George

I know about the heartbreak.

For people living in secrecy, werewolves are surprisingly oversharers. On family nights with their friends and former high school mates, my parents start reminiscing about the good old days.

As you hear them talking, you'd think about people in their golden years, but my parents, aunt and uncle and their friends are all under 40.

Though their high school days are long gone, it's not something to be missed. Or is it?

I don't really know, what I do know is: my dad used to date my aunt, my other dad used to date my best friend's mom and none of them thought they'd be mated to each other.

Yes, there were pools on who's being mated to whom, but uncle Tony had a lucky guess. Anyway, it's a mess!

It'd be awkward if we weren't werewolves, people who know practically since birth that we DON'T get to pick the people we're spending the rest of our lives with.

My dad certainly didn't choose my other dad. In fact, he was so shocked by it threw him in a loop and messed everything up for them.

My parents started as enemies, competing for the Alpha position, and ended up mates. Because the person in charge of pairing - the deity known as Moon Goddess - doesn't really care about petty human rivalries. She barely cares about gender, let alone other stuff.

But she never gets it wrong.

My dads are exquisitely happy with each other, though they argue a lot. But they complete themselves in a way only a Goddess given mate can. My aunt and uncle are the same, the happiest couple I know.

Though Junior would say the same about his parents. Jason Westbrook Jr. is my best friend. His parents had him BEFORE they were mated, which was a scandal at the time.

Well, still is. Nothing frightens my parents more than one of their boys showing up with an unmated pregnant girl. Especially me.

I think I had to suffer through more uncomfortable safe sex practice lessons than any other teenager I know, apart from my little brother. He's 16, so he had to endure it as well.

Fortunately, Junior's parents got mated to each other and the family was complete. But that was a freak case, one nobody should expect it to repeat. And a cautionary tale my dad banged several times on my head.

I get it dad, move on! It's not like any of you got mated a virgin... I mean, uncle Tony did but I suspect it wasn't completely his choice.😳

But when I said especially me, it's because I am under an specific scrutiny being the son of who I am.

My name is George Burke Stonehold, oldest son of Alpha Jack Stonehold and Luna Tyler Burke. Therefore, I'm poised to succeed my dad as Alpha of the Stonehold pack, the largest werewolf pack in the country with more than 20 thousand members.

It's a daunting responsibility, but my dads have been preparing me for the last 17 years. Still, there's so much to cover.

I go to school, then train with the Delta of our pack. I need to be well versed in fighting skills if I am to command our warriors, the largest standing wolf army of any pack.

And my dad had it worse than me, he was forced to intern under my grandpa, the former Alpha. But he teaches me gradually, without making it look like a job. However he started with me way earlier than he did with grandpa.

Still, I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's my calling, what I was born for. My destiny.

Though apparently if I don't cut it, dad has a backup plan: Charlie, my younger brother. He's been taught at Alpha level same as me. And though he doesn't need to train with the Delta, he does practice at school with the wrestling team, just like me.

As my dads did in their day. Legend has it my daddy Tyler was an even better wrestler than my dad Jack. But don't ask them that. It's not worth the hassle. Or the headache you're gonna get from their arguing over it.

I'd say my dads fight as hard as they love each other, but it works for them. It's their rhythm. After all these years, we're used to it and my dads are beloved by the pack.

Soon, it'll be my turn. But unlike my dad, I'm not in such a hurry to take on the giant responsibility. I'm cool to just be a 17 years old teenager for now.

Plus, before any of that, I do need to get a mate. And as my 18th approaches, I'm sweating in nervousness.

I envy Junior who's already 18 and mated. Lucky bastard. And his mate is such a lovely girl, Patricia. But more than anything, I think his parents are just relieved history didn't repeat itself. Like I said, that was a lucky break.

"Good morning, Georgie." - Daddy greeted me on a Wednesday morning, as he's setting up the table for breakfast. Charlie gets greeted too.

"I've told you to call me George, daddy. How many times do I have to say it? No Alpha is gonna command respect if he's called Georgie." - I grunted in a sour mood. I'm not that much of a morning person.

"Last time I checked, you're not Alpha yet. But I'll take it under advisement by the time you ascend." - He rebuked, playfully. Charlie laughed at this.

"Son, if an Alpha is depending on his name to command respect, he's not doing a very good job, is he? My name is not even Jack." - Dad interjected, coming into the kitchen and kissing his mate on the cheek.

Though my dad doesn't need to have breakfast this early with us before school, daddy demands it of him ever since we're kids. And what my daddy wants, he gets it.

