Day 0 Part 1
BETA ANDREAS TREMBLAY
I don’t understand why we have to eat this shit.
This isn’t shit. This is protein. He snorted, helping himself to another spoonful of porridge. While he hadn’t been a fan of the taste at first, now it had become his morning ritual to start the day off right.
It sure looks like shit from where I’m standing. His wolf snorted, his lips curled up distastefully.
That’s because it’s chocolate flavoured. Andreas chuckled as he finished off the rest of his protein porridge, all while ignoring everything that his wolf had to say. To note that his wolf wasn’t a fan of protein was an understatement. Or porridge, for that matter.
That doesn’t make it taste any better. His wolf rolled his wolfish eyes as Andreas worked on the dishes; a single bowl and mug as he lived alone. This was his fifth year living alone now and while he appreciated the peace and quiet, sometimes it got lonely. If he was being honest, it often got lonely, even with his annoying wolf to keep him company.
It’s not supposed to taste good. Andreas pointed out as he wiped his hand on a tissue, grabbed his phone, and headed out for the day.
Then why do you make me eat it every day?
I don’t make you eat it. I eat it. There’s a difference. He rolled his eyes, though didn’t bother holding back the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.
There isn’t and we both know it.
Oh, hush. He chortled before jogging up the final steps of the packhouse, letting himself in. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got some work to do today. I’d like to be able to complete it without your constant whining.
You’re always working. His wolf pointed out, and not for the first time.
One of us has to work.
And one of us has to play to balance you out, workaholic.
Is that supposed to be an insult? Andreas pulled a face as he quirked a questioning brow, allowing his wolf’s words to fly over his head as it wasn’t anything to get worked up over.
It’s supposed to remind you that all work and no play makes Andreas a very dull Beta.
I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.
“Beta Andreas?” A familiar voice called out to him from the kitchen, catching his attention even before he had closed the door behind him. “Would you like your usual?”
“Yes, please, Maisie.” He answered affirmatively before moving into the dining room where he knew the pack was still busy with breakfast.
“Look Everest,” The Alpha wolf cooed at the pup he was cradling in his arms. “Your favourite uncle is here.”
“I’m his only uncle.” Andreas snorted before reaching down to pick up the baby, pressing a kiss to both of his cheeks. He chuckled when the little boy chortled and squirmed in his arms, his little hands grabbing at his shirt.
“Doesn’t change the fact that you’re still his favourite.” Ezekiel grinned, a hopeful glint in his eyes.
“You’re only saying that because you want me on babysitter duty.” He replied sceptically, though didn’t mind in the least.
“Do you mind watching him for a little while? Or at least until you’ve finished your coffee?” Ezekiel asked, a pleading look in his eyes. “I need to get a head start on some paperwork but Adelaide is still asleep. She didn’t sleep very well last night and I didn’t want to wake her up.”
“Sure, Zeke. Don’t worry about it.” Andreas nodded as he pulled back a chair and took a seat at the table, baby Everest still in his arms.
“Thanks, Andy. I owe you one.” Ezekiel clapped him on the back before heading away from the table to his office on the top floor, his steps rushed as Andreas could only imagine just how behind on paperwork the Alpha wolf really was. He couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought and made a mental note to head up with Everest as soon as he was done with his coffee.
“Seems like your dad is really behind on work.” Andreas chuckled as he bounced the baby up and down on his lap, allowing him to play with a random teaspoon he had managed to grab from the table. Thankfully, it was clean and unused so he wouldn’t make a mess.
As if the one-year-old understood what he was saying, he proceeded to playfully kick his legs and babble up at his uncle and Godfather. Andreas merely chuckled in response as he stared down at the boy; the future Alpha of the Imperial Thunder pack.
As lonely as he had been these past five years, he was glad to have the support of his pack. More than that, he was grateful for the time that he spent with Everest and the rest of the other pups in the pack. A few times a week, Andreas babysat Everest while his parents were either busy or needed some time to themselves. Even though someone else could very well do the same job, Andreas didn’t mind in the least. On the contrary, he insisted as he knew that this was the closest that he would get to having a family of his own.
For the short while that he was able to spend with Everest, it almost felt like he was his own child. Andreas wasn’t sure if that was unhealthy or something that he needed to do some thinking about, but valued his babysitting sessions with Everest more than he either cared to admit or acknowledge.
Andreas had turned thirty a few months ago but long before that, he had given up on the hope of ever having a mate of his own, let alone a family. He knew that he deserved such a lonely fate as he had been the one to accept a second chance mate and then throw it back in the Moon Goddess’ face by jumping into the Challenge, yet it didn’t get any easier. He had just gotten used to the prospect that this was his life and the best it would ever get.
