February 22nd - Breakfast

Beep, beep, beep... Riley hit the snooze button on her phone. Five minutes later, the same annoying alarm sounded, and this time, she didn't ignore it. It was 6 A.M. and she knew she needed to shower and get ready for her breakfast date with Ethan. As she got out of bed and headed towards the bathroom, she heard her phone vibrate, so she ran over and grabbed it to see, "Good morning, beautiful. Meet me at the diner in town for 8?". She beamed and replied with a "heart emoji, see you then," text right back. She placed her phone back down and grabbed her towel, heading for the shower.

Once done, she went into her closet to find the perfect date outfit. She wanted to look effortlessly cozy, so she grabbed a beige knitted sweater and a pair of black tights, paired it with brown knee-high boots. Riley was ready to take off. She had put her wet hair neatly into a braid down her back and grabbed her keys and phone before heading out the door. It was 7:30, and everyone in the house was still sleeping the excitement away. She had left a note on the kitchen counter for dad, so he didn't worry. Riley knew she would be early, but she didn't care. Her excitement to see Ethan again was growing, and she didn't mind waiting.

Riley took her time walking into town. The sun was shining bright, and the crisp morning air was welcoming. She stood outside the diner waiting and checking the time. Only a few short minutes later, she spotted Ethan across the road, but he wasn't alone. She started wondering who he had brought to join them on their date. The other guy looked really similar to Ethan but was a few inches taller and looked a lot more muscular. His hair was the same shade of blonde but fell down to his shoulders. Instead of the forest green eyes she knew to be Ethans, he had the bluest of blue eyes that looked like an ocean that never ended. She thought Ethan was good-looking, but this guy took the title. He was sporting a black leather jacket, white tee, and blue fitted jeans with white sneakers. She couldn't believe there was someone better looking, but she guessed this had to be Eli. She had seen him before, but that was years ago before he left for Alpha training and business trips. She wondered what he was doing here, joining in on a date.

Ethan jogged up to Riley and planted a kiss on her lips before he went on to introduce her.

"Riley, I would like you to meet my older brother Eli."

Riley was speechless as she looked up at Eli and took in his scent, which smelled of fresh grass and pine needles. She was mesmerized and could feel the heat in her core, burning for a touch. She shook her head, which made her come back to reality as it was her time to talk. She reached out a hand to shake his as that was the only thing she could think of doing, but was caught off guard when he went in for a hug. She felt him take a sniff of her hair before he pulled away again, leaving her feeling empty all of a sudden.

"It's great to meet you, Riley! Wish I could say I've heard a lot about you, but I only just got home last night and haven't had any time to catch up with Ethan here."

"It's great to meet you too. Will you be joining us for breakfast?"

"Oh no, don't worry about me intruding. I'm just here to meet up with some friends before being whisked away for more duties mom and dad have arranged for me. You two enjoy yourselves, and hopefully, I have the pleasure of getting to know you another time."

Eli had smelt that same glorious smell as had last night and couldn't resist an urge to sniff Riley while he was in the hug. After that, he confirmed that it was her who smelled so good. Again, he felt his wolf stir before getting excited. He wasn't sure what this all meant, but he was not going after his little brother's play thing. A lot of the time, Ethan's girlfriends had tried to date Eli after Ethan was done with them. Eli had his fun with a few, but they always ended up stalking him once he was done with them. He wasn't much for relationships as he knew where his duties lied and considering he hadn't met his fated mate, he was sure he would have to pick a chosen by the end of the year when he took over as Alpha. There's no point in starting something that would just have to end. He watched as Ethan and Riley went inside and suddenly felt jealous. He wanted something but couldn't pinpoint what that exactly was. He shrugged and headed in as he noticed his friends were inside already sitting at a booth.

"I hope you didn't mind me introducing you properly to my brother. I was just so excited for you two to meet. Now you've met my entire family!"

"It's all good. I'm so happy you've wanted to introduce me. Do you do this with all your girlfriends?" Riley asked with uncertain curiosity.

"What?! No, you're the only one I've actually been excited about to introduce you to everyone. Riley, like I've said before, you're a catch. I'm not letting that go."

Riley blushed as they found a booth at the back of the diner for themselves. Ethan let Riley in first, and they browsed the menus before ordering. Ethan held Rileys hand and planted a few kisses to her knuckles.

"So what are your plans for your birthday on Friday?"

Riley gasped as she totally forgot all about planning something. She needed to talk to Lily and figure out what it was they should do.

"Have you not planned anything yet?" Ethan asked based on her gasp and wondering mind.

"Actually, no. I've started packing for my move next weekend, but I forgot to plan my birthday. I probably should reach out to Lily after this."

"How about I speak with Lily. I would love to host your party at the pack house. We could turn it into a nightclub. That way, we can dance and party all night. Once midnight hits, we can then take a pack run with each other and your closest friends."

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose on the Alpha and Luna."

"I'm sure they would be more than happy to help! They really like you, and they like that I'm with you. If things continue this way, I'm sure they would be very pleased with you being my chosen mate."

Riley's eyes went wide, and she blushed. She couldn't believe he was considering Riley as his chosen. She hadn't even turned 20 yet, and she didn't even know when Ethans birthday was. Could they be fated to each other? Could he sense she was his already?

"I mean, maybe we are fated to each other, which would definitely make things easier, but even if we're not, I'm being completely serious when I say I would want you as my chosen. We would have to give it a couple of years before confirming anything. However, I'm sure mom and dad wouldn't be opposed to us uniting earlier."

