Strangers to Mates

Chapter 12: Weekend off

The next two weeks went by in a flash. Every morning Raymond and I would sleep in, have lunch, then go to his parents house. I actually really didn't mind spending that time with his mum, she was really nice, easygoing and kind, the only downside was the entire time we were there I barely saw him. I learned from Charlotte that the Luna had quite a few different responsibilities but it was pretty easy. She helped the alpha with final decisions, made sure the pack was always happy and that the Luna was a bit of a counselor. Members always trusted their Luna and went to her for help. The Luna and Alpha roles weren't that different, the Luna helps the alpha with anything that had to do with the pack, even in the slightest. She said that Alpha White, like the most alphas, was very controlling so she didn't have much to do, finalizing things, signing things, it wasn't complicated. Honestly I wasn't learning anything really new day after day, it was mostly the same, but I liked spending that time with Raymond's mum, it was better than being bored and alone in our house.

It was finally Friday of the second week and after this Raymond's training hours were being cut back to only two hours and I didn't have to come to Luna training if I didn't want to, since it was the same everyday, which was good with me. I missed spending some of my summer days doing nothing, but I knew I'd probably still come a couple times a week just to have something to do. It was almost five o'clock, which was when we usually we went back home, and Charlotte asked me to go get Raymond from downstairs because often he loses track of time when doing physical training. It was actually the first time I would be going down to the basement. It was where Raymond did 'real' training as he put it, not just sitting up in his dad's office, to be alpha you had to be strong to protect the people in your pack, not just smart. Charlotte told me that today was the first time he'd done physical training since I'd gotten here, and she also added that the gym down there was massive.

When I got down there I stopped in the door way and watched him for a minute. Hey he watched me all the time, it was my turn.

I blushed like I always do when I see him without a shirt on, and noticed he only had basketball shorts on and his hands and wrist were wrapped in bandages. I watched him for a few minutes and couldn't help starring at his six pack every now and then. He was breathing heavily but didn't stop. That was when I remembered why I was here. I walked over so that I was standing beside him. He immediately stopped and turned to look at me.

"Did you just get down here?" He asked shaking out his hands

"Uh, ya." I said not looking him in the eye.

"Liar." He teased and pulled me closer to him.

"Maybe but you're all sweating so I'll be waiting upstairs." I said quickly, scrunching up my nose.

He chuckled lowly but didn't let me go. My face fell and I gave him a dead serious look.

"Really, you're gonna do this?" I asked.

"Yup." He said popping the p

I rolled my eyes when an idea came into my mind. Innocently I asked,

"Pretty please."

He shook his head so I went to plan B.

"But if you let me go I'll give you something." I whispered in his ear seductively.

I didn't know if I was doing the whole seductive thing right but it must've worked because next thing I know he's responding.

"Fine" he answered, trying to sound calm.

He let go of me and I brushed my lips over his, making him think that I was going to kiss him. While he was distracted I pulled away and quickly ran up the stairs without kissing him.

"Hey!" I heard him yell but kept going till I made it to the front door, where I waited for him with Charlotte.

Ten minutes later he came up and now had a shirt thrown on and the bandages were taken off.

"That was dirty." he said, giving me a pointed look as he slipped on his shoes.

I simply shrugged as he gave his mom a hug goodbye. He pulled me out of the house by the hand and then sat me on hood of the truck. I gave him a questioning look before he said,

"I want that kiss now."

I pretended to think for a minute, taping my chin before saying, "No."

"I don't think you have much of a choice." he teased but I could tell he still really wanted it.

"Well I don't know if you deserve it." I say with fake seriousness, which was actually really hard to pull off because of the look on his face.

"Why not." and he did exactly what he knew would get to me.

His puppy dog eyes. He knew that I still could not say no to them, god damn it, why? How was I suppose to be stubborn when he does that.

"Urge." I huffed out before quickly pecking him on the lips. "There."

He shook his head smiling. "I want more."

"One; no, two; not here, and three; no." I said raising my shoulders.

"How about one; yes, two; yes, and three; yes?" he asked smirking.

"How about we go home. I want food." I said moving past him and getting in shotgun.

I watched him as he stood there starring in disbelief for a second. I wanted to laugh so badly but only cracked a smile. He finally got in and said,

"You're so cruel, and I'm not even sweaty anymore cause I showered." He said like that would change my mind, driving back to our place.

You know if I were still a stranger I wouldn't have even thought it possible for him to shower in under ten minutes but I quickly learned that that was not the case. I rolled my eyes as we pulled up and headed into the house and made a bee line for the kitchen. I grabbed the milk and cheerios, pouring myself a bowl of cereal. I sat down on the counter wolfing down most of it as I heard Raymond head upstairs. I knew he wanted me to take the bait and follow since he always came into whatever room I was in, and of course I did take it, but I brought my food with me.

I found him sitting on the edge of the bed, pouting. 'Oh my gosh, he was so childish sometimes', I thought with a smile. I set my bowl on the night side table with still a little bit left and sat on his other side. Part of me wanting to say something but a bigger part just wanted me to watch him sit there, mostly likely pretending to be more sad than he actually was. He didn't say anything for a while but after a few minutes he took my bowl and started finishing off my cereal without a word.

