An Alphas Special Mate (Book One)

Chapter Four

There were plenty of tables with tablecloths on them and different arrays of food set up. Tiki torches and lights were strung up all over the back yard. Music played over the speakers. The pack was enjoying the barbecue. Everyone was laughing and having fun. Lily was cornered by a couple of elders in the pack.

“Oh you must be happy to have turned 16,” one said.

“Oh yes now you will meet your mate,” another said.

“I hope,” Lily lied.

Lily was nervous being around these many peoples. She stood there as long as she could. But she felt like she was stuck. They commended her as a hero and reminded her that she was respected by all the elders.

Darren, Zach, Marcus, Nina, Maggie, and Evelyn were all sitting at an empty table talking and laughing. Nina and Maggie were practically in Darrens lap while Evelyn stood behind Darren playing with his hair. Marcus and Zach scoffed at Darren.

“Must be nice to be so popular,” Darren said.

Darren giggled nervously.

“Hey ladies would you mind grabbing us some drinks,” Darren said.

“Of course,” they said in unison.

As the girls walked away. Darren sighed in relief. Marcus and Zach laughed at Darren. 

“What?” Darren said.

“Dude you are so popular. I think when you officially find a mate. Those girls are going to tear your mate apart,” Zach said.

Darren knew what Zach said was very true. He knew if those girls ever found that Lily was his mate. They’d make her life a living hell. Marcus laughed a hearty laugh at Zach's comment. Marcus had short blonde hair with green eyes. He had a lot of girls that followed him around when they were at school. Marcus was a couple months older than Lily and was trying to go for the Captain position of the football team.

“So Zach I’ve noticed Lily has gotten a lot prettier. Her 16th birthday really brought out her beauty,” Marcus said.

Marcus was watching Lily. His eyes followed her as she stood talking to some elders. He noticed how the curves of her body stood out more and how her hair shined against the lights. Darren was watching Marcus trying not to growl at his comment.

“That's my sister,” Zach said.

“Sorry I just had to say that,” Marcus said.

Zach rolled his eyes at Marcus.

“Maybe I could ask her out,” Marcus said.

“No,” Darren said.

Marcus and Zach looked at Darren with a weird look on their faces. Darren knew he had to cover up his response fast before they got any thoughts in their heads.

“I mean she is most likely waiting for her mate. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up,” Darren said.

“Hey it doesn’t hurt to try,” Marcus said.

“Don’t push Lily too much tho,” Zach said.

Marcus smiled at his buddies as he sat there watching Lily. Darren was yelling and screaming in his mind as he stared at Marcus. The girls came back over with plenty of drinks in their arms. They laid the drinks down on the table. Nina was practically back in Darren lap. Maggie and Evelyn were sitting next to Marcus and Zach. Maggie was wearing a black sundress. She had her golden locks curled into a beachy wavy style. Evelyn was wearing a pair of jeans with a green crop top which made her green eyes pop. She had hazelnut hair that was done in a cute long bob.

“What are you guys talking about?” Nina asked.

“Oh just how much more beautiful Lily got,” Marcus said.

“Lily,” Nina said with a disgusted look.

The girls looked over at Lily.

“Her hair does seem shinier,” Evelyn said.

“And her skin is definitely glowing,” Maggie said.

Nina laughed at their response.

“All I can see is a weak pathetic person,” Nina said.

Zach was ready to yell at Nina. But Darren shoved her off his lap onto the ground. He picked up a soda and stood up. Nina was in shock at what had just happened. Nina stood up brushing off her black little dress. She huffed as she sat back down on the bench.

“Sorry you were making my legs fall asleep,” Darren said.

Darren continued to drink his soda as he stood next to Zach. Zach was trying so hard not to laugh just like everyone else. They were all trying to mask hiding back their laugh by drinking some of the drinks that the girls had brought over.

“Ladies thank you for the drinks,” Zach and Marcus said.

“Oh your welcome,” Evelyn said.

“My pleasure,” Maggie said.

They continued on with their conversations ignoring the situations that had just happened. Nathaniel, Scott, and Jessica were all talking with a couple of the elders. The elders were praising them about their children and how much they have grown.

“Scott has Lily shifted yet?” an elder asked.

“Has she found her mate?” another asked.

Scott couldn’t answer them. But as they began to pester them more the head elder coughed at them. She came over with her cane and pointed it at some of the elders.

“Now, now stop pestering him. Lily is a special girl. In her own time she will shine,” the elder said.

Marie stood 4’9” wearing an emerald green dress with a black shawl. Her grey hair was up in a nice braided bun. She hobbled closer and nudged the alpha.

“Nathaniel you should be helping your friend,” Marie said.

“Yes ma’am,” Nathaniel said.

