Later, on the walk to the forest to meet up with Candy, I knew why I was staring at him and why I had the urge to pull him close to me. I found myself getting irritated at the alphas who checked him out as we passed especially since their eyes seemed to make him uncomfortable. My staring didn’t count, I just couldn’t stop myself. His hair was all fluffed up from sleeping earlier and I wanted to ruffle my fingers through it. His nose would scrunch up probably from the unfamiliar smell of this new pack’s territory. 

“It’s beautiful isn’t it” I nudged his elbow and motioned to the forest around us. He nods, seeming to be more nervous than interested in the scenery. It made me sad to see him so afraid. I hoped one day he’d be able to run freely in the forest happy and confident.  

When we got to our meeting place we were met with clothes on the ground. I sighed “seems we took too long” I laughed at the thought of Candy getting impatient and just running off and her mate struggling to quickly follow her. Without even thinking I take my shirt off only to be met with the adorable sound of a surprised gasp. Turning I couldn’t help but grin at the flustered omega. His hands covering his eyes and his red face. “Sorry I wasn’t thinking” my voice came out flirtatious and playful. 

“No, you’re fine I-I just I-it just caught me off guard.” with his eyes still covered he turns and says “I-im going to go change over here” He quickly scampers away to a patch of bushes where he could hide and undress. I chuckle and finish undressing myself.  

I shift into my large brown wolf form. I shake out my fur and lay down to wait for the omega. My wolf was particularly eager to meet his mates wolf in their true form. And man, neither of us were disappointed as the small wolf emerged from the bushes head down in a shy submissive manner. He was beautiful with his blonde fur and white face. His fur made me think of how pure he is and it made my wolf only want him more.  

I walked over to him my wolf nuzzled his cheek to reassure him. My wolf was buzzing, and I could see in his eyes that he felt it too. The connection. I knew he probably wouldn’t act on it now, but I was fine with that. For now, it was time to show him how we went for runs in our pack. So crouching down in a playful stance I gave him a look that said, ‘catch me if you can’ and took off into the forest. 

I was a large wolf so I knew he would easily catch up to me but looking back I tell he hesitated before following after me. He was fast which was expected for his small and lithe form, so he did indeed catch up fast and soon ran next to me not seeming to know how to get me to stop. I tilled my head to him, and he returned it by just looking at a loss for what to do. My heart nearly broke when I realized what was wrong. This wolf didn’t know how to play. I have never met a wolf that didn’t know how to play.  

I slowed to a stop, and he followed suit looking at me waiting for me to explain what he should do. I mind linked him ‘do you know how to play?’ The link was weak since he was a new pack member, but my message still got through. 

The wolf shook his head, and his eyes showed his embarrassment. ‘We were never permitted to play in our wolf forms.’  

‘Give me a second we’re going to fix that’ I was angry, but I would deal with it later for now there were more important matters. I mind linked Candy and informed her of the situation. Her baffled reaction helped calm me down. She told me to meet them by the north falls. 

I flicked my head for Emil to follow me and ran towards the falls. When we got there, I didn’t get a chance to react before Candy had tackled Emil and started rolling around with him. My wolf took over seeing this as an attack on my mate rather than Candy just trying to teach him to play and I had to fight to take back control to calm down.  

Seeing my hackles raised Justin poked my shoulder with his nose. ‘Don’t worry she is a professional play fighter.’ I could practically hear the future Alpha laughing at his comment and playfully rolled my eyes looking back at the omegas. 

I watched Emil carefully and figured out that he had probably figured out that this was not a real fight, and that Candy was simply playing but he still seemed confused about what to do. Candy on the other hand would stop when the smaller omega was at a loss and show him what to do and in turn, he would mirror the action. Eventually he started to get the hang on it and looked like he was having a lot of fun. I even noticed his wolf in his eyes looking at me for approval at times. Although I was unsure if he was aware that he was doing this I simply dipped my head to which he would look away and happily continue his play battle.  

While the omegas were playing and running around, Justin and I went up to sunbathe on a rock next to the waterfall. He discussed how Candy would be a wonderful mother and watched her as she proved that statement while she played with Emil. We then discussed pack matters and politics. Not my favorite subject but Justin usually had the same views as me, so it wasn’t an unpleasant conversation.  

‘In two months, my father plans to retire as Alpha.’ I looked at him shocked at this news. I thought it would at least be another year before or Alpha retired to become an Elder. Why was he telling me this? ‘My father only informed me of this yesterday.’ His eyes were serious as he looked up at me ‘I’m telling you this because I want you to be my Beta.’  

I was shocked. I had been friends with Justin for a long time, but I never thought he would choose me as his right hand when running this pack. I was honored that he saw me this way. I stood and bowed my head to him ‘it would be my honor, Alpha.’  

I was surprised when he let out a snort ‘I know people think you’re stupid, but I think you’re just too damn formal’ and with that he tackled me into the water.  

When we surfaced, I was startled to hear Emil whine from the bank of the pond. I snapped my head over to him to see his face riddled with concern. My heart melted as I swam over to him. I shook out my fur but when I looked up, he looked confused and backed away from me. I had a hunch at what had happened and wanted to walk over to him and bury my face in his fur and tell him why he felt this way, but I stopped myself. The pause made for an awkward moment that was thankfully broken by the sound of Candy groaning as her mate shook out his fur getting her wet in the process. She changed back to her human form, and I looked away but laughed at the sound of her scalding her mate.  

I decided that it was risky to stay around the couple since this could get inappropriate fast, so I jerked my head for Emil to follow me and ran away from the quickly escalating scene. 

I ran all the way back to our clothes and went behind a tree to get dressed. I suppose Emil followed my lead because when I was in my now wet clothes, I found him struggling to get out of the bushes.  

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight even when Emil’s face blushed in embarrassment. I picked him up and set him down so he could brush off the twigs and leaves and pull himself back together.  

On our way back I noticed that the omega was smiling “did you have fun?” I smiled myself when he nodded. 

“Candy was really nice and helpful, and it was fun to run around.” he said beaming. Then his demeanor changed, and he fidgeted with his hands “can we do that again sometime?” 

I stopped walking and looked down at Emil and unapologetically patted his head my hand buzzing at the touch. “Of course,” my heart stopped when he looked up at me with the most genuine smile, I had seen on him yet. Then we continued on our way home.