Growing Up With My Mate

12. 11th Grade- Training: Welcome Back

Harris POV

 It’s been 4 months since my shift.  Getting to know my wolf has been amazing, and shifting is no long painful.  Dad sent me to warrior training (aka military school on steroids) during the summer, and I just got back.  I missed the first month of school, and I missed hanging out with all of my friends.

I’m in my room adjusting my pants at the door, about to walk out. 

“What's the rush hun?” Clara says from my bed.  I turn around and give her a half smile.  Last night, my first night back, our parents left early for meeting and Clara and I were catching up- she was persistent and my hormones were raging.  So needless to say, things got out of hand.   

“You know training is in 15.  We gotta get to work.”

“Oh your such a spoil sport, I was thinking we could have a little more fun,” she says as she gets out of my bed naked.  There’s no doubt about it, the woman is hot.  I step closer to her and peck her on the lips once.

“Maybe another time sweetheart- see you down there.”  I turn to leave and head down the stairs.  My best friend Mark, also my future beta, is waiting for me at the entrance.

“Hey bud!” I yell, giving him a long deserved hug. “What’s up man? You ready to review the troops?”

Since my warrior training, I’ve become a designated trainer for the pack, but my father wanted me to oversee all age groups to see if there could be any improvements.  “Let’s start with the youngest and work our way up.  It should be easiest that way,” Mark suggests. With a nod, we head out.

Introductions have already been made and everyone seems to be segregated into their groups.  The initial stretching exercises are underway.  I scan across the field and zero in on my friends.  I haven’t been able to contact them much over the summer, but they all understand my duties as future alpha, and I’m grateful that they accept it. 

Mark and I make our way over to them.  I see all my bros hanging out together. “Guys! Whats up!?”

We all give fist bumps and bro hugs.  Dustin has gotten taller, almost the same height as me, and even seemed to be building up his muscle.  Cole doesn’t need anymore muscle.  Anymore and Jessie won’t be able to put her arms around him.  Brian seems to be building up as well. 

Ah the life of a growing wolf. 

After our hellos, I notice the guys keep glancing over to a group of girls.  “What's going on guys?”

Dustin starts smiling and shaking his head.  “Cole over here pissed Jessie off last night.  And apparently, she’s getting all the girls involved with an eye torturing session as payback…. it seems to be working too, because all the guys are taking notice.” 

I look back over, and needless to say, the limber limbs of our females are looking mighty fine.  Sure enough, I see Anna and Ivy helping each other stretch their hamstrings in a very provocative way.  Jessie and some other girl that I haven’t met are taking turns and assisting in a forward bend.  Sally has one of her legs up straight into the air and balancing on the other like a pro.  Then some girl whose back is to us is bending over, ass straight at us, going from downward dog to standing forward bend.  She has a great set of toned tanned legs and those shorts are leaving little to the imagination.  I hear Mark whimper next to me.  Obviously, he notices as well.  

Cole growls from behind me.  I look in the direction that he is and I see multiple guys from school staring openly at the girls.  “Anyone want to introduce me to that pretty redhead?” Mark says, eyes not leaving the scene before us.

I hear a faint growl from Dustin and with a infuriated look, he musters out a ‘no’, but the threat is implied.  I look at Brian with a raised eyebrow. 

“He asked her out over the summer.  She’s yet to give him an answer..”  Well I’ll be damned.  The last time I saw them, Sally acted like she hated him. 

“She’s just being stubborn,” Dustin pouts. 

Mark continues to oogle the girls.  “How about downward dog girl.  Introduce me guys.  Those shorts are meant to be cuddled with.  I could definitely use a friend like her,” mark says, biting his knuckles.  I laugh at him shaking my head but my wolf suddenly rustles.  Making me twitch. 

“Not gonna happen,” Dustin says in a clipped tone.  That’s weird.

“Dude, you can’t put claim on two girls, that’s not bro code.”

Cole’s the next one to jump in. “He’s not. He’s stating a fact. It’s not going to happen.”

