Mated To My Best Friend's Brother

Anna POV

"Can't catch me!" Anna laughs and yells as she dashes into the forest.

"Oh yes, I can!" Returning the yell, Jake chases after her. Anna and Jake play tag and giggle as they sprint across the forest. Since they were able to walk, they had been buddies. The Alpha of their pack, the Silver Leaf pack, is Jake's father. The Beta's father is Anna. Jake and Anna are close friends with their parents.

Anna keeps running till she reaches the river that abuts the territory of their pack. She pauses, bends over, and touches the water with her fingertips.

"JAKE! ANNA!" A voice yells in her direction.

"That's Ethan." It's not meant for us to be beside the river and not to be this far in." Jake expresses concern.

"Ok, let's head back," Anna replies as she approaches her feet.

"JAKE! ANNA!" The voice cries louder now.

Jake says, "He's coming, hurry."

That's when Anna cries as she trips over a rock. Screaming, she tumbles backward into the water.

When Ethan hears the screaming, he bolts for it.

"ANNA!" Jake lets out a scream.

When Ethan reaches the river, he finds Anna grasping onto a fallen tree in the water. "Anna? Hold on!" As he descends into the tree's trunk and moves in Anna's direction, Ethan screams.

"Ethan, I CAN'T HOLD ON!" Anna lets out a terrified shriek.

"I'm coming, Anna. Just hold on." Ethan remarks. He keeps creeping in her direction.

"Anna, give me your hand!" Ethan makes contact. Anna comes but falls short.

"Anna, hurry up! You're capable of it!" Ethan reaches once more. Reaching out, Anna grabs Ethan's hand. She is drawn to Ethan by him. He places her on his flat back and cautiously approaches the ground. He scales the trunk and moves out of the course of the rushing water. He looks at Anna after taking her off his back. She bats her eyes off the tears. She's drenched with water. Jake approaches them quickly.

"An, are you okay? That was unsettling. Jake says.

How come you two are down by the river? You're aware that you're not supposed to be here." Ethan firmly tells Jake. Anna puts her arms around Ethan's waist while sobbing. Jake's elder brother and the pack's alpha, Ethan, are ten.

"Thank you for saving me." Into Ethan's shirt, Anna sobs. He gives her a back rub.

"It's alright, you're safe now." Ethan turns to face Jake.

"Jake, you need to watch out for Anna. You must look out for your pals and act like a big boy." Jake nods definitely. "Now, let's get you some dry clothes." Jake gives Anna a coo. We'll pretend that we were all at the lake and tell no one about it, okay? And Jake?" Ethan queries both of them.

"All right," they reply as they return to the group.

Jake and Anna at 12yaers old

Anna drops her books and folders down the pavement as she walks home after being bumped by two bigger girls.

Ginny stomps on one of Anna's papers and shouts, "Watch where you're going, stick." Ginny tears the corner as she scratches it on the hard pavement. She laughs as she and the other females leave. From the corner of her vision, Anna spots two large Converse, so she drops to her knees and begins gathering her belongings. It's Ethan. To assist her, he bends over. He reaches over to retrieve her maths folder, opens it, and starts gathering the inside papers. Grinning at Anna, he removes the torn worksheet off the sidewalk.

He tosses her the freshly put-together folder and remarks, "Girls are the worst."

Anna responds, "You know I'm a girl, right."

"Haha, yeah, but you're not like them." Ethan stops, perhaps to add something more, but then he turns and leaves suddenly. He responds, "Keep your head up, kid!" as he makes his way to the football practice field. When Anna turns, she finds Jake approaching her.

"What did Ethan want?" Jake asks.

"Oh, I see. Ginny and her squad felt it would be hilarious to take my belongings from me," Anna said sarcastically. "Ethan was just helping me pick them up."

"Oh," replies Jake. Before Jake can finish his idea, Anna starts. "She referred to me as 'stick,'" Jake and Anna chuckle as they begin their trek home.

"Why don't you just wait for me, and we'll go home together from now on." With worry, he says to her.

"Oh, so you can fight all my battles?" Playfully poking him with her shoulder, she says.

"You know what I mean, An." He attempts to sound earnest.

"All right. We can go for a stroll home together if you start meeting me at my locker." She gives him a grin.

"So, will you come over and help me study maths?" He begs as he asks.

"Haha, and what do I get from this arrangement?" Anna makes fun of

"We're ordering pizza for dinner." His eyebrows shoot up.

"Well then, I'll be there."

"Sweet!" With excitement, he says. The entire ride home, the two joke and laugh.

