My Best Friends Mate

Chapter Thirty Three

CRAIGS POV

Dustins sister is my mate. He had spoken briefly about her years ago but this is my first time seeing her. My body felt on fire and my heart was pulling me towards her. It was like a wave of familiarity swept over me as if I had known her forever and I couldn't pull myself away. I sat there staring at this beautiful treasure that just fell in my lap after many years of searching. It was as if something had always been lost but now it was found and I had no idea what was going on around me.

"This is my buddy Craig Emerson. We go way back" I heard Dustin say but it sounded muffled.
I felt him hug me. "I need you to snap out of it man" he whispered in my ear and as if breaking out of a trance I reached for his father in laws hand.
I observed the table of Dustins wife, her brother and parents who hadnt appeared affected by my strange behavior. I saw a red head girl and a guy, both Id never met and Ryan sitting across from them. They looked back and forth between me and Kiara.

"I think im going to be sick" I heard her whisper to Keely and holding her stomach. Keely quickly exchanged a glance with Dustin who had nodded his head signaling them to excuse themselves.

"excuse me, I need to use the ladies room" Kiara said standing up,the redhead following close behind her. I wanted to follow her, make sure she was ok. I caught Ryans gaze that hadnt left me. I couldn’t quite read him. He looked expressionless and I had only seen him like that a few times. I smiled, making my way over to him to shake his hand and slap his back in an embrace. I wanted to follow my mate but these humans had no idea what had just happened. Ryan stands up, leaning in to my embrace.

"Its good to see you brother" I said.

"yeah.. yeah you too" he sighed deeply. "Excuse me, I need to make a phone call" and watched him walk away.

DUSTINS POV

"you have got to be fucking kidding me" I said to myself. I wasnt too thrilled about Ryan but at least Ryan didnt have a psycho parent hunting us all. I had to think quickly about how to handle this awkward moment that had the potential to become disastrous. Ryan was reeling, Kiara was confused and Craig... who knows what Craig was thinking.
I mind linked Ryan. "please dont act any differently. im wrapping this up" I begged him. This dinner had gone well until now. I got up to hug Craig making it look casual but I secretly pleaded with him not to make anything look suspicious either. So far, Alyssa’s parents were blissfully unaware, drowning themselves in conversation with Alyssa regarding all things baby. Her brother observed us all and while he didnt know exactly what was happening, he knew to keep his parents ignorance intact. He began engaging in conversation with them to keep them occupied. I was thankful when he spoke to Craig asking about his eagle globe and anchor tattoo after Ryan had excused himself.
How the fuck am I going to do this? I had to act quickly. I squeezed Alyssa’s hand, that was our code move that something was wrong. I watched her gracefully say something about going back to our house to look at the babys room.
"Ill go get the check and pay" I said quickly and I leaned in kissing Alyssa on the cheek before walking away. I heard them leave the table and as they were walking out, I told her parents Id see them there. Alyssa looked back at me, confidently. I appreciated what a strong partner she was. Zach wasnt too far behind them but Craig was sitting there at the table still, leaned back in the chair, a fixated stare as if he was in a trance. I had no idea where Kiara, Keely and Ryan were. I walked towards Craig and sat down beside him. I liked Craig, he was a good dude. He would treat my sister well and with the exception of his megalomaniac father and my sister being with my other best friend, I would approve. It didnt matter what I thought though. It mattered what Kiara wanted but then I thought about what my uncle had told me not even 24 hours ago. If Craig is Kiaras mate, will it be their son that brings peace to the packs? Or will she reject him and choose Ryan? I was stuck between a rock and hard place trying to be a protective big brother, a loyal friend and consider the packs safety if it is indeed the moon goddess's will for this to happen.