Emily's pov

"You're not just an omega Em. You're special." Bryson argued, cutting through my thoughts. His voice held a slight edge.

He always hated when I mentioned how different we both were. "You're special to me." He said under his breath with honesty.

My heart stops and then leaps again, this time quicker. When he said things like this my stupid heart would think that Bryson meant it in a more than friendly way.

But then the logical side of my mind would instantly throw me back a few steps or two by revealing that Bryson was only just trying to make me feel better.

Because that's what best friend's are supposed to do. Make the other one feel better.

I turned to face the window and stared at the huge endless green trees. They were so tall and their branches were thick. They wouldn't end until a few miles but would start right back again.

The sleepy town of Green Hallow....wasn't so sleepy at all.

-

Bryson kills the engine and turns to face me, his eyes holding a gleam of mirth and his mouth a bit pouty.

I try to not stare at it for too long even though it was a temptation that I have always lost.

I keep my eyes on his nose. Because if I were to bring them to his eyes, I'd be a lost in the windows of his soul.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you're still annoyed at me?" His lips curved into a playful grin and he chuckled.

I raised an eyebrow, and nearly rolled my eyes at his words. "For which part exactly? Is it for teasing me the entire morning after what you saw in my room or driving like a maniac?" I asked sarcastically.

I was trying to be as serious as I can but with Bryson, I can never truly remain angry or annoyed at him. It was just impossible.

He had that way about him that didn't allow someone to be angry with him. Or maybe it was me who just couldn't for the life of me stay mad at him for too long.

He lifts his eyes to the roof of the car and playfully made a clicking sound while shifting his head from side to side. " For both?"

His green eyes came back to join mine, only that they were sparkling in mischief while a grin so wide and bright nearly blinded me.

They looked deep into my soul and made me shiver.

This was one of the reasons I try to avoid staring into his eyes when we were alone. I always end up feeling things I know I shouldn't be feeling.

Bryson grins.

My stomach does a slight twist and I looked away quickly.

Wanting to not have him see my skittish self I snorted out. "Then yes, I'm a hundred percent still annoyed with you." I unbuckled myself and opened the car door.

When I was out, I swung the bag strap over my shoulder and looked over the roof of the car when Bryson also gets out.

His eyes narrowed as the sun strikes in his eyes. It made his eyes seem gold from where I stood. " Come on Em, you can't stay annoyed at me forever. You know you love me. " He said with a cheesy grin.

My heart flips. If only he knew exactly how much those words were actually true. Just more than what he thought. I didn't love him only as a best friend, I loved him as more.

I breathed in through my nose and let it out through my mouth. When I am about to respond, a friend of ours joined us.

Her face shows off a huge beam, her eyes dancing when they fell on both Bryson and me.

She skips towards us, her red hair flipping behind her. She was very beautiful with her wide cocoa eyes and pretty features.

I would look like a homeless person standing beside her.

Maya throws her arm over my shoulder and hugged me. "I missed you Em." She squealed beside my ear.

Was it get Emily deaf day?

I wince but hugged her back while my ears rang.

Maya was the beta's daughter and would be taking the role of our future beta soon. I met her through Bryson who was already friends with her.

At first, she hadn't quite liked me and didn't want my rank to make her look bad. But then after a few greetings here and there, the conversations gradually became longer and funnier until we were practically best friends.

"You saw me yesterday." I pointed out.

She pulls away and smacks me on the shoulder playfully. "Still way too long to not see your chubby cute little cheeks." She pinches my cheek to show her point.

Even though I was petite, I had chubby cheeks that made my face round. Everyone said I look adorable especially when I blush.

I smacked her hand away and glared at her playfully.

"So no one's going to even include me in the conversation?" Bryson grumbles as he walks over to us.

I turn to give him a fake annoyed stare. "No."

"Ouch Em, that hurt." He feigned a hurt look by placing his hand over his heart.

