Their Simple Kind of Love

Tim Knows

  James's POV

I sat in the dining hall eating breakfast with Tony and Michelle. I was a little disappointed that Katie wasn't down here, but she sometimes liked making her breakfast in the kitchen on the beta floor. Still, I wanted to see her beautiful eyes and indulge in her lovely scent of fresh-baked cookies. My mouth watered thinking about it.

"He is off in dreamland again," Tony said to Michelle, causing her to snicker.

I shook my head and glared at them. It was bad enough that Tim had given me shit after training about being distracted by Katie. Images of her sparring with Freddie and Michelle consumed, and I was off in another world again. She almost pinned the werecat a couple of times. Poor Katie thought that made her look like less of a warrior. I had to remind her that even I had a hard time winning in sparring matches against Freddie.

A piece of toast hit my forehead, and I jumped. Tony and Michelle giggled. I growled at them. "Knock it off," I snarled.

"What is up with you lately, James?" Tony asked.

"I think he knows who his mate is and is dreaming about her," My sister winked at me. I couldn't help but smile at her, and she squealed. "You have, haven't you?"

My parents were sitting at a table with Gamma Mike and Mike's mate Lisa and a couple of warriors. My Dad looked up from his food and looked over at me. I just flashed him a weary smile and returned my attention to my sister. "Maybe, I have Shelly."

"You can tell me who it is. I promise I won't say anything." She fluttered her eyelashes, and I shook my head.

"Everyone will find out soon," I smirked at her.

She rolled her eyes and looked at Tony. "Ready to go? I am driving this morning."

Tony shrugged. "I am never ready to go to school." He groaned and stood up. "See you later, bro. Halo tonight?"

"I don't know. I have to do alpha stuff today. I think I'll just chill on the couch after that." I told him.

"Does have to be lonely chilling?" He smiled.

"Nah, you know you can join," I told him. "Tim will probably chill too as he is going to be doing beta stuff," I said just as I heard roaring and loud yelling coming from upstairs. I sighed and looked at my father, who rolled his eyes.

"What the hell is going on?" Tony asked.

I looked over at my father, and he was on his feet. "Sounds like Uncle Jon and Tim are at it again," I muttered. Tim and his father Jon fought a lot lately. Mostly about Marilyn. I sighed. "I'll see you after school, Tony," I said to my friend and walked towards my father.

"I got Jon. You get Tim. Meet in my office in twenty minutes," My father patted my shoulder and brushed past me.

I sighed and walked out of the dining room to find my best friend. I used my sense of smell and followed his scent outside of the packhouse and to the woods just behind. I knew the spot Tim usually went to blow off steam after a fight with his father. Sure enough, I found him in a clearing punching a dead tree. He didn't stop when I approached him. I just stood there while he growled and hit the tree.

He finally stopped when his knuckles became covered in blood. He sighed. "I take it that you heard us?"

"I think the whole pack heard you. What did Marilyn do now?" I asked him as we sat on the grass.

"fucking cunt won't leave Katie alone," He muttered.

I had to repress a growl. I knew that Marilyn had a knack for verbally abusing Katie. She made it her mission to make my mate miserable. I told my Dad. But he wasn't doing anything about it. Mom said she tried talking to Marilyn, but the witch made it seem like Katie was the offender.

"I walked into the kitchen and heard fucking Marilyn talking shit about my mother to Katie. She was using my mother to insult my sister. I wanted to tear that bitches's head off her ugly ass body." He snarled with his fists balled up. "And of course, she went crying to my Dad, who doesn't do shit to defend Katie. He just stands there like a fucking pussy and lets Marilyn abuse her." He stood up and punched the tree hard, and it splintered while he roared. He turned to me, and his eyes were black. His wolf was just as protective of Katie as the human was.

"You have to calm down, Jocko," I said to Tim's wolf. "My Dad is looking into ways to expel Marilyn from the pack without hurting your Dad."

Tim slumped next to me on the ground. His eyes were back to their usual color. "At this point, I don't care if my Dad gets hurt. He lets that witch abuse Katie so fuck him."

I sighed heavily, "You don't mean that, Tim."

'James, are you and Tim almost done talking?' Dad mind linked me.

'Almost Dad,' I replied and patted Tim's knee. "My Dad wants us in the office."

Tim groaned. "I do just want to run the rest of the day." He said as we stood up.

