Good Mate, Bad Mate

8 - Tag

Bethany POV

    The next day, I asked my aunt to show me the way to the weeping willow tree.  All of my female cousins joined us, and it was quite the experience to be with all of them at the willow tree.  I could tell they were all very close, and it was nice to spend time with them.  

    Jasmine and Alexandria were two oldest, so I had a lot more in common with them, than the others.  I was still a few years older than they were, but we were close enough in age to be able to truly appreciate the time we were spending together.  

    All of my cousins were very accepting of my friend Carly, and I was thankful for that.  Carly was so worried about my family not liking her, and I could tell, being around them, was putting her mind at ease.  

    We spent the afternoon either lounging under the cover of the willow tree's leaves, or frolicking in the meadow.  Before we would shift into our wolf form, we would tie our sundresses around our legs, so we could easily put them back on whenever we wanted to shift back into our human forms.  That came in handy, since any time we wanted to talk to them, we had to shift back to our human forms.

    When we finally left the meadow, we followed my aunt and cousins back to their house, then hung out with Jasmine and Alexandria.  They were excited to hear about our packs, and about my journey since I left home.  I think they had secretly hoped Jackson would be their mate, because they both looked bummed when they found out Estella was his mate.  

    After that, I quickly changed the subject and cheekily suggested, "We should get the rest of the pups here, and play a game of tag or hide-n-seek."

    Right away, they both squealed and agreed, but when we went to get it arranged, my aunt informed us it was time for dinner.  I wasn't bummed, since I was quite hungry, but my cousins seemed bummed again, so I happily chirped, "Don't sweat it.  We can play after dinner.  No big deal."

    They both beamed a smile at me, then nodded their heads in approval, as Jasmine exclaimed, "Sweet, we'll mind link some of the others, and tell them to meet us in the backyard in an hour."

    "Perfect," Carly peppily replied, making my cousins giggle.

    I was thrilled to eat dinner with my family.  Aunt Coralanna cooked a huge pot of chili, and it was delicious.  When I was finished eating, I licked my lips, then patted my belly, as I stated, "Thank you, Aunt Coralanna.  Dinner was amazing."

    "You're welcome, sweetie.  You girls can eat dinner with us any time you want, while you are here," she offered with a genuine smile lighting up her face.

    When we finally left their house, and walked to the backyard, I was surprised how many pups and teenagers were waiting for us.  There must have been at least thirty, bringing us close to fifty after we arrived with all of my cousins.  

    Since there were so many of us, we decided to play tag, with two taggers instead of one.  Carly and I volunteered to be the first taggers, then we gave the rest of them a few seconds to scatter before we started chasing them.  

    I ended up tagging Jonas, while Carly tagged Alexandria, then we ran together and hid behind a cluster of bushes.  We stayed there and secretly watched the rest of them run around being chased by Jonas and Alexandria.  There was so many of them running around all over the place, it was very entertaining to just watch the madness.  

    Everybody had ear to ear smiles plastered on their faces, and you could hear childish giggles coming from all over the place.  My heart was filled with happiness, as I watched all of these wonderful wolves having a blast.

    We were still hiding behind the bushes watching the scene in front of us, when I suddenly felt a pair of strong hands grab my sides and throw me up in the air, like I was as light as a pillow or something.  I screamed, thinking I was about to land on the hard ground, but instead I landed in the strong arms of Devon.

    He was the next Alpha in line, and he was born in between Jonas and Alexander's births, making him a few years younger than me.  I gazed up into his pretty brown eyes that were shining with amusement, then Devon flashed me a shy smile, before he timidly stated, "I heard you were visiting.  I have been looking for you since I got out here.  You are very good at hiding."

    I giggled, as I stared at his handsome features.  He was the perfect mix of Alpha Damien and Luna Sasha.  He had Sasha's brown eyes and dark complexion, while he had Damien's jet black hair and chiseled facial features, not to mention a smoking hot, muscular frame.  When he smiled even the slightest bit, he had the cutest dimples.  

    I hadn't seen him in a few years, so I was pleasantly surprised by how attractive he was turning out to be.  After a few seconds of admiring his cuteness, I nonchalantly replied, "Well, you found me.  Now what?"

    "I don't know.  I just wanted to see you again, and say hi," he cheekily admitted.

    I could tell he was also admiring my looks, because his eyes kept moving over my face, as he continued to smile at me.  After a few more seconds, I sheepishly asked, "Can you put me down now?"

    Devon's cheeks turned red, before he set me back down on my feet.  Right away, I wrapped my arms around his waist and gave him a tight hug.  When I released him from the embrace, I happily stated, "Devon, it's really nice to see you again."

    His cute smile returned to his face, as he softly replied, "It's nice to see you, too.  How long do you plan to stay?"

    "I'm not sure yet.  I guess it will depend on whether or not I find my mate at the celebration," I timidly replied.

    I don't know why, but I suddenly felt a little shy talking to him.  I don't know if it was because of the intense way he was gazing at me, or because I found him to be so damn hot.  

    Devon chuckled before he affectionately stated, "If you don't find him, you could always stay here, and become my chosen mate.  I would happily make you my Luna."

    Instantly, my eyes widened in surprise, before I nervously replied, "That's really sweet of you, and if neither of us find our mates, in say five years, than I might just have to take you up on that offer."

    Right away, Devon stuck his hand out, as he stated, "Deal."  

    I giggled, as I reached out and grabbed his hand.  We exchanged a firm handshake, sealing the deal, but I didn't let it go to my head.  I knew I would end up finding one of my two mates.  It was just a matter of time.

