Our Human Mate

Chapter Five

The Elders were becoming impatient as we had not found our bonded mate. They held a meeting and ultimately decided it would be best to choose one for us. When the elders chose Mariah as our mate, we were pissed. Ryker and I will be twenty-one in December, and they insisted we have a mate before then. We have been trying to find our bonded mate for a little under a year with no luck. Mariah is sweet, loving, and cares about the pack. But it feels like something is missing, and my wolf longs for more. We were upset when the elders insisted on choosing a mate for us instead of allowing us the time to find our bonded mate. We understand the repercussions of not having a mate due to the peace treaty that is in place. Mariah was part of the rival pack, Blood Rose, and was a condition of the treaty with them. They insisted she be the Luna of our pack with her background of being an Alpha’s daughter.

“Okay,” Mariah says, a little defeated.

“I won’t be gone long, Riah,” I reply.

“Have fun.” She replies softly.

“I will try.” I smile.

Mariah gently wraps her arms around my neck and places a soft kiss on my lips. I lightly squeeze her waist, pulling her closer in for the hug. She softly steps back and begins heading for the door. I finish getting ready and walk to the living room to see if Bryce is ready. He waits for me by the front door and lightly taps his watchless wrist, letting me know we must leave.

“We have to go,” Bryce says, slightly annoyed.

“I’m ready, Bryce, let's go.” I smile.

“Ri,” I say.

“Yes, Kai?” She replies.

“I will see you when I get home, and Ryker should be back before then,” I say.

“Have fun, love, and good luck, Bryce,” Mariah replies.

“Thank you, Mariah,” Bryce says as he exits the front door.

“I’ll be back later,” I say.

I offered to drive us to the game, but Bryce insisted on driving. I am internally laughing because it is still weird that my little brother can drive. Come to think of it, I am not sure that I have ever ridden anywhere with him. Our pack house is about eight miles from the high school, and the traffic is light, so it doesn’t take us long to get there. Bryce parks next to some of his buddies, and we walk up to the field entrance.

“I have to go get ready,” Bryce says.

“Alright, I will go get a seat,” I reply.

“Do you know if Mom is coming?” Bryce asks.

“I will send her a text and ask,” I say.

“Thanks, bro,” Bryce says as he runs off.

“Are you coming to Bryce’s game tonight?” I ask.

“I will try to make it, but I am stuck in traffic on 69,” Mom replies.

“It doesn’t start for about thirty minutes,” I reply.

“I will be there before then; please save a seat for me,” Mom says.

“Already done,” I reply.

“Thank you, sweetheart, see you shortly.” Mom replies.

“You’re welcome, Mom, see ya soon,” I reply.

“Love you,” Mom says.

“Love you too,” I reply.

I am sitting here as the bleachers begin to fill up, and all I can think about is how I am thankful my brother can blend in so well with so many humans. Mom arrives about five minutes before kickoff, and I flag her down once I see her.

“How long until kickoff?” Mom asks.

“About five minutes,” I say as Mom hugs me.

Bryce is the quarterback for his team, the Timberwolves. He has done well on the team and could go pro under different circumstances. Our obligations to the pack sometimes overshadow our personal needs, but we have all accepted it now. Ryker and I have always wanted to be the Alphas of Blood Amber, but Bryce wants more out of life. His loyalties will always be to the pack, but that doesn’t keep a wolf warm on a lonely night. My thoughts are distracted by Mom’s question about Mariah.

“How is Mariah adjusting?” Mom asks.

“She is doing well,” I reply.

“Good,” Mom says with a smile.

The referees enter the field, and the coin flip takes place. The Timberwolves will be kicking off tonight. Shortly after, the game begins, and Bryce is on fire, which is no different than any other game. The crowd goes wild with the first touchdown, and everyone jumps. Mom is so proud of Bryce; you can see it in her eyes. Mom is taller than average, and seeing her standing next to an average-sized woman is funny. I find myself laughing out loud, and when Mom looks over, she narrows her eyes at me.

“What’s so funny?” She asks.

“Nothing,” I say, laughing lightly.

“Are you laughing at me, son?” She asks.

“I’m not laughing at you,” I reply.

“Yes, you are.” She laughs.

“What’s so funny, Kaison?” She asks.

I can’t stand it when she calls me by my full name. I narrow my eyes at her, and she laughs harder. She knows I don’t like being called Kaison and does it to annoy me.

“I can’t stand being called that, Mom, and you know it,” I say.

“But you’re my baby, and I will call you what I want.” She laughs.

“Mom, stop.” I laugh.

She wraps her arms around me and lightly pats my shoulder.

“Okay, I will stop.” She smiles.

The band performs during halftime, and they are pretty good. Directly after the band performs, the Timberwolf cheerleaders take the field. Their routine had improved from the last time I had seen them perform. What makes someone want to be thrown into the air like a sack of potatoes? The crowd is excited after their performance, and if I’m being honest, I don’t blame them. Bryce comes running over to where our mom and I are sitting.

“Kai, come here.” He yells.

I stand up and slowly make my way down the bleachers to him.

“How am I doing?” He asks.

“You’re doing great,” I reply.

“That is always your answer.” Bryce laughs.

“Well, you are always doing great,” I reply.

Bryce looks at me with slight annoyance but laughs.

“Is the food from the stalls any good?” I ask.

“Bro, the corndogs are the best,” he replies.

“Are they?” I laugh.

“You have to go get one,” Bryce insists.

“Do you want one?” I ask.

“No, I can’t eat right now.” He replies.

“Alright, I am going to see if Mom wants one,” I say.

“I gotta get back out there,” Bryce says.

I walk back over to my mom and ask if she would like a corn dog or anything to drink, and she said no. I knew I had to hurry as half-time was about over, and the food stalls were lined up pretty far. The line is moving painfully slowly, and after about ten minutes, I am the next to order.

“What can I get for you?” An older woman asks.

“Can I get two corn dogs and a large coke, please?” I ask.

“Coming right up.” The woman replies.

After a few minutes, the lady hands me a plate with my drink and the two corn dogs. As I return to the bleachers, I am hit by a mouth-watering smell of peppermint. The smell is so strong and desirable my wolf perks up and comes forward. Before I know it, I walk through a crowd and nearly run into someone. The smell of peppermint is overwhelming; my eyes dilate, and my wolf is fronting alongside me. I look down and see the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. She has the most silky, long mushroom brown hair that lands on her mid-back, between her shoulder blades.

“Mate.” My wolf yells internally.