Jake and Anna are 16 years old.

"Then hurry up, we're running late!" Jake bellows from the bottom step.

"I'm coming!" Anna responds with a yell.

After grabbing her luggage, Anna dashes downstairs. She takes a bite of toast and quickly exits the room, turning out the lights.

"At last," Jake shouts.

Anna remarks as she climbs into the car, "It takes time to look this good, jerk."

"I apologise; you look stunning. All I have to do is meet with one of my instructors before class." Jake remarks

"Trying to beg them not to put you on Academic probation so you can play in tonight's game?" Queries. Like his brother, Jake played football, but he failed in science and English, which made him anxious.

"I'm begging for extra credit." He makes it clear.

"Well, Mrs. White will give you extra credit because she loves you." You'll be alright if you bat your baby blues at her."

"Oh, so I have baby blue eyes." Jake makes jokes. They both chuckle.

"Is Ethan enjoying college so far? It's been a long since I heard about him." Anna Inquiries

"Oh, Ethan is loving college and the college girls." Jake declares, "Gross" Ads, and a pout from Anna

"He'll be graduated by the time we turn 18, so he should be back by then," Jake adds. Jake and Anna can locate their destiny partners when they turn eighteen. Everyone believes that Anna and Jake were meant to be together. It is frequently stated that you may sense the attraction to your partner before you reach adulthood. Although Jake and Anna haven't discussed it yet, neither would be upset if Anna were his partner.

Jake and Anna are both 17 years old.

As the sun sets, Anna and Jake are relaxing by the lake.

"What if we are meant to be together?" And Jake wonders, "What if we aren't?" Anna re-asks.

We will still be great friends even if we aren't. You and I have had more time together than anyone else. Every inch of each other is known to us. Understandably, you're worried about losing me. Jake stops to consider his next words. "So you won't let go of me," Jake replies, putting his shoulder around her.

"My best buddy will also be my mate if we are destined to be together. What could be more ideal?" Gazing at Jake, Anna says. Jake kisses Anna as he leans closer. She gives him a brief kiss in return, but then she hastily withdraws.

"Jake, I don't want to get into anything just to realise it's not for me. I wish to avoid offending anyone."

"I'm happy I could finally kiss you, but I can respect that, An. At least I know that even if we're not fated." With a smile, Jake says, "Dork." Anna laughs and gives Jake a shoulder rub.

"After six months. It's unbelievable that we will be 18 in six months." Jake responds, "Why do I feel like everything is going to change?" Asking, Anna looks up to Jake.

"Since I believe it will, An. I think it will.

Anna POV

My mother cries through the door, "Anna honey, wake up, or you'll be late for your appointment." It is ten in the morning. Man, I must have been weary of sleeping so long. It makes sense because Jake didn't depart until around one in the morning. For the past two months, Jake and I have been casually dating, nothing serious. Tonight at midnight, we want to wait and see whether we are meant to be. After getting ready and brushing my teeth, I go downstairs.

As I went to the kitchen, my , I left you a plate of food for you in the fridge."

I said, "Thanks, mom." I eat breakfast, st, and I hear a honk out front.

My mother remarks, "Oh, that boy has no manners."

I mind connecting with Jake and saying, "You better come in here. My mom hates that."

Jake enters. There's something about his entry that makes me think of all the times he's entered through the same door over the last ten years. He walks beneath the entryway and taps the opening with his palm. I giggle through the recollections.

"Sorry, Mrs. Rivers, I don't want An to be late. You know how she is." Jake replies to my mom I'm not standing right here. My smile widens.

When my mother speaks to Jake, her hard expression softens. "An' IS usually late. Isn't she?"

She remarks jokingly. "Well, she just woke up a few minutes ago."

"It's like 10 am. Why are you sleeping so late?" Jake turns to face me while feigning a shock. I approach him, strike him in the shoulder, take hold of his arm, and shoot him out the front door.

Jake laughs at my response and adds, "Bye, Mrs. Rivers." "Jerk, you know why I was sleeping so late," I reply as I climb into the car.

"Haha, I guess it's my fault," he says, kissing me. Over the last several months, we have found a comfortable rhythm with one another.

Jake says, "Let's get you to the hair doctor."

"You mean the salon, haha? I'm right.

"Dr. of hair. As I mentioned, Jake chuckles as we drive to the hairdresser, where he drops me off to pick up my dress and suit for the evening.

