Growing Up With My Mate

15. Brighton's First Shift PT.1

Brighton POV

           The sun pours through my windows, causing me to wince as I try to open my eyes.  I’m in my bed, but I don’t remember getting here.  Harris?  Flashbacks of yesterday afternoon hit me- me being sick, Harris taking me home and making me shower.  Him cooking for me and us watching tv.  I must’ve fallen asleep. 

When I sit up, a wave of dizziness hits me.  I shake it off and head to the bathroom.  When I look into the mirror, I still look pale, but not as bad as yesterday, and the bags under my eyes look better.  Maybe all I needed was an afternoon of rest.  And as embarrassing as it was, I was really grateful that he cared for me, even for an afternoon.  After using the restroom, washing my face and brushing my teeth, I sit back on my bed to go through my phone before I have to start getting ready for school.  I look over my night stand and see a note.

           Don’t even think about coming to school today.  That’s a direct order from your future alpha  ps.   If you’re still not up to it, don’t worry about the party tonight, there will be others.  Get some rest Brigh. 

-Harris

           Great.  Can’t go to school.  I know if I went, Harris will turn all alpha on me like he did last night, and bring me home.  The way his voice boomed in my little kitchen scared me at first, but I couldn’t help but to comply to his demands.  Definitely don’t want to go through that again.  I am not missing out on that party though.  

I spend the morning lounging on the couch with my blanket and a book.  Mom and dad came in around lunchtime.  As soon as they saw my face, they knew something was wrong, so they weren’t too upset that I was missing school.  They each try to play nurse for me, but I just waved them off, telling them I was okay.  I go in my room and check my phone, and apparently I’m miss popular today.

Harris: you better not be in school today

Dustin: how are you feeling?  I heard arris took you home yesterday- anything happen that I should know about? Bow chicka bow bow

Dustin:  seriously, I hope you get better

Harris: I see youre not in study hall. Good.  You feel any better?

Sally:  why is dustin making p**n music noises in his phone?  How ya feeling girl?

Anna: you better be well before that party! No excuses hun!

Mark:  alas, where is my beautiful maiden?  Get better sweetheart.

Harris:  are you okay enough to go to the party?

Laughing to myself, I just send a whole group message. 

Me:  all is well in Brightonland guys.  Yes, I feel a little better- appreciate everyones concerns.  I am most definitely going to the party tonight! See you all there!

I decide that a nap is in order so I can look refreshed enough that no one questions my sickness.  I wake up 4 hours later, Dustin hopping on my bed next to me.  I turn over to my side and stare at him.  He really has changed since I first met him.  His eyes are darker and his hair is longer, but the best change I’ve seen in him is his smile.  Sally brings out the best in him and I’m so happy for them both.

“Hey you. You look better.”  I scoff at him and start getting out of bed.

“Thanks. I feel a little better.  Whatcha doing here?”  I start going through my closet, trying to find something to wear tonight. 

“Sally went to hang out with Anna and is going to the party with her.  So I’m going to be your escort,” he says with a cheeky smile. 

“Well aren’t you just a doll?  I should be ready within an hour, you good to just hang around?”

“Of course.  That gives me plenty of time to find your diary full of sweet nothings for our young alpha.”  I roll my eyes at his childish remark. “You’re lucky we’re friends you know.”  I turn to take a shower.  An hour later I’m ready to head out.  It maybe the middle of winter, but I just had to wear shorts and a t-shirt, the way my fever has been spiking since I woke up.  Dustin doesn’t even question my choices as we head out.

           When we get to the pack house, it seems the party is mixed between the canteen and the front yard.  About 20 people are in different groups, laughing and cutting up.  There’s a small fire pit where people are roasting marshmallows.  We see Anna and Sally walking in our direction.  I’m happy to see Anna wearing shorts as well, although she does have leggings under hers. 

“You made it!” Anna says hugging me.  I hug Sally and then she jumps on Dustin’s back, kissing him on the cheek. 

“You may take me to get some food now sir!”

Anna and I roll our eyes but head to the canteen.  There’s an awesome buffet of sandwiches and soups, making me salivate in my mouth.  After gathering food, we all find a spot to sit.  Taking a huge bite of my sandwich, a large body sits next to me, hand going around my shoulder. 

“Sweetheart!  I missed you!”  Mark kisses me on the cheek, noticing the mouthful I’m struggling with to reply to him.  With a wicked gleam in his eyes, he adds, “Wow, didn’t know that mouth could hold so much.”

I almost choke, blushing something fierce.  The next instant, Mark gets slapped across the back of his head “That’s enough mark.”  Harris doesn’t look too happy with Mark’s comment, but sits down next to him.  He leans over at me.  “You doing okay?”  I take a sip of water and nod to him. 

Mark rubs the back of his head.  “What about me, I’m the one who got hit.”

“You’re lucky she likes you as a friend,” Dustin says pointing his fork at Mark, “because I don’t let anyone talk to her like that.”

“Oh calm down Dut… he only does it because he knows I’m not a fragile doll.”

Dustin huffs but Sally kisses the corner of his mouth and leans her head on his shoulder.  He instantly forgets he’s angry with anyone and smiles. 

After dinner we go out to the clearing outside.  It’s a full moon tonight, and everyone seems to be having fun.  Harrison seems restless.  He’s been hopping from one conversation to the next with the group around us.  Dustin and Sally are making out by the fire pit and Mark is entertaining Anna and I with the cheesiest pick-up lines he’s ever used. 

When he starts doing body building poses, Harris walks up in a rush. “Dude lets go for a group run, I can’t take it.”  Mark seems to understand, nodding to Harris and bowing to us.  Harrison doesn’t even turn around to acknowledge us.   Mark whistles loudly to get everyone’s attention.  “Alright guys, who’s ready to get nakie?”  Everyone groans.  “Kidding, kidding—anyone wanting to shake their tails, your future alpha and beta are taking a run.  If you feel comfortable to shift, let’s have some fun.  For the rest, we’ll be back shortly”. 

Not missing a beat Marks starts stripping.  No shame in that man.  And Clara, being the tart that she is, saddles up right next to Harris, shimming out of her shorts and tank.  As wolves, we are all aware of nudity and not shy about it, but knowing how much I like Harris, it sucks seeing naked women around him.  Trying to distract myself from straight up googling at Harris, I sit down and begin to pick through the small clovers on the ground.  The lightheadedness I felt earlier is coming back, and I have to take deep breaths to keep the spots from clouding my eyes.  Anna comes to join me as we idly pick through the clovers.  She doesn’t have to say it, but I know she’s jealous of Sally having a boyfriend.  She probably misses her friend as well.  I hear the howling and laughter of Harris’s friends and I look up just in time to see them shift.  It really is a beautiful sight.  Harris’s wolf is almost two times the size of everyone elses, so he's easy to pinpoint.   

As I stare at him and his friends, I begin to itch…. No cross that… It burns.  I look down at my legs and hands but nothing is different.  I start to sweat and deep breathe- but it’s becoming uncomfortable.  “Brighton are you okay?” I hear Anna in the distance, but I can’t reply back.  It’s really starting to burn now.  Like a thousand fire ants biting at my skin.  I’m so scared right now I don’t know what’s happening.  It hurts too much!  I can hear Dustin yelling for help, but I’m curled into a fetus position on the ground.  It probably looks like I’m seizing.  Suddenly a shadow is standing over me and through my tears I can see bright golden eyes