Scott and Jessica laughed at how quickly Nathaniel demer changed around Marie. She always kept Nathaniel on his toes. Even when they were younger she kept him on his toes.

“Marie how are you?” Jessica asked.

“Been very well. Ever since Lily gave me that herbal lotion she made me. My joints have never felt better,” Marie said.

“I bought her some stuff for her to make some herbal tea for her birthday,” Scott said.

“You tell me when she makes her first batch,” Marie said.

“Yes ma’am I will,” Scott said.

They continued to have their conversation with the elder. Meanwhile Lily was trying to get away from all the conversation she was starting to feel overwhelmed with everyone asking her questions. Every time she got away from another group. She would be surrounded by a new group of people. The air around her was starting to feel heavy. She pulled at the hem of her shirt.

“Lily, how is your studies going,” Beth asked.

Beth is the head doctor of the pack hospital. She had beautiful fiery red hair that was in beautiful spirals. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans with a white tank top tucked into her jeans. Lily smiled slightly in relief at Beth's presence.

“It’s going great. I actually got more books from the library to study from,” Lily said.

“Well that’s good. You should keep broadening your horizon with the herbs. Actually there is a class next weekend. I think you should check it out,” Beth said.

Beth mate came up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist. He stood behind Beth 6’1” with wavy blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. He was also a doctor in the pack hospital, but he was also human. He knew about our world and quickly was accepted just as he quickly accepted us.

“Ah Lily happy birthday,” Eric said.

“Thank you,” Lily said.

Eric kissed Beth cheek.

“Honey sorry to pull you away, but I could use you over there with the kids. They don’t want to eat their food,” Eric said.

“Oh okay. Lily happy birthday and I’ll send you all the info for the class,” Beth said.

“Thank you Beth I can’t wait,” Lily said.

Lily watched as they walked away over to their kids. She smiled at the sight of their family. She realized that she was free when she found she was alone. A sigh of relief escaped Lily's lips as she relaxed to being alone. Just as she was about to get some food she again was cornered by some of the packs people. She tried looking around trying to find someone or anyone to use as an excuse, but she noticed everyone was busy.

“Lily tell us how everything is going?”

“Did you find your mate?”

“Did you shift?”

“Don’t worry you're still young if you haven’t found your mate.”

“Lily do you have plans for your future?”

So many questions were being asked at once. She felt like she was drowning in the questions. Darren felt a panic tugging in his head. He turned to look in Lily's direction and noticed she was being cornered.

“Looks like Lily could use some help,” Marcus said.

“Oh I should go help her,” Zach said.

“Hey don’t worry I got it,” Marcus said.

Darren stood up before anybody else could. He walked over to Lily and smiled at the people in his pack. Nina huffed and crossed her arms over her chest as she watched Darren walk over to Lily.

“What’s that about?” Maggie asked.

“I don’t but I don’t like it,” Nina said.

Darren stood very close to Lily. Almost like he was protecting her from them and all their questions.

“I’m sorry ladies and gentleman, but I’m going to steal the birthday girl,” Darren said.

Darren pulled Lily away from the group before anyone could object. He pulled her away to where no one could see them under one of the huge oak trees. Lily back was against the oak tree staring up at Darren with a very confused look.

“Thank you,” Lily whispered.

“Stay here,” Darren said.

Darren quickly turned on his heel and walked away from her. Lily felt a pain in her heart. She was biting her lips trying to hold back the tears. Feeling foolish for starting to think he might care. She sat against the tree feeling legs weak. Pulling her knees into her chest as she sat there trying not to cry.

Darren had loaded up two plates full of food and grabbed a couple of drinks. He was heading back to Lily when he noticed she was sitting and looked like she was about to cry. The pain she was feeling was starting to make his stomach turn. He quickly headed over to her.

“Here you haven’t eaten,” Darren said.

Lily looked up at Darren with wide eyes as he handed her a plate of food and something to drink.

“Thank you,” Lily whispered.

She was in a little shock at Darren's kind gesture to her. She began to eat her food slowly. Darren watched as she ate her food. He unconsciously smiled at her. Lily looked at Darren and blinked at him a couple of times.

“Why?” Lily asked.

“Huh,” Darren said.

“Why did you help me?” Lily asked.

Darren opened his mouth to talk, but quickly shoved food into his mouth. He didn’t know why he did it. Hell he didn’t even know why he was sitting with her. He just knew that subconsciously he wanted to do anything for her at that moment. Lily sighed when she didn’t get a response from him.

“I know I’m not the ideal mate. But I was hoping that when I did find my mate that my mate would actually accept me for me,” Lily whispered.

Darren hearing her words caused a sharp pain to his heart. He knew he shouldn’t have done what he had to her. They sat there in silence for a while as they ate. He just didn’t know what to say to her. What words could make up for his actions. The smell of honey filled his nostrils as he sat close to her.

