Roses with Thorns

Chapter 4

*Earlier in the day*

Pete made his way to the game room after he had parted ways with Licia, and sure enough, his friends were all there.

"Tan tah dah, and here comes lover boy" Mich announced in a booming voice as he entered the room. Mich had always been playful and jovial, but sometimes he could get overboard, and if you didn't know this side of him, it could be annoying.

"What am I missing?" Jay Jay asked raising his left eyebrow. As usual, he had a girl draped in his arms as he was playing a video game, this time around it was Camille the pack slut. Pete squinted his eyes trying not to show his irritation at the future Alpha.

"Are you blind bro? haven't you noticed how lover boy right here has been following Licia around like a lost puppy, hoping she would look his way sometime soon?" Mich mocked, wiggling his brows.

"Nosy much" Pete said plunking down beside him and elbowing his ribs. " if you could shut your mousy trap sometimes, it could do us a whole lot of good."

"Ouch, that hurts" he pouted playfully.

At the mention of Licia, Jay Jay suddenly lost interest in the game, the wheels in his brain were turning, could it be that his best friend was also interested in the same girl he was hoping to become his Luna? a girl who right now he wasn't in her good books cos he turned her down as Gama? a girl he was hoping to woo if it turns out in two weeks that she is not his mate?.

He had to play this the cool way so as not to loose on both ends. He couldn't loose his potential Luna and also couldn't loose his best friend and beta. He was very good at strategizing, that was what would make him a great Alpha . . .

He forced a convincing smile on his face as he faced Pete, " What if she doesn't turn out to be your mate bro" he asked.

Pete shrugged "I guess, I'll just get over it, but Boaz is usually more at peace when we are with her". (Boaz is his wolf.)

"And if she doesn't meet her mate in this pack, what happens? Kurt who had been sitting in a chair at the corner of the room sipping his beer silently and watching them suddenly asked.

Jay swallowed a growl not wanting to think about it, but was also curious to know what was on his friend's mind.

Pete smiled a little, "I will give her a year, and ask her to be my chosen mate" Pete sighed dreamily. Jay smiled to himself, thinking he would have enough time to snatch her from his friend if that happens.

Kurt has always been the voice of reason among the friends, he always thought ahead and that gave him an edge as a warrior. He was to take over as head warrior in Jay's regime. He has always been quiet and observant, reading their expressions one by one."what if . . . ."

"I almost forgot" Jay cut him off abruptly, not wanting him to give Pete any positive suggestions. "the badges for tomorrow's event are ready, I think now is a good time as any to give them to you, you are to wear them with your attires for the ceremony tomorrow".

Jay had decided to make different coloured badges for his friends, it was not a big deal since the pack would still be able to differentiate them without it but he just wanted his officials to 'look unique', he could as well give it to them just before the ceremony tomorrow, but he was looking for a way to distract them from the current topic of discussion.

"Kurt, could you please get it from the bedside table in my room," he said "am kind of tired to go up there right now"

Kurt snorted, giving him a slight nod, knowing he was being sent away on a fool's errand, but he didn't say anything, he was suspicious of Jay's intentions, but now was not a good time to query the Alpha to be so he quietly left.

They continued to discuss about preparations for the ceremony and plans for security during the event, they wanted to involve as many pack members as possible but at the same time didn't want to jeopardize security of the pack.

* * * Kurt * * *

I noticed that Jay has been acting weirdly for a couple of days, especially when he sees that Shewolf Licia, I had asked that question to see his reaction, especially now that he knew that his best friend had an interest in her also and he did not disappoint.

I saw the way his eye widened, then he schooled his face to look neutral, and then he interrupted me and sent me on a fool's errand, I know he has something up his sleeves, I just pray that it's something good because Jay never has any good plans when it comes to shewolves, but Licia was too decent for Jay to toy with . . .

He was by Jay's door when a familiar scent hit his nose, and he was sure that it was coming from inside the room, so he quietly opened the door and crept in slowly, trying not to attract too much attention to himself, he closed the door gently behind him and the sight before him brought a huge smile on his face .