"Little one, when you play, don't you mind what they say."
~Dumbo, 'Baby Mine'

~~~

*Tharn's POV*

I'm so excited.

I'm so fucking excited that I'm constantly having to check to make sure I'm not getting sweaty.

I'm leaning against my car in front of Type's apartment complex, waiting for him to come down to we can start our magical weekend together. These past few months have been better than I could have ever imagined. Type started opening up to my affection when we're not in heat, and even reciprocating a few of my embraces and kisses.

We're going to tell the rest of the pack soon, I'm just waiting for Type to give the okay. While I do want to go at the pace he sets, I'm also starting to feel a bit restless. It's unsettling as a wolf to have your mate hide you and refuse to let you mark him. But I want to be the best mate I can be for Type, which is what I remind myself whenever I feel restless.

He's coming around. He just needs time.

Despite what he says, I know Type is scared.

Scared of being tied to someone.
Scared of being loved.
Scared of being vulnerable.
Scared of being scared.

I know Type. He always covers his insecurities with that sharp tongue of his, trying to appear tough instead of weak.

What Type doesn't understand is that I have never seen him as weak. Even when we were little kids, I always saw the strength inside of him.

| Flashback - 10 years ago |

"Type?" I called out, the dry leaves crunching under my feet. The light from my flashlight helped guide me through the woods, and in the other hand I was tightly gripping a set of clothes. If my parents knew I was out here this late at night, they would smack me into next week.

But there was something more important out in these woods, and I knew he needed me.

"Type? Where are you?" I tried again. Again, no answer. I sniffed the air, trying to get a whiff of Type's scent. Most 10-year-olds wouldn't be able to use their sense of smell to track another wolf, but I was a natural born alpha. My abilities were stronger.

My ears perked up when I caught onto Type's scent. I followed the familiar aroma to the creek. A small body was curled up in a tight ball, rocking back and forth. My heart hurt seeing tears streaming down Type's round cheeks. He didn't notice me at first, and I walked over and kneeled in front of him. His head snapped up, and my breath caught in my throat. Type's eyes were red-rimmed from crying, and wide with fear. His short black hair was sticking up in random places, as if he had been pulling at his hair. I had never seen Type like this before. So frightened, so hurt.

But not weak. Never weak.

Type bared his little fangs at me in a feeble attempt to scare me away. I knew he didn't want to be mean, but he also didn't want me to see him like that.

"Type," I said softly, reaching out to him. Type flinched and I withdrew my hand. "It's okay, Type. I'm here."

Type looked away, grinding his teeth. "What are you doing here?"

"Why wouldn't I be here?"

Type glared at me sharply. "Aren't you going to laugh at me, like the others? Make fun of the scared little omega?"

He was referring to what happened earlier at my birthday party. I didn't really want a big party, but my mom said it would be fun to invite the other kids from the pack. She reached out to the families of Champ, Techno, Team, Puifai, and a few others. And Type, of course. We were best friends, so him being invited was a given.

Since my mom was Luna of the pack, no one dared to turn her down when she asked for their children to come to my party. She was the queen, but she was a really nice queen. I knew she only used her status as Luna to get really important things, and I guess she saw my party as being really important.

My mom loved Type, as if he was her own son. She did have two sons, me and my younger brother Thorn, but she always said she had room in her heart for Type, too.

Type was already hanging out at my house when the other kids started to arrive. Champ was first to arrive. He was more shy than the rest of us, and only talked in a quiet voice. He kept to himself mostly and hung out near the kitchen. Champ could say that he just wanted to be alone, but I saw the way he was eyeing my cake.

Puifai came next. Her wavy brown hair fell down her back, and she wore a white dress littered with flowers. She seemed grumpy at having to wear a white dress instead of her usual overalls, because it meant she couldn't wrestle with the guys like she usually would. But I thought she looked really pretty.

Team showed up and immediately tackled me in a bear hug. I laughed before we wrestled for a bit, and I easily pinned him to the ground. Team pouted for a bit, but instantly brightened when he spotted Champ near the cake.

When Techno showed up, his mom was dragging him by his wrist. Techno was squirming, trying to get out of his mom's grasp so he could run back home. It turns out his mom had barged in while he was napping and yanked him out of bed to come to my party. Type smacked the back of Techno's head and yelled at him to not ruin my party, at which Techno took that as a challenge and tried to tackle Type. Type surprised everyone — except for me — when he overtook Techno and pinned him within a minute. That made Techno really grumpy, because he was a beta and it was embarrassing for him to get beat by an omega.

Team and Techno had gotten into an argument about who would be chosen as my official beta, my second-in-command when we turned twenty-five. Champ was also a contender, but he wasn't interesting in fighting it out at my tenth birthday party.

Team rilled Techno up by saying he wasn't fit to be my beta, because he got beaten by an omega. Techno was adamant that he was stronger than Type, and was desperate to prove it. For some reason, Team decided the best way for Techno to redeem himself would be to scare Type. I just think Team thought it would be funny.

Thorn overheard them talking and rushed to tell me. Thorn always liked Type, ever since Type let Thorn beat him while playing some video game. My brother was two years younger than me, so only one year younger than Type. Whenever Type came over to hang out with me, he usually got side-tracked talking to Thorn about some stupid TV show they both liked. I never really liked watching TV. I preferred playing on my new drum set my parents got me, even know I didn't really know how to play yet.

I had been helping my mom get the snacks set up in the kitchen — despite my mom's insistence that I let her do it alone — when Thorn found me. I got really mad when Thorn told me what Techno and Team were planning. We ran out of the kitchen to find Type, but we were too late.

