Lessons in Love

Chapter 17: A Breath of Fresh Whiskey

POV: Beta Ben Westlake

“You have absolutely no idea what her scent is, do you?” My mother whispered to me as I held the door for her.

“Just get in the greenhouse already.” I rolled my eyes as my face blazed for the hundredth time today.

“Luna Claire,” Hannah greeted my mother. Hannah and her family had run the greenhouse for three generations. “What can I help you with today?” She asked, dusting her hands off as she approached us.

“I believe my son is in the market for either roses or jasmine.” My mother winked at me. I must have looked as surprised as I felt because she laughed at me again.

“Jasmine?” Hannah thought for a moment. “I think I might have a couple of small plants left.” She motioned for us to follow her to the back of the greenhouse. “Here we are.” She said, pointing out a small shrub looking plant with white flowers.

I moved closer and breathed it in. This was it. This was Riley’s mate scent. I breathed in again. It was almost like she was standing in front of me. Almost.

“Hannah, can you set these aside and have them sent to Packhouse for my son?” My mother asked, almost nervously.

“Certainly,” Hannah started grabbing pots.

“One more thing, dear,” my mother stopped her. “Can you clip a piece for me?” Hannah did as my mother asked and handed her the clipping.

My mother put it in my shirt pocket and patted it. “You’re going to need it.” She said, and I saw the ghost in her eyes. I turned around to see my father walking towards us. We should have had another hour, but my father was nothing if not consistently ruining things. I took a deep breath and smelled the jasmine in my pocket. I gave mom’s shoulder a gentle squeeze, silently thanking her for the clipping.

“Beta Benjamin,” my father’s voice was louder than it needed to be. “It is time for lunch.” I looked at my watch and got a low volume growl for questioning him.

“Of course, sir.” I said.

My father grabbed my mother a little roughly, dragging her out the door. I mind-linked Rick as we were walking out of the shop. “I smell whiskey.” I said.

“He’s drained two flasks.” Rick replied.

It was 11 a.m., so the pub would be serving lunch and alcohol. We entered to find most of my parents' neighbours already in the bar. There was a cheer as my father entered. He would hold court here for the rest of the day, with a glass in his hand, I realized. My only hope was that he wouldn’t buy rounds for his friends all day.

“A round for everybody!” He hollered, much to he delight of the crowd. I managed to stifle a groan. My father put himself at a table in the center of the place, where it was next to impossible for Rick and I to guard them properly. It's not like they were in real danger here, but it was the principle of it. Marcus would never have done this.

People were walking up and toasting with him. I could see my mother getting nervous with each passing shot he downed. Two hours and four more free rounds later, the bar was filling up as the news the Alpha was buying drinks spread through the festival.

He got up and grabbed me by the scruff of the neck. “Have a drink with me, boy.” He demanded. He squeezed the back of my neck tightly.

I was 10 years old again in a heartbeat. My hand shook, and not even the sweet jasmine in my pocket could quell the fear and anger gripping my body. I stood frozen, unable to speak. The only thing I was capable of doing was guarding my emotions in the hopes that Riley wouldn’t feel it.

“Sorry sir,” Rick spoke up quickly. The hand on my neck tightened further. “We’re not permitted to drink while on duty.” Rick moved to look at my father. He stood so close to me that I felt Rick's shoulder brush against mine. It was all he could do to try and calm me down.

Rick and I had been friends since we were small children. Rick had seen every bruise, helped pop in dislocated shoulders, and even helped me run away once. We had trained as warriors and had been promoted together. We'd even wondered if we were fated mates. Rick and I were as tight as people got.

“One drink won’t hurt, right boys?” My father turned his drinking buddies. The rowdy group lifted their glasses, encouraging us.

“Rick is right.” I found my voice under his grip. “It’s protocol, sir. Rules are rules.” My father released his grip roughly, pushing me forward slightly. I didn’t lose my balance, but I had to take a half step forward to avoid losing it.

“More for us then boys!” He turned to the group. “Another round for everyone!” He yelled.

I couldn’t smell anything over the sweat of the bodies and the whiskey that was being passed around. I was starting to feel ill from it. My mother looked like she was ready to vomit, too. Another 45 minutes went by, and I saw Sam work his way through the crowd. The naked concern on his face made me nervous. Was he here because of Riley, I had to wonder. Was she okay?

“Sam is here to relieve you.” Rick mind-linked me with a pat on my shoulder. I furrowed my brow and shook my head. “I know you out rank me, but you need to get out of here. Take your mom and go.” He said. “We can handle it.”

I mind-linked my mother and told her to say she wasn’t feeling well. She told my father, and he grunted at her, unimpressed that she wasn’t having fun.

She got up and moved through the crowd to me. The fresh air of the street was unexpected. I hadn’t realized how suffocated I felt in there. I moved us to the little space between two of the buildings, leaned with my back to the brick wall, and just breathed.

“Are you okay?” She asked gently.

“Yeah,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Do you want to me have a look?” She asked. I shook my head as I looked at her. “Well,” she gave me a tentative smile. “Rusty’s?” She asked with a nervous smile.

“Are you sure?” I asked. “If we get caught mom …”

“I’m the Luna now,” she raised her chin.

“That doesn’t make you untouchable. Not to him.” I growled and immediately regretted it. I raked my hands through my hair and sighed. “I’m sorry.” I said, looking at her. “I’m just worried about what he’ll do to you.”

“I know, sweetheart. But sometimes, you need to have a little fun.” She held her hand out to me. There was mischief in the smile she gave me as I took her hand.

We walked arm in arm towards Rusty’s, I realized the look of mischief wasn’t disobeying my father. It was putting me in Riley’s path. She was surrounded by kids at one of the carnival games. 5 or 6 of the kids were holding stuffed animals. I watched as she handed a little girl a stuffed bear and refocused on the game.

“How did you know?” I asked my mother.

“I asked Sam where he’d come from.” She smiled brightly at me.

“Clever,” I said dryly with a shake of my head.

“Well, come on.” She said, pulling me forward.

“Not yet,” I said quietly. “I just want to watch for a second.”