When he's beside me, Maya darts her eyes between the two of us in curiosity. "Did something happen with you two again? Did Bryson pull a prank Em?"

Honestly, her words flew over my head the moment Bryson stepped beside me.

His body heat....

My stomach knotted and I gripped my bag strap for an anchor as I try to relax my beating heart.

With them being werewolves they'd obviously hear my quickly pounding heart. I didn't want them to question me on something I'd lie about.

And obviously, with Bryson knowing me like the back of his hand, he'd know I was lying.

Bryson throws his arm over my shoulder and is the first to respond. "Em doesn't like fast rides, I'd make sure to remember that in the future. Apparently, my girl likes it slow. Don't you Em?" He teased and squeezed me to him and looks down at me.

I lift my head and our eyes connected quickly.

My heart races and I'm not sure I can actually hide the fact that I'm getting flushed.

My girl...

Bryson's tone was heavy with a tease, but there was something in his eyes while he stares at me that made my heart leap.

Emily's pov

I sat down on one of the chairs around the lunch table and dug into my burger. I was hungry and moaned aloud.

"Don't make that sound again Em," Bryson grunted a bit when he sat down on one of the chairs beside mine.

I furrow my brows and turn to him.

His eyes fall to my lips and they darken. I'm stunned by how dark they've become. "You have something on the corner of your..." He trails off and before I can wipe whatever was on my lips, Bryson reached out and brushed his finger on the corner of my mouth.

My eyes fall to his finger and I feel the heat crawl up my neck and settle in my cheeks when I noticed that the tip of his finger was painted with mayo.

With a smirk, Bryson lifted his finger and pushed it in his mouth and, sucked. He moaned.

And my heart leaped.

When he was done, he grinned at me and teased. "You're such a messy eater."

This time the heat took over my entire face. I was certain I looked so red that everyone could spot me from afar.

Bryson chuckled and was about to say something when someone else plopped down on the chair mirroring mine.

"What are you two talking about?" Shawn, Bryson's best friend and also a close friend of mine asked as he dug into his fries.

His eyes gleamed with amusement as they darted between Bryson and I.

He arrowed a fry our way. "Let me guess. You two are flirting like usual."

If it were even possible my face turned even redder. "We we-re not flir-ting." I splattered out.

Shawn busted out laughing at my expense and from the corner of my eye I can see Bryson staring at me with a huge grin on his face.

Great my friends thought I was a laughing stock.

"Bryce. Did you see how red she got man?! Em is literally the color of a firetruck." Shawn snorted playfully.

I glared at both him and Bryson whose grin widened as he agreed. "Yes. Makes me wonder where else that blush go." There's a heavy tone in Bryson's voice that had a slick electrical feeling zapping down my spine.

"Yuck. Keep the flirting away from me before I barf." Shawn jokes and had me shyly moving my eyes away from both his and Bryson's.

"Who's flirting?" Maya's voice flutters near.

I turn around to see one of her arms slung over Bryson's shoulder as she held him close.

Everyone knew that if anyone had to be Bryson's fated mate, then it would be Maya.

Not only was she of higher rank but she was beautiful and walked with grace.

Bryson deserved a mate as strong as him.

And that mate couldn't be me, because I was weak. An omega and not as pretty as Maya.

Swimming with jealousy, I tore my eyes away from the two.

Shawn who didn't always see eye to eye with Maya, responded sarcastically. "Bryson and Emily. Who else? Do you see any other couple around Maya?"

I shyly peeked at Bryson when Shawn mentioned that we were a couple. He didn't look like he hated it, in fact, Bryson had a charming grin on his face.

Maya removed her arm off Bryson's shoulders and glared at Shawn. "Would it kill you to be nice to me for once dick? And, besides, Bryson and Em aren't a couple. Bryson's going to find his mate soon so you should be careful with your words. His mate might be someone in this room, you never know."

