Gamma Sebastian

Festival

Sebastian

"Sebastian! Come to the training grounds immediately." The link from Alpha Damon had me jumping out of bed. Tossing on just a pair of sweatpants, I rush outside.

I spot the Alpha at the training grounds with the warriors and others wanting to become warriors.

"Due to certain circumstances, I am giving David the day off of training to focus on his mental health. You are to lead the training today." I nod my head, "Yes, Alpha."

"What about mate?" My wolf whimpers in my head. s**t. He's right, and I don't even have my phone on me to tell her I'll have to reschedule. I want to run back to my room just to grab my phone, but I can't disobey my Alpha. Hopefully, training goes smoothly and quickly. I would ask David to just grab it, but I don't want to bother him.

As expected, training took longer than I had thought. The second it was done I ran back to my room. Checking my phone, I had two missed texts from Ariel. I immediately call her to beg for forgiveness and to explain myself. Her phone rang twice before going to voicemail, meaning she's purposely ignoring my call.

I am so sorry for missing breakfast. I had an urgent meeting at work that needed my attention. Can I make it up to you? May I take you out for dinner tonight? Hitting send, I pace back and forth waiting for a reply.

I want to take a shower, but I don't want to risk missing a call or text from my mate.

After an agonizing hour of no response, I finally decide to take a quick shower. I can't have Ariel mad at me like this. I need to see her today no matter what. Maybe she's busy as today is Independence Day. There's usually a festival in town that the humans and some of the wolves attend. I know damn well she's not working today, as Bella never opens on a holiday. The festival would be my best bet to possibly find her.

I feel this would also be a good chance to get David out of the house and the entire incident off of his mind for a little bit. Walking to his room, I knock gently on his door.

"Come in." He mumbles in my mind. Turning the doorknob, I enter his room. The lights are off and the blackout curtains are preventing any light from entering the room. Luckily my wolf eyesight helps me see where I'm going.

I make my way to the window and draw the curtains back. "I understand you're upset, but wallowing in self-pity is not going to solve anything. The funeral is on Monday and we will be attending. For today though, you are joining me in town for the Independence Day festival."

David remains silent.

"I'm banned from going into town, remember?" He finally speaks up.

"Bullshit. The Alpha banned you from going to that shitty motel. You are still allowed everywhere else."

"Plus, I need a wingman," I add in an attempt to get him hyped up.

"Oh, so that's the real reason you want to go. Ariel is going to be there?" He asks intrigued.

"I hope so," I say as I rub the back of my neck sheepishly.

"What do you mean you hope so? Don't you have her number? Ask her to go instead of me." I then tell him how I f****d up this morning by unintentionally standing her up. This seemed to catch his interest.

"You i***t!" He exclaims in disappointment.

"Come on. Let's go fix your relationship." Hopping out of bed, he is quick to toss on shorts and a shirt. Grabbing a quick breakfast, we soon head out into town. We shift and run to the edge of town before returning to human form.

The sound of music fills the air and laughter from children as they pig out on candy and go on the rides. I can't wait until the day I have a pup. There are people dancing by the makeshift stage where a band is performing live. Everyone is decked out in patriotic clothing and flags are everywhere to be seen. I scan the crowd for my mate, but with no luck. I don't even smell her scent anywhere nearby.

"So?" David asks.

"I don't sense her anywhere. Let's hang out for a bit. Maybe she'll show up soon." I suggest, holding on to hope.

We head to the first vendor we see and buy a couple of hotdogs and soda. I tend to eat healthily, except for desserts. I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Taking a bite of the hotdog, David laughs at my expression. "Give me it, I'll eat it." He laughs out. To be honest, I'm glad to hear him laugh, even if it's at my expense.

As he's laughing, I smell the sweet scent of lavender in the midst of all these other smells. She's here.

When I turn toward her direction, my heart plummets. She's holding hands with a little girl who is the spitting image of her. Does my mate already have a child? Without me?

"Dude, isn't that her? What are you waiting fo- David asks just as he realizes the same thing as me. "It could be her younger sister. You never know. Go talk to her. I'll entertain her mother."

"Ariel." I greet her with a warm smile as I approach her with my best friend by my side. I stifle my laugh as her mother shamelessly checks me and David out.

She remains silent, but her mother speaks out. "Don't be rude. Introduce me to your friends." Her mother playfully nudges Ariel.

"You have friends?" The little girl asks and again, I hold back my laughter.

David kneels in front of the little girl. "Do you like to go on rides? Because I do, but I'm afraid to go alone." He fakes an expression of sadness. The girl begins to jump up and down excitedly. "Mommy, can I go with your friend on the rides? Please?"

Well, that answers that question. My mate is a mother.

"My name is David by the way, and this guy over here is Sebastian." My friend introduces us since my mate clearly didn't want to even acknowledge me. My heart feels like shattering at the feeling of rejection.

"I'll watch them. You and Sebastian should talk." She then introduces herself. "I'm Selina, and this is my granddaughter, Claudette."

She doesn't even give Ariel a chance to respond as she takes Claudett'e hand and tells David to lead the way.

"Don't screw this up!" He shouts in my head.