Alistair

After my heat had finally subsided, momma let me out of her sight once again to do my daily chores.

It was a tough week to get by, no doubt. But now I'm free at last and in full control of my mental faculties.

Also, I'm back to sleeping inside the tent with the boys. Though momma still has an eye out for Tristan and me.

Today she surprised me by asking if I wanted to go to town to gather some supplies with the boys. It's been a little while since I stepped foot over there, so I jumped at the opportunity.

Pappa wasn't too keen on us boys going into town by ourselves, especially me. But momma isn't one to be trifled with and her word is respected by everyone in the camp.

Though she consulted the other parents before she decided to send us. We are a collective after all. And we do need the supplies.

On the other hand, the additional houses are coming up nicely. It's a very simple construction, but enough to shelter us through the cold coming winter.

We're just about finished with our shopping when we were spotted by that boy gawking at Tristan like he's a piece of meat.

Damn it. We were so careful walking downtown, heads down, not bothering anyone. Why did we have to be discovered and face this obnoxious entitled brat?

"What?" - Ben stared at his friend in disbelief, utterly shocked.

"Lex, they're trespassing on our territory. You can't invite murderous rogues to have dinner with us! There are rules." - Ben chastised him, seriously peeved.

"We've never killed anyone! I don't know how many times I have to repeat this to you! Are you dense?" - I snapped at him, very angrily.

His eyes glowed in rage. And his partner practically growls at me. This scares both Tristan and Chris. I'm too mad to be scared.

"Call me dense again and you won't make it back to your camp alive!" - He threatened me with a death stare. I flinched at his rage.

"Right. Who's the murderous now?" - I provoked, not letting him get to me. Even though I'm very scared right now.

"Ben, what did I tell you about threatening omegas?" - Lex glared at him, annoyed.

"He started it!" - He protested like a bratty child.

"Right, what do you say we talk things out in a nice italian restaurant? You know, settle our differences?" - Lex proposed, upsetting his friends.

"You're very kind, Lex. But we are already on borrowed time here in town. We don't want to overplay our hand. Or to upset your friend." - Tristan argued, giving a sideways glance at a distraught looking Ben.

"He's not upset. He's just nervous because of the three rogue deaths on our border and he thinks you had anything to do with it." - Lex stated, causing a shocked gasp to pass through everybody's lips.

"Lex, what the fuck? Are you so head over hills that you're willing to trample our friendship?" - Ben challenged him, gobsmacked.

Christian and Tristan looked nervously at me, not knowing what to say. But they both know what happened to those individuals.

"I'm not trampling anything! I'm not putting anyone above anything. I'm simply being nice to kids who are the same age as you or me." - He defended himself, frowning at his best friend, outraged at the accusation.

"You don't know what happened, boy. What prompted their deaths." - I spoke out, really self conscious about it.

"Aha! So, you did have something to do with their deaths?" - He snapped at me in an accusatory tone, feeling almost as if vindicated. Like somehow his prejudice towards us was valid.

All of his friends stare at me in shock, surprised by my revelation. Chris and Tris are uncomfortably looking at me.

"I was carrying water with my momma. Normally, I would do it with the boys but I was in season, so she didn't let me go alone with them." - I started, lowering my head in shame.

Teddy mumbled the word 'season' not knowing what I meant and Lex told him 'heat', already dreading this tale I'm about to share.

"We were surprised by their presence in wolf forms. Momma begged them to leave us alone. But they shifted back into human and said they wanted to have their way with me. She pleaded with them, saying I was just 17, but one of them told us he wanted momma first, then me." - I continued as the tears fell from my face, feeling shame and disgust at myself.

"Before they got their wish, momma defended us and they died." - I concluded, getting a surprise hug from Lex.

"I'm so sorry you had to face this horrible situation. No omega should be subjected to this kind of danger." - He told me with a soothing tone, hugging me for comfort.

"It's fine. I'm just sorry they were lured by my scent to us. I wish I didn't put my momma in danger." - I admitted, feeling deep seeded shame.

"This is NOT your fault, do you hear me? They were the ones who acted wrongfully. They're criminals preying on what they thought were easy prey." - He said with a strong conviction.

"I'm sorry you had to endure this situation." - The girl spoke with an empathizing tone.

"Thank you." - I smiled weakly at her.

