Chapter 7

I awoke the next morning, tucked into my bed with care. The smell of bacon arouse from the kitchen and I stretched lazily.  

I showered and threw on a track suit. When I came downstairs, I saw Harry sitting at the island counter talking to Caleb as Humphrey put my breakfast in the fridge. 

"And why did you bring your twelve year old, little sister along?" Harry asked. 

Caleb shrugged. "Someone needed to talk the cops out of arresting us when things inevitably went wrong."

"Spell inevitable," I asked my brother. 

"N-A-" he began. 

"Just stop," I interrupted. 

Caleb scratched at his neck that had a bit of dried matter on it. 

"Is that blood?" Harry eyed him.

Caleb paused. "No?" 

"Dude, that's not a question you can respond with another question," Harry chuckled. 

We both stared at Caleb as he sat his drink on the table and slowly backed out of the room. 

"There is something wrong with him," I whispered. 

"He did not come from my loins thankfully," Humphrey remarked. He sighed and looked to me. "I'm going to the office. Leftovers are in the fridge," he kissed my forehead and left me alone with Harry. 

"Your family…" Harry began once we were alone.

I shook my head and interrupted him. "You don't have to say anything, I know…"

His brows pulled together. "No, you misunderstand. I like them. Well…. Most I guess." He weighed his words.

"Well, we are an odd bunch," I refused to ask which of us he did not like. "If you are to be part of our family you should know how we are." I could get over it.

He was a great friend and would make a good brother in law.

Harry nodded with a smile, "Consider me warned. And it's not if I am to be part of this family. I definitely intend on being a full-fledged member."

I swallowed a pang of resentment. "Then you are the real odd one. By the way, thank you for tucking me in last night."

"This morning," he corrected. "Apparently, we both needed the rest." 

"Did Humphrey have a heart attack this morning when you came down for breakfast?" 

Henry smirked. "No, he nodded and made me food."

"The perks of being alpha," I murmured stealing his coffee. I took a sip and realized we both liked our coffee with light cream. 

"Does it meet your qualifications?" he saw my assessment. 

"Yes, I don't like too much cream and sugar." 

"Smart woman." 

"I am," I said confidently. 

"Humble too." 

"Always," I smiled. "So what are your plans today?" 

"I thought we could spend the day together. Tonight is the big dinner with the supreme alpha." 

I chewed on my lip. "I have plans this afternoon." 

"With Emory?" 

I shook my head. "No, it's the fun run and then the concert tonight." I stood from my chair noticing the time. Rob was probably on his way and I was not properly dressed. "I should probably get ready." I murmured to myself in an attempt to politely tell Harry to leave. 

"Where are you going?" Harry cocked an eyebrow curiously. 

I swayed awkwardly. "Ummm… I'm going out. You and the supreme alpha are having dinner with my mother and Humphrey?."

"I thought you were going to be here for that? Arthur is interested in meeting you."

"Why?" I chirped. My stomach started to bubble. "He's not trying to…" the last thing I could ever be was the supreme alpha's mate. "I can't mate with him." 

"No," Harry said as if it were laughable. He could see I did not take it funny. Harry's eyes narrowed as he tried to read my expression. "It's an important dinner. We are discussing the packs and their future; also your sister's upcoming marriage which impacts you as well."

"I'm good…" I almost snapped. "I don't really care what happens in that regard. I only need to know when and where to be when the time comes. I'd also prefer to not be in the wedding party." 

He grew concerned. "Whatever is tearing you two apart needs to be mended. You will need each other one day."

I sighed. "I don't really see why," my phone began to vibrate and I realized Rob was here. "Damn," I hissed looking down at my phone. "I gotta go," I apologized and quickly ran to my room to throw on my leggings, boots, and a long tank top. I splattered on my makeup and headed towards the stairs. I tore my sneakers out of the side closet and said a silent prayer of thanks when I realized I had socks inside them.

