The Alpha's Sister

Chapter 6

I'm absolutely dreading today and my anxiety is through the roof as I walk into the school. I didn't get any decent sleep last night. My wolf was going stir crazy, like she couldn't sleep alone anymore, having found Liam. I had to use extra makeup just so I didn't look half-dead. Not wanting to face Mason, I drove myself in my Jeep this morning. Lexi probably rode with Tyson, which is fine with me. The more people I avoid, the better. I really can't trust myself not to have an emotional break down if the right person confronted me. 

Fate thought I'd be a good Luna, huh? I think she got her wires crossed somewhere. I couldn't blame her, though. In reality, I was alpha blood, Mason's twin. He was a born leader and by all accounts, I should've been, too. I guess, in some ways, I could be. I just never owned that part of me. Other than me being an emotional wreck as of late, I'm just too much of a free spirit to be a good Luna. 

Thankfully, I made it to my locker and to my first class in one piece. As soon as class started, I was distracted with classwork. This was niche, my forte. Books and homework. It came so natural to me. I welcomed the distraction. The next few classes flew by just the same and soon I had forgotten all about yesterday, my secret and the group of people I was avoiding. It wasn't until the bell rang for lunch that all my anxiety came flooding back. 

I took my time heading to lunch, trying to think of what I was going to do when I got to the cafeteria. I really didn't know. What could I do? Lexi would be preoccupied with Tyson and I could handle that. I didn't know how to handle Liam. He was as unpredictable as Colorado weather. I'd have no choice but to play that by ear. Mason would be tricky. We were twins so he knew me better than anyone else, besides Lexi. With just a look, he'd have a full read on me. I wasn't outright lying, though, right? Hopefully, I could put on my best poker face and act like the world is sunshine and rainbows. Would that be enough?

As I walk into the cafeteria, I immediately notice something's wrong. No, not wrong, something is missing. Someone is missing. Liam. He's not in the cafeteria at all. I had use every ounce of self control I had to not run off looking for him. My wolf was dying to be near him again. So Liam skipped lunch, big deal. I get my lunch and sit at the usual table. Mason, Bren, Lexi and Tyson are there. Lexi and Tyson are wound like pretzel, talking and giggling in their own little world. Mason and Bren are making small talk about pack stuff while they eat. 

"Tyson, where's Liam," I ask as I sit down, forcing all emotion from my face and my voice. Mason briefly gives me an odd look but shrugs it off and doesn't think too much of it.

"He didn't come today. He didn't sleep well and said he had pack stuff to handle," said Tyson, not bothering to look away from Lexi. 

"Oh." I honestly couldn't help the disappointment that slipped through as I said that. Mason didn't catch it, though. Actually, I suspect he intentionally didn't catch it.

Bren did catch it. "What's the matter, Hannah? Got a thing for the rival alpha?" That got Tyson and Lexi's attention. They both turned and looked at me, curious as to what was going on.

"Bren!" snapped Mason. "That's my sister. Of course, she's not into Liam. Right, Hannah?"

"Right." I looked Mason straight in the eye as I said it with the best poker face I could muster. "I'm not into Liam. At all. I was just curious why he wasn't here. That's all."

Mason bought it and I felt sick. I've never lied to him before. I didn't want to ever lie to him. I've lied to my dad more times than I could count. I even managed to lie to my mom a few times. Mason had my back each and every time. It felt wrong to lie to him. It physically hurt to do it but what could I do? This secret was too important. Mason was leaner and probably faster than Liam but Liam was pure power and muscle. Mason would be pissed at Liam if he knew, not that it was Liam's fault. You couldn't choose your mate. It would still be a bloodbath, though, and I'm not sure who would win. No, I couldn't tell Mason, not until I made my decision.

Lexi knew something was up, though. She looked at me like she could see right through me, even if she didn't know exactly what I was hiding. Tyson took her attention off me, before I started to squirm under her stare. This was going to be harder than I thought.

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The next two days were fairly uneventful. Liam still wasn't at school. Lexi moved in with Tyson and they now sat at the Bloodmoon pack table. Being the Beta's mate meant she also held a position, or at least a status, and she needed to get to know the pack members. So she had left me alone so far. I was actually starting to miss her. With Mason and Bren, life had been almost normal. I was getting less and less sleep, however, and makeup could no longer hide that fact. Mason was starting to get concerned. I brushed it off as school stress but he didn't believe me. I never stressed about school. Still, I didn't have a better excuse and I couldn't tell him the truth, that my wolf just wanted her mate. 

Today was Friday, which meant one more day until the weekend and I could let go of the anxiety for a couple days. Like the rest of the week, I drove myself. It helped give a few extra minutes by myself where I didn't have to keep up the facade.

