George

It's Saturday.

And though I should be grounded for fighting at school, dad allowed me to accompany my mate as he drove my brother to his own date.

It's kind of ironic that dad hired a chauffeur so that I'd stay free from having to drive my brother to his date and now I'm stuck doing it anyway.

Life is full of ironies, isn't it?

Right now, the entire pack still thinks I got rejected by my mate. And now with my suspension from school, they probably are going to continue thinking this way for a while.

But that's not the concern I have right now.

It's interesting how the Moon Goddess had such a large pool of unmated wolves to choose from - we are the largest wolf pack of the country, after all - and she still chose an outsider for me.

Why oh why?

I'm not gonna be one of "those people" who complains about having a male mate. I know why she selected a boy for me. That's not the issue.

It would've been fine if she picked a girl. I'm sexually fluid, so I'm good each way. But what really boggles my mind is why an outsider?

I've been dream selecting my mate for years now and though I never expected it to be Justin - it's never who we want - I really didn't see that coming.

That's a curve ball if I've ever seen one.

However, what no one really saw coming...

What nobody could've predicted at all is that he's not only from an outside pack, but the only surviving member of a wolf family my grandfather decimated long ago.

I mean, what the actual fuck!

Personally, I have nothing against the boy. Nor his family. It's not my trauma to deal with it.

But damn... no wonder he almost rejected me.

Under these circumstances, I might reject myself too. Who knows?

What I do know is that I can't.

And even if I could, I wouldn't. Hell no!

I don't wanna live alone for the rest of my life and whatch other people fulfill their hopes and dreams while I'm stuck in limbo.

It's normal for mates to go on dates and get to know one another. But usually one have some idea of who the person you're mated to is.

Even my dad already knew his mate when he got the shining eyes. He didn't want him, of course, we all know the story. But he knew him.

I have no idea who my mate is apart from his name and that he had a previous relationship.

Not that I judge him for it. Even my brother has an unmated romantic affair. Nobody waits until 18. And in his case, months past it.

And neither did I.

Oh my Goddess! I haven't talked to Justin since I've been mated. He helped me through my rejection the other day and we haven't talked since.

Though it has been some busy couple of days for me. But I'm sure he knows the drill. We all do. It's been fun and I do like him very much.

But we know about the heartbreak.

"Good morning, son. Have you had any time to reflect on making better choices?" - Dad greeted me as Charlie and I arrive at the kitchen for breakfast.

Daddy is putting all the food on the table for us. I glance at him feeling guilty. Charlie is uncomfortably quiet, as it's his M.O.

"I wasn't in my right mind, dad. I apologize for that. It's not easy been rejected by your mate." - I grunted in annoyance.

"I can understand that, son. I do. But if we lash out against others, then we're no better than anyone else. But Alphas don't have that luxury. Do you think your grandfather wasn't mad when he had to bury his Delta? He was crushed. But if he had reacted poorly, then--"

"He wouldn't have killed my mate's family. I know, dad." - I cut him off, causing all the men at the table to stare at me wide-eyed.

"He didn't act on a whim, son. He had to act. How many more people should we expect them to kill before we make a move? They nearly killed uncle Gus!" - Dad argued, raising his voice.

I know this is a sore subject for him. Like I said, it's not my place to judge one way or the other. But anyone can appreciate that if you mess with the bull, you'll get the horns. And we are wolves. This pack didn't get to be one of the most respected in the country by being cuddly to its enemies.

"I understand, dad. I'm not saying he was wrong. I'm just explaining my behavior at the time. Stockwell is a despicable person." - I said, aggravated.

All four of us start eating before it gets cold. Daddy makes a good meal, though nothing can compare to the food served at the pack house because it's professionally prepared.

"He might be. But unfortunately we don't get to control people's reactions to us. We can only control how we're going to respond to them." - He concluded in his serene tone.

I nodded and continued eating. Some time later...

"Charlie, at what time do you leave for the date? Have you texted your driver yet?" - Daddy asked him with a smirk.

"Yes, daddy. Of course, I did. I've texted him as soon as I confirmed it with Annie. She's very excited. I think we're going off town to celebrate." - He announced it and I gasped.

"What? Are you kidding me? Are you gonna let your son splurge your money like that?" - I yelled, irascible.

