MATE EXTRAORDINAIRE (COMPLETED)

I closed my eyes as I let the droplets of water from the shower hit my face. A sigh of relief escaped my lips. It is good to be back home. I missed my parents, especially my mom. And of course, the sumptuous food that she cooks. I arrived last night with my future beta and delta, Rich and Fama, who also happened to be my best friends. We were sent for a six-months martial arts training in Russia as part of our preparation as the pack's alpha, beta, and delta. If only I am not celebrating my birthday next month, we would have stayed there for another 30 days. However, a shifter's eighteenth birthday is important because it is the time when we first connect to our wolf and shift. I stared in the mirror at the reflection of my naked body. It has certainly improved a lot. The muscles are not bulky but just right for a seventeen years old male with a height of six feet and one inch. I grinned. My friends can't tease me for being so thin and wimpy anymore. I grabbed a clean white towel from the rack and started to dry myself. After that, I stepped out of the shower. Naked. Only to be surprised by a presence that is not familiar to me. My brows puckered as I look at someone's back. "Who are you?" The person turned around with eyes wide. Surprised by my voice. My forehead creased deeper as I get to take a look at him. Or is it her? I'm confused. She, as I decided, has shoulder-length brown hair that looks soft to touch. Her eyes, which are now looking horrified while roaming around my naked body are the color between yellow and orange. Her proud nose is aquiline and thin, and her pinkish, moist, and parted from shock lips are sexily upturned on the corner. It looks like she's always about to smile. This girl seems to be a half-foot shorter than me and is wearing an over-sized shirt and sweat pants which made it harder for me to identify the gender. "Who are you?" I asked. Full of seriousness and authority. The girl rapidly closed and opened her eyes. Probably trying to regain her composure before bowing down slightly. "I am Rain Bowen Alvez, sir. A new member of the Blood Pearl Pack and an omega." An omega. It's either she had a very weak wolf or none at all. I sighed. Why does that thought make me feel gloomy? "How old are you?" "I am eighteen, sir." She replied with her head still bowed. "What are you doing in my room?" "The Luna asked me to call you, sir. They're waiting for you in the dining hall." She has been calling me sir and I can't help but grimace. "Stop calling me sir. My name's Aidan." "Yes, sir Aidan." "Hey!" I said with an annoyed voice causing her to suddenly lift her terrified gaze to me. The look in her eyes immediately melted my irritation. I sighed and told her to tell my mom that I am going down in a couple of minutes. She just nodded and silently left the room. I shook my head and moved to put on clothes. Most wolf packs live in a huge pack house but ours is different. Since our ancestors are one of the few alpha bloodlines who made a lot of money and wealth through the generations that passed, our family can afford to give the entire pack a good lifestyle. Our hometown is called Pearl City. It is like a small suburban village with complete and modern facilities one will need in his life. The businesses are mostly owned by our family, and the workers and employees are, of course, the pack members. We also operate some businesses outside the city and in a few countries. That's why we can provide the things that are needed by the pack members. They do not need to go outside of Pearl City to live a comfortable life. In our pack, families can choose whether to have their own house or live in the huge pack house built in the center of the city. One can say that our pack is the most democratic. We do have strict rules and laws. But not a lot defy it. Our house is a two-floor mansion at the edge of the city near the vast forest which is still part of Pearl City. Our past alphas made sure that this place would have space for residents to run when in wolf form. As of now, I think we are on the top ten biggest pack in the world. Thanks to my great ancestors who did good in their alpha duties. I really look up to them and the current alpha, of course, who is my dad. My dad, mom, and younger sister Adeline are already sitting in their respective places when I enter the dining room. "Good morning!" I greeted them cheerfully. I went to dad and tapped his broad shoulder. "Mornin' Alpha Trevor." My dad just nodded his head and smiled. I proceed to my mom and hugged her from behind. "Hello, Luna Amy." I playfully said before kissing her left cheek. She just giggled and touched my face. I let go and went to my seat beside Adeline. "Hey there, Ms. Bratty!" She just stuck her tongue out and smiled sweetly. Adeline is just fourteen but because she has the alpha blood, she is taller than most of the teens her age. I looked at