Strangers to Mates

Chapter 15: The side effects of alcohol

The next month went by in a flash and I was sad to learn that summer was ending. All of August had gone by with a bit of a pattern. Raymond had three hours of alpha training each day after lunch and I'd go to visit his mum three time a week. On the weekend Raymond and I would always do something whether it was go out for dinner or walk around the mall or even go swimming in the lake. I'd gotten an e-mail form mum and dad, they explained how they missed me dearly and wished me well. Mum also e-mailed me the details for getting my GED online. It was pretty simple, and this way I got to work whenever I wanted to instead of the straight 7 hours we had to do at school.

It was the first weekend of September and Raymond was out with James and a couple other guys. I was at home bored and alone but James had complained that he never got to hang out with his best bud anymore because I had 'stolen' him. I figured that I didn't have anything better to do so I grabbed a random book off of one of Raymond's few bookshelves. I took a seat in the living room and curled up with a cup of coffee to keep me from drifting off. Turns out no matter how much caffeine was in that cup it couldn't keep me from falling asleep. Hours later, it must have been one in the morning, I heard a huge crash. I jumped into a fighting stance like my instinct told me to but I calmed down when I saw Raymond stumble into the kitchen. I quickly rushed over to him helping him stand up properly as he leaned on me.

"What have you done?" I asked like a concerned parent when I smelt the alcohol on his breath.

"James and I had a bet to see who could drink more shots. I won." He said with slurred words.

"You idiot." I said trying to get him up the stairs.

He stumbled a few times but I finally managed to get him on the bed.

"You need to rest." I told him, trying to get his shirt off, which had what smelled like beer spilled on it.

"But I don't want to. I want to stay up with you." He said finally letting me get the shirt off.

"That's sweet but you're drunk so that's a no." I said sternly.

Before I could do anything else he grabbed my elbows gently and pulled me down so that our lips could meet. He kissed me deeply and I couldn't help but kiss back, bringing my hands around his neck and lightly pulling on the ends of his hair. He pulled me down farther and brought me down onto him but I wasn't going to let this go any farther right now, especially when he probably wouldn't remember anything. I pulled back up and brought his shirt into the closet with me. I tossed it in the basket as I heard Raymond complaining behind me. I ignored him slipping my jeans and top off. I grabbed one of his old t shirts and slipped it on, facing the wall. Suddenly I was flipped over and pinned against the wall.

"What are you doing Raymond?" I asked almost annoyed now.

"About to kiss my mate." He said, hiccuping.

"No, you're not. Now get back in bed." I said, feeling like a mother again.

"Nah." He said teasingly making me roll my eyes at him.

"Fine." I thought about pushing him all the way back to bed but knew he was like ten times stronger than me so I didn't.

I crossed my arms over my chest, being just as stubborn as him.

It must have been at least fifteen minutes before he got to tired and finally went back to the bed, lazily taking off his jeans and passing out. I shook my head at my idiotic mate. He was a werewolf, goddess knows how much did he to drink to get this drunk? Before I could go to sleep as well I remembered hearing a crash from when he came in, which meant I had to go clean up whatever he had broken.

I was so mad.

He'd knocked over the vase of flowers I had just put in there this morning, or I guess technically yesterday morning. They were beautiful white daisies and red roses, my favorites. And that was the only vase we currently had in the house, know what was I going to do? I carefully picked up the larger glass pieces, placing them in the garbage but when I went to grab I small shard I cut the edge of my finger.

"Ow." I quietly grumbled instinctively.

Barely even a second later Raymond was crouched in front of me, all signs of being drunk gone. He took the hand I had cut in both of his and quickly asked, concerned,

"Erin, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, it's just a little cut, it'll be healed by morning." I tried to explain calmly but he clearly saw it as a bigger deal.

He gently pulled me up and lead me over to the sink. I didn't know how he could have gone from drunk and lustful to concerning mate in five minutes. And how am I suppose to get mad at him for ruining my flowers when he was freaking out for my well being. He ran cold water over the cut to wash away the blood and I sucked in my breath quickly as I had to admit it stung at first. The second he heard that he pulled it out from under the water giving me a concerned look.

"I'm fine." I answered the question he had yet to ask.

He gently eased it back under the water, waiting a good thirty seconds before turning the water off and grabbing a towel to wrap and dry it while he went searching beneath the sink. He came out with a first aid kit, which was rare to be in the kitchen of a werewolf, and placed a piece of gauze over the cut before lightly wrapping it. Once he was sure I was alright again his sober state seemed to fade as he became drowsy again.

"C'mon." I mumbled wrapping my arm around his waist and swinging his around my shoulders.