"I think you owe him an apology, Ben." - Lex surprised his friend, parting from the hug and staring at him annoyed.

"What? I didn't accuse him of anything!" - He defended himself, wide-eyed as if Lex was talking crazy.

At this, both of his friends stared at him in disapproval. Even his partner was a little baffled by the attitude.

"Don't make me bitch slap you, Livingstone!" - Lex threatened, impatiently glaring at him.

Ben breathed out a heavy sigh and grunted in reluctance.

"Fine. I'm sorry I misjudged you, rogue." - He rolled his eyes as he spoke.

"Thank you. My name is Alistair Young, but everyone calls me Ali." - I reintroduced myself, trying to be courteous.

"I'm Ben Livingstone. This is my boyfriend Teddy, my friend Lisa and the thirsty hoe you already know as Lex." - He presented them, who smiled politely at me. Lex glared at him.

"Now that we cleared the air. How about a nice dinner? I'm starving!" - Lex suggested, smiling at Tristan.

"We can't afford to eat out, but we thank you for the invitation." - I hushed to inform him, trying to dissuade his mind.

"Nonsense! You're my guests. No money necessary." - Lex insisted. I can see he's not backing down from this idea.

"We wouldn't want to burden you." - I argued, trying my best to talk him out of it.

"It's not a burden at all! Please, I insist." - He reiterated with a pleasant smile.

We all looked at each other unresponsively. Not knowing what to do, we agreed and walked to the restaurant.

We took our seats at a joint table for 7, then we were given menus to choose from. This is my first time at a restaurant, so I looked to the pack members on how to behave.

"What's good here because I could eat a deer I'm so hungry." - Christian spoke looking at the menu. Ben laughed at this and I frowned at that.

"What's so funny?" - I questioned him in an accusatory tone.

"It's funny because I feel the same way. I haven't eaten anything since lunch, I'm freaking starving." - He replied, sincerely.

"Neither did we." - I emphasized.

We decided on something called spaghetti with meatballs and figured it was a safe choice. Meat is always good.

"So... Tristan, how old are you? Have you always lived in the woods?" - Lex asked him with a curious voice.

Tristan was taken aback by the question while Christian wouldn't take his eyes off the girl, who blushed under his inquisitive gaze.

"I'm 18 and yes, I've always lived in the woods, migrating with my family. It's not an easy life but it's the only one I've ever known." - He replied, much to Lex's chagrin.

"Damn it!" - He exclaimed with a disappointed expression on his face.

"What happened? Didn't you like my answer?" - He spoke, worriedly looking at Lex.

"No, dear. It's not that. It's just you're already 18 and I secretly hoped that you were my mate." - Lex replied with a shy expression.

"Secretly?" - Ben snickered, barely holding back a laughter.

"I can be your friend, no problem." - Tristan said, not understanding the issue. Neither did Chris or me.

All four of them stared at us with confused expressions on their faces.

"That's not what I meant, Tristan. I'm talking about your actual mate." - Lex stated with an awkward smile.

"What is a mate?" - Chris asked him and they all gasped in shock.

"You don't know what a mate is? Oh my Goddess!" - Lisa commented, perplexed at this.

The three of us look at them confused as to what they're referring to while their expressions are of sheer horror.

"This is probably something your parents should explain to you. It's a big conversation and it's best if we don't talk about it among humans." - Ben spoke in a low tone, looking around the fairly packed restaurant.

"Anyway, I'm just bummed that you aren't mine. That's it." - Lex spoke, flirtatiously. Tristan smiled bashfully, even though he had no idea what he's talking about.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you." - He said with a displeasing expression.

"You could never disappoint me. Though I'd prefer if you were naked like when I first met you." - Lex blatantly flirted, causing him to blush at the memory.

Even his friends are surprised at how forward he is.

"We were bathing in the river, just so you know. We don't walk around in the buff." - Chris clarified for Lisa and inadvertently Teddy.

"Why would she need to know that?" - Ben interjected looking puzzled, receiving a glare from her.

"Can I be your special friend?" - Chris asked, staring deep into her eyes. Lisa was surprised by his question, but I don't think she hates the idea.

"Do you mean my mate? It depends. How old are you?" - She spoke in a sweet tone, smiling at him.

"Almost 17 now." - He replied, flirtatiously looking at her.

"We can't know before we're 18 and you can't be discovered until 17. So, it's possible. I'm 17 myself." - She informed him, who sighed with a hopeful smile.

