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Artem

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Apparently, Star’s cousins hadn’t been lying when they said they would head over at first light. I don’t think they slept at all. I think they spent the entire night packing their stuff and making arrangements. They got to the pack house just after eight in the morning. When they had arrived I was just heading to go make breakfast for everyone. Kent and I were both on the first floor when they knocked on the door.

I walked to the door first, knowing who it was going to be based on the time and the slight hint of their scent coming through the door.

“Good morning.” I told them as soon as the door was open.

“Morning Artem.” Ella was in the lead and came bounding into the room as soon as I opened the door.

Kent who had been walking up behind me gasped in shock, as did Ella as soon as she was in the hallway. The two of them just stared at each other with a matching dumbfounded look on their faces for a moment.

“Beautiful.” Kent finally managed to force the one word out but it seemed to have taken a lot of effort.

“So handsome.” Ella said at nearly the exact same time.

“What’s going on?” Reed whispered to me as he came into the hallway, standing close to me.

“I think they mated.” Bailey answered him in my stead.

“Really?” Reed whispered. “Lucky. We’re older than she is and still haven’t found our mates.”

“It’ll happen.” Bailey assured him with a comforting hand on his shoulder. “For now, just be supportive of your little sister.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Reed slumped his shoulders for just a moment before he raised his head again, a determined look on his face. “Maybe this trip will prove to be eventful for us all.”

“Don’t hold your breath.” Bailey laughed at him. “Just be happy for her for now. Our time will come soon enough.”

“I know.” It was clear that Reed was younger not just in age, but it was funny to see them interacting with each other.

“What’s your name?” Ella was asking Kent as she walked slowly over to him. “Who are you?”

“My name is Kent, I’m Artem’s Beta.” They were grinning at each other. “You have such a lovely voice. What’s your name?” Kent was acting so different than he usually did. And I couldn’t help but be jealous. He would be able to have a true mate with her. I loved Star but was afraid she would never accept me.

The three of us just stood there and watched as Kent and Ella stared at each other and asked simple questions. It really was like watching love at first sight form between the two of them. After a few minutes though I heard angry footsteps stomping toward us.

“What the hell, Artem, you asked me to help you today then you never sh-.” Chay was in the middle of scolding me when she paused at the doorway.

That was when I heard another double gasp. Chay and Bailey both gasped at the same time, their eyes locked onto each other.

“Come on.” Reed complained as the two of them seemed to gravitate toward each other, just like Ella and Kent had seemed to do.

“Don’t worry, Reed, I’ll bring some more of my cousins here later, maybe you will mate with them.” I had meant it, but I couldn’t keep the slight laugh from entering my voice as I said the words.

“Well, you seem to be the match maker for my family, so I should take you up on that offer.” He laughed right on back at me as we watched the two new mated pairs staring deeply into each other’s eyes.

We watched as there was another introduction between my little sister and Star’s cousin. I was a protective big brother and this was kind of rubbing me the wrong way, especially considering that Bailey was older than I am. But I also knew that he had to be a good guy if he took beatings just to help his cousin and age didn’t matter as long as they were adults and willing. We were wolves and had a slightly longer lifespan than humans anyway so once we got to a certain age we slowed down a bit.

I actually quite enjoyed seeing so much love and mating going on around me. Maybe it was a good sign for me and my future with Star. Maybe this was a sign of good things to come.

After the pairs seemed content with how things were going and their impromptu introductions to each other they seemed to come back to their senses. Chay looked at me with a big grin on her face.

“I can’t help you anymore. Star will be coming down soon and I am not going to miss the look on her face when she sees them.”

“Come on, I want to be there too.” I pleaded.

“Sorry big brother, but cooking is your job. I will tell you how it all goes down later.” She was grinning at Bailey as she spoke, I had a feeling Star’s reaction was only part of the reason she was bailing on me. She was bailing for Bailey, now isn’t that funny?

We all headed off after that. The group of them went to the dining room together, most of them laughing and smiling. Only Reed seemed to be grumbling in a bad mood as he followed behind them. I was in just as much of a bad mood as I continued over to the kitchen.

“Why do they get to have all the fun today?” I grumbled.

I really did want to know how Star reacted to seeing her cousins, the only family that she had ever felt comfortable and safe around. I wanted to be there when she heard it was me who had found them and asked them to come and stay with her. This wasn’t fair.

I was pouting, I knew that but I didn’t care. This was supposed to be my time to shine with her but I had to miss it all.

I would just have to make a really quick breakfast, that’s all. Then I could be there sooner and maybe see how excited she was. Yeah, that’s how it had to be. That’s what I was going to do.

I smiled then as I hurried into the kitchen. I had to make a quick breakfast for everyone, but I still wouldn’t skimp on quality, I would never do that to my Star.