We just stayed there for a few minutes, not moving just focusing on the way my skin tingles with the way his forehead felt against mine, how it turns my brain into mush.

But nothing stays perfect, and nothing stays still. Time is cruel and spares no one, a reminder of it came when a phone rang over by the towels.

He growled lowly before moving away, as I didn't recognize that ringtone. Whatever moment we built up to share was gone when his appearance turned cold as he went to answer the phone.

He spoke lowly so I couldn't hear the conversation, not that I was trying to eavesdrop. Not knowing whether to get out or not, I just floated along the surface of the water, my limbs spread out like a starfish.

With my eyes closed, I attempt to enjoy the last few moments before he finishes his phone call, the way the water surface tension gliding against my skin, the sounds of the birds chirping in the background, and the way the breeze felt against on any wet exposed skin.

I felt a splash against my leg making me open my eyes. I see Ryder standing on the ledge nearest to me, looking down with a guilty expression.

I knew what was coming and I was saddened by it; the day was coming to an end.

"We need to go— well actually, I need to go. There's a pack emergency and I don't have time to drop you off. Is it okay if I dropped you off the nearest bus stop instead? I'm sorry I didn't exactly plan to take you here any more than for the emergency to happen but—"

"It's fine, I can figure out my way there. You don't even have to worry about dropping me off, go. I know how important it is to deal with pack emergencies," it's true, I've seen my dad have them all my life.

For the past three years he's taken me to some as part of my alpha training he calls it. Sometimes it's as small as a kitchen fire, but sometimes it's as big as someone dying. The beta's are always there, only notifying the alphas if necessary. When there's an emergency that you're called on, you don't hesitate, you go.

I see him searching my eyes, basically double checking to see if I really would be fine left alone. So I have him a reassuring nod, which he me a head nod back with a grateful expression. He left not before grabbing a towel, not even changing into his clothes as he headed to his car.

I figured to at least spend a few more minutes in the pool before it got too sad to continue to be there.

I slowly get out, grabbing the towel he laid out previously for me to dry off. It didn't take me long to change back into my clothes, doing a quick rinse first before heading out.

I googled on my phone how to get back to the mall which is the nearest public land point to my pack territory. It showed I have to bus a bit over two hours, changing bus only one time luckily. I decided to use one of my unlimited one hour data to download a movie, passing the time on Instagram while I wait at the bus stop.

I stepped onto the bus with enough change to pay for the fare, quickly taking a seat near the back.

After about half hour in, I got bored and just stared out the window watching the sun go down.

I normally don't pay attention to other passengers but I couldn't help but take notice of two girls, one pink haired and another with natural dirty blonde hair.

The reason I stared at them wasn't because I was attracted to one; it's the way they came onto the bus holding hands romantically and nonchalantly. The pink haired girl laid her head on the other's shoulder when they sat down, the other resting their cheek on top lovingly listening to music with a shared pair of air pods.

Jealousy is a green eyed monster indeed, the tips of the green flames inside licking the bottom of my aching heart.

I realized I may have stared at them longer than necessary because they felt my stare and turned around. Quickly I averted my stare to the windows, my face feeling extremely hot despite the cool AC inside the bus.

God I hope I don't seem homophobic, I thought. But it would be weird just to start explaining to a bunch of strangers why I'm gay too but I can't really be openly gay. I just kept it myself instead, plugging in my earbuds to play the Insidious 2 movie I downloaded earlier, my favourite.

...

Finally arriving to my bus stop it took me across the street from the mall, so I started heading my way back to the pack land. It took me about 25 minutes to reach the boarder after passing a good few yards of forest trees, but I decided to make my way around to the lake at the north end that I have seemed to have make my spot lately.

For a second I thought I felt someone nearby but I couldn't see anyone when I looked around. The feeling was brief so I continued walking, shaking it off. It wasn't long before reaching the all too familiar lake.

I took off my clothes, leaving my underwear on as I washed the rest of the pool chemicals off me. Once done, I laid there on the dock, the summer air warm enough for me to air dry comfortably as stared up to enjoy the stary sky.

