The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
Chapter 28

We were so awkward.

The worst it's ever been.

And if we ever thought we were going to prove everyone wrong, that nothing was going on between us, this wasn't the way.

This was definitely not the way.

Jeremy and I stood so far apart, barely looking at each other and most definitely not saying a word to each other. We looked worse than enemies, we were strangers. Pretend strangers. It's ridiculous.

As we were walking, I tripped on a slippery rock and he let me fall, muttering an apology without even looking my way, yet his hands were still out to try and catch me like he wanted to help but couldn't because we were being stupid. This whole situation was stupid.

It feels like only hours ago I was at the Games with Jeremy in that lake. The next second, I'm on the platform knowing I'll be sent home unmated, and then I blink and I am being marked by Ajax and suddenly destined mates with Jeremy. It was just too much. Everything was happening so fast that my heart couldn't keep up.

But I'm trying to be strong, trying to hold it together and keep positive.

It's no easier for Ajax or Jeremy.

I know they're both trying to do their best too.

The last thing we all needed was to make things worse.

"This is stupid." Jeremy finally says, helping me up and quietly cursing at himself. "We were friends before this all happened. We should... stay that way."

"Agreed." I said, dusting myself off. "Friends. Surely."

"Surely." He nodded before letting out a laugh that sounded more like a cry for help. "What the hell is happening to us?"

Jeremy held his head in his hands, a muffled shout coming from it as he leaned against a tree. He looked so distraught that I couldn't look at him without my neck burning... calling to him.

All I wanted to do at that moment was wrap him in an embrace, but I knew better, so without any other option, I picked up a stick on the ground and poked him in the chest with it.

"Hey, stop that." I said, poking him again.

He grabs the stick and swats it away. "Stop what?"

I poked him harder. "Stop making me want to hug you."

Jeremy scoffed, sticking his tongue out, but I could see it. All he wanted was to be hugged too. "As if I would let you. I don't have a death wish."

We both rolled our eyes. A second of silence passes and, as if on cue, we look up at each other at the same time and erupt in laughter. I shove him with the stick and he easily breaks the branch in two. "Let's go to the training area." He says after some time. "Like nothing happened."

"Like nothing happened." I repeated, knowing full well everything has changed and it will never be the same anymore. But we will pretend it isn't. We will pretend all is well.

"Everyone in the pack is required to train how to fight. Lucky for you," Jeremy looked at the position of the sun. "You'll be training with our main fighters." "No pressure." I whispered under my breath.

"They're nice. You'll like them." He says, seeing my face fall. "You've met most of them in the Games."

Flashes of men and women making bets against Jeremy and Konstantin came to mind. The smiling and shoving group that kept chanting Jeremy's name.

I remained quiet, following behind him. The walk wasn't long, but it was filled with silence which made it feel like it was longer. And then, the trees started to thin and I found myself on a flat land filled with werewolves of every shape and size. Laughter was in the air, as well as shouts and grunts. All of them were either fighting each other or were on the side giving encouragement and advice.

They don't turn to look at us, all busy with their own things.

"When was the last time you shifted?" Jeremy asked, bringing us to the center of the flat land.

"Years and years ago." I say sheepishly, watching everyone else train. They made it look so easy, almost like breathing. One girl was shifting back and forth between her human and wolf forms so fast and she wasn't even flinching. "That means we have to train your human form first." Jeremy tells me, his voice lowered. "The strength of the wolf comes from the strength of the human."

My eyes glanced back at the girl, seeing how strong and dependable she was, how the men three times her size looked up to her... I wanted to be just like her. A new determination washes over me. "What do I have to do?" Jeremy smiles, seeing my earlier nervousness turn into a new found purpose. "Basics for now. Like building stamina."

"Okay," I don't get to say more as Jeremy looks around until he replaces the girl I was looking at.

"Shannon! Come here!" Jeremy hollered, cupping his hands together around his lips, making his words echo through the entire training area. "Hurry!"

The girl turns to face us, her expression lighting up. "Yes, Beta!"

My eyes widened, horror filling my bones as I glared at Jeremy. "What are you doing?"

"Training you." He insists, a secretive smirk on his lips.

I frowned, realizing what he was doing. "No. You're..."

"Introducing you to your pack? Showing them their amazing Luna?" He offered, eyebrows going up and down. "Shannon. Have you met our Luna yet?"

"I haven't had the pleasure." She bows low in greeting, her bubbly personality infectious. "Hello, Luna. I'm Shannon. The new Delta."

My lips parted, eyeing Jeremy in surprise before smiling, completely understanding. "Hi, I'm June."

"The Luna needs a training partner. I was wondering if you would mind helping her? She's working on her stamina right now." Jeremy starts, helping us get acquainted. "And then maybe towards self defense soon." Her entire face came alive with excitement. "Of course, of course! Leave it to me, Luna."

"I replace that the best way to build stamina is through jogging." Jeremy suggests, waving his finger around. "There's a small path around here that's perfect for that."

Another man approaches Jeremy and they quickly engage in deep conversation, with Jeremy looking up to check on me from time to time.

"It really is nice to meet you, Luna." Shannon bowed again. "I've heard nothing but great things."