I helped him back up to the room once again and got him back in bed. He instantly fell back asleep, confusing me even more of how awake and alert he seemed only moments ago. As much as I wanted to I knew that I still had to finish cleaning up downstairs before I could join him in bed. I quietly went back down and grabbed a towel, picking up the piece of glass that had a bit of my blood on it and threw it out with the rest. I grabbed the flowers I had put in a pill and carried them over to the sink. I didn't have anything tall enough to put the flowers in so I had to cut their beautifully long steams so that they could sit in a cup. I had to throw out half the flowers that had been pretty much destroyed and killed in the crash. It really was such a shame.

I finally crawled into bed beside Raymond and even though he was knocked out cold his arms still wrapped around me. I couldn't help but smile at the fact that he was drunk and asleep and still pulled me close to him. I soon fell asleep, my tiredness from earlier coming back.

The next morning Raymond had a bit of a hangover, making me wonder again just how much he had drank. I don't think I've ever seen another werewolf this bad, well except for once when our classmate learned his sister died that morning. He'd drank himself silly, it was so sad. I made Raymond coffee and he complained about a headache saying he didn't remember much of last night like I thought he would, but it was all gone by lunch time. That was when I got mad at him for knocking over my flowers. Even though I knew he didn't remember anything I still got mad for like five minutes before I explained to him what had happened. He instantly apologize saying he'd buy me more flowers. He looked so bad I couldn't help but smile at how guilty he looked for killing my flowers. I didn't bother explained anything else to him, telling him that none of it matter and he'd remember it eventually anyways. The only part he recalled was that brief moment of soberness and of course made sure I was all healed up, which I was.

After that September and October had passed by just as fast as August had and it was the weekend before Halloween. Okay so maybe October wasn't completely over but close enough. At the moment Raymond was driving us to the mall explaining that we needed costumes because every year they put on a Halloween party. I only agreed because it reminded me of the Halloween parties we'd had at my old pack. After an hour I had finally convinced him that we should do Aladdin and Jasmine partly because they were my favorite Disney couple and party because I liked the costume on him. Patched pants and a vest without a shirt, yup good idea. But I'm sure he also loved what my costume entailed. We finally left with paired costumes after we found the perfect ones in the second Halloween shop we'd gone in.

Next thing I know its Saturday and Halloween, only a few hours before the party. I decided to shower and change into my costume and came out looking exactly like Jasmine did throughout most the movie. With the teal colored pants and crop top, well I don't really know if you'd call it a crop top it was shorter than that, and pulled on gold flats and a gold necklace. I did my hair similar to how Jasmine has it in the movie with a teal headband, matching the clothes. It was actually a lot more comfortable than I thought it to be. The costume was made out of silk and cotton making it soft and fun to wear. I came down stairs to see Raymond dressed exactly like Aladdin, well Aladdin in the 'street rat' outfit. I couldn't help but stare at his bare chest, and I know, I sleep next to him every night and he only slept in boxers but I still couldn't help it. He smirked and his eyes darkened a couple shades as he looked me up and down.

"Are you ready to go?" I asked coming up to him, ignoring his eyes.

"Of course my princesses." He answered bowing before me.

I rolled my eyes, linking my arm with his and we headed out to the truck. Much to my surprise the party was indoors. Some guy a year older than Raymond always threw a Halloween party at his house because his parents were always gone that week. When we got there I learned that it was a pretty massive house at the edge of town. Raymond slung his arm around my shoulders as we walked into the house, which was brightly lit considering that it was pitch black outside. At first I felt really awkward but started feeling a little better when we met up with James who happen to be a pirate. We went out onto the dance floor, or at least where everyone was dancing. I felt bad for James, he had just turned eighteen the past month and still haven't found his mate. Weird since less than four months ago I thought that would have made him lucky. We danced for a while before stopping to get drinks where I warned the two of them that they weren't allowed to make any more bets since what happened in September. They agreed after James laughed at the memory. I playfully hit his arm, pretending to still be mad about it and telling him that Raymond had come home breaking vases.

We danced for another hour before the three of us went out on the back deck to cool off. There were still lots of people outside and in the backyard but the fall breeze made it cool. We were sitting on the edge of the deck when a pair of people came out from the edge of the forest that wasn't far from us.

"I told you to stay away from me you creep. I'm waiting for my mate and I sure as hell wouldn't get with you if I weren't." The girl yelled.

She was actually quite pretty, with wavy/curly chestnut hair that stopped at her shoulder, I couldn't see the color of her eyes but her facial features made her look beautiful, she must have been about my height. And I loved her mad hatter's costume. But I never would have guessed what would happen next.

Suddenly James growled out a 'mine' and bolted over to the girl in seconds. Next thing I knew he was standing in front of her, facing the guy she had yelled at and said in a deep threatening voice,

"Get away from my mate before I break your neck."

