The Game of Quadruplet Mates

Chapter 5

Jeremy.

That’s his name or at least that’s what I hear everyone else call him. Since his arrival, everyone has been whispering about him, telling his stories and mentioning his unrivaled beauty. There was no propaganda like newspapers for this Beta. He didn’t need it. Not with his reputation that I think Konstantin would k i l l for.

This man.

This other worldly man.

His mere presence made me swallow from both nerves and surprise. He’s gorgeous. Heavenly so.

The kind of man that will make you forget your own name.

He’s like a dream, unreal and, if touched, would disappear.

And so, when Konstantin turns to face him and frowns, the name he calls Jeremy is almost perfectly fitting. “Pretty boy Jeremy has come out to play?”

They knew each other.

I can see it in their eyes.

And then I noticed the resemblance. Not a sibling or a relative… but from the same pack.

Now that I can see Beta Jeremy closer, I realize how his features are very much like the city pack who are famous for their fair light hair and bright colorful eyes. Jeremy, with his baby blue eyes and blonde hair, almost screamed of the city. He carried himself with such glamour that the resemblance to the city pack is almost indistinguishable.

Yet there were those subtle hints of the nameless pack on him— the ones that live in the far away mountains. His tough exterior, his roughness and intimidating stature, the hard glint in his eyes that showed he had seen much. The way his lips turned down with every uninteresting sight.

Then again, the nameless pack has members from every pack, or at least, that’s what I heard.

Jeremy smirked and it was not at all playful or kind. “I’m sure that scares you, Konstant-s h i t.”

Did he just…

Did he just say constant s h i t? Like he’s constantly s h i t t i n g?

A laugh suddenly bubbles up my throat and I can’t help but let it out, cackling like a child.

Jeremy’s eyes met mine, the blue sparkling with amusement. “Hilarious, isn’t it? Much like the man turning purple because of it.”

And Konstantin was in fact purpling with rage and hate. “Go back to your tent. June and I have plans.”

Jeremy’s eyes shined once more but this wasn’t of amusement anymore. This was a challenge. “I’m afraid my June and I have made plans first. I’m not about to back out from it.”

My June.

A chill goes down my spine.

He said my June— no. I shouldn’t give meaning to it.

Since they’re both Betas, Konstantin doesn’t back down. “Shouldn’t you be serving your monster of an Alpha?”

“If you were smart, which I already know you aren't, you would know that he’s not here and that he’s not coming.” Jeremy answers back, completely unbothered by the term ‘monster’ used for his Alpha. “Never fear, lover boy, I can put you in your place as easily as he can.”

A staring match ensues between them, and I’m left to watch it happen.

Beta Konstantin opens his mouth first, ready to verbally attack, but a call from somewhere in the tents stops him. The voice is female but it’s so faint and airy I barely catch it.

Jeremy grins widely. “It seems you’re the one who needs to serve your monster of an Alpha.”

Konstantin glanced at the VIP tents, lips pressed thin. “Watch your back, pretty boy. I’ll be coming for you after.”

“Empty words.” Beta Jeremy mocked, playfully. “I’m still waiting for your last threat.”

Even more pissed off than he already was, Konstantin purposely slams his shoulder into Jeremy’s with the latter standing like a rock, unmoving and definitely unbothered.

I watched Konstantin disappear into the tent, the flap smacking him on the back as he entered.

When I look back at the remaining Beta, he’s already looking at me, those blue eyes staring into my soul. “You looked like you needed saving. I know I would want to be saved from that douchebag.”

My cheeks go warm, blushing at the fact that I was alone with him. He really was just the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on and it was making me very nervous.

But he seemed like he didn’t have a care in the world, leaning casually against the swing.

“So, June, are you planning to sulk here all day or are you coming to have lunch with me?”

He knows my name.

Of course, he heard it from Konstantin, but the fact that he’s calling me this as if we’re friends is just… is just something else, especially since he’s a powerful Beta from an even more powerful pack. The fact that he’s even speaking to me is already a miracle in itself.

“I, uh, thank you for helping me.” I managed to say. “But you don’t have to do that.”

“Do what?” He squinted and even that was gorgeous.

My lips parted but no words came. I didn’t know how to word out how I didn’t want to be much of a bother. That I didn’t want to take up more of his time. He’s here to find a mate and he’s obviously not going to find her by being with me.

Beta Jeremy reads my nervousness like it was written for him. “You don’t want to eat with me? Why not?”

My reply is instant and without needing thought. “I do, I just,”

“That’s all I need to hear.” He smiles, genuine and amused. “I know you already ate, I saw you, but I think you haven’t had dessert yet. You feel like eating that with me?”

He saw me.

Does that mean he was watching me?

And if he was… what does that mean?

Nothing. It probably means nothing. He must just be very observant.

I showed him my wrist, my identifier near his nose. “Beta, you must be very confused. I’m of low blood ranking. The lowest. I’m from the farm pack with nothing to offer. I don’t know if you can smell it, but I only have a bolt of silk and that’s all.”

He pauses and I fear he will leave me like everyone else has, but he doesn’t. “I’m not confused.”

