Their Simple Kind of Love

Best Kept Secret

  James's POV

I stood there watching as Katie ran out of the room. Seeing her again had made my wolf, Poe, stir and howl in my head. The moment he smelled the scent of fresh-baked cookies, he started pacing. I turned eighteen about three months ago, and that was when I first really noticed how good Katie smelled. It was the first time Poe reacted to her presence too. I mean, I have known Katherine Ford my entire life. She is my best friend's little sister. I always saw her as a sister. But ever since I turned sixteen and shifted the first time, she became so much more to me.

I knew on my eighteenth birthday that she is my mate. My father had taught me that males, especially alpha males, can sense their mates first. At first, I wasn't sure because Poe hadn't said the magic word. But over the months, I became more and more entranced by Katie. Her ice-blue eyes drew me in, making me want to take her in my arms and claim her. She is everything I ever wanted in a mate and luna. The pack already loves her. She is popular in school without even trying. She never treats anyone like she is better than them. She even helps out the omegas in the kitchen or with cleaning the packhouse.

I was jolted from my thoughts by Tim. "Dude, you are as bad as Katie," He grumbled while shaking my shoulder.

I shook my head and looked at him. "What?"

"We are going to the game room to play Halo with Tony and Freddie," He pointed down the hall. I was still just standing in the foyer of the packhouse.

"Right," I mumbled.

Tim scoffed and started down the hall. "So when did you become so hot on my sister?"

I wanted to laugh but kept it to myself. I had been hot on Katie for years, and six months ago, I finally knew why. She didn't turn eighteen for another couple of weeks. I didn't think I could last that long waiting to claim her. That's if she wanted me.

We almost reached the game room when Marilyn Ford stepped in front of me. She is Uncle Jon's wife, and I did not like her. Uncle Jon's fated mate Caroline had been Aunt Caroline to me. But Marilyn, there was nothing I liked about the woman. I had no idea what Jon saw in her. Jon is a smart and strong beta, but the cruel woman easily manipulated him. Uncle Jon claimed he was truly in love with Marilyn, but I suspected witchcraft was somehow involved.

"Oh, Alpha James," Marilyn purred in her fake voice. She was standing in front of me dressed in one of her overly tight dresses. Why she thought that did anything for any of us, I didn't know. "It is so nice to see you home from your trip," She purred and touched my arm.

"Uh, thank you, Marilyn, "I mumbled.

"My daughter Wendy will be so happy to see you home. She missed you so much," She leaned into me, and her acrid perfume made me gag.

"Hey James, you coming?" Tony, my future gamma and other best friend, called down the hall.

"I'll be right there," I replied to him. "Sorry, Marilyn, I have a previous engagement." I smiled and then walked away without another word. I shuddered when I reached the game room. My friends were sitting on the large couch set in front of a large flat-screen TV. They had the game turned on. I sat in between Freddie and Tony. "Yo Fred," I said to her. "How was Africa?" I asked her.

"Enlightening. My cousins taught me some new fight moves," She smirked while sipping a Mountain Dew.

Freddie is one of our strongest warriors. Her father, Malachi, is our head warrior and a formidable fighter. Freddie's family is unusual in that they are werecats. Usually, werewolves and werecats steer clear of each other. Malachi had saved my father, and they became great friends. When Malachi needed help, my father didn't hesitate to help the werecat and his family out. "Are you going to teach the other warriors?"

She shrugged her thin shoulders. "Maybe. Might cost you a million bucks, though," She snorted.

I elbowed her. "Half a mill," I replied.

"Nah, I need that cool million, alpha," She teased with a laugh.

"Are we playing or not?" Tony chimed in.

We played Halo for a couple of hours until it was time for dinner. My mouth salivated at the thought of the BBQ my mother had the omegas prepare to celebrate Dad and my return from the alpha meeting. We had only been gone a couple of weeks. "Oh man, that BBQ smells good," Tim remarked as we all stood up from the couch.

The scent of the BBQ wasn't what was drawing me to the dining room, though. I heard her laugh echoing down the hall as I rushed forward. The dining room in our pack was set up cafeteria-style. Everyone sat wherever they wanted. My parents preferred sitting with the warriors and omegas rather than sitting above the pack or at a designated table. We did have a raised platform that we used for special occasions. I saw Katie sitting with her stepsister Wendy and my sister Michelle. They were all giggling about something, and I just stood there and watched. Her eyes sparkled as she laughed about whatever she and my sister were discussing.

I was pushed from behind and brought out of my thoughts. "I thought you were hungry, bro?" Tim said from behind me.

"I think he was staring at your sister," Tony offered, and Tim sneered at him.

"Nah," Tim denied and walked towards the large buffet that had piles of ribs and other delectable foods in piles.

I let out a dry laugh and followed Tim to the buffet. I piled a plate up with ribs and chicken and some sausage. I grabbed a couple of bottles of root beer and managed to carry my food to a table. Tim, Tony, and Freddie joined me a moment later. I waved at Katie as she laughed with her friends again. She blushed and looked so cute and beautiful it made Poe whine in my head. I so wanted to tell her that she was my mate. I wanted to take her in my arms and claim her as mine forever.

