Loving My Mate

Fixing It

HARRISON POV

           I slept at Mark’s again last night, having him help me to come up with ways to get Brighton back.  He couldn’t believe the extent on Brighton’s condition, even more so that she and her friends weren’t completely honest with him.  At least he knew her parents died.  

We were going over training protocols when my dad called and wanted to schedule a meeting.  I guess this will be a good time as ever to tell him about my mate, but that the circumstances are hard to explain.  I go through the back door of the packhouse to avoid anyone I would have to interact with.  I climb the stairs quietly and find myself in front of the door I grew up knowing that one day, this room will be mine.  I knock twice and hear my dad saying to come in.  What I wasn’t expecting was my mom to be standing next to my father. 

“You wanted to see me dad?” 

“Have a seat son.”  I can’t read their faces but something tells me it’s not going to be good.  My mom smiles sweetly so maybe its good news? Hopefully? 

“Harris honey?”

“Yeah mom?”

“Why the HELL didn’t you tell us about Brighton on Saturday at the party!!” 

The moment she started screaming, I was shocked, then I heard her say Brighton, and my face fell.

Fuck. 

“Mom, I can explain-“

“No!  You listen here buddy!” screaming and pointing her finger, “You are going to fix it and fix it right NOW!  How in the hell could you do that to Brighton when you were kids?!” 

Double f**k. 

“We raised you better than that!”

My mom is seething and my dad is just staring at me with a piercing gaze.  I put my head down because there are no words.  What happened has happened and I can’t change that.  I lift my head up with determination.  “Mom, dad.  Brighton is my mate.  I hurt her a long time ago and I have not forgotten it.  I did not reject her like she believes I did- it was an entire misunderstanding.  I will get her back, but it’s going to take time.”  And I will.  There’s no other option. 

“Brighton has experienced a lot of hurt son- you need to be careful with her,” my dad states.  He’s the second one to say something similar to that.  Haven’t they been rooting for her as being so strong?  They don’t know what I can give to her, and it’s starting to get on my nerves. 

“With all due respect sir, I think I can handle my mate.  I won’t hurt her.  I will be here for her.”  My dad grunts but accepts what I said.  “I’m extremely grateful that you both took care of her when I couldn’t.  She didn’t deserve that much pain,” I say solemnly. 

Mom comes over and hugs me, the pulls me at arms length.  “We love Brighton so much Harris.  I talked to her this morning…”  My eyes light up and my grip on my mom’s arms tightens.  “How is she, is she okay?  Did she look like she slept? Do you know where she is?”  My dad starts chuckling and walks beside my mother.  “Let her go son.  I think she’ll answer your questions out of your death grip.”  My mother starts smiling as I let her go.  “She seems better.  We talked about what happened and she knows you didn’t reject her.”

Oh thank goddess. 

“But she still has doubts of being with you, mainly for herself being good enough, but I know you’ll erase those thoughts from her head, won’t you son?”  The last part was almost a threat and I start chuckling.  “Don’t worry mom.  She’ll be sick and tired of being doted on she won’t know what to do with me.  Now, where is she?” 

“She’s at work,” she says with a wink. 

“Annndd where is that exactly?” 

She starts shoving me out the door.  “Go downstairs and just follow your nose son…. And don’t f**k this up”…… and she shuts the door in my face.

______________________________________________

I did what my mom said.  I went downstairs and stood there and sniffed.  Then I caught it.  The faint scent of my mate.  I follow the smell down the corridor, not knowing where I’m headed.  I’m passing people left and right until I stumble upon the area designated for the daycare.  Mom said it wasn’t opened yet, so why would she be in here?  I open the doors and stare into the dark hallway.  I hear music down at the end and begin walking, her scent becoming more intoxicating.  I know if I can smell her, she can smell me, so there’s no surprises.  I come to the last room on the right and open the door.  And there’s my world in a pair of denim shorts and a white tank top, humming to the music and painting a mural on the wall.  Her hair is bunched up in a messy bun on top of her head, a few tendrils of hair falling down the slope of her neck.  All I can do I stare at her backside, and a mighty fine backside it is.  My wolf is just pacing to get to her.  I know she knows I’m there, but just like in high school, if she’s in the zone with art, you shouldn’t disturb her.  She’ll talk to you when she’s ready.  I’m perfectly content with just being in her presence as I lean against the doorway and admire the view.

BRIGHTON POV

           Humming to the soft rock playing on the background, I’m finishing up the tree details on the mural I’m painting in the daycare.  This is the last classroom to paint and then it can be furnished then opened up.  When I dip into more paint, I can smell him.  I take a deep inhale, trying to relax my breath.  I know I have to face him at some point, and I need to apologize for my stupidity. 