Techno had dared Type to climb onto the roof with him, and Type was never one to run from a challenge. They were standing on the roof of the house, looking down at us with big goofy grins. Team slyly nodded at Techno, who took a step towards Type and shoved him. Type screeched and tumbled down the roof towards the ledge. He gripped the railing for dear life, his eyes wide with panic. His legs were flailing beneath him in the air as he screamed at Techno.

"Holy crap!" One of the other kids shouted. "Type pissed himself!"

Laughter broke out among the kids, save for the group of our friends. Sure enough, there was a dark spot forming on Type's shorts. Team's smile faded and he ran over to stand beneath Type. Techno cursed and stooped down to try and help Type down, obviously realizing that they took things too far. Team grabbed Type's legs to lower him, while Techno grabbed his arms to keep him steady as they slid him to the ground. As soon as Type's feet hit the ground, he bolted into the woods, leaving behind the calls from our friends and the laughters of the other kids.

"Go! Party's over! Go home!" I shouted at the group. A few kids were still snickering, and I let out a growl. Even though my growl wasn't nearly as intimidating at the adult wolves growls, it still managed to shut them up. I ran up to my room to grab an extra set of clothes and a flashlight. I ran after Type, but not before casting a glare at Team and Techno, who guiltily looked down at the dirt.

It was already dark, so it took a while to find Type. But I eventually did, and he didn't look that happy to be found.

"I would never laugh at you, Type," I told him earnestly. "I want to help."

"I don't need help," Type snapped, wiping away a stray tear. "I can take care of myself."

"I know," I grinned. "That's why I brought you a change of clothes so you can go beat up Team and Techno."

The mention of beating up those two idiots made Type perk up. He glanced at the clothes in my hand, which I held out to him. Type reluctantly look the clothing and I turned around to let him change.

"Okay, I'm good," Type said after a few minutes. I turned to see Type redressed in my clothes, and I smiled.

"Alright, let's go," I said, heading back to the direction of the house. I take two steps before a force stops me, holding me in place. Type's arms are wrapped around my waist, his face pressed to my back. I heard him sniffle and felt his tears wet the back of my shirt.

"Thank you, Tharn," Type whispered. I smiled but didn't turn around. I knew Type hugged me from behind because he didn't want me to see him being vulnerable and affectionate. Instead, I just pat his hand in response.

We made our way back to the house, and I laughed as Type made good on his promise to beat up Team and Techno. Even Champ giggled watching the two get what they deserved as Type flew at them like a spider monkey. Afterwards, Type decided they were even and we all made up.

That's what made Type so strong. His ability to get over things and move on, even if he felt really hurt. Of course, it helped that he got to deliver physical pain to the bozos that pranked him.

I watched Type put a squirming Techno in a headlock. Team laughed at Techno, only to be smacked on the arm by Champ. I smiled while watching my friends.

I'm so lucky to have them.

| End of flashback |

That birthday was one of my most stressful birthdays, along with my 18th birthday. Watching Type dangle from a roof was as nerve-wracking as finding out Type is my mate and not being able to say anything.

Today is my 20th birthday, and I'm determined to make it a good one for Type. I hate that he has bad memories associated with my birthday.

Which is why I'm taking him for a weekend trip. I told Type he wouldn't have to get me a birthday present if he went on this trip with me. I could tell he was tempted to just buy a present and avoid the trip altogether, but I picked out a resort with a lot of really good food places to sway him.

My palms become sweaty and my heart rate picks up when Type walks out of the apartment complex. He's wearing white shorts that come to just above his knees, and a light pink t-shirt. His black hair is brushed away from his face, showcasing his angelic features. I smile and move to open the passenger door for him, and Type rolls his eyes.

"I'm not a woman," Type says with a raised brow. "You don't have to do things like that for me."

"I know I don't have to, but I want to," I assure him, still holding the door open. Type opens his mouth to retort but I beat him to it. "And before you say some snarky comment, I know you're perfectly capable of opening your own door. But you shouldn't have to. Not with me. I want to do anything I can for you. I want to spoil you. And it's not because I see you as a woman or something like that. I see you as you, which is way better anyway."

Type's cheeks pinken and he turns his head to the side to try and hide the small smile on his lips. I grin and motion for him to get in the car, and he complies without argument. Until we start driving, at least.

"I still don't get why you're taking me on a trip for your birthday," Type starts up again. "I should be spoiling you, not the other way around."

I bite back a smile at the fact that Type just admitted to wanting to spoil me.

"Because it is my birthday, I get to choose what I want, and what I want is to spend the weekend with my mate. Is that so bad?"

Type stares at me for a second, the pink in his cheeks spreading down to his neck. "I-I guess not..." Type says quietly, and I smile at him.

"Good. Because there's no way in hell you're backing out now after I've already made reservations and plans for this weekend. You may be my best friend and mate, but I can still get pissed at you for bailing."

Type bursts out laughing at that. "Okay, okay, almighty alpha. Simmer down, I'm not going anywhere."

That last sentence makes my stomach explode with butterflies. I reach over with my free hand and interwove my fingers with Type's. I wait for him to pull away and scold me, but he doesn't. He turns his head to look out the window, and in the reflection of the glass I see a shy smile spreading across his face.

I squeeze his hand, and nearly melt on the spot when I feel Type squeeze my hand in return.

~~~

awwwwwwwwww I love them

Type is coming around! He's just being a shy little baby

^ Picture of Thorn, Tharn's brother 🤤

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-Gumbie