MATED TO MY SON'S BEST FRIEND

Chapter 2: My Burden

Elijah POV

“You’re distracted, Elijah,” Ethan said, weaving effortlessly past my sluggish punch. His grin widened as he landed a quick jab to my ribs, his laughter a mix of teasing and triumph.

I stepped back, scowling as I adjusted my stance. “I’m not distracted. You’re just lucky.”

“Lucky? Please.” Ethan chuckled, circling me like a predator toying with its prey. “You’ve been throwing punches like a pup who stayed up all night chasing his tail. What’s going on?”

“Keep talking, Ethan,” I warned, narrowing my eyes. “I might just let Marcus spar with you next time.”

He snorted, clearly unimpressed by the mention of our pack’s most relentless warrior. “Still doesn’t explain why you’re off your game. You didn’t even dodge my last hit, and that never happens. Didn’t get enough sleep, or...” He paused dramatically, his grin turning sly. “Don’t tell me. It’s my mom’s cooking, isn’t it? You’re still full from last night!”

The mention of Aurora’s name was like a spark to dry kindling. My wolf growled faintly in the back of my mind, a sound I barely managed to stifle. Warmth flooded through me at the thought of her—unbidden and frustratingly persistent.

“Your mother’s cooking was fine,” I replied tersely, forcing my voice to remain steady. “You, however, are exhausting.”

“Fine?” Ethan gasped, clutching his chest in mock agony. “Fine? That was roasted perfection you ate last night! Admit it—you’re intimidated by how good she is in the kitchen.”

“Intimidated?” I let out a short, humorless laugh, lunging forward in an attempt to wipe that smug grin off his face. “The only thing I’m intimidated by is the amount of nonsense you manage to spew in a single breath.”

Ethan leapt back, laughing as he dodged my strike. “Big words for someone who’s been brooding since dinner. What’s up, Elijah? You’ve been acting weird. Spill.”

I froze, his words hitting closer to the truth than I cared to admit. My thoughts drifted—despite my efforts to keep them contained—back to the warmth of Aurora’s smile, the way her laughter had filled the room, and the undeniable pull I felt every time our eyes met.

“It’s nothing,” I said, the sharpness in my voice enough to stop his teasing.

“Uh-huh,” Ethan replied, raising an eyebrow. “You’re brooding harder than usual, and that’s saying something. What’s the deal? Did someone steal your favorite leather jacket, or is there another reason you’re sighing like a lovesick poet?”

I clenched my fists, my wolf stirring restlessly at the sound of his laughter. “You’re one comment away from running laps around the training grounds.”

“Alright, alright,” Ethan said, holding up his hands in surrender. “But seriously, Elijah, you’ve been acting weird since last night. If something’s bugging you, just say it. We’re friends, remember?”

Friends. That word felt heavy in the moment, a reminder of the bond that tied us together—and of the line I couldn’t cross. How could I explain what was truly bothering me? That every time I thought of his mother, my wolf grew louder, more insistent, pushing me toward an impossible truth.

“It’s nothing,” I repeated, jaw tight as I pushed the thoughts aside. “Let’s just keep sparring.”

Ethan gave me a long, skeptical look before shrugging. “Fine. But don’t come crying to me when whatever it is eats you alive. You’re terrible at hiding your feelings, by the way.”

“Noted,” I muttered, lunging at him again. This time, I knocked him off balance and pinned him to the ground. “Still think I’m distracted?”

He groaned, squirming beneath my hold. “Okay, okay, you win. No need to show off your Alpha strength, geez.”

I let him up, stepping back to give him space. Ethan dusted himself off, his expression softening. “Seriously, though, if something’s bothering you, you can tell me. You know that, right?”

I hesitated, my grip tightening on the emotions threatening to surface. Ethan was my best friend—loyal, honest, and completely oblivious to the chaos brewing inside me. There was no way I could tell him the truth.

“I’m fine,” I said firmly. “Let’s call it a day.”

Ethan frowned but didn’t press further. “Alright, if you say so. But if this is about a girl, you know you can just—”

“It’s not about a girl,” I snapped, sharper than I intended.

He raised his hands in mock surrender, his grin returning. “Okay, okay. Touchy subject. I’ll leave you to your brooding.”

As he walked away, I let out a low growl of frustration, running a hand through my hair. My wolf stirred again, its voice louder this time.

“Mate.”

The word reverberated through me, clear and undeniable. My breath hitched, and I froze in place.

“Elijah?” Ethan’s voice called out, concern lacing his tone. “You’re doing it again—that zoning-out thing. Seriously, man, what’s going on?”

I shook my head, forcing myself to move. “Nothing,” I muttered. “I’ll see you later.”

Ethan hesitated, then shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

As he disappeared into the distance, I exhaled a shaky breath. My wolf’s voice whispered in my mind again, soft but insistent.

“Mate.”

The memories of the previous night came rushing back: the warmth in Aurora’s eyes, the way her voice softened when she said my name, and the jolt of electricity that shot through me every time our gazes locked.

My chest tightened as I tried to push the thought away, but the connection I felt with her refused to be ignored.

“It’s impossible,” I muttered under my breath, as if saying it aloud would make it true.

But deep down, I knew the truth. My wolf had already decided. And there was no going back.

As I left the training grounds, the word echoed in my mind one last time, louder than ever:

“Mate.”