"Dude, you are staring at my sister again," Tim elbowed me.

I growled at him. "So?"

He snorted and took a bite of a piece of chicken. "Uh, she is my sister."

I rolled my eyes at him and dug into my food. My eyes kept looking towards Katie, and I swear I caught her a few times looking at me. She would immediately avert her eyes and giggle at something Michelle said. I know my sister wasn't that funny.

My father stood up while clinking a glass. He held up his hands. "It's good to be back Whispering Pines Pack. How about this BBQ dinner my beautiful Luna had prepared for James and my return."

The pack cheered and clapped for a minute before my father held up a hand, and they all quieted. "I am proud of how you all conducted yourselves in our absence and how well you all behaved for Beta Jonathan and Luna Kristen." He indicated Uncle Jon, who was smirking at my Dad. Uncle Jon's stupid wife was sitting beside him with only a glass of wine in front of her. She probably thought the food we were eating was beneath her.

"Okay, everyone, enjoy the rest of your dinner. It's back to business tomorrow," He said, and pack members laughed. He sat back down and shot me a wink.

I smirked at him and turned my attention back to my food. Katie's scent suddenly became stronger, and the next thing I knew, she was standing next to me. She set a rock in front of me.

"I found an extra sparkly one for you," She smiled down at me.

It was a strange custom we had between us. We would find sparkly rocks on the ground and give them to the other on special occasions. I guess she considered me returning from an alpha conference a special occasion. I picked up the rock and examined it. It was grey with silver flecks in it. It sparkled in the light, and I stood up and dug a rock out of my pocket, and handed it to Katie.

"Oh, it's pretty," She exclaimed as she held it up. The rock is a pinkish color with what looks like quartz embedded in it.

"This is a great one, too," I held up my rock, and she smiled and leaned down to kiss my cheek.

"It's good to have you back, James," She giggled and then trotted back to her table. I just stared in her direction. The kiss on my cheek set my body on fire, and Poe was howling in my head.

"Dude, you two and your dumb rocks," Tim chimed in, and I growled at him. "What the hell are you growling for?"

I shook my head and stood up from the table. I pocketed my rock and walked over to the buffet table. A tall, lanky omega was refilling the ribs, and he smiled at me as I approached. "Hey Jack, great job on the food," I complimented him. Jack is one of our best cooks, and I can always tell when he takes charge. Lik he is the best at BBQing. "Especially those ribs, man," I smiled at him.

"Thank you, James," He said to me.

"How is your mother doing? Did she have her hip surgery?" Jack's mother, Cheryl, is our head housekeeper and one of the feistiest women I have met. She had unfortunately fallen and broken her hip. Werewolves were usually quick healers, but Cheryl is an omega with no wolf, so she healed the same as a human.

"Oh, you know my Mom, James. She came through the surgery just fine. She is still on bed rest, and my sister is taking care of her," Jack explained to me.

"Oh, poor Gail. I bet your Mom is driving her nuts." I remarked. I knew the names of almost every member of the pack. I knew their families. My father had taught me to love and respect everyone, even the omegas.

"Mom appreciates the flowers you sent," Jack patted my arm. "Not even my Dad remembered that daisies are her favorite flowers."

"Glad she liked them," I piled more ribs onto a plate.

"Enjoy your party, young Alpha. I have more work to do," Jack said to me.

"Hey, if you guys need anything for your Mom, let me know," I said before walking away from him. I almost ran into Marilyn. Her usual fake smile flashed across her overly made-up face.

"Did you see how nice my daughter looks tonight?" She pointed towards Wendy.

Wendy was dressed in what looked like an evening gown. It was pink and sparkly, way over the top for eating BBQ. Thick makeup covered her face. "I bought that dress for her to wear tonight.

Wendy was picking at a little bit of food on her plate. She did not look happy even though my sister and Katie were sitting next to her laughing. "It's a bit over the top for eating BBQ," I responded.

"A Luna must look her best at all times," Marilyn touched my arm.

I glanced over at my mother, dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a t-shirt with horses on it. "Really? And whose Luna is Wendy?"

"Why yours silly," Marilyn cooed. "Don't you feel the pull?"

I shook my head. "No, now if you'll excuse me, my ribs are getting cold," I said and brushed past her. The poor woman was deluded as hell. Wendy is a nice enough girl despite having that witch as a mother. But I felt nothing for her.

"Don't deny your mate, James," Marilyn hovered next to the table. Tim glared at her. "She is sitting at that table waiting for you to claim her." She then walked away.

She was right about one thing. My mate was indeed sitting at the table, but I could not claim her yet. I couldn't tell Katie that she is my mate yet. I had to wait till her birthday.

"That which is so stuck up her ass," Tim snorted.

"Seriously, though," Tony shook his head.

"I wish my Dad would kick her dumb ass to the curb," Tim growled.