She huffed and went to sit down on the chair beside Shawn who scooted away from her a little.

I looked over at Bryson. That grin on his face is gone and is replaced by a frown.

"What does finding his mate have to do with this now? There's no harm in the two flirting." Shawn grumbles and glared at Maya.

"I'm just saying that if his mate is in the room she might get the wrong idea. It could be anyone, well except for Emily herself. She's an omega so her being Bryson's mate isn't believable." Maya said with a shrug.

There was a bitter feeling in my chest when she said those words. And even though they were absolutely true, it didn't make it hurt any less.

Suddenly a chair scraps backward and I snap my gaze to Bryson who stands up and storms away, leaving the three of us stunned by his sudden departure.

"What's wrong with him?" Maya asked in confusion as she stared at a storming away Bryson who managed to capture everyone's attention.

"Gee I wonder who upset him," Shawn said sarcastically.

I rise to my feet, concerned about his obvious angry mood. "I'll go check up on him," I said.

"No, I'll go," Maya said and rose to her feet. Shawn is quick to wrap his hand around her wrist and stops her.

"No, Emily should go. It's obvious you upset him with your words Maya. I don't think you going to him is a good idea. Let Emily handle it." He grumbles tightly.

Maya frowns but nods and sat back down.

Shawn nods his head, urging me to go ahead. I quickly leave the cafeteria my eyes scanning around the area.

Where could you be Bryce....

I opened the locker room and sure enough, there was the sound of a fist hitting metal.

I rush over to his side, shocked to see him this angry. He's breathing roughly and his canines are out. And when he looked at me, I stare into angry red eyes.

He's shifting and he's trying to fight it.

"Bryce," I said softly as I took a cautious step forward. Bryce was an alpha, a future alpha and they tend to not be able to control their emotions when the day to take over the pack is approaching.

He places his forehead on the locker while trying to control his rage and breathing.

I approached him slowly, cautiously and when I'm beside him, I reach out and place my hand on his shoulder.

He relaxes, breathing out a sigh.

"Did she upset you that much Bryce?" I whispered when his eyes had gone back to normal and his teeth retracted.

"It's her damn words. I hate when she brings up the mate thing." He admits and pushes off the locker only to turn around to face me.

"I don't understand," I whispered. "She's right you know, you'll be finding your mate soon. Isn't that a good thing?"

Bryson's jaw ticked and his eyes shifted in irritation. "How is that a good thing if there's a possibility I can't have the girl I want Em?"

Emily's pov

His words stunned me and my heart leaped.

Did he have someone in mind he wanted as his mate?

It sure sounded as though he had someone he liked.

My heart throbbed.

I know I shouldn't feel this way, Bryson after all would obviously be attracted to girls...

A big part of me wanted him to be attracted to me but that was just wishful thinking.

Bryson was way out of my league, in looks and ranking.

It's actually laughable that I was so deeply in love with an alpha male who would never be mated to an omega like me.

Bryson sighs and rakes a hand through his hair. "The closer my birthday comes the more agitated I get. I'm fearful of who I'll end up with knowing that the one I really want might not-

He groans and shakes his head. His eyes lift to mine and they connected. It feels like electricity is zapping around us as he holds me in an intense stare.

"In a few months, you'll be turning eighteen to Em. Aren't you afraid of who you'll end up with?" He asked, staring at me deeply.

I tore my eyes away from him.

I've thought about who the moon goddess must've chosen for me and my mind always wraps back to maybe an omega or low-ranked male.

Omegas have never been mated to any higher-ranked wolves, it's not like I'd magically be mated to one now.

"I've thought about it a lot actually. And yes I'm terrified of that day." I admitted.

I'm terrified that we won't have the same bond we have now.

Your main focus will be on your Luna and I'll be stuck with someone I have to force to fall in love with even though my heart belongs to you.

