Us Against the World

Chapter 3

Luke

I don't know what happened to me tonight. I could have left Ava at the pub with Tobias and her new friend. I didn't need a babysitter and I felt bad now because I knew she wouldn't question my authority and just leave as I asked. She is my friend but her job comes before all that. I saw her go into the woods but Mila was waiting for me. I've been dating Mila for a couple of months now, she is a nice person but too clingy at times. I mean, she is well educated and very polite so I can see her as a Luna if I don't find my mate. She was studying to be a doctor so she was also smart. We were just waiting to turn 21 and confirmed we were mates but I can already tell this is the way is going. She is perfect for the position. Tonight wasn't the night to stay with her though. I needed to speak to Ava. So after I walked a very disappointed Mila to the pack house I shifted and ran into the woods.

I could see her wolf laying by the lake a couple miles from the pack house without getting out of our territory.

I stepped on a branch and she turn to me.

We could speak through mind link so I didn't shift.

- I am sorry I interrupted your night Ava.

- You don't have to apologize Luke. I am you beta and my job comes before all.

- Then I don't get it Ava. - I asked her, sounding more concerned than I intended.

- What? - She asks

- You are willing to put your position at risk by dating someone from another pack.

- Well, you are getting ahead of yourself.

- You took his number didn't you? - I don't understand my reaction but I can't help it.

- I did, but that doesn't mean anything Luke. In the rare case I find my mate outside of this pack, I will invite him to join, if he doesn't then I will reject him. I won't lose my position over a mate. -

- That's what I thought. - I honestly feel in a better mood now.

I laid next to her watching the river. We were still in our wolfs form. It wasn't strange for me to be this closed to her while shifted so I just enjoyed the moment and closed my eyes.

Ava

Luke was behaving strange. If I didn't know better I would swear he was a little jealous, which was ridiculous. We've been friends forever and I've seen all of his girlfriends. None of them looked like me. I was definitely not his type. But he was everyone's type. He was well build, over 6 feet, hazel eyes with a hint of green, great lips, strong jaw line, soft dark brown hair and light skin. I used to have a crush on him as a kid but I grew out of it. Now I am his beta and his friend and this is as closed as I could get to him and vice versa.

I enjoyed when we did, just enjoying each others company without needing to talk. Now I didn't mind leaving the pub, this is my perfect kind of night. I decided to relax and closed my eyes.

****

After waking up in the middle of the night in the woods with Luke, we ran together back to the pack house and went to our separate rooms to go to bed. It shouldn't have felt any different than before but it kind of did. I decided to take a warm bath and try to sleep for a couple of hours.

I've moved to this room a while back when I was named beta, I choose light colors with a hint of green for decorations. I had a queen sized bed, two night stands, a dresser with a picture frame of my parents and me from when I was a baby, a small book shelf and a small table with two chairs next to my balcony. I've always lived at the pack house because my parents died in a car accident when I was 3 but this room was definitely an upgrade.

At six in the morning we are ready for our morning training. Every morning Luke and I pair together to train, we have a pretty good dynamic when fighting. After an hour of hand on hand combat the training was over so we headed to the pack house for breakfast. Breakfast was served as a buffet. As I was entering the kitchen;

- Ava! Mila was calling me from the other side of the kitchen.

- Mila - I replied without excitement. And looking at her and the other she wolfs surrounding her.

- I was just telling all the girls here how inspiring is to be a female beta. I know you won't look too feminine and well dress most of the time but even Ava found a prospect from another pack of course.

I saw Luke coming our way and gave him a pleading look.

- What was his name again? - Mila asks with fake excitement.

- Carter - I replied nonchalantly. I don't know if I am imagining things but Luke clenched his jaw.

- Yes! Carter, he is the beta of the Black moon pack- Mila keeps telling her story. Until she sees Luke and calls him - Hey Babe! I was just telling the girls...

- I overheard you - Luke cuts her up. - But Mila and I have no time for this. We have pack matters to attend to. We will see you later. - He gave her a chaste kiss.

And that was my opportunity to get out of there.

We had a meeting with his dad and other members. They were slowly training us and making us part of the decisions on all type of pack matters so we could be ready to step in. We had a list of to doe's for today. We've been presented to multiple packs, we've had previous meetings and gatherings.

- Ok then- Lukes dad, Alpha Joe says to adjourn the meeting.

- I do have a suggestion- Mr Clark said, current beta of the pack and Tobias dad - You understand my position as beta of this pack is always to seek the best for it so I suggest Tobias is included in all pack matters with Alpha Luke and Ava. A female beta is not very common and our nature make us take random decisions when we find our mates and I would like to be prepared if that happens to Ava and she decides to leave this pack. - I tensed a little, I understand where he is coming from but I've already explained to him and everyone else that I won't be leaving this pack or my position. He keeps talking - and Ava, don't get me wrong, I've heard you before so take this as a precaution and nothing more.

I nod, I don't mind Tobias running errands with us, he is a great fighter and our friend.

We had a long day doing everything we were assigned today but we had afternoon training with the whole pack.

We trained very hard today, Luke was training as if he was upset but with clouded judgment. I was able to land a couple of good punches at him. Don't get me wrong, I am the best there is, after Luke of course. He was the soon to be Alpha for a reason.

While we were at it again I manage to throw him out of balance, as he was falling he manage to grab my neck and pull me with him.

Our eyes connect for a moment and I swear I saw something different on them. I couldn't point what it was but suddenly I was well aware of our bodies entangled together, his hand grabbing my neck, I felt something between my tights, I could feel his breathing getting heavier.

Then he whispered - I got you-

-You did- and got ready to get up as we saw Tobias approaching us.

- I saw that! - He said to both of us. I panicked a little.

- You though you got him and bang to the floor you garden snail.

I let go the air I was holding.

- A snail really? A snail beat you to the beta position? - He just pushed me and kept making jokes.

I was now tense, something change between Luke and I but I don't know what. And I didn't want to lose my friend or compromise my position as beta so I better get my s**t together.

- Ok everyone- Mr Leland called out. Speaking so everyone could hear him.

-As all of you know, the haze season starts this week. I understand it's important to mate and that you could find your mate in a moment like this but we are the warriors of this pack, therefore is our responsibility to keep it safe. All the unmated she wolfs will be at the fire pit if they want to participate, others I understand will choose to confined themselves. Both options are ok, we just need everyone to be safe. We only have so many females in the team, most of them are mated already so you will be on patrol.  The once that are unmated, - He looks my way- Need to decide soon and will be release from pack duty if necessary. You are all dismissed.

I went back to the pack house without waiting for Luke or Tobias. I needed to figure out a couple things and turn in some final projects. I was almost done with my degree in management.