Mated to the Alpha Knight
3. Mate

I woke up in my own bed, Emrys' grey sweatshirt held in my hands like a security blanket, and thecovers that warmed my body felt hot as I sat up. My bedroom was not big but not small either, wallsof lilac, decor and carpet of white and my only light source was a small lamp that sat on my bedsidetable.

When did I fall asleep?

Downstairs I heard the front door open and shut, my mother calling out for my brother and I.Sighing, I fell back into my bed; a pounding headache danced in my head as I groaned and rubbedmy hands over my face, a feeling of loneliness and anger flickered in my veins. Deciding it would bebetter to not waste my Tuesday night away in bed, I hopped in the shower quickly and afterwardschanged into a fresh pair of leggings, slipping Emrys' sweatshirt over my sports bra; bruises whereJackson held me were an ugly yellowish green, the hickeys -thankfully- were only a light pink but tobe on the safe side, I covered them with concealer.

"Hey Cece," My father greeted me as I reached the bottom of the stairs the same time he openedthe front door, his blue eyes wide with happiness and his greying brown hair combed back.

"Hey dad,” My father hugged me quickly before hanging up his coat and walking into the kitchen togreet my mother. They smiled at the sight of each other and I only wondered if that one day I woulddo the same to my mate.

My phone dinged.

'Ce, where were you today?" A text from my best friend Ostana.

“Sick’ 1 replied, biting my lip as guilt weighed over my shoulders. She sent back a quick “feel better"and asked if we could still hang out on Sunday -the day after my sweet sixteen- which I smiled andreplied "totally!"

"Where's Emrys?" My father's voice cut through my thoughts as he started helping my mother setthe table. Worry rushed through me, my body breaking out in cold sweat as pieces of my sobbingstory to Emrys from earlier this afternoon. "It's almost dinner,"

"I'll go get him,” Words tumbled out of my mouth so fast that my mother and father raised boththeir eyebrows at me, my mom getting a suspicious look, and my dad just looking utterly confused.Did he go after Jackson? Backing out of the kitchen, racing up the stairs, and not even bothering toknock, I opened the door to Emrys' bedroom; a blush rose to my cheeks as he turned aroundsurprised.

His black towel hung dangerously low on his hips as water dripped down his black locks, landing onhis chiseled and golden chest then slowly racing down. Rain and cedar frazzled my thoughts as Itook all of him in- wait, no... This is my brother! Why am I thinking like this?

Emrys cleared his throat, a ghost of smirk came and went so fast that I may have imagined it; myeyes whipped up to meet him. He raised an eyebrow in questioning as my cheeks turned the colorof a firetruck. "I, um,” All thoughts drifted away from my mind as Emrys crossed his arms, when didhe get so muscular?

"You what?"

"Um," Closing my eyes and shaking my head of all thoughts consisting of Alabama bullshit, I took adeep breath and rushed out my words. "Mom and dad said dinner is ready and I wanted to see ifyou killed Jackson, which apparently you didn't, and I was just worried, and I-"

Emrys placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping me from babbling on. Opening my steel blue eyes, Imet his stormy eyes with a shudder. He smiled. "You're wearing my sweatshirt,"

"Yeah," I trailed off, eyes focusing on his messy pile of books. Emrys' room was much different thanmy own, full of blacks and dark greys, messy with books, papers, and a few clothes, and he even hadhis own attached bathroom. "It was warm,"

"Is it now?" He took a step forward, his scent of rain and cedar started to become addicting, smalltingles danced where he touched my arm- Stepping out of his grip, I turned and without anotherword, went back downstairs.

"I heard Dillion is turning sixteen tomorrow," Ostana whispered as we worked on our Englishproject, Mrs.Briggs watched silently from her desk and gave anyone the evil eye. "So if the MoonGoddess loves you, or me, he will be one of our mates.”

"No thanks," For some reason, Emrys drifted into my thoughts. I smiled and finished writing downmy poetry notes before looking at my best friend; her mocha skin and almond eyes of honey werecomplemented by her sleek black hair that was raised into a high ponytail. Ostana was alreadysixteen, just never found her mate quite yet. "Dillion seems sorta stupid,”

She chuckled and nodded. Dillion Grives was a jock, who was the most stereotypical frat guy anyonecould meet; sandy hair, green eyes, tall... He had what most girls loved, except he lacked brains.Above us, the lights buzzed and flickered for a moment before going silent and staying on.

"Are you still coming over Sunday?” I whispered lowly, checking the clock to see we only had fivemore minutes until this dreaded day ended; all day I avoided Jackson and his onyx gaze.

"No," Ostana grimaced and started to put her notes into her green binder, myself mimicking hermovements. "My father has to help Alpha Thomas and since I'm next in line for my father's positionas Delta, I have to go along. My mother is even going,”

The schoolbell cut through our conversation loudly, echoing against the cement walls as my peersflooded out of the classroom; their conversations and laughter filling the halls.

Ostana and I walked to her Toyota Highlander and headed for my house; a familiar cherry red 1970Chevy Chevelle sat in my driveway next to Emrys' mustang, I groaned as Ostana squealed loudly."Oh my Goddess!" Plugging my ears as she screamed, I laughed at her bright expression. "Please tellme that that is Laker's car,"

Unplugging my ears as Ostana parked along the road in front of my bed, she turned off herHighlander, and Harry Styles’ voice faded softly. "Yes it is,” In record time, Ostana hopped out of hercar and started up my driveway, my own feet racing to catch up to hers.

"He is so fucking hot," Sticking the key into the lock, I huffed as it almost jammed. "Hurry up bitch, Iwanna see this piece of meat,” Ostana jumped for joy as I clicked the lock and pulled the key out."Do his pictures really do him justice?"

"You've been Insta-stalking him?" I chuckled as we walked through the door, Ostana making surethere were no wrinkles in her white colored sweater and leggings; I practically wore the same thingexcept my sweater was black.

"Of course!" She whispered. Loud laughter came from the kitchen then, Ostana took my hand anddragged me into the dining room; both guys sat at the kitchen counter.

Laker was dressed in a white tee-shirt, ripped jeans, and these small ankle like boots, his dark brownhair combed back, and those ice green eyes of his complimented his dark tan skin. Emrys' on theother hand wore a navy blue tee-shirt, covered by a leather jacket, black jeans, and boots; his blackhair fixed as he talked to his best friend.

Ostana froze next to me, Lakers laughter dying down as he went still; they met eyes at the sametime and together they spoke.

"Mate."