"I maybe 16 years old, but I know for a fact that dad could afford to keep a driver at my back and call 24/7. I don't think paying a teenager to drive me for the weekend is what's gonna bankrupt a Stonehold Alpha." - Charlie rebuked, seriously pissed at me.

Both my dads laugh out loud at this.

"Good one, Charlie. It's amazing what you can get when you keep your grades up and your fighting done inside the gym where it belongs." - Dad jabbed at me.

My brother laughed at this. Fuck. My. Life.

"Sure, dad. Just don't complain later when your son's girlfriend turns up pregnant." - I shot back, setting Charlie off the rails.

"You son of a bitch! Who the fuck do you think you are? You talk like you're some sort of innocent virgin when everybody knows you have a piece of ass on the side for like a year!" - He shouted at me in a feral tone.

I don't usually see my brother's eyes glow. But he looked really pissed at me. Even my dads looked baffled at his outburst.

"Don't fucking rain on my parade! I know shit about you that would get you grounded for a year!" - He threatened me, ferociously.

I'm gobsmacked. But none more than my parents at this moment.

"Charlie, language." - Dad said in a calm manner.

"Sorry, dad. I just hate hypocrisy more than anything! What does he think I'm gonna do? Screw my girlfriend in the backseat of the car while his mate is driving?" - Charlie complained, peeved.

"OK, that's enough! You're excused from the table, Charlie. Go get ready for your date." - Dad said, putting a stop to it.

He gets up, got his dishes to the sink and left for our room. I tried to do the same, but before I could leave the kitchen my dad had other ideas.

"Son, I'm not gonna comment on any of the things your brother just said because they're your business. However, you can't fight everyone at every front. You have to pick your battles." - Dad stated with a troubled tone.

Daddy got to washing the dishes as he cleaned the table.

"You're already in detriment at school, a new mate who you know nothing about and now antagonizing your brother who frankly never breathed a word against you as far as I can remember. You need allies if you wanna become a leader." - Dad advised, looking pained at me.

"When your daddy and I were battling it out for the Alpha position, he lost himself the public opinion way before he lost Alpha by attacking me. It was so bad that by the time we had an accident during training, he'd already lost his reputation and therefore it'd take hours for the Elders to side with me." - He continued, making dad wince.

"Your reputation is everything in our business. And if people don't support you, you can't become Alpha. And that starts at home." - He concluded.

I know what he means. It'd be easy to say that being Alpha is the equivalent of a dictatorship as you don't vote, only obey. But it doesn't work like that.

Yes, you have to obey the Alpha. But his orders must reflect the good of the people. You can't have an insurgency within your pack.

In the old days, people who voiced against their Alpha got killed. But nowadays, dad can't set a warrior against his own pack member for no good reason.

It's very much still a free country and Alpha's rule isn't absolute. There are limits.

I apologized to my brother once I got inside our bedroom. He's right. Whatever damage I have, it has nothing to do with him. He earned his privileges way more than I did.

I should count myself lucky to even be allowed to crash his date - to which he offered no objections, by the way.

I can't believe how good a person my brother is. I should be the one setting the example for him, not the other way around.

Oh, people know I've been dating someone for a year!? Damn, here I thought I was being slick.😳

Later on, as scheduled, my mate showed up at our door to drive my brother to his date. He's wearing a plain shirt and jeans pants. My brother, on the other hand, is looking dapper in matching clothes, even his shoes color combined with his belt.

I'm matching my mate in plain clothes.

We got inside the car, Liam and I at the front and Charlie on the back. He is driving my car since I lost car privileges for a week.

First, we went to pick up Annie, Charlie's girlfriend.

"Thanks for letting me crash your gig." - I started, once he's driving.

"It's your brother who you should be thanking, not me. I'm on his service." - He replied, causing a smirk to appear on Charlie's mouth.

"I did." - I said.

"No, you didn't." - Charlie rebuked, making Liam laugh.

"I meant to. Anyway, tell me about yourself. Who is William Jackson Forsythe?" - I engaged, smiling.

"How do you know my full name already?" - He asked me instead, surprised.

"My uncle told us when he came to plead your case." - I replied, honestly.

"Right. I forgot about that for a second." - He said, lowering his head a little and grimacing.

"I didn't mean to bring it up. But your mom was right to get you the hell out of there. I met that boy and I'm just glad you're here now." - I told him with a heavy sigh of relief.