When I finally came down both Harry and Rob were standing in the foyer. They both looked up at me and I realized I had walked into an uncomfortable situation. 

Caleb leaned idly in the living room doorway smirking. 

"Hi," I said uncomfortably as I reached the floor. I took my sling bag off the last step and slung it over my shoulder.  

"Are you ready?" Rob was always chipper even when things were awkward. 

Harry looked between the Aussie and myself. "Excuse me?"

I looked up at Harry. "We are going out," I explained. "Last week of the summer festival and the paint run."

He looked at me as if I had lost my senses.

"Excuse me?" he asked again as if he could not have possibly heard me right the first time. 

"Is there a problem?" Rob asked noticing Harry's temperament had changed. 

"May I have a word?" Harry ignored Rob.  

I shook my head. "The colour run has already started and I'm an adult. I don't need anyone's permission to go." I explained.

If he was going to be in this family, he needed to realize just because I was the baby in rank I was not an actual child. 

"I'm joining them after the dinner with the supreme alpha," Caleb announced. 

I raised an eyebrow. "You're going to drive after the dinner?"

He shrugged, "I'll use a ride app."

I sighed. "The concert starts in a few hours," I explained. "Don't be too wasted. Cordi will be there."

Rob ushered me out the door and before the door shut behind us, I heard Harry ask Caleb what the hell was going on along with a few explenitives. 

Caleb waited until after Rob and I had left before he spoke to Harry. 

"She's young," he explained. "You gotta give her time to settle into the idea of being your mate."

Harry looked oddly at Caleb. "When did you become so sensible?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I just know my baby sister. She's never even kissed a guy before. She probably hasn't even been on a real date before. She may be twenty but she has not come into her own yet. Diana made sure to keep her ignorant."

"What should I do?" Harry asked seriously. 

"Just keep plugging along. You can't force it. Especially for what you want," Caleb gave a knowing look to Harry. "You're gonna have to wait before she will take you to bed."

Harry nodded understanding. 

Caleb continued. "By the way, you don't have to worry about anyone beating you to the punch."

Harry raised his brow. "How do you figure?"

Caleb motioned to himself. "No one wants to pressure my little sister." 

"Suicide mission," Harry laughed. 

There were more than a lot of people at the colour run. The excitement over the event, followed by the concert, and inevitable bonefire that evening, was intoxicating. Even with the throng of people and the fun that was to be promised, I could not enjoy myself. I felt guilty about leaving Harry and Humphrey to face the supreme tonight. 

I tried to shake this nagging feeling that I should be by Harry's side, but it would not abate. So I began to drink. The more I drank the more outgoing I became. After the run we all sat in the field waiting for the concert. 

"It's been forever since we have been out," Cordi slurred as we sat watching the dying sun. 

"I know, it's been three years," I responded filling my glass again with cheap wine. "You were dating that weird guy from Alberta." 

"And you were dating who?" she pointed out. 

I rolled my eyes. "Here we go…" 

"Am I missing something?" Rob asked smirking. 

"She's too picky," Cordi snapped. "No one is ever good enough. She's always holding out for her soul mate. " 

"I don't believe in soul mates," I contradicted. In my world our mates were chosen for us for political reasons by the pack members. Only seldom had the moon chosen two wolves to be mated. 

"You don't believe you have a soul mate?" Cordi shrieked at me. The blue paint from the paint run slashed across her face. I could not take her seriously. 

"No, not really," I replied, pulling at the mangos she had packed. 

The sun was going down and the sky was pink and yellow. The stage was getting set up and it seemed perfect. 

Caleb came bounding towards us and flopped on our blanket.

"How'd the dinner go?" I asked noticing he was sloshed. 

"Worst than you can imagine," he stole my ear buds and laid on the ground staring at the sky. "The vase you bought mom for her birthday last year was sent across the room, flying. Your boyfriend was in a bad mood as well and Tak may have signed himself up for slaughter."

"Boyfriend?!" Cordi screeched. 