But instead of saying the truth, I sent him a shaky smile. "But I figured the moon goddess won't fate me to a higher ranked wolf so I suppose I have nothing to fear of. You know how you higher ranked wolves are more maintenance." I joked trying to ease the tension.

But it does the opposite because Bryson's brows knot into a frown and he grumbles. "Right."

He stares at me with an emotion he was quick to mask and then clears his throat. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see who we end up with huh?"

I nodded grimly.

I didn't want to end up with anyone else other than Bryson. I was in love with him and I was afraid that even with a mate that's not him, I'd never be able to get over him.

_

"You better take your time today," I warned him as I buckled myself.

Bryson shoots me a grin and winks. "No promises."

I gripped the door quickly as he drove off.

"Bryson Taylor!" I yelled in anger.

He roared with laughter and then slowed down. I turn to shoot him a glare.

"I swear you're just trying to piss me off."

The corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk as he spared me a glance. "You're hot when you're pissed off, I can't help it." He joked but there was something weighing in his tone that made it a bit hoarse.

Again, his words always seem to make me stop breathing for a few. But then I always remember that Bryson was always a teaser and he loved to tease me. Those words had no real meaning behind them. They were just that, words.

Even though I wanted them to mean so much more.

With a raging blush on my face that I failed to hide, I rip my eyes away from him and focus on the road while I murmur. "Shut up. "

He chuckles and the sound sent a warm rush of tingles fluttering in my stomach.

When we got to my place Bryson said he'd much rather warm up the food in fear that I'd 'burn' down the house.

"Whatever," I said and rolled my eyes.

I left him and went upstairs to freshen up.

When I got back upstairs, Bryson is already seated on the sofa, his feet kicked up on the coffee table.

"Aren't you supposed to have a meeting with your dad today about the alpha ceremony?" I asked as I approached him.

Not only was Bryson turning the age of eighteen in a couple of days, but he would also be passed down the alpha title. He will now be the alpha leader of the pack.

Something he's been training for relentlessly.

He looks up at me and I didn't fail to notice the way his eyes dipped for a few seconds on my breasts area and legs.

I blushed and he clears his throat while reaching over for the remote. "Like I'd leave you home alone Em. I mind linked my dad, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

I winced.

Brent Taylor, alpha of our pack, was a bit more stern. Especially when it came to pack business.

"Was he upset?" I winced as I plopped beside him.

I let out a tiny breath when his arm slings around my shoulder and he pulled me closer to his side.

"Nah not really. He understood. It's really not a big deal Em. Alpha duties can come after, you'll always come first."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. When he says words like that it makes me want to beg him to kiss me at least once before he'll never be mine again.

But that wasn't a possibility. We were best friends and he only saw me as his little sister.

"I just don't want to be the reason you're missing out on your duties Bryce. You'll take over the pack in literally a few days. " I whispered and peeked at him under my lashes.

I hear his sharp intake of breath when our eyes connected and furrow my brows when he rips them away quickly.

"I have enough time Em. Now stop being so worried." He whispered and switched through the movies and picked one I liked even though he didn't like that kind of genre.

I smiled and lay my head on his shoulder.

-

A few hours had passed and now it was dark out. The only light in the house was coming from the television.

We had eaten a few hours ago and now I was exhausted.

I yawned, my eyes fluttering closed until sleep washed over me. It was only when I felt myself being lifted did my eyes slowly fluttered open.

In my hazy mind and vision, I spotted Bryson's eyes staring down at me. "Go back to sleep Em, I got you." He whispered and my eyes followed his command.

I can hear his footfalls as he walked up the stairs, feel his arms hold me protectively to his chest. Hear the steady beating of his heart in his chest.

And then soon, I felt the soft covers under me as I sank into the mattress. He fixed me and pulled the covers over my legs to my midsection.

But when I thought he was gone, I felt the hovering presence of him above me then felt the softness of his lips on the corner of my mouth.

"Goodnight baby." He whispered, his lips lingering there.