Benjamin

I woke up from a horrible nightmare.

In the dream, my mate is killed by wolves, his figure is always indistinguishable to me but I can feel clear as day it was my mate they were killing.

And I can also tell these are pack wolves, so it's not related to what happened to my brother - which would seem like a 'normal' nightmare to have under the circumstances.

I just can't figure out why any pack member would kill my mate. Am I going to be mated to a psychopath or a serial killer?

I'm at a loss here. But I hope it's just a bad dream caused by my biggest trauma. I don't really believe in foreboding dreams, visions or stuff like that.

I'm not a superstitious person, but I don't disregard anything. To each their own.

But I need a mate by my side in order to ascend as Alpha. There's no Alpha without Luna. It's as simple as that.

Even if for some reason I get paired to a cis guy not an omega, I can figure the children part of the equation later. But I still need my mate.

That's not negotiable, especially in a wolf pack this old and this big. We are very traditional here in the South... We like to do stuff a certain way and bachelors can't become Alphas.

It has never happened before and I doubt that would start with me. Specially with me being gay...🙄

I take a quick shower, get dressed and get downstairs to the dining room for breakfast. I need sustenance for the long day ahead of me.

I greet my family who is taking their seats and serve myself some food.

My mother notices my brooding and quizzes me about it.

"Are you alright, sweetie? You look a bit distraught." - She asked me, frowning. At this, dad and my sister stared at me.

"I'm fine. Just had a bad dream, that's all." - I replied, nonchalant.

"Is it the one where your mate dies?" - Dad inquired me and I gasped in surprise. I can't believe he remembers my dreams. This is not the first time it happened, evidently.

"Unfortunately yes." - I muttered under my breath, sulking.

"Sweetie, it's normal for the brain to play tricks on us because of what happened to Drew. You're just anxious because your birthday is right around the corner. That's all." - Mom comforted me, trying to make sense of it.

Both my parents look at me with pity and I hate this. I don't like being in a situation of vulnerability, even before my own parents.

"You should be dreaming Roger was your mate. Not that he died." - My sister jokes, causing me to giggle in amusement.

"Sasha, I would sacrifice an ox to the Goddess for him to be my mate. But I've told you already, she doesn't pair straight people with gays. It just doesn't work that way, nor should it. Obviously." - I reiterated for the umpteenth time.

"Maybe he's in the closet. You never know..." - She winked at me.

"He must have a big closet then. Because just in the last two weeks he has already hooked up with Lisa B and Amanda from our class. And this is only October." - I refuted, rolling my eyes.

I'm not saying sexuality isn't a spectrum. It is, especially nowadays. But that boy is as straight as an arrow. And it's fine, he's not the only boy in the school.

I just like to fantasize about him. That's all. You know what they say: what you can't have, you can't resist.

My parents laugh at this exchange, amused by my sister's comments.

"Have you ever stopped to consider your mate is closer than you think?" - Dad suggested with a mischievous grin.

I rolled my eyes so hard they went on a full 360.

"Gross, dad. Lex is my sister. He can't be my mate." - I protested, repulsed at the idea. But it's not the first time he suggested it, especially because he's an omega.

"I'm your sister." - Sasha glared at me.

"Yes, you are. And if you don't go get ready now you're taking the bus to school." - I jabbed at her, who furrowed her eyebrows.

"I'm just saying... Expect the unexpected." - Dad smirks with a naughty grin.

"The only thing I'm expecting is to have difficulty keeping this food on my stomach if you don't stop this nonsense." - I grunted, getting up from the table.

My annoyance is so bad, my face grimaced the whole way to school. When Lex greeted me, he asked what was wrong and I told him about the dream. And my parents.

"Gross! Your parents know I'm not the only omega in school, right?" - He said, looking as annoyed as me.

"They know. They also have spoken about Evan." - I replied, not particularly excited.

Lex snorted out loud.

"He's the worst candidate of all! He doesn't even speak to you!" - He argued, laughing.

"That's what I told them! This mate business is gonna drive me crazy before my birthday comes." - I grunted while Lex laughed at my expense.

"Hi, Ben. Hi, Lex. How are you doing?" - Teddy started a conversation, surprising both me and Lex.

Theodore Johnson is a member of the varsity team too, like Roger. Tall, dark and handsome, he never talks to me or Lex. He's Roger's best friend.

"So, I've heard you got into a fight yesterday at the locker room. What happened?" - He inquired in a suspicious tone.

Both Lex and I look at each other with a strange feeling. Then it hit me.