    A second later, Devon asked, "Do you and your friend have plans tomorrow?"

    "Not that I know of.  Why?" I curiously asked.

    "I would love to give you an official tour of the territory.  I know you've seen most of it before, but it could still be fun," he suggested with a smile.

    I looked over at Carly, and she just nodded her head in approval.  When I returned my gaze to Devon, I cheerfully replied, "That sounds like fun, and Carly hasn't seen all of the territory yet."

    "Perfect.  I will come and get you both after training ends tomorrow," he cheerfully stated, before he walked away from us.

    As soon as Devon was out of sight, Carly exclaimed, "Oh my Goddess, he is so cute.  I can't believe he offered you to be his Luna, and you didn't immediately take the offer."

    I giggled before I replied, "I can't believe it either, but I already have two mates out there.  I would like to at least try to find one of them, before I settle for a chosen mate.  I don't care about gaining the title of Luna."

    "You are something else, Bethany, but I wouldn't change anything about you," she thoughtfully remarked.

    After that, we decided to rejoin the game of tag.  We stayed out there playing and having fun until well after the sun went down.  

    When we finally returned to the suite, I was too tired to think about doing anything else.  I went straight to my bedroom, and changed into a nightgown, then climbed under my blanket.  I only laid there for a minutes, thinking about the conversation I had with Devon, then I drifted into a peaceful sleep with a genuine smile on my face.

James Jr POV

    After I threw Jackson around like a ragdoll, I felt a little better, but I was still pissed.  I used to consider him one of my bestfriends, but after what he did, I couldn't even stand the sight of him.  I knew that I would eventually let go of the anger that was eating at me, but I didn't think it would happen any time soon.  

    Bethany had been gone for several days now, and I missed her like crazy.  I would give or do anything to see her happy, but I wished she would come home.  

    I was laying in my bed staring at the ceiling, while I thought about everything that had happened, when I heard a soft knock on my door.  I really didn't want to talk to anybody, except Bethany, however I knew it was either my mum or Estella, so I mumbled, "Come in."

    I didn't take my eyes off the ceiling, but after a few seconds, I heard Estella hesitantly ask, "James, can we talk?"

    "Sure," I absentmindedly mumbled, but kept my eyes on the ceiling.

    I felt my bed slightly dip, when she sat on the edge of it, then she nervously said, "I need you to be okay with me accepting Jackson as my mate.  I can't accept him if it's going to cause a rift between us."

    Instantly, my eyes snapped to hers, before I assured her, "Estella, I would never ask or expect you to reject your fated mate.  He is your true mate.  The one given to you by the Moon Goddess.  Yes, I am pissed at him right now, but it's not anything I won't get over in time.  I just don't want him to break your heart."

    Tears sprang into Estella's eyes, before she engulfed me in a hug.  I wrapped my arms around her, and returned the hug.  She buried her face into the crook of my neck, and started sobbing.  I wasn't exactly sure why she started sobbing, so I just rubbed soothing circles on her back, and let her cry.

    After about ten minutes, Estella pulled away, and it made my heart ache to see her tear streaked face, with big sad eyes.  I brushed my knuckles across her cheek, as I asked, "What is with this sad face.  You found your mate.  You should be happy and excited."

    "H-how c-can I be happy, when t-that's why our big sister left without telling us bye, and n-now I will be leaving, too.  I'm worried about you and Bethany, and I miss her s-so m-much," Estella whined, as new fat tears started falling from the corners of her eyes.

    I gave her a small smile and mumbled, "Bethany left because she wanted to find her mates.  Her happiness.  She is happy for you, but she needed to go.  Just know that she loves all of us, and we will see her again.  I'm sure when she finds her mate, she will invite all of us to meet him."

    "I hope you are right about that," Estella timidly replied, then she anxiously asked, "What about you?"

    "I will be fine.  I just need time to let go of the anger towards Jackson.  Mum assured me, she would take me Uncle Anton's pack, for the celebration.  I will be able to see Bethany there, and I might get lucky enough to find my mate, as well," I explained to my sister, in hopes it would give her the reassurance she was looking for.

    Estella searched my eyes for a few seconds, then smiled as she said, "Okay, brother.  There is one more thing.  I wanted to be the one to tell you, I will be leaving with Jackson and his family tomorrow afternoon."

    Right away, I wrapped my arms back around her and hugged her tight.  When I released her, I adamantly stated, "I hope you find true happiness with him.  It's what you deserve.  I am going to miss you, but I promise to visit any time I can."

    "Thanks James, and I'm going to miss you, too," Estella thoughtfully replied, then she pecked a kiss on my cheek, before she stood up and left my room.

    As soon as she closed my door, I let the tears start flowing from my eyes.  I knew it was bound to happen, but I was hoping to have at least a few more days, before Estella left to start her new life with Jackson.  Now, I was left hoping Jackson wouldn't do something stupid again, and cause my sister heart ache.   

    I knew if Jackson did anything to cause either of my sisters anymore pain of any kind, I was liable to kill him with my bare hands.  It took everything I had, to not rip his throat out, when I heard what he did, as Bethany was leaving.  

    The fact that Bethany didn't act on her feelings for him, and left to find her mate, made me even more proud of her.  It could have been so easy for her to run away with Jackson, and leave Estella heartbroken, but Bethany was better than that.  She loved all of us, wholeheartedly, and she would never do something like that to betray any of us.