the food on the table. There are sweet rolls, ensaimadas, magdalena, toasts, fried rice, bacon, and a lot of others. My mouth watered. I missed my mom's cooking and baking. The food she prepared is really something to look forward to. "What would you like to have? Cafe con leche or hot chocolate?" My mom shot me a question. "I'll have hot chocolate, mom. Thanks!" She smiled and stood up. "So!" My dad spoke. Looking at me. "How was training?" "It was great, dad!" I started while putting food on my plate. "Sytema martial arts really helped in strengthening both the physical and psychological aspects of the one who learns it. I personally experienced it. I am now better at handling my emotions." He nodded slightly. "Good to hear that your time and efforts were not wasted." I smiled and nodded. My dad has always been like that. Serious and strict. Especially when it comes to his duties to the pack. But behind that facade is a very kind and loving father. I guess most of the previous Blood Pearl Alphas are like so. Strict, law-abiding, and authoritative because these traits are needed for them to become good leaders. "You're coming with us to the pack house today. We will have a monthly meeting." "Yeah! I already informed Rich and Fama about it." I answered while eyeing my mom who is settling back down on her seat. "Rain will bring out your hot chocolate in a while." She said. Smiling at me. "Rain?" I got curious. "Yes! Our new omega. Wait till you meet him. He's really awesome at cooking." Adeline chirped in. I suddenly turned to her. "Him?" "Yes. Him." She smiled and looked beyond me where the kitchen door is located. I interestedly looked behind me and saw the girl who was in my bedroom earlier. She's wearing the same outfit but now has her hair tied into a bun. So! She's a guy? Wait, what? I mentally face-palmed myself. Trying to get out of the confusion I am in. Now! Let's have this one more time. Rain Bowen Alvez is a boy. A guy. Do I make myself clear? Yes! And yes, I am talking to myself, mentally. 'But, why does he look like a girl to me?' I thought while looking at Rain who's pouring hot chocolate in my cup. 'Tch! Whatever?! He's just too pretty for a guy. Like some of the kids in school.' "You met him, right?" My mom's voice pulled me out of my thoughts and see how Rain seemed to flinch. "Yes, mom," I answered with furrowed brows thinking what's wrong with this guy. He seemed to be a little jumpy. "Rain Bowen started helping us three months ago." My father said. "His father is a doctor and works at the pack hospital while her mother is an elementary school teacher. They came here because they needed to start anew." I nodded and turned to Rain Bowen. "It's nice to meet you." A small smile crept his lips. "I feel the same, sir Aidan. Ah...I...I mean... A-Aidan!" He panicked when he realized that he made a mistake. "It's fine," I said with a kind smile. "Thanks for the hot choco." His cheeks seem to redden when he looked in my eyes. "It's my pleasure, Aidan. I have to go back. Please call me if you need anything!" He said, oozing with respect and acknowledged everyone in the table before retreating to the kitchen. "He's so formal," I said to no one in particular as we proceed to eat our breakfast. Adeline giggled. "Actually, you should have seen him when he first came here. He was like, young miss Adeline, do you have something for me to do? How about you, Alpha Trevor? Do you need me to attend to some tasks?" "Really?" "Yes." My father answered. "I had their previous pack checked, and I found out that omegas there are treated like slaves." I was surprised. Maybe that's why he is jumpy and kind of scared. "Does that mean that there are packs that still do not follow the shifter's universal rules regarding the rights of omegas?" Yes. There is a worldwide council that regulates general rules and laws that should be followed by all packs aside from the internal pack policies. One of these rules is for pack members to treat omegas better than how they used to be. "That's what I think." Dad frowned. As an advocate of rights for everyone, I am sure that he will do something about what he found out. It might be a little dangerous because even if it is the modern times, some Alpha families do not want to accept the changes and still wants to go by the ancient way of leading their packs and most of them won't just stand by and look if they think that someone is trying to penetrate and change what they believe is right. I felt really bad for Rain for experiencing that kind of life. Yes, they might be weaker than other wolves but they are still part of the pack. Part of the family. So they should be treated with respect, if not as a fellow wolf-shifter, then as a human at least. I sighed, and silently eat my breakfast while trying to picture Rain Bowen's life in his previous pack. It must have been very hard for him. Why am I hurting just by thinking about it?