To fill that void, he filled his life with friends, family, and the pups of his friends and family. This was the closest he would ever get to having a family of his own and that was something he had just gotten acquainted with. He had no choice but to live with the hand he had been dealt with.
He had no one but himself to blame, after all. To be specific, he had no one to blame but his wolf.
“Beta Andreas?” A voice sounded aloud from behind him, quiet and gentle in tone. Glancing over his shoulder, he gazed at the she-wolf that had called out to him. “I’ve got your coffee.”
“Thank you, Maisie.” He smiled appreciatively at her, balancing Everest on one arm while he used the other to reach over and accept the mug from her; grateful.
“You’re so good with him,” Maisie replied with a shy smile, gazing between him and the baby in his arms from under her lashes.
“Thank you. I try to be.” Andreas replied politely with a forced smile before making a show of returning his attention to Everest who was still playing with his spoon. Now, he was banging it on the table and laughing each time it made a sound.
“Well, have a good day, Beta Andreas.”
“And you.” He called out after her with yet another polite smile but this time, he didn’t bother glancing at her. Hopefully, if he didn’t pay her too much attention then she would get the hint that he wasn’t interested.
As sweet as Maisie was, always helping around the pack kitchen whenever she got some time juggling college, Andreas simply wasn’t interested. He hadn’t been interested in a she-wolf in a very long time.
Not since her.
Can we not start on this, please? Not this early in the morning, at least. He sighed, bowing his head in hopes that the baby in his arms would take his mind off things.
“She likes you; you know that?” Another voice sounded aloud but this time, Andreas didn’t bother turning around. Instead, he simply glanced to the side as the Luna wolf took a seat beside him at the table.
“I had a feeling.” He snorted. “What are you doing up? I thought you were supposed to be sleeping.”
“It’s difficult to sleep when everyone in the packhouse is awake.” She murmured quietly, a soft smile on her face as she leaned forward and kissed her son on the forehead, her face lighting up as he babbled happily and reached out for her. “I hope Everest hasn’t been too much trouble for you.”
“Not as much as your mate.” Andreas snorted before taking a lavish sip from his coffee, only half-joking.
“What did he do now?” Adelaide laughed softly as she paid her son some special attention, talking to Andreas between placing kisses on both of his cheeks. When Everest giggled at his mother’s antics, she only continued and even Andreas couldn’t hold back the chuckle at the wholesome situation in front of him.
As happy as he was for his best friend to have such a loving wife and beautiful family, it was bittersweet that he couldn’t have the same.
“I’ve got a feeling that he’s more behind on paperwork than he’s admitting to me.” Andreas groaned at the thought as he knew that he would have to help Ezekiel catch up.
Even though they usually split it up between them so they didn’t have too much on their plate at a time, things always became overwhelmingly busy at this time of year. Even more so that since last year, they had climbed on the global leader board to the third position. This was the first time in the past five years that they had managed to crack into the top ten when they had come fifth, so there was a splurge of transfer applications.
There was also the fact that the invitations for the Mating Games were set to arrive any day now. As much as Andreas didn’t want to think about it – mostly because thinking about the Mating Games brought on a wave of emotions that he wasn’t capable of addressing right now – it was unavoidable. Even more so since Ezekiel was already swamped, no doubt he would be the one to handle the necessities for all pack members invited to the Mating Games this year. Just as he had done the last time. Only back then, he had also been handling those necessities for himself.
“In all the time that I’ve known him, he’s never been up to date on paperwork. Let alone ahead with it.” Adelaide snorted at her mate’s reoccurring hazardous relationship which he was always somehow behind on.
“You and me both, Adi. I should probably go and help him.” Andreas offered even though he wasn’t a complete fan of the idea.
“That would be a good idea.” She agreed in consensus, though her lips twitched higher at the corners as she stared up at him. “Or you could let him suffer for a bit longer. Maybe that will teach him to stop procrastinating when it comes to paperwork.”
“You’ve got a point there.” He hummed. “Maybe I should finish my coffee first.”
“That’s an even better idea.”
Unfortunately, he didn’t get to enjoy his morning coffee in peace as he had initially planned.
Andreas! Ezekiel’s loud voice rang in his mind through the mind link, the urgency in his tone demanding his immediate attention.
“Ezekiel?” Adelaide sounded in question, able to tell he was mind linking just from the distant expression on his face.
He merely nodded his head in response, quick to respond to the Alpha wolf as he had sensed just enough desperation in his voice to worry. While it wasn’t enough for him to rush up there or become concerned about any imminent or grave danger, it was enough to get him anxious.
What’s wrong? Why do you sound like that? Andreas asked, already on his feet to head toward the elevators up to the Alpha’s office on the top floor. His coffee mug had now turned into a to-go cup.
I need you to come to my office now! There’s something here you’re going to want to see.
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Layla Knight
15.02.2021
