Spencer

I am ashamed.

No, not of that skinny bitch putting me down in front of Ares. He can go fuck himself and get away from my mate.

I am embarrassed about being caught with my hand in the cookie jar by Landon and his warriors.

I am already a guest in his pack house, this is not the proper way for a Southern gentleman to behave. And I should've pushed Ares to go home instead of trying to beat the odds.

I would've done that if I had the time, but he showed up at the dining room earlier than I expected and I didn't have the heart to send him away, even though I should have.

Once my heat struck, my powerful pheromones infested the air, leading Ares to lose his impulse control. All I wanted was for him to complete the bond right where we stood.

Well, what's done is done. My only regret is that this was the first time I saw him shirtless in person. Of course, I had already stalked his social media. This is the 21st Century. And that boy loves a post-workout shirtless selfie.

Well, maybe if I looked like THAT I'd post a shirtless selfie every day too... *chuckles*

We have been taking the time to get to know each other properly. He took me on dates to his favorite spots around town. And last Saturday, he took me to meet his family.

It's all going faster than usual because I am on vacation from college, so my time here is limited. We have to make the most of what little time we have left before I go back to Houston.

His family was very welcoming to me. Despite the second chance mate taboo, all Saunders were polite and graceful, even the Delta.

Especially Ares' brother and sister, who looked radiant with joy for us. They told me about how taxing the wait for his mate has been on him. I can only imagine what it'd be like to wait that long...

To think some people wait even longer. I heard one of the people who got mated in the 'meet and greet' was already 30. I am only 20 and already it gives me chills just to think about it.

Truth is I got extremely lucky in the mate department. Yes, I do mean both times.

In the afternoon of the centenary festival, the only reason I escaped with my life was because my mate told me to go home. He knew Aaron would give a long, boring, self-congratulatory speech. He knew the festival would run until night and he would only be dismissed after the Alpha family went home.

Since I had already eaten - and I was never a fan of Aaron in the first place - I took his advice and went to my parent's house, which was empty at the time. It's near the festival location, so I could rest for a bit until I'd come back later that evening to meet with Kevin again.

My sweet angel of a mate Kevin, who selflessly didn't want me to get bored and tired, so he sent me home while he worked. While he risked his life to protect the very person responsible for that heinous attack.

I mean, I know Landon was responsible for the attack. But he would never have thought to mount such a strike if Aaron hadn't killed his father. For sixty years, no one has ever been able to kill a Barnett Alpha. I know Alpha Staedler had a deep respect for the man and for Aaron to think in his months of experience as Alpha that was a good idea... *grunts in annoyance*

Anyway, back to my luck in the mate department, when Kevin died I thought any chance I had of happiness with a partner died with him. We get one mate in life, so after mine died I considered ending my life too.

I faced a very dark time after the attack. I didn't want to see anybody or talk to anyone. All I wanted was to wallow in misery and self-pity. It took a lot for me to bounce back, mainly because of my parents.

Both my parents are doctors. As luck would have it, neither of them attended the ill fated festival. They were both on shifts - a doctor's life is unpredictable and doesn't work around holidays or weekends - and even so, neither of them is very big on these types of events. Truth is the only reason I went is because of Kevin and Harry, my best friend.

Random fact you didn't know about: my dad was the doctor who saved Landon's life when he was shot in front of the Blood Moon pack house.

Yeah, he is a real life hero. Depending on whether or not you think Landon's life was worth saving. To the shooter, my dad was an inconvenience but to my best friend, he was the difference between happiness and life without a true partner.

Having lost mine, I wouldn't wish that on anybody. Which is why I was so adamant about Harry not losing his chance of happiness. Yes, I had to be the bigger person and be there for my best friend. I had to surpass my own grief.

But for all his flaws and his gruesome mistake, I knew Landon wasn't the true culprit in this war. He just inherited it. Honestly, I blame Aaron much more than I do him.

"I love you, mate. See you later." Kevin mind-linked me on his last day on Earth.

"I love you too, Kevin. You're my sweet angel." I replied to him as I arrived at my parents' home.

https://youtu.be/IR-6KE8C4VQ

It's Thursday morning. After spending almost a week sequestered because of my heat, I woke up feeling much better. Though I hated being away from Ares, I was fortunately visited by my friend every day - after he completed the bond, he couldn't come before.

