Not Mates #4
Emmaline grabbed my hand and waited until I met her eyes, “I know she’s out there. I just haven’t heard her name or seen her picture. I could ask Aria for you. My daughter is better than I am already.” I shook my head, “No, I just turned eighteen. I’ll wait.”
Emmaline grinned saying, “I do know that your mate will be amazing.” She looked like she wanted to say something else. I encouraged her, “You can say what you want.” Emmaline said, “You have a good soul, Keaton. I also know you feel like you should be more heartbroken than you are.”
I winced because that was true. Channing disagreed, “We should not be more upset than we are.” Emmaline continued, “You’re relieved.
Sometimes we know we deserve better, but we settle.
You’re more upset because you thought everything was settled for you.
You’re relieved that the girl you thought it was settled with isn’t you mate. Don’t feel bad about that.”
I was stunned she’d nailed all my feelings so well. Honestly, I shouldn’t be surprised that Emmaline could read me so well. The former Luna had articulated what I was struggling to say out loud though. I nodded to her and went to sit down.
Eventually dad sat down to me next and handed me a beer. I smiled at him and took a sip. Dad said, “I love you, Keaton.” I smiled saying, “I know. I love you too, old man.” Dad admitted, “The house isn’t the same without you and Keith there.”
I answered honestly, “I miss home. It’s been a nice break though and one I needed. I feel like I’ve gotten some clarity.” We fell into a silence before I asked, “Did you ever fall in love before you met mom?”
Dad was quiet for several moments before answering, “No, I didn’t. There were times I had girlfriends I thought I was in love with. I knew they weren’t my mate, and I was happy for them when they found theirs.”
Dad paused then added, “There are things you don’t know about when I was young and dumb and made some mistakes that hurt your mother. I was trying to be a good guy, but I didn’t consider how that would affect your mom.”
“I know your situation is nowhere near the same as mine was, but now you know Lisa isn’t your mate there are things you should consider.
For example, think about how your mate would feel if you were still with Lisa.
You obviously do not have to do anything right now.
Just think about how you would feel in that situation. ”
“If your mate stayed with a guy after finding out they weren’t mates when they’ve been together since they were fourteen years old.
You might have some questions on whether they wanted to be chosen mates or not.
Just do what I didn’t and only see how it affects you. Put yourself in your mate’s shoes.”
I growled, “What are you talking about? What hurt mom? Dad answered, “It’s a long story. I know you don’t want to hurt your mate, and I definitely didn’t see my actions from my mate’s side.
I was an idiot. Some days I look at my family and know I’m a lucky son of a bitch because your mother is the woman she is.
Plenty of women would’ve walked away from me. ”
I argued, “That’s not true, dad. I don’t know the story, but I know you. You did what you felt was right.” Dad shrugged, “You’re right. I was still a dumb young man who didn’t think about the consequences that could arise from that decision once I’d met your mom.” What the hell happened?
Dad squeezed my arm and stood to go dance with mom. My thoughts turned to Lisa again. I needed to end things for good this time. She usually broke up with me, and I’d swear we were done. Then she’d cry when I started to show anyone else attention and I felt bad.
Preston Conners sat down next to me. I said, “Hey P.” Preston greeted, “Hey Keaton, you look sad.” I sighed, “More resolved than sad, I think.” Preston laughed.
I asked, “What?” Preston responded, “Keaton, I’ve heard you swear you’re done with Lisa several times.
It never ends up being true because she turns on the crocodile tears. ”
I shrugged, “She’s dating someone else.” Preston reasoned, “That’s been true several times.
It’s when you date someone else that she loses it.
You flirted with a girl which resulted in a Lisa meltdown so you’d take her back.
Which by the way, some people called a tantrum. That she wolf is a shrewd manipulator.”
I weakly argued, “You just don’t see her.” Preston countered, “I see your hopefully ex better than most, Keaton. It’s why she hates me. She’s very different around you than everyone else. Lisa’s always known how to manipulate you, whether you want to see it or not.”
I sighed, “I’m getting very tired of this mirror everyone wants to hold in front of me.
” Preston laughed, “Sorry man, but I’m your friend.
