Landon

It's Summer.

If nothing had happened, I should be returning home from college, but I can’t exactly complain right now. My pack needed me. My family needed me and I had to answer the call. Plus, I am the rightful Alpha of the Regency Falls pack.

Though right now I am a mere Regent, I haven’t totally given up on the idea of finding my mate.

On the other hand, I can't exactly look for him at the moment. Nor do I know where to look for him that I haven't already. So, there's that.

Beta Carillon told me that the warrior who disrespected me the other day has been placed on probation. That means if he slips up once, he's out of the force. The warrior army employed by the pack.

He didn't reprimand me for use of excessive force because it wasn't his place, per se. But he was very troubled by my aggressive behavior.

I've told him that was a one off and I have no intentions of doing that ever again. I'm not even a violent person, but right now I have some anger issues to deal with.

Anyway, hopefully I can put this unfortunate episode behind me. Needless to say, no one disrespected me when I returned to train the next day. If anything, the warriors present have barely glanced at me.

I hate coming across like a tyrant. But I also hate feeling vulnerable, especially near people who are not close to me. My father had instilled in me that an Alpha must be strong and appear to always be in control.

Yeah, not so much right now. But I’ll get there eventually, hopefully.

"Good morning, Regent. Here's the budget request for Beta Carillon's plan of action for your approval." Lourdes greeted me as I walked past her office, handing me the paperwork.

I smiled radiantly at her like it was a present for me.

"I was expecting that. Give me a pen, please?” I said, eagerly. I even forgot to say good morning to her. I just stopped right in front of her office.

"Aren't you gonna read it first?" She stared at me, puzzled.

"Lourdes, I don't care if it costs us one million dollars!" I replied, anxiously to sign it.

"We don't have that kind of budget, Regent." She glared at me.

"I know, but I'd sell my house to pay for this if I had to." I retorted, slightly peeved at her.

Begrudgingly, she handed me the pen and I signed off on it, returning the papers to her hands.

"You should be happy with the plan. This way we don't have to send warriors over there. Isn't your mate a warrior?" I argued, seeing her displeased expression. Though I phrased it like a question, I already know the answer. The couple has even dined with my family.

"I never said I was against the plan, but your father would never approve a budget request without reading it first." She spoke in an apprehensive tone.

"Thank you for your hard work, Lourdes. I need these documents in Beta Carillon's hands right away." I ordered, not wanting to extend the pointless debate.

"He hasn't arrived here just yet. At this hour, he should be at the training center." She informed me, sounding annoyed.

I stared at her in silence for a minute and she frowned at me.

"Never mind, I'll deliver it myself." I said, taking the papers away from her hands.

She didn't like that idea at all. Before I took a step, she took back the documents from my hand with a disapproving expression on her face.

"No need, Regent. I can take it to him myself." She stated, sounding irritated.

"Thank you, Lourdes. I really appreciate it." I smiled contently. Then she's off stomping the ground, vexed.

I don't mean to sound reckless, nor do I think we have the budget of the White House. But those fuckers need to pay and I legitimately don't care about the cost.

They are not gonna know what hit them.

A few hours later, I'm buried behind paperwork on my desk when I noticed a familiar scent coming towards me.

"Is this where the Alpha stays?" A tall, latino boy asked, grinning in front of my office.

The biggest smile appears on my face.

"Stavo!" I shouted, radiantly happy to see him.

I got up from my desk and jumped into the tightest of hugs. I've missed him so much. Both of us take in our presence with sheer joy.

Gustavo Carillon is my best friend in the whole world. Having grown up together since our fathers were also best friends, we were always thick as thieves.

As luck would have it, we even got accepted into the same college. We were having the time of our lives at University of Texas, but fate had other plans and now I'm stuck here while he still goes there.

"I can't believe you're finally here! I've missed you so much, my friend!" I said after a while, parting from the hug.

"I've missed you too, Lan! It's lonely without you in Austin." He said, looking into my eyes affectionately.

"Don't get me started on loneliness..." - I breathed out a defeated sigh, feeling frustrated.

If there's one person who has listened to me vent about the lack of mating it's him. Though I try very hard not to dwell on it now, I had a very difficult time after I turned 18.

"I'm sorry for abandoning you. But if I don't graduate from college my parents are gonna kill me." He said, feeling guilty. Though he really shouldn't.