"Maybe we'll go for a run after work," I suggested and started walking towards the packhouse. I looked down at the ground while we walked and found a sparkly black rock on the ground. I picked it up, and it almost looked like onyx. I smiled, picturing the look on Katie's face when I gave it to her. I put it in my pocket and saw Tim shaking his head next to me.

"For Katie?" He lifted an eyebrow, and I nodded. "You two and your rocks," He muttered with a laugh. "What has been up with you two lately? I don't think I didn't notice you watching her during training this morning. I mean, normally, I can't flip you that easily. But the moment my sister showed up, it's like you lost all concentration." He said, and I had to stifle a giggle. "I mean, I keep catching you two almost kissing. It's almost like she is your ma-" He paused and looked at me with wide eyes. "Katie is your mate, isn't she? My little sister is your mate."

I nodded slowly. "Yes."

His mouth fell open. "My little sister is going to be our future luna," He laughed.

"She is going to be a great luna," I said dreamily, imagining her luna ceremony.

"I know. But oh man," He shook his head. "That means you and my sister-" He cringed. "Eww.." He turned away from me for a second.

"Tim, you cannot say a word to Katie. Please. If you do, the goddess will sever our bond. I love Katie. I have loved Katie for years. I never understood why until my eighteenth birthday, and it became clear why."

He began to laugh. "I am happy for you both, honestly. My little sister deserves all of the happiness in the world."

"And I will give it all to her." I smiled at him.

He pulled me into a hug. "I know you, will, bro. Shit, that means we really will be brothers," He chucked and then held me tight for a second. "If you ever hurt my sister or make her cry, I will fucking kill you," He growled and then released me.

I stood staring at him for a second and then grinned. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Timmy."

'James, where are you?' My father demanded through the mind link.

I shook my head. 'We are coming, Dad. Sorry.' I sighed. "We gotta get to the office, Tim. Remember, do not tell Katie what you know." We walked the rest of the way to the packhouse and walked into my Dad's office. Beta Jon was sitting in a chair in front of the desk while my Dad was behind the desk talking on his phone.

Tim and I sat on the couches near the desk. Tim and Jon gave each other tense stares but said nothing. My father hung up the phone and snarled.

"That was Alpha Hank Hudson," He said, and I tensed.

Hank's son Ben is my rival ever since we went to alpha training. Ben likes nothing better than to get under my skin. I also know he has slept with Katie, which he loves to brag about to me. Since I discovered she is my mate, it made me want to kill him every time anyone brought it up.

"What does Hank want?" Uncle Jon asked as Gamma Mike walked into the office and sat down.

My father eyed his gamma. "You are late, Mike."

"Sorry, Nate," Mike replied. "I was helping Lisa move some furniture. You know her and her wild decorating ideas," He chuckled.

My Dad just nodded. "Anyways, Alpha Hudson wants to come here tomorrow to discuss something important he says. I don't know what, but I said he could come."

"You don't like Hank, though," Jon pointed out.

"I know, Jon. But Phoenix Moon is one of our allies. I have to keep an open mind." He told us. We all just groaned. "I know," He directed his gaze to me. "And James, you have to refrain from beating up Ben again."

"I'll do my best, I snarled. "But he better not start shit."

"James," My father's voice dropped an octave. "You have to figure out how to get along with Benjamin Hudson. Phoenix Moon is one of our oldest and closest allies."

"It's not my fault that Ben is a total douche canoe," I shrugged, causing Tim and Mike to snicker.

My father growled lowly. "Let's get to work." He glared at me before looking at the computer screen.

Tim and I spent the day listening to my Dad talk on the phone to other alphas. He then discussed training strategy with Jon and Mike. It was boring, but I needed to hear it. I am to become the alpha in two years, and I needed to learn everything I could now.

At around noon, he let us all go to the dining hall for lunch. As I walked out of the office, my mother stopped me and pushed me back into the office. "Mom?" I glanced at my Dad, who was still sitting behind his desk.

"I know." She said to me.

"You know what?" I asked her.

She closed the door of the office and placed her hands on my shoulders, and squeezed. "I know that Katie Ford is your mate."

"Dad!" I snarled at my father, who threw up his hands.

"She figured it out." He replied and leaned back in his chair.

I scoffed.

"I cannot keep secrets from your mother." He smirked at her. "You will soon find that it is next to impossible to keep secrets from you, mate, son." He said as my mother sat on his lap.

"So you are happy that it's Katie?" I asked her.

"Happy? Are you kidding me, James! I am ecstatic. Katie has always been like a daughter to me, especially after Caroline left us. But now she really will be my daughter and give me grandbabies!" She squealed.