I shook my head. "He's a good friend and he definitely does not see me as a potential…" I did use the word mate because Cordi was human. "He just doesn't see me that way. He's like a big brother to me."

I looked over at Caleb who was listening to music on his phone completely ignorant of us talking. 

Rob took the fruit from me with a smirk and tore off the pealing.

"In an attempt to get us off the topic of awkward dinners and men who are not boyfriends, I believe in soul mates," he handed me the mango fully pealed. 

I knew he had to be joking. Men did not buy into things like that. But I was glad he knew how to buffer.

"Ha ha," I mocked.

"No," he shook his head. "I think everyone has a soul mate; I think we all have several soul mates."

His blonde hair was pink from the paint. He was definitely something else.

Cordi immediately became intense with the conversation. 

"Explain," she crawled onto her knees.  

He shrugged his large shoulders. "Everyone has tons of soul mates, that's the easiest thing to find. Someone you relate to and your souls match because they have lived the same life as you." 

It made sense in an odd way. 

"We all like to think we are completely unique but I'm sure at least a hand full of people here will have the same story," he continued to explain. 

The sound of the musicians setting up made the amplifiers squeal. My ears were too sensitive and I shrunk down in pain. I looked over to Rob who was shaking his head and rubbing his ears. Caleb had his head phones on, which I was thankful. He took them off noticing Rob and I were in pain.

"What I miss?" he looked between the three of us.

Cordi giggled. "These two have overly sensitive ears." She smiled at both of us. "So my question is…" she directed her attention to Rob. "If we all have a butt load of soul mates, what's the point to love?"

"This conversation is way too philosophical," Caleb laid back and put his sun glasses on. It was dark out but there were spot lights on the crowd. 

"Small minds would think so," I shook my head as I stared at my brother faining disinterest. 

"So?" Cordi pushed Rob. 

He laughed by her intensity. "I guess the point is to not try and find a soul mate."

"That's sad," I remarked. 

He shook his head. "I mean soul mates are a dime a dozen, kinda like stars I guess. Beautiful but there's countless stars."

"So just pick a star and settle?" I smirked sarcastically at him. 

His blue eyes searched my brown. "Sure you could pick a random beautiful star and be happy. Or you could be told which star to be with and eventually you will grow to love it." I worried I would have to endure the latter. "But only the North Star can lead you home. It's the one that surpasses soul mates because it doesn't just echo your soul but shows you who you really are, where you really belong. It is home." 

I was lost in his words and eyes that I did not realize Caleb had sat up. 

"That was beautiful," my brother's words interrupted my hypnosis.  

Cordi became misty eyed. "I want to find my North Star," she whispered. 

I handed her the bottle of wine. "You'll be alright."

She sniffled but filled her glass and emptied it within the same minute. 

Caleb stumbled up his stairs as Rob and I waited to make sure he got back safely. 

"I love that guy," Rob murmured, pulling away from my brother's townhouse. 

I laughed out loud. "He's definitely something."

"You should have seen him in school," he laughed staring at the road.  

He caught my attention. "You went to school together?" I felt like I should have known that. Rob nodded in the dark but I could still see. "I'm going to need to hear those stories one day." I let slip out as we headed towards my mother's house

"Dinner tomorrow?" He asked as we pulled up.

I noticed Harry's car was in the drive way. 

"I'll have to let you know," I murmured turning to see him getting out of the car and walking to the passenger side. He opened my door and helped me out of my seat. I quickly grabbed my boots from the floor board and wished I had not drank so much. 

"I'll walk you up," he put his arm around my waist to steady me. I wanted to tell him not too but I was in no state to walk up the stairs, alone.

The door seemed ominous as I stood in front of it. 

"I will face the firing squad by myself," I leaned in and hugged him good night. Thankfully he reciprocated the hug or I would have been humiliated for putting myself out there. And I probably would have let the forward motion send me into the shrubbery

He pulled back slightly and took my face in his hand. It was rough from surfing and rugby but I liked it. He leaned in nudging my nose with his.

