Chapter 37: Something's Got A Hold On Me

Landon

I don't know why I was so in my head about this, but I am done now.

The last straw was having to be put on rut medicine, but the real kick was me hurting another person. As much as it pains me, my mother was right. That is not what I am about. It never was.

My father used to say: we don't train to fight, we train so we never have to.

The old days are gone. Packs no longer go on raiding parties to display dominance and claim innocent victims. I have no interest in battling it out with another pack for any reason whatsoever.

I inherited a war, sure. But I never wanted to fight anyone. Most pack members are just glad to live out their lives unbothered, simply write a check for the pack fee every month and be done with it. They don't concern themselves with politics, don't know any warriors or work for the pack.

The average pack member will only meet their Alpha once at the ascension ceremony. They don't care about who makes it as a warrior, who is the Delta or how much a Beta makes.

They cut their checks and that's it. The most involved they get is when they receive the mailing list our pack secretary Lourdes compiles with news of our community. Or the occasional gossip. Everybody loves a good gossip.

I am sure that when I was rejected by my mate, word of that event spread like wildfire throughout our pack. The same with the shocking news of the second chance matings. That probably had everyone's heads spinning as to how that could be true, though it is.

They know the pack fee is mandatory - how else are we supposed to pay the 150 warriors, Lourdes, Beta Carillon and myself? - but the reason people send over their checks in the mail is pretty simple.

It's the same reason that drew their ancestors to this particular pack in the first place. It's the equal motive our tax money pays for the police force. Security.

People don't concern themselves about warriors, but they rest in the knowledge that they are protecting us. No matter the threat, be it a rogue or an (wolf) army assault. Citizens of Regency Falls know they can count on the warriors to protect them.

If someone breaks wolf law, they know Beta Carillon and I will make them pay.

We are one of the largest werewolf packs in the country, larger than the Blood Moon pack even before the drone strike. Our strength lies in the certainty of our numbers. Especially after what happened with them, the message was loud and clear.

Don't fuck with us. We are not to be messed with. And if you come for us, you will wish to Goddess you never did. A lesson I am positive that Aaron has learned painstakingly.

So if you think about it, we actually under charge them. They should pay us more than humans do their church. However, none of us do this job for the money. Warriors don't risk their lives for a cop equivalent salary, they do it because they take it upon themselves to protect our pack and family.

I am not the Alpha because it comes with a house, maids and cooks. I am a simple man who wouldn't mind doing the cleaning and the cooking. But I was born to serve, born to lead this pack that was founded by my forefathers.

Now I have a small confession to make.

It's not exactly a big deal, but there is some context to the accident that happened this morning. The truth is when I arrived at the training center, I was greeted by the warriors, who bowed their heads to me and...

"You completed the bond already?!" I gasped in shock as I saw one of the warriors I took to the' meet and greet' in the Blood Moon pack.

Everyone kept staring at us as I am completely overwhelmed by this fact.

"Yes, I did. Was I not supposed to? Isn't that why you sent us to their pack, Alpha?" He stammered nervously. Everybody knows I haven't completed the bond yet. It's not something one can hide from other werewolves - especially during the Summer.

"Yeah, of course it is. Good for you, Levinson. I just thought people would take more time to do it, that's all." I muttered under my breath in a defeated tone. I didn't mean to turn this into a competition or a race, but I am frustrated. And I thought I wasn't the only one.

"I understand, Alpha. But my mate is going back to college in a month, so she didn't want to wait around. You know how it is." He explained, awkwardly.

It's like a knife has been plunged into my heart.

"Yeah, I do. Congratulations, man. I'm so happy for you." I breathed out, trying to hide my frustration and failing miserably.

The entire room got very uncomfortable as the rest of the men and women knew why I was so surprised by his news and looked so frustrated about it.

"Hang in there, Alpha. I'm sure your time will come soon." He said in an encouraging tone.

"Thanks, Levinson. Again, congrats." I said, moving along.

Now you see why I was so prone to violence?

I didn't mean to hurt anyone, but I am getting angry at this. Though mostly at myself. I should just give in already. I had this conversation with Gustavo and there is no reason why I shouldn't.

After my mom forced me to take the rut medicine, I was determined to get to the bottom of this issue. Pun intended.

After dinner, as soon as Harry and I walked inside our bedroom, I staked my claim.

