Golden Rule

Chapter 10

Chapter 10 - the brothers

Brandon was still in his room sitting in the seating area on the balcony. He had a double shot of mezcal in his hand. Holding a picture of his mother with his other. He and Nathan could only imagine how different their lives would be if they hadn’t lost their mother that night. So many lives were changed and ended that night.

He knew that as much as it hurt him, his brother’s pain was twice as much. His brother had had it all it seemed. A loving mate and then they had their son. Then the unthinkable happened. He didn’t know if Nathan could withstand another loss. He had put on a brave and strong front for the last few months, but Brandon worried about him.

As much as he witnessed Nathan’s heartache, he wanted a mate more than anything in the world. He would be willing to give it all up for her. He wanted to love and feel that connection that only a mate could give. He did not care that he could get hurt, that she could turn out to be a bad person. He just could not wrap his mind around him not finding his mate at his age. His brother found his five years ago and he couldn’t help but feel envious of him. Even though Nathan’s mate was gone, he at least had his son. Brandon had no one to call his own.

For some reason, he felt like this woman coming from Canon Mountain could be the one. He felt that same twitch in his body that Nathan had earlier, and he was sure it was the mate pull. But he had not felt anything again the rest of the day. When it happened to Nathan, it confused him. He thought maybe it was all in his head. Maybe it had nothing to do with his mate. He was getting restless and had the feeling he just wanted this night to end.

He was about to link the guards when Walter came through. “Alpha, the educator from Canon Mountain just entered the territory. George is escorting her.” He informed his alpha. Good, thought Brandon, I am ready to get this over with.

He could only hope that his first feeling that this girl could be his mate was right, but he was quickly losing hope. He raised the shot glass and felt the mezcal burn his throat on the way down. Mezcal was the only thing strong enough to give werewolves a decent buzz. He would need a couple more shots to calm his nerves enough to face the night.

After two more shots of the burning water, as the locals called it, he made his way downstairs to the foyer where their beta wolf, Anthony and his mate Adriana were waiting with the rest of the guests for the night. Two pack council members involved in dealings concerning other packs and three education council members. Two of them being werewolves themselves. The third was there to represent the humans.

At the Golden Cross pack, ‘weres’ worked and studied along side humans. It was the most logical and practical decision after the pack almost fell when the Tanok family were wiped out. Brandon, along with the councils, felt their kids were falling behind other packs’ children when it came to education. They needed to ramp up their efforts and decided to reach out to the noble Canon Mountain pack. Their council immediately recommended this Miriam Levy.

“Good evening alpha let’s get this show on the road, shall we?” one of the council members said. The alpha nodded and led the group outside to the entrance stairs. They lined up waiting for George and the girl.

“I guess Alpha Nathan isn’t joining us tonight?” asked another of the council members.

“No, he’s not.” Responded Brandon dryly.

They saw the newly shifted George running towards them. He ran straight to Brandon feeling euphoric at being useful to the pack. “Good job George you did good, go out back and change and go ahead and get some dinner. Remember not to run on a full stomach.” He told the pup. He watched as George ran around the house towards the back.

When he looked back at the vehicle approaching them, he was surprised to see it was the latest model and a large body SUV. He was even more surprised when the person driving it jumped out and came around to face the group. A beautiful girl with dark hair and a walk models would be envious of. She wore black skinny ankle pants with flats and a black tailored blazer over a bright pink top tucked into her pants. Brandon thought she did not fit into the way girls dressed around the Mother Mountain. She looked very sophisticated, like she didn’t belong in the rough living area.

He concentrated on her face shamelessly, he noticed just how beautiful she really was. Gorgeous brown eyes that resembled a milk chocolate color. A cute button nose and full pouting lips. He waited for her to look at him to hopefully feel that mate click. That look everyone says entraps you in your mate’s gaze. When it happens, it is like there is no one else on earth that exists other than you and your mate. Like love at first sight, only a thousand times more intense.

She was being introduced to all the others present. As she got closer to him, he waited for the smell of something enticing, something that would trap him into her world. But it was then that he felt something else towards her. Something he could not make any sense of. His wolf was getting restless in his head. Brandon could tell his wolf wanted to reach out to hers. He had never had something like this happen. Could she be his mate?

She finally reached him, and they locked eyes. He was still searching for the symptoms of the mate bond when he realized she was trying to read him, trying to search for something in his eyes and that made him wonder even more about her. Her gaze captivated him, there was something about this girl.

“And finally, this is Alpha Brandon. Alpha, Miss Miriam Levy from Canon Mountain.” Said the head of the education council.

“So nice to meet you sir, I look forward to working with your leadership.” Said the beauty in front of him.

“Thank you, glad you could join us for the next two years Miss Levy.” He responded.

“Please just Miriam.” She responded.

“Shall we make our way inside; dinner is ready and was prepared by the best chef in town. Rachel owns the quaintest diner in town. I promise you’ll love it Miriam.” Said the human council member as she grabbed Miriam by the arm to lead her inside.

Everyone followed and Brandon ended up at the back of the group when Anthony reached his side.

“So, is she our Luna?” asked Anthony. Brandon only gave him a side-ways glance, not wanting to talk about this girl not being his mate. He felt defeated, he wanted to give up. He just had to make it through this dinner tonight. But then, what was his wolf trying to do when they met?

Miriam was asking a lot of questions and the council members were more than eager to answer them. Dinner was served and the small talk continued. Brandon watched Miriam intently trying to figure out what it was about her that had his wolf driving him crazy in his head.

“I understand there is another alpha. Alpha Brandon’s brother?” asked Miriam, stealing a quick glance at Brandon.

