The Forgotten mate

Now(6)

I strode out of the shop slamming the door behind me, anger surging through me to the point that I could feel my limbs trembling, threatening a wild shift. That was something I hadn't experienced for a long time. The emotions crashing through me were wild and intense. I wasn't prepared for it, all I’d been doing was coming to pick up the rent. What the f**k was she doing here? And why was she acting like that , she couldn't remember me? She was obviously lying or something. I mean she had to be right? But her eyes, those eyes I had spent so long looking at they showed nothing. There wasn't even a flicker of recognition. It couldn't have been a one sided relationship, could it… no, no, I remember. I growled in pure exasperation, my hands cramped painfully. I growled loudly and hit the window of the car with my fist, then snarled in exasperation.

‘Oh baby, I'm sorry.’ I said, crouching over and stroking the bonnet of my porsche. ‘I didn't mean to hurt you,’ I said, wincing as I looked at the broken window vaguely aware of the blood dripping from the glass embedded in my fist. ‘You're the only woman in my life… so it would seem I can't hurt you.’ I said slipping into the car and pulling away far too rapidly than was sensible.

‘Dean.’ Jessie said, the concern painted across her features as she walked into the kitchen. I looked over at her mixing bowl still in my arms.

"Mmmm?' I said. Jessie's face clearly showed my tone was more irritated than I had intended.

'What are you doing?'

'Baking.' I said plainly. Jessie's eyes traveled across the kitchen and my gaze followed hers, showing the sight of severe chaos, the sides cluttered with discarded bowls, whisks, and a small supermarket's supply of ingredients. The oven was also going as several other batches were resting on cooling racks opposite.

'Baking.' she echoed, Jessie's eyes flickered to Derek, and she gave a tiny, almost imperceivable head jerk. This pissed me off, but what could I say? She was my Alpha. I tried to ignore it as she and Derek had their very rapid, silent argument with their eyes. They quickly seemed to reach a decision and Derek kissed her quickly on the forehead and walked out. ' So you wanna talk?'

'nope.' I said, putting down my bowl as the oven beeped.

'You know I could just order you to talk to me.' Jessie said, leaning against the fridge behind her.

'No you can't.'

'No I know I can't, but if you want you to talk to me...'

'Nope.' I cut across,

' Excellent, so it's going to be the Great British bake off in here till you work out I'm a girl.'

'No you're not.' I snapped,

'Look, all I'm saying is something is bothering you. If you want to bake away the pain, that's fine with everyone here, I'm sure, but if you want to avoid giving me gestational diabetes, talking might be preferable.' I did not respond except to turn away and retrieve my mixing bowl. Jessie sighed, clearly trying to think of a new approach here. The silence stretched out clearly, not having any flashes of inspiration. I was just content to let this silence stretch out.

'How do you know Derek is your mate?' I said, the words slipping out without any conscious awareness, silence answered. I chanced a peak at Jess who had dropped the brownie she was holding and was looking at me in a way that clearly showed she was worried about my sanity,

'I just know.'

'No you didn't, you always said he wasn't for the first eighteen years of your life.'

'I know what I said Dean. I was young and just not ready.'

'But what made you realise?'

'It was hard I'd always been around him, so I kind of thought everyone felt that way about their best friend, but I guess I always knew really. I just wouldn't admit it even to myself.'

'He knew, he said he always knew,'

'Why do you ask?' Jessie said softly. I wasn't surprised she didn't want to discuss this her little ...experiment of going off to university and fully embracing student life wasn't something she or Derek liked to remember. She had basically managed a year away from him before failing out of uni, but in her year exploring herself she had royally pissed Derek off by engaging in quite a lot of casual s*x. A real no no for wolves. You NEVER cheat on your mate, which was definitely what Derek saw it as. I shrugged,

'Right, so it's girl trouble.' Jess said, her tone turning playful, 'you never have trouble finding a girl. Is this talk because you can't get rid of one? She thinks your you know the one?' I kept my back turned focusing on my cake mix, trying to stop grinding my teeth as, I was pretty sure I was doing it loud enough for her to hear, 'OK no... so is it an I think I'm in love deal? or is it the classic I want the only one I can't have I can't eat I can't sleep I love her?' I clenched my fists. Jessie dropped the playful tone, 'look Dean when it comes to the heart honestly, nobody can tell you who you love or that you are even in love, you will know it yourself, and if you're questioning it deep down it's probably not right.' she sighed, 'you know what I don't know what I'm thinking I'm awful at this I'll send Ash in, he'll be helpful.' she turned to leave.

'I need to go back to Norma's shop tomorrow.' I said simply 'I forgot to get the rent.' she just nodded.