Jude

I felt devastated.

As much as I hated my brother for his stunt in asking for Mrs. Becker's permission to go with them back to the reservation, deep down I knew it was an excellent suggestion. I haven't even thought of that until then.

Of course he should have included me in the request, but we are way past that now.

Truth is, it was very mature of him to come together with me to discuss the relationship with our mate. As much as I wanted to ignore my brother and his mating to Beck, their trip to Dallas served to prove a rather alarming point.

That is, they are much closer than I expected. And by close, I mean they are going to complete the bond at any moment now. Beck barely escaped Dallas with his neck intact.

Anyway, it is what it is. That's not important right now. What's actually relevant is that we should come to an understanding regarding our mate so that what happened on Christmas' Eve doesn't occur again. Our mate dodging our attention for fear of upsetting the other twin. That was freaking awful.

Now it's Christmas day and we have spent hours negotiating some sort of deal to share our mate and his time available with us. It was exhaustive but with a little help from Beck, we managed to agree on something.

A draft of a deal, if you will.

Of course the whole thing could be pretty much pointless if neither of us are getting to spend some time with our mate. He's traveling tomorrow back to his reservation and we were NOT authorized to come along by his father.

I mean technically Quentin wasn't, which is kind of ironic since this whole trip was his idea.

Of course my dad was not gonna allow me to travel alone with Beck and have my brother be left behind. I think this is the part where I should empathize with him. Because how would I feel if the roles were reversed and I was the one being blocked from going on this trip?

Awful. I'd feel awful. So I know what my brother must have felt just now.

In fact, it was such a scene that our mate was moved enough to call his father and have him authorize our departure under penalty of him not going as well. I would say he's bluffing, but it was such a powerful, resolute tone that no one would suspect he didn't have a 'royal straight flush' on his hands.

I mean the boy was on a mission and he wasn't about to take bullshit from anyone.

It actually made me respect him that much more. I'm legitimately swooning at my mate for his decision and resolve, even if his father calls his bluff. Whatever happens now, we have played our hand. There's nothing for any of us left to do except to wait and see.

"I need to get home now or I'll miss dinner." - Beck told me as soon as he got off the phone with his father. Both my parents were jaw dropped in awe of him for the way he spoke and so was my brother.

"Yes, of course. I'll be back soon." - I said, looking at my parents.

We walked to the garage together and got in my car towards the pack house. It's a quick trip, but too far to be done by foot. Once we arrived there, we said our goodbyes as he was going to the dining hall, then pack up his belongings for the trip.

"I love you, mate. If I don't see you again until New Year, know that you are loved and you'll be missed." - I told him while embracing him in a tight hug, feeling emotional.

"I love you too, Jude. I'll miss you everyday I spend away from you." - He told me, also fighting back tears. It was a very emotional farewell and I was dreading being away from him. Like a lot.

This is the time we'd have to enjoy ourselves away from the obligations of everyday life.

But alas, I drive myself back home alone and tearing up at the dire prospect of spending a week without him. I do not want to spend New Year's Eve alone...

I parked my car and walked to the living room where my brother was literally skipping, bursting with joy. Not a shadow of the boy who was just devastated because he couldn't go with our mate to the reservation.

I looked at my dad who informed me with a modest smile:

"Chief Becker called. You and your brother can go to the reservation with your mate." - He announced and the widest smile was plastered on my lips. I genuinely felt so happy right now. I almost wanted to skip around the room too.

"Thanks, dad. It means a lot." - I thanked him, feeling relieved to be allowed to go.

"I almost wanted to tell him to shove it." - Dad spoke and my brother and I gasped in shock. - "But it would be disrespectful to your mate and to you boys. I know you don't want to stay away from your mate for that long. I can relate to that, but especially with you boys being teenagers." - He said, empathizing.

I hugged my dad, then my brother.

"Thank you for having the idea and for uniting with me in a single purpose that is to be there for our mate." - I told him, feeling appreciative.

"You're welcome, brother. I'm glad to be going on this trip with you, I really mean it. At least, neither of us will be alone in a new territory." - Quentin spoke with a soft expression on his face, bonding with me like we haven't in a good while.

I'm feeling so good right now. It's much better to be in harmony with my family and now that we can go be with our mate, even better. Wow. I can't believe we're traveling tomorrow.

"Be sure to sleep in early tonight. Talla just texted me to inform she is leaving right after breakfast. And you know the schedule at the pack house is not the same as ours when you boys don't have school. If you snooze, you lose." - Mom cautioned us in a concerned tone.

Yeah, the pack house has a strict meal schedule that is not interrupted or changed. No matter the season or who is on break from school or work, the meals are always served at the same time. It differs on weekends, of course, but that is the only change. Aside from the Christmas dinner, which is a special occasion so it's served a little later than normal.

"Trust me, mom. I'm not missing out on this trip even if Quentin puts a sleeping pill on my water." - I snickered. He glared daggers at me.

"Literally I just said I was happy that we're making this trip together." - He rebuked in a "duh" tone. I laughed and went to the kitchen to grab some dinner. This rollercoaster has gotten me hungry. Naturally, Quentin had the same idea and we dined together.

