"So why were you upset?"

I directed my gaze to the ground, embarrassed by my earlier meltdown. "I was just thinking about my life."

He scoffed. "Depressing." A smile made its way to my face as I hit his arm playfully. "Shut up." We both started laughing in unison.

"Have you found her yet?" I asked once the pack house came into our view. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Who?" I rolled my eyes. "Your mate silly." I stated playfully.

His whole demeanor changed as he body went tense. "No."

I shot him a weak smile. "You'll find her. Don't give up." I reassured him.

It's quite uncommon for a wolf to not have found their mate at Titus's age. Especially since he was an Alpha. An Alpha needs his Luna to have a successful pack. Titus was twenty-four and mateless. I felt bad for him at times. Everyone wanted their mate. At least that's what I've heard.

"I won't." I stared up at him in confusion. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I forgot what my last word were.

"Give up. I won't give up." He confirmed. "Oh yeah. Good for you." I released his hand and give him another hug. I pulled away from him when the door to the pack house flew open, revealing a smiling Ryan. I squealed and wrapped my arms around Ryan's neck. "Ryan!" I squealed.

Ryan was Titus's Beta and best friend. He was also my friend Alex's mate. They were the cutest couple. I sometimes envied their relationship, but then I remembered who I was.

"Hey kiddo." He let go of me then ruffled my already messy head, causing my beanie fall off. I caught it before it could hit the ground then glared at him.

Ryan directed his attention towards Titus, ignoring me. "Hey can I talk to you man?"

"Yeah." Titus gave me one last glance before he and Ryan retreated into the pack house.

I sat down on the top step of the pack house porch, staring at the pups running around playing in the snow. I glanced over to my right and saw my brother at the training grounds running laps.

He should be enjoying his youth. Not worrying about being an alpha. I sometimes felt bad for him, but he wanted it so bad. All the other kids his age were worrying about what car they're going to get for their next birthday, while he's training day and night.

I stood and made my way to the training grounds. Right as he was about to run past me I grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop. "Owen."

He tried to squirm out of my grip. "What is it sis? I'm kind of busy right now." He said breathlessly.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You can make time for your sister. Now sit." I demanded.

He groaned but complied with my demand. We both sat across from each other on the snow-filled ground. I took his hands in mine before I spoke. "Why are you still training. Your training ended two hours ago?" I asked. "I have to get stronger. I won't get stronger if I just sit around."

I sighed. "Does daddy know you're doing extra hours of training?" His eyes went wide. "No, and you can't tell him."

"Owen..."

He crosses his arms over his chest. "Don't give me that look Brinn." He said stubbornly.

"You're over-working yourself."

"I just want to make dad proud. I want to be the best I can be." I ran my hand through his curly blonde hair. "But you have already made him proud. He brags about your progress all the time with Alpha Titus." I reassured him.

He shook his head. "I'm not strong Brinn." He said as he dropped his head.

"Nonsense. You've only barely started your alpha training. You just need to give it time. You're doing fine, and we are all proud of you."

He lifted his head with a small smile. "You're right." I smiled

"I know I'm right." I ruffled his hair one last time, making him groan.

I stood up then extend out my hand. "Come on, let's go." He grabbed my hand as I helped him to his feet. We walked toward the pack house in silence.

Once we were in the pack house we walked up the stairs together. I stop once we reached our floor. "Look, read a book, troll the internet, watch a movie. Just have fun okay?" I said as I shook his shoulders playfully.

He nodded. "Okay sis."

I smiled then place a kiss on his forehead. He turned and retreated into his room. I crossed my arms over my chest and did the same. I removed my jacket then crawled into my bed. I brought my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around my legs.

I looked around my room and suddenly realized how much packing I had to do. I still needed to pack a generous amount of clothes.

I knew should tell Carter that I was leaving. Rumors always spread like wildfire in the pack house. Although he probably already knew from his father. My dad tells Carter's Dad everything. Ironically, they actually grew up hating each other. So of course my dad was reluctant to title Asher his Beta. But they quickly set aside their differences and became good friends.