Riley threw herself at Ethan in a long embrace. She felt love for the first time and couldn't wait for her birthday. Although, she felt her gaze look across the diner at Eli, who was staring right back at her. His eyes were black, though, and she wasn't sure why. She pulled back from the hug she shared with Ethan and planted a kiss on his lips. He kissed her passionately back, and they started to get lost in the passion when all of a sudden she heard not one, but two growls. One from Eli, who looked surprised and sat back down and the other from the doorway, which belonged to Ollie. Ethan got up suddenly and stalked towards Ollie. Had he not heard Eli's growl? Ollie was not yet 20. Where had his growl come from?

"Are you threatening me?" Ethan questioned Ollie as everyone in the diner was silent and staring at the situation unfolding.

"No, not at all," Ollie said, looking down before things escalated anymore.

Eli had gotten up again from his table and moved towards his brother.

"Hey Ethan, why don't you sit down and relax. Go back to enjoying your date with Riley. I will take care of this."

Ethan looked at his brother and nodded. He knew Eli would handle the situation a little more calmly as it didn't involve a girl he was seeing.

Ethan led Ollie out of the diner, and Riley could see the two of them talking outside. It looked like Ollie was submitting, as he should to an Alpha. He left and started walking down the street while Eli headed back inside the diner.

"Everything's been handled. Everyone can go back to eating their breakfast," Eli ordered. That's when the noise returned to normal, and it was as if nothing had happened.

Riley couldn't wrap it around her head of what just happened, though. It's as if Ethan never even heard Eli growl. Was it that Eli had caught some kind of bad energy from Ollie, and that's what made him growl? Or was it directed at Riley and Ethans kissing. Riley was confused and tried to shake off the thoughts swirling in her head.

"You alright, Riley? I know Ollie is one of your best friends, which is why I don't understand what just happened. I couldn't let him get away with that, though, being part of the Alpha family."

"I understand. I'm not even sure what happened, either."

"Let's forget about it and finish up here. Like I said, don't worry about your birthday party. I'll talk to Lily, and we will have it all planned. You just need to show up."

Riley got excited again and finished her breakfast. Ethan paid the bill, and they both got up, hand in hand, and left the diner. Ethan walked Riley back home. When they got there, it seemed as though no one was home as the cars from the day before were gone. Maybe everyone had decided to go out for breakfast. Riley got shy and looked down at the ground, readying herself to say her goodbyes.

"Ethan, do you mind if I ask you something?" she looked up into his green eyes.

"Anything."

"When is your birthday? I would love to repay the favor of planning something special."

"March 7th, a week after yours," Ethan said with a huge smile on his face. "Now it's my turn to ask you a question."

"Go ahead, I'm ready."

"Would you be my girlfriend Riley Thornton?

"Yes!" Riley jumped into Ethan's arms and kissed him.

"Why don't you come in. It seems like everyone is out of the house, and it's my turn to show you where I live."

Ethan followed Riley into the house. She closed the door and led Ethan upstairs to her bedroom. Once again, she closed the door behind them and, this time, locked it. No one was interrupting them this time. She walked over to Ethan, who was looking around at the room as if admiring and taking it all in. She put her arms around him and put her face into his back, sniffing his scent. She didn't smell much of anything like she had with Eli. That didn't matter, though, as she grabbed the end of his shirt and started to lift it over his head. Ethan turned around to face her. Riley grabbed her own sweater and tossed it aside, followed by her bra. Ethan let out a moan as his eyes trailed her upper body. Riley then got down on her knees as she unbuttoned Ethans jeans and pulled them down to his ankles. His member bounced up and to attention through his boxer briefs. She let out a gasp as Ethan grabbed Riley and pulled her up. He crashed his lips into her. He then picked her up, cupping his hands under her ass. Her hands then went around his neck, and her legs went around his waist. He walked them over to the bed and carefully placed her down underneath him. His lips trailed soft kisses down her neck to her chest, all the way down her stomach till they reached the top of her tights. He pulled them off along with her underwear and spread her legs apart. Riley was already a wet mess down there, and she was anticipating what was about to come next.

He dipped his head in between her legs and started to lick her bud. While his tongue flicked her most sensitive spot, his fingers effortlessly slid into her. She grabbed the top of his head, lacing her fingers through his hair. She moaned and cried out for more. He kept pumping his fingers and licking until she started to shake, and she couldn't keep it together any longer. She cried out as she released herself, and Ethan lapped up all her juices. She reached over for her nightstand and grabbed a condom which she passed to Ethan. He grabbed the condom and broke it open with ease, sliding it on his erect member. He crawled on top, but before he put it in her, he reached for the small of her back and flipped them over so she was on top. He lowered her onto his dick as she threw her head back with the pleasure of having him inside her. She started grinding her hips while he moved his up and down. They were in perfect rhythm. Ethan sat up to kiss her, while one hand caressed her breast, and the other grabbed her ass. Then, both hands were on her waist, helping her to move faster and faster as Ethan reached his climax. He dropped back onto the pillows as Riley rested her head on his chest. They were both panting. Ethan rubbed circles on her back as they embraced the moment.

Riley eventually got up and sat at the edge of the bed. Ethan sat up and came up behind her, kissing her shoulder.

"Ready to go another round?"

Riley laughed and shook her head.

"We should get dressed. I have more packing to do. You're welcome to stay and help," she said as she got up and started passing out clothes to the two of them.

They both got dressed and got to packing more of her belongings for the big move next weekend. Riley was in bliss and couldn't believe the bright future she could possibly have.