Siara
After gathering all the strength I can, I pull myself together and get up. Realizing I don't have any clothes since I shred them during my transformation, I tell Phillip I need to run home to get some.
He nods in understanding, and we head to my house. Once there, Phillip shifts back to his human and opens the door. When he turns he sees me with my head to the ground, covering my eyes with my paws, and laughs.
"It's not like you haven't seen me naked before."
"I know that, but those times were unexpected. I knew you were going to change this time, so I'm giving you some privacy. You would do the same for me right?"
"Sorry babe, but I'm a wolf, a male wolf to be exact. You're a gorgeous female. It would be wrong of me not to appreciate such a beautiful creation," he teases.
"You are such a perv sometimes, I don't even know why we're friends," I link to him as I make my way inside, ignoring his teasing laughter as I go. I pad up to my room, nudge the door closed with my nose and change. I grab a pair of denim shorts and throw on a shirt, I realize it's one of Phillips. That reminds me I still have a naked male downstairs, I go to my closet to grab a shorts and shirt from the extra clothes Phillip had stashed here. We never know when we will have to change for whatever reason, so we got into the practice of keeping some of our clothes at the others house. That's how I got the shirt I'm now wearing. It's just too comfortable and Phillip won't miss it, he has so many.
Jogging downstairs, I him in the living room and toss his clothes in that direction.
"Okay Phillip, I brought you some clothes."
"Yeah, I'm in the living room."
"I know, I threw the clothes right by the entrance."
"You what?" I hear his footsteps nearing so I run back up the stairs, plopping myself down on the top step to wait for him.
He laughs then asks, "Why couldn't you just bring it to me?"
"Um, because you're still naked, duh."
"Afraid of not being able to control your urges once you see me?"
I sit up straight up in protest, "No way! You're like the brother I never had! I don't even think about you that way!"
"Way to bruise a guys ego," he grumbles..
Feeling bad about my reaction, I get up and start down the stairs to apologize. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it like that. You are seriously hot, prime wolf material. Any girl would be lucky to oodle your goodies."
As I finish my apology, I make it to the living room entrance and see him leaning against the wall, thankfully dressed, with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.
"Oodle my goodies, huh?" he asks playfully. Turns out he wasn't really offended. He was just messing with me as usual. My cheeks flame with annoyance. I never colud stand anyone having a leg up on me.
"You're such an ass sometimes, you know that? I thought I actually dented that pride of yours and felt bad. I should've known better," I grumble as I slap his arm.
He laughs again, "Not possible, my pride is firmly intact."
I can't help but laugh at how outrageous he is. I know it's his form of protection that he built around him after his rejection, and I feel some of my happiness dim.
"Besides, it's just fun to mess with you since I already know you don't see me that way. You only have eyes for one wolf, yet you refuse to tell him the truth."
So we were back to that were we, the rest of my happiness disappears completely and I frown at him, "Don't start with me again, Phillip."
He suddenly gets angry, "Why not, Siara? You think I'm just going to stand by and let him mark Chloe, knowing that it will be your death?"
"Maybe it won't, maybe my human is strong enough to survive after my wolf is gone. I'm strong, look what I've been through already." I try to placate him, though in my heart I know none of this is true. My heart won't be strong enough to withstand the pain of losing my wolf and my mate. I hide this knowledge well behind my serious, determined expression.
He must've bought it because he heaves his shoulders and says, "I'm sure you could, but I'm not sure it's a risk I'm willing to take. When I came here, I was broken from my rejection. You helped me through that, you helped heal me as much as I could be healed. I'm going to do the same for you. You deserve happiness, Siara. Happiness with your mate."
It's all just one big mess, and I'm confused. I know one thing for sure though, I'm not planning on telling Mason anything. I will do my job as Beta, be supportive of his marriage, and see what happens after that. I'm not even sure if Mason is the same guy I knew him to be. I fiddle with the friendship bracelet on my wrist. I don't even know if he still considers me a friend or not, now that he's found a new one.
"We need to get back, before people start wondering what happened to us."
