Chapter 21: Mates Everywhere
I spent a few days unconscious while my wolf healed me. Sadly we can't grow back toes so my foot looks a bit funny but I feel better. Physically at least. Lilly is still gone and everyone is out searching. Everyone but me that is because I'm on house arrest! Were back at Midnight Moon and Ari wont let me leave the pack house!
"What's going on!?" I ask a guy that's running past. Everyone is going crazy!
"They found her! Alpha Aaron's mate, Alpha Lilly! We have to get ready to save her." He says running off. I follow him toward a group of warriors.
"What do you think you're doing, pup?" Clay asks grabbing my arm.
"Going to get Lilly." I state.
"No. You're to young and still not fully healed." He says.
"I'm good as new and I'm going to help save her! It's my fault she's gone! I'm going, Clay!" I argue.
"I'll make you a deal. If you can stand on your just injured foot for a minute I'll let you join us." He says crossing his arms. I put all my weight on the foot and quickly lose my balance. It is healed but I haven't fully gotten my balance back. I fall forward and Clay catches me.
"Go to your room and wait for us to get back." He orders.
"I'm going Clayton!" I stand my ground.
"Don't make me force you, Brayden. I don't have time to fight you." He says all serious and Beta like.
"Then don't fight me! Let me go." I yell and he growls.
"EV!" He yells.
"What's up, bro?" She asks running up.
"Keep the pup out of the way." He orders.
"No, I'm her guard. I'm going, Clayton." She responds.
"You need to pack anyway. Just keep the boy here." Clay says.
"I'm done packing. I'm going with you!" She argues.
"I doubt your mate will agree. How about I give Gamma Erickson a call. See if he wants his mate coming." Clay threatens.
"Come on, Bray." EV hisses grabbing my arm and dragging me upstairs. I sit at the banister at the top of the stairs watching the warriors with EV.
"So you're really leaving?" I ask.
"I met my mate months ago. You can't be surprised by this." She responds.
"Well you took long enough. I thought maybe you'd stay with us." I mumble.
"He's Gamma. I have to go to his pack." She tells me.
"Where is she?" I hear Ari roar as Alpha Mason enters.
"Come on." Is his response as he leads Ari out. "You have your wariors ready?" I hear him ask as they leave.
"EV." A voice sounds behind us.
"Eric!" She jumps up and hugs him.
"He's not a whimp at least." I tell her.
"What's with the pup?" He asks her.
"This is Brayden, Aaron's boy, Clay wants me to keep him here." She says not hiding her distaste for the situation.
"Well I'm glad he's keeping you safe." He says burying his face in her neck. EV pushes him away.
"I am a warrior, Erickson! You can't always protect me!" She yells at him.
"I'm a Gamma and I can try." He says pulling her back to him.
"I'm with EV. Let's all go!" I say.
"Keep yourself... and the pup safe. As soon as we get Lilly I'll bring you home and we can figure out what each of us will do in the future." Erickson says kissing her forehead as he leaves. EV sighs and sits back down. I drop next to her.
"You are such a pushover." I tease her.
"Wait until you get a mate. She will rule over you." She responds.
"I'm an Alpha... I don't see that happening." I say.
"Just you wait, Bray." She sighs as we watch the warriors run out.
°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°
They got her back. No one will say what happened to her but shes better now and the offical Alpha of Red Rivers. Now we're getting ready for her and Ari's mates ceremony.
"Hay, Bray." Clay calls out to me as I pass Ari's office.
"Yea Clay." I say as I enter.
"Aaron is gonna be gone a week after the ceremony. I'm gonna take over for him. I'd like you to play Beta for me. It'll be good practice for you becoming Alpha." He says.
"Really?!" I ask stunned at the suggestion.
"Of course! We need to get going over to Red Rivers for the ceremony now tho... just let me know if you want to take it on." I nod unable to speak.
°•°•°•°•°•°
"Ari!" I yell running up to him and Lilly after the ceremony.
"Hay, Bray. How ya doin' lil' man?" He says hugging me.
"Good! Clay is gonna make me Beya for the week you guys are gone!" I grin.
"I know. You'll do great, buddy." He says as I let him go to hug Lilly.
"Hi Lilly. I'm glad you and Ari are finally together. Congrats!" I say giving her a hug.
"I actually have some big news for you, Brayden... I convinced this guy to let you start college. Talk to Clayton and he'll get you the information so you can get your GED then next semester we'll have a college student in the house!" She smiles at me and I hug her again.
"Really?!" I ask looking from her to Ari.
"It has come to my attention that I may have been treating you like a pup for to long and I may have been to overprotective of you and imposing my wishes on you over your own." Ari says as Lilly hugs him.
"It's your life, Brayden. You tell us what you want to do with it and we'll help you get there." Lilly says.
"Thank you guys! Thank you!" I yell hugging them both.
"We love you, Bray." Ari says and I let them go.
They then begin mingling with the other guests and I end up looking for Clay.
"Clay!" I call out only to find him making out with some chick in the garden outside. "Sorry, Clay!" I yell turning around.
"It's fine, Bray." He says and I turn around.
"Hi I'm Brayden." I introduce myself to his lady friend.
"He's the pup Alpha Aaron took in." Clay says.
"Nice to meet you, Brayden. I'm Abby Andersen, daughter of Alpha Simon Andersen, from Blue Creek Pack in California." She says shaking my hand.
"And my mate." Clay continues.
"So you're moving here?" I ask her.
"Maybe... I need to talk to my father. It's a little complicated." She says.
"Why?" I ask.
"Well... usually an Alpha's daughter is mated within her own pack or to an Alpha. Clayton being a Beta will make him worried... if my father doesn't agree this could start a war." She says snuggling into Clay's chest. "We need to be careful. A war between our packs would force other leading packs to pick sides. Many would die." Clay wraps his arms protectively around her.
"I waited 29 years for you. I can wait some more." Clay says inhaling her scent. "I'm just glad I met you."
"I'm sorry Clay... I hope it all works out." I tell him.
"It will. I'm not giving up on my mate." He says kissing her neck.
"Welllll...." I drawl out awkwardly. "I'll let you two do.... what ever you're gonna do." With that I make a quick retreat.
Looks like everyone is pairing off. Maybe having a mate won't be so bad. Clay looks so in love when he holds her and they just met. I'm honestly excited to find mine... just a few more years.
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