A Mother before a Mate

Chapter 5

7 months later.

It’s March 27, and I’m celebrating my 20th birthday! Lev is taking care of Molly tonight, and Grace and I are going out with some of the ladies. Mila, the mate of Eli, the soon-to-be Beta, Joscelyn, and Cora are going to join too. We’re all meeting at Joscelyn’s to get ready together, and then out to the club to dance the night away. I haven't gone out partying since before Molly, and even then it wasn't to an actual club, so the girls think it will be good for me.

Molly’s 19 months old now, and she is a bright, happy, and adorable toddler. While getting ready, we all help each other with our makeup and hair. I’m wearing high-waisted white jeans, with a pink silk crop tank top. I’m wearing my hair in a tight high ponytail, with my hair straightened, Ariana Grande style. My makeup is on point, with perfect cat eyes. I don't think I’ve ever looked as good as I do right now.

All the ladies look awesome. Grace and Mila look hot, but they are more covered up than the rest of us because they have a possessive Alpha and Beta for a mate. Both Jos and Cora are letting the goods show, clearly not mated. We make sure to get pictures because we need proof we looked this good and then start doing some shots. It takes a lot of alcohol for werewolves to get drunk or even a buzz, but we did about a dozen shots each, and we’re ready to head to the club.

Jett drives us down, and I can tell he really does not want to let his sexy mate out of his sight, especially while she’s got a little buzz. “Just come in with us, Jett!” I offer, with a playful roll of my eyes.

“No, this is supposed to be a girl's night,” Mila argues.

“Look at his face! He’s miserable. He can be our bodyguard for the night, right?” I ask him.

His lips start to curl up, and his face brightens. “If I tell Eli I’m the bodyguard, he’ll probably feel much better about this whole thing,” Jett offers to Mila and she rolls her eyes, “Fine!”

Jett is all smiles as he walks into the club with us. Grace is too. I love how much they love each other. I hope one day I can find someone to have that with or even just a fraction of that. We head straight for the bar when we get in because our buzz is starting to fade.

We order some shots, and then head to the dance floor. We’re dancing and swaying to the music. I’m having so much fun. Soon enough, I notice Eli is here too. “What are you doing here?” I ask with a smile. I’m not mad, just curious what excuse he’ll give for not being able to stay away from his mate for the night.

“Jett was allowed to come, so I figured it was fine. Is it okay? I don't want to crash your party?” He asks, looking a little guilty.

“The more the merrier,” I holler with a smile, and got back to dancing. After a little, Grace and Mila are dancing only with their men, and I get it.

“I want that,” Cora says with a frown, as she points to the happy couples. I nod. “Me too,” Joscelyn and I say in unison.

“We’re the strongest women in our pack. Do you think we scare guys away or something?” Joscelyn asks. We all pause to think before we embrace each other and start to laugh.

After a while, we headed back to the bar, just us three, though. I'm not sure what happened to the couples. While waiting to be served, three guys approach us and ask to buy us a drink. They’re cute, and we’re lonely, so we accept. After we have a few shots, we head back to the dance floor and the guys follow us. One of the guys, Mark, starts dancing with me, and the other two guys are dancing with Cora and Joscelyn.

Mark is hot, and before I know it, we’re dancing really close, and his hands are on my ass, and we’re making out on the dance floor. It was getting pretty hot and steamy, and then I felt a tap on my back, followed by another one. I pull away to see Jett, Gracie, Eli and Mila staring.

The guys don't look impressed, but the girls are smiling ear to ear. “Let’s go girls. The bar is closing in 10 minutes,” Jett says firmly.

I give one last look to Mark and tell him I have to go. He pulls me close and kisses me one last time, and not just a sweet peck. The man kissed me good. “Can I have your number?” Mark asks. If he wasn’t a human, I totally would.

“I’m from out of town, we leave tomorrow. It would be pointless. Thanks for the dance and drink though!”

As soon as we all get into the SUV, “Looks like you ladies were having fun,” Grace says, with a grin. “I wasn’t expecting to see all of you making out with guys,” this time bursting out laughing.

“Laugh all you want, but I needed this. I feel so hopeful now, it was a great birthday,” I say proudly, obviously still intoxicated at this point.

"Yeah, we don't all have mates that we can make out with, don't judge us, we're lonely," Cora slurs.

“No judgement here. You ladies will find your mates. Hopeful about what? The rando?” Mila asks, confused.

“No, not him exactly. I have thought about it over the last year or so, and my mate might reject me one day, because of my... my situation, and I've wondered if I could feel chemistry with a man that wasn't my mate. It seems like when you're 15, you can be attracted to everyone, but as you get older, it's harder to make a connection. The point I’m getting at is I liked kissing him tonight, and he made me feel desired... or, I don't know. I just thought I might never feel that; so today is a birthday win! Even if my mate rejects me, maybe I’ll find love without him. I’ve been telling myself that all this time, but this is the first time I actually maybe believe it,” I admit.

“Don’t give up on your mate. Molly is a doll, and if Grace had been in your position, it wouldn't have kept me from her, “ Jett admits.

“Me either,” Eli agrees.

“Really?” I ask, feeling more hopeful than ever.

“But you guys have known Mila and Grace since you were kids. Maybe if he’s just meeting me, it’s harder to accept,” I counter.

“Your mate might be in our pack, but just younger than you, and not 18 yet,” Mila points out.

“That’s true.”

---

The next day, I felt a little hungover, but I took some Advil and Lev made me a double bacon grilled cheese and I was all fixed up. Thank Moon Goddess too, because I have been told I need to meet with Alpha at noon. I’m not sure what he would want to talk to me about.