It's clear he wants to argue with me, but the strain of the day must be showing on my features and he reluctantly gives in. The look he shoots me promises this is far from over.
"Fine, you know they're only thinking we ran off together to get freaky," he jokes..
Seriously?
It's a likely possibility. People do assume we're something more than friends to each other because of how much time we spend together, but for him to jump from a serious moment back to his shameless behavior so quickly gives me whiplash.
"Oh shove it and let's go playboy."
"Trust me, babe, there is nothing boyish about me," he boasts, waggling his eyebrows comically. He really is a clown.
I just roll my eyes and start for the door.
"I'm anxious to get back anyways, to start proving to you that you and Mason are made for each other. I saw the way he looked at me when I had my arm around your waist. It was possessive, and I think I'm gonna have fun testing his limits," the gleam in his eyes worries me.
"That's just his brotherly instincts toward me. He never did like guys getting close to me unless he thought they were his definition of good enough.. I guess it's nice to know that even though he has Chloe in his life, he's still protective of me," I muse.
"Siara, sometimes you are clueless. Actually, I think you both are. He was not looking at you in a brotherly way, I would know because neither do I."
That statement throws me. I don't think Mason ever felt more for me than brotherly, and for Phillip to admit he has looked at me other than brotherly as well has my head spinning.
"I'm not hitting on you so don't give me that look, I'm just saying that you're beautiful, inside and out. You're a catch, Siara, and I'm willing to bet Mason saw that a long time ago, but was just too slow to do something about it. I plan on fixing that."
"Phillip, just let it be. You're only going to stir up an already simmering pot and before you know it, it's going to boil over and burn everyone around. Just let things go, I shouldn't have waited so long to tell him, but I did. Now he's found his happily ever after, that's all I want for him."
He ignores me and makes his way outside, "No can do. I'm not letting you give in without a fight. I'm gonna help you fight for your man, with or without your help."
My shoulders slump in defeat. I know there's no changing his mind once it's set on something. I shut my door and reluctantly follow him, dreading what he could be planning in that devious mind of his.
As he stalks ahead determined, I curse myself using every swear word there is. Why did I ever confess my situation to Phillip? As if sensing my thoughts, he turns around and flashes one of his killer smiles my way, obviously feeling triumphant that he's won.
That's why.
He could charm the panties off a nun!
I was so in for it. Phillip was about to make and already difficult situation, ten times worse, and I had no one to blame but myself.
~~~~~
As we reached the pack house, I take a deep breath, preparing to put on the show of my life, and dodge whatever schemes Phillip has come up with during the walk here.
Deciding I need some fuel first, I walk to the food table set up to the side. Phillip follows close behind me. As I reach my destination, I feel tingles up and down my neck, and I know Mason is close and watching me. Looking for a distraction, I scan the table finding my favorite thing of all time.
Spanish rolls.
Mason's mom makes the best ones and I'm addicted to them..
Phillip notices where my attention is focused and says, "I guess you're gonna be awhile having some quality time with those rolls, so I'll leave you to it. But be warned, I will be back to set my plan in motion."
Ignoring him, because right now nothing matters more than getting that buttery, sugary, deliciousness into my mouth, I wave a hand dismissing him and grab a roll. Once it touches my tongue I can't stifle the moan that escapes my lips. The sugar spreads across my taste buds and the butter melts into my senses. It's amazing!
I'm so into my snack that I don't feel the presence behind me until it's too late to make an escape.
"So, although I haven't seen or spoken to you in awhile, I see you still have a weakness for my mom's Spanish rolls," Mason says in that smooth, rich voice that I love so much.
Swallowing the last of the roll that I just put in my mouth, I turn to face him, making sure my shield is firmly in place.
As I look into his green eyes, the shocks prickle my skin and my wolf whispers 'mate' in my mind. Plastering a fake smile on my face, one I'm sure will become a regular practice of mine while around him, I say, "No one can resist one of your mom's rolls."