Whoa, I'd never seen James like this before. It almost made me laugh, but I didn't when I realized he was serious. I wanted to go calm him down, not wanting him to kill anyone tonight, James had become my friend and I don't like seeing my friends kill people at parties. But knew that the only person who could do that was that girl. Okay so breaking a werewolf's neck won't kill them, just go unconscious for about twelve hours but I swear James looked deadly right now, which was the complete opposite of the friendly smile I'd gotten used to seeing on his face.

"What the hell do you mean your mate." The guy asked unfazed by James' threat but mad that he was getting involved.

"I mean she's mine and if you lay a hand on her I won't have a problem killing you."

I could feel the tension from the spot that Raymond nor I had left and thought that they were going to shift when the host of the party, what was his name again, um, Marco right, came out and stood in between them. Someone must have mind linked him about it.

"Leave now Jared or I swear to god I will call the cops, you've caused enough trouble before." Marco said to the guy.

Jared grunted then left and Marco turned to James and the girl.

"Are you all right." He asked more to her than James.

"I'm fine now." She replied confidently.

When Marco was sure they were fine he went back into the house. I turned my eyes back to the pair to find them lip locking. My lips spread into a grin and by now everyone had forgotten about the two. When they pulled away I heard them say to each other,

"To thank my hero." she said

"And mate." James added.

I turned my attention back to Raymond who I found smiling as well.

"I'm happy for him." He said turning to look me in the eye, "He's finally found his mate."

I leaned on his shoulder before he pulled me onto his lap.

"He'll finally understand the way I feel about you." He adding making me smile and lightly blush.

"She looks nice, do you know her?" I asked placing my hand on his chest, tracing random things.

"Uh, I think her name's Malia something, she was in the year below us so that would make her your age." He replied looking up, thinking.

I hum in response as James leads Malia over to us.

"Malia this is my best pal Raymond and his mate Erin, guys this is Malia, my mate." He officially introduced with pride and the brightest smile I've ever seen him sport.

Funny how he went from ready to kill to the happiest person in the world, well maybe the one of the happiest if the smile on Malia's face meant anything. Which it did.

I could practically feel the joy bubbling off him. I climbed out of Raymond's lap, sitting beside him again and said,

"It's great to meet you Malia."

"You too." She said sitting beside me, "You're new to the pack right. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you joined I was talking care of my little sister who was sick."

"No that's totally fine" I said smiling at her.

Werewolves didn't get sick often so I totally got why she missed something silly like me joining when part of her family was sick.

She was really nice and I think her and James would fit well together. I felt Raymond stand up and him and James told us that they'd go get us drinks.

"What's it like to have a mate." Malia suddenly asked me.

"Um, well I only found Raymond four months ago but it's good. At first I really didn't want to find my mate for many reasons but I couldn't think of one when I knew he was mine. He's so annoying sometimes but still perfect. He's always protective and makes me feel loved. I'm sure you'll like James, his a good guy." I told her.

"Hey since our mates are best friends we should be too." She suggested almost nervous that I'd say no.

I think it was the first time this evening I've seen her without confidence.

"Of course." I said loving the idea since I didn't have any friends here yet, well except James, and Raymond was definitely more than a friend, but I needed a gal friend.

We talked a bit, getting to know each other, and didn't stop even when the boys came back handing us our drinks. We learned stupid little things about each other, favorite color, animal, day, season, song, movie, things like that. Her answers were purple, wolf, which I thought was totally bias but had to agree, Thursday, fall, currently it was 'jet black heart' by 5 seconds of summer but she said it changed so much, 'the host' which was a movie based off the book but apparently the book was better, and also she couldn't chose a favorite book because they were all so good. Oh and I noticed that she had chocolate colored eyes with long thick, dark eyelashes much like mine. It felt good to talk to her like I would Sadie. Speaking of Sadie I hadn't seen her since Raymond had brought her and Chris here to visit but I've emailed her at least once a week.

It must have been a few hours later when Raymond was complaining that I wasn't paying any attention to him and asked to go home. I quickly put Malia's number in my new phone that I got when I moved here and told her that we'd talk later. Raymond and I climbed in his truck and he drove us home as I nuzzled myself into his side. He still complained that I didn't pay him any attention at the party all the way home. It was annoying after a while yet cute and sweet. Once we'd gotten home, changed and got into bed I said,

"I think home just got a little homeier"

"I don't think that's a word but I'm happy that you have a friend here." He said jokingly at first.

I leaned forward, gently and softly kissed him. He instantly responded, pulling me closer to him if possible as he licked my bottom lip. I pulled away but was still very close and told him, knowing that he wanted to do more than kiss,

"Another night." I kissed him again quickly before leaning across him and turning off the lamp.

"As long as you're by my side." I heard him mumble before we fell asleep.