Henley

Chapter Three

Chasin yawned, stretching the stiff muscles of his neck and shoulders. It was early the next morning and he had a couple of future alpha duties to attend to before class. He had spent the majority of the night patroling the borders with his father. The alpha was showing him the ropes as he would be crowned alpha on his eighteenth.

Despite Chasin's eagerness to learn and be the alpha his father was, he couldn't keep his mind off his new prey. The tiny little bunny shifter who would be his Luna eventually wouldn't stay away.

Chasin stood up, morning wood straining against his tight boxers. He chose to ignore it, knowing he may go chasing his little rabbit if he tried relieving himself. He of course didn't want to take his mate by force, but everyone knew mates usually hooked up within 24 hours of finding each other.

"Hurry up or we'll be late Chasin!" Ethin, Chasin's second in command called through the door. It was tradition for the alpha and beta of the pack to meet before sunrise to discuss any problems within the pack. As the next in line, Ethin and Chasin had to be at the meeting. Neither the current alpha or Beta were too patient either, especially with their own children.

Chasin quickly got dressed, shooting out his door and almost running into Ethin. Ethin was slightly shorter than Chasin at 6'4. He was strong, just under Chasin's weight class. Ethin had dark skin and an unruly mass of curls on his head. His eyes were dark brown, almost black and his face was almost always twisted into a smile.

"You need to calm down, we still have 40 minutes E." Chasin said, walking towards the kitchen of the pack house he lived in. Ethin followed quickly, looking around like he was lost. Chasin couldn't help but laugh at the anxious future beta. It was definitely comical to see the future second in command afraid of punishment from his father.

"I think you need to be more serious! Our dads will kill us if we're late! What has you so relaxed and happy anyway?" Ethin asked, finally realizing how bubbly his friend seemed.

"I- can you keep a secret?" Chasin asked. He wasn't going to tell Ethin but it seemed wrong to keep something from his best friend and second in command. He was scared of how Ethin would react as well though.

Ethin has never shown any distaste for the other species and has never made a comment about interspecies. That didn't mean he was for it or would accept Chasin and his beautiful mate. Chasin wasn't sure what he'd do if Ethin didn't approve.

"Of course, you're my best friend." Ethin pulled him from his thoughts.

"I met my mate." Chasin whispered just low enough that no one else in the pack house would hear it. He quickly slapped his hand over Ethin's mouth afterwards, muffling the loud response to the news.

"What?! Who is she?!" Ethin yelled loud enough that the muffling didn't do much. Chasin sighed, pulling his hand from Ethin's mouth and picking at his bottom lip in a horrible habit.

Ethin felt his friend's nervousness, putting a palm on his shoulder and giving Chasin a reassuring smile.

Chasin wasn't sure what to do. Even if his mate was accepted for being a different species, there was another issue. Henley was a male and Chasin was an alpha. Chasin had to produce an heir to the title of alpha. Suddenly the stress hit him and he realized just how impossible things seemed to be for him and Henley.

"That's the thing, it's a guy. His name is Henley and..." He couldn't seem to get the rest out, fear making home in his abdomen. Ethin, squeezed his shoulder, encouraging him to finish.

"Whatever it is, I'll be by your side supporting you. We are practically brothers. I'll help you figure it out, you have me and I'm sure the pack as well." Ethin said, giving a small smile.