All this unity with my brother is weirding me out, I'm not gonna lie. I'm not accustomed to him on my side. Let's see how long that is gonna last, shall we?

It's early morning on the 26th of December.

All four of us are packed and ready to go. Quentin and I are looking sleepy because we went to bed late - contrary to my mom's recommendation - but we're powering through to make this trip on time.

Beck and his mom get in the front seats while my brother and I are on the passengers'. He is looking chipper this morning since we can accompany him on this trip. It was a hard fought battle, but he prevailed. We did.

His mom starts the car and off we go visit the reservation that my mate has grown up in. Though his father intimidates me a bit, I'm not gonna lie I'm so excited for this journey. I really want to explore Beck's natural habitat, get to know what made him the extraordinary boy that he is today.

Almost six hours later - with a few pit stops in between - we arrived at a quaint little town that is the Cheyenne reservation of werewolf population, down the border of Texas with Oklahoma. It is not unlike a small town with houses filled with families and some small farms.

There was a large vegetation, ample space to walk, run or shift into a wolf and run wild, spooking the cattle or wild life. I was pleasantly surprised by the location, not unlike any other small town in the south.

Mrs. Becker showed us the recreational center where she used to work, a place for the younger natives to spend time or to drop off your children on your way to work. It also serves as a daycare for working moms.

Beck told us that he made some friends while he was there as a child that continued when he started in school. I'm sure we'll get to know the place inside soon enough, even if it's closed now because of the holiday break.

She parked her car in what I can only assume it's her house. And as soon as she did, her mate came outside to greet us. He welcomed her with a kiss and a tight hug while the three of us were left staring at their reunion.

We stretch our legs after being cooped up inside the car for so long, then Beck pops open the trunk for us to grab our suitcases. Only then, he addresses our presence.

"Welcome home, son. I'm glad you could make it, though I don't appreciate the ultimatum. You were lucky this time, but I wouldn't push it if I were you." - Mr. Becker declared, looking pissed off at his son.

"I don't appreciate you wanting me to separate me from my mates. I did what I had to do. I'm sure as a mated man you can relate to me." - Beck shot back, walking with his heavy suitcases in the direction of the front door of the house.

"What is the reject doing here anyway? Doesn't he know what rejection means?" - He blasted off and my brother's cheeks were red. He was so uncomfortable by this.

"Viho!" - Mrs. Becker cried out reprehensible at her mate.

"If you can't respect my mates, this will be a short trip, father. For the way you were welcomed in his house, the very least you should do is to treat your visits well. Remember who they are." - Beck spoke in a menacing tone.

There was a staring competition between father and son that lasted for a while before Mrs. Becker told us to come inside, glaring at her mate.

"You boys can deposit your luggage in the guest room. My son will show you where it is. In the meantime, I'll see what I can do for lunch." - Mrs. Becker told us with a charming disposition as we walked inside the spacious house.

Unlike ours, it's a one floor residency with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a very spacious backyard. Beck showed us around the place and the room where we'd drop our luggage. Quentin was in awe of the large house, much fancier than we anticipated.

I mean, there was nothing ostentatious, but it was very well decorated. After we dropped our luggage, Beck showed us his room and we went to the kitchen to grab some water. To our surprise, lunch was already ready for us. The table was set, ready for us to eat.

"I imagined you would be arriving around lunch time and hungry, so I went ahead and cooked your favorite meal, my love." - Chief Becker told his mate, romantically. She swooned at the gesture.

We washed up and sat down at the table for lunch. The food was really good and the Beckers seemed content to be here, especially the father. After we finished, we offered to wash the dishes but Mrs. Becker told us to rest up if we wanted.

"Thank you for having us in your house, Chief Becker. I really appreciate it." - I told the imposing man, before we walked out of the kitchen.

"Your welcome, Jude. My name is Hohnihohkaiyohos, but you may call me Viho. It's what everyone calls me." - He spoke in a cordial tone.

Wow. That's a mouth full... *gasp*

"Of course, thanks Viho." - I smiled at him politely.

Beck took the time to show us the lay of the land. We walked outside and he pointed to the neighbors houses, which family lives there and the spots where he used to spend his childhood or meet his friends.

It was incredible to have this time with him, just us three, in his home land. He seemed so at ease despite that initial rumble with his dad. I'm sensing the tension between father and son is going to cause some troubles ahead, but for now at least it's good to be in his company.

It's not so different from where I grew up. But the people seemed homier here, at least the few people I got to meet on my first day. I'm so glad to have this time and be in his land. Especially because I'm sure this is where he feels at home.

It's impossible to describe seeing my mate so comfortable, so at ease. He's home again. And I'm over the moon to have had the chance to be here with him. I know I'm gonna enjoy this trip.

If his father doesn't get in our way, that is. Fingers crossed.

https://youtu.be/DQYNM6SjD_o

A|N: It's kind of funny how when I began to sit down to write this story, I never knew where it would lead me. I certainly never thought we'd be here again, but I'm so glad we are.

Let's hope they can all survive this visit.

Oh did I mention there will be blood next? O.o

Love,

Léo.