“Yea, we’ll see.” 

When Cole spoke up, it definitely got my curiosity peaked.  Before I can say anything, Cole curses and makes his way to the girls when he sees a guy approach Jessie.  And just for the drama, the rest of us follow behind him. 

We get closer to the group, and as we see Jessie and Cole silently argue with each other, downward dog girl stands up and turns her gaze to them and my heart stops for a second.  Brighton’s hair has gotten longer and darker, making her olive skin glow. She starts putting it up in some messy bun, exposing her slender tan neck.  Her outfit of small spandex shorts and tight tank top are giving me and everyone else a picture of her that has never crossed my mind before, forming every tight curve into her body.  As I’m just standing there, trying to come to terms that I just checked out the girl that I’ve always seen as a friend, then I see my best friend walk up and introduce himself.

Brighton POV

“Alright, so why did we have to meet here 15 minutes earlier for training Jessie?  What gives?” Anna gripes as we come up to the girls.  Ivy, and Sally are sitting around Jessie who looks so sad and pissed at the same time.  Sally pats her shoulder. “Her and Cole got into an argument last night.”

Anna and I join the group to listen.  Jessie’s head is down and brushes a tear off her face. “Cole turns 18 next month.  I won’t turn 18 until December.  I’m scared that he’ll find his mate……’ she drags off.

I can understand her fear.  That’s one reason I’ve chosen to be celibate.  It would be heartbreaking for someone in relationship if the person you’re in love with finds his/her mate, and ditches you.  The pull of the mating bond is so strong, most people wouldn’t be able to deny it.  “Every time he looks at another girl, I yell at him and go on a rant.  Last night, apparently he had the last straw because he said if I couldn’t trust him, I needed to find someone else.”

Anna gasps loudly as we all go to huddle in for a group hug.  When we pull back, I can see how heartbroken she is.  “Have y’all ever talked about the possibility of finding mates?” I ask.

She rolls her eyes and shrugs her shoulders.  “He used to say that no matter what happens, he wouldn’t leave me, that it would be just me and him, always.  But now when I see him even talking to other girls, I just can’t help but think if he would be better off with the person he’s meant to be with.” 

We all go quiet, not really knowing what to say.  I want to comfort her so bad.  With my head bowed, I try to start. “Jessie, I know that they say the goddess herself chooses mates for us- that they are the balance in our lives.  But if you find someone that you’re already in love with, who is already your perfect balance, there’s no right or wrong in it.  If Cole truly loves you, he would honor his word.  Yes, it’s scary to have competition like “destiny”, but you can’t discount what you and Cole have shared together.”

When I’m done I lift my head and all the girls are staring at me.  “What?” 

“That was beautiful Brighton,” Sally gushes. 

“Very insightful and hopefully helpful,” Ivy says, looking at Jessie.  

Jessie has a small smile on her face. “It really was.  You’re right.  But I’m still mad at what he said.”

Anna stands up with a cheshire grin. “Well, why don’t we give Mr. Cole a reason to crawl back begging to you?”

____________________________________

           I can’t believe Anna talked everyone, including me, into her little scheme.  So here we are in the middle of the field, stretching to our hussy hearts content.  Anna and I had a sleep over last night, and I completely forgot my workout clothes, so Anna donned me with hers.  Even her workout wardrobe is provocative.  I feel like my ass is going to fall out every time I bed over.  And this tank top is stretched so tight, I feel like I can go Hulk any minute.  

”That’s right ladies, show them boys how flexible we can be- you know they have nothing but s*x on the brain.  I texted Dustin to get the boys huddled together.  He loves our plan.”

“Of course he does,” murmurs Sally. 

“No ma’am! Don’t you get all huffy!  If you would just throw a friggin’ bone and tell the guy that you like him too, you wouldn’t feel that way about me texting him”.

Sally stretches her leg up straight in the air, balancing perfectly on her other foot.  Now that is talent. I may be a little envious.  “I’m not jealous Anna, but I don’t think he understands the concept of a real relationship.  It's more than fun and games.”

