8. Sweet 16

Aria

"I'm going out with Betty for a couple hours. I'll be back to get ready for training," I hugged Christian and kissed his cheek. "Where are you going?" He stopped me. "Betty wants to take me out for today," I shrugged. "Wait here," Christian sat me down and ran out of the room. Josh, James, jack and Patrick all filed into the kitchen laughing like usual. "How is it you guys are always here but warren isn't?" I shook my head with a smile. "Because our favourite girl is here," jack winked at me. "Where is she? I don't see her anywhere," I shrugged. "Where's Christian," Patrick got my attention. "Here. What's up?" Christian walked back into the kitchen. "We'll talk later," Patrick nodded. "Alright. Here you go, happy birthday," he smiled and gave me a small box. "thank you," I smiled and gave him another hug. I opened the box and there was a necklace inside with my name on it.

"I love it. But you didn't have to get me anything," I looked at him. "Well sixteen is a big number. Also I get you something every year so it won't change," Christian pointed at me. "Ok, can I go now?" I asked. "Hold up. Where are you going?" James stopped me. "Out with Betty," I replied. "I didn't ask with who, I asked where?" James frowned. "Betty wants to go shopping. I'm only going so she has 'someone to tell her what's good on her and what's not," I rolled my eyes. "Ok," they all stood up and took out their wallets. Josh, James, jack, Patrick and Christian all gave me £50 each. "Nope, no. I will not take it," I pushed it back to them. "It's a birthday gift," they all shrugged. "Fine. Then take it back for all the times you've bought me stuff," I held out my hand for them to take it. "Just go have fun," Patrick huffed out. "I owe you guys," I kissed all their checks and left.

"What took you so long?" Betty asked me leaning against her car. She's a year older than me so she got her driver's license. "Christian- I mean alpha got me a gift. And Patrick, Josh, James and jack all gave me money so I could get things while we're out," I replied. "Are you and the alpha a thing or something?" Betty raised one eyebrow. "Ha! No, what the hell. He's like a brother to me," I laughed. "Just making sure. Let's go," she squealed and got in the car.

Christian

"What did you need to talk about?" I faced Patrick after aria closed the door. "Rogues have been getting close again. I don't know why or if they want someone. I'm not trying to scare anyone but I think they might be after aria. As your her mate I think it's best if you stay with her as much as you can without being suspicious," Patrick sighed. "What makes you think they're after aria?" Anger built up in me. The thought of someone after my mate made me want to kill anyone that came near her. "They tried to get her when she was with her mum and dad, obviously didn't work. Then when she was eight, they attacked again, they didn't come near the pack, it was just you and aria. Now she's old enough to you know, breed, they might take her and make her a breeder for whatever reason for a sick twisted man," Patrick explained and I growled. "No one will take my mate and give her pups other than me. No one will touch her," i slammed my hands on the table. The boys all jumped at my action, I could feel a little scaredness coming from each of them. "Sorry. I just don't like the idea of anyone hurting aria," I sighed. "We get it alpha. But Patrick is right, try and keep her close," jack breathed out. "Yeah, I will," I nodded.

"Shit, crap, bugger," aria ran into the living room. "What is wrong with you?" Warren, my beta, chuckled. "Hello to you to," aria huffed and stood up straight. A bunch of bags sat around her feet. "What did you get?" Warren wiggled his eyebrows. "Jeans, T-shirt's, leggings, jumpers. Not much," aria flopped on the sofa laying across me and Warren. "You do know I have a mate aria," Warren laughed and pushed her off him. "Yeah, because I really want you to love me Warren," aria rolled her eyes, her voice holding a lot of sarcasm. "Just checking," he held up his hands in surrender. "Where is Callie anyway?" She sat up straight in between me and him. "Probably helping Betty, you know what teens are like," Warren chuckled. "We're not that bad," aria protested. "Sure, because your not the one that is going to carry all them bags upstairs. Not to mention you make me go buy things that you girls need," I laughed. "Fine, you win," aria huffed. "Don't look so sad little wolf, I'll make it up to you later. But you have to go get ready for training," I hugged her. "Ugh, ok," she got up and ran to up the stairs. "Aria," I called her. "Yes," she shouted back. "Bags," I yelled. Aria let out a noise of frustration while me and warren laughed. "Christian," aria smirked as she came round the corner. "Aria," I looked at her. "You know I'm your favourite person in the whole world?" She sat on my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. My arms automatically went around her waist to hold her close. "Debatable but go on," I chuckled. "Can you help me take my bags up to my room, please," aria gave me puppy eyes. "Let me think... no," I replied. "Oh come on. You saw how I was when I came in," she frowned. "That was funny. Why don't you do it again," I laughed. "I'll go two trips. That way you won't get satisfied seeing me struggle," aria got off me and picked up a couple of her bags. "Thanks for the help," aria mumbled then walked off. "Are you going to help her?" Warren turned to me. "Yeah. I like to mess around with her," I got up and grabbed the rest of her bags.

Aria came down wearing leggings and a purple T-shirt. "Ready?" I looked at her. "Yep," she replied popping the p. As I stood watching aria train, my thoughts went back to all the years we've had. Would she want me as her mate? Would aria reject me because I've acted like an older brother? Would aria leave to go somewhere else so she wouldn't have to worry about the mate bond? All these questions filled my head until I was brought out of it. "Alpha. Aria needs a partner, will you be happy to work with her?" One of the pack trainers called over to me. I nodded and went over to aria. We stood listening to the trainer on what we needed to do. Once she was finished, everyone scattered around the field and started practicing with their partners. "Why am I always stuck with you? It's not like I don't spend enough of it at home," aria joked. "You love my company," I winked at her. "Whatever. Anyway, how come the pack hasn't met your mate?" Aria questioned me. "It's a secret. Only Patrick, Warren, Josh, James and jack know who she is. I won't introduce her to the pack just yet," I told her. "When can I meet her?" Aria started punching my hands. "How do you know if you haven't already?" I raised one eyebrow. "I would know if I met your mate. Surely you would have marked her by now. I've known you for how long," she breathed out. "I haven't got the chance to. Because I've been looking after your lazy ass and doing pack work," I shrugged. "My lazy ass? That's rich coming from you," aria snorted. "Come here," I growled playfully and grabbed her waist tackling her to the ground. Aria layed underneath me, our faces were really close. My eyes trailed down to her lips as I layed on top of her. I snapped back into reality when I realised the position we were in. "Sorry," I got up and cleared my throat. I held out my hand for aria to take as I helped her off the ground. Now that was a close one.