I'm not sure how long it took to dry off, as my phone died not too long ago, but I rested on the dock until I felt a mosquito bite.

Nope, nuh uh. I'm going home, I thought. I don't care if I'm supposed to be this 'big, bad alpha' soon, this big bad alpha doesn't feel like suffering from more than one mosquito bite.

I quickly walked back to my house, surprised to see my father on the couch reading a book mom gifted to him on his birthday.

Mom's the bookworm, and he was curious on why she spends so much time reading so he asked her to choose a book she recommends for him. Seems like he's enjoying the first quarter of the book though, but shortly stopped to look up, finally noticing me leaning against the doorframe.

"Hey, son. How was your day? I haven't seen you since dinner last night," He inquired.

"I hung out with Mason last night, I slept over. We went to the mall with the group after training today and some of us went swimming after," I replied in half truth.

"I'm glad you had fun this weekend. I just want to let you know starting tomorrow with the alpha ceremony coming up, we need to finish your alpha training starting. We agreed to a week off for your birthday, but with certain pressing matters I need to make sure you're ready to take over. I'll tell you everything that's been going on tomorrow," he said ominously.

"Okay," I don't know what else to say. I don't get why he can't tell me now, but I guess like he said, he'll explain everything.

"So, are you planning on attending the Unmarked Ball this year or wait until the next?" He asked, changing the subject unsure for better or worse in my opinion.

"I think I'll wait until next year, focus on graduating and getting started on learning how to be an alpha to my pack soon," I replied, using any excuse I could in the book.

"No worries, your mother and I aren't trying to pressure you. I just wanted to know of your plans this year," I tried not to show signs of relief, so I continued with my poker face giving a curt nod.

"Hey are you okay? I just feel like I should be asking you this, you seem off," curse the heightened empathic gift that comes along with being an alpha wolf.

"Yeah just tired, exams are coming up too so I'm not looking forward to that," I gave a half smile, showing my tired expression since it's true, I'm exhausted.

"Alright," he nodded his head half believing me but not pressing, letting the subject go. "Well you got school tomorrow so you should get going to bed, I'll let your mom know I saw you head to up when she comes back from the kitchen. She's just making us some tea to go with our book."

I didn't realize the marked book next to him on the side table faced down.

"Sounds good. Good night dad, see ya tomorrow."

"Good night," and with that I headed to my room.

I plugged in my phone that died on the bus before I made it to the mall. I was going to go shower first, but decided I'm not going to bed anytime soon feeling too restless.

So, I changed out of Mason's clothes into a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt before checking on my phone as I heard it buzz to life a few minutes ago. I grabbed my portable charger before reaching my night table to charge my phone with me on my run.

My phone was on 'do not disturb' since Ryder practically kidnapped me. I saw that I missed a call and two texts from Mason, a text from mom, and lastly, surprisingly a text from Sophia. I clicked on my message icon to read them.

Mason: Hey where are you?

Mason: I covered for you saying that you had a headache come along all of the sudden

——————

Mom: Just send me a text if you'll be home for dinner, love you

———————

Sophia: Heard you had to go home, hope you get better soon!

I decided to reply back to some before leaving for the run, quickly texting back;

Mason: Hey where are you?

Mason: I covered for you saying that you had a headache come along all of the sudden

Me: Thanks for covering, something did come up at the mall that I'll explain after school, had my phone on mute all day. I'll see ya tomorrow, gn

——————

Sophia: Heard you had to go home, hope you get better soon!

Me: Sorry just saw this text, thanks already feeling better

I exited the messages, looking for a song to play along my night run. I was about to press play when my phone buzzed to notify me a text.

Sophia: Glad you're feeling better, see you at school tomorrow gn :)

I didn't reply back as I overthought my attempt to do so, so I went back to listen to Start a Riot by DUCKWRTH and Shaboozey before escaping out the window, landing on my feet with a quiet thud.

With the help of the song, I began to pick up a pace as I poured all the thoughts and energy into this run, despite that in just 9 hours, school starts.

****************************************************************
I'm sorry this is a bit shorter chapter than usual, it's been a busy week but I wanted to give you an update anyways

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Artlover241