your brother's fancy Alpha dinner." I said nudging her, knowing her dad had never let her go to any "Alpha" dinners before.

"Oh...that," Morgan said as she rolled her eyes, "Trace just wants us all to have a family dinner since Ryder's in town."

"Ryder... he's here?" I asked completely curious now.

True that I don't know him as well as I know Morgan, Trace, and Yvonne...but I know of Ryder... or, I know as much about him as everyone else in the pack...but even I knew He isn't one to just willingly come to this pack.

I mean Morgan had said he came back for their dad's passing and funeral but of course he would...despite their rocky pasts, they were still father and son. Hell, even Yvonne and her jerk of a mate had shown up...it was the first time (sans Max) that all of the Johnson children had been under the same roof in years.

But still, curiosity lingered...with their Dad no longer with us, it begs the question...

"Why's Ryder in town?" I asked boldly.

Had I been any other pack member I doubt I'd be so bold, but as Morgan and I have grown up together, I knew I could get away with questioning a Johnson.

If they gave me an answer was something else, not that I'd question Trace that openly. But Morgan and I were different...we always said we were more than friends, we were soul sisters.

Morgan shrugged, as if the mention of her estranged brother being back in town all of a sudden was no big deal. As if Ryder Johnson who openly defied their father on damn near everything (from what I've been told/overheard) would just stroll onto pack lands like it was nothing.

"We've gotta get use to it, we'll be seeing a lot more of him around here." She said casually.

"We are...Mor, what aren't you tell me?"

"Well Trace asked us not to say anything yet..." her words were strained I knew she was chomping at the bit to tell me.

She stood there bouncing from door to door as she tried to come up with a loophole. Like she always did when her dad use to give her orders.

"Ok, so...you know how since my dad passed he was the former Alpha."

I nodded.

"And Trace is the...?"

"New Alpha." This wasn't news to us.

For one most of us expected it'd be Trace to take the helm of Alpha, the the council proclaimed that it was precious Alpha Johnson's wish that his eldest (living) son take his position after his death. But that was all the read from the signed parchment.

"Okay." Morgan continued. "And other than a Luna, the pack needs a...-?"

"2nd in command." I damn near whispered at what should have been glaringly obvious. "Ryder's going to be our packs new Beta?! Is that even possible...I mean isn't he Alpha Braxton's Beta?"

Once again she shrugged, "He is...was...I don't know the ins and outs yet Zo...all I know is Ryder is here and I'm sure they'll explain it all later to the rest of the pack, and of course I'll fill you in on everything that happens this evening at dinner."I hugged her once again, that same antsy feeling filled me and I looked back up the stairs before I finally let go and offically told her bye.

And as I drove away I couldn't help but look back in my rearview mirror as my wolf was whining to go back. I knew my bestfriend needed me right now.

The Johnson siblings were known for blowing hot and cold toward one another...for the sake of one another and more so, our pack, I can only pray to the moon goddess that they can put all their childish bullshit to the side and keep the peace...otherwise we'll all be screwed.

I drove on, trying to let the music take my mind off the Johnson siblings...And as I got further away from the pack house it actually worked as my mind cleared of the Johnson siblings. Unfortunately though, my mind shifted to yet another drama.

I sighed heavily as I thought about the reason I really did have to visit my Dad...I had to play nice If i was ever going to get the chance to go to college.

Money's always been tight but I've worked my ass off to get into school, and sure it isn't a big University in the city, but the college in town is just as fine...now if only I had some financial backing I wouldn't have to worry about pulling a student loan and having more financial struggles.

As I drove on though, I couldn't help but think about Ryder once again.

More so...As odd as it seems (considering I spent as much time as I do at the Johnson house) I couldn't recall ever actually meeting Ryder personally.

I mean like I said, this is odd because Morgan is my best friend and we damn near grew up together, every slumber party was held at her house, every birthday party was at her house. Trace and Yvonne have always treated me like another little sister...and yet, Ryder never once filled any of my memories.

This was because he hardly came to visit...more than likely because he was closer to his mother and her family versus his dad and his...heck he didn't even come over here for his first shift despite his dad having a huge party for him.

But as I pulled the car into the driveway I shook the random string of thoughts from my head and went in knowing Mom would be waiting to leave.

"You're cutting it close." She sounded, already standing in the doorway.

I smirked, "Sorry, I was having a tough time leaving the pack house." I admitted as I handed her the car keys.

She smiled softly and walked over to me. She offered me a gentle hug and sighed, "I know you girls are close, but you've both got to learn to take some space...It'll help prepare you for when Morgan goes  away for school."

I just looked at her...of course she'd bring up the big glaring reminder that my best friend not only got into the university of my dreams, but will be moving away sooner or later.

That anxious feeling begin to fill me, everything was changing all around me and I felt like I was stuck in cement and I could only stand there and watch helplessly.

"Why would you say that?" I asked a litle harshly.

She took my sadness as anger and sighed, "Zoe... I know you want everything that Morgan Johnson has, but baby we just can't make that happen for you."

I rolled my eyes and walked past her into the house, I didn't even want to justify her stament with a response.

I have never been jealous of my best friend...more so, Morgan has never intentionally done anything to make me feel jealous.

Does her family have a lot of money?
Yes.

Is she beautiful and popular?
Yes.

Is she smart and funny?
Yes...but Morgan never threw any of it in my face...in fact to us we didn't care about any of that...popular, rich, Nerdy, poor...but I did have to face the music and admit that as we're getting older our differences seemed to be beginning to define us...and I am hoping that no matter what, our friendship will endure the differences.

"Sorry Zo...I really gotta get going...dinner's on the stove."  Mom said as she waved at me and then took off for work.

I sighed as I let myself into the house and found the already heated microwave dinner sitting on the stove, I scrunched my nose in distaste and sighed knowing I shouldn't be picky. But right now I knew I really just needed to talk to someone.

But j knew talking with mom was always cut short as our relationship, as sad as it sounds was sort of pass and go.

I love my mom to death and I know she loves me otherworldly she wouldn't work nearly as hard as she does.

And Morgan, while j tell her most things I couldn't tell her about this.

No, I shook my head. Even my wolf was in agreement with me on this.

Goddess bless her, but I know my best friend. Mo would hear one mention of me possibly not going to school and she'd try and pay my way threw. I shook my head again as I knew I'd never be able to pay her back for something of that magnitude.

I growled at my pent up frustrations and decided what I needed was a quick run before my dad arrived.

And let's be honest, he's always late anyways.