John

I was on cloud nine. After I thought I'd never be allowed to see the one I love alone again, I was thrilled to get another chance however limited it might be.

I mean, come on! I'm a fifteen years old boy. I never thought I'd get away with half the things we did. So, whatever happens next it's a bonus. Plus, it's not like I'm a 'normal' teenager. Like I said before, there's not much expectation of intimacy between unmated werewolves.

Not as a minor, anyway. Of course, when some people don't find their mates at 18, no one is stopping them from playing the field, especially with humans. But that it's not my case.

And with Rosalyn's fateful mate lurking around the corner, I have to make everyday count.

As we entered the last month of Summer, I was on my best behavior. I trained every single day like I'm supposed to, I helped my parents watch over Matt, I even helped around the house!

I mean, they were just about to check me to see if I wasn't body swapped by aliens.

Emmett didn't talk to me much, but at least he's back to normal. I mean, we didn't talk that much before either. So, you know...

Like I said, things were normal again, except that I had parents hovering over Rosalyn and I every time we're alone together.

But that is to be expected. I just missed being alone with her, but not for the reasons one might think. I actually love to talk to her and just goof around.

As we had to face our fears, I arranged for Rosalyn and I to go back to the waterfalls. We haven't been over there ever since THAT day.

With a warrior escort of course, Goddess knows I wasn't about to lose the only ally I had. Not to mention dad sees everything as we're forced to accept, so it's not like I can fool the Beta. Honestly, I don't know how uncle Dan did it on his time. And he dated the Beta's daughter!

I even tried to get the warrior to use a headphone, so we have some privacy but he told me it was against his training as he needed to be alert for sounds, which I got it, of course. I mean, can you imagine what would happen to him if anything harmed the Alpha's daughter on his watch?

Not that I would ever allow it to happen, but let's just say you don't wanna face off the Alpha. He literally buried more than 20 warriors from challenges over the years, more than any other Alpha before him!

So, we sat close together and whispered talked.

"I missed us." - I started in a whisper to her ear.

"Me too, you have no idea!" - She whispered back to me, sounding anxious.

"Oh I have a pretty good idea! Though I'm too young to be mated, it seems that everything I'm supposed to feel for a mate I feel for you!" - I confessed.

"Yeah, me too! It's uncanny! I didn't think you picked up on that! But I feel the exact same way!" - She agreed enthusiastically. I smiled widely.

"Oh Goddess! Do you think the reason you can't find your mate it's because we're in too deep?" - I pondered, very frightened.

"If that were true no teenage werewolf would be mated! I mean, we're not any more into each other than dad was with Luna Lauren. And they thought they're mates!" - She replied calmly, which makes me sigh in relief.

"That does make sense. It's just that if I'd have anything to do with you not getting your mate and ascend, I'd never forgive myself!" - I spoke with a concerned tone.

"You're so adorable! I love you!" - She said and then kissed me.

I melted. I just couldn't fathom me loving anyone else but her for the rest of my life! And I know it's silly for a 15 years old to say. But I can't help it. I love her with every fiber of my being!

"I love you too!" - I said and kissed her back.

It was a sweet and tender moment between us. Sure, we had to block the presence of the chaperone, but he was at a distance. It's not like he was in our face or at our vantage point.

"Your conscience can be at ease, if I were to meet him, I'm sure the Goddess would make it work. You may be a fierce warrior but you're no match for a Goddess!" - She snickered.

I laughed out loud. We both did.

"I'll take the compliment! Speaking of which, I know we never had a chance to talk about it..." - I started.

"I know!" - She interrupted me.

"But we might as well rip the band-aid off now that we're here!" - I suggested.

"I'll start: I've never been so scared in my life up to that point. And I don't mean for me!" - I whispered, deeply concerned in my voice.

"I know. Me too. When the second rogue hit you, I gasped. I've never been so worried for anyone in my life!" - She said, sounding very troubled.

"Yeah, but what scared me the most was that he would attack you next. And that I couldn't allow for it to happen!" - I spoke honestly, but concerned.

"I know, John and I love you for it. But if you were to be hurt or worse, I'd never forgive myself for not being there fighting with you!" - Her voice was overwhelmed with emotion.

Tears streamed down her face. From mine too.

All we could do in this moment was to hold each other close, which we did for the longest time as we wept silently. We finally had a chance to process the events that shaped our lives, whether we wanted or not.

After a good while, it was almost time to get back. I moved to kiss her gently.

"I can't believe I'm the first person you kiss and you're so good at it!" - She complimented me.

I smiled very widely. And all of the sudden my canines elongated. She got startled by the sight. I was shocked too. A werewolf's canines only grow if you shift or if you're about to mark your mate. And that only happened after they have sex, at 18. And that wasn't the case, at all!

After a moment to cool down, since we didn't need to mask our scents anymore from the family, we just left with our escort.

Later, we're having dinner at the pack house, and the entire family is there, including my parents and brother. We ate a lot over there.

"So, uncle Dan, if I may be so bold, can I ask you a question?" - I looked at him directly in his eyes, seriously.

"If you're going to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage, the answer is NO!" - He snickered.

All presents laughed except for me and her.

"I'm only 15, uncle Dan, plus I'd ask uncle Felix for it, I'm not stupid! He already loves me." - I rebuked, looking at uncle Felix who smiled at me.

The entire table laughed BUT uncle Dan.

"I do, John. I mean, I only have 2 nephews so there's plenty of love to go around! But the answer would still be a NO." - He croaked. His mate look pleased. But not because he didn't love me, he just didn't want me for his daughter.

