My Mate (B×B)

Chapter 4

Loius POV

Mom strolled past the kitchen with a basket of clothing, but turned when she saw me sitting at the island.

I averted my gaze and savored another mouthful of meat pie. This year, it seemed I’d be the only one enjoying it.

“What exactly are you up to? What brings you here?”

I looked up, perplexed. “Ugh, school doesn’t start for another week.”

“No, what brings you to my home? Don’t you have any friends to go play with?” I stared at her blankly. She was reminding me, once again, that I had none—not even a passing acquaintance. It was humiliating.

We heard Melvin approaching long before he entered the kitchen. Mom was disgusted by his clothing: his usual plaid shirt and crazy jeans.

“Sweetheart, you should shave.” Melvin reached for a bottle of water from the fridge, barely reacting. His beard appeared well-kept to me.

I ate the final piece of pie as Melvin shrugged.

“Get dressed, Louis; you’re going with Melvin.”

“What?” We said simultaneously, Melvin slightly more vehement. I cast a timid glance at him. We’d never actually hung out on purpose.

“He won’t be able to join us,” Melvin mumbled.

“And why not?” Mom demanded. I put my dishes in the sink and walked to my room, nervously biting my lip.

The familiar rumble outside made me jump into a pair of pants. Tomy pulled up in front of the house, ignoring the driveway. He wore all black and leaned against his car, arms clasped across his broad chest. I held out my middle finger, chuckling at his faux pained clutching of the chest.

I slipped on my Converse and dashed downstairs, where Melvin muttered to Mom.

“Bye, have a good time!” Mom kissed him on the cheek, then stooped to kiss mine. I followed grumpy Melvin, grinning and waving goodbye.

Tomy got out and arched a brow. “Mom insisted I bring him,” Melvin grumbled while walking to the passenger side.

“It’s all right, Louis can come along,” Tomy joked.

“Thank you, Thompson,” I said, smiling brightly.

He opened the door and pushed the seat back so I could clamber in. I was small, so space wasn’t an issue. Tomy got in and fixed his seat.

“Get your wits about you,” I murmured. They both listened.

“So, where are we going?” I asked.

“Town,” Melvin replied.

Tomy chuckled and took a cassette from the glove compartment. “We’re heading to the fair.”

“Really?!” I bounced in delight. I enjoyed the county fair for the food, and now I’d have company.

I sat back, gazing out as a slow rock tune played. The ride was mostly silent, Tomy and Melvin conversing occasionally.

When we arrived, Tomy parked in front of a small ice cream shop. The fair was behind the strip of businesses on the baseball field. I had to jog to keep up with their strides, but they didn’t leave me behind.

“What should we start with? Funnel cake? Or win a fish?” I suggested.

“I guess the fish last,” I decided, noting their silence as agreement.

We didn’t have to wait long; Melvin and Tomy paid admission, but I got tickets for the Ferris wheel, the only ride not for tiny children. I followed closely, spotting pack mates and humans. The scent of popcorn and fried food made everything feel alive.

They wandered aimlessly for a while, but things soon went wrong.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want a funnel cake?” Melvin asked. I ignored him and left to get some food.

I didn’t mind waiting in line. Observing the crowd, I wondered if living among humans would be so bad—they were friendlier than my pack classmates, who made me feel unapproachable.

I sat at a picnic table with my funnel cake, corn dog, and fries. Kelvin(dad) eyes met mine, and I smiled at my father in his police uniform. He didn’t return it, so I focused on my food.

A basket of fries was placed across from me.

“Hey, puppy,” he said.

“Hey, Dad,” I muttered, starting my corn dog. Dad said nothing, as usual. He eventually left for work.

I was about to head home when I spotted Jason, in a sweater and dark pants, with Kenneth and Brandon. I put on my best face.

“Hi!” I chirped, capturing their attention.

“Hey, Louis,” Jason said, and I almost melted. My birthday was coming; we’d become Mates once I turned eighteen.

“How’s it going?”

“I’m just wandering,” I said.

“No, Louis, you’re not permitted to accompany us,” Brandon chuckled. I ignored him.

“Oh, Tomy and Melvin brought me here,” I explained, tracing Jason’s jaw to his caramel-colored eyes.

“Is Thompson here?” Jason asked. I nodded and smiled.

“Well, we should find him,” they said.

“No, we don’t require your assistance,” Brandon remarked snidely. Jason smiled as they stepped around me.

I turned to the Ferris wheel, handing over my tickets to Jason, who checked the bar. The ride moved slowly, giving me a sense of being on top of the world.

From above, I saw my father conversing with other wolf cops. Melvin and Tomy were nearby: Tomy with a girl tossing darts, Melvin talking with another female. Jason’s bright smile made me smile, but when I noticed him chatting with Ciara, my expression fell.

When my ride ended, I smiled at an elderly man before slipping down the stairs and collapsing in front of the crowd. Faces burned as people laughed, some considerate, some not.

I struggled to my feet and dashed toward where I last saw Melvin. I collided with someone, dumping cold soda on my hoodie. I screamed and yanked it away.

“Be careful,” the man snarled. I nodded and apologized, keeping a close eye as I walked.

Melvin wasn’t at the game but was nearby with a dark-haired woman eating cotton candy. I tapped his shoulder.

“Louis, are you serious? It hasn’t even been three hours,” he said. I fidgeted with my fingers.

His companion examined me. “How did you find out about the Runt?”

“He’s my brother,” Melvin replied.

“Woah.”

“Yeah.” Melvin mumbled, looking away.

I left them and the fairgrounds after twenty minutes, sitting on the sidewalk near Tomy’s car. I didn’t want to be the last one to leave.

I hadn’t even caught a single fish.