Chapter 10: Mate

The next day went by in a blur as the Forresters prepared for Amara's birthday party. Of course, Amara was not allowed to be involved so Benjamin took her out to town to keep her from knowing exactly what was being planned. He mostly stuffed her full of food since she was the hungriest werewolf on the planet, in his opinion.

Ever since the day before, though, she'd shown more affection towards him. Holding his hand, kissing his cheek, that sort of thing. It made him happy. He then took her to one of the ponds in town where ducks liked to play and they sat on a bench just watching the birds swim around. Amara snuggled into Benjamin's arms and sighed.

"This is nice," she offered.

"Yes, it is," Benjamin replied, wrapping an arm around her and kissing the top of her head.

"Man, if some of the girls at school saw me with you right now, they'd be so friggin jealous."

Benjamin laughed loudly. "Oh really?"

"Yeah. You're hot and you're the Alpha's son."

"I'm hot, huh?"

"I've always thought you were hot, Benjamin. But I always thought you were an asshole, too."

Benjamin cackled loudly. "Am I still an asshole?"

"Oh, totally," Amara said, sitting up. "But you're growing on me."

He smirked and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I can live with that."

"What the hell? What is Cursed doing with Benjamin Forrester?" Benjamin heard someone whisper as they strolled by.

Benjamin was about to say something but Amara stopped him. "Just ignore it," Amara said with a frown. "I always do."

Benjamin narrowed his eyes at the couple before gazing back into Amara's eyes. "That doesn't make it right."

"I know, but I'm used to it. Their opinions don't matter to me."

"I guess." He huffed and kissed the tip of her nose. "C'mon, let's go get some ice cream."

She giggled at him. "You read my mind."

The two got up, held hands and went walking through the park. They got in Benjamin's car in the parking lot and drove off to go find a Dairy Queen. When they found one, Amara ordered a big banana split while Benjamin got a small chocolate chip Blizzard.

They found a booth in the restaurant and got to eating. Benjamin, however, started noticing a sweet, intoxicating smell coming from Amara. He also noticed that the other patrons were sniffing the air.

"Shit. Amara, your spray is wearing off," Benjamin warned.

Amara rolled her eyes, took out her anti-scent spray and sprayed herself. Benjamin sniffed the air and realized he couldn't smell her any more.

"You'd think that crap would last longer than eight hours," he said.

"Yeah, well, it was only twenty five bucks and it was the only kind we had at the store," Amara said. "I'm just lucky Mr. Shaw was smart enough to think of the idea."

"Yeah," Benjamin said with a frown.

Amara eyed him. "Sorry for bringing him up."

"Oh no, it's fine. I just...you know, wish you didn't have a crush on the guy."

Amara shrugged as she took a bite of banana. "I know. Dakota isn't happy with my decision, though."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean she wants me to be with Mr. Shaw for some reason."

"Did she say why?"

"Because he's been nicer to me than you, and some other reason she can't seem to place."

Benjamin chuckled and took a bite of his Blizzard. "Well, I plan on being nice to you from now on."

"Good."

Benjamin watched Amara dig into her banana split and he sighed. "I can't understand how you stay so skinny with all the junk food that you eat."

"Good genes, I guess? My father had a bottomless pit for a stomach, too." Amara sighed and looked out the window. "I miss him. And my mom. And my old pack."

Benjamin held out his hand and Amara took it. "I think they'd be proud of you, you know?"

"I hope you're right."

Benjamin rubbed his thumb in her knuckles, brought up her hand and kissed it before letting go and going back to his ice cream.

Once they were done eating, Benjamin got a text from his father.

All preparations are complete.

Benjamin smirked and texted a response.

Should I bring her home?

Benjamin grabbed their trash and got up to throw it away. His phone beeped and he looked at it.

Yes but keep her in her room. Did you guys have dinner?

He sighed and typed in an answer before sending it.

She's been eating practically all day, but yeah. We had dinner and we just finished dessert.

Benjamin put the phone away and grabbed Amara's hand before they headed out. By the time they got home, it was dark out. They left the car and Benjamin made Amara shut her eyes before going into the house. He noticed some very nice decorations were hung and he smiled. This was going to be the best birthday party ever.

