3. Mate

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

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 rubbed my hands over my face, a feeling of loneliness and anger flickered in my veins. Deciding it would be better to not waste my Tuesday night away in bed, I hopped in the shower quickly and afterwards changed into a fresh pair of leggings, slipping Emrys' sweatshirt over my sports bra; bruises where Jackson held me were an ugly yellowish green, the hickeys -thankfully- were only a light pink but to be 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 opened the 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 to greet my mother. They smiled at the sight of each other and I only wondered if that one day I would do the same to my mate.

My phone dinged.

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

'Sick' I 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 and replied 'totally!'

"Where's Emrys?" My father's voice cut through my thoughts as he started helping my mother set the table. Worry rushed through me, my body breaking out in cold sweat as pieces of my sobbing story 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 both their 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 to knock, I opened the door to Emrys' bedroom; a blush rose to my cheeks as he turned around surprised.

His black towel hung dangerously low on his hips as water dripped down his black locks, landing on his chiseled and golden chest then slowly racing down. Rain and cedar frazzled my thoughts as I took 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; my eyes whipped up to meet him. He raised an eyebrow in questioning as my cheeks turned the color of a firetruck. "I, um," All thoughts drifted away from my mind as Emrys crossed his arms, when did he get so muscular?

"You what?"

"Um," Closing my eyes and shaking my head of all thoughts consisting of Alabama bullshit, I took a deep breath and rushed out my words. "Mom and dad said dinner is ready and I wanted to see if you 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, I met 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 than my own, full of blacks and dark greys, messy with books, papers, and a few clothes, and he even had his own attached bathroom. "It was warm,"

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

*

"I heard Dillion is turning sixteen tomorrow," Ostana whispered as we worked on our English project, Mrs.Briggs watched silently from her desk and gave anyone the evil eye. "So if the Moon Goddess 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 down my poetry notes before looking at my best friend; her mocha skin and almond eyes of honey were complemented by her sleek black hair that was raised into a high ponytail. Ostana was already sixteen, 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 anyone could 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 five more 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 her movements. "My father has to help Alpha Thomas and since I'm next in line for my father's position as 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 peers flooded 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 1970 Chevy 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 tell me that that is Laker's car,"

Unplugging my ears as Ostana parked along the road in front of my bed, she turned off her Highlander, and Harry Styles' voice faded softly. "Yes it is," In record time, Ostana hopped out of her car 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, I wanna 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 sure there were no wrinkles in her white colored sweater and leggings; I practically wore the same thing except my sweater was black.

"Of course!" She whispered. Loud laughter came from the kitchen then, Ostana took my hand and dragged 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 brown hair combed back, and those ice green eyes of his complimented his dark tan skin. Emrys' on the other hand wore a navy blue tee-shirt, covered by a leather jacket, black jeans, and boots; his black hair 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 same time and together they spoke.

"Mate."