Page 4 of Alpha Mates

Beckett trails closely behind as I slip inside. We fill our usual seats, and while he surveys the room as if a witch is about to jump out, grimoire and all, I ready myself for my favourite hour of the day

“This vegetarian madness has gone on long enough,” Isabel protests from across our tiny table. Her nose wrinkles while she eyes my bowl like it might detonate. “You’re a werewolf, for crying out loud. You need meat.”

I ignore her and I finish my butternut squash soup.

“As long as I can still take any one of you down in a fight on peas and oats, I don't need meat,” I say, swallowing the last spoonful before shoving the bowl aside.

“You know I don’t care what you eat,” Beckett says around a mouthful of a dripping burger. I grimace as he licks his fingers and pushes a crumpled stack of papers across the table. “But can you do this for me? It’s due next period.”

I scan the pages, immediately recognising the math assignment we were given last month.

“You haven’t done a single question.”

“I get busy,” he says, already moving on to a KitKat.

“Jerking off and playing video games is not being busy,” Isabel says flatly, making Beckett choke mid-bite. “You know we have to keep grades up to stick with Julian.”

“I get busy!” He insists, voice cracking.

I let the two fight while I get started on Beckett’s assignment. I could yell too, but I know that even if hewereto put in the effort, Beckett wouldn’t be able to finish this. He’s just not a ‘structured education’ kind of guy—he was meant to roam and explore, not sit at a desk. And since he’s always been there for me, I don’t mind taking the load off now and then.

“Here.” I hand it back to him. Lunch is almost over, and my fingers are cramping a little, but it’s done. “I answered a bunch wrong so you could land a believable sixty-three per cent.”

“That’s sad,” Isabel mutters with a snicker.

Beckett flips her off as he stands. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?” Beckett groans, already circling the table.

I frown, confused, until I realise what he’s going to do too late.

Beckett pulls me into a hug, and I immediately stiffen.

My arms stay glued to my sides while he envelops me in his warmth with such ease. It’s nothing to him. Just a hug. But I’m rigid, torn between discomfort and the urge to soak in every second I can of contact.

My parents have never been the affectionate types. Even before we lost Oliver, their touch was scarce. Oliver wasn’t like that, but without him … well, I can’t remember the last time someone hugged me.

Some packs are tactile—closely-knit and doting, like our beloved neighbours—but mine resembles my parents. The few wolves who differ, aren’t comfortable enough with me to even try. Not that I blame them. I’d probably push them away.

But this was nice—sonice. Too nice.

I pull away first, nearly toppling as I stumble to put space between us.

Beckett eyes me, knowing something’s wrong, but I can’t quite meet his eyes. I feel strangely off-balance, my chest horribly tight. I grab my things, shoving them in my bag.

“No,” I command when they move to follow me—only because anything else won’t work. “I need a minute.”

Beckett and Isabel nod reluctantly, staying behind as I rush out of the cafeteria. The halls are empty. I thank Goddess for the respite and try to calm myself.

I don’t talk about it—don’t really know how—but affection isn’t something that unsettles me.

It’s something I crave.

From my pack. From my family. From my friends. And, if I’m lucky, one day from my mate.

Every wolf, no matter their lineage, knew of the Goddess’s greatest gift.

We were told the same stories as pups—how our Goddess formed each new spirit, split it in two, only to place each half in separate vessels as they entered this universe. If you found your other half,your mate, you’d know. You’d feel it.

I wanted that. To find the person who fits with me in every way. And while I knew it wasn’t likely, and still struggled with something as simple as a hug, I hoped for it.