And that was all he said before walking back to the crowd, his hand on my wrist, gripping my identifier like it didn’t bother him one bit. Another wave of affection fed through my loneliness.

“I hear there’s an unhealthy amount of chocolate somewhere.” He says, but I can’t focus enough to understand what he’s saying. His hand was warm, rough from calluses but gentle in its grip. “Let’s find it.”

I could feel everyone staring, their eyes burning holes in my face and all over me.

They all asked the same question I was wondering myself: Why me? Why the poor farm girl?

“Two Betas were talking to her!” The girls shouted, making me hide behind Jeremy more. “What is this? Are they choosing her?”

“That can’t be!”

And I have to agree.

That can’t be.

He won’t be choosing me. This is fun, nothing more.

“Is this your first year, June?” Jeremy asks through the loud whispers that he ignores.

I nodded, forcing a smile to hide the way my heart was beating erratically. “It is. What about you?”

“My first year too, but our pack doesn’t usually go to these things.” He tells me, but I already know this.

Still, I want to ask. “I thought it was a requirement?”

Beta Jeremy laughs, hand tightening around my wrist. Warmth seemed to explode in my stomach. “We don’t follow requirements.”

We made it to the tables of food again with him unapologetically shoving people out of the way. It’s hard to ignore how he keeps close to me, his hands always close enough to touch. “Then why come this year?”

“Hmmm,” He looked up to the sky for a moment, deep in thought. “Our Alpha thought it best to mock this wretched tradition.”

My eyes were on the hunt for some chocolate— purely to distract myself from him and his piercing blue eyes. “You don’t like the Assembly?”

Jeremy finds the chocolate first, staring down a hopeful looking girl that was in the way before she ran in fright. “It’s a Game, June. Everyone calls it a game and you’re a player whether you like to play or not.”

“Except you. You’re not playing.” I mused, hands already finding the biggest fudge bar.

Jeremy smiled again, his eyes lighting up and butterflies seemed to swoop in my belly at the mere action. “We shall see about that.”

I didn’t know exactly what he meant and I didn't ask him about it further because I know I’m already blushing and I know I’m already getting my hopes up for something that will never happen.

We fill our plates until they can’t possibly hold anymore. All the while, watchful eyes following our every move. When we smiled, they stared. When he says something, they lean closer to listen. And when he holds me, small touches here and there— mostly to guide me, they nearly faint.

If I’m being honest, I feel a little faint too. He’s too good to be true. His touches feel too good to be true and when he smiles, I find myself swallowing at the mere sight of it.

Whatever this was, I’m just glad to experience it.

“Let’s stay by the far gardens.” He pointed towards the high flowery walls. “Away from these prying eyes.”

He must not want to be seen with me.

Jeremy touches my arm and it erases all my worries away. “I want to get to know you more.”

Deep into the maze of flowers, vines and greenery, away from the music and laughter and gossip, Jeremy takes my hand and brings me even deeper and farther. We only stop when we reach a stone bench right next to a fountain. It was far enough that there was only a hum of music from the distance.

Jeremy gets comfortable, sitting down on the bench and gesturing to the spot next to him. I sit next to him, our shoulders touching and our plates on our laps. The entire thing felt surreal yet, somehow, there was a comforting aspect to it that I will never understand and don't want to understand.

To keep myself busy— so as to not look at him too much— I take a piece of chocolate in my hands and rub my finger over it. Chocolate isn’t something we usually have on our lands. It’s a luxury that we rarely see even on the best days.

The one time I tasted it was during that celebration when our pack member was chosen by some distant relative of a Beta. I had only one bite and I knew it was my favorite.

The immediate need to stuff my mouth with it overwhelms me and I shove the entire thing in my mouth. It melts, the ooey-gooey goodness oozing into my mouth and making me sigh.

“You like chocolate?” Jeremy asked, eyes wide as he watched me eat.

“I do.” I sheepishly say. “But I didn’t know there were so many kinds.”

The Beta looks down at his plate, deep in thought. He must have realized that we didn’t get a lot of chocolate where we live because he points to one and says, “The white one. It’s my favorite. And this,”

On and on he went and I leaned in with interest, studying each and every single one that he pointed at. From light brown, dark brown to white with spots— cookies and cream, he says, another favorite of his.

We learn together that I like milk chocolate the most.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He says, giving me all the milk chocolate on his plate.

In mind?

For what?

Foolish. I was being foolish again.

I really never learn.

“You won’t need to.” I told him, tramping down my crazy beating heart. “We will likely never see each other again after this.”

Jeremy smiles and it is a secretive one. “You sound sure of that.”

Shrugging my shoulders, I looked up at the beautiful white stone mansion. We were worlds apart. It only seemed close now because I was sitting next to him, but the reality is, we were as far as could be. “I doubt you’ll ever come to where I live.”

Twinkling blue eyes stared into mine and I suddenly lost the air in my lungs. “That’s not what I meant.”

“What did you mean then?”

He doesn’t get to answer.

He only smiles before an announcement from the speakers suddenly breaks through the gardens.

“Good afternoon and welcome to the Assembly. It is now time to enter the mansion for the beginning of our celebration.”