"Oh, you're here because I was talking about Roger and the guys heard it. Now, you want to make sure I don't make a fool out of myself with him." - I spoke, rolling my eyes already.

I can't believe I got someone making sure I don't act foolish towards Roger.

"No, that's not what this is about..." - He rebuked, surprised by the suggestion.

"Teddy, I was just talking silliness. I know he's straight. You can rest assured I'm not one of those delusional queens who thinks they can get anyone." - I assured him, who frowned in confusion.

"That's not why I came to talk to you at all. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." - He insisted adamantly.

I looked at him suspiciously for a second.

"Well, thank you for your concern. I'm fine, it wasn't a fight, just a warning shot." - I stated, still suspiciously.

"Good. I'm glad. There's going to be a party this weekend at my house and you're both invited to attend." - He announced, just before we entered the classroom, baffled.

"Thanks, Teddy. We'll be there." - I replied with a surprised smile.

We took our seats inside the classroom, him with the jocks and Lex and me at the back.

"Why were you talking to Livingstone?" - Roger whisper talked to him.

"I was inviting him to my party." - He replied with a sigh.

"Why did you invite HIM? Are you trying to make good with the future Alpha?" - Roger snickered, playfully.

I really don't like where this is going.

"No, idiot! Because I'm a nice person!" - He defended himself, shocked at the implication.

"You were never this nice to him before. Is it because your dad asked you to?" - Roger insisted, getting a rise of his friend.

"No, stupid! Why would my dad do that?" - He frowned in annoyance.

Teddy's dad is the Delta of our pack. That means the highest ranking warrior, who leads them all. Delta is the fourth highest position in a pack, aside from Beta and Alpha/Luna.

"I don't know! Why are you inviting him to anything?" - Roger sounded puzzled. - "Drew, I would've understood. But him..."

Man... This conversation really should've been mind linked. What the f--

"I'm glad you're good at football. Because you're not very smart, are you?" - Lisa B. interjected, sitting not far from them.

Teddy snorted at this, though Roger still looks confused. The teacher entered and started the class.

Some time later, I looked at Lex confused myself.

"What do you think that was about?" - I asked him, genuinely intrigued.

"I don't know. Maybe he needs to ask something of his A." - He replied without much thought.

"I'm not his anything. And even if I was, I don't think it has anything to do with it." - I shot it down, more curious than ever.

If he wasn't talking to me because of Roger, then why? Does he need a favor of any kind...

The thought wouldn't leave my mind this morning. But since I can't exactly confront him about it, all I can do is move on.

Though even at lunch break, I'm still a little distracted by the surprise invitation.

Even though I'm the son of the Alpha, in a vast majority human school that doesn't matter much. Not really.

When Drew was alive, he was good at sports, girls and school. He was popular, so people knew who I was by association.

But I was never one to hang with the cool crowd. Which is not to say I had a bad high school experience, I didn't.

I got Lex and my other friends from class. We know how to have fun, even if not necessarily at parties. In fact, we create our own party.

We binge watch reality shows, do our make-up, we have fun. But let's just say I didn't have the same high school experience my brother had.

And it's totally fine. We were different people.

Which is why this 'Ted talk' got me so intrigued...

"Are you listening to me, bitch?" - Lex reprimanded me.

We're at the cafeteria eating lunch and he's on about the latest Roger gossip.

"I'm sorry. I'm just a little distracted today." - I apologized, snapping back to reality.

"It's just a party, not a marriage proposal. Chill out!" - He chastised me, looking annoyed.

"You're right, of course! I don't know why I'm acting like it's such a big deal..." - I agreed, embarrassed.

And with that, we're back to talking frivolities like always.

Later in the evening, I was having dinner at the pack house with my family when I commented something I heard earlier at the training center.

"Dad, Delta Johnson said he encountered some rogues yesterday in the woods." - I told him, who didn't exactly look surprised.

"Oh well, if they're not in our territory, we shouldn't concern ourselves with it." - Dad downplayed it, nonchalantly.

"Really? What if they attack us?" - I wondered, a bit concerned. Mom and Sasha got wide-eyed at me.

"They will die, son. But from what I've heard, they were just teenagers, much more scared of us than anything else." - Dad dismissed it.

"Seriously? There are teen rogues too? Someone should call DCFS on them." - I commented, baffled. My parents laughed at this.

"Son, there are entire families living as rogues. Not everyone conforms to living in a pack, but that doesn't mean they have to be alone." - Dad explained in an amused tone.

