My Brother’s Mate

Turning 18

Day before 18th birthday

Emily’s POV

“Emily honey wake up or you’ll be late for your appointment.” My mom yells through the door. Its 10 am. Man I must have been tired to sleep so long. Well Mike didn’t leave until like 1 am so I guess that makes sense. Mike and I have been kinda dating for the past two months, but nothing serious, we want to wait and see if we are fated tonight at midnight. I get up, get dressed, brush my teeth, and head downstairs.

“Honey I left you a plate of food for you in the fridge.” My mom says as I make my way to the kitchen.

“Thanks mom.” I call out. I eat breakfast and I hear a honk out front.

“Oh that boy has no manners.” My mom says.

“You better come in here my mom hates that.” I mind link Mike.

Mike walks in. Something about the way he enters reminds me of all the times in the past 10 years he’s walked in through that same door. Tapping the entrance with his hand as he passes under the doorway. I chuckle through the memories.

“Sorry Mrs. Rivers, I just don’t want Em to be late, you know how she is.” Mike says to my mom like I’m not standing right here. My grin flattens.

My mothers stern face softens when she talks to Mike. “Em’ IS usually late. Isn’t she?” She says lightheartedly. “Well she actually just woke up a few minutes ago.”

Mike fake gasps and turns to me. “Em it’s like 10 am, why you sleepin’ so late?” I come up and hit his shoulder; then grab his arm and shove him out the front door.

“Bye Mrs. Rivers.” Mike says laughing at my reaction. “Jerk, you know why I was sleeping so late” I say getting in the car.

“Haha I’m guessing it’s my fault.” He says and leans in and kisses me. We have settled into a comfortable groove with each other the last few months.

“Let’s get you to the hair doctor.” Mike says.

“Haha you mean the salon?” I correct

“Hair doctor. Like I said.” Mike laughs. We drive to the salon and he drops me off. He has to go pick up his suit for tonight and my dress.

My appointment goes quick, and even finishes about 10 minutes early. I glance in the mirror and see my blonde hair suspended in curls that frame my face. I look nice, I think to myself. As I prepare to text Mike that I’ve finished early, I’m delighted to see that he is already waiting for me out in the parking lot. We go out for lunch at our favorite spot, and then head back to get ready for the party tonight.

“Mom I’m home!” I call out walking through the front door carrying my dress.

“Honey let me see your hair!” My mom says walking in from the kitchen. “Oh don’t you just look lovely?” My mom coos. “We’ll loosen up those curls before the party.”

“Oh good your dress!” She says taking my dress from my hands.

“We have 5 hours till the party. Do what you want just please don’t mess up your hair!” My mom says as she makes her way to the spare room with my dress. I calculate how long it will *actually* take me to get ready, about and hour, and how long I have until I need to start, about 4. “Whew,” I think to myself, “I might actually get some time to relax today.” I head upstairs and run a hot bath. I plop in a bath bomb to make it extra luxurious. Then I prop up my tablet and put on a movie. I need something distracting so I opt for a comedy. I get out when I notice the water starts to turn cold and my hands begin to prune. I pause the movie to dry off, then I get comfy in bed to finish the movie. I’m right near the end when I hear a knock at my door.

“Come in.” I yell.

“EM!!” A figure screeches as it jumps onto the bed with me. It’s Carol, my cousin.

“Oh my goddess, your hair looks so cute! LOVE the curls”

“Thanks” I say, as she continues.

“Are you excited about tonight? Are you excited about Mike being your mate? You guys are so freakin cute already. I always knew you be the best couple.”

Carol is a ball of energy, ALWAYS.

“Carol. Breathe.” Says Mary in the doorway. Mary is Carol’s sister, she a few years older than we are. “Carol mom wants to talk to you downstairs. Carols heads out and Mary sits down on the bed next to me. “Soo, How you doin Em?” Mary has a calm soothing presence.

“Oh you know..” I pause to think of a good fib but then give in and tell Mary the truth.

“Im scared Mary. I’m trying to soak up these last few moments of relaxation before everything.. ya know, changes.”

“Oh Em it’s a good change.” Mary says taking my hand. I pause thinking over my next few words.

“But.. What if Mike isn’t my fated. What if he’s not my mate?Then everyone will be disappointed.” I confess

“Em if he’s not, then it’s not what the Moon Goddess wants. It won’t be your fault.. It’ll be hers.”

I laugh at the prospect of the Moon Goddess being blamed.

