4.
1661 Words
Carter's POV:
I haven't seen Bethany after July 4th, I got busy and gave her space then she went on her orientation at university then to California to be with her mother. Ace is missing Asia deeply, it's starting to take a toll on us, what keeps me going is knowing she is alive and well.
After what happened earlier this year I never brought a female into my room, I completely ended things with that omega and had to kick her out of the pack because she doesn't know boundaries or respect me.
Leon has found his mate and it's no other than my beta Antonio, he told me a while back but no one else knows not even our mother. I'm happy for them both, but he has to tell mom at some point, she is excited to meet her younger son's mate after Bethany's incident.
"Today is the day, I'll tell mom who my mate is", Leon tells me during our morning run.
Since high school is over for him and he isn't going to study at any community college, he's helping out in the pack, training recruits who want to be pack warriors and patrolling the borders. Also, take up a few alpha duties when I'm out for a few days.
"I'm sure she'll be over the moon to hear you found your mate and just in time too, our annual function is coming up soon", I state.
He nods.
Our pack holds an annual get-together with nearby packs to continue our strong Allie agreement, it's held on a full moon night between September, October, or November, we haven't had a date set yet. Last year we didn't hold one, unfortunately, but this year we're back.
"Hello alpha Carter, Leon", Asher greets out, he goes on morning runs as well.
"How is training coming along?" I ask.
He's an excellent candidate for the pack warrior.
"Great, if he keeps this up he can even become a gamma", Leon replies.
"It'll be an honor to protect this pack with my life alpha", he bows.
"Carry on."
He leaves.
"Do you think he has what it takes?" I ask my brother.
He nods, "one of our top trainees, I guess the training at the academy paid off."
That it did, according to Leon, Bethany is good as well, especially at combat.
After running, we return to the house to freshen up before breakfast. I know Leon went straight to Antonio's room, he went on his run a bit earlier than us.
After I showered and get dressed, I go downstairs to the dining area where a maid is just finishing up putting plates on the table, breakfast isn't ready for another ten minutes.
"Good morning alpha", she greets.
I nod and go to the kitchen where the chef is stacking pancakes on a large plate.
"Alpha, I've made your favorite pancakes", he says.
"Banana?"
He nods.
I take an apple and leave.
Mom is coming down the stairs, she smiles when she spots me, "Carter, I have good news, I was speaking to the council and they agreed to back off until next summer."
"How did you manage that?"
They were stubborn when I tried reasoning with them.
"Of course, they'll listen to me, I still hold the position and title as luna."
"Do you think it'll be enough time for me?"
"More than enough time, just take your time", she replies.
After weeks, the council finally agreed to back off until June of next year. Since I'm already 21 and I'm turning 22 in less than a year, I need my mate for us to complete the process and the pack gets a new luna. Mom is getting older and can't do all her duties as before, dad's death took a toll on her and I know she is still suffering silently.
I don't want to rush Bethany, I want her to come to me and fall in love on her own not because we're destined to be together. I know of incidents where although people are together because of the mate bond they despise each other behind closed doors and hurt each other repeatedly; they eventually rejected each other and separate.
I don't want that for Bethany and me, since I'm an alpha a rejection can do devastating consequences on me and my wolf. I wouldn't be able to move on and my wolf will become weak. When the alpha is weak he or she can't protect the pack and will eventually drown in his own sorrow and die.
We all sit down around the table after the food is brought out and set up.
"Mom I have some great news to tell you", Leon begins as Antonio looks at him, a bit pale too.
"What is it?" She smiles.
She does love Leon and me unconditionally, growing up she was quite protective too after dad died.
"I've found my mate."
Asher chokes on the water he was drinking and a few members look shocked.
"That's wonderful, who is she? Is she a member?" Mom asks cheerfully.
Antonio turns red.
"Mom, it's not a female", Leon mumbles.
"I see", her facial expression dims a little, but she keeps a small smile on her face.
"Who is he?" She asks.
Leon looks at Antonio who looks down at his plate, avoiding eye contact.
Asher's mouth falls open.
"I knew it, I knew something was up with them during the summer", someone mutters.
Mom's eyes widen, "Antonio?"
"Yes, luna", Antonio bows his head.
"Well, this is one way to start a Monday morning", she chuckles, trying to reduce the awkwardness that fell over the room.
Sadly it didn't help.
"I'm happy you found your mate Leo and Antonio is such an exception too, he's devoted to this pack as a beta just like his father was", mom continues, "take care of my clumsy son will you?"
"I will", Antonio chuckles.
"I'm not clumsy", Leon pouts.
"Of course, you're not, you're a walking Kluz", I grin and he glares at me.
****
"How long did you know?" Asher asks, I'm in the field with a few trainees who wanted to practice with me today.
"Since the beginning, he trusted me to keep it a secret", I reply.
"And all this time I thought he was interested in Beth", he chuckles.
I shake my head, "never."
Unless he wanted to be buried alive.
"I'm just joking, I was the one who was interested in her", he confesses.
"Do you want me to go hard on you today? Why are you saying things to make me angry and trigger me off?" I inquire.
"Bad habit, my mother says I got no filter or how to shut up", he shrugs.
She's right, he's annoying sometimes.
2 hours later
After practice, I go to my study room to review some documents, I have a meeting with another pack's beta this week.
"Mail for you alpha", someone knocks and enters the room.
She hands it to me and leaves.
I flip it over, it's from Tyler.
I take out the letter.
I know you're surprised to see a letter from me and I know everything that happened after I left, Beth will come around eventually, and her wolf will begin nagging her to see you soon. This alpha program is very beneficial, if you were the same age as Leon maybe we could have attended together. I look forward to seeing you for the holidays at the pack house and I'll tell you all about my experience. For now, keep safe, keep an eye on my sister although I'm sure dad has someone doing it and try to connect with her.
Respectfully, Tyler (your future brother-in-law)
I laugh, he is thinking far ahead. I reply to the letter and have it mailed back to him.
Alpha Bryan gave me Bethany's number without her knowledge, I'll message her soon. I want her to get comfortable and settle into her new university life first.
After reviewing documents and giving out orders for patrol, I leave the room for lunch which I decided to have in the town. Many of the pack members live in the town area so they know me very well, as well as, the humans but not as an alpha but as a businessman who owns a lot of shares.
"Do you want to come with me?" I ask Leon as I am about to leave.
"And leave Antonio all alone? No way", he shakes his head.
"Where is he anyway?"
"The lake taking a swim."
"Fine, go be with him", I wave him off and he grins.
"Dinner, I promise", he swears.
"Don't forget."
I leave the packhouse and get into the new car I brought in July and drive to town. I park in the parking lot of a popular cafe and get out.
I enter the cafe and the waitress comes to me immediately.
"Good day Mr. Carter, will you like your usual menu?"
I nod as I take a seat down at the back where it is more private as a waiter comes with a glass and fills it with cold water.
From this table, you get a view of the cafe, who comes in and out, and who's doing studies and whatnot.
I see someone enter wearing worn-out clothing with a hat and a hoodie covering his head.
I frown, funny I didn't catch any strange scent, is he human?
He joins the line to order, something is off about him with the way he walks and his body posture.
I got up and join the line behind him, I can't smell him at all, is he masking it?
I tap on his shoulder, "excuse me, are you from out of town?"
He turns around, his different color eyes catching me off guard.
"So you're the alpha?" He asks with a grin.
Who the heck is this guy?
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- Writer