"Hey, that was mine." I complained slightly loudly.

"Tough." he grumbled but the corner of his mouth tugged up.

"Fine be that way." I said as he set it back down, having finished it. "I'm gonna go shower."

He smirked and said leaning back on his arms, "Can I join you?"

I held back a laugh as he continued to smirk and wiggled his eyebrows.

"No." and with that I turned and locked the bathroom door behind me.

I quickly showered and changed into his shirt, throwing my damp hair in a messy bun. I came out to find him passed out on the bed. I laughed quietly and turned off the light. I crawled in beside him and pulled the blankets over us both. His arms instantly wrapped around me but he didn't wake. I cuddled closer into his warmth before falling asleep.

The next morning I woke up alone, which has become a very odd thing. I never realized how much I'd gotten used to having to struggle out of his arms most morning. I felt a frown on my face as I followed the scent of food down into the kitchen. Once I realized that it smelt like pancakes I quickened my pace and the frown left my face. I heard voices from the kitchen and when I walked in I saw James and Raymond talking casually. I came over to where they sat at the kitchen table and placed a hand on Raymond's shoulder, leaning down and lightly kissing his cheek before saying,

"Hey James, it's nice to see you again."

"It's good to see you again too Erin." he said as we smiled at each other.

Raymond turned to see me since he couldn't before because I was standing behind him. His eyes scanned my body and then he suddenly seemed remembered that James was here.

"Go get dressed."

I was confused for a second before remembering that I was still only wearing his tee shirt. It went mid thigh on me, covering everything, but Raymond was Raymond and Raymond was possessive so instead of arguing that he was being unreasonable I went back up to our room. Okay so maybe it wasn't that unreasonable but still it was only James, his best friend since birth so it wasn't like he'd do something. Yet I couldn't help but love his possessiveness, it was annoying as hell but still, it made me feel all giddy on the inside. I wonder how that works? A few minutes later I came back downstairs in black, ripped up skinny jeans and and a sleeveless Nirvana band tee. I was putting my hair in a simple side braid as I took the seat beside Raymond.

"So what brings you to our humble home?" I asked James.

I saw Raymond grin like an i***t out of the corner of my eye as I said 'our house'.

"Not much, I was just dropping off something for Raymond as he was making breakfast." he said with a smile that said 'I know something you don't'.

"Oh, are you joining us for breaky?" I asked, waiting to ask about that thing.

"No, coffee is all." he took the last sip and said, "I should leave you to it. Good luck." he said directing the last part to Raymond.

I gave him a curious look as I heard the front door close behind James.

"Care to explain?" I asked.

"Over breakfast. Here." he said, getting up and handing me a plate with three pancakes that had syrup drizzled over top.

He sat back down beside me with his own plate. We ate in silence at first, only eating, but half way through he spoke up.

"So got any plans?" I can't believe he just asked that, he knew I didn't, couldn't.

I shake my head looking at him in disbelief and confusion. How was that suppose to tell me anything.

"Good cause I'm taking you on a date." He said finishing his pancakes.

"Oh really? And let me guess I don't get to know?" I asked but couldn't help but smile.

"Nope. But I will give you a hint. It has to do with what James dropped off."

"Ah." I said dragging the word out to show I understood.

"But I need to get dressed first." It was then that I realized he was in sweatpants and a tee shirt.

I put our plates in the dishwasher as he quickly went up and changed into jeans but kept on the dark blue t shirt. I heard him grab his keys before coming back into the kitchen.

"Anything you need to do before we head out?" He asked me

"Nah, I'm sure I have everything that I need, but I wouldn't really know since I have no clue where we're going." I said almost sarcastically.

I saw him roll his eyes before he grabbed an envelop and we went out to the truck.

"Just so you know, today will be the most eventful day you've had in the past month." he warned me as he drove to the outskirts of town, making me giggle quietly.

Having parked he came to my side and helped me out like he did every date. I swear this better be worth is because he blind folded me before we got here. His words were something like 'the first thing has to be a surprise' Like it wasn't already. Next he did the most annoying thing ever,

"Before we can take off the blindfold you have to guess where I've taken you."

"Really?" I questioned, I was honestly terrible at guessing things and I just wanted to know where we were.

"Yes." he said, and even though I couldn't see him I could practically hear the smirk in his words.

Seriously though. I did not want to guess yet I ended up doing so anyways. After three tries and I still didn't get it I said exasperatedly,

"Oh my goddess, just kiss me and let me see already." I knew that he'd gladly trade my guess for a kiss.

I'm sure he smiled before our lips connected. I felt the blindfold come undone as he slowly pulled away. Urge, he was still blocking my view.

"Are you ready?" he asked teasingly.

"God damn it yes. Now let me see." I cried pushing pass him gently.

My eyes widened at the view in front of me. Hold crap, yes!

A huge smile spread onto my face as I stared at all the people swarming in. It was non other than the carnival.