“It’s predestined.” Mary continues, “You’ll be happy. Don’t worry. The only thing that matters is how you feel, not anyone else.” Mary always knows the right things to say. I smile. We finish the movie together and watch a couple YouTube videos before my mom comes to the door and reminds me that it’s time to start getting ready. We head down to the spare room where my Aunt Becky and Carol are waiting. Aunt Becky zips me into my dress as Mary and Carol start putting on my makeup. My mom works on my hair. I can hear guests arriving and settling into the Pack house. They continue to do so right up until it’s time. At around 8 pm Im all dolled up and ready to go.

“Alright ladies I think our work here is finished.” My mom says.

“You look gorgeous honey.” Says my Aunt Becky. “Mike’s a lucky felIow.” Aunt Becky winks, Carol chuckles, and Mary makes wide eyes at me.

“How about we go make our way over to the Pack house and give these two some Mother Daughter time.” Mary says to Aunt Becky and Carol as she ushers them out the door. “You really do look gorgeous.” My mom begins with a tear in her eye. “I remember my fated ceremony..” A knock on the door interrupts my moms story that I’ve heard a thousand times. In walks my dad.

“Lookin good dad!” I say. He really does looks nice in his navy blue suit. My dad is tall and broad shouldered with sandy blond hair just like me.

“Thanks kiddo. Now don’t you look beautiful.” He says with a step back.

“Thanks.” I say. I walk over and give him a hug.

“Kiddo your mom and I are so proud of you and the young woman you have become. We wanted to give you your birthday present early.” My dad pulls out a box from his pocket. He opens it displaying the beautiful necklace inside. It’s a delicate chain with a pendent. He hands me to box so I can get a closer look. The pendant is a wolf and a moon covered in diamonds. It’s perfect I think.

“Oh you guys it’s beautiful.” I say as my mom lifts my curls so my Dad can fasten it around my neck.

“You guys are the best. I love you.” I hug them both.

“We love you too dear.” My mom says.

“There’s someone else who wants to see you.” My dad teases. “We’ll send him in” Dad and mom head out the door.

“Half an hour until the party starts!” My mom reminds me on her way out. As they leave, I hear a quick knock on the door behind me.

Mike’s POV

I walk into the room and see her. Damn. She looks amazing. Her long sandy blonde hair is still in curls falling half way down her back, although it’s different than it was at the hair doctor. The hair around her cheeks is gone, pinned back revealing her beautiful face. She is wearing a long, dark green, sort of shiny dress with thin straps on her shoulders. The dress cuts down almost all the way down her back. She looks perfect.

“Are you just going to stand there?” She asks.

“Oh sorry. I was trying to burn this image of you into my memory. You and this beautiful shiny green dress.” I say

“Damn Mike that’s smooth.” She giggles. “ Its called silk.”

“You look beautiful.” I say.

“You clean up pretty good yourself.” She adds as I walk over to her. She places her hands on my chest.

“Lovely necklace.” I say looking down at her.

“An early birthday present from my parents.” She says looking down at it.

“We’ll they have good taste.” I place my finger under her chin and lift her head up to mine as I lean in for a kiss.

“Mike.” She says as she pulls away.

“What if we aren’t.. I don’t want you to be mad or disappointed.” She looks scared.

“Em we’ve talked about this so many times. If we aren’t, we’ll still be friends.” I say optimistically.

But I know I’ll be crushed if we aren’t. I’ve tried to hold it back when we were kids, but I honestly think I have loved Emily my whole life.

“I know. I just can’t help it. You are so important to me and the last thing I want to do is hurt you. It sucks this is out of our control.” She looks upset.

“Let me ask, if you could choose. Would you choose me?” I ask, and immediately regret it. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked that.

“If I could choose. I would.” She says in a whisper. I lean in to kiss her again, this time more hungry for her.

“We’re going to be late for our own party.” She says.

I laugh and we head out of the room. Her parents are waiting for us. They have always been supportive of our relationship, I know they hope we are mates too.

“Ready to go kiddos.” Her dad says. We nod and head out to the pack house. We walk down the sidewalk across the field holding hands. We walk up the stairs and stop before the front doors.

“We’ll go in first and then you both can follow.” Her mom says.

“Ok mom. I love you.” Emily says and hugs her mom and dad. They enter as we stand off to the side savoring our last moments of calm before entering the party.

“My mom has always has a thing for the dramatics.” She leans into me and says.

“I like it.” I reply. “How long do we wait?” I ask.

“Oh this is dumb let’s just go in.” She says and reaches for the door. I grab the other handle and we open them in sync revealing a room packed full of people who all cheer as we enter. I’m greeted first by some guys from the football team. Emily is met by some of her friends from school. We are pulled to opposite sides of the room. 2 hours into the party Emily and I are brought up onto the stage. My dad Alpha James addresses the crowd.