Darren was about to open his mouth when his father came over to them. He looked at the both of them and smiled.

“We’ve been looking for you two,” Nathaniel said.

“I thought Lily could use a break from the pack,” Darren said.

Darren stood up taking the empty drinks and plates from Lily. She sat there looking in awe as Darren held out his hand to her. She hesitantly took his hand. The shock of electricity through both their bodies as Darren pulled her up. Nathaniel watched their interaction and gave a small smile before turning on his heels.

“I’ll see you guys up there,” Nathaniel said.

Lily and Darren looked at each other before breaking away quickly. Nathaniel caught that out of the corner of his eye and shook his head. They followed Nathaniel back to where everyone was. Zach was standing with his father. While Elizabeth stood next to her mother. Lily quickly took her spot next to her father. While Darren took his spot next to his mother.

Nathaniel took his spot in front of the entire pack. Everyone was talking to each other still mingling. Nathaniel waited for a while before he started to get annoyed. Letting out a loud growl getting everyone's attention to him. As soon as he knew he had their attention.

“Thank you all for joining us for this very special occasion. As you all know Darren and Zach are finishing up their senior year. That they both have been accepted to the local college in the town,” Nathaniel said.

As everyone was clapping Scott squeezed his son's shoulder to show how proud he was of him. Nathaniel motioned for Darren to come and stand next to him. Darren smiled at his dad and came to stand next to him as he continued to speak.

“And as you know Darren is the future Alpha of our pack. He has decided on Zach to be his Beta. Zach will be following in his father's footsteps and helping my boy out with leading the pack. They will begin their training this summer before college starts,” Nathaniel said.

Everyone was clapping loudly at the news. As they began to talk with excitement of the news. Nathaniel had been trying to continue with his speech. He let out another loud growl getting everyone attention again.

“As I was saying. They will begin their training. I also know that a lot of you are worried they have not found their mates. But we understand that it might take time for them to find their mates,” Nathaniel said.

Jessica took a step forward to talk.

“I know a lot of you are worried about who could be the future Luna and Beta, but that is not something for you guys to worry about at all,” Jessica said.

She turned to Darren and Zach.

“I have some words for you two tho. When you do find your mate, treat them with the utmost respect. They are there to help you guys grow into the Alpha and Beta we know you will become. So please remember to get to know your mate and protect them from whatever comes your guys way. Just as they will do the same for,” Jessica said.

Jessica took a step back with her daughter and smiled at everyone. She looked towards Darren and Zach with a smile on her face and gentle nod to them.

“Well with all that news out of the way. We are also here to celebrate our special pup who has just turned sixteen. Lily we have all watched you grow and learn. We know you will do special things for this pack as you grow,” Nathaniel said.

People applauded after Nathaniel had finished. Scott pulled his daughter into a tight embrace hug.

“Happy birthday sweetie,” Scott said.

“Thanks dad,” Lily said.

“Let's continue this party. Eat, dance, mingle, and enjoy,” Nathaniel said.

Everyone cheered and went back to partying. Jessica came over to Lily and hugged her tightly.

“I have a birthday gift for you,” Jessica said.

“You don’t have to,” Lily said.

Jessica reached into her dress pocket and pulled out a badge. Lily stared at the badge that sat in her hand.

“I talked to the hospital and got you a visitors pass that you can use at any time to see her,” Jessica said.

Lily stared at the badge in shock. She didn’t know what to say. All she could do was hug Jessica in a tight embrace.

“Thank you so much,” Lily said.

“Your welcome sweetie,” Jessica said.

Jessica pulled back from Lily and excused herself. She held the badge tightly in her hand. Lily found herself alone and was excited to be. She headed towards the bed of her father's now empty truck. Hoping in she laid back staring up at the sky.

Darren and Zach found themselves surrounded with congratulations. Zach was able to escape thanks to his dad. But Darren had to shmooze the elders as he talked to them. He was finally able to escape but decided he needed to hide. Darren was checking around and saw Scott's truck. He opened into the bed and quickly laid back as he could hear footsteps of people.

“Oh he must have gone the other way,” a voice said.

He heard the footsteps start to head the other way and sighed. As he laid there felt a peace being alone. Until he turned his head to see a sleeping Lily. She was curled up on her side. Her hair had fallen slightly in front of her face. Darren laid on his side watching her. He pushed the hair that had fallen in front of her face behind her ear.

‘I know what my mother said was true. I just don’t know what I have to do.’

Darren watched her face as she slept. He got up from the bed of the truck to grab his letterman jacket. He draped it over her leaving her to sleep alone. Lily snuggled into his jacket as she slept.