Only other Omegas are truly immune from heat, but if you have been marked by your mate then it doesn't affect you as much. Though you still shouldn't touch me.

I was even visited by the pack secretary, Lourdes Calderon-Levy, a fellow Omega, who was nice enough to bring me some tea and stayed with me for a couple of hours keeping me company. Sorry other werewolves, but Omegas rule. Except for Grayson, maybe.

Now I feel much better and my heat has subsided at last. I took a nice shower, had breakfast that was brought to my room by one of the maids, and changed into some nice Summer clothes to go out again.

I miss going outside after being cooped up in my room as if I was grounded by my parents. For good measure, I took my heat medicine one last time before I exited the bedroom.

I returned the empty tray to the kitchen, and then spoke with Luna Felicia - she has also paid me a few visits during my lockdown. Honestly, that woman is an angel. She treated me just as she would any of her pack members, with no distinction at all. Considering what she has lost, she is a true example of woman, Luna, and leadership. Not to mention the excellent mother I am sure she is.

Sometime after eleven o'clock, I drove to the training center to see my mate. Even though we've only been mated for two weeks, I missed him so much already. I can tell college is gonna suck for me just like when I used to miss Kevin.

Sacrifices are required if I want to become the third Doctor Jonas.

I arrived at the large place 'disguised' as an exclusive gym. There are two men smoking outside. Unlike other gyms, the entire front of the place is covered by a dark insulfilm, shielding it from prying eyes.

The door is open, but even to those who walk by, you can't see inside because of the way it's constructed. The door leads to a small corridor. You have to walk it to get inside the training center.

"It's not a gym, Omega. You are not allowed inside." One of the men smoking alerted me in a condescending tone. I glared daggers at him.

"I know it isn't. I am not a human." I refuted in a snarky tone. For starters, I hate people who use the word 'omega' as if it were an insult.

"You certainly are not. Do you need to talk to anyone inside? Link them." He suggested with the same condescending tone as before. I can't mind-link a person from another pack, not that he needs to know that I am not from this one. Just imagine his reaction then...

"Thanks for the suggestion, but you can go back to your cigarette." I snarled, irritated.

I moved to walk inside and he suddenly rushed to block me from entering abruptly. His large muscled figure towered over my smaller body, making me feel fearful.

"What part of 'you are not allowed inside' didn't you understand, Omega?" He questioned me with a threatening gaze. Instinctively, I coiled in front of his frightening stance.

"I wasn't going to enter it, I am just going inside to–"

"I don't care why! The training center is off-limits if you're not a warrior!" He shouted at me as if I needed a lecture. His threatening stance blocking my way made it impossible for me to enter the place.

"Please, I just–"

As I was saying that, Ares came from behind and pulled the man forcibly, throwing him against the corridor wall. Once he was backed into the wall, he grabbed the man's throat with glowing raging eyes.

"What are you doing, Moynahan? Why are you threatening my mate? Have you lost your fucking mind? Who died and made you Delta? If he wanted to enter, he should be allowed to enter. There are better qualified people to tell him the rules. He doesn't need a brute man blocking his path as if he were trash." Ares ranted in a feral tone.

The man kept trying to take Ares' hand off of his throat, but he was not succeeding. Ares looked and sounded ferociously mad.

"You should learn better ways to communicate, man. Watch who you threaten because I am not the forgiving type." Ares continued as the man was turning blue from the asphyxiation. I carefully approached him and whispered to my mate:

"Please, let him go. I don't need you to kill anyone on my behalf." I requested in a soft tone.

Ares let go of the man's throat and he literally gasped for air. The other man who was outside watched the scene with horror. Ares turned to face me, no longer with glowing eyes.

"Hi, Spence. I am sorry you had to experience that. He should know better than to act like everybody is a threat." Ares said sideways glaring at the man inhaling air like his life depended on it.

"It's fine, mate. I knew it was forbidden to go inside, I just wanted to let you know I was here. I wasn't going to stay, just let my presence be known." I explained, humbly.

