Spencer

I'm devastated.

Mr. Thompson had already lost so much. His family was so hurt by the drone strike, having lost so many family members besides his son and mate. He didn't deserve to die.

This is exactly why I didn't want to turn him in. Because I knew this was gonna happen. I cried for the longest time on Monday. First in the dining room as I was bombarded by the news, then in my room with Ares by my side.

I still cannot believe my mate took the week off to be with me before I have to go back to Houston. What a lovely man I have for a mate. I really lucked out both of the times I've been mated. Thank you, Goddess!

He stayed inside the room with me all afternoon, just keeping me company while I cried for Mr. Thompson's untimely death. I can't wrap my head around the fact that he was punished twice. But at least I take comfort knowing he made the decision to turn himself in.

In the end, at least this was his decision and I'm sure he was well aware of the consequences for him. Though it pains me deeply to see him gone, I hope he is resting beside his mate and son in heaven.

Later at night, I took a quick shower before I walked back to the dining room with Ares by my side. It's dinner time and though I'm still very sad, I barely finished my lunch today so I'm mighty hungry.

"Good evening, Spence. Are you feeling better?" - Harry asked, looking concerned for me.

"Hi, Harry. I'm getting there, yeah. It's just so sad that he had to go..." - I replied, sorrowfully.

"It is, my friend. I'm so very sorry for your loss." - He said, feeling bad for the situation.

I reached out to touch his hand across the diner table and smiled at him.

"Thank you, Harry. I'm trying to get some information about his funeral, but I don't know much about his remaining relatives. I know he was hit hard by..." - I trailed off, glancing at Landon. He gulped awkwardly and so did the rest of us.

"Anyway, I'm going back to the pack tomorrow and I'll find out more about it." - I said, sounding decided.

"I'm coming with you, mate. Wherever you go, I go." - Ares said, supportively. I smiled at him.

"If there's anything I or my pack can do, feel free to ask, Spencer." - Landon said, feeling a bit guilty. Though for once, he had nothing to do with this. I mean, it wasn't his decision.

"Thank you, Alpha. I really appreciate it." - I said, feeling content for the support.

"Did you hear from Rhiannon, Lan? Are you going to see her tomorrow?" - Harry asked his mate as we served ourselves some dinner. The food smells great and my mouth is already watering at the sight.

"Yeah, she's going for a trip tomorrow but told me she would see me this week. She said she's dealing with her issues." - He replied, filling his plate with rice and a bloody steak.

"Oh really? She's going for a repeat of Thursday, I guess." - Harry said with a naughty grin.

"What happened on Thursday?" - Ares questioned him, curiously.

"Well, while I was there worried for my best friend she was getting more acquainted with her mate." - Harry replied in a suggestive tone. Both Ares and I looked at each other surprised by this.

"Oh really? Good for her!" - I exclaimed. I don't really know her well, but I'm all for the mate bond. Plus, she seems like a nice girl. She hugged me when I was still shocked about my surprise mating to Ares.

"Way to go, Rhiannon. The Goddess always wins in the end." - Ares snickered with a naughty grin.

"Tell me about it!" - Harry blurted, sideways glancing at his mate.

"Long Live the Alpha and Luna!" - Ares cheered, though I'm not so sure he was referring to the ones in front of us.

"Long live the Alpha and Luna!" - The Barnetts repeated back.

After dinner, I texted my parents if they knew anything about Mr. Thompson's funeral arrangements. They're both doctors, so maybe they have some idea about it.

I woke up feeling good about spending the night with my mate. We cuddled together in bed and there's no better feeling in the world. I'm gonna miss him when I'm away in Houston. Can't barely think about it, to be honest.

This is not my first rodeo, but I feel so close to Ares right now. Closer than I did with Kevin, though the situation is not the same after what happened to me. Not in the slightest.

Ares asked me to stop by his house as we drove off, he needed to pack some things in case we don't make it back today. It's actually good thinking on his part. It didn't even occur to me to do that, but I have clothes in my parent's home if I need to.

The trip to the Blood Moon pack is quick as anticipated and before 10 a.m. I'm already entering my parents' house with Ares by my side. Initially, I wanted to go to the pack house and talk to Alpha Staedler but I'm still a little PTSD about facing him.