I wasn't quite so sure about that, but she looked so genuine that I took her hands in mine and pulled her up from her bow. "I'm sorry for you getting roped into this, but I have to say after I saw you train earlier, I think I'm in great hands." She blushed, her skin bright red, but her smile was big and proud. "It's an honor to be able to help the Luna. I am at your service."

Shannon took the lead, bringing me to the path that Jeremy spoke of and helped me into a few stretching positions. I was very confused, but I followed her lead and soon when she said I was ready, we started a slow jog around the clearing.

If I was being completely honest with myself, I was already roasting and panting out of my mind by the first lap, but Shannon and the other people that were jogging as well didn't even look like they broke a sweat, so I kept quiet, held my panting to a minimum and pushed myself.

I thought I was used to physical labor, spending most of my days working nonstop from dawn until dusk, but it seems this was a completely different thing. But I wasn't about to embarra*s Ajax by asking Shannon to stop though she did ask me three times if I needed a break.

"No. I can do more." I said through haggard breaths. "This pace is perfect."

It was not perfect.

I was dying.

Nearly six feet under.

But I couldn't show them.

I don't think I've ever sweated this much in my life and the places I sweated from were parts of my body I never thought was physically possible. This was so different from my life before. My chores every day were tiring, but it wasn't like this. I used to cook, clean the house- the houses of everyone in the pack, sweep the entirety of our small town, gather wood, replace usable herbs, wash and mend everyone's clothing.

But now, doing this, as much as I felt like I was going to d i e any moment, it felt good.

I felt good.

And I replace myself liking it very much.

I have lost count on how many laps we have done when I see Ajax return. He was hard to miss. He was the largest of them, exceptionally tall, with eyes looking dark and haunting despite being a bright amber. Waves of power tumbled out of him, his presence capturing the entire training area.

Everyone was quick to greet him, bowing their heads low and smiling widely. Ajax didn't really return any of them, his eyes immediately replaceing me on the far side of the training area. I tried not to meet his gaze even if it burned my soul, feeling his amber eyes follow every step I made.

He spoke with Jeremy, who had come to stand beside him. Others came around to greet Ajax as well and though he gave them a slight tilt of his head, his eyes were still on me, continuing his conversation with Jeremy without looking away from me. I tried not to pant too hard with him watching me and I purposely kept my back straight as I ran despite the ground calling me to fall.

Must not fall on my face. I chanted over and over. Must not fall on my face-

"June,"

I nearly topple over at the sound of my name, but a strong and steady hand catches me easily. "Oh,"

Bright amber eyes stared at me. "I got you."

"My bear." I blurted out with a tired giggle, holding onto him tightly, gripping hard muscles. That was until I realized I had said this out loud and everyone, literally everyone, stopped to look at the monstrous Alpha who was just called a bear. Ajax takes me by surprise when he laughs, loudly. His laugher echoed through the training area, surprising the crowd that had stopped to figure out where the sound was coming from. Even Jeremy looked stunned.

They continued to stare at Ajax and I like some miracle was happening in front of them. It seems that if Ajax smiled rarely, if at all, he laughed even less.

And this, this was a never before seen moment for everyone.

In all my sweaty and gross glory, Ajax pulls me close, hugging me to his side. "I see you've met Shannon. Our new Delta."

I nodded, smiling at her from under Ajax's arm. "She's the best."

She flushed, bowing her head in appreciation.

"Thank you for taking care of my mate, Shannon. I look forward to seeing you in the next meeting." Ajax says after he sees me, happily grinning with his Delta. He presses a kiss on top of my head then. "I think that's enough training for today!" Thank Goddess. Because I seriously could not feel my legs nor could I breathe, but I couldn't say that out loud, so despite everything inside of me saying otherwise, I pretended to be disheartened. "But I still want to,"

Ajax can see the bullshit of my words from across the valley. He merely smiles like he doesn't. "I have a surprise for you."

I raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

He smiled down at me- another miracle by the sound of the gasps that came from the training area. "Then it wouldn't be a surprise."

With much effort, I got on my toes to whisper quietly in his ear. "I can't take another step. Please carry me. I'm dying."

Not a second later, Ajax sweeps me off my feet, carrying me bridal style, and without a care of who's watching, presses another kiss on my forehead. "Let's go."

Warmth fills my heart as butterflies danced inside my stomach. I held onto him tight, fighting off the giggles from leaving my lips.

But I suppose I didn't need to fight them off after all because, as Ajax carried me away, I saw a glimpse of Jeremy, smiling happily towards us, yet his eyes said another.

He was happy for us, that I know.

But he was also in mourning, in mourning for us.

For what could have been.

For what will never be.

And as hard as I tried not to care, I did. It hurt.

Before I could say or do anything, Ajax had already brought us to the trees, leaving Jeremy behind. My mark burned but with Ajax holding me close and his lips pressed against my hair, it wasn't as painful anymore.

The house was a welcome sight and the moment I saw the first of my couches, my insides seemed to cry for them. Ajax takes me inside, carrying me into the house and up the stairs. We walked past our room and his office until we stopped in front of a door across from where I found him this morning.