My eyes widened as my hands went. "Whoa, slow down, Mom. Katie wants to go to college first before we think about babies."

"But it will happen." She bounced on my father's lap. "Oh, isn't this exciting, Nathan."

"Very Kristen." He said as they kissed on the lips.

I suddenly felt very awkward as they deepened the kiss. "Uh, should I leave now?"

My mother ended the kiss, and my father whimpered. I stifled a snicker. "Now, I am going to plan Katie a nice birthday party. What do you think she would like?"

I shrugged. "You know, Katie. She would be happy with pizza and Twister in the game room."

My mother scoffed. "She isn't turning twelve, James. She will officially be an adult, and she deserves an adult party," She bounced to her feet. "I'll just have to ask her." She kissed my Dad and then practically skipped out of the office.

"I guess she is excited," I mumbled. "I am going to lunch now, kay Dad?"

He nodded and looked at his computer.

"Aren't you going to come to lunch?"

He shook his head. "I have too much work to do, James."

I sighed and left the office, and headed to the dining hall for lunch. Today we were having tacos, and I did not want to miss out.

Hours later, Tim and I were back in the office looking at treaties. My father wanted us to get used to reading them and looking for any sort of mistakes. I sighed and glanced at Tim, who was almost asleep. I smacked his arm. "Dude, don't fall asleep," I whispered.

He shook his head. "Sorry," He mumbled.

Seconds later, my eyes drooped, and I found myself daydreaming about Katie. I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until my head hit the table, and I jolted awake.

"James!" My father barked.

"Sorry, Dad," I mumbled.

He walked over to Tim and me. "I think you two have done enough for today. You can go leave now." He patted my back.

"Thanks, Uncle Nate," Tim stood up and glanced at his father. "It was enlightening."

My Dad snorted. "That's a fancy way of saying boring, Timothy."

Tim shrugged. "Well, as least it was fancy."

My Dad laughed. "I will see you both bright and early in here tomorrow."

"Hey Dad, can I borrow the Stang?" I mentioned my Dad's cherry red '68 Mustang convertible as I wanted to pick up Katie from school.

He lifted an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I uh want to take Katie out for some burgers," I replied as Jon looked at me suspiciously.

"Why Katie?" The beta asked. He didn't know she was my mate yet or wasn't paying attention.

"I uh wanted to catch up with her. We haven't talked in a while, and I have a new rock to give her." I held up the sparkly onyx like rock.

My father chuckled. "You two and your rocks." He patted my shoulder and looked at his beta. "Sure, you can take the Mustang. Just remember, if you get a single scratch on it, then I will skin you alive." He smirked and handed me the keys.

"Thanks, Dad." I snorted and walked out of the office with Tim. "Do you think your Dad suspects anything yet?" I asked my best friend.

Tim snorted. "Like he is paying attention."

I felt for Tim and Katie. After Jon married Marilyn, it was like he forgot about his two children. My parents saw it, and sort of started treating Tim and Katie like their kids too. My Mom especially took them under her wing as she and Caroline had been close friends. Caroline's death devastated my Mom.

I pulled out my phone to text Michelle to tell her that I was picking up Katie after school. I then texted Katie and told her to meet me in front of the school. Poe paced with excitement in my head. I was just going to take her out for burgers and give her the rock I found. But I couldn't be more excited.

It was the longest two hours sitting in the common room, waiting till it was time to go pick her up. Tim just shook his head while we watched TV. Finally, it was time, and I shot up off the couch. "See ya, Tim."

"Bye," He snorted. "Try not to knock up my sister."

"Dude! I am just taking her for burgers." I smacked his shoulder, and he just laughed. "Asshole." I snarled and walked out of the room while he kept laughing. I ran upstairs to my room and put on a white t-shirt with my black denim jacket and my new black jeans. I fixed my hair and grinned at the look I had achieved. I tossed the keys to the Mustang in the air and left my room. I reached the garage and smiled as I climbed into my Dad's beloved car. I started her up, and she roared to life. I turned up the radio as I drove towards the high school. 

     Aerosmith was jamming out as I parked in front of the school just as the final bell rang. I hopped out and stood next to the car with my arms folded while waiting for her. She came out of the school walking with Ben, and I had to repress the urge to run over and beat the shit out of him.

I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Katie's body language said it was making her uncomfortable. He leaned towards her, and she backed up just as Tony and Michelle walked up to her. Ben said something and then stormed away from her. He walked towards me and smirked. "Brody," He said to me.

"Hudson," I replied.