A Beta Before An Alpha
Chapter 16

Zac's Point of View Lauren and I sit at the table I always sit at in the kitchen. We're joined by Paul, Malcolm, his mate Jenny, Jenny's friend Jessica, as well as Tom, and Samuel, two of my warriors. I stand to address my pack. I don't say a word, but within 10-15 seconds the entire room is quiet, and everyone's attention is on me. “Good morning, everyone. I just wanted to take a minute to make an announcement. I know a lot of you met Lauren wher she came here the other day, but for those of you who weren't here on Friday, or for those that may have missed it, this i Lauren,” I motion her up. “Lauren officially became a member of Red River last night I have my arm around her waist and hold her close, and plar a kiss on her temple. “It may seem very quick, and sudden for some of you, but we all know how this works in our world," I say, and we smile a each other. I hear my pack break into applause. I give Lauren a small kiss. I look out at my pack, and I notice a few of the women looking pissed. Now this pisses me off. I specifically didn't sleep around because I wanted my future mate to feel comfortable. This isn't going to make Lauren feel comfortable. “I want all of you to welcome her, and treat her with respect, as you would treat your Luna, because that is what she soor will be" I say, firmly. Lauren is rubbing my back, and wraps her arm around my waist too, “Relax, baby,” she whispers. I smile at her. “Thank you," I say, and we sit. “You okay there Zac?” Malcolm asks. I nod. “As long as all of the pack remembers their place, and respect Lauren, I'll be fine,” I snap, and turn to look at Jessica who was also looking a little sour during my announcement. She puts her head down. Lauren grabs my arm and pulls me clos “Take a breath. Calm down. It might take people some time, and that's okay,” Lauren reassures me. “I love you, I sigh, and wrap my arms around her to breath her in. I'm smelling more of her wolf scent now. I'm sure we're mates. Her voice, her touch, it's calming me. The mate bond pull seems to be more evident each day. “I love you too," she smiles. We eat breakfast, and even though I'm not pleased with some of the she-wolves, Lauren seems to be getting along well with Jenny and even Jessica has heeded my warning and is smiling and being respectful to Lauren. Even after we're done eating, we stay and hang out. Lot's of members seem to want to introduce themselves to Lauren, now that they know she isn't just a friend, like I introduced her the other day. That must have some people wondering why I introduced her as a friend at first. I've never spoken as rough to the group as I did this morning, so whatever they are thinking they at least know that 1 am possessive and protective of her. “Hi, Alpha. Is this your mate? She's so pretty!” Little Sophia says. “Hey Sophia. She is my mate; I think she’s pretty too. Lauren, this is Sophia I introduce them. Of course, Lauren lights up Her love of children evident. “Hi Sophia, it's 50 nice to meet you. For the record, I think you are very pretty too,” she gushes. Sophia is smiling proud. “Thank you Luna. Maybe you can play with us next weekend t00? You'd be my first pick,” Sophia beams. Lauren looks to brows furrowed. “I play soccer with the kids on Saturday morning. Sophia was a team captain this week, and she got first pick, and she chose me first, but she’s letting you know she'd choose you first next time. You took my place,” I explain, with a smirk. I love that Sophia is making her feel welcome. I think it's actually really sweet that Sophia admitted she would pick Laure first. “Well, if you all would have me, I would love to play soccer with everyone,” Lauren tells her. Sophia smiles even bigger. “I can't wait. I have to be on your team!” Sophia says excitedly. Lauren chuckles, “I've got connections, I'm sure we can make that happen,” Lauren says. As soon as Sophia leaves, Lauren is gushing about how cute she is. “You play soccer with the kids too?” She asks, smiling wide. “I know, what a dreamboat, right?” Malcolm mocks. “You're joking, but definitely.” Lauren admits, as she cuddles into me. She rests her chin on my arm, and looks up smiling me; those damn hazel eyes of hers. She's so beautiful, and she's looking at me with so much affection. I move in, and kis: her perfect nose. * Awww,” I hear from basically everyone. They're trying to embarrass me, but I'm not having it. It doesn’t bother me. Lauren just smiles wider. After breakfast, we head back upstairs. Today is Sunday so it's my day off, although I don't usually take it. That's going to change. When we get back upstairs, Lauren's phone is going off on vibrate. We both search around for it, finding it on the kitchen counter. She seems to leave it behind all the time, although she warned me she was terrible with her phone, and did her brother. “Hey Mom!” She answers. “Sorry, I'm fine. I just got in, and I just realized I didn't take my phone with me. Stop panicking every time I don't answer. fine. [pause] Can we facetime after? Mom,” she groans, and I see her take the phone away from her ear, and look at it, whi she’s leaning on the counter. She's talking to her Mom, so I shouldn't be enjoying the view of her a*s sticking out like that but 1am. “See, I'm fine. I told you. still in