The Smallest Mate

Chapter 5: Damien

POV: Beta Damien

To say this day was going much worse than expected would be an understatement. Perhaps the understatement of the century. I had woken up early to get some morning training in before breakfast. I also wanted time to shift and let my Panther Ajax out to run. He had been cooped up lately since I was so busy helping Aiden get used to running the pack. We were both young and inexperienced, our parents had done their best to get us ready for the roles we were destined to perform. However, like most teenage boys, we slacked off when studying and only really paid attention when we were training and getting to fight one another.

No one had told us how absolutely boring pack management could be. From members squabbling over property lines to needing to form pack alliances. There was much less fighting than we had hoped. Our small pack was well trained but lacked any enemies. Not that it was the worst thing in the world, but it still left little time for us to let our spirit animals out to do what they do best.

The day I got Ajax, everyone in the pack was shocked. It was typical for packs to receive mostly all the same animals and Crimson Moon was known for their fierce wolf warriors, so I was quite surprised when I saw a feline rather than canine face looking back at me. That didn’t discredit me. I was still fierce and powerful and so was Ajax.

After Ajax finished his run, I shifted back, wiping sweat from my brow. The sun was rising and warming up the early spring air. I took a deep breath to enjoy the springtime smells. I could also smell breakfast being cooked. That made my stomach rumble and I bounded into the house. “Ah Ah Ah” I heard a stern voice shooing me. I looked down to see our pack house keeper Abigail. “You know you don’t get to eat until the Alpha comes down. Go take a shower and maybe he will be here when you get back.” My stomach growled in protest but I went anyway.

After my quick shower, I eagerly ran down the stairs, my hungry stomach leading me to the dining room where a few of the pack members stood around. Abigail stood in front of the food, arms crossed. “ Look everyone, you know the rules. I can’t just break them because Alpha decided to sleep in”. She looked up at me with pleading eyes and I nodded my head, as the Beta I would have to go drag him out of bed before a riot started. I didn’t understand why he didn’t just change the dumb rule. It was one of his father's rules and he was not his father. His father was punctual and if he was going to be late he had already told Abigail and gave her the go ahead. He never made us wait if he was going to be late.

I made my way up the stairs to the room I knew was Aiden’s. I didn’t bother knocking as I was irritated that he had everyone down stairs waiting. As soon as the door swung open, I smelled the thick s****l smell. It made me want to gag. My eyes went to the bed where Aiden was sleeping next to some naked she-wolf. They came and went so frequently I stopped trying to learn their names. This one had been around a couple days much longer and I know Aiden would make me learn it.

I coughed loudly to announce my presence. “Alpha, everyone is waiting for you downstairs” Aiden grumbled something but made no moves to get up. “Seriously get your but down there before we have a riot.” The unnamed she-wolf got up out of bed and slinked her way to me. I wanted to throw up as she tried to link her arm around mine. “Oh come on not Damien, we had a long night” she put extra emphasis on long. I shook her off of me, not bothering to respond. “I’d say you have 5 minutes before I come back with a bucket of ice water” I turned on my heel and walked out of the room, making sure to slam the door behind me.

Aiden knew I was serious because it took him four minutes to get down stairs with that same she-wolf wrapped around his arm. “Calm down everyone, I’m here”, he flashed them a smile and they bowed their heads. Alpha Aiden made his plate and motioned to me to make mine. I did so quickly, moving out of the way of the rest who had been waiting. I went to my seat to the right of the Alpha to see the she-wolf on his lap and he was feeding her. I pretended not to notice, but I was disgusted nonetheless.

We have always had a different view of things. I was saving myself for my mate. When I found her, I didn’t want any messy situations. I wanted everyone of my firsts to be experienced with her. Meanwhile, Aiden, who was an actual hulk of a man, ran through she-wolves as fast as he could. Though shifters had many animals given to them, Aiden only ever went with she-wolves. I suspected it was familiar to him.

After dinner, I reminded Aiden of the Sun Chasers party we were attending tonight. I reminded him of the time, he grunted in agreement and I went about my day getting ready. When the time came to meet, to no surprise Aiden was not around. I went searching for him to find him in the rec room, his arms around the she-wolf from breakfast showing her how to play pool. “Did you forget something?” He looked up at me before realizing. “Oh yeah I forgot we have to go try to secure that alliance” he mumbled. “Also it is the heirs 18th birthday I know the Luna is hoping she will find her mate.” My eyes shown with hope. I did hope she would be mine. I had yet to meet my mate and it was not for lack of trying. I was convinced this meant that my mate was not yet of age. Aiden and I were only 21. It would not be unlikely of a thing. “Sure thing buddy I hope that goes well for you” Aiden put a hand on my shoulder. He turned to give the she-wolf a peck on the cheek before heading off to get ready.

It took him forever to get ready. At least it wasn’t a long drive. When we got there, the party was in full swing. We beelined to the Alpha and Luna. I knew Aiden was seeking an audience with them. I kept scanning the crowd and sniffing the air. My hopes fell, no luck tonight. That is when I heard Aiden say mate and start heading toward the pack house. “Please excuse me Alpha, Luna.” I bowed down, showing my respect as I moved away. “No f*****g way did that man w***e find his mate before me.” I growled under my breath. I headed over to where they were serving alcohol and ordered one. This was going to be a long night. The only joy I felt was from being able to see all those she-wolves faces when Aiden brought home a Luna. I know they all slept with him hoping he would make them his.

I stood at the bar like this for a while nursing one drink. Times like these, I wished I was a bigger drinker. Even when I was upset and disappointed, I could barely bring myself to drink. I felt a familiar large hand on my shoulder spinning me around. “Hey what the-“ my sentence was caught off as I looked not at my Alpha but the figure that stood next to him. She was about a head shorter than me, her auburn hair was pulled up, leaving strands floating around her face. Her eyes were wide and doll-like, blue like ice cutting into your soul. She had pouty lips that begged to be kissed. I stood making eye contact with her. It was no mate bond but there was something there. Something I had never felt before. I reached out to touch her when I was snapped back to reality by my Alpha's low warning growl. I made eye contact with him and then looked at their hands locked together. “Luna?” I asked him, my heart sinking. Why was I this upset? Meanwhile, he beamed “Absolutely, Lyra darling, this is my Beta Damien”. I bowed my head respectfully, trying not to look at her. “Pleasure to meet you Luna”, I gave a weak smile. “Oh come on now man, I know you didn’t find your mate tonight but I did let’s celebrate!” He roared, ordering drinks from the bartender.

The night was relatively smooth. I caught Lyra’s eyes a couple of times and thought I saw something there. I had to shake my head and remind myself she was with her mate and anything I saw was directed toward him. I just happened to see it. When I retired for the night, I made my way to the guest room Aiden and I had been assigned and sighed as I sat on the bed looking at the other bed.

Not long after, I lay down the door to the room opened and Aiden sulked in. My eyes went wide with surprise. “Shouldn’t you be up there in your mates room doing what you usually do?” He grunted at me. “She would prefer we take it slow so I’m going to sleep here for the night.” I chuckled at this. “Slow, that’s gonna be hard for you huh?” He just gave me a death glare and plopped down on his bed. “Go to sleep.” He ordered. I did as I was told but I couldn’t help smiling about the fact he was in the guest room. Why was I so happy about this?