I notice Jessie from the corner of my eye looking up the hill and she starts smirking, probably getting the results she wants.  As I start folding over with my ass in the air, I try to reason with Sally.  Dustin is my best friend after all.  “You should give him a chance Sally.  He maybe a class clown, but he really is a good guy.  He really likes you.”

She lets out a huff of frustration but doesn’t say anymore on the subject.  I see three guys walking towards Jessie and Tally.  Before they could get there, Cole growls at them with a threatening face.  Jessie stands up and they start a quiet heated discussion.  Glad that’s over. 

I stand up to watch the couple.  It serves Cole right for his poor word choice to Jessie, but they really need to talk about the seriousness of their situation.  I start throwing my hair up into a messy bun when a gorgeous guy walks into my view.  His has long wavy hair, but pulled up in a man bun.  Not many men can pull that off, but damn.  It’s so sexy combined with the light stubble around his sharp jawline.  Who is this guy? 

“Hey beautiful,” the pretty man says.  I’m a little stunned for a second, looking around to see who he’s talking to.  He starts chuckling and walks closer to me.  “Yea, I’m talking to you.  My names Mark.”

He holds out his hand and I’m slow to return mine.  When he grabs my hand, he brings it up to his lips and kisses my knuckles.  Yup, I’m blushing.

“What’s your name gorgeous?”  Wow, he is good.

“I-I’m Brighton.”  I internally curse myself for stuttering. 

He grasps at his chest where his heart lies.  “Well brighten my day, that’s a lovely name.”  I shake my head smiling. 

“Brighton?”  With one simple word from the one voice I haven’t heard in almost 4 months, my butterflies kick into gear on my tummy.  I turn to see Harrison standing 10 feet from me.  He’s the tallest I’ve ever seen him, and seems to be toner too.  His shirt is hugging him so well, that I’m happy Mark already had me blushing, because the sight of him makes me burn.

“Harris!”  I jump into his arms for a quick hug and immediately jump back.  Tone it down girl.

Harris starts chuckling as he lets me go.  

“You’re finally back! It’s great to see you!”

“Likewise.  You seem to be doing well for yourself, joining the girls shenanigans and all,” saying with a smirk.

I begin blushing all over again.  Did he really see us doing all those poses?  Before I can make a remark, I feel an arm land across my shoulders.

“Harris, you know this beautiful creature?  Why haven’t you introduced us before?”

I must look confused as I’m looking between the two. 

“Brighton, this is my chosen beta Mark.  I don’t think we’ve all hung out before together, but he’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember….  Mark, be nice.”

I laugh at his words ‘be nice’.  I can tell that Mark is a flirt, and Harris knows my standing on relationships, or lack there of, but I’m not an ice princess.  I put an arm around his waist and stare up at Mark.  “Oh, he was definitely nice,” and I give a wink. 

Mark smiles down at me and we have a little moment before Harris clears his throat.  Before he can say anything, Clara comes up beside him and places her hand on his chest possessively and kisses his cheek.  She looks at me and Mark, smiling cockily.  “Don’t even bother with her Mark.  She’s saving herself for her mate.  She won’t even kiss anybody.  She would just a waste of time.”

I expect Harris to chime in, but he’s still staring at us, his mouth in a thin line.  The more seconds pass, the more disappointed I get because it’s clear he’s not going to say anything.  I clear my throat and drop my arm from Mark’s waist.  “Well, it was nice to meet you Mark.  Maybe we’ll see each other around school?”

I glance from Harris back to Mark, and my face must be obvious to read, because Mark has nothing but sympathy in his eyes.  He pulls me in for a hug then releases me. “I hope so beautiful.”  He grabs my hand again and brushes his lips across my knuckles.  I give him a small smile before walking back to my group.

I spend the day training as hard as I can, anything to get rid of this feeling inside my chest.  Harris always supported me.  He could have at least said something.  Even if he was with Clara, he knows how my firsts are important to me; enough to not let anyone degrade me about them.  Why was he silent?