"OK, you won. I can't hold on any longer. I need you. I want you. Do to me as you will." I surrendered in a vulnerable tone.

"Actually..." He said, lowering his head. Panic surged in me as I watched his frame.

"Please don't tell me you're having second thoughts about accepting me. For the love of Goddess, don't do this to me!" I begged, incredibly vulnerable.

Harry rushed to my side and hugged me.

"No, Landon. That'st... I'm not having any second thoughts. I just feel like I was being unfair to you, withholding sex like it was some sort of ransom. That's not what the mate bond should be about. I can't force you into a position you don't want." He said, remorsefully.

I saw the vulnerability in his eyes. And the toll it's taking on him. I kissed him tenderly.

"Yeah, you're right. But neither of us want to bottom, so I say we both should get what we want. We both should bottom, this way neither mate feels left out." I proposed with a naughty grin.

"Deal. But who will go first?" He inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"You can go first, mate. I don't mind. As long as I can go next." I conceded naughtily.

We kissed each other for the longest time. I am so fulfilled in his arms. His sweet scent comforts me like nothing else in the world.

"Since tomorrow is Friday, I'm gonna whisk you away for the weekend. Take you somewhere else so we can complete the bond in peace and tranquility. How does that sound?" I suggested, enthusiastically.

"Sounds great. I can't wait!" He replied, smiling contently.

"Perfect. I can't believe we lost so many days because of a silly detail. Who cares about who tops first? I just need to mark that pretty little neck of yours. I'm dying to bite you." I admitted in a much better mood.

"I know, right? We were so stupid! But if ever I were to lose my virginity, I'm glad it is with you, Lan." He said with a loving gaze and I melted.

"I couldn't agree with you more, Harry. I'm already so crazy about you, I can't explain it." I said before going to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

"I feel the same. If we hold off any longer, I'm the one who's gonna need rut medicine." He snickered. Though I am surprised he lasted this long without it.

The next day, I woke up in a much better mood. Today is the day that I'd complete the bond and I could barely believe this was finally happening for me.

Harry and I entered the dining room together, hand in hand, and my family immediately noticed our radiant smiles.

"Good morning, Landon. Did you take your pill?" Mom greeted me with her sunny disposition.

"Yes, I did. I'm sorry for being such a brat yesterday. I was going through some stuff." I said, apologetically.

"It's fine, son. You're my brat, so I can always get you squared away." She sassed, smiling boastfully at me.

"Good morning, Barnetts. Morning, Spence. Are you going out tonight?" Harry inquired of his best friend.

"Actually, Ares is–"

Spencer is interrupted by his cell phone ringtone. An alarm went off inside his pocket and he pulled his phone out to check it. As soon as he did, a shriek passed his lips.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Harry asked him, worriedly.

Spencer looked devastated, shocked. All of us were curious as to what had happened for him to be this shook.

"I had an alarm set on my phone for when my next heat was due. You know I have to be vigilant about it otherwise..." He trailed off. Yeah, I totally get his point. Especially if he wants to avoid an 'unexpected' pup.

"Oh my Goddess!" Harry gasped at the information.

Omegas go in heat every six months, starting when they turn 17. It is only suspended when they are pregnant. It's nature push into that direction. When in heat, an Omega loses their power to consent and cannot refuse any sexual advance.

Once the person gets mated, heat loses a lot of its power to attract other suitors. Because once you're mated, it only serves to attract your own mate into making a baby.

If you stay near an Omega in heat, it's impossible NOT to get affected by it. But it's easier to resist their pull when you and/or they are mated. But unmated heat is a free for all, which is why they are so dangerous for Omegas. Because in theory anyone can take advantage of their condition and...

When I was in high school, the school had a program to guarantee the safety of our Omegas. Even then, there were some close calls. Because you can't predict when your first heat will strike. Not like Spencer, who's already 20.

"I'm so sorry, Spence. Do you think it's gonna be like your last one?" Harry asked him, sounding concerned.

"Last time I was properly bonded. Now that my mate mark is gone, I have a feeling that it's gonna be like my first heat." He said, clearly troubled.

"If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. I can arrange for your meals to be served in your room. Or I can find you a chaperone to monitor your condition." Mom told him in an empathizing tone.

"Thanks, Luna. I might have to take you up on that." Spencer said, feeling bad.

