John

I'm rooting for Emmett, I really am!

No, I don't mean for him to ascend as Alpha. Unfortunately, that ship has already sailed and he will ascend! There's nothing anyone can do about it! And yes, that means I won't be Beta.

I could be bitter about it, but if Rosalyn can change her attitude about Emmett's ascension, so can I. And it means way more to her than to me, let's be honest! Of course, I would love to be Beta, follow in my dad's footsteps.

But I knew that being 2 years younger than the twins would jeopardize that. And I get it. The only person who would wait for me is Rosalyn, but that's only because she loves me. And to be fair, no Alpha has ever ascended without his Beta.

Be that as it may, I am rooting for Emmett's relationship to succeed. I may not want him to ascend, but I would never wish on anyone to be apart from their mate. Especially after witnessing first hand the effect it had on my dad, though I was mostly too young to notice.

Now, I hate to be shallow, but I don't know how would I have handled Emmett's plight. And I don't mean about the runaway mate, not that I'd know how to handle that either.

But I meant not having a cisgender female for mate. And yes, I realize that sounds transfobic, though I don't want to be. I hope it's one of those things that I can mature over time, cause my 15 years old self can't cope.

In any case, she seems like a lovely girl who'll definitely call him on his crap. Good for him! Who doesn't like a strong woman?

Speaking of strong women, my VERY bossy, confident girlfriend was doing great, all things considered.

She took a completely new approach to life and the loss of Alpha. She's accepted it and is focusing on other projects, which I hope will include me for as long as she isn't mated.

I know every teen werewolf probably go trough this exact feeling when they're dating unmated, but I sincerely don't know how will I ever love anyone else but her!

And no, I don't mean this because we already had sex. I'm not THAT shallow! I already loved her before that and would still love her regardless of those experiences.

However, I don't know how our sex are supposed to compare with mated sex. Of course, I don't have the experience to back it up, and it's not like I'm gonna ask around mated couples about their sex lives. But I seriously don't know how it's supposed to top that. Because ours was amazing!

I know we've only done it twice. But if it does get better with time, I can't hardly wait for more!

Now, back to reality, school life was VERY different from summer life. For once, we arrived already in the afternoon and barely had time to change before warrior training.

I mean, thank Goddess I live and train in the same compound, however massive its land is.

After warrior training, shower and then homework before dinner. By the time you have dinner, you're already beat. And after that, all you want is to crawl into bed or maybe watch TV before lights out at 10.

Basically, that leaves NO time for seeing your girlfriend. Even if she lived inside the same condominium as you.

Of course, I see her at school and warrior training, but it's not the same, obviously.

As we are in different grades, we don't have any class together and basically only see each other at lunch. I missed my girlfriend. I missed making out at the play room of her house.

Which is why weekends were the best, as we didn't have the same restrictions.

"Were you weirded out by Sam's words at lunch the other day? I could tell you're pissed!" - I asked as I gaze upon her on the couch at the play room.

"I was a little. I just got defensive about us! She made it seem like it's something dirty. Like a dirty little secret. And I've never felt that way about us! Though I'm aware of the looks we get from our own parents." - Rosalyn spoke in a concerned tone.

"Yeah, me too! I mean, my dad is pretty understanding but up to a point. He did not like our adventure last summer!" - I smirked, feeling guilty.

"Too bad for him. I loved it! Also, isn't it amazing how the second time was so much better than the first one?" - She noted with a wide grin.

"I know, right? It was freaking awesome! So much better!" - I agreed, enthusiastically.

"I wonder what our third is gonna be like..." - I pondered, suggestively looking at her.

"I had a feeling you're gonna say this. But down, boy! For one, we don't have a venue!" - Rosalyn stated. I knew it was a long shot but hey, closed mouths don't get fed.

"I know... I mean, if I even attempt to at my house, my dad would ban me from seeing you. Not even joking. He'll be worse than your dad!" - I croaked.

"Yeah, I didn't think so! That was a one off anyway." - Rosalyn said with a sad tone.

"Agreed. But anyway, it doesn't matter. I'm just glad to finally being able to see you properly. School barely started and it's already kicking my ass!" - I snickered.

"I know, John. I totally understand. And this is my final year. There are lots to do!" - She observed in a somber tone.

I looked down. Immediately I was reminded of our age gap and how I wouldn't have her by my side same time next year.

"Hey, don't be sad, we'll make it work. It's not like I have to prepare for ascension or anything!" - She snickered with an uncomfortable laughter.

"I know. It's just that next year I won't have you by my side. And it saddens me!" - I admitted, painfully.

"Don't think about that! Let's enjoy this year!" - She whispered. - "We still have plenty of time till then!" - She said as she kisses me. Goddess, I missed this!

Not much later than that, we're having lunch at the pack house dining hall.

"So, son, how was the first week with your mate?" - Uncle Felix asked him.

"It was mostly great, daddy. I was sad to see her having to face the locker-room. I even remembered the story you told us about dad defending you. But it was awful!" - He told him, in a very saddened tone.