“Lady’s and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming out tonight to celebrate two wolves who have been connected at the hip since brith.” Everyone laughs.

“I know that both my wife and I, along with Beta Max and his lovely wife, are proud of these two and look forward to all the great things to come. Lady’s and gentlemen Emily Rivers and Michael Blackwell!” My dad gestures toward us and we walk out on the stage. Everyone cheers and balloons fall from the ceiling. My dad comes up to me and places his hand on my shoulder.

“Everyone please enjoy the night and at midnight we will have a pack run.” My father announces. Everyone cheers again. Em and I make our way back down to the crowd. An hour later Liam appears next to me.

“Happy birthday bro.” He says. I turn and hug him.

“Oh man I’m so glad you could make it. When did you get in?” I ask.

“I got in like half an hour ago.” He says as some random girl comes up next to him and puts her arm around him.

“Hey baby.” She says. I just look at him.

“Oh Candy this is Mike my brother. This party is for him.” He says.

“And Emily.” I add

“Candy?” I say in mind link. He just smiles a shruggs

“Yeah speaking of Em where is she I want to wish her a happy birthday too.” Liam says looking around.

“She’s over there getting a drink.” I point.

“Sweet, hey babe I’ll be right back.” He says as he unwraps from her and heads towards Em.

Liams POV

“Dude just keep her occupied for one second. I’ll be right back. I need a break from this cling monster.” I plead with Mike through mind link.

“Fine! Be quick it’s my birthday I don’t want to play babysitter.” Mike responds.

I head over to where Mike pointed but I only see one person at the drink table, it can’t be her. This girl is beautiful in this dress showing a lot, if not all her back with long curly sandy blond hair. She turns around and it is her, Emily, and she is grown up. She sees me and smiles.

“Liam!” She yells. I walk over and pick her up in a hug and spin around. She smells amazing. She laughing and wraps her arms around me. I put her down.

“Look at you all grown up.” I spin her to look at her fully.

“Haha stop it. Look at you scruffly man.” She says tickling my chin.

“Hey it’s *Mister* Scruffy man to you.” I say jokingly. I turn, so that we’re standing, side by side, facing the crowd. “So how have you been Em?” I ask

“I’ve been.. good. I’m graduating top of the class in a few months. And you?” She asks.

Makes sense I think. Em always was a smart kid. A whole lot smarter than Mike. That thickhead is barely passing his classes. He’s probably only gonna graduate because he’s the Alphas kid.

“I’m doing great!” I respond quickly. “I’ve officially graduated and I’m back for good now.. How’s Mike been treating you?” I add.

“Oh, ‘Mikes been the best.”I nod to her response but can’t think of what to say next. Thankfully Emily interrupts our silence.

“I’m.. actually a bit nervous.” She looks down at her drink. I know both of our parents and even Mike have been pushing their connection.

“Hey, don’t sweat the fated mate stuff. I mean I still haven’t even found mine and there’s tons of pressure to find a Luna. Mom has even been trying to set up for me to travel around to different packs to find her.” I add.

“That sounds so fun.” She says sarcastically. We laugh in agreement, and then I see Candy making her way over. Ugh I think. “Well Em, I’ll see you at midnight for the run.” I say as I head towards Candy.

Emily’s POV

Liam abruptly walks away over to a some random girl. He has a habit of doing that. She wraps her arms around him and kisses him. I’m guessing this is his flavor of the week. My good friend Kate comes up to me and pulls me back to the dance floor. We dance together until around 11:50 when Mike comes and gets me. He takes me out back away from the crowd. We sit on the back steps looking up at the full moon. I lean against Mike and put his arm around me. We don’t talk. We just sit there waiting for midnight. Mike looks at his phone and the time was 11:59 and I take a deep breath. Im not ready for things to change. I don’t want to lose my friend. We both stare at his phone silently. 12:00 it reads.

Midnight! And nothing. I don’t feel any differently towards Mike than I did the minute before. A tear falls from my eye. Mike notices and wipes it away.

“Em it’s ok. Just like I’ve been saying for months. You still have me.” Mike whispers. I let go of the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“I’m sorry.” I look up to him and say.

“You have nothing to be sorry for Em.” He says and squeezes my shoulders. We stay here for a few more minutes when we hear the back door open and a smell fills the air. I get goosebumps all over. It’s the best thing I have ever smelled in my life, like the forest in spring, like sandalwood and musk.