"Wait, your name isn't Jack? Then to whom am I mated for all these years?" - Daddy joked. Charlie and dad giggled like idiots.

"A rose by any other name would still smell the same." - Dad replied in a romantic mood. I'm barfing at this mushy stuff, but Charlie eats it up.

"You people are so corny!" - I mumbled, pouting.

"I'm sure once you find your mate you'll be corny too, son." - Dad reflected, looking at me with a knowing glance.

"Sure, dad. Whatever you say." - I replied, as we start eating our breakfast.

Some time later, Charlie and I get into my car on our way out of the compound we live.

Because of the attack that killed my dad's entire family 26 years ago, grandpa had this large piece of land walled for protection forming a condominium of houses that includes the pack house, where our aunt and uncle lives with several of our unmated warriors, my grandparents' home, Junior's and our own (among *many* others).

It's massive, indeed. And now is only accessible through one reinforced steel gate, guarded by warriors 24/7. Though, to be fair, any pack member can enter it because the Alpha and Beta must always be available to them.

But this gate wasn't built to keep our own members out. It's to avoid any surprise attack against our leadership.

I drive to Junior's house - which is on the way out - and he joins us in the car, riding shotgun.

"Good morning, Alpha. Hi, Charlie." - He greets us as he takes his seat and close the door. Charlie and I greet him back. And I drive off towards school, past the gate.

"How are you doing? Do we have a date yet?" - I inquire, making him scowl.

Junior and Patricia haven't completed the bond yet. Though his birthday was back in August, he only discovered her in September after we're back to school.

It has being going nice, but almost a month in and still no bite.

"Not yet, stop asking. It'll happen when it happens." - He replied in a sour mood. Charlie giggled at this.

"It's fine, bro. I'm just curious. But take your time, it's not like she's gonna cause a pregnancy or anything like that." - I teased him. Charlie held back a laughter.

We all know the story of his conception. Daddy got struck by heat and "influenced" the entire school, including Junior's parents to hook up. And the rest is history, sitting right beside me.

"Thanks, Alpha. Very funny." - He said, not amused. But I laughed.

"I'm just messing with you! I know it's her decision. I just hope they have heat medicine this time." - I snickered.

"I already asked. They do." - He replied in a dry tone.

"Good for you." - I smirked.

We arrive at school shortly. Charlie goes on to talk to his friends from the Junior class, while Jr. looks for his mate.

The school was packed with students talking and laughing, commenting on the latest gossip or speculating about any upcoming mating.

For seniors like me, every day is mating season. Because everyday someone turns 18 and boom! There it is. Your mate.

Well, maybe not every single day. But it happens a lot. Though the phenomenon is at its highest when school starts and all the summer babies who turned 18 - like Junior - get paired.

Anyway, it's only the person you're gonna spend the rest of your life with. But who cares?🙄

"Good morning, Alpha." - Justin greets me as I come near my friends, who all greet me as well.

Justin Underwood, Miriam Tavares and Mia Johnson are my closest friends from school. We've been studying together since the first grade.

"Good morning, Justin. Hi, guys." - I replied, while I see Junior kissing his mate not far from us.

"What's the latest?" - I ask, hoping to be entertained.

"Not much, but Jeff's birthday is coming up. Are you going to his party?" - Mia answered with an intrigued look on her face.

Jefferson Stockwell is my frenemy. He and I never got along, but mostly because we compete for the same spots. We always try to outdo each other, gunning for that number one position.

Especially the captaincy of the wrestling team. It means a lot to me because my dad was captain and he knows it. He just doesn't care.

"Sure, why not? A party is a party. Maybe I can find my mate there." - I said, showing very little enthusiasm.

"Maybe he's your mate." - Justin joked, causing my face to descend into an ugly grimace.

"That's not even funny!" - I glared at him so many daggers he's uncomfortable under my stare.

"Oh, that's hilarious! I'd pay to see you complete the bond!" - Mia joked. Sort of. She's very into yaoi.😏

I glared at her too.

"If you wanna see me naked, just ask. You don't need any subterfuge." - I smirked, flirtatiously.

"Dream on, Georgie! That's not what this is about." - She rebuked in a playful tone.

My daddy had the best idea in his time. Instead of setting himself up for a heartbreak by having a girlfriend, he just had a no strings attached relationship.

He got what he wanted out of it. So did she. And they still remained free to be mated. It's simple, but genius. I want that too. My mate doesn't come for a couple of months and I need to get some.

