Hesitant in the hallway’s

Violets POV

Walking next to Ce around the pack house corridors, I felt suddenly nervous. We had birthday breakfast for me and Lilly every year, but this one felt different. Undoubtedly this was my wolf effecting my emotions, because the wily thing won’t stop dancing around in the forefront of my mind. The unsubtle glances from the corner of my brothers eye were of little comfort.

The Beta floor was on the third level of the four story pack house. So descending to the dining room felt like a real mission. It had always made a small amount of sense in my mind. The lower you are, the easier to get to the safe room in case of a attack. The higher, the more likely you are to have to defend this pack. Gammas, Betas and especially Alpha family’s are born to protect this pack. So keeping us at the top of the building, ready to spring into action and defend the vulnerable made sense to her. It’s the same reason the warrior barracks were stationed around the sides of the pack house. They could buy the house time to secure the safe house.

As they reached the top of the main stairway to the first floor, my stomach felt as though it was being dragged out of my body. My wolfs incessant yipping grew louder, and overpowered my senses. Fighting the urge to run, or more likely fall, down the stairs, I gripped onto the banister. I felt as though my entire life depended on holding the wooden railing.

‘No. Does this mean my mate is here?’ I thought. This can’t be happening. Not now. Not yet.

‘Yes. Now go!’ Stupid wolf. She has no idea what this could mean for us. Panic started to bubble in my chest.

In complete defiance of my wolf, and against my very nature as a Beta, and fearless warrior, I threw myself down onto the top step. The loud ‘ooph’ that stumbled out of my mouth at the harsh impact brought my brother to a stop. Turning to face me, with a look of confusion, I can almost see the gears turning in his mind. Quickly glancing around to assess for danger, and realising there is none, the realisation crosses his feature’s. Ever the perfect Beta with his mind for strategy and analysis.

His eyes meet mine with a small smile he was failing to hide.

“So. This fast huh! Wow” he says amused. I roll my eyes involuntarily.

“Hey! I need my supportive brother right now. Don’t be smug. I need to hide and you’re going to help me!” I bark out. His sudden laughter filled the hallway.

“Not a chance sis. This is one destiny you can’t hide from and you can’t blame on your menace of a wolf.” He said between laughing fits.

“I heard that. Get her to our mate now” my wolf booms from within me. I hate it when she does this.

‘Aspen! I’m not ready you bafoon!’ I call back, attempting to claw myself back in control. I feel the thread snap as she’s sucked to the back of my mind. Stupid wolf!

“No. I can’t. Not yet Ce. Please” I cry out. He appears to contemplate this. He knows what needs to be done, but is fighting is brotherly love for me. He knows I need him. I always need him.

“We will sit here for a few first ok. Then you can wrap your head around it. But I’m not shoving you in a linen cupboard. So you need to talk it out with me Vi. “ he says, sitting next to me on the step. Damn, he’s really going to make me go down there isn’t he.

I take a few steadying breaths and turn my body towards my brother. The concern on his face is not comforting, but warms me with his love for me. Sometimes, people think he is cold, as he projects the image of the perfect warrior and the perfect Beta. Only with me does he show this soft, cuddly and loveable side.

“Who do you think it is Vi?” He asks. Good question. There’s no way to know without following this pulling.

“No idea. The warriors have the day off, so unless I got some weird morning person in search of breakfast… ugh can you imagine. Someone HAPPY to be up at the crack of dawn. Goddess” I sigh out. Although I am often up early for either training or because of my damn wolf…. Doesn’t mean I’m happy about it. A morning person, who gets up instantly happy would drive me crazy. My brother chuckles. If that’s who I am mates with, he would probably suit my brother better. He’s always up and ready to work the instant his eyes open. Crap.

“Maybe it’s Forrest.” He muses out loud. Oh Goddess no. Although that buys me a year of adjustment, how could I ever get used to being mated to my best friends brother! I groan out loud.

“Ugh, Goddess Ce can you imagine. Being mated to my best friends brother. That would be like Lil being mated to you! It’s just weird!” I ground out. Looking at my brother. I can tell he did not appreciate that comment. I knew he was attracted to Lilly… who isn’t. She’s toned, and slender with an air of confidence and authority. A woman who takes absolutely no shit is something to be admired. It’s what I love most about her, what made us best friends.

“Try not to sound like you would be too mad if her mate was me won’t you sis. Jeez” he mumbles. Maybe he had thought about this. Wow. What if it was him for Lilly. He would be Luna. Would he be ok with that? Lilly would never surrender her alpha title to her mate. This hypothetical already seems too complicated.

“Would you even be happy as Luna, Ce?” I asked. Knowing his personality doesn’t exactly fit the job description. He was all Beta. All warrior. He and Lil would clash about defence and alliances. Surely the Goddess wouldn’t do that to her.

“I don’t know. But Lilly doesn’t see me like that. So it doesn’t matter. My mate will be whoever the Goddess chooses to make me a better man, and her a better woman, and this pack stronger. I’ll know in 8 months and that’s all that matters” he says. Well, that’s one way to think about it.

“You know this has everything to do with who you will fall in love with, and spend your life with. Not a business agreement. Right?” I ask. I know he struggles to deal with emotions. But this is one he has to understand is about a relationship. A lifelong relationship.

“I know Vi. But it’s also not my choice. And it’s not yours either. So let’s go to breakfast and eat because I’m starving and you’re stalling” he says.

I groan out once again, knowing there is no way to avoid this and get up. Suddenly I’m very conscious of the workout clothes I’m wearing. Maybe I should have changed after all. We begin defending the stairs and the pulling is driving me mad. As we get to the dining hall doors I freeze. My skin feels hot and cold at the same time. Goddess… if my mate is Forrest… I’ll have to live like this for seven months. This will be torture.

Taking a deep breath. I open the dining all doors. Just in time to see Lilly flee out into the garden. Must be something in the water… maybe she’s chasing her mate down too.