Simply Mates

SEVEN

After several moments my last tear rolls down my cheek and falls onto his chest, making me pull away from Callum slowly and he, reluctantly, lets go. His hands drop to his side in defeat as he looks me over - his face showing his devastation as I take a giant step back from him and wipe away the residue my tears left. Callum watches every move I make in silence - like he is waiting for me to say something, I'm not really sure. 

I take in a deep breath and release it slowly, fighting back the urge to run into his arms again. They are this safe haven that only I have and I never want to leave them again after the moment I just spent in them. The familiar pull is back, but I fight it this time. In my head, I chant, 'Don't do it' over and over and over again in an attempt to stay away from him. Will it work? Probably not, but if I don't try, I may never leave him again.

"I'm sorry about that." I say, my voice still hoarse with emotions, and he shakes his head.

"I'm not, Andy. And you shouldn't be either." He says. "I will always be there for you, if you will let me."

And his devastation turns into hope as he looks deep within me into my soul for the answer he and I so desperately want to hear. My wolf is howling for me to say the words. My heart is pounding within my chest with anticipation for them. Every cell in my body is humming with them. 

But my brain...my brain just won't let my voice say them. 

So, I shake my head. "I can't." I say just below a whisper. "I can't."

He presses his lips into a thin line and looks away. "Can't? Or won't?" He asks, his voice strained and hard - like he is holding himself back. 

"You know we can't, Callum." I say, trying to make him see. "Let's not put ourselves through this again."

He chuckles humorlessly. "There is no going back now, love."

"Don't call me-"

"We're fucking mates, love." He spits as he turns to face me. "We are bound together forever no matter how much you don't want me."

"I do want you!" I protest angrily, the Alpha in me hating his disrespect. "I want you more than I can express in words, Callum. But you know-"

"'That we can't because of our families'." He mocks. "That's bullshit and you know it, love."

"Stop calling me that!"

"Why?" He roars. "Why? Does it make you feel bad? Does it make this all real?" He gestures around us wildly. "Does it intimidate you? Why can't I call you 'love'? It's just a fucking word."

"I can't do this." I say, turning around to leave.

"And there are those bloody words again. 'I can't do this.' Is that all you fucking say?" He asks. "Goddess, Andy, I want you. I want every damn part of you. Why can't you want me in return? Why can't we just make this work? I'm sure our families wi-"

"Are you fucking stupid?" I turn quickly and scream into his face. "Do you really think that our families will just get over a thirty year old feud just because we are mates?" He looks at me like the answer is obvious. "Unbelievable. I have the village idiot for a mate."

"The only unbelievable one is you, love." He says, turning on his heel. He quickly shifts, ripping his clothes into shreds and runs off into the forest. This time, the mournful howl comes from my lips as I watch him disappear in the foliage. 

"He's a fucking moron! I do not understand how you and him can be friends, Derek." I say as I burst into my brother's room for the second time that day. "He's impossible! He just doesn't get it!" 

"Fuck, Andromeda!" He growls as he gets off of a petite redheaded girl.

"Get lost, Danielle." I order, my Alpha tone coming through. She quickly jumps from the bed and scatters, leaving her clothes on the floor. 

"You didn't have to do that." Derek frowns, sitting up. Luckily he is still wearing boxers - yay me.

"I don't care." I say, plopping down beside him. "Why do we need mates anyways?" 

He chuckles, shaking his head. "You already know the answer to that, Ands. You don't need me to tell you." He says. 

"I know." I reply as I lay back onto his bed, my feet still on the ground. 

"You know it doesn't have to be this complicated. I'm sure Dad would understand-"

"You know he wouldn't."

"How do you know?" He asks, laying down beside me. "He wants you to find your mate, Ands. He knows that not being with your mate would destroy you. He would accept it."

"No, he would disown me." I correct him. "And I would lose everything I have ever worked for."

"And who would he give it to? I sure as hell won't take it and you know he wouldn't give it to someone who doesn't share the Shaver name. So that just leaves you." He says. "Unless he's willing to just let this pack die. I highly doubt that though."

"Never know with Father Dearest." I say sarcastically. 

"You won't know unless you try, Ands." He sighs. "I am done with this conversation and I have balls as blue as the ocean, so..."

"Ew."

"You can leave now." He says, pointing to the door. 

"Yeah. Bye." I reply as I stand up from his bed and walk towards it. "And thanks for everything baby bro."

"Anytime, big sis."

I step outside of the door, closing it softly behind me and turn towards my bedroom to pack. As I turn the corner, I crash into Danielle, sending her crashing to the floor. 

"Sorry, Alpha." She instantly says, not looking me in the eye. "I was walking too fast."

"No one's fault." I reply, offering her my hand. She reluctantly takes it and I help her to her feet. 

"Is Derek still busy?" She asks, still avoiding my eyes. "I left my clothes in his room."

I chuckle. "No, he's definitely ready for you now."

She finally looks up, her eyes perking up to meet mine, before instantly looking down again. "Really?" 

"Really. I'm sure he could use help too."

"With what?" She asks, furrowing her brows. 

"He's feeling a little blue." I reply, unable to contain my smile.

"Aww, I will make him feel better." She says. 

"I'm sure you will."

"What's that, Alpha?"

"Oh nothing." I say, waving her off. "Go now."

She nods her head before scurrying off to his room and I can't help but to laugh at her behaviour, but my laugh dies instantly and is replaced with a knife to my heart. 

For I would do anything right now to be able to run to Callum like she just ran to Derek. 

"Fuck me."

"Gladly."