The Beta and the Figure Skater

Chapter 2

 Weston's POV:

 I yawned and stretched as I woke up. If I'm being honest, I could've used more sleep. I didn't exactly get much. I just couldn't seem to get to sleep. But, anyways, when I looked at the clock, my eyes went wide.

 "Oh, shoot! I'm late!" I exclaimed. The clock read 9:45. I'm usually there by 7:45.

 I scrambled out of bed and into my clothes. I ran down the stairs, not bothering to grab an apple or something for breakfast. I grabbed my keys and hurried to my car. See, I'm very serious about my job as Beta. I'm never late. Never. I've never been late once, so I am officially stressed right now. 

 I drove to the pack house as fast as the speed limit would let me. Oh, why did I have to live a half hour away?! My house was the house I grew up in, and I didn't want to sell it to some stranger. I had a lot of memories there. I had wanted to raise a family there. But, I don't see that happening. 

 I finally pulled up in front of the pack house. I hurriedly got out of the car, falling to the ground as I did. I winced in pain as I quickly got up and hurried inside. 

 "Weston? You're here! I'll tell Grady and Ray." Luna Myla smiled as she looked over at me. I smiled and nodded back at her, a little out of breath.

 I walked with the Luna to the office. Honestly, today was not going to be a very good day of work. For two reasons. 1. I fought with the Alpha, who I work with, just yesterday. 2. I am late for work. We finally made it to the office and entered. I nodded to Ray, and said hello to Grady.

 "Why are you late?" Ray asked shortly.

 "Um...I overslept...?" Ray, Grady, and Myla frowned at my answer but seemed to accept it. 

 "So, about the plans of expanding our land," Ray began. He was straight to the point. He didn't like wasting time.

*A Few Hours Later*

 Ray's POV:

 Well, as I expected, things were tense between Weston and I. I just never expected he'd come to work late to avoid me. 

 "How do you know he did that? How do you know he wasn't telling the truth?" my wolf asked.

 "He never oversleeps, Dark." I remarked.

 "Well, something else could've happened. I don't believe he'd do this on purpose!" I sighed. Dark was right...

 Weston wasn't the type to come to work late to avoid people. Once, when Grady had just become Gamma, he and Weston had a fight. But the next day, Weston came in on time.

 I shook my head, standing up. "I'm going for lunch. Anyone else coming?"

 "I am!" Grady declared, standing up. I couldn't help but chuckle a little.

 "I'm gonna stay here and catch up on the work I missed this morning.." Weston said quietly. 

 I frowned. "Ok..." With that, Grady and I left the office and went to the kitchen. 

 "Oh, Myla's making grilled cheese sandwiches!" Grady exclaimed. He liked my mate's cooking. Well, actually, he liked anyone's cooking, though there were those few exceptions.

 "Where's Weston? Didn't you tell him we were having soup and grilled cheese today?" Myla asked as she placed a bowl of soup down. I shook my head. "And why not?"

 "It's....Complicated..."

 "Things were pretty tense today. I think they had a fight or something." Grady responded. Ugh...I should've known he'd say something! 

 "Ray, what happened?" Myla looked at me firmly.

 "Nothing, love!" I insisted. "Things were just tense because he was late for work. I wish I knew why though...I don't believe he'd just sleep in. Even if his alarm didn't go off, he has one in his head that wakes him up an hour and a half before work!" I shook my head, sitting down across from Grady, who had already started eating. Myla sat beside me and placed her hand on my arm.

 "Maybe he did. But for a good reason..." she said softly. 

 I looked over at her. "And what's that?"

 "Maybe he didn't get much sleep last night..." I frowned. That does seem to make some sense...Weston did look pretty tired when he came in...

 "I'll see what really is the case when I finish here." I told my wife.

 "And please, make up with him. I don't want things tense tomorrow too." Myla told me.

 "Yes, my love." I nodded, giving her a kiss on the cheek before I took a bite of my sandwich.

 Half an hour later, we were finished with our food. I was going to help Myla with the dishes, but she insisted I go make things right with Weston. Well, Grady and I went to the office, and I was shocked to see Weston asleep, his head lying on the desk. I looked at Grady, who was surprised too. Gently, I woke him.

 "Huh? Ray? What happened?" he asked quickly.

 "You fell asleep. Tell me, Wes, did you get any sleep last night?" I asked firmly.

 "I tried....But, no..." he said quietly looking down. 

 "Why weren't you able to sleep, Wes?" Grady asked, kneeling in front of his chair.

 "I-I guess....I was thinking about yesterday..."

 I groaned, knowing exactly what was bothering him. We had a fight yesterday about mates. Specifically, his. "I'm sorry, Weston. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. I should've known you weren't ready...It takes time to get over being rejected."

 "But you were right...I should have gotten over this by now...She has her own life, but me? I don't have anything!" he exclaimed. "I just don't know how to get over something like this..."

 "Maybe if you fell in love again it'd help...?" Grady said quietly. 

 He knew as well as I did how Weston's mate rejected him. He knew how hard he took it. For maybe a week, my Beta couldn't even drag himself out of bed. Grady was there for him at that time. He finally got himself out of bed and it honestly looked like he was getting better for a while. But, I guess, deep down, it still hurt like heck.

 "But I'm afraid..." Weston said quietly.

 "Of what?" I asked, frowning.

 "Of falling in love again. What if it ends the same way it did with Kelly? No. I won't be hurt again." Weston told us. He turned back to the desk. I think he wanted the conversation to end, but he should've known we wouldn't leave it at that.

 "Weston, not every relationship ends in rejection and pain. I mean, look at Myla and I!" I stated. Weston eyed me from the side.

 Grady tapped his shoulder and Weston looked down at him. "I haven't met my mate yet. I don't know the pain rejection brings. But I have seen the results. But I also have seen the joy and love of other relationships. Give it a chance, Wes...You're true love is still out there somewhere. And someday, when the time is right, you'll meet her. I'm not saying you won't be hurt again. You might. But when you meet the one, it won't end. You won't be hurt. But it will last forever. And you will feel love." 

 If I am being completely honest, I was a little amazed at Grady's words. He's usually so carefree and fun and stuff like that. But, I really should know by now, Grady can be wise when he wants to be. 

 Weston gave a small smile to Grady and nodded. "I can try, Grady. Thanks." I smiled as my beta and gamma hugged. 

 I sat down behind my desk, ready to get to work again. They turned and looked at me, ready to hear what I was going to say. "Ok, so, we could join with another pack, or go into unclaimed territory and expand."