As they say, knowledge is power. If you know you're in for a heartbreak, you can avoid it. Though most of the times that's easier said than done.

"Good morning, boys. We need to start preparing for the end of the year wrestling tournament. I need you to train foundations today and think about anticipating your adversary." - Coach told the wrestling team.

We're at the gym. We're gearing up to start practice. And I'm already anticipating work off my frustrations on the mat today.

"Captain Stockwell, remember what I just said. Begin, boys." - Coach looked at him, who nods along.

Every time I hear him saying 'captain' not addressed to me is like he's twisting the knife. I know it sounds silly, but this is my senior year. So it really would mean a lot to me if I were.

Though my dad doesn't care about it, particularly. He just encourages me to be the best that I can be. And even if I can't be the captain, I still can be the best fighter.

And I'm gunning for it. That's what I'm counting on. I'll show them who's the Alpha in this bitch.

I'm not a slacker. Honestly, I do the work. Both at school and the training center with Delta Underwood. But sometimes, even your best is not enough. And it sucks. Nevertheless, I persevere. I don't have it in me to give up.

After an hour of training hard, the coach congratulated us on a good practice and sent us off to the locker room.

"Wow! You're on fire today! Are you okay?" - Junior asked me once we open our lockers to grab our stuff.

"I'm fine. Just working off some stuff." - I replied, not in a good mood.

"It's the virgin energy! The lack of sex is giving him a boost!" - Jeff provoked, not far from us. The boys laugh at this.

"Your sister didn't tell you? We spent such a good time last labor day together!" - I shot back, causing him to scowl. He has a sister the same age as Charlie.

"If you come near my sister, you won't live to ascend!" - He threatened, seriously angry.

"Wow, I'm quaking in fear. You and what army are going to get me?" - I teased. If there's any man I'm afraid of, he's not it.

"I'm warning you!" - He insisted with a death stare at me.

"And I'm warning you, Stockwell! I'm not afraid of you. Not now, nor ever. If you want me, I'm available. Come and get me!" - I stare him down. He's fuming, eyes glowing like he's discovering his mate.

"Hey, if you both get expelled for fighting, I wonder if I can get the captaincy." - Junior joked, snapping us out of our stare competition.

I grabbed my toiletries and went to the shower area before the worst happens. Junior and the rest of the boys go too.

"The principal would never expel me." - I bragged, once I start the shower. The principal is none other than my aunt, Sarah Burke.

"I wouldn't take that bet if I were you." - Junior warned me with a frightful tone.

"I'm cool. I don't need to prove any bullshit macho stuff. I just wanna graduate school, find my mate and book my ascension ceremony." - I replied in a calm manner.

"Sure, Georgie. Or maybe your dad will give Alpha to your brother, who's actually good enough to be the captain of his class." - Jeff provoked me.

But this time he went too far. A loud growl passed my lips that could be heard throughout the locker room and beyond. Now my eyes are glowing. I'm so furious I could shift right now.

Jeff laughs at me. I'm shaking with rage. But Junior mind links me words to reign me in, learning from my father's mistakes when he attacked someone unprovoked. Though the person he attacked is an angel compared to this piece of shit.

I step out, get dried and dressed, eager to put some distance between me and him. I attack my food during lunch break as Junior explained to the girls what happened at practice today.

I don't comment on it, as I'm visibly distraught, just focusing on my plate.

We all have our insecurities. We all got stuff we need to deal with. But being a werewolf, more than anything, I wanna do my father(s) proud. Especially considering who they are.

But if there's one thing that gives me constant nightmares since I was 10 is the possibility of my dad choosing another successor for Alpha.

Yes, I mean my brother. I do love him, don't get me wrong. I wish him nothing but the absolute best. But I was born first. It's my birth right and I want it. Badly. And everybody knows it.

Hours later, after the final bell, I'm washing my hands in the restroom when I'm approached.

"Are you okay?"

"Not really." - I replied, peeved.

"Can I kiss it better?"

"Not this time, no." - I snapped, frowning.

"Fine. Can I kiss you anyway?"

I smiled mischievously at this. Then, we jump into a hot make out session before I leave school. I wish I could resist it, but I'm only (partially) human.

Like I said before: I know about the heartbreak. It's gonna hurt like a bitch!

But fuck if I can avoid it.🥺

https://youtu.be/5CPeHQHAQyo

A|N: My Georgie is all grown up! Last time I wrote him he was only 12.

I missed this family! It's incredibly challenging to write a sequel without repeating story lines. Wish me luck!

I wonder who's kissing George...

Love,

Léo.