An Alphas Special Mate (Book One)

Chapter Three

The sun beamed into Lily's room feeling warm against her skin. She slowly opened her eyes to the sunlight. She felt like the sun was wrapping her up in a warm embrace. Slowly sitting up looking at the time on the clock. 9AM flashed on the clock as she was getting out of bed. The house sounded quiet as she walked out of her room.

She headed down the stairs to the kitchen and noticed it was empty. No one was in the living room and no one was in the backyard messing with the motorcycle Zach had bought. She figured her dad must have gone to the pack meeting and her brother must have gone to a football practice.

As Lily sat outside enjoying the sun she noticed Nina sneaking out of the Alphas house. Their eyes met and Nina snickered. She gave Lily a smug look as she flipped her red hair over her shoulder wearing what looked like to be one of Darren's t-shirts. Lily went back to enjoying the silence. She closed her eyes for a second.

The sound of the screen door swung open behind her. She tilted her head back to see her brother standing there with two mugs. Both mugs of tea she was assuming. She took her cup and gave her brother a weak smile. Zach smiled at his sister as he sat down enjoying his cup of tea. He noticed she looked different.

“So did you shift last night?” Zach asked.

Lily turned to her brother with wide eyes.

“Uh… uh… No,” Lily stammered.

Zach stared down at  her at his sister as she stammered. He could tell something was up with her. Maybe she had met her mate last night and something had happened.

“Did you meet your mate?” Zach asked.

He watched as her face went sad at his question.

“Did your mate hurt you?” Zach asked.

She could tell he was getting angry so she lied.

“No I didn’t meet  my mate,” Lily said.

She had promised Darren she wouldn’t say anything. She was going to keep that promise. Lily seemed to sink in her chair. Her mouth formed a frown. Zach noticed his sister's reaction and stopped pestering her. He was worried that something happened. But dropped it till she was ready to say anything.

“I thought you had practice today,” Lily said.

“Nope just finally got to sleep in. Dad had an early meeting with Alpha, a couple Sentinels, and some of the Hunters(Warriors). They have a meeting with the elders,” Zach said.

“Oh I see,” Lily said.

“Dad said he has the whole day planned for you. That he should be home by noon the latest,” Zach said.

Lily nodded and stared out at the woods. She kept replaying the early morning over and over in her head. Replaying his words over and over. Feeling herself sink further into sadness. Zach could feel the heavy air around his sister.

“Look I’m going to work on my bike. If you wanted to take a nice hot bath,” Zach said.

“Thank you,” Lily whispered.

She got up slowly and headed back inside to take a nice hot bath. Zach sighed as he watched her walk into the house. He ran his fingers through his hair before heading over to the tarp and his bike. Uncovering the tools he started to work back on his engine.

Darren turned over in his bed with his barely opened eyes he could see that it was only 9AM. He sighed not wanting to get up or even move for that matter. Trying to pull the covers over his head to force himself to get more rest. He could feel another sharp pain in his chest. Sitting up in his bed knowing he wasn’t going to get any rest with the pains he kept feeling.

He got out of bed checking out at the window to see if he could Lily. But all he could see was that her bed was made with clothes lying across her bed. Darren yawned as he grabbed a towel and headed to take a shower. He turned on the shower to get it nice and hot. As the room filled with steam he got in letting his head drop. Water rushed down his head as he stood under the shower head. His mind was running wild with everything that happened just this morning.

Lily was soaking in a hot bubble bath. She clipped her hair up in a clip and rested her head back on the pillow she had in the tub. The water felt calm and comforting against her body. She felt tears slide down her cheeks as she laid there. The silence that filled the room only caused her more pain. The silence let her mind replay this morning over and over in her head. She pulled her knees into her chest quietly sobbing to herself.

Darren was drying his hair as he stood in his room. He looked out the window and saw her clothes were still lying on her bed. 

‘This is ridiculous,’ he thought.

He sighed as he grabbed a pair of jeans with a black tank and his converse sneakers. The door closed quietly behind him as he left the room heading towards the kitchen. His mother's voice echoed and could tell that she was on the phone. The kitchen smelled of blueberry and black berry pies. Counters covered in flour and pie pans. Jessica waved to her son as she was on the phone. Apron draped around her small frame with her raven black braided back so hair wouldn’t get in her way. Jessica was making a lot of ‘Yes’ ‘uh huh’ ‘oh of course’ as she talked on the phone.

