A Beta Before An Alpha
Chapter 14

Lauren's Point of View

When 1 wake up in the morning, it's early but Julien isn't here. He must have gone home with a woman last night. I decide get up and get ready. He'll probably be here soon, and he'll be starving. I put some leggings, and a tank top on because I know he wanted to check out the gym here. I get started making bacon, eggs, and toast and on schedule with his stomact hear my door unlocking.

“Hey! I'm so happy you're cooking. I'm starving!” He groans.

“Did you work up an appetite on that walk of shame?” I smirk.

“It was all for the cause. I have a story now, even some pictures.”

“50 you're saying you slept with someone for me and my safety? You are so thoughtful. How did 1 get so lucky to get such selfless brother,” joke, and Julien just laughs.

“Gym after breaky?” He asks.

“Yes! I know you said you had to leave today, but after the gym, we should shift and go for a run. I haven't shifted in a feu weeks, and it's starting to get to me," I admit.

“sure. Sounds good. Hey, did you know Zac offered me a place in his pack? Mom too?”

“He did? When?”

“Yesterday when you started work. I told him how much I hated Nathan, and he offered for us to move here” he explains. Of course, he did. He's so sweet. I'm crazy about him. Ugh, I miss him already."What did you say?”

“I said thanks, and I'd probably take him up on it. I want to head back for a while, I want to be able to have eyes and ears on Nathan until he's moved on from you,” he admits. It brings me so much joy to think about the possibility of my brothe and Mom being so close.

The gym was fun with Julien. We always have fun together, and we're great at pushing each other. I thought Mark was goin to completely drop “wanting to talk to me, after he found out 1 was with Zac, but he still asked to talk to me in his office. told me that he was going to ask me on a date before he found out about Zac and me. Still, he wanted me to keep him in mind if things didn’t work out between us. As a human, he probably thinks just days into our relationship that there is a very high likelihood that Zac and I will break up, but things are different with werewolves. When we commit, we tend to commit for life. 1 just smiled and nodded awkwardly, and got out of there as quickly as possible.

When we get back to my place, we leave everything in Julien’s car and head straight to the bush behind Peggy's. We shift; me into my grey wolf and Julien into his black wolf with white paws. He's quite a bit bigger than I am. We explore the fore for a few hours, chasing rabbits, and squirrels. We also enjoy the views from mountain tops, and even jumped into a freezing cold river.

Jumping into the river this time of year wasn't the best idea, so we finally decide to head straight back towards Peggy's ar our clothes, because we're freezing. When we're dressed, we continue on home back to Peggy's with blue lips, and rosy pi cheeks and noses. “The first one to get to your door gets the shower first,” julien says, and takes off running. I know he’s going to beat me, but I can't resist the challenge.

I take off after him, but as soon as we make it out of the bush I can see guys everywhere behind Peggy's, and my apartme door is open. Julien and I both stop dead in our tracks. Is Nathan here? Before I have time to panic, I see Zac pacing. “zac,” 1 yell.

“Lauren!” He says and starts jogging over to me.

“Where the hell were you?” He asks.

“We were out for a run. What's going on? Why are there people inside my apartment?” 1 ask.

“I haven't heard from you since last night. It's 4 pm. I've been trying to get a hold of you all day, I thought Nathan... I was worried. Both of your vehicles were here, and you had left your wallet and your phone in Julien’s car. It seemed like you must have left quickly. I thought you wouldn't go anywhere without it, and I was looking for clues in your apartment. I thought the worst,” he admits as he rests his forehead on mine.

“Lauren's the worst with her phone, she always forgets it at home or in her car, or at work Julien admits.

“I really am the worst. Remember I even lost it when I went to visit your pack yesterday. I left my phone in Julien’ car thi morning on the way to the gym. I forgot I even brought it with me actually, and as soon as we got back we shifted and we for a run. I'm okay. Freezing, but okay. I'm sorry you were worried” I frown.

“You are freezing, why are you so cold?” He asks, brows furrowed, and rubbing his hands on my arms to warm me up. “We went swimming in a river” I admit.

“It's October. You're crazy!”

“It wasn't my idea,” 1 fib.

“Yes, it was!” Julien says, annoyed.

“Okay, maybe it was my idea," I admit, with a chuckle. I give Zac a quick peck, and start to run, catching Julien off guard ar getting a head start.

“Lauren?” Zac calls.

“You're cheating Lauren!” Julien Yells.

By the time I get to the stairs, Julien has caught up to me.

“NOI” I squeal while laughing.