"You didn't abandon me, Stavo. I abandoned YOU. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for." I assured him in a serious tone, not wanting him to feel bad.

"Thanks, my friend." He smiled at me.

"Tell me all about college. How was your last semester?" I asked him, trying to change the subject; also genuinely curious about it.

"I don't wanna get in the way of your work, Lan. I know you have important Alpha business to deal with." He said, humbly.

"There is nothing that can't wait. Please, come on in and take a seat. Step into my office." I said, inviting him.

Stavo and I talked about his semester without me and how he missed my company these last few months since I had to drop out. He also told me a little about his mate, who he picked up from his college campus yesterday.

We completely lost track of time talking until it was time for lunch at the pack house. I've invited him to eat with my family, but he told me he had already made plans with his mate. Good for him, if you ask me.

We said goodbye for now but tomorrow is my day off, so we'll reconnect at some point. I can't even begin to say how much I missed my best friend, though I also miss Austin very much.

"You look chipper. Is it because Gustavo returned from college?" My mom asked me as we took our seats in the dining room for lunch.

"Yes, how did you know?" I asked her, surprised.

"I'm your mom, Landon. I know everything there is to know about you." She boasted and my siblings laughed at this.

"I'm so glad he is here. I've missed my best friend so much." I confessed, feeling relieved.

"I'm happy for you, sweetie." - Mom smiled at me. - "It warms my heart seeing you smiling like this."

I have the best mom ever. Hands down.

"Yeah, I guess it does take a village." I acknowledged, realizing the importance of having people close to you to make life worth living. Werewolves are naturally pack animals, the more people in your close circle, the stronger you are for it.

I do love my family with all my heart. But I also need my friends near me, especially Gustavo.

"It really does, son. I know I couldn't function without my girls." Mom agreed, thinking about her friends. She has a network of pack moms, some closer to her than others.

Truth is we belong to a very large pack, close to 14 thousand members. With this many people, connections are essential.

And my mom is an excellent Luna, if I may so myself.

"Mom, can I go to Patrick's birthday party on Saturday?" Clark asked her, taking advantage of her good mood.

"Yes, of course darling." She replied without missing a beat.

"Speaking of birthdays, isn't Grayson's tomorrow?" She asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Yeah it is, mom. I can't believe he is going to turn 21." I commented, breathing out a sigh.

He is the one that got away. The former love of my life. My boyfriend all through my last years of high school. The one who I thought I was destined to mate with.

It was so obvious to us at the time, even my parents thought so too. But you know what they say about unmated teenage werewolves…

They (we) really shouldn't be dating because the Moon Goddess might have other plans for them. And they were certainly right in my case. I am just at a loss as to what her plans actually are for me at this point.

There goes my good mood…

"Lan, I'm sorry for bringing him up." Mom apologized, looking guilty. Just mentioning his name brings back all the feels. The heartbreaking truth that he belonged to someone else.

"It's fine, mom. I'm over him at this point. It's been three years since he’s been mated. I’m happy for him.” I downplayed it, trying not to bring the mood down.

I am not really over him, but it is what it is. It really has been three years, so I should be over him. That’s probably why a mate would really come in handy for me.

Even my siblings are giving me pity looks as they know how I suffered back then. Though what I suffered when it was revealed he wasn’t my mate pales in comparison to what I’ve suffered when he actually got mated.

That was legitimately the worst day of my life. Up til that point, anyway.

I spent my afternoon catching up on my work and later on, I went to a bar to meet my returning college friends. We greeted and hugged each other, I had a blast.

Of course, every single one of them are mated and I was the only single person there. But who cares, the important part is that I got to reconnect with them and get a few beers in me. Honestly, I’ve earned it.

The next day right after breakfast I took my car and went to the Carillon’s house. Gustavo wasn’t at the bar with our other friends yesterday, so I’m eager to catch up with him.

His mother opened the door for me. The sweetest lady you’ll ever meet, just don’t get her angry, then you’ll see what latinas are all about.

“Good morning, Regent. How have you been?” She asked me as I made my way inside the house.

“You can call me Landon, Mrs. Carillon. I’m fine, thanks. Better now that Stavo is back.” I replied, joyfully.

“I agree with you. Everything's better when my son is here.” She spoke like only a mom could. I giggled at her statement.

“We’re just setting the table for breakfast, they should be down soon.” She informed me and I frowned for a second.