"I get that, but he still should have minded his own business." Ares stated, staring threateningly at the man.

"Anyway, thanks for the rescue. I didn't mean to disturb you, I just wanted to see if you could have lunch with me. I missed you." I said, swooning at my hot strong mate.

Ares smiled widely at me.

"Yes, of course I do. I missed you too. You have no idea!" He exclaimed enthusiastically.

The man tried to walk away discreetly, but Ares stopped him by grabbing his shirt.

"You owe my mate an apology." He demanded, fiercely.

"It's not necessary, Ares. It's fine!" I downplayed it, trying to avoid any further conflict.

"No, it's not fine! I am waiting for the apology!" He refuted, glaring at the man.

"I am taking this to your father!" He threatened Ares, who growled at him.

"You can take it to Alpha Barnett for all I care! You threatened my mate. You owe him an apology and you're not leaving here until you do!" He snarled at him.

"It's not a big deal, Ares!" I told him, seeing the man enraging.

"It is a huge deal to me!" He insisted, raising his voice. I am sure by now this commotion is being witnessed by everyone inside because of wolf hearing.

"Apologize. Now!" Ares demanded of him. He is not backing down from this.

"I am sorry for blocking your way. I should have handled it better." He said, begrudgingly.

"I accept your apology." I breathed out as soon as he finished the last consonant, mortified. The man walked inside and Ares turned to my side.

"I am sorry for everything. Thank you for coming here to rescue me from a boring lunch break. I've missed you so much!" He declared in an enamored gaze. I couldn't help to swoon at him.

Ares grabbed my hands and walked with me inside the training center, hand in hand, unabashedly. He looks proud, confident, and stoic. He didn't even flinch when all eyes were on us after that whole commotion.

I blushed under the collective stares but my mate couldn't care less. In his book, he was defending his mate. I did feel threatened, so...

I hate to admit it, but seeing my mate come to my rescue makes me feel all tingly inside. I can't help it. I like a strong man coming to my aid and I won't apologize for it.

Also, that man deserved to be knocked down a few pegs. Who treats another werewolf like that? If I were a human, I'd get it. We can't risk our secret and there could be a warrior in wolf form inside. There is a reason why the center is secluded from outside viewing, but he knew right away I was a werewolf.

Woof. Ares is looking so good in his tank top training wear. *drools*

His father was not very pleased once he walked inside, but that man was never pleased. But no one treated me badly or looked at me like I was crashing their party. Ares sat me down for a few minutes while he went to the locker room to take a shower and change.

"Is everything alright?" Landon approached me after some time. I forgot he trained here on Thursdays.

"Yes, Alpha. There was a minor altercation outside, but I am fine. I just came to pick up my mate for lunch." I replied after I bowed my head to him.

"I see. I am glad to see you well. Ares was miserable without you." He said with a joking inflection.

"Trust me, Alpha. I was miserable without him. I need my soldier." I admitted, blushing a bit.

"Good for you, Spencer. Please excuse me, I was on my way out." He said before he exited the premises.

Ares took me to a nearby restaurant for lunch because he would return here after the break for his patrol shift. He was pleasantly surprised by my visit because he thought my heat would only end tomorrow.

I told him these things were unpredictable. Sometimes they last longer, other times shorter. But both of us were glad to be reunited. He tried to apologize for his part on the day of my heat but I shot him down.

I told him that it was nobody's fault. It's my Omega nature. We made a plan for a Friday night date after his shift and my life is happy once again.

"Thanks for saving my day. I loved having you here." He said before kissing me goodbye in front of the training center at the end of his lunch break.

"Thank you for coming to my rescue. I love a strong man." I snickered.

"Always, babe. Count on me to be your personal warrior." He flirted, kissing me one last time before going in.

Yeah... Omegas are naturally attracted to strength. And I have been very lucky in the mate department. Damn, that is one hot man...

I can't wait for him to put those strong arms of his to better use. *naughty grin*

https://youtu.be/qFJ3VKnwmJw

A|N: I had this song in my mind as I wrote this chapter, but the first song was an accident of sorts.

I hope you all enjoyed this #Spares update before we return to our main couple.

Love,

Léo.