The last time he pulled me into his office, it was to ask me to help train his daughter, Sophie. If he’s asking me for another favour, I hope this time it’s a less mentally exhausting task. Sophie always complains, she doesn’t put in a full, honest effort, she has all sorts of demands, and then she blames me personally that she isn’t a great fighter.

She has Alpha blood in her veins, and her father is one of the strongest Alpha’s. If she had dropped the ego, and tried over the last 7 months, she would have made so much progress.

When I get to Alpha’s office, his door is open, and he motions me to come in. Molly and I make our way in. Alpha smiles and directs his attention to Molly. “Hi, Molly!” He says while lowering his big husky voice. “Did you want a lollipop?” He asks, as he opens a jar on his desk, and lifts a lollipop out. Molly’s eyes are wide with delight as she smiles and nods.

“Peas,” Molly makes her best attempt at 'please.'

Big bad Alpha is smiling ear to ear, and soft as a teddy bear at the moment, as he chuckles and hands it to her.

“Tank you!” Her little voice says.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart!”

I open her lollipop, and turn my attention to Alpha, with a smile and he returns it. “So number 2, now?” He asks, referring to my rank. I'm the second strongest female warrior now. I nod. "That’s impressive,” he acknowledges.

"Thank you!”

“In just over a year you have made an immense amount of progress. I was hoping for similar results with Sophie, especially given her lineage,” and I can hear the disappointment in his voice. I nod in understanding.

“Alpha, I have been training her the best that I can,” I explain.

He puts his hand up to stop me, “I know you have. I’ve kept an eye on training, and I see that you are very patient with her, and you’re doing a great job. You’re not the problem. I know that.” I sigh in relief. “Now the problem is that time is nearly up,” he adds.

“She’s not a bad fighter. She’s still made a lot of progress,” I add, trying to soften the blow.

“She’s not a great fighter or even a good fighter,” he concedes while shaking his head. "Do you remember when I mentioned that we were hoping to get a possible match for Sophie?” And I nod.

“Well, in two weeks, when we have the Alpha ceremony, the Alpha we hoped to match with Sophie will be coming. No official negotiations have been made. I’ve spoken to the previous Alpha and Luna of Black Moon pack, and they would like to make the match for their son, the Alpha. They want their son to have a Luna because he hasn’t had luck finding his mate. We would like to make a strong alliance. Not to mention, Cold moon and Black Moon are the top two strongest packs in the country. An offspring from both bloodlines would be a force to be reckoned with. We’re hoping that Sophie can make an impression on him, and with the gentle nudge from his parents, maybe we can make this happen. But if Sophie isn’t fierce, why would he agree to give up searching for his mate? He’s not going to think much about our bloodline,” he explains.

I nod, "I know we only have two weeks left, but I would like to add Sophie to the advanced class. I want all hands on deck. Maybe we can make miracles happen. I know the women won’t be happy, but this is important.” I nod, but I’m confused. My face must give it away because Alpha looks at me, and questions, “What is it?”

“It’s not my place.”

“Spit it out,” he orders.

“ I guess I can understand why someone would agree to an arranged match after searching for years for their mate. I don't understand why Sophie would agree to this, though. She’s 18 and probably mated to an Alpha anyway. Does she really want this? Is it possible that she doesn't? That would explain the lack of effort in her training,” I question.

“Oh, she wants this. She wants this more than anything. The only pack stronger than ours is theirs. I love my daughter but she is spoiled and she’s more concerned with status, money and power than she is with something like love,” he admits.

“Okay, well, I’ll get her into the advanced classes for the next few weeks. Hopefully, with the pressure on, we can make a last-ditch effort to make some real progress,” I say optimistically.

“Thank you. I also expect that none of this leaves this room,” Alpha states.

“Of course, Alpha.” I nod.

“I have one more request,” Alpha says, as I was about to get up.

“Okay?”

“The day after Jett's Alpha ceremony is Games Day," he starts, and I nod and smile. I know. I'm really looking forward to Games Day. During Jett's Alpha ceremony, he will be named Alpha, and Grace Luna, followed by a ball. The next day is followed by a buffet breakfast, a BBQ for dinner, and all-day there are different activities for everyone. Everything from potato sack races for kids, warrior battles, Beta and Gamma battles, races, log throws, it’s all an excuse for Alpha’s to boast about their pack any way they can. "On the game day, if things progress in a way that Sophie is expected to fight with the warriors, I would like you to fight against her.”

Huh? “Why? Wouldn't she be better suited to someone… weaker?” I ask.

“Normally, yes, but I was hoping that you could-”

I don't let him finish, “Throw the fight?” I question. This pisses me off. I was training hard for this.

“No, just go easy on her. Beat her, but don't let her be a bloodied mess when she’s done.”

“Am I supposed to be a bloodied mess when we’re done?” I ask.

“No. I’m not telling you to let her beat you. Maybe just block, and then pin her down so she taps out. Something that won't humiliate her so much. If she loses gracefully to one of my top fighters, it doesn't look as bad as getting her ass whooped by a mediocre fighter,” he states very gently.

“Sure, I can do that,” I agree.

“I’m going to try and avoid having her fight, but if they request she does, I can’t deny them. Thank you, Lexi!” He does sound grateful too.

“Your welcome! Anything else?”

“That’s everything, I’ll let Sophie know,” he tells me, and I'm grateful. I don't want to break it to her that she's going to have to start training more.