one piece," she says. “See was that 50 hard? Now your LOVING mother doesn't have to worry." “Ym glad you feel better she responds gently. “I miss you, Lauren adds. “I miss you too, hun. Its so weird to be away from you. Oh by the way, Sarah dropped off some pictures the kids made for you. I guess they all miss you. I'll have to send them to you" “Aw, I miss them too. That's so sweet." “So, Julien called and told me about your Alpha, I didn’t know you two were a thing,” she says. Your Alpha? Did she refer to me as hers before we were even together. Damn, that feels good. “What did Julien say?” Lauren asks with a chuckle, and looks back to me with a smile. “Just that you're a smitten kitten,” she giggles. “l am so happy for you, Lo," she adds. “Thanks Ma." “50 are you?” her Mom pushes. “Smitten? Yes... you'd like him, too," she assures her. “Would 17” She asks. “Definitely. He actually reminds me of Dad. He's easy to talk to, easy going, but also has that strong confidence which is comforting,” she explains. I didn’t know she felt that way. Wow “Does he make you feel safe?” “He does,” she nods. “Aw Mom, don't start crying. You're going to make me cry,” Lauren says. “Ym just happy for you. I'm okay though,” her Mom adds, with a chuckle. “Ym glad he makes you feel safe. I think he sounds great, and like a better fit for you. Nathan is so high on himself, thought you were maybe paired with him to ground him a little. Make him a better person, but I didn’t think he'd make yc truly happy. Maybe physically with all the sparks and stuff, but emotionally, I couldn't see him giving you what you would want and need. Isn't that weird?” She asks Lauren. “Hmm, not really actually. I kind of get it. I feel like I felt the same way," she admits. “Before I turned 18, I had no desire to talk to him, or be near him. I felt like we had nothing in common," she says, and I'm shocked to hear this, but it also feels incredible. This is not us at all, and it makes the possessive part of me feel like she was always mine. “Maybe you were only fated to Nathan to get to your true mate,” her Mom says. “What do you mean?” “Well think about it, would any other circumstance have made you leave Claw Moon? Running halfway across the country What are the odds that Zac would have came all the way here too? You two never would have found each other had you r been mated to Nathan. Nathan told you he didn't want a fated mate. Maybe Moon Goddess knew Nathan would reject his mate regardless and used him to get you to the man you were meant to be with," she explains. “Hmm... I like that” she says, and looks at me, smiling. I love her theory. It makes sense, and I love thinking she was alway ONLY mine. “Who are you looking at?” Her mom asks. “Wouldn't you like to know?” Lauren teases. “Is he there?” She asks excitedly. I walk over and lean down beside Lauren. “Hello, Mrs. Crane,” I smile. “Hit Call me Joan,” she smiles. “You weren't lying when you mentioned he was a looker,” her mom adds. Lauren looks at me and rolls her eyes. “Everyone has to blab about how I think you're so cute,” she smiles. “Cute? No! You said, and I quote, “Mom, I met the sexiest guy in the entire world last night. Seriously, everything... He's ughhhh! She groaned. She groaned to her mother,” her Mom says, and then starts laughing. Lauren looks to me smiling, “She's a traitor. Don't trust her with your secrets.” I can't help but laugh. I pull her close and kiss her cheek. “I felt the same way about Lauren. I stopped breathing for a second when I first saw her,” I admit. Lauren is happy to hear my confession and so is her Mom. “I had never been so attracted and drawn to anyone before, bt knew she was so much more than all of that though. I went to Peggy's almost everyday last week. The 1 day that I didn't g I wanted to but my buddy told me I would scare her off if I went everyday,” I explain. Lauren is laughing. “I really missed you on Wednesday," she adds. The fact that she remembers which day I didn't go mak me smile. “I shouldn't have listened to Paul" I add while shaking my head. Lauren's Mom is smiling at us so wide. “You two are definitely mates,” joan states. “I agree, I notice 'm sensing her wolf more, and all of my senses are becoming more and more heightened to her" “Me t00," Lauren agrees. I love hearing that. It's only 5 more days until the next full Moon. We spend a few more minutes talking to her Mom, and then we say goodbye. Lauren had mentioned going to the gym earlier, but we spent all morning on the couch. We put a movie on, but we spent the whole time laying together on the couch, just talking, getting to know each other deeper, and laughing about anything and everything. We also decided to forget about the whole no kissing thing. It just isn't possible. They're too much heat between us, to not even kiss. We had force ourselves to cool down a few times, because it's so easy to get out of control with her. She wants it just as much as I do, s0 that's a dangerous combination. I don't want to hold out, but I don't want to stress Lauren or her family out with Nathan and his drama. I know I'd protect her and keep her safe, so I think we should say “screw it! Literally. I hate giving him any sort of power over us. I keep thos thoughts to myself because it doesn't matter how I feel. If she