Beck

I'm having a blast.

After our wonderful date last Saturday at the country club, I'm having the time of my life with Jude.

Not only did I get to spend time with him, but I was so well treated by everyone else. The staff is very courteous and I was treated just like a member.

Jude was thoughtful and caring throughout the date, not even bothered that I didn't wear his gift to me. Honestly, he's perfect.

When he put his hands on me to apply some sunscreen, I felt warm inside. And despite my shyness, he has a way of putting me at ease, making me feel comfortable around him.

Later on, he dropped me off at the pack house and we texted all through the weekend.

On Monday, he greeted me with a pleasant grin. I'm smitten by his smile and the way he looks at me as if I was the only boy in the world.

It's funny. He looks at me with such a raw desire that it amazes me that he hasn't kissed me yet. Not once so far.

I wonder what he's waiting for. Does he need a sign from me? I'm practically undressing him with my eyes every time I see him.

When he was wearing nothing but a speedo, my eyes almost left the socket. I'm thirsting after him on a daily basis. What more could he possibly want? How can I make this any more obvious?

I'm genuinely intrigued by his hesitance in taking the next step between us.

I'm not talking about sex here, just a simple kiss. Damn, his lips are so kissable. I'm not gonna lie, I dream about him taking possession of my mouth with hunger.

I long for his lips on mine. I can't deny it. I'm just lost as to what's holding him back. Do I need to literally ask for it or do I have to kiss him myself?

I'm right here for the taking. I'm not exactly playing hard to get...

It has been such peaceful days that I even forgot about Quentin and the fact that he was suspended from school.

I mean, until his father surprised me at the pack house calling for my presence in his office and having his son apologize to me.

I'm legitimately baffled by this, especially coming from an Alpha to a person who isn't even originally from his pack.

For a man of his stature, involving his own son in this act of contrition only makes me respect him even more. I didn't know what to expect when I came into this pack, but Alpha Atwood certainly exceeded my wildest expectations.

Not only as a leader, but I'm sure as a father too. I'm genuinely beyond impressed by the man.

My week was going great so far, but when Quentin returned from his suspension, I didn't exactly know what to expect from him. And then he said...

"I'm sorry, did Quentin actually say if Beck wants to love you? What?" - Layla was baffled by this, as were everyone else. She turned to Jude's chair as she said that.

Jude got tongue tied for a minute, flabbergasted at this statement.

"Thanks, Quentin. Your brother is very easy to love, though we're not there yet." - I replied, incredibly uncomfortable and flustered.

"Has your father threatened your life? Did he tell you couldn't be in contention for Alpha anymore unless you make amends?" - Jalensky was perplexed by his best friend's words. His jaw dropped to the floor as he stared at Quentin.

"No, he didn't. Dragon, we are werewolves. Why should we make anyone feel bad about who they love? It's actually unbecoming of our species to discriminate on account of sexuality. We are better than this. And words hurt." - He lectured and the entire classroom was amazed by these words coming out of him.

Students give him a round of applause for his speech, thoroughly impressed. Jalensky has a tough time coming to terms with it, but his girlfriend on the other hand never looked happier.

"I've never been so proud to be your girlfriend, baby. It was about time you got with the program." - Cassie said, ecstatically happy next to him. She looked radiant at her boyfriend.

All of us are looking at the reformed student in awe. I'm curious to see how long it lasts, to be honest. But I try my best to not let him occupy too much of my brain space. I prefer to focus on the other Atwood.

Later on, before we broke for lunch, Blaine stole a kiss from Layla who was surprised by the move but didn't complain. Owen grimaced at the scene, but remained quiet. The twins were also surprised by him.

"I'm so looking forward to taking you to the homecoming dance." - He said, sounding enamored by her. The last week of September there's gonna be a homecoming dance taking place in this school. Students are all in a romantic mood lately as they invite their dates to the occasion.

"I look forward to being taken." - Layla told him with hearts in her eyes.

We start walking out of the classroom towards the cafeteria. I'm still waiting for my invitation, but I'd settle for a kiss at this point.

