A Faked Mate

Chapter 7 - Zaine

Presley stumbled along next to me. In her drunken little bliss. Despite my earlier foul mood, I couldn't help but smile at her. I mean, who wouldn’t? She was a bundle of sunshine. And a funny bundle of sunshine when drunk. “I didn’t fall asleep tonight, Zee.” She declared with glee, looking up at me, the biggest smile upon her face, looking to be incredibly proud of her achievement.

I chuckled. She certainly had not fallen asleep. In fact, she had been up and dancing for a good portion of the evening. Had me dancing too. No doubt, she would awaken tomorrow questioning why her body ached, llike she had done on so many of our other nights out.

“That may have something to do with the fact you alternated your drinks with coffee, Pres.” I teased, and she giggled. A light, care free sound. This girl and her fun loving character had brought out the care free side in me. A side that had disappeared in my teens. When the pressures of being an upcoming Alpha had begun to become apparent. Being here, in college, and around her and my other friends had given me that sense of freedom I was looking for. That I had needed.

When I had arrived, I knew it wouldn’t last forever, but now the leaving date was looming and I knew what was awaiting me, the thought of losing it all filled me with dread. This had been my security. My safe haven. The moment I was permenantly back within my pack the preperations for my Alpha ceremony would begin, once, of course my marriage was arranged, now this additional requirement had been thrown at me. And all the formalities of being Alpha would begin.

I want to be the next Alpha of Crimson Eclipse Pack, I do. I don't think that had ever been in question. But, the dominating presence of my father was too much. His need to be in control. I knew that would not falter once I became Alpha. He would not allow me to lead the way that I wanted. And our minds were the not the same. Our views... I would never be allowed to rule the way I wanted. Anger rippled through me as I thought about it. He and I had clashed so many times over it in the past. And, I knew that the time was coming for so many more confrontations now I was to be returning home. I did not know that I was ready for it...

“You look serious Zee.” Presley’s voice slurred, her beautiful brown eyes struggling to focus on me, telling me exactly how tipsy she truly was. “You not should look so serious after drinking so many alcohols.” She smiled sweetly at me, and I once again am struck by that need to smile. This girl was so drunk. Her words not making much sense, but I have now known her long enough to understand.

“It is fine. I am just thinking, Pres. I am all good. There is nothing to worry about.” I ruffled her hair softly. “It is you that doesn’t look too good. You have had far too much to drink.”

Presley halted her steps, near tripping me up in the process as she did it so suddenly I crashed into her. She giggled, as I steadied the two of us, while her hand flew to her chest as she feigned shock. I found myself laughing. “How very rude!” She said with a heavy slur. “I do believe, Mr Man. Alpha Man. Zee man. You. That drinking was your idea. All your idea. Not mine! Oh no." She emphatically shook her head, while staring intensely at me, and I had to fight the urge to laugh at her, while she continued. "And me. Sweet, little me, was being a good friend when I agreed. Because it is never good to drink alone you know? Never good to drink on your own. No. So I want to be a good friend and drink too.”

Smiling, I pulled her close into a hug. I knew she had come to be a good friend. She was always telling me I was the good friend to her. Helping her out. Telling me she could never make it up to me, but the little things she did for me meant the world, and I don't think Presley ever realised it. Just allowing me to be Zee again, instead of upcoming Alpha Zaine, was something she brought out in me. Fun. Laughter. Freedom.

“Yeah, you did, Pres.” I placed a tender kiss to her forehead. "And it was much appreciated, you know?" I admitted with a heavy sigh. That had not been all she had done tonight, being a good friend. And, that was something else laying heavy upon my mind. Her offer had not left my mind.

Presley had offered to alter the course of her short-term future in order to help me. She had shocked me with it. She was young and in no rush to settle down, I knew that, as this was something we had discussed on many occasions when we chatted about the complexitites of home, and of course being from a pack. So, I knew that Presley even suggesting what she had must have been a big thing for her. She would be sacrificing a lot.

But, I saw that moment of doubt flicker within her eyes when I did not give her an answer. The way her lips pulled together in a frown. She was uncertain of what she had said. Or if she had done the right thing... Seeing her laugh it away like it was nothing when I did not respond told me she had perhaps seen sense. Maybe it had been nothing but a momentary lapse of reasoning? The drink talking? Either way, it was better for us both to forget. I was sure of that. I loved her dearly, and had done for some time. That is what happened with friends, right? And, she was a truly wonderful friend, and I would do anything for her. And, she had proven she would seemingly do anything for me. But, I don’t think I could ever ask her to do that. Even if it may well be the thing that saved me from a life I fear…