Growing Up With My Mate

18. What Changed?

It’s been almost 2 months since the night I shifted.  And true to her word, the luna took my mom and I on a shopping expedition.  At first, I was mortified of everything she wanted me to try on and buy for me.  But throughout the day, all the compliments and soothing words began to ease my mind.  She said she took courses in counseling before getting pregnant with Harrison, and gave me advice on how to cope with my anxiety about money.  I actually started having fun towards the end of the day.  To my surprise, she bought me an entirely new wardrobe, and got my mom quite a few outfits as well.  The next day, mom took me to a spa where we spent the whole day together.  I felt uneasy, but kept trying to replay the luna’s words in my head.  We both got treated head to toe, and she went on a date night with my dad….  they stayed out extremely late that night.

           Home life was great, however, school life was becoming more of a chore to get through.  More and more guys are approaching me like Mark does, but I’m not comfortable with it like I am with him.  They either fail to notice or they don’t care, and I’m thankful that I have Dustin or mark around to buff out the idiots.  Mr. Chapman reviews my work weekly, and has even gotten me brochures for art school scholarships that he thinks I would be interested in, which is great, but it stresses me out thinking about life after high school. 

Harrison turned back into the ass he was before I got sick and shifted, if not worse.  There was this whole brawl at school between Clara and Karma.  Apparently, Harrison scheduled a make-out session with both of them at the same time, and neither wanted to give up their slot.  So, while they began to physically fight over him, which was truly sad, he just stood there, so smug, and eventually just went with another girl. 

 Mark and I started to leave study hall, his arm around my shoulders like always.  I like using him as a shield to warn of the undesirables. 

“Hey guys wait up!” Brian screams from the hall.  Brian got a girlfriend at the beginning of the year and he seems to be doing a lot better in the confidence area. 

”My man, what’s up?,” Marks says, giving him a fist bump.

“Mom and dad will be out of town this weekend and said I could throw a pre graduation party with friends!  So, I took that as ‘have a rager, get drunk and party’…… so, what do you guys say?”

We both agreed, as Brian seem extremely enthusiastic about it.  I’ve never drank before, and hell, it was hard for wolves to even get drunk, but it’ll be fun nonetheless.  I can’t wait to tell Anna, Dustin and Sally.

-Harrison POV-

Hate is such a strong word, but I entirely loathe everything my mom did for Brighton.  I’m happy she even let my mom buy her stuff, but why did it have to be form fitting, more feminine clothing?  Every day I have to sit and watch guys try their best with her.  Some even make crude remarks like Mark does, but as where Mark is just fooling around, they mean every word, and it pisses me off.  Not only does she have new clothes, she even styles her hair more.  She seems to radiate with more confidence which usually happens with newly shifted wolves, but I wasn’t ready for it.  After Brighton’s shift, I became aware that I actually care for her, and like her way more than a friend.  But I can’t have her as a girlfriend.  She’s too pure for that.  And I will probably find my mate within the next year anyhow when I turn 18, so that wouldn’t be fair to start anything with her. 

As retaliation of not being able to have her, I’ve been engaging with the females a little more, not even caring if they fight over me or not.  Even if she did have a crush on me once upon a time, I’m sure she wouldn’t want me now anyways.  Brian comes up to me and tells me about a party he’s having.  It’s a great excuse because parties at the pack house, no alcohol is allowed.  So, this is the perfect time to get drunk and get a certain brunette out of my head for a night. 

           I walk into the house later than planned.  My dad had me sit in several of his alpha meetings, which take forever to finish.  I had to rush to change and just wore my typical black t-shirt and dark wash jeans.  I make it just in time to hear the music blaring and seeing a full crowd- wall to wall people dancing.  Everyone seems to be having fun.  It doesn’t take long for someone to put a solo cup in my hand. 

I go to the kitchen and Brian and his girlfriend are passing out shots.  I take 3 back to back since our bodies burn alcohol quicker, especially mine with Alpha DNA.  Veronica finds me and starts to grinding on my thighs and I put my hands on her hips, flowing with the music.  After taking another shot, she takes my hand and leads me through the house to the living room/dancefloor.  Karma is there too, dancing on my backside.  I know neither of the girls care who, when, or how.  We are just a sandwich of lust, the girls clearly stating their intentions.

I’m gazing at the other couples while dancing.  Everyone seems to be here.  Dustin and Sally are so stuck on each other you can’t tell where one begins and one ends.  Anna seems to have multiple dance partners.  Jessie and Cole are slow dancing hip to hip, as if they don’t feel the bump and grind music playing.   

And speaking of grinding on each other…my gaze zeros in on a brunette dancing up on my beta.  I haven’t told Mark about my epiphany on liking Brighton, but he’s got to know something, right?  Brighton’s face is flushed and she’s holding onto a solo cup- I guess she’s drinking tonight too.  I loathe my mother a little more when I see what she’s wearing.  I can’t believe she actually bought that!  It’s a tight blue dress that hugs all her curves in all the right places.  She has on heels and her long legs have never looked better.  Her skin looks so smooth to the touch, the exact touches my beta is giving her.  Her hair is down and flowing with the rhythm of the music.  She turns around, her back to his front, and closes her eyes as she sways, her mouth slightly ajar as if she’s in a trance.  And it just got a lot tighter in my pants.  That is, until I see Mark’s hands stroke up her hips and arms.  He pushes her hair to one side, and settles his chin on her shoulder, holding her to him.  She’s not even telling him to stop or pushing him away.  He whispers something in her ear that makes her giggle and red starts clouding my vision.  She shouldn’t be here, having guys touch her like that.  I have no claim to her, so I can’t make a scene with her and Mark, but that doesn’t mean I have keep watching them. 

I go back to the kitchen and down a few more shots, seething into my own anger.  Then I get an idea. Looking back now I know it’s a mistake, but at this time, it’s the only thing I can think of to get her off Mark.   I go back to the dancefloor and stop the music.  When everyone quiets down, I stand on a couch for all ears to hear me.