My Beta's Mate

Rest

Sam

I wake up and realize that this is the first time in months that I have slept through the night. When you're an Alpha, many pack deaths just hit you differently. Last night, I slept through the night without any dreams. I roll over and realize that it's almost nine. Good thing that it's Saturday.

I head downstairs to the entire kitchen and start making pour-over coffee.

"Still a coffee snob, I see," says my Omega Liam as he drinks his black coffee from the breakfast buffet.

"Still drinking coffee that tastes like motor oil, I see," I shoot back. He snickers and keeps drinking.

I hear a gasp and look up. I see my Mother, Ruby, and my Father, Dan, has returned from their hiking trip.

"Sam, you look like hell. How long has it been since you've taken a day off?" my mother asks, caring for me and scolding me simultaneously.

She's not wrong. I have bags under my eyes, and I need a haircut.

"Your father and I are back and will take care of pack duties if anything comes up. Lilly, Jewel, And Amanda are going to town to pick up a few things for our anniversary party. You should go with them and, for the love of the Moon Goddess, get a haircut." continues my mother in typical Luna fashion.

Liam is full-out laughing now. Traitor. He is supposed to have my back.

"And take your Omega with you. So both of you enjoy the day," she says, shooing us away.

I head upstairs to shower and change and pick out something to wear. —good pair of jeans, nice boots, a t-shirt, and a flannel.

As I dress, I realize how long it's been since I've gone out. Has it been that long? Sure I've left for pack duties, but damn. It's been six months or more since I've gone out and done something for fun. I find all three girls and my Omega chatting downstairs and immediately notice that Jewel isn't in black. She's in a white T-shirt and jeans, and her smile reaches her eyes.

"Good morning, Alpha; nice of you to finally join us," she says, teasing me.

"Good morning, Beta; the Luna forced me on a trip that I wasn't expecting," I say with a shrug.

We head out and decide to take mine and Liam's jeep. Sometimes getting back on pack lands can be challenging if it rains.

"Boo, I wanted to take my car. But, unfortunately, I can't drive a manual," says Lilly, pouting.

"I can. My Jeep in California was a stick shift," replies Jewel.

"

Okay, but baby her. She is my baby," says Liam, gently patting his jeep.

I roll my eyes. We head into town.

The girls head towards the mall with a list from my mother, and we head to the nearest Barber Shop. My usual barber cuts my hair. Unfortunately, I am leaving the sides short and the top long.

"

What a hipster," says Liam as he gets his usual cut. Short all over, but not quite bald.

"Shut it, "I say back.

We head to the nearest coffee shop, order, and sit down. "So, what's up with you and the Beta?" says Liam, taking a sip of his coffee.

"What do you mean? There's nothing up with Jewel and me. She asked if she could stay as my Beta, and I agreed. There isn't a wolf strong enough to take over the Beta position yet and she's doing one hell of a job." I say almost defensively.

"I don't mean work-wise. Why isn't she our Luna new yet?" asks Liam.

I almost spit out my coffee. Is it that obvious that I'm in love with her?

"Is it that obvious?" I ask, suddenly embarrassed. Does she know too? Is she just pitying me?

"Is what obvious? That you're both young, attractive, and attracted to each other, but ignoring the elephant in the room? Yes, that shows." says Liam with a smile.

" I can't be with Jake's mate. What kind of @sshole falls in love with his Beta's mate?" I realize my slip-up too late.

Liam whistles under his breath. "In love? Really? That I didn't know, but Jake wasn't an @sshole. He would want you to be happy. He would want his mate to be taken care of. Dude, if anyone deserves to be happy, it's you. You took over the pack right when you turned eighteen. You lost your mate the next day. You've been running the pack for three years without a Luna. Granted, your parents help when needed, but still. You aren't an @sshole, and you deserve to be happy." says Liam finishing his speech.

I sigh.

"I don't know where to start, dude. She's still hurting." I say.

"Take it slow and see how it goes," says Liam with a shrug. Before we can continue, I get a mind link from Jewel telling us all of the stuff Luna ordered won't fit in Liam's jeep. So we leave and head towards the mall. Pulling into the parking lot next to the girls, they have extra bags and packages.

"Wow, Luna loves planning a party," says Liam as he grabs the bags, mainly alcohol and food, and puts them into our jeep.

"Nice haircut, Alpha. Looking more like our leader and less like a shaggy dog," says Amanda.

"Thanks for that, Amanda," I say as we leave. We all decide to eat at a local Thai place. We all order our usual, and I notice that Jewel contains a vegetarian dish.

"Just in the mood for tofu, or are you vegetarian?" I ask, not expecting her answer.

"Um yeah, I guess. I've been a vegetarian for three years now. It's possible as a werewolf, I promise. I take some supplements that my pack doctor prescribed." Jewel shrugs.

"

I like your haircut, by the way. It suits you," she says, smiling at me. But, goddess, I hope that she can't hear my heartbeat.

"Uhh, thanks," I mumble.

"Wait, how does your wolf feel about being vegetarian?" asks Liam, butting into our conversation.

"

She wasn't fond of it at first, but now she doesn't mind. It works for us." She says with a smile.

Our food arrives, we dig in and head home just as the sun sets.