I think, "I look nice," as I glance in the mirror and notice that my blonde hair is suspended in curls that frame my face. My appointment goes well, and I even finish about ten minutes early. I'm excited to text Jake to let him know I've finished early, and we head to our favourite restaurant for lunch before heading back to get ready for the party tonight.

"I'm here, mom!"I yell as I enter the front door while holding my dress.

"Hey, show me your hair! As she enters the kitchen, my mother replies, "Oh, don't you simply look gorgeous?" We'll work out those curls before the party," my mother croons. "Oh, your outfit looks great! She replies as she removes my garment from my grasp.

"The celebration is in five hours. Do what you wish, but don't tamper with your hair!" My mom says as she walks to the spare room with my dress. I calculate how long it will *actually* take me to get ready, about an hour, and how long I have until I need to start, about 4. "Whew," I thought to myself, "I might get some time to relax today." I head upstairs and run a hot bath. I plop in a bath bomb to make it extra luxurious. Then I prop up my tablet and put on a movie. I need something distracting, so I opt for a comedy. I get out when I notice the water starts to turn cold, and my hands begin to prune. I pause the movie to dry off, and then I get comfy in bed to finish the film. I'm near the end when I hear a knock at my door.

I shout, "Come in."

"AN!" screams someone as it leaps into the bed beside me. It's my cousin Carol.

"Oh my god, I love the curls in your hair! It looks so cute!" I replied, "Thank you."

"Are you excited about tonight? Are you excited about Jake being your mate? You guys are so cute already. I always knew you to be the best couple." Carole constantly radiates enthusiasm.

Mary says to Carol at the doorway, "Breathe." Carol's sister Mary is a few years older than us. "Carol's mom wants to talk to you downstairs. Carol heads out, and Mary sits on the bed beside me. "Soo, How are you doing AN? Mary has a serene, comforting aura.

"Oh, you know," I say, pausing to conjure up a clever lie before giving in and telling Mary the reality.

"Mary, I'm afraid. I'm attempting to savour these few minutes of leisure before everything. You know, things change."

Mary takes my hand and says, "Oh, AN, it's a good change." I hesitate, considering what I should say next.

"However... What if my destiny isn't with Jake? What if we are not mates? Everyone will then be let down, I admit."

"And if he isn't, then it's not what the Moon Goddess desires and it will be her fault rather than yours."

The idea of blaming the Moon Goddess makes me giggle.

"You'll be happy. Don't worry. The only thing that matters is how you feel, not anyone else." Mary says, "It's predestined." Mary always has the perfect words to say. I grinned. After watching a few YouTube videos and finishing the movie together, my mom knocks on my door to remind me that it's time to start getting dressed. We go downstairs to the spare room, where Carol and my Aunt Becky are waiting. Mary and Carol begin doing my makeup while Aunt Becky zips me into my dress. My mom works on my hair. I hear the Packhouse filling with occupants as they arrive. They keep doing this till the appropriate moment. I get dressed up and ready to go at about eight o'clock.

"Alright, ladies, I think our work here is finished." My mother responds.

My Aunt Becky says, "You look gorgeous, honey." Aunt Becky winks, Carol laughs, and Mary gives me a wide-eyed look as she says, "Jake's a lucky fellow."

As she leads Aunt Becky and Carol out the door, Mary adds, "How about we go make our way over to the Packhouse and give these two some Mother-Daughter time." My mother says, "You do look gorgeous." while shedding a tear. My mother starts telling me a story I've heard a thousand times, "I remember my fated ceremony," but then there's a knock on the door. My dad enters. I exclaim, "Looking good, Dad!" He truly does look excellent in his navy blue suit. Like me, my dad has broad shoulders, sandy blonde hair, and a towering build.

With a step back, he adds, "Thanks, kiddo. Now, don't you look beautiful?"

I say, "Thank you." My dad takes out a box from his pocket as I approach him and hug him. "Kiddo, your mom and I are so proud of you and the young woman you have become. We wanted to give you your birthday present early." He opens it, and the exquisite jewellery inside is shown. It's a dainty chain with a pendant. He gave me the package so I could examine it more closely. The pendant features a moon coated in diamonds and a wolf. Perfectly, I think.

"Oh, you guys, it's beautiful," I remark as my mom raises my hair so my Dad can place it around my neck.

I hug them and say, "You guys are the best. I love you."

My mom adds, "We love you too, dear."

"There's someone else who wants to see you." My dad teases. "We'll send him in," Mom and Dad say as they leave the room.

My mom tells me as she's leaving, "Half an hour until the party starts!" I hear a little knock on the door from behind as they go away.

