Mate

Chapter 13

Alpha Jared's POV

Dinner went as well as my wife and I had hoped. Granted, I did have to keep her from attacking our future daughter-in-law with all the excitement building in her petite body. The whole time our mind link was open and she would not stop bombarding me with her giddy comments and future plans she has for Amelia and her. Of course I love her for that and would not ask for their relationship to be any other way, I just hope Amelia doesn't become off put by my Luna's enthusiasm.

I can feel the slight smirk that quirks at the corner of my lips at my thoughts and I instinctually grab Susan's hand from across the middle council in the car, embracing the forever sparks that come from her touch.

She looks up from staring out the window and I can tell we both think the same thing in regards to tonight.

They are the perfect match for each other.

This dinner was planned before we knew about Andrew's bond with Amelia, but from it we were able to catch two of our best warriors up on the situation in their pack since they've been gone and to see our son with his mate first hand. Of course while talking strategy and schedules with our friends we simultaneously listened in on Andrew and Amelia's conversation. I know nosey, but oh well... that's what parents are for.

We made sure to update Sarah and David on the enclosing rogue situation and how much they are needed to help with that. It really is to be expected with Andrew'a coronation and birthday coming soon though, those packless vultures always try to intimidate packs when a new alpha is coming into power. It happens to everyone and all packs and usually nothing comes out of it but with Sarah and David back in town I saw no reason to not utilize their skills when it comes to defending our territory, just in case.

Even though it is expected that a pack's alpha and beta are the closest of all the ranks in order for the pack to run smoothly, it has always been my top two warriors and I that were the closest. No disrespect to my beta or gamma, we get along just great and depend on each other to make our pack dynamic work, however, it is known how close the three of us are. I grew up with Sarah and David, trained with them when we were pups, was there when they first made eye contact as mates, and was there when Amelia was born, just like they were their for Andrew. Needless to say we go way back.

While they were gone we kept in close contact with each other, as much as possible anyway, so really this dinner was more business oriented when it came to the adult interactions.

Now for the mates-to-be, it was a different story. I'm glad all four parents were there because you could breath and smell the tension in the air between those two, and I'm not talking about awkward tension...

The worst part is that I don't think they even realize what is going on between the two of them, I mean neither one of them could keep their eyes off of the other. I understand how "beautiful" and  "spiritual", as my mother would say, a newly recognized mating bond is but they are going to have to reel it in. Even more so Andrew because he knows about the bond.

"What's going on behind those furrowed brows," I hear the teasing tone of my mate as my one-handed grip on the steering wheel instinctually loosens at the sound of her voice, not even noticing I was mindlessly navigating our way home from dinner.

"and pouty lips?", she uses the hand I'm not holding to flick my bottom lip.

"I was not pouting my lips." I argue and self consciously roll my bottom lip into my mouth.

"Whatever you say, boss. But really, what were you thinking about? You haven't said anything since we got in the car." I'm still collecting my thoughts as she continues, "I would say tonight was a success! I mean, now both parties know about our teenagers being mates, we reunited with childhood friends-"

Being more of the quiet and observational Alpha in contrast to my bubbly and conversational Luna, while I internalize and reflect on everything that happened tonight my mate is 10 steps ahead of me and is ready to talk about it. And what would you know, what a better match for her to talk it out with then someone who naturally will sit and listen to what she has to say. The goddess really had me meet my match with this one and I would not have it any other way.

When I'm ready to jump in I know we can talk about anything because Andrew decided to run home in his wolf form to blow off some steam.

"-The only thing I think we need to worry about now is telling Amelia everything and what that whole thing at the end of the night in the doorway was." I catch her towards the end of her rant saying.

I immediately know what she is referring to. While the four of us were outside packing up the left overs, solidifying the plans for work tomorrow, and trying to agree how to go about this fresh mate bond between our kids we were also giving the two love birds a chance to privately say goodbye. Of course we were all eavesdropping at the same time. Everything was fine until we heard the grumble of someone saying 'Mine.'.

Among werewolves such a word is recognized as a term of endearment and possession for our species. It establishes a sense of intimacy between mates, so that is not the cause for the tension among all of us parents. Our wolf senses were triggered because of who was speaking it and the fact that when we got in a vantage point of the doorway, they were scenting each other.

My wolf especially did not recognize the voice, as he would have recognized his pup's, but we all knew Amelia did not have a wolf to temporarily take over her body in order to say that. I noticed Sarah and David's shock in this as well, because we could all see Amelia scenting Andrew like any female wolf would claim possession over her mate. Amelia's behavior while saying goodbye was very
werewolf-like for someone who did not have that animalistic side, or so we all thought before this moment.

At that point we all came to an understanding that we needed to separate them for the time being, in case Amelia or Andrew did anything unexpected that would cause further confusion or regret among the two oblivious teenagers. They were both perfectly content in each other's arms at that point, if their tight grip was anything to go by, but with the rollercoaster that is Andrew's wolf's emotions because of finding his mate and Amelia's potential wolf-side we didn't want to take any chances.

Just as we all approached the doorway they separate somewhat from each other, Amelia looking dazed and confused. I took this as my chance and called Andrew's name and, not waiting for a response, started guiding him to the car outside. David went to Amelia, holding her steady away from Andrew as our wives started the farewells as another form of distraction.

I remember the over the shoulder look David and I shared during the departure, nonverbal communication passing through us.

We'll talk tomorrow.

And through that whole recollection that I went through in my brain in seconds all that came out of my mouth was, "Yeah, I don't think any of us saw that coming."

Susan turned to me as we pulled into our driveway, that special look in her eyes and that ever growing smile on her face, she said, "Ever a man of few words." Kissed my cheek and got out of the car.

"There is a lot going on there that we don't know about, and I don't think David and Sarah know either. But we can talk about it all with them tomorrow so I'm not too worried, though it was startling." She rambles, as we walk to the front door her arm in mine.

Could not have said it better myself Luna. I mind link her because if the steady heartbeat, trail of clothing leading to the living room, and light snoring is anything to go by, Andrew beat us home and did not make it to his bedroom before knocking out.

~~~~~
Don't eat me, I'm sorry! 🙈
I'm getting back on it I promise.

Got to see Andrew's parents' dynamic, kinda cute. And got to see into the thought process and personality of Alpha Jared😗