"So, they live unmated and be with whoever they want? Huh, I wonder what would be like if I could choose my own Luna." - I pondered, pensive.

"Right. Because of the line of guys that are forming at the door to be with you." - Sasha jabbed and I felt the burn.

"Hey, it's not my fault if I'm one of the few out people at school!" - I defended myself, outraged at her remarks.

"I'm just saying: be glad you have a push from the Goddess. Soon enough, someone will be 'forced' to be with you." - She snickered.

"Jesus, Sasha! I don't want anyone forced to be with me! Heavens, you sure know how to take the fun out of mate pairing." - I'm gobsmacked.

"Sasha, leave your brother alone! No one will be forced into anything. His mate can choose to accept the bond or not. It's their choice." - Dad interjected, raising a new issue altogether.

"Thanks, dad. I just hope he does accept me. I wouldn't want to become the first rejected Alpha in pack history." - I muttered under my breath.

Honestly, I'm terrified at the thought. It doesn't happen often in our pack - fortunately - but between being paired with Roger and having him reject me or get matched to a plain guy like Evan, I'd take Evan any day of the week.

Beauty fades. But the bond lasts forever.

The next day at school, I had already a new thought in my mind: hoping my mate will accept me.

It's not like Sasha was strictly speaking wrong. There aren't that many guys out in high school. And the ones who aren't Lex had already kissed or blown. He's the king of the bathroom stall.

I'm much too shy for that, honestly. I barely look at the boys during the school shower. I mean, I take a peak or two because I'm not a saint. But I don't have the nerve to gawk like Lex does.

He's unapologetic. Which is one of the reasons why I like him so much. He behaves in ways I wish I had the courage. Though I still wouldn't be interested in quick friction to satisfy a "straight" boy.

No, thanks. I want more out of the relationship.

I want A relationship. Period.

Inside the locker room, no one dared to call me any names after I 'checked' that bastard the other day. Now, it's business as usual.

Plus, like I said, I'm already self conscious among naked boys to begin with.

"Are you going to Teddy's party?" - Lex asked me, stripping off before the shower.

"Of course! We ARE. He invited you too, remember?" - I replied enthusiastically, while stripping too.

"I guess a party is a party. Even though there's only gonna be jocks and cheerleaders there." - He mumbled without any enthusiasm.

"I don't care, bitch! We're going. Plus, I'm curious to see if he's even gonna talk to me." - I'm really intrigued by the nature of this invitation.

"Maybe he lost a bet. Or he's gonna prank you." - Evan interjected with a devious smile. He's getting ready to shower too.

"Fuck you, Evan!" - I barked at him, though the thought did cross my mind. He laughed at me.

"I can't believe my parents want him to be my..." - I trailed off, though for the wolves present it's more than enough information.

"Ew!" - He looked disgusted by the notion.

"That's what I said!" - I almost screamed, also looking uneasy.

"I think I wanna skip class on your birthday." - He joked.

"Be my guest, bitch!" - I rolled my eyes. And we're off to the shower area.

On Saturday night, I went to Teddy's house as planned. The place was packed, the booze was plenty and the parents were missing.

Basically, a teenage mother load.

Lex and I entered the fancy house, our eyes roaming the place for any friendly face. Lots of teens talking, drinking, playing games - I don't mean the ones with joysticks.

Teddy was talking to Roger and his teammates when he saw me. He smiled, excused himself and came to greet us.

"Good evening, boys. Welcome to my house. There are drinks over there at the kitchen counter. Make yourselves at home." - He said politely, before returning to his friends.

Lex and I looked at each other and darted for the liquor. We poured ourselves some drinks and walked around the massive house.

The guests are largely distributed among the living room, kitchen and yard. The place was packed with the who's who of popular people.

People laughing, dating, drinking, making out.

There are even people sitting at the stairs to the bedrooms. I see some girls talking and I try to start up a conversation.

"Are you okay, Lisa?" - I asked her, who got blindsided by my serious tone.

"Yeah, I am. I knew Roger isn't the dating type. I knew what I was in for, so I'm okay. I just wish he'd talk to me instead of ignoring me altogether." - She replied sincerely.

"I'm sorry. Boys suck." - I told her, being supportive.

"They do. So, do you know why Teddy invited you yet?" - She asked with a devious smile.

"I have no idea. Did his dad ask him to or something?" - I wondered, puzzled. She laughed.

"No, Ben. I don't think that's the reason." - She said, giggling.

As we drink and have a good time with the girls, I can't help but wonder... What does HE want with ME?