Jake's POV

I see her as soon as I enter the room. Damn. She has a stunning appearance. Her long, sandy golden hair is still midway down her back in curls, but it's not the same as at the hairdresser. Her gorgeous face is visible as the hair surrounding her cheeks has been pulled back. She has a long, sparkly, dark green dress with delicate shoulder straps. Her back is nearly completely exposed due to the cut of the dress. She seems flawless.

She says, "Are you just going to stand there?"

"Oh, sorry. I was trying to burn this image of you into my memory. You and this beautiful shiny green dress." I responded.

She laughs and says, "Damn, Jake, that's smooth." "It's called silk."

I remark, "You look beautiful."

As I approach her, she says, "You clean up pretty good yourself." She touches my chest with her hands.

I glance down at her and remark, "Lovely necklace."

She looks down and adds, "An early birthday present from my parents."

I put my finger under her chin, pull her head up to meet mine, and lean in to plant a kiss. "Well, they have good taste."

She says, "Jake," and starts to back away.

"But what if we're not? She looks worried. "AN, we've talked about this so many times. If we aren't, we'll still be friends," I replied, hopeful. "I don't want you to be angry or disappointed."

But if we're not, I know I'll be devastated. I have loved Anna my entire life, even if I tried not to show it when we were younger.

"I know. I can't help it. You are so important to me, and the last thing I want to do is hurt you. It sucks that this is out of our control." She appears distraught.

"If you could choose, would you choose me?" I ask, and then I regret it right away. Perhaps it wasn't the best question to ask.

She whispers, "If I could choose, I would." With renewed want for her, I lean in to give her another kiss.

"We're going to be late for our party." She responds.

I chuckle as we leave the room. Her folks are here to greet us. They have always encouraged our relationship, and I'm sure they want us to be together as well.

Dad says, "Ready to go, kiddos." With a nod, we leave for the pack house. Holding hands, we stroll across the field on the sidewalk. We ascend the steps and halt in front of the main doors.

"We'll go in first, and then you both can follow." Her mom adds.

Anna embraces her parents and says, "OK, mom. I love you." She leans toward me and whispers, "My mom has always had a thing for the dramatics." As they enter, we stand off to the side, enjoying our final quiet minutes before heading into the celebration.

I said, "I like it." I inquired, "How long do we wait?"

She adds, reaching for the door, "Oh, this is dumb; let's just go in." I seize the other handle, and we simultaneously open them to reveal a room with people applauding as we walk in. First, a few lads from the football squad met me. A few of Anna's school pals greet her. We are drawn to different corners of the space. Anna and I are called onto the stage two hours into the celebration. Alpha James, my father, speaks to the assembly.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for coming out tonight to celebrate two wolves connected at the hip since birth." Everyone is chuckling.

My dad makes a motion toward us as we enter the platform and say, "I know that my wife and I, Beta Max and his lovely wife, are proud of these two and look forward to all the great things to come. Lady and gentlemen, Anna Rivers and Michael Blackwell!" As everyone applauds, balloons start to drop from the ceiling. My father approaches me and touches my shoulder.

"Everyone, please enjoy the night, and at midnight we will have a pack run." My father declares. Everyone claps once more. I head back down to the crowd with AN. After an hour, Ethan shows up beside me.

He says, "Happy birthday, bro." I turn to hug him.

"Oh man, I'm so glad you could make it. When did you get in?" I say.

As a random female approaches him and puts her arm around him, he replies, "I got in half an hour ago."

She says, "Hey baby." I merely glance at him.

"Oh, Candy, this is Jake, my brother. This party is for him." He replies.

"And Anna," I continue.

I ask in the mental connection, "Candy?" He only grinned, shrugging.

Ethan looks around and asks, "Yeah, speaking of AN, where is she? I want to wish her a happy birthday, too."

"She's over there getting a drink," I say.

He adds as he unwraps from her and walks toward AN, "Sweet, hey babe, I'll be right back."

Ethan's POV

I beg Jake over the mind link, "Dude, just keep her busy for one second. I'll be right back. I need a break from this cling monster."

"Fine! Be quick, it's my birthday. I don't want to babysit." says Jake.

I move over to where Jake pointed, but I only see one person at the drink table. It can't be her. Her girl has long, wavy sandy blonde hair and she looks stunning in her outfit that bares much of her back. When she turns around, it's her-Anna-and she's an adult. She sees me and grins. She exclaims, "Ethan!" I approach, hug her, and turn around. She has a wonderful scent. She throws her arms around me and laughs. I set her down.

I twist her around to get a good look at her. "Look at you all grown up."