"I'm sorry I didn't know about your feelings towards her, Owen. And I'm sorry if I made you feel like you couldn't admit that to me. I feel awful about it." - Quentin told his friend, looking remorseful. Owen was surprised by this, but ironically that is the least bit surprising thing he did today. At least for me.

"It's fine, Alpha. It was my fault, really. I was so desperate to fit in that I failed to be a man and be truthful about my feelings." - Owen spoke, truly regretful.

"I cannot believe you had a secret crush for years and I didn't know about it. I feel like such a bad friend..." - Quentin commiserated, though from what I hear, it's not like Owen is the upfront kind of guy. He's notoriously quiet in class.

"You're not a bad friend, Alpha. I never gave you any indication that I liked her. It 's fine. I'm not the only one with a secret crush, when you figure out Dragomir's, you're gonna flip the fuck out." - He hinted with a mischievous grin and literally everyone turned to look at him, wide-eyed.

"What? Who's his secret crush?" - Quentin gasped in shock at the information. Jalensky's eyes flashed with panic of the discovery as he stared at his friends in the hallway.

"It's not my place to tell you, Alpha. Let's just say you learn a lot when you're quietly observing." - He spoke, cryptically. Quentin stared at Jalensky positively intrigued by this. And he's not alone.

"Oh Goddess, please don't let it be me." - Layla muttered under her breath, looking worried.

"I don't have a secret crush and even if I had, it would never be you!" - He protested, looking revolted at the mere implication.

Blaine turned back to glare at him as he walked ahead with Layla and Jude.

"Don't worry. It's not anyone from the wrestling team." - Owen informed her with a hint of mischief in his tone.

"Would you shut the fuck up about it!" - Jalensky snarled at him, looking very irritated.

"Dude, I'd die if he secretly crushed on Cassie." - Layla commented to Blaine and everyone around us gasped in shock. The couple stared at Jalensky looking horrified, but mainly Quentin.

"I don't have a secret crush on Cassie!" - Jalensky defended himself, eyes glowing in rage.

"Thanks, Owen! Just because you're miserable, you didn't have to drag me too! You should have confessed your love long ago and stop bitching about it!" - He seethed in anger.

This is getting uncomfortable...

"You're right, Dragon. I should have. You should probably take your own advice and confess your feelings now because they are not gonna remain available for much time." - Owen retorted in a matter of fact tone.

Jalensky came charging at him, but he was contained by Quentin who acted fast to hold him back.

"Let me go, Alpha! Someone needs to learn when to shut his mouth!" - He was raging, growling at Owen who actually maintained his demeanor and did not look frightened.

With difficulty, Quentin kept Jalensky from hitting Owen in the middle of the hall. But students were gossiping about this public rift, not to mention who the supposed secret crush really is.

If Owen wanted a distraction from people talking about the homecoming dance, he certainly managed it successfully. But I was still waiting for my kiss.

I had lunch with my cousin, then returned for our afternoon classes. We too discussed potential candidates for his secret crush since we didn't talk about Jude. It's weird that both of us like the same guy - not that he ever told me about it - but I do my best to avoid the subject.

As we took our seats back in the classroom, the hot topic still wouldn't leave people's lips.

"Is it Elaine [Rachel's best friend]?" - Quentin grilled his best friend, who looked uncomfortable. Naturally, the girls stared at them both after he said that.

"I don't have a secret crush. Owen just made it up to deflect from the fact that the girl he's been in love with for more than 5 years likes someone else." - He rebuked, taking a jab at the guy sitting next to him in class.

Owen does his best to not let that faze him, but Layla still looks awkward at the mention.

"It's fine, man. I just hope I'm not the one keeping you from declaring yourself to whoever she is. And if you need my help, I'm here for you." - Quentin said, not exactly convinced Owen is lying.

Jalensky gave his best friend an appreciative glance, but remained silent. He looks tired of people talking about this topic.

"Now that we think about it, what if he got mated to Cassie instead of Quentin?" - Layla commented to Jude, who's surprisingly - or not - quiet about the whole controversy.

"Oh come on!" - Jalensky is baffled by this. The couple look at each other awkwardly.

"Lay, please let it go. Don't forget you can still be mated to him." - Jude spoke in a pleading tone. This puts an ugly scowl on both her and Blaine's faces.