Staring curiously at the door and wondering if this was just a guest bedroom of some sort, Ajax opens it and my lips part. The first thing I noticed was the books, so many books on shelves built into the walls. There weren't even walls anymore. It was all books. And so many comfortable looking seats, the best of them was a seat by the windowsill, amongst fluffy pillows and thick blankets with books surrounding it like a little alcove.

I was speechless but I had to show my appreciation. "T-thank you."

Ajax gave me a small smile that warmed my entire body. "You haven't seen the best part."

He carried me over to the seat by the window overlooking the trees and the twisting river waters. I was prepared to thank him again for the beautiful view that he was showing until I realized he was gesturing to a small table beside the couch where there was a... "A phone to call your father." He tells me. "I had another installed at his house. I figured you would want to speak with him."

"Yes. Yes!" I couldn't help myself, I grabbed Ajax's face and pulled him down to my lips for a kiss. "Thank you!"

He presses our noses together. "Go call him. I imagine there is a lot to talk about."

There were no words.

I could only smile.

"I'll be in my office if you need me." He says, setting me down and taking a step back. "Take your time and ask him if he needs anything."

"Ajax," I said before he left the room.

He turns, an ever so patient expression on his face. "Yes, my little mate?"

I understood then how much he's really done for me; doing things before I even ask for them, making sure I have places to stay in the house and providing me with ways of how to be with my father. "Thank you."

"Anything for you." Ajax says this like it's nothing, like he's only happy to be able to provide me with things. "There's a paper I stuck on the phone. That's your father's number. Simply dial it and he will answer."

"Okay."

With another one of those small smiles that makes me melt, Ajax turns and leaves me to call my father. I stared at the door for a little while longer, enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by books, but my excitement got the better of me not soon after, I found myself reading the numbers scribbled on the paper.

Hesitantly, I type the numbers written and wait.

It rang a couple of times.

And a few more times.

Right as I think my father might be busy and won't answer, a gruff familiar voice echoes through the phone. "How does this work? What am I supposed to do?"

A muffled voice says something to my father before I hear his voice again.

"What am I supposed to say?" He waited a few seconds before making a sound at the back of his throat. "Sorry, young man, we don't have these contraptions here and I'm not familiar. Hello? Is that it? Hello?"

"Hi," I whispered through the phone, amazed that I could hear him. "It's me."

The change of his voice was instant. Lighter. "June?"

Tears prickled my eyes. "Yes. It's me."

"Oh, my dear girl." He whispered back, surprised and equally emotional. "How... how are you? Are you happy? Are you being treated well?"

I breathed shakily. "I'm being spoiled here. I'm happy. Very happy."

A sigh of relief left his lips. "Good. That's good. I was so worried. No one that came back from the Assembly knew what happened to you until these men came- they came saying you sent them."

"My mate did. He sent them to help you. Are you okay? Are you resting?" I asked, putting my knees up to my chest to hug. "Are you eating well? Are you warm enough?"

"I'm being spoiled here too. A little too much." He says softly. "There's more food than I can eat and they're keeping me on these medicines to help me heal a few of my old wounds. They also gave us electricity. No need to boil water. I can watch movies now too. That's what they call it. And the house, they've fixed the roof. The rain doesn't come in anymore."

"What about your bed?" I asked, remembering the uneven pile of grass he made himself. "I think if you ask them, they'll help you replace a better mattress. No more dried grass and twigs-"

"They already did. They said it's made of feathers or something." He trailed off, as if trying to remember what his new mattress was like. "Whatever it is, my back has never felt so comfortable."

The tears finally broke, falling down my cheeks like waterfalls. "I'm... I'm so happy. Please never work again."

"I couldn't if I wanted to. These men keep telling me to stay indoors to rest or take a walk outside?" He sounded so bewildered. "I asked them, 'take a walk for what?' And they said, 'to relax and enjoy'. Can you believe that? A walk to relax and enjoy yourself? I told them I walked to sleep before."

"You can relax and enjoy yourself now." I told him, my heart swelling. "No more walking to sleep."

"The pack is very grateful, June." My father says after some time. "They've never been warmer. And the food, it never stops. They brought us new clothes too. We don't need to mend clothes for years!"

"Everyone is okay?" I asked, wiping away my tears.

"Yes, and they treat me like a celebrity, saying I raised you well. I told them you raised yourself." His voice was so proud, so contented. "But you didn't need to do all this June. I only ever wanted you to be happy and taken care of. That was enough."

"I've never been happier." Was all I could say as my throat decided to constrict.

"He... The Monster," My father trails off. "He is nice to you?"

"The nicest." I assured him, hearing the worry in his voice.

"Okay." He hesitates again. "You would tell me if he hurts you, right?"

"Of course," I said, lips quivering. "Don't worry anymore. Please. I'm really okay. He even asked if you wanted to move here and live with us."

The line was quiet for a little while. "You know I love you June. I would do anything for you... but I don't know if I would ever leave this place. This is where I was born. The only place I know and the only place I ever want to be. I'm an old man. I just want to be where I know best. What if- what if you come visit?"

"I would like that." I replace myself saying. "I would like that very much."