Darren watched his mother as he grabbed a bottle of water and an apple. Heading outside to leave his mom in peace as he ate his apple. As the screen door closed behind him his vision caught Zach working on his bike. He had begun to walk over to Zach who was focused on putting the engine back together.

“Hey man,” Darren said.

Zach looked up smiling at Darren. Grease marks on his hands and some on his face.

“Sup,” Zach said.

“Nothing saw you and thought I’d chill for a bit,” Darren said.

Darren took a seat in a chair and continued to eat his apple. Zach wiped his hands with a rag as he sat down in the other chair. The spring air circled around them as they sat there.

“I think Lily met her mate,” Zach said.

Darren started to choke on his apple shocked at what Zach had said. He coughed as Zach pounded on his back.

“Jezz man smaller bites,” Zach said.

When Darren finally regained his composure he turned back to Zach with a shocked looked.

“Uh… what do you mean?” Darren stammered.

Zach sighed and leaned back in his chair.

“She was acting weird this morning. Her face looked sad and heart broken. I’m worried her mate rejected her,” Zach said.

Darren became nervous.

“Well what did she say when you asked her?” Darren asked.

“Told me she hadn’t met her mate,” Zach said.

Darren relaxed at those words.

“Maybe she hasn’t and that’s why she is sad,” Darren said.

Zach sighed.

“Maybe you're right. I just... I know how the younger pack mates treat her. Acting like I can’t see how they talk to her. She is a strong girl and she doesn’t let their words bother her, but their words bother me,” Zach said.

Darren looked at Zach and patted his shoulder.

“Yeah well that’s what happens when you're a big brother. Trust me I know how it is too,” Darren said.

Darren really didn't have to worry about Elizabeth. She was popular with everyone. Strong in her training session. One of the top students in her class. He couldn’t even do the big brother role with her mate seeing how her mate was at the top of his Hunter training and class. He knew she was safe with her mate.

But with Lily since her arm had been so badly damaged the young pups saw her as a cripple. She could never hold a weapon or even fight with hand on hand contact. She couldn’t even train her body. Even though the older wolves in the pack treated her like she was a hero the younger pups didn’t see that. Even though she had risked her life to save her mother and Luna the pups didn’t see it as that. To them they saw it as both Luna and Beta had risked their lives to protect her.

“What time is it?” Zach asked.

Darren shook his head. He looked at Zach confused by his question. 

“Dude what time is it?” Zach asked.

Darren pulled out his phone to read the time. He saw he had multiple messages from Nina. Even had a couple of messages from Evelyn and Maggie.

“Uh… it’s say 10:44AM,” Darren said.

“I gotta shower real quick before my dad gets back. Stay here dude I wanted to discuss our plan for the next football practice. This is going to be our last practice before our last game,” Zach said.

Darren nodded as he went through all his text. He could hear Zach get up from the chair, and then the screen door slammed closed behind him. Darren was enjoying the peace and quiet. He could hear the bird chirping above him. The wind gave a sweet smell. It smelled like honey. He took a deep breath in taking in the honey smell. The smell got stronger as he heard the screen door open.

“Dude that was a fast shower. Are you sure you even showered at all,” Darren said with a laugh.

He looked up and saw it was Lily. The honey scent circled around her. It came off of her like a wave. Darren stared at Lily in awe as she stood there in a pair of blue denim shorts with a black baby doll top covered in cherry blossoms. Her hair bounced around as she walked over to her mini garden.

When Lily saw Darren sitting in a chair she felt herself catch her breath. She quickly walked over to her mini herb garden picking up her watering can to water them.

“Sorry, I thought you were your brother,” Darren said.

Lily only nodded as she began to water her herbs. Darren watched the way the shorts cupped her bottom nicely and she bent over to water the plants he could feel his body reacting. Some of the pups were jogging by them for their training running through the woods. He was glad that he didn’t have to do that training anymore. Zach and him had what you call graduated from the class. So all they had to do was focus on their senior year. 

Darren caught some of the male pups eyeing Lily as she was bent over. Licking their lips and making howling noises at her. She looked up at them confused at their noise. Darren got up and growled at them loud causing them to jump and continue on their run. He looked at Lily who was shaking at Darren growl.

“Sorry. Ignore those guys,” Darren said.

Darren sat back down and looked in the opposite direction. He had no reason to be possessive over her. He knew he couldn’t have her as a mate. Knew that the younger pups would never accept her as their Luna. Hell he couldn’t accept her as his Luna. But as he thought that his gut began to turn in pain.