I’ve always told you how I feel about Lisa.
She’s never been good to you and always made you feel bad.
That’s not real love, and I know you know that.
We both have great examples to look up to.
Do we want to discuss what I know or not? ”
I winced because Preston could know someone’s deepest fear about things.
I tilted my head outside and we walked to a spot where no one would hear us.
I asked, “What is it?” Preston told me, “You fear you’ll never have a love that measures up to the love your parents have.
So, you’re settling with what you have with Lisa thinking that’s all you deserve.
That’s not the way of mates though, Keaton. ”
I said, “Not everyone has a relationship full of roses. Look at your Grandpa Nathan and Grandma Cassandra.” Preston pointed out, “They loved each other though, that was never a question. With what I know now that’s an indisputable fact.
If they didn’t love each other, Grandpa Nathan would’ve divorced her.
” That meant Nathan loved her, but Cassandra, from what I’d studied, was a narcissist who only loved herself.
Preston continued, “Life isn’t all roses, Keaton. Not everything in our parents lives has been great. A lot has been really awful. They’ve always had each other’s backs though. When push comes to shove our mothers would do anything for our dads and vice versa.”
“Lisa has been saying you might take her as a chosen mate. It’s going around your pack and this one. Probably more than that at this point. My question to you about that is, when push comes to shove will Lisa have your back?” I hesitated.
Preston said, “That pause tells you everything you need to know. Neither of our fathers would hesitate to answer that question. It’s ok to admit you deserve more than your partner is giving you. It’s ok to admit you two aren’t meant for each other.”
“You honestly don’t even work well together, because while you may have a bond that keeps you together; I don’t think you like each other.
Lisa likes your title and so does her family.
If roles were reversed, and some girl convinced Keith she was his mate only for that not to be true you would be enraged. ”
Channing growled in my head, and I had to admit Preston was right.
I’d be furious if someone played with Keith that way.
I nodded saying, “Go back into the party, P. I need to think.” He gave me a hug before saying, “Anytime you need anything you can call me.” I smiled, “I know that. You’re a good friend. ” Preston replied, “So are you.”
My friend walked back inside and I began to walk around the territory.
I ended up on a path that led to a small pond and sat down.
I asked Channing, “Are you upset with Lady?” Channing answered, “No. Lady told me she wasn’t as positive we were mates as Lisa was.
She said we didn’t smell bad, but the only wolves that had smelled bad to her were rogues. Lisa and Lady are very different.”
We sat in silence until Channing asked, “Are you mad at Lisa?” Was I? The truth was that I was certain I was. I felt like an idiot for believing Lisa when something in my gut told me not to. I thought I was just nervous about finding my mate and brushed off my own feelings.
Emmett and dad came and joined me. To my surprise Emmaline popped in with Dustin Bishop. I asked, “What’s going on?” Dad answered, “Alexander pointed out while we got rid of those peanut butter cookies the after effects might still be around.” Channing snorted, “Oden was raging about them.”
I answered, “I know that we did. I liked them but I can admit it’s for the best.” Dad said, “Right but you’d been eating them since you were a young pup.
We are worried about the effects lingering on you guys.
That the Ring didn’t care about our pack really, and you never asked questions about Melanie.
We worry you were susceptible in other ways. ”
Channing perked up in my head. Keith never ate those cookies like I did. Lisa loved them, but oddly I ended up eating them instead of her. Maybe that’s why I was a weaker Alpha. Maybe that was my problem: magical cookies.
I asked the Warlock here, “Do you need to do something for me?” Dustin said, “I’m not sure what can be done, but I did want you to know we are looking into it.
This was all done before you got Channing and we are going to talk to other pups in the packs too.
It’s not just you that ate them.” I nodded and felt nothing but relief flooding my veins when they left.
Keith flashed to me and sat down admitting, “I thought I might find you here.” I smiled at him then bumped his shoulder with mine, “Thanks, big brother.” Keith asked, “For what?” I shrugged, “For not getting someone to punch Lisa on your behalf. I can’t say if roles were reversed that I wouldn’t have talked Allison into it.
No one would get too mad at her.” Keith laughed.