thinks it's best to wait, I'l respect that without trying to tal her into anything. In those heated moments, I try to take the lead and initiate the “cooling off’ before things get too far. Otherwise if she pressed the matter I know I'd cave. I want her so badly, and we're meant to be together. It seems so wrong to not do what we were destined to do, because of a man who didn’t deserve her. “Ym starving, lets go down for lunch," I say. “I can't believe you're hungry after the breakfast you ate a few hours ago,” she laughs at me. “Ym a bottomless pit. Are you not hungry? You barely ate breakfast,’ 1 ask. She laughs. “I ate 2 eggs, bacon, hash browns, and pineapple and watermelon. That's a full breakfast. It just looks like ver little compared to your plate,” she laughs and pokes my waist. I stick my stomach out as far as I can, after her poke. She chuckles at me, and pokes me again. Then she follows suit and sticks hers out. “That's adorable," 1 add. “Yeah?” she questions. “It makes me imagine you pregnant with my pup,” I admit seriously. Her breath hitches, and just like magnets, we move closer. I have my hands around her waist, and she has hers on my chest. “Do want pups one day?” she asks softly. “I do. Nothing would make me happier than having a family with you. I know you're going to be such a good Mom,” I admi She smiles broadly. “Thanks. I've always wanted to be a mother. I know you're going to be a great Dad” she adds, and moves to her tiptoes. I lean down and kiss her. I lift her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist, and it brings her to level. Her hands make their way to my neck, and her nails gently scrape down it, making a small growl escape me. I feel h lips smiling into mine. I also feel I have an erection again... My balls are going to be so blue by the next blue moon... not blue moon. Full moon. Dammit. I put her down, and readjust myself, and she just smirks at me. “You're a little minx, aren't you?" I ask. Ever since we established that we were in a relationship, she has been so openly flirtatious. It actually takes me by surprise. “I don't even recognize myself with you sometimes. I've never been as... bold as I am with you.” she admits. “Mm, I like th sound of that," I admit. I grab her hand, and intertwine our fingers together, and we head down for lunch. Lunch is always served buffet style, between 11-2pm, so the kitchen isn't full when we go just after noon. Lauren grabs a veggie and dip cup, and chicken wray grab 3 BLT sandwiches, 2 cookies, and a large bowl of mac and cheese. After lunch, Lauren and I walk to the treeline; we're going to shift and go for a run. I'm dying to see her in her wolf form, and for our wolves to interact. When we're hidden by the tree's, I stop. “Turn around, so you don't see the goods,” I smirk. She laughs and we both turn our back to one another and start to undress. When I hear her unzip her pants, it takes everything in me to not turn around and see that bare a*s of hers, but I resist. Barely. When I shift, I sit, and keep my bac to her. I know I'll be faster than her. A minute later, I feel her push into me. I see her grey and white fur is thick, and longe than mine. She looks beautiful. She’s a lot smaller than I am, but she still looks strong and bigger than I expected, from h 54-'5'5 human body. I can mind-link her since she is a member of my pack now, so 1 do, “You're so beautiful- I tell her. “Thank you. You're very impressive. You're so big, and 1 also love your darker colouring- she says. My fur has a lot of black and grey. I basically tower over her, I'm so much bigger than her. I rub into her, and she rubs her face into mine. We take a moment acquainting ourselves with our new form before we spend a few hours running throug the forest. I love that she's so fun and playful, we even chased some rabbits. I make sure to show her some of the really cool places on the pack lands, like the waterfall, the swimming hole, and the view from the mountain tops. Even though it's way too cold to go swimming, Lauren considered jumping in, but I talked h out of it, it's freezing. If she would have went in, I would have had to too. We had lots of fun today, and when we head bac I feel even closer and more connected to Lauren than ever. We shift back, and get changed with our backs to each other. When we start walking back, I come clean, “It took everything I had to not sneak a peek of you while you were naked, behind me," admit. She smiles, “And you didn't?" She asks. I shake my head, “Nope,” I admit proudly. “Wow, now you're making me feel guilty. I wasn't as well behaved as you,” she smirks. “Did you look?” 1 ask, while starting to laugh. “I made it clear this morning that I thought you had a nice a*s. I couldn't resist, and you didn't disappoint” she admits, with a smirk, and leans back to look at my a*s again. “I can't believe you,” I laugh. “Now I wish I would have taken a little peek. Why did 1 insist on being so gentlemanly?” I jok “I figure if your mine, I should be allowed to look when I want,” she answers nonchalantly. “Well, you're not wrong,” I admit, and she wraps her arm around mine. Shes not making this waiting any easier on me, although I'm glad to see that she feels extremely comfortable with me.

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