“Julien, you're cheating!” I laugh, while he lifts me up, and places me behind him. I am literally half his size, so if he wants to pick me up, there's nothing I can do. I see Malcolm and Paul coming out of my apartment.

“Don’t let him touch my door guys. I holler. The good men that Paul and Malcolm are, they hold him back, and I run up p: him and touch the door.

"HAI beat you fair and square!” I laugh. Julien’ shaking his head at me.

“Fair and square, how was that fair?” he rolls his eyes.

“Thank you, gentlemen,” I say and pat their shoulders.

“What's going on?” Zac laughs.

“I won the race FAIR AND SQUARE, so I get the hot shower first now,” I beam.

“You're too cute,” Zac smiles. My cheeks are hurting I'm smiling so hard, I start to move towards him.

“If your first for the shower, stop flirting and go. I'm freezing Lo," Julien complains.

“Fine,” I roll my eyes.

I run inside, grab a change of clothes, and turn the shower on nice and hot. It feels so good. “Lauren!” Julien whines at th door. I ignore him and continue to rinse the soap off my body. He was being so impatient; I've been in here for less than minutes. I hurry and finish though because I do feel bad for him. I dry off and get dressed in a thick grey turtleneck sweat and some jeans. I step out of my bathroom and Julien jumps out of my bed and runs into it. Zac's sitting at my little table smiling at me. That smile. Ugh.

“Is the swat team gone home?” I ask with a smirk.

He lets out a beautiful laugh and nods. He opens his arms to me, and I make my way over, and sit on his lap. “I'm sorry th I worried you, I say sincerely.

“It's not your fault. It's just with your past, it was hard for my mind to not go into panic mode when I didn't hear from you all day. I texted you at 10 am, and then when I didn't hear from you for a while, I tried calling. Then I came here, and wher saw the cars were here, I waited. I had checked at the gym, and with Peggy, and I was so worried that I called my guys down. I even called my friend Jack and asked him to send his best tracker down. I was so worried,” he says, as he buries h face into my neck.

His warm breath against my marking spot is very arousing. “Zac I say quietly, trying to control my breathing. Keep it together, your brother is in the next room, I tell myself. I pull away. He looks into my eyes.

“f**k, Lauren. You're killing me,” he groans. “You're eyes, your scent. Your arousal is intoxicating” his deep voice growls. “My eyes?” I question. “They're black,” he says while taking a sharp breath.

“You need to stay away from my neck then. It's my weak spot,” I admit quietly. “It hasn't always been, but with you... it is” He smiles proudly, “It's because that's my spot,” he says possessively, as he grazes his fingertips in the spot where he will one day mark me. The sensation of his touch on my sensitive spot, mixed with his possessive claim, affected me in a powerful way, and a small moan left my mouth. He puts his forehead to mine, and I can feel he's breathing heavy.

“I need to get out of here baby," he says in a deep husky voice. He gets up, and places me in the chair he was sitting in, kisses my forehead and leaves.

I'm left in the chair, thinking about how badly I want Zac. If he’s not my fated mate, I don't think my heart could take anything more intense than this. He has all my senses on high alert, and it feels good. I am pulled out of my thoughts about Zac when I hear Julien ask, “Where did Zac go?”

“Um, he went home... I think" He furrows his brow in confusion.

“Well, things were getting out of hand and he needed to get out of here quickly. Sorry, TMI," I smirk. Julien just shakes his head.

“'m grossed out, but at the same time I am actually really happy for you Lo."

“Thanks. I can't believe this is happening. It's not what I expected, but it feels so right,” I admit.

We both get ready, and then head out to “Pop's Diner,” for an early dinner, because I work tonight. Peggy said I could com in at 7 tonight since my brother is in town. Just as we're finishing up eating,

My phone dings.

Zac SLADE

Me: Haha. It's fine. It was my fault. I'm sorry.

Zac SLADE

Me: I get it. It could have gotten awkward really quickly lol

Zac SLADE

Me: I work at 7 tonight. I'm just finishing up dinner with Julien now, but I'll be headed home soon. I'll let you know when I headed home, and you can meet me there if you want?

Zac SLADE

Dinner was great. Just before 6pm, Julien says he needs to take off and make it a few hours further to be able to give an update to Alpha. We brought separate cars because I knew he was going to be leaving right after dinner. I give Julien a bie hug and tell him how much I love him and how much I am going to miss him. It's hard to see him go, but I am glad that he is planning on moving here soon enough. We're less than 2 years apart, so we've always been close and good friends sinc we were little.

I wave him goodbye and then send Zac a quick text before I head home.

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