Loving My Mate

Dinner

BRIGHTON POV

FRICK that was embarrassing!  Me hiding behind Harrison’s desk, half naked, and sexually frustrated was not what I signed up for when I came to see him tonight. 

When he left me this morning angry, I was confused and it bothered me that he was upset.  Around lunch time, I pulled Mark to the side to ask if I did anything wrong, and he told me what Harrison was feeling, and that we should talk.  I honestly didn’t know he felt that way, leaving me with a twisted gut for the rest of the day.  I had to see him before I went home and I felt so much joy after I explained myself.  There are really no words.  And my first kiss!!!  Wow, it was everything I wanted and more.  I’m sure if his mom didn’t interrupt us, we would have definitely gone a lot further- the mating bond pull is a lot stronger than I thought it would be.  I want to get to know him better before we go all the way, so I guess I’m grateful for the interruption.

When she left the office, we started getting redressed and my lips tingled with the memory of all the sensations he made me feel.  The looks he gave me made me feel so confident and sexy, and I just had to kiss him again, so I grabbed his head and crushed his lips to mine.  I could get addicted to his kisses! 

“Now you two! Or we’ll never see you!”  We pull apart, me panting for air and Harris smirking.  He kisses my forehead, then tugs his shirt on.  I give a little pout when he covers up.  This is definitely going to be hard to hold off on jumping him. 

“Come on girl, before you get me into trouble.”

We climb upstairs hand in hand, and head to the table in the common room of the alpha/beta apartments.  Maggie bustles through the kitchen and Steven comes out of their room.  The beta’s side is mostly empty now.  Claire found her mate a few years ago, and her parents travel a lot back and forth to see their grandkids.  Despite her being a b***h in high school, she actually acted decent to me during my time in the pack house.  It was probably out of pure sympathy though- I was kind of a mess.  Flashbacks come to me being here, me acting like a brat because I didn’t want to eat, Alpha Steven yelling at me, all the tears, the anger, the sadness… 

“Welcome to the family Brighton, I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter, or match for my son,” Steven says, arms open for me to hug in to, which I gladly obliged in.  He gives great comforting hugs.  His smile is so genuine, and tears pool in my eyes as I remember all the care him and his wife gave to me.  I’m so tired of crying, but at least this time, it’s because I’m happy.   

Harrison smiles at me as I go back into his arms.  He looks to me while addressing his father. “She’s perfect dad, I couldn’t have been happier.”  I hate that he calls me perfect, because I’m anything but that, but when I look at him, I can’t find any lies in his eyes. 

All of the sudden, a shrieking voice booms from one of the hall bedrooms. “Harrison baby! There you a--- who is she?! Harris?” 

All eyes turn to the blonde as she actually stomps her foot.  It takes me a second to realize it’s the female he was dancing with from the Crescent Moon pack.  She’s the alphas daughter, and it hit me that he recently has slept with her.  Irritation crosses my face and I turn to walk to the table when Harrison grabs my hand, pulling me to his side.  His arm goes around my waist and tightens to prevent me from leaving.

“Tara, this is my mate, Brighton.  I found her the night of my induction ceremony.”  Shock hits her face, and it's very obvious that she dislikes me.  I give a half smile, completely uncomfortable with the situation. 

“Dinner is served!!!” Maggie thankfully interrupts.  We all go sit around the table, me, Harris and Steven on one side, Maggie and Tara the other.  The only sounds are of silverware clacking, everyone filling their plates.  Maggie clears her throat, noticing the tension in the air. “I apologize you didn’t have any luck finding your mate Tara.  When are you due back home?” 

She gives Harrison a sheepish look.  “I leave in the morning, so I’ll be here all night long…”

Is she for real?  Harrison just introduced me as his mate… his newly founded mate, and she’s hitting on him right in front of me?  She must feel pretty entitled…. Well… she has already had him.  And let’s not negate the fact that she is gorgeous.  Tall, slender blonde, with bright blue eyes and pouty lips.  Hell, she’s even curvy in all the right places.  Not to mention her aura of regal beauty.  Being an alphas child shows in her demeanor and confidence.  It can’t be all about looks though.  I’m sure she’s well educated too.  I start slipping into negative headspace, just tossing the food around on my plate.  Harrison nudges my arm and I look up at him.  He’s wearing a concerned face.  “Hmm?” 