Christian couldn't take his eyes off of her. Just like Lex wouldn't take his off Tristan.

"How long have you two been together?" - I asked the entitled brat in an attempt to make nice.

"Just a week and a half. I don't have long before I discover my mate." - He replied, sincerely. His partner frowned at the realization.

"Can't he be your mate?" - I questioned him, puzzled.

"Yes, he can. I'd love nothing more, but it's rarely who we think it is." - He replied in a saddened tone. I can tell this mate business is not a good thing. He looks as if he's dreading the discovery.

"I see. Can your mate be him?" - I asked, pointing at Lex, who (both of them) gasped in shock at the mere implication.

"Technically yeah, but I certainly hope not." - Ben responded, aggravated.

"I don't think I want to know what this mate business is. It seems awful." - I commented, a bit intimidated by the notion.

"It isn't. I know it seems daunting at first, but all of us will get mates. It's how our kind gets paired up for thousands of years." - Lisa explained with a pleasant grin. She seems nice.

The food arrived and we dug in. All of us have been walking since afternoon, so we're really hungry.

"These meatballs are wonderful! I wonder if Sarah can cook it for us." - Chris commented with a mouth full.

The pack werewolves looked at us not understanding his statement.

"She's a friend of ours. She was the one who first cooked us spaghetti, so maybe she'll know how to cook these meat balls too." - I informed them, before stuffing my mouth with some delicious food.

"So Tristan, can I make a plan to see you again or is it too forward of me?" - Lex's voice broke the silence of our chewing.

He looked a bit uncomfortable at his interest, but very flattered by it. I can tell.

"I don't know when I'll return to town." - He replied, bashfully. His shy demeanor only added to his country boy charm. Damn it!

"Can I meet you at the waterfalls then?" - Lex suggested with a peaked interest.

"I think so, yeah. We go to the river practically every day." - He replied, pensive.

"OK, good. Maybe I'll see you over there." - He said with a flirting gaze.

"Just so you know, he won't be alone." - I stated, glaring at the other omega.

His friends get uncomfortable at this. He gulped before replying.

"I know that. And if I'm overstepping some boundaries, he's free to let me know it." - Lex spoke with a firm conviction. I'm guessing he's not backing down from him.

"You're not. I'd be happy to see you again." - Tristan told him, who opened the widest smile so far.

"You can come too, if you want." - Chris told Lisa, who blushed at the invitation.

"Dude, she's not gonna go all the way to the river just to see some rogue. Only Lex will because he's crazy." - Ben intervened, causing a scowl to appear on Christian's face.

"Right. Because you think we're not worth it? We're somehow less than you just because you have a pack and we don't?" - I snarled at him, seriously pissed off.

"I didn't say that!" - He exclaimed, raising his voice.

"No, you didn't. You just think my friend is not worth your friend's time. I get it." - I revolted, really angry. Poor Christian is mortified by this, lowering his head almost tearfully.

"Ben, what the hell!?" - Lisa protested, also mad at the implication.

"Thank you for the meal, Lex. It was very nice. You can find us just before the sun sets at the river if you so desire. Let's go, guys." - I spoke, just before getting up from the chair.

Lex tried to convince us to stay but I'm done being discriminated against just for being a rogue. My friends get up as well and we walk out of the restaurant.

I can hear a discussion among the people who were left at the table, angry at Ben. But I'm too mad to care. His is the worst type of pack werewolf.

Self righteous, entitled, self absorbed arrogant pricks who think they're superior to us. Right. A pack doesn't make you better than anyone.

I wouldn't trade my (extended) family for the world, much less people who somehow think themselves higher for no apparent reason.

I despise arrogant assholes.

Though I really wish to the contrary, I have a weird feeling this is not the last time our paths are going to cross.

Even if he doesn't accompany his nosy friend to the river to see Tristan, I do have an unshakable sensation that this isn't the last time I see him.

Even though I really wish it was.

I have no desire to see his entitled ass again. But now that's up to fate. All I can do is move on with my life.

Honestly, I can't wait for winter to come and go so we can ditch this town. The sooner the better.

A|N: Oh Ben... there's a long way for you to go, boo.

These pictures of Ali are killing me. *drools*

Next comes the 'real' date. It's aptly called 'So Excited'.

Love,

Léo.