Her tongue tickles my chin as she adds, "Haha, stop it. Look at you, scruffily man."

I quip, "Hey, it's *Mister* Scruffy, man to you." I pivot, positioning us with our backs to the crowd. "So, how have you been AN?" I inquire.

"I've been. Good. I'm graduating top of the class in a few months. And you?" She inquires.

Seems reasonable to me. An was always a bright child. Far more intelligent than Jake. That

thickhead is barely passing his classes. The only reason he will likely graduate is that he is the Alpha's child.

"I'm doing great!" I answer right away. "I've returned for good now that I've graduated.

"How has Jake been handling you?" I will continue.

"Oh, ''Jake has been the best.'" I nod in agreement with her statement, but I'm at a loss for words.

We are glad that Anna breaks the hush.

Glancing at her glass, she says, "I'm. I'm a bit nervous." I am aware that Jake and our parents have been promoting their relationship.

"Hey, don't sweat the fated mate stuff. I mean, I still haven't even found mine, and there's tons of pressure to find Luna. Mom has even been trying to set up for me to travel around to different packs to find her." I will continue.

With a cynical tone, she responds, "That sounds so fun." We both laugh agreeably, and I watch Candy approach. I think it's ugh. "Well, An, I'll see you at midnight for the run," I remark as I move towards Candy.

Anna's POV

Abruptly, Ethan turns to face an unknown girl. He often acts in that way. She kisses him and puts her arms around him. This must be his flavour of the week, I suppose. I'm dragged back into the dance floor by my dear buddy Kate. We dance together till Jake arrives to collect me at around 11:50. He leads me out into the rear, far from the crowd. With our backs to the full moon, we sit on the back stairs. I put my arm around Jake and leaned against him. We stay silent. We do nothing except wait till midnight. Jake glances at his phone; it is 11:59, and I

Inhale deeply. I'm not prepared for changes in the world. I do not wish for my friend to go. Silently, we both look at his phone. It reads midnight.

Midnight! And nothing. My feelings for Jake are the same as they were a minute ago. I shed a tear from my eye. Jake takes notice and removes it.

And that's alright. Just as I have been stating for months. Jake says, "You still have me." I released the breath I wasn't aware I was holding.

I look up to him and say, "I'm sorry."

He hugs me and says, "You have nothing to feel sorry for An." After a few more minutes, we hear the back door open, and the smell hits, giving me the chills all over. It smells like the forest in the springtime, with notes of sandalwood and musk.

I feel Sam, my wolf, snarling in the background of my thoughts. She says, "Mate," and I get up and turn to see Ethan standing there, looking bewildered.

"Where have the birthday children gone? "We have to prepare for the run," my mother inquires.

I hurry to the back door and say, "I think I saw them out back. I'll go get them." As soon as I open the door, I smell the wonderful scent of orange and vanilla.

Mate, Lucas growls in my head. Anna can also sense it, as I can see when my eyes land on her.

I reply incoherently, "Oh sh*t." Jake gets to his feet and appears perplexed.

"What is it? Jake asks, staring at me. Anna and I stare at each other without answering. Jake casts his gaze back and forth between us. Anna seems troubled, and I can't tell if she's pleased or unhappy.

"An?" inquires Jake. She gives him no glance.

"Ethan?" he asks, clearly becoming agitated.

"Mate," I say it unintentionally, unable to restrain myself. Jake's stance shifts. He's upset.

"What?" asks Jake in his head. Like everyone else, he's trying to make sense of what's going on. Jake continues to pace and turns to face Anna. "Seriously!?. Ethan?! Ethan IS YOUR MATE?!! You have got to be, I'm kidding." Jake says. At that moment, the rear door opens. It's my mother.

Sensing the intensity in the room, she pauses and says, "You guys, we're all waiting." Glancing between me and Anna, she says, "Wait, what's going on out here?" We continue to look at one another.

"Great! Mom! Let me introduce you to Ethan's mate." Jake nods to Anna. Anna breaks our gaze as she turns to face Jake. Her expression alters, seeming sad and wounded. Lucas, my wolf, snarls in the recesses of my thoughts. He objects to Jake, making Anna feel depressed. I twisted with him since I wouldn't say I like it either. "Jake! "Restrain yourself," I reply in a cool, collected voice.

My mother responds, "Ethan, give him a minute, he's upset."

I shoot back, "He's upsetting Anna."

My mother steps down beside Anna and shows her around the pack house. "Anna dear, maybe we can walk and let the boys talk for a minute." I can tell that Jake is upset.