"I'll call in the morning," he smirked showing off his boyish smile. "Not too early though." He smiled widely and propped me against the door.

"Thanks," I smiled back and pushed into the house.

The smile on my face would not go away. My cheeks began to hurt from it but I did not care. I slipped into the house carrying my boots when I noticed the living room light was on and I could hear talking. 

I decided to get the chastising over with before I went to bed. When I walked in I saw Harry and Diana waiting for me. 

"Hello…" I murmured noticing they had stern looks on their faces. Humphrey heard my voice and came in from the kitchen. 

"Where have you been?" Humphrey asked tersely. 

I went to speak but Diana cut me off. "it must have been very important, especially to have missed the dinner with the supreme alpha."

I put my hands on my hips dropping my boots. 

They all three noticed I was covered in paint and mud. 

"Cordi and I had tickets to the summer festival after the paint run and Rob was the DD," I shrugged. "I'm pretty sure I deserved it considering I've spent the last three years with my nose in a text book. Also I'm glad I missed it considering my eldest sibling showed up to the concert completely wrecked and emotionally exhausted from that dinner. So much so he passed out after trying to crowd surf. I don't have to explain to you all how bad of an idea that is for a 6'6, 300 pound man." 

"Tallia," Diana snapped. "you knew tonight was important…"

"For Lilly," I interrupted. "I'm aware of my role. Get Lilly to the alter for an advantageous marriage. She's made it perfectly clear that my position is solely to uplift her."

"Wait," Harry was obviously confused. "How is your position to uplift her?"

I had been drinking and had no inhibitions. "Like making sure you have a good view on our family so you will be a potential match for her."

The air in the room had been sucked out after the words fell out of my mouth. 

"I know I shouldn't have said that," I quickly apologized. "but I think you should know how we are before you make a decision, Alpha." 

He stared at the floor for a moment. "Who said I was interested in Lilly?" he looked up his blue eyes seemingly amused. 

I shrugged. "Lilly."

Harry stared at Humphrey who seemed annoyed. 

"You sure you want to marry into this family, alpha?" Humphrey rubbed his face. 

"Have I missed something?" I scratched my scalp that itched with dried mud. "Is Lilly not your star?" 

Everyone obviously grew confused. 

Harry stood up, "we need to talk." 

I looked at my mother and father who seemed worried. "why?" I asked noticing I was in the wrong. 

Diana left the room and drug Humphrey with her. When we were alone Harry spoke.

"Why did you go with Rob tonight?" he asked straight forward. 

I chewed on my lip. "He asked."

Harry nodded as he assessed me. "Do you like him?" 

I shrugged. "Yea, he's really nice. He's got a great energy about him." 

Harry grew concerned. "Should I be worried?" 

I decided to sit on the couch, even though I knew I would get it dirty. "Worried about what?" 

"You spending the day with the Australian beta," he explained. 

"The Australian be… what?" I did not know what he was saying. 

Harry sat beside me. "Samuel Robert is the Australian beta, here as a guest of the supreme alpha." 

"The hell?" I almost shouted. "How did I not realize it?" 

Harry tried to read my face. "What happened tonight?" 

"I…" I began to speak but tacos, sangria, and fruit began to churn my stomach. "I gotta go." I ran from the room to the downstairs half bathroom and threw myself over the toilet. I was thankful it had not happened ten minutes earlier or I would have died from embarrassment. 

I felt strong hands gather my hair to hold up for me. Another round of heaving kept me from thanking him. 

He sat on the floor next to me as I gathered myself. 

"You're not used to drinking are you?" He asked me still holding my hair and rubbing my back. 

"Nope," I admitted and flushed the toilet. I laid my head against the cold seat. I was so thankful the housekeeper had come earlier that day. It smelled of lemon and pine. 

He smiled down at me. "Lets get you to bed."