Chasing October

Three

Garrett and Liam stood side by side near their parents, the ego rolling off of Garrett as he shook his father's hand. Cecily turned to look at me when they were ready to announce their mates, her own excitement leaching off of her as she wondered just who it was finally won over the two boys. Luckily for me, Liam was the first to speak.

"I want to thank everyone for this opportunity to have me as their Beta. With the training of the last few years, I will promise to not let any of you down. I want to thank my parents for teaching me all that I know and for their patience. I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for them. And lastly, I want to thank my mate, who will flourish and help me grow in so many ways in the future."

Sam chuckled at my side. "Who knew that having a mate accept you would make you so soft and squishy?" he teased, making a small smile flutter on my face.

"Lilly, will you come up here, please?"

Lilly was the last person I expected, but we all watched her walk up there, her hair a halo around her hair, and her skirt bouncing with each step. She placed her hands on his cheeks and gave him a kiss, making everyone cheer and laugh. With a roll of my eyes, I hand Sam my book.

"I suppose I'm next in being Garrett's mate." I mutter to him, watching as he looked between the two of us in shock.

Though he didn't say anything, Sam took my book willingly and held it with his own, his posture becoming straighter as Garrett smiled towards the pack.

"I can never beat Liam in his speech, but I do want to thank every one of you. All of you had the patience with me as I grew and learned who I am, and all of you believed that I would make a great Alpha over all of you."

The humans that lingered smiled at him, proud, while the rest of the pack cheered. I sat silent next to Sam, plucking at the grass with my fingers.

"With that, I want my mate to come up here and prepare a new future with the two of us together."

Getting ready to stand, I put my hands on the ground and started to lift myself up.

"Marcia, please join me up here."

Freezing in my spot, my eyes grew wide as I stared at him, watching as Marcia squealed and ran up to him, her arms wrapping around his neck to pull him into a sloppy kiss. My Alpha looked at me with a frown, the look in his eyes letting me know that he wanted to talk later, and I lowered myself back down, tears stinging my eyes.

"Shit, Star," Sam whispered, rubbing my leg with his hand. "I am sorry that happened to you."

I don't say anything as I stare at Garrett, watching as he smiled at Marcia before catching my eyes. I could see the mixed emotions start to swim before he looked away and at the pack, a large, proud smile on his face.

When my Alpha stepped up, he rubbed Garrett's shoulder before addressing the pack once more for the last time tonight. "As your Alpha, the last thing I want to do is give recognition to one person who deserves it. She, for the last few years, has done her absolute best in protecting this pack. Countless times I have worked along with her, and she has only increased in growing."

I felt the warmth of my face flare up and Sam rubbed my back, his arm dropping at the glare from my father. "Star, do you mind to step up here for a second?"

Trying to smile for my Alpha, everyone looked at me, their eyes wide in shock. I had known that many didn't know I was becoming the Lead Warrior, but this many not knowing only struck me as odd. As soon as I was at his side, he gave me a hug, rubbing my back with his hand.