The Alpha's Mate

Chapter Four

Noah Everrett

Today is Layla's little brother's mating ceremony. The f*****g asshole. The pack house is busy, since he's the beta's son. It's kind of a big deal. It wasn't as big as mine, or my beta Layla. But every wolf gets a ceremony and it is keeping the pack busy.

Branson is like a golden retriever, and the girls love it. So they're all freaking out hoping to be his mate.

I hope his mate makes him more bearable.

I make my way through the cafeteria, getting lunch before the ceremony. I find Layla, scoffing down her food.

"Hey" I say as I sit down beside her, picking at my food.

"Hey, I gotta be quick. Bran is freaking out" of course he is.

"He's dramatic" I mumble, scooping food into my mouth. She sends me a glare.

"You were a mess at your ceremony too" shrugging, I continued to eat. The ceremony is kinda boring, but it's awakening, for you to be able to find your mate. A lot of people find them right away,unlike Lay and I.

Unmated wolves go to all ceremonies, no matter who it is. And being alpha I have to go no matter what.

Layla is gone shortly after, and I take my time eating, then making my way back to the suite I share with my family.

My sisters are running around, my mom is getting ready and my dad is sitting on the couch watching my sisters.

"Ready?" Dad asks, as I take a seat beside him.

"I guess, it's just Bran. I don't really care '' I admit, because it doesn't change anything for me. Everytime a girl goes for her ceremony I have a sliver of hope, because I hope they are my mate. For my parents sake. But it never happens.

"Never know, Bran has two dads," he says.

"Don't even" I would rather jump off a bridge than have a chance of being Branson mate.

"It's always possible, you know that right?"

"I'm not into guys"

"Neither was uncle P" dad raises a dark brow "But look at him with Uncle Zeke, he'd kill for him. He has killed for him. Neither of them were really into dudes" dad stands, and that puts some stuff into perspective. Dad's never talked so openly about me having a male mate. Maybe I could tell them, and not be a disappointment .

"What changed for Uncle P?"

"The bond, Zeke, all of it. Being open minded I guess."

"And uncle Zeke?" I question, as dad puts his hands in his pockets.

"He could feel the bond to an extent, but I think it's the same thing as uncle P. He was open minded and let it happen. So i wouldn't rule it out" he runs his fingers through his dark hair.

"You wouldn't care?"

"Didn't care with Uncle P, wouldn't care with my pups. Nothing will change how I feel about my children" Who is this guy? Normally dad is so hard on me.. about everything. And he always talks about me having a female mate.

"Okay.. I'll keep an open mind. But not with Branson" shaking my head "I would rather be mateless then have him"

"Be nice. The other day needs to be the end of it with you guys. Remember what i said" Dad says, and mom comes out. Her blonde hair is short, resting on her shoulders. It's curly, and she has a light layer of makeup.

"Yes, everyone needs to play nice. It's an important day for Bran, and he deserves to have it a good one. Now girls" they stop running, and look innocently at our mother.

"Yes mama?" Aria says, her long black hair in nice smooth curls.

"What mommy?" Emma says at the same time, her black hair straight.

"It's almost time, let's get shoes on" they giggle, and run over to where we keep our shoes. "Come on babe" mom says to me, and i groan getting up and getting my shoes on.

I follow my family downstairs. Layla, her brothers and her fathers are standing on the first floor.

Uncle P and Zeke are standing close, talking about the ceremony. Layla is wearing a pretty simple dress, with her brown hair straight and down her back. Xan's curls are neat, and he's wearing slacks with a polo.

Then my eyes catch Branson, my heart stutters and my mouth dries. He's wearing a gray button down, with black slacks. He still has a black eye from the other day. His curly black hair is gelled neatly, and he looks so f*****g good.

What the f**k?

My eyes flick to my dad, who is already staring at me. How would he know that?

Oh f**k me goddess.

I follow my family to the gym. Once we walk in, there's a platform where the birthday wolf stands. There are fairy lights all around, and seats in rows in front of the platform. It's packed with wolves, all the unmated ones sit in the chairs.

Layla sits in the chairs, although it's pointless sense it's her brother, it's still expected. Uncle Zeke and Peyton stand along the wall in the back, and sense I'm not technically alpha yet, until I am mated I stand with them. Mom and dad go up to the platform with Branson.

Xan stands with his fathers, and i nudge uncle Ze. "Is he nervous?" I ask, although I'm not sure I care.

Zeke is shorter than me, but he always has that loving father vibe. They've given me love like I'm one of their own. "Yeah honey, he's a wreck. But he will be fine. His mate is here, hopefully. We're just hoping he gets the appropriate mate"

"What do you mean?"

"He's worried he will get a girl," Uncle P says, getting a glare from Zeke. .

"Good afternoon everyone" my dad says, his voice loud and clear. "We're here to awaken, Branson Elliot Williams" I zone out, like usual as he goes on giving the long speech before showtime.

He says this long speech, then he is supposed to close his eyes, then when he opens them he can sense his mate. By scent usually. Feels almost like a spell.

The time comes, and he closes his eyes. My body feels like it's buzzing, and when he opens my eyes all the air from my lungs gets knocked out of me. The scent of berries is so overpowering, it's all I can smell.