"Hey Hannah! Wait up!" Well, it wasn't going to last forever. I turn to see Lexi trying to catch up with me as I'm heading to my last class before Lunch.

"What's up," I ask.

"Well, I was actually wondering if we could go to the little cafe down the street for lunch, just you and me? I had something to ask you and to be honest, I miss you. It's only been a couple days but not having you around is driving me nuts. Dealing with a new pack and Tyson is so much new stuff to me. I'm feeling overwhelmed and I need a little bit of normal. I need my best friend." She looked at me, hopeful I'd say yes. She looked like she needed to breathe from her new world. It actually made me feel guilty and selfish for keeping my secret from her. She needed me and I'd been consumed with my own problems. Not only had I not been there for her, but she wasn't even aware of the extent I could've been. I could've been right next to her, sharing the same exact problem. I could've been in Bloodmoon with her, getting to know the pack, myself, and not just as a new member but as their Luna. I didn't have to be separate from her at all and she didn't even know that. 

"Hannah?" 

"Yeah, totally. I actually miss you so much. Meet me at my car after class?"

She let out a loud squeal and hugged me so tight I couldn't breathe. "See you then!" She waved at me with a huge smile on her face as she walked away. Funny how a few days seems like a lifetime and you don't realize just how much could change.

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I could see Lexi waiting for me by the Jeep and I waved as I walked over.

"Are you ready, Lex?

"Totally! I need some Hannah time. I've been deprived for days," she said and laughed. She seemed so excited, I wonder just how hard the two days were on her.

We drive over to this little hole-in-the-wall cafe, not too far from school. It's very popular with our pack, mostly for their food. They have these amazing paninis you really can't find anywhere else.

We walk up to the counter, order our food and then, find a table to sit down at.

"So how have you been the last couple days? How's living with Tyson at Bloodmoon?"

"It's been nice and having my mate is amazing! It's just overwhelming and alot to handle all at once," she says. "Tyson has been so awesome, trying to help me ease into the role of the Beta's mate as much as he can. He's been a godsend, honestly, but he'll have to  get back to his beta duties soon and help Liam."

"Really? How is Liam?" I attempted to ask casually but Lexi was eyeing me suspiciously.

"He's been handling pack stuff, something about rogues in the area. I actually think he's been under alot of stress about it. He looks like s**t, lately." She paused for a minute before continuing. "Come to think of it, he looks as worn down as you do." She had this weird look on her face that I couldn't quite place, but it looked a little like pure confusion.

"Well, my dad mentioned rogues in the area the day before school and we are neighboring packs. If both packs have had sightings though, something must be going on. I'll mention it to Mason and  my dad." Probably not the smoothest change in conversation. "So what did you want to ask me about?"

"Oh! Well, Ty and I are getting mated tomorrow at Bloodmoon. Other than my parents, I really wasn't supposed to invite anyone from Silver Mist but I need you there. Liam is fine with it, he actually agreed right away when I asked him. Please, Hannah? It would mean the world to me if you'd be there."

I had to smile. Regardless of my internal struggle over my future, Lexi was important to me. I'd already let her down enough this week. "Of course I'll be there. Nothing would keep me away." She practically leapt across the table to hug me. 

"Oh my God, Hannah! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" 

I started laughing as the barista brought our food over. "I need a dress, though."

"Unfortunately, you're on your own for that. Tonight, I'm having dinner with Ty's parents and the ceremony tomorrow is at 10am. I'll have to spend all morning getting ready." I was disappointed at that. Lexi was really the only girl I could go shopping with other than my mom and I was not going to ask her. She was fun but right now, I didn't need the pressure to talk about current events. I guess I'll drag Mason along. He wouldn't be happy but he'll indulge me.

"So is Bloodmoon has ruthless and blood thirsty as people say?" I asked as we ate. It felt nice just catching up with Lexi. I missed this.

"Not really. I mean, they've been around a lot longer than our pack so there's about twice as many of them as there is us. They train really hard and they can be deadly in a fight." She shrugged as she swallowed a bite of her sandwich. "They know what works and they don't give many second chances. I think other wolves would be stupid to mess with them but they don't go looking for war or to take over other packs."

That was refreshing to hear. At least I wasn't going to be mated to a killer wolf. We kept talking as we ate. When we were done, we drove back to school. I felt some of the stress lift from my shoulders, spending time with Lexi. It felt like things were going to be ok, whether I mated Liam or not. The only thing that could get in the way of my relationship with Lexi was me. Only me, and I wasn't going to get in the way again.