Lily noticed that Darren's hands were on his stomach. She headed into the house going for her herbs to make him a tea with ginger, rosemary, and peppermint. She added a bit of honey to help the coating the tea for his stomach. She brought it out and handed it to Darren. Darren could smell the honey scent like it was on top of him. As he looked he saw Lily holding a mug.

“It's tea. It will help with your stomach pain,” she whispered.

Darren reaches for the mug. He could feel the electricity coming off her skin into his hands. Their bond trying to break out their skin. Once Darren had the mug in his hands Lily quickly pulled away not wanting to feel any more of the electricity.

“Thank you,” Darren said.

Lily nodded before turning back to her garden. She started to continue watering her garden. Darren watched her carefully taking in every curve her body. Taking in every scar that covered her arm and some of her back. He was taking in every inch of her in his mind. Enjoying every inch of her and the honey scent that came from her. His body reacting to watching her. Licking his lips as she pushed her hair behind her ear. He wanted her.

The screen door slammed open knocking Darren out of his trance. He quickly crossed his legs over his lap in pain. Trying to hide what his body was doing. Zach came out stretching after his hot shower. He looked at Lily who was putting her watering can in its usual spot.

“Garden coming out really nicely,” Zach said.

“Yeah,” Lily said.

Zach turned to Darren who was looking away at the woods suspiciously. He then looked back at Lily and then back to Darren before shrugging his shoulders. Sitting back down next to Darren, Zach stretched his legs out.

“So about practice,” Zach said.

“Yeah I was thinking we’d let the younger kids do their thing. It's our senior year. We already got our scholarships. We should just have fun with it,” Darren said.

“I agree we might as well enjoy our senior year,” Zach said.

The screen door closed as Lily walked back into the house. She was making some snacks for Darren and Zach. She was cutting up some apples with peanut butter. Grabbing the picture of lemonade and the glasses. She loaded the push carriage Zach had made her. Darren and Zach were laughing as Lily pushed the cart to them.

Darren stood up quickly and helped Lily push the carriage. It was as his body had moved on his own. He wanted to help his mate. Zach was confused for a second but then smiled. Lily was a little shocked.

“The snack looks good,” Darren said.

“Lily makes the best lemonade,” Zach said.

“Thank you,” Lily whispered.

Lily took a seat and was shocked when Darren handed her a glass of lemonade. He sat back down after grabbing himself a drink and continued to talk to Zach. She stared at the glass in front of her and smiled slightly. She caught herself quickly and held back the small smile. She remembered her promise to Darren. She began to drink her lemonade.

Scott truck pulled up to the house to see his kids, and Darren was sitting outside. Nathaniel got out of the truck slamming the door. Zach and Darren turned to see their dad’s and waved to them. Lily looked at her father with a smile. Nathaniel reached into the back of the truck carrying what looked like big things of meat.

“Darren get the grill ready. We are going to throw Lily a birthday bash/barbecue,” Nathaniel said.

Lily looked at her father confused.

“Lily, come over here we got a big surprise for you,” Scott said.

Lily got up and walked over to her father. As they got to the back of the truck she could see what was in there. It was three large boxes of green houses. She was in shock that her father had gotten them for her. Zach had come around to look at the back of the truck.

“Wow dad, those look great,” Zach said.

“Thank you,” Lily said.

Darren had gotten the grill started when he saw Lily's eyes light up. She was in awe of what was in the back of the truck. He smiled as he watched her, but jumped as his father coughed behind him. Nathaniel had seen how his son looked at her.

“What are you doing?” Nathaniel asked.

“Nothing,” Darren said.

Nathaniel watched as his son was checking on the propane tank. He shook his head and walked over to Scott's truck. Scott smiled as his daughter seemed to light up with excitement.

“Lily I know that this is going to be your birthday party, but I was hoping to make a couple of announcements to the pack tonight. It is important,” Nathaniel said.

Lily looked at Nathaniel and nodded in agreement. Nathaniel beamed a huge grin as he ruffled Lily's hair.

“Okay guys let’s get to setting up the party. Lily go into the house and relax. You are not to lift a finger,” Nathaniel said.

Lily nodded and headed into the house. She pretended that she was okay with this but as he back was turned away her face turned into a frown. Darren watched as she walked into the house knowing something was wrong as she walked into the house.

“Get that grill going Darren, this is going to be a bash,” Nathaniel said.

Darren sighed and turned back to the grill. He knew that tonight was going to be a long night.