He stares at me intently, and though he smiles, I can see there are questions in his eyes. Feeling a little uncomfortable by his close scrutiny of me, I shift my feet and look away, but am stopped when his hand grazes my cheek. Shifting my gaze back quickly, I look at him in confusion, trying to ignore the fireworks going on inside me from his touch. He then uses his thumb to brush the corner of my mouth, bringing it to his own lips and tasting the sugar comes away with. If I thought biting into the roll was amazing, it's nothing compared to the explosions this simple gesture sets off within me.
"You missed some, and I couldn't resist a taste." There is a flirtatious glint in his eyes, along with something more. It almost seems like desire, but that can't be possible. He has no clue we're mates, and he's engaged to someone else. Probably just my wishful thinking hopelessly trying to see something that isn't there.
"Siara, I think we need to talk. It's been awhile and I've missed you," he says, suddenly serious and a little hurt.
"I've missed you too, and I know we do but I don't think this is the right place for that conversation."
"I've waited six months for any type of conversation with you, I don't plan on waiting any longer."
From the corner of my eye I notice his fiance making her way toward us and have to fight the sudden urge to rip her to shreds. "I guess you'll just have to, seeing as Chloe is headed this way."
There's a slight grimace on his face which surprises me, before he lights up as his eyes land on her. I have to assume the grimace is meant for me then, wonderful. "Hi, you're just in time to meet someone special to me," Mason says to Chloe, smiling sappily.
That stings. He used to have that same smile whenever I sidled up next to him.
I mentally slap myself, if I'm going to follow through with my silence, then I need to get over it and realize that was the past and Mason is full speed ahead toward his future that I would have no part of. I need to suck it up and enjoy the short time I have left with him.
Chloe shares a smile with Mason, making me want to gag, before facing me and saying, "I'm glad I finally get to meet the person Mason never stops talking about." Though she's smiling, I sense an underlying irritation in her voice. It makes me feel a little better knowing that even though Mason is with her and plans to marry her, he hasn't completely forgotten about me.
I should probably feel guilty that he's talked so much about me, when he should be concentrating on his fiance, but I can't find it in me to feel that way.
"It's nice to meet you too, sorry I can't say the same, he never mentioned you to me." Okay, that probably came out a little bitchy, but I felt bitchy. No one ever called me an academy award winning actress, and this situation is a tough one to swallow.
She comes back swinging, though, "That's probably because you haven't talked to him in months. I've also been keeping him pretty busy, so it would be hard for him to find the time anyway."
Ouch. The she wolf has claws. She can't possibly know that what she's insinuating sends an excruciating pain through my heart. I'm too wounded by her words to hide the slight flinch they cause. Mason is just about to speak up, in defense of me or her I have no clue, when a pair of strong arms are wrapped around my waist as a fourth person joins our conversation.
"All done with your rolls, babe?" Phillip asks..
What the hell did he just call me?
I turn a confused look up to him.
"Unless you want me to spill the beans right here and right now to your dear old mate Mason, you better play along and put your best acting shoes on," he says through our pack link keeping his shield up so Mason isn't able to hear.
I have no clue what he's up to but I can't let him spill my secret so I push down my confusion and annoyance while answering, "Ah, yeah. All finished."
Before I follow through with my urge to smack the devious smirk right off Phillip's face, I turn back to the happy couple and am surprised by the anger in Mason's eyes. The green there is darkening as if his wolf is angered for some reason. He then asks with a cold voice I've never heard before, "Who's this, Siara? I don't believe we've met."
"Oh silly, isn't it obvious? This must be Siara's mate," Chloe helpfully offers..
Can't really blame the girl for her assumption. The way Phillip is holding me so possessively is likened to that of a mate.
A low growl is heard and I'm surprised to see it's coming from Mason. What is up with him? I feel the need to calm him and have to fight against it. "No, he's not my mate. I haven't found him yet," I lie.
Mason visibly relaxes until Phillip speaks, "No, I'm not lucky enough to be her mate," he pauses to shoot a pointed look at Mason that I want to slap him for, then continues, "but I am her boyfriend. I'm Phillip and I know you two are Mason and Chloe from your speech earlier. It's nice to meet you."