I quickly sent Carter a text to meet me in my room. Then laid on my back, staring at the ceiling.

I laid there for a good twenty minutes before my door creaked open. "Brinn?" I turned my head to the side to see Carter peeking his head through the door.

I sat up and smiled as Carter walked in and took a seat in front of me. We sat cross-legged facing each other. "So what's up?" He asked. "I'm going to be staying with Titus's pack for a while. I just thought you should know."

He sat there in silence for a few minutes as he studied my face. I sighed in relief when he finally spoke. "Yeah I heard my dad talking about it with my mom."

I directed my gaze to my lap. "You'll be back right?" He asked as he lifted my chin.

I stared into his chocolate eyes. "Of course. It's just for the school term. Besides I'll visit, it'll be like I never left." I took his hands in mine. "I just want to make sure we're okay before I leave."

His face dropped with guilt and sadness. "Of course Brinn, you're my best friend. I know we haven't spent a lot of time together lately, but you'll always be my best friend no matter what." He reassured.

I knew he was busy with his beta training and Genevieve. He had a lot on his plate, I couldn't blame him. I didn't like it, but I accepted it.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and placed a kiss on his temple.

He spent the rest of the evening helping me pack my bags. We were jamming out to Bad Suns while I was casually throwing stuff into my suitcase. I'm sure I overpacked, but I mean I was going to be there for a while so better safe than sorry.

I plopped on the bed and let out a sigh. A few seconds later Carter was joining me. "That was hard work." I murmured. Carter chuckled. "Not really. You should try fighting sweaty warriors all morning."

I turned on my side to face him. My lips slowly tugged into a smile. "Touché."

He glanced at his watch. "We should go. Dinner starts in two minutes."

We stood and made our way towards the dining hall.

***

When we entered the dining hall we split our ways. Carter walked toward Genevieve and placed a kiss on her forehead. They sat next to each other as I sat next to my brother.

The head table was only meant for wolfs with a rank. My dad sat at the head of the table while my mother at his right. Usually, his beta sat on his left. But since we had guest, Alpha Titus sat in that chair with Ryan next to him. Carter and his family sat at the end of the table. The other pack members sat at tables surrounding the head table.

I stood and headed to the food table. While at the table I piled my plate high with food. I later found myself in the kitchen searching for the Nutella. I placed my plate on the counter then begin my search.

I looked in every cabinet in the kitchen but had no luck. I let out a frustrated groan. "Looking for this?" I snapped my head towards the doorway. Genevieve was standing there holding the Nutella in her right hand. "Uh yeah." I said warily.

I went to grab it, but she moved it away before I could get a grip on it. "What the fu-"

"Brinn I'm asking you nicely to stay away from Carter."

My mouth dropped open. "But he's my-"

She cut me off yet again. "Best friend, yeah I know." She said in annoyance.

Can she stop cutting me off?

"My wolf almost lost it when she smelt your scent all over him this afternoon."

The f*ck does that have to do with me?

I shrugged. "That's not my problem." She let out a snarl, making me take a step back. I'd be dumb to fight an angry she-wolf when I haven't even had my first shift yet.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm her wolf. "Look Brinn I believe you're a good wolf at heart. But it would really put my wolf at ease if you would just keep your distance."

She was being nice about it, but still. How could she ask me to just abandon my best friend? I was leaving anyway so hopefully that would put her at ease. But if she thought I wasn't going to keep in contact with my best friend, then she had another thing coming.

I sighed. "You have nothing to worry about okay? I'll stay away."

Her lips formed into a small smile. "Thank you. You'll understand where I'm coming from once you find your mate." I rolled my eyes. Please, I would never be this possessive over a guy. That's just ridiculous.

"So...Can I have the Nutella now?"

***
Do you guys like Nutella? It's okay, but my love for it is not as strong as Brinn's is.

Don't forget to comment, vote, and share! 💙

Song:
Retrograde~James Blake