I hear the door open and his scent hits me like a bomb.  I’m proud of myself for not skipping a beat as I’m still humming and painting.  He hasn’t said a word yet, probably understanding that I’m in my zone and need to focus on my art.  I use to love just sitting next to him drawing while he slept in study hall- just being in each other’s presence. 

When I’m satisfied with what I have done so far, and can come to a stopping point, I put my brush down and turn around, and holy hell, my senses go into overload.  I think my wolf just went into heat (metaphorically).  He is no longer the teenage boy I had a crush on, he’s all man now.  The way his arms cross over each other, accentuates his biceps and shoulders.  His fitted shirt leaves nothing to the imagination on how toned his body is, making me drool a little bit.  His denim jeans hug all the right spots and I pray that I can see his backside soon.  I know it’s got to be good.  Then I reach his face.  The best part of him.  His features are more sharp, but it’s still him.  His amazing honey brown eyes have a twinkle to them, showing me that he’s happy to see me.  And his oh so kissable mouth plays a smile so addicting, that I have to match one as my own. 

“Hey you,” he says, and that deep voice rattles down my body, straight to my v****a.  Great, the mating bond gives me nothing but s*x on the brain.  I heft out a breathy “Hey.”  We stand there for minutes just staring at each other, getting to know each other’s features, and relearning each other. 

Harris is the first one to break the ice.  “You seem to be better.”

I smile and shake my head slowly, eyes turned down- I’m sure I was a sight last night.  Then I look back up to him.  “Yea, I guess you could say I had a rough night.” I chuckle awkwardly.  “Thank you, by the way, for taking care of me.” 

His face turns serious and starts walking towards me, and stops leaving a healthy distance between us.  “I will always care for you Brighton.  Ever since the first time I laid eyes on you, I’ve always wanted to take care of you.  What happened all those years ago, I wish….”

I place my finger on his lips to silence him.  “I know Harris.”  He closes his eyes and inhales as if my voice is something that soothes him.  I release my finger.  “I know you’re sorry Harrison, and I will do my best not to let it bother me.  But a lot of things have changed since you left… I-I’m not the same girl you knew….  M-my parents—”

This time he repeats my move and stops me from talking.  “I know baby.”  With wobbly tears in my eyes I just stare at him- nothing but kindness and love in his eyes.  “Dustin told me his version of what happened and I hate that I wasn’t here for you.”  He puts down his finger and stares deeply into my eyes.  “I hope one day, you trust me enough to share your version of the story.” 

He’s asking for my trust.  Little does he know that I do trust him.  Despite everything that’s happened, the moment I saw him I was filled with relief that I haven’t had in so many years.  He completes my soul and is the missing piece of my heart.  I give him a nod and a smile.  One day, more than likely soon, I’ll tell him that he has me. 

“Can I hold you Brighton?” he asks nervously. 

I don't hesitate and walk into his arms and he hugs me to his body tightly.  This is our first full connection as mates and I feel like I’m on cloud nine.  My wolf is jumping around excitedly in my mind.  I turn my head and brush my nose up to his neck below his ear and inhale his musky scent and he does the same to me in my hair.  His hands start tightening on my back as he presses me impossibly closer.  My heart increases and my body starts heating up.  His hands start touring my body, one traveling up in circular motions while the other lowers to my ass.  I let out a quiet moan when he squeezes.  It feels so good to be touched like this.  I give his neck an open mouth kiss and he groans loudly, so I do it again, and again.  My hands explore his back as well, feeling the tight muscles.  When I graze his ass he hisses out a breath “Brighton”….. I look up and I know we are wearing the same faces with lust in our eyes. He eyes my lips before looking back to my eyes, as if asking for permission.  I lean forward to press ………

“Brighton, that order cam- OH I'M SO SORRY!!”

Our lust session was instantly iced on as Jessie comes in.  Dammit.  By the look on Harris’s face, he’s not very happy either, but still holds onto me.  Jessie looks from me to Harris. 

“I’m so sorry Brighton…. Alpha,” bowing her head.  I just snort and untangle Harrison from my body, despite his displeasing glare. 

“Relax Jessie, and you remember Harris, right?”  I chuckle at the awkwardness of the situation.  Harris comes to my side and grips my waist.  “This beautiful woman is my mate- how are you Jessie?” 

Her eyes bug out, then she smiles and looks at me and can probably tell that I’m happy.   “I’m doing well Harrison.  When did all this happen,” she says waving a hand between us two.

“Officially, just now,” he says mildly.

Her face contorts and awkwardly tries to smile.  “Truly, I’m sorry I interrupted.  I just needed Brighton to sign off for some packages.”