"That's right! You went to my former pack. Was everything alright over there?" - He asked, curiously.

I took a breath and paused for a moment. I looked at his intrigued face and tried my best not to freak him out.

"Yes, it was. Alpha Collins showed no objections to your relocation and was friendly to me. His son... well, he was there." - I replied as honestly as possible.

"Did he say anything about me?" - He asked, quizzically. I dreaded this question already.

"Please, can we talk about something else? Anything? You can even tell me about your ex girlfriend or boyfriend." - I pleaded with a sorrowed expression.

"It was that bad, huh? I see..." - He pondered with a saddened tone.

"He said he wished he finished the job on you." - I told him with a dreadful look on my face.

Both him and Charlie gasped at this. We arrive at Annie's house. Charlie steps down to welcome her and greet her parents at the door.

When she boards the car, Liam starts it again.

"Boss, I'm gonna put the address you gave me on my navigation app. Enjoy the ride. Nice to meet you, Annie. I'm Liam. Have a lovely date." - He said with a charming tone.

"Thanks, Liam. This is so fancy, Charlie. How did you convince your dad to get you a driver?" - She asked her boyfriend, sounding excited.

"I didn't. He surprised me this week. He didn't even know Liam was my brother's mate then!" - Charlie replied, elated.

They kiss for a good time, but I try to concentrate on my mate.

"I'm glad your father didn't go back on his word once he found out about us." - Liam said after a while of us in silence.

"Yeah, Alphas don't go back on their word. I tried." - I blurted, to which he instantly grimaced.

"You tried to get me fired before I even start?" - He looked gobsmacked at me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just wish we could go on a date properly." - I argued, feeling bad.

"Did it ever occur to you that I might need this job and I was glad your father even offered to me in the first place?" - He shot back, sounding really annoyed.

"If you need, I can give you the money--"

"I'm not a charity case!" - He yelled, startling all of us inside the car.

He took a big breath, then he looked back to my brother.

"Boss, I'm sorry for my outburst. It won't happen again." - He apologized to Charlie, who said it's fine.

"I'm happy to work for my money. I don't want you to give me anything. I'm already regretting having you here with me!" - He barked, but in a low tone.

I winced at his words. This is not going the way that I wanted.

"You're right. I should be more considerate of you. I was being selfish. I'm sorry." - I apologized, voice dripping in remorse.

"I understand that you're used to having no difficulties in life, being the son of a rich Alpha. But I was raised by a single mom with no college education and no mate to support her. We never had any money, but she gave me everything she could and taught me the value of honest labor." - He lectured, calmly.

"Now, I'm not saying this for you to pity me. I'm happy for my mom, who's the best person I know. And I'm happy she brought me here, despite the odds we have a chance of a better life. But make no mistake, I can pull my own weight and didn't say yes to you because of your position." - He ranted, making me feel guilty.

An awkward silence ensued. It would take a while for us to reach our destination.

"I never thought you had accepted the bond because of who I am. Actually, I thought you rejected me because of it." - I said after a while.

"I've barely known who you were at the time, to be honest. I just panicked. For the longest time, I thought I was going to be mateless and that my mate died when my pack did." - He admitted with a grim tone.

Another long awkward silence.

Damn, I'm sorry I came along. I'm fucking up my brother's date.

"Well, I'm glad you gave me a second chance. And I'm happy you're here. I look forward to learning from you and perhaps being a better person and mate. I know your unique perspective in life is gonna give you an edge when you become Luna." - I stated with a mildly confident tone.

Liam smiled at me, surprised by my statement. Finally! The first smile I've seen from him today.

We reached our destination. There's a county fair in a neighbor city that my brother wanted to take Annie. It's a good chance for them to let loose (from us).

He set up a time and a place to meet up for their return and walked away with her. I took the opportunity to keep my mate company while he waited.

And though we may argue, there's still so much to discuss and get to know each other. Honestly, I'll take any opportunity.

This is my life now. And it's on me to make it work.😜

https://youtu.be/26wEWSUUsUc

A|N: Who ever said relationships are easy?

Dating is hard, y'all.

Speaking of hard, next chapter is one of the hottest I've ever written.

And yes, there'll be trouble and his name is Justin Underwood. Tick tock.

Love,

Léo.