Phillip is a dead man! Boyfriend? Is he serious? I think I need to check him into the nearest mental facility because the man has lost his marbles!
I want to move away from Phillip but he tightens his grip on my waist. Chancing a glance at Mason, he looks ready to rip Phillip's hand from my body. He's really going into big brother protective mode.
"Look closely, Siara. That is not just a brotherly glare he's giving me."
Realizing Phillip is still tuned into my inner thoughts, I do as he suggests and am surprised once again at what I see. Mason is looking at Phillip as if he has his hand on Mason's property, which is true in a sense but Mason doesn't know that for a fact. I haven't kissed him, or revealed my secret to him so there would be no way of him knowing. Unless his wolf is so restless that he's realizing it all on his own. I've never heard of that happening before but our species is constantly evolving so who knows what the possibilities are.
"Honey, isn't that great. You always said you worried about Siara. Now you don't have to, she has Phillip. We can concentrate on our wedding," Chloe says, hooking her arm in Mason's. Her touch seems to calm him, and though I'm happy he has that, I'm also a little sad that I can't be the one to do that for him. "Speaking of weddings," Chloe continues, unaware of the turmoil her touching Mason is putting me through, "I don't have many friends, having lost them in the fight against our pack. So I thought since you are so important to Mason, would you be my maid of honor?"
This can't be happening.
How can I turn her down without looking like a complete bitch? To say no would hurt and confuse Mason. He won't understand why. As my gaze shifts back and forth between them, it's evident she's eager for my answer while he's intensely awaiting it as if it's the answer to some unspoken test. What that test was, I have no clue.
Feeling cornered, I give the only answer I can. "I'd love to, thank you so much for asking."
Phillip tenses next to me, he obviously thought I was still being stupid. I second that, but I already agreed. There's no backing out now.
I glance at Mason, prepared to be hurt by the happiness my agreement will bring him, knowing that I accept Chloe, but am surprised to see a deep sadness in his eyes. It's as if my answer isn't the one he wanted.
Does that mean he doesn't want me to be a part of his wedding?
That thought almost hurts more than knowing he considers Chloe his new best friend.
He notices my hurt expression and visibly shakes himself while smiling and saying, "I'm really happy you said yes, Siara. Now I'll have my two best girls up there with me when I say my vows."
It eases my heart a little to hear him refer to me as one of his best girls, but at the same time tears me apart to know that I will have an up close and personal view of my mate marrying someone else. This back and forth, push and pull that's going on is draining.
Picking up on my stressful thoughts, Phillip speaks up, "Well, glad that's all settled. Congratulations to the both of you. We should be going now. Don't want to keep hogging the couple everyone else wants a chance to congratulate." He grabs my hand, and starts stepping back in an effort for us to break away.
"It was nice meeting you Chloe, and congratulations to the both of you," I manage to force out. As I turn to follow Phillip, Mason reaches for my hand, looking deeply into my eyes.
"We still need to have that talk, Siara. It seems there is a lot more to talk about than just your cutting me off. Something else is going on with you and I will find out, trust me on that."
Then he lets go, causing me to miss the tingles that shot up my arm. He shakes his hand out as well, as if he felt something too, then turns to Chloe and greets the next congratulator.
At the end of the night, I feel like I deserve an academy award. I handled myself pretty well considering there was another woman all cuddled up to my mate, and I'm now being congratulated on finally getting together with Phillip. It's crazy how many people approve of it. Phillip was enjoying our new situation, even going as far as to tell everyone he fell in love with me instantly, as soon as he stepped foot in our town. He's laying it on thick, saying how I mended his broken heart and all that mushy stuff the gossipers of our pack live for.. After the day I've had, I just don't have the energy in me right now to fight him on this, so I just accept that our new 'relationship' will be the distraction I need to get through this wedding. At least I'll have a plus one to take. Unfortunately that snide thought doesn't help to lighten my mood at all.
Phillip will owe me big time for this and I know just how to make him pay up. I'll make him sit with me in the clearing on Mason's wedding night, and hold my hand as my mate marks another. I'll be needing his support as I say my final goodbye to my mate and my wolf.