Benjamin escorted her to her room and they plopped on her bed to watch some TV. Amara cuddled up next to him, resting her head on his chest. After a while, he noticed that Amara had fallen asleep in his arms and he smiled, kissing her forehead. He realized he was tired too and soon he drifted off to sleep.

Amara slowly woke up in Benjamin's arms and she smiled gently, looking up at him. He was still fast asleep. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and he began to stir.

"Good morning," she said.

"Mmm, good morning," he replied.

Suddenly he started sniffing the air and his eyes opened widely to reveal black irises.

"Crap!" she said before getting off the bed. "Where did I put my damn spray?!"

Benjamin growled and looked at her with a devious smile. "Mine!" he shouted.

Amara quickly looked around for her spray and spotted it on her desk. She went to grab it but Benjamin pulled her to him and took in her scent deeply.

"Mate?" he asked.

"No! He's not our mate! Get him off!" Dakota yelled.

"No, Benjamin. I'm not your mate, you need to let go " Amara urged.

"But you smell like our mate," he growled, taking her head in his hands before placing his lips on hers hungrily.

As much as Amara wanted to kiss him, she had to stop him. She pushed him away with all her strength and grabbed the spray. He charged at her and she sprayed herself vigorously. Abruptly Benjamin stopped in his tracks and his eyes turned back to violet. He blinked and looked around on confusion.

"What just happened?" he asked.

Amara sighed and put the spray down. "You got a whiff of my scent and kissed me and asked if I was your mate."

The door burst open to reveal Gabriel. "What happened? I heard shouting," he said.

Amara lowered her gaze. "My spray wore off and Benjamin, he got affected by my scent. He's fine now, though."

Benjamin bowed his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Amara."

Amara kissed his cheek. "It wasn't your fault."

Gabriek sighed in relief. "How long does that spray last?"

"Eight hours."

"We're gonna have to get you something better. Which is why I got in contact with some witches. They're brewing up something that'll help but it won't be here until Friday," Gabriel mentioned.

"Okay," Amara acknowledged. "I guess I can last until then."

"How much is left of your spray?"

Amara grabbed the bottle and looked. "Crap. This stuff gets used up fast. About half of it is left."

"I'm gonna go out and buy you some more," Gabriel said. "It's at Hot Topic, right?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Gabriel." Gabriel nodded and left the room. Amara turned back to Benjamin who looked sad. "What's wrong?"

"Jackson and I were really hoping you were our mate," he said in a forlorn voice. "Now some other guy is gonna have to be with you and..." he paused and growled.

Amara cupped his cheeks and gave him a soft smile. "Hey. That probably won't be for a while, Ben. Until then, we can...still, you know, continue this."

"I wanted our first kiss to be special but I ruined it."

"It's not your fault. Besides," she said, getting closer to his face. "You could always make our second one special."

Benjamin smiled and nodded. "I could."

Amara looked down at his lips. She really wanted another taste of him, so she let go of him, walked to the door and closed it, locking it and looking at Benjamin with a sultry look.

"What are you doing?" he asked with a smirk.

Amara walked up to him and let their lips barely touch. "Making sure we won't be disturbed."

Benjamin cupped her face. "Are you sure?"

Amara nodded before pressing her lips to his. Dakota whimpered inside her head but she ignored her wolf as she flung her arms around Benjamin's neck. He lifted her up in his arms and she hooked her ankles around him before he brought her to the bed, kissing her deeply. He placed her back on the bed and he hovered over her before setting himself on top of her. Amara slipped her tongue into his mouth and he growled against her lips, swiveling his tongue with hers.

Moans escaped Amara's throat, thoroughly enjoying his kissing. Dakota kept urging her to stop but Amara did her best to drown out her wolf. It was very distracting.

"Amara, stop! He's not our mate!" Dakota growled.

"So what?" Amara said. "Just let me have this, please."

"But Mr. Shaw, he-"

"Nothing will ever happen with Mr. Shaw!"

"But he might be our mate. That's what I couldn't place, but now, I-"

"Just shut up, Dakota! I need this!"

Dakota whimpered and retreated into the back of Amara's mind. Finally.

