Broken Westwood

Chapter 6 | Best Mate

A/N: There is slight mature content in this chapter. Just a warning.

A U S T I N ' S  P O V
I'm agitated, but I've done an adequate job of masking my anger. I've gotten the hang of concealing my feelings before everybody. The backstory on why I'm disturbed: My father frequently asks me when I'm going to be ready to become Alpha. He wants me to visit each pack to find my mate.

I haven't told my father yet, but I already discovered my mate—it's Olivia. I'm not ready to settle down, nor is she. She's 16. I understand that it isn't unusual to be with a mate under 18 in the wolf world, but in the human world, at least here in Washington, that's illegal. I want to be with whoever I want until I'm ready to settle down. It can't be that hard for my father to understand.

I returned home quickly to calm myself down. Father has just summoned me back for a conference with an Alpha from the neighboring pack. My vision was partially blurred with rage as I look up just in time to see I'm about to slam into Olivia in the hall. Shoot, exactly who I wanted to see in my bad mood. She's not paying attention as I feel her crash into me. Instinctually, my hands make contact with her, and I can feel the shivers rush through my entire body. My anger suddenly stops, and I feel in a much better mood. Remembering she's my mate just drives me mad again because I consider what my father told me earlier today. Clearing my throat, I give her an irritated glare, telling her to watch where she's going, and I leave.

Father's voice had now clouded my thoughts as I'm in the lift.

'Loosen up, Father. I'm on my way back,' I said through the mind link.

After the meeting with the other Alpha, the day passed by quickly, and of course, Father was chattering on about planning visits to different packs in the country. It's well after dinner when I make it home with Father. I have dinner up in my room to avoid another conversation about my mate with Father. This entire day has had me nervous, like something else would happen. I jump onto my gaming system, drowning myself in the game as the night progresses.

As I'm playing my game still, I can feel agony and hear crying in the back of my head. I knew who it was. I know who it is. It's Olive; I can feel she's in torment. Leaping out of my bed, I run out of my room and into Olive's. She's doubled over on the floor. While I realize this won't be helpful for my current situation, I head toward her and embrace her. I feel the shivers run up through my body as I grasp her in my arms. I can feel her tears falling onto my arms as I run my hand through her hair, trying to calm her.

I comprehend what's happening; she's experiencing her first shift. I remember the agony that I felt experiencing my first shift. I feel her fur beginning to come out, and I quickly but gently let her go. Hearing the pops, I can see her white fur starting to come out. She looks beautiful already, and she hasn't even fully shifted yet. She's gazing at her wolf self in the mirror. I can feel that she's worn out as I watch her start to move slowly. I run to catch her before she tumbles to the floor. She shifts back to her human form and falls asleep in my arms. I try hard not to look at her naked body. It was harder than I thought because I failed and saw a brief look at her body. Her body was just as beautiful as she seemed. The way her hips curved sent my mind into turmoil. My brain fired thinking of everything that could happen at this moment if she was awake.

No, let's just put her in bed. Putting her into bed, I pull the blanket up, covering her naked body. My mind is going here and there aimlessly, and against my better judgment, I move into bed behind her and fold my arm over her midsection. I feel her fingers intertwine with mine as I slowly fall asleep. This will be one of the best rests I've had in quite a while.

'AUSTIN, YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES TO BE DOWNSTAIRS. YOU'RE LATE!' Father shouts at me through the mind link. I see Olive's clock and notice it's 4:20. Shoot. I can't get a break nowadays. I escape the bed and quietly go to my room.