"It must be very difficult for her, indeed. I hope she can rise above this situation!" - Uncle Felix replied, hopeful.

"And how was your week, nephew? Any girl distracted you from my daughter?" - Uncle Dan joked. I mean, not really.

I laughed out loud.

"There's only one girl for me, uncle. Sorry. I was just wondering the other day, how am I ever supposed to love anyone else more than I love her?" - I pondered. Emm grimaced. Rosalyn swooned.

"It was worth a shot!" - He croaked.

"Anyone had any more interesting dreams lately? Rosalyn, did you dream you win the Alpha challenge?" - Uncle Dan snickered.

"Good one, dad. Not yet. But now that you've changed the Alpha challenge, maybe soon!" - She replied, not missing a beat.

Uncle Dan, the Alpha of the pack, proposed a change in the law altering the Alpha challenge from a fight to a debate. The pack voted for it at the last Full Moon ceremony and it has won in a landslide. The next Alpha will have to rise up in a debate fit for politicians.

"And how is my sister? Tell her to come see me some time, I miss her." - Uncle Felix said.

"She's fine, uncle. Just working. You know, doctor's life. Hospital never stops. But she did sent a refill on Rosalyn's prescription. It's in my pack bag, I'll get it for her later." - I told him, but looked at Rosalyn.

"Thanks, John." - She winked at me. She had a medical condition that made it very difficult for her to get pregnant and had to take medication to manage it.

In the afternoon, we took our warrior escort back to the waterfalls. Oh, I missed this place so much, even though it's different now that we're in Autumn.

"It's so good in here. I love it!" - I admired the natural beauty of the place.

"Me too! I missed this. Being only us here and our warrior." - She snickered. I laughed.

Because of our unmated sex here, uncle Felix ordered that we could only leave the compound together if we take a warrior escort with us. But we mostly ignored his presence and enjoyed our time 'alone'.

"Hey, since we're here..."

"No!" - She interrupted me, nearly shouting.

"What? What did you think I was gonna say?" - I looked at her, puzzled.

"Sorry, I thought..."

"You thought I was gonna suggest we have sex in front of the warrior? Are you crazy? Do you want me to get expelled from the pack?" - I spat at her.

"No, idiot! I thought you wanted to reminisce on the..." - She rebuked, angrily. That does make a lot more sense! Even the warrior laughed at me.

"Oh, right! But no, that's not what I was going to say. I mean, lets..."

We catch a strange scent coming from the woods. The warrior scents it too. We're alert after the rogue attack last summer. But it wasn't a wolf's scent. Those were as unmistakable as... humans!

After a moment, Samantha comes walking in and we're surprised by her presence.

"Hi, Sam." - We greeted her together, unintentionally.

"Hi, guys. Come her often?" - She croaked.

"We do, actually." - I replied to her, smiling.

"Have you come to see the famous Rutherford waterfalls?" - Rosalyn asked with a smile.

"I did, yeah. Excuse me, who is..." - She trailed off, looking at the brooding man standing not far from where we're seated.

"Oh, that's my security guard. My dad is very protective of me. Only daughter, you know." - Rosalyn told her. She looked at us weirdly.

"Wow! Really? What kind of danger is he expecting to have here?" - She snickered, looking around the scenery. I mean, it's not like she's totally wrong.

"Well... Sometimes, we get rogue wolves in this area." - Rosalyn explained to her. She got spooked.

"Did you just say wolves?" - She gasped.

"I did, yes!" - Rosalyn confirmed. And she wasn't wrong. But Sam was not buying it.

"But it's not like it happens every day or anything. It's rare!" - I told her, awkwardly.

"Got it. And what can he do about it? He's not even armed!" - She pointed it out, looking at him side-eyed.

Fuck! We certainly did not see that one coming. And this is Texas! Everybody has a gun!

"He distracts the wolf and we make a run for it." - Rosalyn was so bad at lying, I laughed. I just couldn't help it.

Sam was looking at us weirder than when this started.

"OK, Sam. Can I be honest with you? We had sex when we were out alone last summer, our parents found out about it and freaked out. Now her dad hired a chaperone so that doesn't happen again, okay? That's the only way we're allowed to come here!" - I confessed.

"Oh... Now I got it!" - Sam spoke, realizing something.

"I'm sorry for the TMI. But that wolf story was too ridiculous!" - I continued as I laughed.

"It really was. You guys are terrible liars. No offense." - She snickered.

"None taken. And yes, we are." - I admitted.

"Please, join us. Come see the falls!" - Rosalyn asked, making room on our towel stretched over the ground.

"Oh no, I don't want to intrude." - She gestured no with her hands.

"Sam, come on, do you seriously think YOU are gonna intrude more than HIM?" - I smirked. - "Come on, sit with us. It's our pleasure!" - I insisted.

She then sat with us admiring the scenery. We talked for a long time about different subjects and we even splashed some water around. Not in ourselves, of course. It was a really nice afternoon and gave us an opportunity to get to know her more.

https://youtu.be/t3CoEyYEf4A