"Thanks, anyway. But my question is: why can't there be two Alphas?" - I wondered. They all glared at me, but I didn't care.

"That's a fair question, nephew. Tony, can you please answer that?" - He replied without missing a beat, looking at uncle Tony.

Tony Williams is aunt Denise's mate. They discovered they were mates at uncle Dan's wedding if you can believe it. Since he and aunt Denise got together, he soon found out that she wouldn't move away from her pack and wouldn't have pups before making Delta. She was 18 and he was 17 at the time. He's from the Blood Moon pack, the brother of their Alpha.

Since then, he put himself through college and became a C.P.A. (accountant). He's also a stay at home dad, taking care of their two toddlers. Since he can work from home, he does the pack's books.

"We can't afford 2 Alphas' paychecks." - Uncle Tony informed me.

"Seriously?! But we are the largest pack in the East Coast!" - I rebuked, astonished.

"We also have a huge expense! We are the pack with most warriors on the pay roll, 50 of them. Not counting my mate. Not to mention this pack house is a massive costing machine! You wouldn't believe our water and electric bill. We also have to pay for the household staff, like our wonderful cooks." - He retorted in a serious tone.

"Can't they split the paycheck?" - I inquired. All the adults at the table laughed at me. I scowled.

"Son, we're not the president! Or the CEO of a Corporation. You have to be aware that the Luna doesn't get paid so the Alpha has to support himself and his entire family on one paycheck. I mean, sure they don't pay for the house or food. But every other expense they have is out of his paycheck. I'm paying for this meal right now out of my pocket!" - Dad interjected. He looked so serious.

"Don't remind me, Nate. Lunas should get paid. This house takes a lot of work!" - Uncle Felix whined. Most present giggled at him quietly.

"Thanks, dad. Thanks, Uncle Tony." - I said, feeling disheartened.

"Speaking of work, can you believe your nephew asked me if you fired me?" - Dad smirked.

"Your niece also asked me that exact same question!" - Uncle Dan snickered.

"This kids, they have no idea the type of loyalty I feel for Nate. When the Council suspended my ascension, they wanted him 'the straight one' to ascend in my place as Alpha. He could have easily stolen my position from under me! Instead, he used his name to petition the Council to revoke my suspension. And he didn't stop until we won." - Uncle Dan said, misty eyed. I could tell this's very emotional for him. He's not one to tear up at random.

Dad looked at him also tearing up.

"That would never happen! I could never betray you, Dan!" - Dad said fighting back tears.

"Was I happy that he kept my daughter and nephew's relationship from me? No, of course not! But that would never change how I feel about my brother! Not in a million years..." - Uncle Dan concluded, smiling at my dad.

"Thank you, uncle. But I don't think aunt Daphne would make a good Luna." - Rosalyn snickered. My mom fainted a grimace but even she can agree she wouldn't indeed. Dad laughed.

"Regardless, I didn't know Alpha and Beta couldn't be fired! What's impeach anyway?" - I croaked.

"Impeachment is what happens when you lose your position by committing an illegal act like fraud or embezzlement. Or abuse of power, that's the only way to remove an Alpha, Beta or Luna once they've ascended." - Dad lectured me.

"Yes, a part from challenging the Alpha tomorrow." - Aunt Denise chimed in, referring to the full moon ceremony, where any mated pack member can challenge the Alpha. But if they lose, they die. So let's just say no one has challenged my uncle for more than a decade.

"You're right, sister, thanks for the information. It's not like the Delta who can be fired by the Alpha at any time. I couldn't fire Nate even if I wanted to. Which I don't or will ever." - Uncle Dan spoke, taking a dig at aunt Denise.

"I'd like to see you try, brother!" - She looked at him menacingly. Damn, she's fierce!

"I love that you cared enough to ask, John." - Rosalyn told me, affectionately. I swooned.

"Yeah, John, I'm sorry but only one of us can be Alpha. But I appreciate your attempt of a conciliation." - Emmett said. He actually meant it, which is nice.

"On a lighter note, uncle Dan you're not gonna believe what your son did to me today. I mean, unless you get reports." - Rosalyn snickered. I almost laughed but was too embarrassed to do so.

"Ewl! No, I don't want to know anything and I don't get reports on teenagers activities unless they've committed a crime!" - Dad scowled. Mom and Matt laughed.

"I thought you knew everything, uncle." - Rosalyn snickered.

"I do know everything! But I'm not God! I just know what's relevant! I don't keep track on teenagers, I have a 500 people pack to protect! And 50 warriors to oversee, not to mention a rebellious Delta!" - Dad schooled. Aunt Denise smiled proudly.

"Wow, Uncle. That does sound like a lot. But you're the best Beta we've ever had!" - Rosalyn told him. She sounded a little sarcastic, but I know she meant it. He really is.

"Thanks Rosalyn, I'm glad you're in such a good mood. Because your daddy is about to drop a bomb!" - He snickered. Dad smiled like an evil mastermind. I gasped. So did all of the presents.

Of course, with that everybody looked at Uncle Felix. And I do mean EVERYONE! Even uncle Dan.

"How did you know..?" - Uncle Felix trailed off, looking at dad puzzled.

"Rosalyn, te quiero mucho, no te olvides de isto. Lo sinto, cariño!" - He continued.

"Oh, fuck!" - Rosalyn blurted. Her face cracked.

"What? What did he say?" - I asked her as I don't speak spanish.

"It's not what he said, it's what he's about to say!" - She answered, enigmatically.

Uncle Felix turned to Emmett and said:

"Son, I know who your mate is."

https://youtu.be/nBDbUVXXp-U