My eyes lock on Branson, who has his locked on me. He looks like he's not breathing, and I think I might lose my s**t any second.

Branson POV

"Close your eyes" Alpha Nolan says, and I do so. He goes on with his speech. Today is my ceremony, and any second I am hopefully going to find my mate.

"Open them" he says, and I do. The smell of pine and citrus hits me hard, and my eyes roam the seats full of people.

Then my eyes land on the person next to my parents.

Mate

My wolf howls, and my heart stops.

I don't think I'm breathing.

I don't think he's breathing.

"No f*****g way" Noah's voice booms, his face reddening from anger.

"Enough" Alpha Nolan says.

Whispers break out across the room.

"Everyone out" Pops says, and everyone is quick to follow orders.

Noah takes a step away from my parents, shaking his head. "I don't f*****g think so. Not happening. This is a mistake." he spits out. He hits every nerve, and a dark laugh comes from my throat.

"You think? This isn't happening. I Branson Williams rej-" a hand closes over my mouth quickly, and i notice it's Pops. How he got to me so quickly, I don't know.

"Oh f**k you Bran. I Noah-" he gets cut off by his mother.

"You guys need to think before you act" Alpha's voice is harsh, "This is so much more than just you guys"

"Sit" Pops says. "If you try again, I swear to goddess Bran" His voice is hard, and I nod, knowing better to disobey. I sit down, and Alpha makes Noah sit as well. He sits a couple seats away from me, making my wolf whine.

My skin buzzes, needing to be close to him. But the thought of doing it makes me want to puke.

"You guys can't reject each other" Alpha says, and Luna nods.

"You guys have so much more to worry about, this pack for one" she adds.

"Why would you try to reject each other?" Dad asks, his brow creased.

"I think it's obvious' ' Noah snaps, and then his eyes soften. "Sorry Uncle Ze, i didn't mean to snap." he apologizes right away.

"You don't give a f**k about anyone but yourself" i snap.

"Say's you" he growls in return.

"Oh, says me?" I question, standing up. He does the same, stepping into me. Straightening my spine, I raise a brow.

"Yeah, says you asshole" he steps closer, our chest brushing. My heart stutters, and I glance up at him.

His eyes travel to my lips, and I feel two things at once.

Lust.

Then disgust.

I can feel him going through the same motions, and then we're being pushed away. I glance at who did it, seeing Pops.

"Let's take some time to take this in, alright? Let's go home Bran" Pops says, and I nod.

"Alright"

—-

"He's not that bad," Layla murmurs, as she tosses a ball up into the air. We're laying in my bed, on our backs and tossing a ball up in the air.

"He is that bad" I mumble, and our little brother comes in, flopping down on the bed beside me.

"At least he's hot" Xan's voice is soft, and it makes me freeze.

"You did not just say that" my head whips to him, Layla's following and a loud laugh bursts from her chest.

"Little Xan just said someone was hot!" she squeals, and goes into a laughing fit. Xan's cheeks turn red, and I shake my head.

"He is not hot. '' I grumble, and Xan nudges me.

"He's built like a bull, and has that moody thing going for him" he murmurs

"He's got a stick up his ass" I pout, and Xan laughs softly. He's so quiet, and shy.

"Maybe he needs it," he says, his cheeks turning brighter.

"Oh my goddess you did not!" Layla cackles, and pops up into a sitting position. I follow, scooting back so my back is to the wall.

"I think our little brother has a crush on my mate" I pout again, and Layla squeezes my checks.

"Of course Xan has a crush on an older man. We should have known, '' Lay says.

"He's only like 4 years older" Xan pouts this time.

"Layla! Noah's here" Pops yells up the stairs, and my body stiffens.

"Give him a chance Bran" She gives me a small smile, before heading downstairs.

"You don't owe him anything, '' Xan's soft voice says, and my head turns to him. "Just because you're mates. You don't owe him anything" his dark eyes flick between mine. "But you owe yourself a chance at happiness. And you won't ever be fully happy if you don't give it a real chance" he murmurs, his voice so gentle.

Of course he's years ahead of me mentally. So f*****g mature. "Thanks man" I pull my little brother into my body, and he rests his head on my shoulder. "I love you, yano that?"

"Yeah bran" he mumbles. "I know you do"

I hope he does, because he struggles with the demons in his head all alone, and deserves to have someone on their side.

"Come on" He pulls away, standing "I want wings, and your mate isn't here for Lay"

"Ew" I shake my head, getting to my feet I follow Xan downstairs. I see Noah's tense body, and I see it physically relax when our eyes meet.

"Wings?" Xan mumbles to Pops, who smiles wide. Xan's on a lot of medicine, and a lot of it causes him to not eat. So when he's hungry, we all move mountains to get him what he wants.

"Pizza!" Layla cheers and makes her way into the living room. I stay put on the steps, and I see the battle in Noah's head. He wants to follow Lay, but the mating bond is making him want to stay close. I know it.

Because it's making me want to run up to him and attach myself to him like a koala.

Pops makes his way to the kitchen, likely to go get the order placed. Xan slips past Noah, following our sister. Noah's eyes assess me, head to toe. Once they land on my eyes, his jaw sets and he narrows his eyes into slits.

Then the asshole turns on his heel and walks away.

Dickhead.