"This is the worst possible timing! I had the whole day planned with–"

"Good morning, people. How are you doing on this fine Friday morning?" Ares greeted us as he walked inside the dining room in a chipper mood.

"Hi, mate. I'm sorry, but something has come up and we can't go on our date today." Spencer told him, sorrowful.

"Why not?" Ares cried out, shocked by the news.

"Because I just found out that my heat is do at any moment." He replied, distraught.

"Oh my Goddess!" He gasped in shock.

"Are you feeling alright? Do you have any symptoms?" Ares inquired, concerned.

"Not right now, no. But it can strike me at any time today." Spencer replied in a somber tone.

"OK, I guess. Can we just talk a little then? I'll wait for you in the living room." Ares proposed, leaving the dining room shortly.

"Sure. But you can't be near me, I'm afraid." He said before his mate left.

The morning breakfast took a turn for the dramatic, but Harry looked worried.

"Your first heat affected almost the entire school. Are you sure you should be alone with him?" He turned to Spencer, looking really troubled.

"I'll keep the door open and stay as far away from him as possible. We won't be together for long." Spencer reassured him.

"OK, then. If you need anything, just call me." Harry offered, sympathetically.

"Thanks, my friend. But you're not exactly immune to it. If I need anything, I'll call Luna." He said, glancing at my mom. He meant it's not the same situation Harry had with Grayson back in college. Because Gray was already mated and marked by then, so his heat didn't affect him as much.

"Please do. You can use the extension in your room. I'll be in my office all day." Mom replied with a soft smile.

After breakfast, I went to my office and searched for a property where I could take Harry. Our city is not exactly booming with hotel options, so my best bet would be a bed and breakfast.

However, I don't want to take him to some hotel in town. I am looking for something more exclusive, isolated if possible.

Though it's short notice, I scrolled through pages of information until I found a little cottage available to rent in the outskirts of the city.

It belongs to a pack member, so all I had to do was call her to get the details. I guess being Alpha has its privileges because once I did, the whole thing was arranged in a minute.

I stepped out of my office to meet her and get the key when I got startled by a mind link.

"Alpha, this is Forrester. I'm doing a round here in the pack house and I think there's something wrong with Ares and his mate." A warrior on duty surprised me in a disturbed tone.

"Why? What 's wrong?" I asked him, already worried.

"Ares and his mate are shirtless in the middle of the living room. Both of them are groping each other inappropriately." He informed me and I gasped in shock.

"Get the other warrior on duty to the living room now!" I demanded, distraught.

I darted towards the living room before things escalated further. I can't touch an unmated Omega in heat because I am not marked yet, but fortunately the warriors are.

As soon as I got there, I gasped in shock. Ares and Spencer were embraced tightly, half naked, feeling each other up wildly inappropriately.

I told the warriors to help me separate them. I grabbed Ares from behind while the other one took a hold of Spencer, who whimpered at the lack of contact with his mate.

Ares fought me off to get back to his mate, but I pulled him to me, staring him down.

"Ares Saunders, as your Alpha I command you to stay still!" My loud commanding voice boomed inside the living room, causing him to do as told.

"Forrester, please escort Spencer to his quarters. I'll get my mother to check up on him in a minute." I ordered the warrior who did as I instructed.

In the meantime, I grabbed Ares' shirt from the ground and got him dressed. He was giving me an eye full with his bulging shorts, but I am just glad neither of them was fully nude. Especially Spencer, considering Ares and I had already shared a shower in the training center.

The second warrior on duty was waiting for my instructions, so I told him to tell my mother about what happened and get her to check on him.

I started to walk out of the pack house with Ares. As soon as the effect of Spencer's heat wore off, he was mortified by the display of his behavior.

"I'm so sorry, Lan. I don't know what got a hold of me!" He apologized, blushing intensely.

"It's fine, Ares. At least you didn't punch me." I snickered.

"Because that's what I need right now. To be executed for assaulting the Alpha." He replied, feeling terrible.

"You know I'd never do that to you, my friend. You weren't in your right mind." I said, feeling sorry for him.

We walked together until he got into his car. Then I got into mine to keep my appointment. Damn, that was a lot! But I am glad we were able to intervene before it was too late. If anyone is completing the bond next in this pack it's gonna be me.

A|N: I had a different song in mind for this chapter but something's got a hold of me.

Next comes a twist NO ONE saw coming.

Love,

Léo.