My mother greeted me with open arms - which she also used to hug my mate - and we all sat down on the couch in the living room. My father was already working.

"I made some calls and found out where his funeral is going to take place. The coroner has already released his body and it's on his way to the funeral home. We can all go together later." - Mom told me in a saddened tone.

She knew Mr. Thompson from dinner parties with Kevin's family back in the day, but they weren't close. Nevertheless, she feels for the loss as he has always treated me like a second son.

As soon as I was mated to Kevin, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson extended their open arms to me. For them, it didn't matter that I was another man or that my ethnicity was different. They simply accepted me at face value and were thrilled to have their son mated to me.

Especially considering I am an omega. They were worried for their son's legacy because it was no secret that he wanted kids, as soon as possible. Though he never pressured me for it and understood medical school had to come first.

There isn't a scenario in which I don't become a doctor like my parents. Come what may. Though I'm gonna miss Ares very much, I'm sure we'll make the best of our situation. He too has a nice career path in Regency Falls.

Later that morning, we changed clothes to an appropriate attire for the occasion. My father met us at the funeral home and we entered the place to find all the remaining Thompsons, the Alpha couple, and the deceased's friends.

His casket was closed as I already expected, but it was nice to say goodbye and pay my respects to a great man. I know Kevin loved his father very much and it pains me that his grief got the better of him.

We walked around the room, greeting the people present, most of whom I didn't know personally. I introduced myself and my mate, which was a shock for them. I guess news of my second mating didn't reach everyone here as it did Rhiannon's. Though her mate is much more high profile than mine, so I get it.

We spent a couple of hours paying our respects until it was time for the burial. By then, my parents had to go to the hospital for their shifts - my father got a special dispensation to come here in the middle of his shift, in light of the somber occasion.

I said goodbye to my parents and drove away with Ares, still tearful at the sad goodbye. Ares comforted me all through the day, never leaving my side. I feel so thankful to have him, can't deny it.

At least, I don't feel so abandoned or devastated. Even though I lost my beautiful extended family, I got a new one in the process. Not that I'll ever stop missing my dear Kevin. That's never going away.

I returned to my parents' home and we rested for a bit. We cooked lunch for ourselves and left some on the stove for when my parents return home. It's good to be here again, even if just for a few hours.

Later in the afternoon, we drove back to Regency Falls and I told the Barnetts and Harry all about my trip. Despite the heavy subject, I made sure to point out that he was loved and is gonna be missed by all those who knew him.

On Wednesday, I was feeling much better. I'm still sad about Mr. Thompson, but the realization of my last days by my mate's side was more daunting on me than ever.

I know I'm being a little dramatic and we're gonna see each other on weekends. It's just not gonna be the same without me sleeping next to him.

"It's already Wednesday. The final countdown. What do you want to do today, mate?" - I wondered as he and I took our seats at the table for breakfast.

As I said this, Landon grimaced at the thought.

"Whatever you want, mate. I'm here for you." - He said, without missing a beat. I can't help but swoon. I pecked his lips and started filling my plate with delicious bacon and eggs.

"I'm in denial about you people going away this Sunday." - Landon mumbled, discontentedly.

"Trust me, mate. Denial goes both ways." - Harry was also sad about it.

"I promise you, Alpha. We'll be back before you know it. If you could release my mate every weekend from now on that'll be great." - I snickered. I know it doesn't work like that, I've been mated to a warrior before.

"I don't make the schedules, Spencer. Delta Saunders does." - He replied in a serious tone. I don't think he got the joke...

"I know, Alpha. I was joking. I've been mated to a warrior before. I know how it goes." - I said, a bit flustered. Ares and Landon traded uncomfortable stares. I don't know what that was about, but I'm sure it's not a big deal.

"Anyway, since we have the whole day to ourselves. I think I'm gonna go to the mall. Make a day out while I'm still here in your beautiful city." - I contemplated, in between bites of my food.

"Why don't you go with them, Harry? It's better than being here doing nothing." - Landon suggested in an upbeat tone, surprising his mate.

"Lan, they're not want me to crash on their date..." - He blushed, mildly uncomfortable.

"It's not a date and you can totally come, Harry. Are you kidding me? We'd be delighted to have you by our side, ain't that right Ares?" - I said, turning to him.

"Of course! Please, come along! Maybe we'll catch a matinee session while we're at it." - Ares proposed in a chipper tone.