‘They?’ Of course his mate is here. Silly of me to think otherwise at this point.

“Good morning, Regent. What brought you to our house this early?” Beta Carillon greets me, stepping out of the kitchen.

“I’ve come to see the college student. Take advantage of my day off.” I replied, slightly blushing.

“Right. He should be down any minute now. Please, take a seat at the table. Can I get you anything?” He offered me with a pleasant disposition.

“No, thanks. I already had breakfast, but I’ll accompany you.” I replied with half a smile.

I entered the kitchen to find the table set for breakfast. Beta Carillon was cooking something delicious and his mate was heating up some milk.

In a moment, I smelled a very familiar scent. One that I hadn’t scented since last year. Gustavo and his mate got downstairs for breakfast, surprised by my presence.

“Good morning, Lan. Did you fall off the bed?” Gustavo jokes, walking inside the kitchen with his lovely mate.

“Not really, no. Unfortunately the pack house has a very strict schedule and we can’t afford to have breakfast late like everyone else.” I replied. His mate and I exchanged an awkward gaze.

“Happy birthday, Gray!” I smiled radiantly at his presence.

By the way, did I forget to mention the love of my life got mated to my very best friend? Yeah, you can imagine my reaction back when we were still in high school. Mateless and now having a front row seat to their mating.

“Thank you, Lan.” He smiled, slightly uncomfortable in my presence.

I moved to hug him and wish him the best of times, but I’m very aware of the awkward situation, though right now is nothing compared to three years ago.

"That's right. It’s your birthday today. Happy birthday, Grayson!” Mrs. Carillon smiled at him, also moving to hug the shy boy. Javier also congratulates him on his birthday.

“I can’t believe you remembered my birthday…” He told me, blushing. All of us take a seat at the table.

“To be fair, it was my mom who remembered. But yeah, I did too. You’re a very special boy.” I admitted, flustered.

“Please give her my best. She’s a great Luna and always showed me kindness even when she caught me somewhere I shouldn’t be.” He spoke, causing all present to get wide eyed at the revelation.

I laughed at his remark. I know all too well what he’s referring to, but I’m not gonna dwell on the subject and make my best friend more uncomfortable than he already is.

“What are the love birds doing to commemorate the special day?” I asked them with an innocent smile.

“My parents are throwing me a dinner party tonight.” He replied, smiling wide.

“Good for you, my friend. I’m happy to hear it, even if you have the worst roommate ever.” I snickered, to which he instantly grimaced.

Of course I know who his mate is. They have been rooming together for two years now.

“Tell me about it, Lan! I tried to change rooms but they said there weren’t any available.” He said, remorsefully.

“Relax, Gray! I’m joking. You have no control over these things, it’s fine.” I said, humorously.

“You should have seen his smug face when I went there to pick Gray up. I hate the Staedlers!” Gustavo sulked while he glanced at me.

“I hate them too, trust me! I’m not gonna lie, after my dad died I had some unsavory fantasies about going into Gray’s dorm room…” I said, getting curious wide eyed stares from all present.

“And kill that fucker with my bare hands in retaliation for my father.” I admitted, clearly disturbed.

“Wow. That took a turn!” Javier said, uncomfortably.

“Don’t worry, Beta. I would never do that. But the anger issue is real.” I clarified, blushing from the uncomfortable stares I was getting.

“Trust me, Regent. I can relate to feeling angry. And to think your father was actually contemplating a truce with them.” Javier revealed, shocking all of us.

“A truce? Really? Well, I can’t wait for them to see what we have in store for them.” I’m practically foaming in anger at the thought.

There’s an uncomfortable silence that follows for a minute while they eat.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re both here now and we can enjoy our summer together.” I commented after a few awkward silent minutes.

“Me too, Lan.” Gustavo agreed, smiling at me.

“Me three.” Gray chimed in with a soft expression.

After breakfast, Grayson returned to his house alone while Gustavo and I spent a few hours together. We talked, we laughed, we even addressed the awkward relationship between me and his mate.

He knows he is bonded and has nothing to fear from me, but the whole situation doesn’t get any less awkward. But we don’t let it get in the way of our friendship. That has to come first.

Obviously, I’m not happy that Grayson was mated away from me. I loved him with all my heart, probably still do in some capacity. But that ship has long sailed.

Now he is just somebody that I used to love.