Loving My Mate

'Do you love him?'

The rest of the week goes by in a blur.  Harrison is super busy with alpha work, him having to learn the ropes on how his father runs the pact.  Even though he’s been training almost his whole life to be alpha, he still has been gone too long to jump right in.  I’ve been keeping busy in my studio painting.  I’m still waiting on the application process for the conference job, so I just keep myself busy with work that I do for small businesses around the territory.  The pay from the daycare job will last me a couple of months, so I’m not in a rush to start any major projects.

I run up to the pack house for either lunch or dinner with Harris, and he still finds time to walk me home every day, but it’s not enough for me.  I miss him like crazy and I know he misses me too.  The most touching we get is a 5 minute make out session, which is always getting interrupted.  Not sometimes, but every. Single. Time.  Whether we are in his office, his bedroom, the living room, kitchen, hell, even the bathroom, someone is always jumping in.  Does no one here know how to knock?  Even Alpha Steven barged in on us in the storage room when he was supposed to be in a meeting. 

We’ve talked about taking things further, but I’m still not ready to have s*x with him yet, and I think he knows this as well.  I’m getting to know him more and more, and I know I’m starting to fall in love with him, but I just want it to feel like the right moment when it does happen.  He makes me feel so good about myself with the looks he gives me, and he just makes me feel loved. 

Dustin and Mark planned and outing with everyone and it’s going to be so great to see everyone all together again.  We haven’t done this in years, and now that Mark and Harris are home, the group is going to feel complete. 

Sally comes over to get ready with me before Dut takes us to the pack house, where everyone is meeting up.  We’ve already styled our hair and got dressed- all that’s left is makeup and we’re good to go.

“Sooooo, you gonna kiss and tell Brighton?  Oh, I’m sorry, everyone and their mother has seen the kissing.”

“Shut up,” I laugh.  “It’s not our fault that no one knows how to knock.”

We both giggle and talk about the latest bust with Mark barging into his office, where Harrison had me pinned to the floor.  I’m pretty sure him disrupting us was not an accident, and I spent the next five minutes laughing my ass off as Harrison chased him around the office to strangle him.  Our laughter eventually dies down as we focus on the task at hand to actually apply makeup well, and not like children.

“Do you love him?” Sally suddenly says seriously as she applies her mascara in the mirror.

“I’m getting there….. he’s filling up all the emptiness I have, ya know?  I finally know what you and Dustin share, and it feels great.” 

She looks to me with an unreadable expression.  “But Dustin and I aren’t mates.” 

“Sally, I’ve never seen an unmated pair so in love before.  There are plenty of mated pairs who never work out.  Dustin would go to the end of the earth for you, and then some.  I hope you see that.” 

“I know he loves me, and I love him something fierce, I just don’t know if it compares to a mate bond,” she shrugs.

She tries to laugh it off, but I know it’s always something she feels bad about.  I don’t want to bum her out before we head out.  “You look absolutely beautiful in that dress, almost glowing!” 

She gives me a real smile.  Truly, the girl is glowing.  “You look beautiful too girl- Harrison is going to have a hard time keeping his hands to himself.” 

I look back to my mirror and apply a small amount of lip gloss,, and puff my lips with a pop.  “That’s the point.”

HARRISON POV

I haven’t seen Brighton much this week and it’s killing me.  The small touches and mini make out sessions are not cutting it.  I want to be near her all the time, and I don’t know if the world is conspiring against us, but we always get interrupted.  I know she’s not ready to have s*x, I just want her comfortable with me and my touches.  I’ve realized throughout the week, the more we talk, getting to know each other, the more passionate our heavy petting sessions get.  I know she’s beginning to fully trust me, and I couldn’t be happier.

 It’s finally the weekend and all of our friends are getting together for a night out.  We decided to meet up at the pack common room before making a decision on where everyone wants to go.  Mark and I are making drinks for the group when familiar faces walk in.

“Alpha Harris and Beta Mark! Reporting for duty!”  Cole’s voice echoes across the room, walking with Jessie.  Brian and his mate not too far behind.  All the men bro hug, everyone smiling huge.  Cole his huge and stocky and based on the reports from dad, one of the best warriors we have stationed on the territory.   Brian looks exactly the same from high school- seems like he was destined to have a baby face, but by the way his mate is looking at him, she doesn’t mind.  Cole and Jessie grab their drinks as Brian introduces his mate, Shelby.  We all take a seat waiting on Sally, Dustin, and Brighton.

“So Brighton’s your mate, congrats bro,” Cole says, Jessie on his lap, both smiling at me.  Brian and Shelby congratulate me as well.  I know I’m sporting a goofy face, but anyone that has met Brighton, knows how good of a person she is.  The perfect luna for our pack.

“Yea, well, if that whole mating bond didn’t happen, she would be all over me,” Mark says confidently.  Everyone laughs but I just glare.  “She wouldn’t go near you asshole.”

“Oh please, she loves me more than you.”  My fists ball up.  I know he eggin me on, but I don’t like it.  I’m still mad at him for purposely barging in on us yesterday.  

“Oh Mark, stop teasing him.”

Her giggles make my chest flutter and my body instantly relaxes as I turn and see Brighton walking into the room with Sally and Dustin behind her.  She stops behind the couches smiling at me.  She’s radiant in a light pink sundress, showcasing he legs, arm, neck and bust.  So much skin is on display and I know I’m biting my lips.  Her hair is in long ponytail, perfectly exposing her neck.  I almost whimper before I see Mark come out of nowhere, pick up Brighton hugging her, with her laughing.  He makes fake moaning sounds and I jump the couch, push him off and punch him in the face.

Everyone laughs like it’s funny but I don’t see the humor in it.  Everything fades away when I feel lips against mine and I groan into the kiss.  I don’t feel angry anymore.  “Mine” I whine into her mouth.  She pulls away but stays in my arms as she smiles at me.

 Dustin rolls his eyes as he tugs Sally closer to him.  “Yes, yes, we know she’s yours- everyone ready to party?”  Excited yes’s come from the group as everyone stands to get ready to leave.  The group decided to go to a pub close to the border of the territory, since they had good live music to listen to, and plenty of room for all of us to sit at a table.   

Mark hops up from the floor, feigning like he’s hurt. “Oh don’t worry, I’m fine.  No need to ask.” 

“I barely hit you dumbass.” 

“Fucker.”

 “Dick.” 

Brighton yanks on my left and Mark’s right arm.  “Boys, shut up.  Let’s go.”  We both smile at my mate.  “Yes ma’am.”