“Mom was talking to you, you okay?” 

I look around the table- Maggie knows my faces now, as does Steven, both giving me sympathetic smiles.  Tara smirks as if she’s already got a leg into Harrisons room tonight. 

“I’m sorry, spacing out..” It sounds so stupid coming out of my mouth.  I put my hand in Harrison’s and squeeze, needing an anchor.  He doesn’t hesitate to squeeze back.  “I apologize Maggie, what were you saying?” 

“I was just complimenting you on the daycare rooms, they are absolutely perfect!!! We are hoping to open the beginning of next week.” 

“That’s amazing!  I know Jessie is thrilled about it, as well as the other parents- congratulations on a successful project.”  The room murals definitely added range to my portfolio.

“What will you work on now?  I hate that I don’t know,” Harrison asks.

Maggie claps her hands excitedly.  “Oh yes, tell him Brighton.”  I laugh at her excitement and turn my attention to Harris.   “I’ve applied to an artist’s conference.  It’s a month-long project of teaching classes, demonstrations, and having gallery shows, scattering cities along the coast.  It’s a huge opportunity to get my name out and have potential jobs.”  Realizing this, my smile falters a little.

“Brighton that’s amazing, why do you look sad?” 

“I wasn’t planning on finding my mate, and I would be gone a whole month, and we just met up again…”  Before he can respond I wave him off.  “I haven’t gotten accepted yet, I don’t know why I’m worrying with it.”  I try to laugh it off but Harrison leans over and kisses my forehead. 

“You’ll definitely get it.”  I’m not used to this feeling in the center of my chest.  All my friends are supportive of my career, but when he looks at me like this, it just feels 10x more wonderful to hear it from him-  I can’t explain it.  It was such sweet moment, until Tara clears her throat for attention.  “I’m gonna go pack up.  Thank you luna and alpha for accommodating me, and for the dinner.”  She looks at Harris expectantly but he doesn’t say anything to her.   

We spend the next hour talking with Steven and Maggie- Steven and Harris engrossed with transferring alpha duties and all of the business aspects he wants to take over.  Maggie discusses more about the daycare, hinting more than once about grandchildren.

Harrison decides to walk me home and we bid farewell.  Walking to my house takes over an hour, as we take our time walking slowly, hand in hand, talking about anything and everything.  We laugh at the adventures him and Mark have been through, and share stories about our friends here at home.

Too fast for my liking, we reach my home.

“Well, this is me.” 

He rubs circles on the tops of my hands then looks to me.  “I can’t believe you’re mine Brighton,” he says in a whisper. 

“Well your stuck with me, so I guess you need to start believing.” I try to make light of the situation, but by the seriousness of his face, I give him a real, small smile.

He leans in to kiss me, which I wholeheartedly accept.  I put my arms around his neck to hold him closer, him pulling my body flush against his.  We stand there making out for a while, each kiss getting better than the last.  His hand travels up my stomach to my breast and damn, does it feel good.  He swallows my moans, making me all the hotter.  When I feel him tugging on my shirt a bright light shines at us and we break apart.

“Now that’s no way to treat a lady,” Dustin says, shining a flashlight on us, looking all cocky. 

Harris sighs while I’m sending a death glare to Dut.  “I guess I better get going.”  I know I’m pouting, but he kisses me one last time on the lips after I nod my head.   

“I think that’s for the best Alpha Harrison.”  Harrison grunts and smiles at me before walking off.  I turn to my ex-best friend with a glare.

“Dustin, I will end you.”

“Brighton, Brighton, Brighton… day one of having a mate and you’re acting like a harlot.” 

“f**k off.”  He starts laughing as he turns around to go to his house.

“Now that’s no way for a luna to act….. night girl- love you.”

“Yea, yea, yea love you too ass.”