He was surprisingly onboard with this plan, though I'm sure there are other things he'd rather be doing than going to the mall on a weekday. But the options here are limited. If we were in Houston, it would be a completely different story...

"Then it's settled. We're gonna get changed after breakfast, then we'll meet you by the entrance hall." - I stated, feeling content about our plan.

"Sure. It's a group date." - Harry agreed, smiling at me.

As scheduled, we drove to the mall in my car and spent a lovely day together. Despite everything that happened to me recently, I think I have a new appreciation for the small things. I have a new lease on life and am learning to enjoy these moments of joy with the people I love.

We paraded around on yet another hot summer day. We had ice cream, ate lunch on the food court and even watched a film. I took the opportunity to buy a little something for my return to Houston and remember this town by.

Ares went as far as winning me a bear playing in the arcade.

Honestly, the day was so good the time got away from us. Harry also had a nice time as he and I talked along the way, just as we're used to do in college. It really is about the small things, after all.

Later that evening, we were returning to the pack house, walking the corridor from the garage to the entrance hall when we overheard a peculiar exchange between the warriors on guard duty.

"What are you doing here, Levinson? I thought today was your day off..." - A man I'm not familiar with questioned what I could only assume was another warrior. We weren't seeing them, but we listened as we walked. In fact, our vision is the least important sense for a werewolf.

"It was, man! But with Rhiannon on a surprise vacation and Saunders quitting the force..." - He replied and I gasped in shock.

"What?!" - I'm gobsmacked, staring at Ares, who looked guilty. Harry was also surprised by this information. Naturally, they heard my loud scream and kept silent after that.

"You quit your job? Why did you say you were on vacation? Why did you lie to me?" - I questioned him, seriously mad at this. I hate lying.

"I'm sorry. I was gonna tell you. I'm just working up the nerve..." - Ares replied, stuttering in nervousness.

"I can't believe this! Why lie to me?" - I'm baffled by this.

"I'm sorry, baby. Please forgive me, I thought you'd think less of me if I quit my job..." - He explained, which made even less sense.

"So you quit your job anyway and kept quiet about it? How is that any better?" - I questioned him, irritated.

"I was going to tell you, I swear! I don't want to be apart from you, but I didn't know how to convey that news without me sounding like a lovesick puppy. I didn't want you to think of me as pathetic for quitting my job to be with you!" - He said humbly, looking at me.

Harry was really uncomfortable, as I'm sure so were the warriors listening in to this conversation.

"I would NEVER think of you as pathetic. If you had come to me with this thought, I would have asked if you were sure about this decision as I wouldn't want you to make it about me. But I would never think of you as pathetic. And what's wrong about being a lovesick puppy?" - I challenged him in a fierce tone and sassy expression.

Ares was tongue tied for a minute, staring at me with no reaction.

"I'm so disappointed in you! Not because you quit your job, but you lied to me! I hate lying!" - I shouted, on the verge of tears. Angry tears.

"You can go back to your place. We're done for the day!" - I declared, stomping the ground away from him.

"My love, please forgive me!" - He rushed to my side, pleadingly. But I didn't want to look at him.

"I can't even look at you right now, Ares! Go home!" - I walked away from him, terribly hurt.

He stood there immobile for a while as Harry and I walked away towards the guest wing. Harry stood by my side, giving me room to process everything. I'm so angry right now. Why lie?

I don't know how long my mate stood there in the corridor alone, but I'm too angry to care. I'm shocked that he has quit his job. He's a legacy warrior, his father is the freaking Delta of the pack. I'm sure this wasn't an easy decision, but I'd really rather he had talked to me.

Of course I would have supported anything he wanted, as long as he made it about him and not me. I don't want anyone resenting me later on.

But what I really hate is the lies. Don't fucking lie to me! Be a man and tell your truth! It's the least you're expected to do. I hate this situation and now I won't have him on my bed tonight. I'm so angry at him.

https://youtu.be/WbJNkH-pDd8

A|N: Woof. I also hate lying, so I relate to you, Spence.

I'm back, baby! Did you miss me?

I couldn't find the time to write for a while between work and life, but I posted another book so you guys have other stuff of mine to read. I got you, my darling readers.

Hopefully, I can continue posting new chapters regularly.

Love,

Léo.