Midnight River Shorts

Samuel and Andrew

Set 30 years before 'The Human and Their Mates' and 'When You Least Expect It.'

Andrew's POV

Age 23

"Andrew, hurry up! We need to go!" Mom calls from downstairs.

"I'm coming!" I call back to her.

I still don't see why we have to go to this stupid thing. I whine to my Wolf, Lyle, as I slip on my sweatshirt.

Because Dad's best friend's son is the new Beta. He replies.

That still doesn't explain why I need to go. I huff, as I close my bedroom door. I don't know why I need to go to the stupid Midnight River Pack.

Can you just relax? Lyle sighs.

Fine. I roll my eyes at him. "I'm ready, Mom."

"Good, Sweetheart." Mom kisses my cheek. "Let's get going. Your Dad is waiting in the car." She chuckles. "He keeps going on about how long it's been since he's seen Casper."

"Well, we can go now." I say, walking to the door.

"Alright, Honey." She chuckles, walking behind me.

Our life in Fallen Crystals is decent. My parents aren't super high up in the Pack, but we're fairly well off.

"Andrew!" Dad cheers as Mom and I get into the car.

"Hey, Dad." I chuckle, amused. "Why do we have to go again? And why doesn't Katie have to come?"

"Because Casper and his Alpha invited us to attend the gathering, even if we aren't high ranking Wolves." He said, as we pulled out of the driveway and began our trip. "And your sister has her own life to live."

"That doesn't explain anything, Dad." I groan and lean against the window. "Just... Wake me up when we get there." I sigh and close my eyes.

The trip was only a few hours, and I slept most of the way. I wake up when I feel the car parking. "Are we here?" I ask drowsily.

"Yes, Andrew." Dad chuckles. "You slept for a while."

"I was tired." I groan, getting out of the car.

"Paulie!" A man cheers as he approaches my dad.

"Hey, Cassie!" Dad hugs him. "It's been a while."

"Indeed it has!" Casper replies with a laugh. "Andrew, Donna, good to see you!"

"Hi, Mr. Sterling." I shake his hand. "It's good to see you too."

"How's your life been, Cas?" Dad asks, as we follow him out to the meeting area.

"Oh good." He chuckles. "Sammy just got back to the Pack a little while ago. No luck finding his Mate out in the world, yet. Donovan's enjoying having him home again."

"I'm glad Donnie's happy." Dad chuckles softly. "Andrew just got back too."

"Maybe they'll have some luck soon." Casper chuckles, glancing at me.

We sit at our table, eating the food laid out for us. I kept smelling sea salt, but didn't pay attention to it much. Maybe they used it in one of the dishes. But I didn't taste it.

Casper and Samuel do the Beta Succession Ritual, and everyone cheers. Samuel hadn't taken over as Beta before now, as he was searching for his Mate. He decided to come home after four years of searching and take over for his father, after having no luck. Soon enough, Alpha Jenkins of Midnight River gets up to give his speech.