JULIEN

“Are you okay, son?” Mom asked, looking at me over her newspaper, with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m totally fine.” I was not fine, not at all. Byron lied to me. I stayed up late waiting for him, but he never came. Two days. It’s been two long and boring days looking at my window at night, expecting him to show up with a smile and call my name with that deep voice of his. I didn’t even have his phone number to at least contact him. The thought of him makes my chest hurt, I wanted to see him so badly. Did he not like me anymore? Did he marry that fiance he told me about? Insecurities started to fill my head, making me angrier and more stressed.

“Well you better put a smile on your face, we have a guest coming soon.” She said, giving me a last glance, before continuing to read her newspaper.

There was a knock on the living room door, I sighed and put on my best smile to receive another “potential suitor”. But I couldn’t stop wondering what Byron was doing at the moment.

BYRON

“And that’s how Mason peed his pants when we were 6 years old.” Telling Mika embarrassing stories about Mason was my new favorite hobby. The omega laughed and Mason groaned.

“I was scared of clowns, okay? There’s nothing wrong with that, most kids were like that too.” My best friend said, one of his arms around his mate’s waist.

“That’s cute,” Mika said, leaving a kiss on my best friend's cheek. “I’ll protect you from the bad clowns.”

Mason responded by giving him lots of kisses on his face and pampering him. After the events of yesterday, they decided to form a bond right away. Mika was not wearing a collar anymore, proudly showing off the bite mark on his nape, and Mason, well… He was glowing. I’d never seen him this happy, but I couldn’t blame him.

Mikaela was great, he was kind, and a little shy at first, but once I got to know him, he was really friendly. He was the perfect mate for Mason. Looking at them, they were perfect for each other. Mika’s personality complimented my dumb friend so well. The omega looked like he could fit perfectly between my friend’s arms. He was a beauty too and that gave hope to Jamie, he kept saying his grandkids would be gorgeous. 

It made me wonder if Julien and I would be like that too. Perfect for each other, at least I know he fits perfectly in my arms.

‘And still, we didn’t see him last night.’

Boris growled. Yesterday, my dad took me all around the pack again and when we finished, it was pretty late, so I gave up on visiting Julien. I decided to practice more sign language. I’m a fast learner and I was ready to put my new skills to practice once I see him today. Mikaela was going to the Collingwood manor before he got attacked by the hunters and now we were on our way there with him.

‘Finally going to see our mate.’

I sighed at Boris’s words and looked at Mikaela.

“So, who are you visiting again?” I asked curiously.

“My best friend, we haven't seen each other lately. I’ve been busy and he’s not allowed to travel much.” He smiled, looking excited, jumping a little as he walked. Forming a bond with Mason helped increase his recovery, his legs were a lot better now.

“Since when do you know each other?” Mason was curious, but I could also feel a bit of jealousy coming from him.

“Since we were in the womb,” He chuckled. “Our Papas are really good friends.”

“Oh! So just like us,” I chuckled. 

“Yes, just like you two,” He laughed and sighed. “I’ve missed him so much, we talk through our phones, but that’s just different.”

Mason comforted him, caressing his hair. He smiled back at him. ‘So lovey-dovey…’ Noticing we were getting close to the manor, I got excited and so did Boris.

‘Finally, our mate.’

JULIEN

Our guest left, upset with me for “not treating him right” and so was my mom. Screaming and scolding me once again.

“What did I tell you before Julien? Be polite to our guests or you’ll never be able to find your mate.” I rolled my eyes, hearing my mom’s nagging. 

‘Well, I already found him.’ It’s what I wanted to say to her, I wanted to see her reaction as I told her my mate was someone she hated. But I just held onto that thought, ignoring her nagging. Papa was trying to calm her down but he couldn’t, she was pissed this time.

“You crossed the limit, you need to be grounded.” She sighed and my eyes met hers. “You won’t be going to the lake for the next two months.”

“What?! You can’t do that! I’m 22.”  I said in disbelief.

“Of course I can, I’m your mother,” She pointed at me with her finger. “And as long as you are mateless, you live by my rules, understood?”

“Honey, I think we should think about this…” Dad said, trying to persuade her.

“No, that’s my last word.” Giving my dad a severe look, before looking back at me. “Understood?”

“You are the worst!” Frustrated, I left the room, hearing her screams.

BYRON

“Are you excited to see your friend, baby?” Mason asked his mate, who nodded with a big smile as we walked to the manor's main door.

Suddenly, the door opened and Julien was there, walking outside of the house. He looked frustrated. As soon as he noticed us, he started running our way.

‘He is coming to hug us. He must have missed us too.’

Boris said excitedly. By instinct, I opened my arms, waiting for the hug. But his warmth never came. I looked next to me as I heard someone sobbing. Julien and Mikaela were both crying in each other's arms. Mason stood beside me, looking at the moment the mermen were having.

“Guess our mates are best friends too.” I nodded at his words, closing my arms. ‘I’m such a fool.’

‘Yeah, you are.’

‘We both are, you gave me the wrong idea.’

Julien was the first one to break the hug, looking at his friend and moving his hands, using sign language to communicate with the other merman. I was so ready this time, I paid attention to their conversation.

“Are you okay? Are you badly hurt?” My mate said, looking at Mika’s bandaged legs.

“I’m okay and I’m better now.” Mika smiled, wiping his tears. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, I’m glad you are okay.” My mate smiled, he was still crying. I wanted to hug him and wipe his tears.

‘Hug him.’

‘No.’

‘Do it. Hug him.’

‘I’m not doing that, so shut up Boris.’

“There’s so much I want to talk to you about,” Mikaela said, glancing at us and then back at my mate. “But first we need to talk to your parents.”

Julien nodded and led us to the living room, holding Mikaela’s arm, not giving me a single glance or a smile. It was as if I wasn’t there and that hurt like hell.