I tuned them out and stared at Katie. She got up with her empty plate and walked towards where a cart that contained the dirty dishes. As she was returning to her table, she tripped and nearly fell, but I caught her. Her scent was overwhelming as I held her. "My silly clumsy Katie," I said as I stared into her ice-blue eyes.

"You know me, I have a talent for tripping over flat ground," She giggled nervously, and I leaned into her.

My lips hovered over hers, and I was about to kiss her when my father cleared his throat. I had forgotten that we were standing in the middle of the dining room. I grinned and released Katie and turned to my father.

He was standing there with his arms folded. "James," He spoke my name. "I need to speak with you in my office." He said in a stern tone and then walked out of the dining room.

Katie was standing in front of me in a near trance. "Sorry, Kate, gotta go talk to my Dad. We'll catch up later."

She nodded at me. "Uh-huh." Her brother walked over and poked her in the side, causing her to jump and yelp. "Timothy." She snarled and punched her brother.

I laughed. I caught Marilyn glaring at Katie from her seat. Uncle Jon was giving me a strange look. 'James, hurry up,' My father snarled through the mind link.

'Sorry, Dad,' I replied and walked out of the dining room. I hurried to my father's office. I hated to upset him by taking too long to follow his order. The door was open, so I walked right in. The office was pretty standard with wood paneling and a large wooden desk. There were various houseplants on tables and shelves and lots of pictures of our family. My father had let my mother decorate it. She had added a lot of homey touches, so my father was more relaxed while working.

My father indicated a chair in front of his desk. "Sit," He spoke out while sipping some brown liquor.

I sat down in the chair. "What's up, Dad?" I tried to sound casual. I wasn't sure what I had done.

"What's up? I would like to know what's up with you and Katie Ford?" He asked me, and I stiffened.

I shrugged. "Nothing is up with us."

He chuckled and downed the rest of his drink. He stood up and walked over to his minibar. He poured liquor into two glasses and then handed me one of them. "Aren't I a little young for this?" I asked.

He sat in his chair behind the desk. "Yes, but it's no crime for a father to share a drink with his son." He took a sip from his glass.

I sipped it and cringed at the taste. I had only tasted beer before. This stuff burned my throat, and I gagged.

My father laughed. "The taste will grow on you." He took another sip and set the glass on his desk. "Now, Katie Ford? I noticed your eyes were on her throughout dinner. I also noticed the way she looked at you."

"She was just happy to see my home," I averted my eyes from my father's gaze.

"Uh-huh," Dad leaned back in his chair and picked up his glass.

"I'm serious, Dad. She is Katie. She is Tim's little sister," I explained while my father chuckled.

"She is your mate, isn't she?" He stated, and I stiffened. "It's okay, son. You can tell me. It's her. You can't tell."

"Oh," I sighed with relief. "I figured it out at my birthday party. Poe hasn't said the word yet. But I just know," I felt myself smile at the memory.

"Are you happy, son? I mean, will you accept her as your mate?"

I nodded. "Yes, Dad. I will accept her."

"Good, I am glad. I think Katie will make a great Luna. She is kind and smart and beautiful. Everything a luna should be." He smiled at me. "And your mother will be ecstatic when she finds out."

"Mom loves Katie like a daughter already," I laughed.

"Be careful son," My father got serious again. "Remember you cannot tell Katie that she is your mate until her birthday," He explained to me. "It's alright if she figures it out, but you can't tell her, or Selene will punish you."

I nodded. "I know, Dad."

Selene, the Moon Goddess, passed a law that werewolves couldn't claim their mates before they turned eighteen. That meant I could not tell Katie that she was my mate or would risk severing our bond. I could tell others like my parents. Also, Katie could figure it out. But I still wouldn't be allowed to claim her till she turned eighteen.

"Be careful of Marilyn," He snarled out the name. My father hated his best friend's wife. "That old witch may try sabotaging you two before you can claim her."

"I know. She was trying to get me with her daughter tonight. She is convinced that Wendy is my mate." I sneered.

My father shuddered. "I feel so bad for that poor girl." He referred to Wendy.

"I wish you would kick Marilyn out of the pack."

He finished his drink. "She hasn't broken any pack laws, so I can't just throw her out because I don't like her. And Jonathan would never speak to me again."

I stood up and set my glass on the desk. "Can I go now? The guys and I want to commence our game session."

My father nodded. "Yes, son. Remember what I told you. And congratulations."

"Will you tell Mom?"

He shook his head. "We'll keep it between us for now though your mother is smart. She will figure it out if she hasn't already." He laughed.

"Goodnight, Dad," I said and then walked out of the office. I headed back to the game room, and my friends were waiting for me. "Hey, guys."

"How much trouble are you in?" Tim asked as I sat on the couch. It was just him and Tony.

"I'm not in trouble. My Dad just needed to talk to me." I picked up a controller to start the game. It took all I had to concentrate on the game and not fantasize about Katie. Two more weeks, and I could claim her.