Paramour

Perrin

"This fucking blows."

I toss my quarter-staff to Ethan, watching him catch it with ease, despite being out of breath. 

"It could be worse!" he said with a grin, taking another swipe at my side. "If I got as many dates on my own volition as you do through your father, I'd be in Heaven."

I grunt and quickly jump out the way. "Yea, except Heaven is a place you actually WANT to be. My dad insists on picking the weirdest places for these set-ups. The last time it was at a tea parlor."

"A tea parlor?" Ethan swings another jab my way but I deflect with my forearm. "What the hell is that?"

"My point exactly," I sigh.

"Was she at least good looking?" I grunt in response. Ethan grins, wiping silver hair off his sweaty forehead. "Must have been a real looker... did Jasmine know this time?" 

"Good session. Let's call it a day." I say, cutting him off. Jasmine knows that my dad has been trying to set me up with the daughters of our Alpha Guard. She's been less than enthusiastic and hasn't been afraid to call it like she sees it.

We walk towards the benches and throw down our gear. My dad's been on my back about taking over as Alpha in three months, and I've been training my ass off to get ready.

In our pack, we abide by old traditions. You don't just get the Alpha title handed to you; you have to fight for it. Our pack has faced internal challenges from Betas, Omegas, and that's not factoring in challenges from external packs. Because we're the biggest pack on the West Coast, it's not surprising that smaller, surrounding packs always end up sending their best fighters to fight for the right to lead. Even though our pack are great fighters, the biggest challenge always comes from our rival pack, the Chiyads. They're incredibly fierce warriors, and if their own turnover rate for Alphas is any indication, they're shitty leaders as well. My family--my father--and I both know that we can't let them anywhere near our pack. We have never lost the Alpha title in our lineage, and I wasn't about to let the first time be on me. I'd been forcing Ethan to train with me relentlessly the past two years to prepare me. He was my best friend and I know I wouldn't be half the fighter I am today without him. I was also psyched for him; not only did you have to fight for the right for Alpha, but Beta had it's own series of challenges, too. But I had no doubt Ethan was the better fighter between the two of us. He'd have no problem. 

"So when's this next date? Are you going to at least spill the tea if you get any after?" Ethan smirks in my direction.

"I'm heading there in an hour."

"Really? Who is it today?"

"You wouldn't guess in a million years."

"Well of course I wouldn't. I don't know half the she-wolves coming into town recently. Seriously, anyone good?" he probes.

"It's Lo."

Ethan spits out his water. "LO? As in, our Lo?"

"Yea."

Ethan is incredulous. "That's insane! Dude, I didn't know she was coming back!" He's happier than I've seen him in weeks.

"Neither did I until this morning. My dad broke the news to me over breakfast."

"Dude, that's amazing! We haven't seen her in years. This isn't really a date then! It's just a good old catch up. Can I come?" His enthusiasm is infectious. He's like a little kid.

"The thing is," I took a deep breath. "My dad wants it to be a date."

"Oh." Ethan's voice is flat. "Well that's just awkward. At least Jasmine doesn't have anything to worry about. Lo's just.... Lo, ya know?"

"Maybe. Like you said. It's been... years. Maybe she's a totally different person."

"Well, weren't we like... five? Six last time we saw her?"

"Something like that."

"I can't wait to see her," Ethan moons. I can't tell if he's reminiscing about our friendships as kids or something more. Even as kids, Lo was really special to Ethan.

He continues to brim with genuine excitement. It's heartwarming. "We should totally grab dinner or something! Maybe after the welcome ceremony?"

"I'll mention it to her. If she really is like the Old Lo, I'm sure she'd be down."

"Great. And maybe Jasmine can come!"

I give him an odd look. "Thankfully, Jasmine's in class tonight. Hopefully I can avoid it altogether until it's clear to Jasmine that meeting Lo is not a date."

"Is you dad ever going to accept her?"

"Doubt it."

"That's a shame. Well once you get matched up with someone, I call dibs. Jasmine is HOT."

"Oh shut up!" I give him a shove on the shoulder. "She's not eligible to match with a Beta either. Get off it."

"Oh, I'm sure she could get me off-"

"ETHAN!"

"Ok. Ok.... chill. I'll catch you after your date. Pucker up, lover boy."

I roll my eyes then check my phone. 

DAD: 5 p.m. 97 Hastings Street. Drinks and dinner. Please be on time. Beta Mark is already pissed you're meeting up with his daughter. Don't embarrass me.

I sling my bag over my shoulder. This couldn't get any worse. Beta Mark's daughter has been living with her mother's pack somewhere in deep Texas. Lo has been living with her mom since we were 6. I haven't seen her in 12 years, and being pushed into a date with her wasn't exactly my idea of a great Friday night. What we were going to talk about, the time Ethan and I tried to set her dolls on fire? My phone pings.

JASMINE: Ethan's either stupid or loves hitting on me for his own sick amusement. Either way, cat's out of the bag. When's the next date and who is it this time?

I shoulder my bag in annoyance and head for the door. Jasmine is crazy hot, and I really care about her, but her jealousy streak is getting old. I head towards my car and text her back:

PERRIN: You know I had nothing to do with this. I can get my dad off my back once I'm Alpha and we can do what we want. I'm really s--

The sound of screeching tires echoes through the parking lot

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"

I'm shoved to the pavement, skin scraping on the asphalt. My head smashes on the cement. I immediately see blood trickling down my scalp. I roll several times, crashing into another body.

The sound of the tires fade as an engine revs. A car whips out of the gym parking lot.

The rolling finally stops. I roll over, back sore, head pounding, chest heaving for breath. I feel  bits of gravel stuck in my arm.

"Please tell me you are ok. Praise the Moon Goddess please please PLEASE be OK! Oh my gosh are you hurt?"

I open my eyes. A blanket of silver hair falls cascades into view, with the soft smell of rose petals. My wolf nose twitches--the smell of my own blood and roses is too pungent to bear with my head feeling like it's about to split open. I'm suddenly aware that my chest is heavy with the weight of a slight, slender body, sweeping my arms and abdomen with quick hands.

"Seriously! Are you hurt? Perrin, please. Tell me. I can call the Guard."

"I'm fine, Kira, really. I'm fine. It looks worse than it is." I try to get myself up on my forearms but my left arm buckles under its weight. The body shifts off of me and I wipe the blood out of my eyes. Kira's eyes stare back at me with slight amusement. "Yes, I can see that. The real question is, who got it worse? You or my brother?"

"Damnit Kira I thought he left! Where is he?! Did he get hit?" I swivel my head in sudden panic, attempting to see, but blood rolls down into my eyes, blurring my vision.

"Relax, Perrin. He peeled out on his motorcycle ten minutes before you left the building. He's fine. I just meant that you're a great fighter... and.." her voice trailed off.

"Oh." I said awkwardly, trying to see straight. I attempt to stand using my other arm.

"Not so fast," she cuts under my arm and props me up on her shoulder. "We're going to see your girlfriend."

"She in class right now."

"Liar. Get in the car."