After a full blown make-out session with Benjamin, he left the room so Amara could change clothes and get ready for her party. She showered, put on make up, dried and straightened her hair, then dressed in a blue silk blouse, black jeggings and black high heels. She applied more anti-scent spray to herself before exiting the bedroom.

As she descended the stairs, Amara stared at all the decorations. It was a full blow out of red and white ribbons and balloons. She even noticed some caterers. The Forresters really went all out for her birthday party. Granted, an eighteenth birthday was always a big deal but she didn't think they'd go this far.

Amara snuck a peek into the kitchen and gasped. There was food everywhere. She couldn't believe it.

"Oh my Goddess, they have mini pancakes!" she thought.

Suddenly she was pulled from the kitchen by Sonya. "Now now, you gotta wait to eat," she said.

Amara groaned with a whine. "But I'm hungry."

Sonya giggled. "We have appetizers in the ball room along with your guests."

Amara blinked. "Guests? What guests?"

"The whole pack."

Amara's eyes went wide. "How the...what the...huh?!"

Sonya laughed loudly as she hooked her arm with Amara's to walk. "Gabriel ordered the whole pack to attend, including your Mr. Shaw," she said with a wink.

"He's not mine, Sonya."

"Oh come now, I saw the way you two looked at each other at dinner on Tuesday."

"But Benjamin and I are...kinda dating now."

Sonya sighed. "I know, but I think you like Mr. Shaw more."

Amara rolled her eyes and laughed it off. When they got to the ball room, she was surprised at how packed it was. There was a table full of gifts and she raised a eyebrow.

"Who the hell got me all those presents?" she asked herself.

Janine collided into Amara and hugged her tightly. "Happy birthday, sis!"

Amara cackled loudly, wrapping her arms around Janine. "Thanks."

Amara's nostrils suddenly picked up a scent. It smelled like cinnamon and ginger...and it was strong.

"Do you smell that?" Amara asked.

"Smell what?"

Amara let go of Janine and started following the scent. "It smells so good, what the hell is it?"

"Wait, Amara..." Janine said with a confused look, then she suddenly smiled. "I bet it's your mate's scent!"

Amara immediately stopped in her tracks. "Oh hell," she said.

"What?"

"I don't really want to know when my mate is," Amara explained. "But I kinda have to know so we can...mate and then my scent won't make boys go nuts."

"Then look for him but don't approach him. Besides, he won't know it's you because you don't have a scent right now."

Amara nodded. "There's so many wolves here, I can't seem to follow the trail."

Amara sniffed the air once more. Her mate's scent was being overwhelmed by everyone else. Dakota was pacing back in forth in her mind, howling for joy at this new development.

"Find him! Find our mate!" Dakota urged.

"I'm trying," Amara growled.

Amara kept trying to pick up the scent but the trail went cold. She worked her way through the crowd, doubling back to catch the scent again, but she couldn't find it again.

"It's gone," Amara said with a pout.

"Nonsense. You'll pick it up again," Janine assured her.

"Oh look, it's Cursed," someone said.

Amara rolled her eyes and turned around to see Debra from her basketball team. The girl looked like a dolled up prostitute. Amara made a fake smile and walked up to her.

"Hello, Debra," she said with a low, almost inaudible growl.

"I don't understand why I had to be here," Debra said with a scoff.

Amara shrugged. "Honestly? Neither do I. But what the Alpha says goes. So, try to have a good time, I guess."

Amara walked away with a smirk. Kill them with passive aggressive kindness. That was her new motto.

As she made her way over to Janine, she caught that scent again. She looked around almost desperately, her wolf jumping around excitedly. Amara tried to calm her down but Dakota wasn't having any of it. She followed the scent again, Janine joining her side.

"You got it again?" Janine asked.

"Yeah. It's stronger than it was before. I think I'm...close..."

The crowd parted a little and Amara saw Mr. Shaw enjoying a glass of punch. He was enjoying himself with the other teachers from Red Blood High School. Her mouth went agape and her wolf howled happily.

"Mate!" Dakota yelled. "I called it!"

"...Oh crap," Amara said.

"What?" Janine asked.

Amara gulped and looked at Janine. "It's Mr. Shaw. He's my mate."