"Goddess protects me!" - He exclaimed, looking disgusted at the girl sitting next to Jude.

The mood inside the classroom was so notoriously odd, even the teacher noticed. People looked uncomfortable or intrigued. In some cases, both.

"Word of advice, students. You'll go crazy trying to guess the Goddess's picks for your soulmates. In my experience, teenagers never get it right. There wasn't a single person from my time who got their mate right. You can dream about whoever you want, but I guarantee you. It'll be the person you least expect it to be." - She advised us after the bell rang.

She's absolutely right. It's a complete waste of time trying to figure it out. The pool of possibilities is far too grand, especially in the largest werewolf pack of the country.

"That's not entirely true. I'm pretty sure who my brother's mate is gonna be." - Quentin boasted with a smug grin looking at Kingsley from the back of the classroom.

"You're thinking too small, Mr. Atwood. Kingsley isn't the only omega in this school. And that's without taking into consideration the junior class. Trust me on this. It is unwise to try to predict what the Goddess will do. I remember like it was yesterday when my friend Caleb was so sure he was gonna be mated to the only male omega of our grade. Then boom, he got it wrong. His mate was actually already in college." - She countered, reminiscing about her senior year.

My cousin was blushing as his name was mentioned, but I'm sure he secretly is counting on being mated to Jude. Not that he's going to admit that out loud.

"When you say Caleb, did you mean..." - A student inquired.

"Yes, I meant Deputy Mayor Caleb Hathaway." - She clarified, glancing at Owen. She's talking about [one of] his father(s).

"Maybe you can be mated to your secret crush then." - Quentin suggested to Jalensky, who squealed.

"I do not have a secret crush!" - He refuted, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

We gathered our belongings to leave the classroom and Jude approached me.

"Hey, do you want to be my date to the homecoming dance?" - He invited me and I practically shouted.

"YES!"

I blushed once I realized my voice was louder than I expected.

"Yes, I do. Thanks for asking me." - I stuttered, nervously.

"Great. Can't wait!" - He smiled widely.

"I cannot believe this is the first year in which we're not each other's dates to the homecoming dance." - Layla admitted to Jude as we all walked out of the classroom.

"I know, right? This is going to be the best year ever! I can already tell!" - He sounded genuinely excited about it, which only put a smile on my face.

The next day, Jude greeted me with a courteous smile as I walked past the front gate. He asked me how my day was and if I was available for another date this weekend. I immediately said yes and we walked together towards the classroom.

"Thanks for inviting me to the homecoming dance, Jude. I love how open you are about it. That's the way we should be and I really appreciate it." - I told him with a shy demeanor.

"You're very welcome, Beck. But it wasn't an easy journey, trust me. I was so terrified of coming out to my dad that I barely enunciated the word 'gay'. I cried so hard, my mom had to console me just so I could get through it. It wasn't easy, especially being the Alpha's son." - He admitted in a vulnerable tone. I like him all the more because of it.

"I can relate. But at least your father accepted you." - I muttered, having a flashback of my own horrible experience coming out to my parents.

Jude looked at me with pity, but tried his best to disguise it.

"He was shocked at first, but my mom persuaded him to accept me. She was the driving force behind my father's acceptance. That 's the truth." - He confessed, vulnerably.

"I'm sure she was. I really admire your parents. The way your father treated me with such respect and empathy. Honestly, I have nothing but admiration for him." - I said, in awe of the Atwoods.

Jude smiled at me and before we entered the classroom, he pulled me aside and kissed me for the first time. He didn't care that we were in the middle of the school hall in front of hundreds of students. He just went for it and his lips tasted like heaven to me.

This is what I was waiting for and it was well worth the wait. We almost lost track of time but were awakened by the school bell ringing. As we walked inside the classroom, all eyes were on us.

Though I got flustered by all the attention, this is by far the happiest I've ever felt in my life.

My Goddess, the kiss was so good! And it was about damn time he made a move on me!

https://youtu.be/IXXxciRUMzE

A|N: Finally!

Stay with me, folks. There'll be twists and turns to come.

Something that has never happened before in my last 9 novels will take place soon.

But before we get to that, this secret crush is gonna drive everybody wild in curiosity.

Love,

Léo.