“Yes, he is indisposed at the moment. He works with the farm hands and manages the territory and half of the warriors.” The human council member, Jackie, said. She was very talkative, and it was obvious she liked the attention. “If you would also forgive me Miriam, but you don’t resemble the photo in your personnel file that was sent to us.”

Brandon noticed Miriam tense slightly.

“Yes, I get that a lot. It was taken a while back; I was still in university even. I’m sure the lighting and all didn’t help either.” Miriam responded.

“Of course, those office lights are the worse, aren’t they?” said Jackie.

Everyone only nodded in agreement, but Miriam’s uneasiness did not go unnoticed by Brandon and Anthony.

“I guess you have a mate, Miriam?” asked Adriana. Again, she tensed up and everyone waited anxiously for her response. Brandon’s ears and wolf were at attention.

“No, I do not have a mate, I did have a chosen mate. But that’s not an appropriate dinner conversation to be honest.” Miriam responded. Brandon tried to hide the shock on his face. He brought his drink up to his mouth and wondered what her mate story was. She had a chosen mate. As in past tense?

“I apologize, I shouldn’t have asked. I just noticed the ring on your finger.” Said Adriana. F***! Thought Brandon.

“It’s perfectly fine, don’t worry about it. The chandelier in here is absolutely gorgeous. It’s not gold, is it? It seems a bit extravagant!” said Fernanda to change the subject.

It was now everyone else’s turn to tense up. The gold at Golden Cross was a sore subject for everyone. Brandon finally spoke up.

“It is gold actually, it was a gift from some dear friends of my parents, years and years ago.”

“Wow that was a very nice gift. Are they pack members?” Miriam asked.

“They were and that is also a conversation for another time.” Responded Brandon.

Everyone turned their attention to their food. But Brandon held his gaze at Miriam looking at the chandelier. He looked up at it and noticed it was swaying. Just barely, but he was sure of it. His lips parted and he caught Anthony looking at it as well. That confirmed he wasn’t imagining it. They shared a look before both of them looked at Miriam. She was eating like everyone else completely unaware of the movement of the fixture.

Once everyone was done, they moved on to dessert. During the entire meal, everyone (especially Brandon) watched as Miriam handled herself with such grace. It was unlike the mannerisms of those of the region. This girl seemed refined and elegant. She held conversation with the whole group and never let the attention be on her for too long.

Brandon was ready for this dinner to be over. He had mind linked a member of the kitchen to sneak him mezcal halfway through the dinner. He was done with the day.

“It’s getting late, I want to apologize again for my tardiness. I…” said Miriam before Jackie interrupted.

“Of course, the terrain is rough, anyone can get a flat tire. Per our conversation a few days ago, you will love the cabin! I decorated it myself!” said Jackie proudly.

“Thank you so much, I had quite a day, I am ready to retire and rest.” Miriam said and everyone nodded their heads believing the story about a flat tire.

Brandon, who was beyond buzzed at this point, only looked at her with a questioning look. She didn’t look like someone who had struggled with a tire earlier that day. But whatever, he thought.

“You can follow us out to the cabin we have reserved for you. Its across the street from the grade school. It’s not even a ten-minute drive from here.”

“Yes, thank you. And thank you for dinner Alpha Brandon and Betas Anthony and Adriana. My compliments to chef Rachel.” Miriam said as she stood. The rest of the group stood with her to say their goodbyes and disperse.

Brandon quickly retreated to his room when the guests had left. Not saying a word or even glancing at Anthony and Adriana. They watched him climb the stairs dragging his feet a little. When he entered his room, he locked the door and threw the glass in his hand at the mirror across the large room. ‘Maybe Nathan is right, that mate s**t is stupid’ he thought to himself. Before he fell on his bed passed out.

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Nathan made it to the cantina where some of his buddies were already gathered having a good time. Music was playing loud; humans loved their music and the weres loved the ambience the music created along with the alcohol. The heartache songs would not play as long as the alpha was present. They would put him in a mood that no one wanted to see him in. Lorena immediately noticed Nathan and walked over to him determined to take him home that night.

“So nice to see you in this humble establishment alpha.” She said trying to gauge his state of mind.

“Lorena, nicer to see you looking so damn fine tonight.” He responded. She smirked at him.

“You ordered your usual?”

“Yea, Sabrina is bringing it over.”

“Why don’t you walk me home after you’re finished? I would love your company.”

“Absolutely doll.”

Nathan heard his wolf barking at him in his head. ‘Calm down mutt!’ His wolf did not like Lorena. At first, he stayed in the back of his mind. The animal understood his primal needs, but enough was enough. He felt Lorena did not love them and never would. He knew she didn’t care for their pup and that bothered him more than anything.

When Nathan had finished his bottle and his head was clouded with the burning water, he was ready to take the temptress home. She was waiting for him at their usual spot, and they started on their way to her cabin. His arm around her shoulders and his walk a little sloppy. They arrived within 15 minutes and didn’t even close the door when they were already undressing each other.

She dropped to her knees and took him in her mouth, getting him ready. He groaned and when he couldn’t take it anymore, he pulled her up and turned her around. “Go get it” he demanded slapping her ass. She reluctantly walked over to a table beside her sofa and pulled out a condom. She didn’t like using it, werewolves usually did not use protection, but she knew he would not f**k her without it. She put it on him, and he entered her with no finesse and began to pound into her from behind. It was quick and loveless; only a f*** in his eyes, it meant nothing to him. He only needed that release and he needed to get the smell of his mate out of his mind and off of himself.