Suddenly I feel Sam, my wolf, growling in the back of my mind She utters one single word. Mate! I stand up and turn to see Liam standing there with a confused look on his face.

Liam’s POV

“Where are the birthday kids? We need to get ready for the run.” My mom asks.

“I think I saw them out back, I’ll go get them.” I say as I head to the back door. When I open the door I am hit with the sweet smell of vanilla and orange.

Mate! Lucas growls in my mind. Then my eyes fall onto Emily and I can see she feels it too.

“Oh sh*t.” I say uncontrollably. Mike stands up and looks confused.

“What is it?” He asks looking at me. Emily and I just stare at each other without responding. Emily looks so conflicted I can’t tell if she’s happy or sad. Mike just shifts his eyes back and forth between us.

“Em?” Mike asks. She doesn’t look at him.

“Liam?” He says, I can tell he’s getting upset.

“Mate.” The word slips from my lips, something else I can’t control. Mike visibly changes his posture. He’s upset.

“What?” Mike says to himself. He’s trying to make sense of what’s happening, we all are. Mike turns to my Emily “Seriously!?. LIAM?! LIAM IS YOUR MATE?!! You have got to be fu**ing kidding me.” Mike starts pacing. Just then the back door opens. It’s my mom.

“You guys we’re all waiting..” She pauses, sensing the energy of the room. “Wait, what’s going on out here?” She asks looking back and forth at me and Emily. We’re still staring at each other.

“Great! Mom! Let me introduce you to Liam’s mate.” Mike points to Emily. Emily’s breaks our stare to look towards Mike. He face changes she looks hurt and sad. My wolf, Lucas, growls in the back of my mind. He doesn’t like that Mike made Emily sad. I don’t like it either, I growl with him. “Mike! Control yourself.” I say in a calm controlled tone.

“Liam, give him a minute he’s upset.” My mom says.

“He’s making Emily upset.” I snap back.

“Emily dear maybe we can go for a walk and let the boys talk for a minute.” My mom walks down next to Emily and leads her around the pack house. Mike is furious and I can feel it.

“WHY DO YOU GET EVERYTHING!” He snaps at me.

“What? What do I get?” I ask confused.

“You get a football scholarship, you get a new car, you to be Alpha, and YOU get Emily. I only get your leftovers.. Emily was MINE. She was MY best friend, but you had to take her too.”

“Emily is still your best friend Mike. I didn’t take her! She was my fated mate! I didn’t ASK for this!” I pause to give us both a chance to calm down before continuing. Leftovers? I think. “I didn’t know you felt that way.” I say shocked .

“You have no idea what it’s like living in someone’s shadow, constantly being compared. I’ll never live up to the ‘all mighty Liam!’” He snaps at me.

Mike and I have never really gotten into fights, but goodness I’ve never seen him so angry at me. Why did I do this? I think

“Mike, I’m sorry. I never knew.. Come sit with me.” I say sitting on the steps. He takes a few deep breaths and takes a seat.

I continue. “I never wanted you in my shadow Mike. I’ve wanted you to be your own person. I love you and I’m sorry If I hurt you. But Emily is still your best friend and she still needs you. I need you too man.” I say pleading with him.

“I love her.” He responds as he places his head in his hands. Everyone knows he loves her, and I’m the jerk ripping them apart. I’m breaking my brothers heart.

“I know you do Mike. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it man. Tell me what you want.” I leave this to him. He looks up to me shocked.

“What do you mean?” He asks.

“What do you want me to do?” I say again. “I can reject her and you two can be chosen mates. I can find another mate.” I say. Mike stops to think about it.

“No. He says firmly. I cant ask that of you. And I can’t do that to Em. It would crush her. I don’t want to be responsible for separating two fated mates.” Mike pauses again. “It’s just not fair. Emily is all I’ve ever wanted.”

Mike was hurting but hearing him say that made me jealous, made Lucas jealous. I push down those feelings and try to respond calmly. “Mike I don’t want you to hate me, and I don’t want you to hate her.” I say.

“I don’t hate you guys. I’m just.. heart broken.” Mike closes his eyes and breathes deeply for a second, then he continues. “Oh goddess she’s going to be my sister, I’ve kissed my sister.” Mike says jokingly. Lucas growls in response. I push him back. And fake chuckle.

“She not your sister man.” I say jokingly. “It will be hard and it kills me that I’m hurting you. But maybe in time things will change.” Mike turns away and looks up towards the moon. He then gets up and walks towards the forest surrounding the pack house. He turns back towards me and shouts.

“You’re right... But it’s gonna be a while.” He turns back and heads into the forest.

I feel like such a di*k.