Chapter Text
Jared had just presented as an Alpha at the age of 14 when his big brother John had found his mate. He didn’t understand much as to why his brother and his mate were stuck at their cabin for a whole week, but he understood enough; to sense that it was all beautiful. The way John would send a heated glance at his beautiful mate Allison, an omega, and she would turn deep red as a result of which John would rush over to her and kiss her deeply. Or the way they kept walking around holding hands whenever they were roaming around or when he’d embrace her every time he came back home in the evening. The sudden introduction of Allison meant his big brother had less time for him, yet Jared didn’t mind. If spending less time with him meant for John to be happy with Allison, he’d take it. As long as his brother was happy and smiling, that’s all that mattered.
One afternoon, Jared and his dogs were playing in the yard with a ball, when it rolled over by the French doors that gave a peek into the kitchen and dining hall. He ran back there and found himself staring at the scene in front of him. John was pouring two glasses of orange juice, and his mate was seated at the table reading a magazine. He came back to the table and placed one glass in front of her, which seemed to have startled her as if she hadn’t known he was there. She looked up at John, and her eyes twinkled and she gave him the sweetest smile Jared had ever seen adorn her face, since she became a part of his family two years back. She said something Jared couldn’t quite make out from where he was standing- but if John’s expression was any indication, it must have been some sweet declaration. She took a sip of juice and began reading again while John just stared at her for a long moment. She must have felt someone eyeing her as she looked back and had her lips captured by John for a very sweet, but lingering kiss. When they came back up for a breather, she stood up from her chair and embraced him tight. They held onto each other for a long time till the shrill of the bell indicated a guest incoming, and parted their ways. Jared was entranced. The moment had been so sweet and beautiful, and the couple had looked so happy. It was no special occasion for them to be lovey dovey yet, the whole thing had him wondering if this was what bliss looked like. And if it was, then Jared wanted to find his mate - the one who’d call on his inner alpha so that he could spend his entire life with his loving mate. From that moment on, he decided he’d never settle down unless he found his one perfect mate.
“Jared, I think it’s time for you to settle down. We’ve given you enough time to find yourself a mate. But it doesn’t seem to be happening for you. So, please son, settle down with Genevieve and let us have an opportunity to fuss over our grandchildren,” Graham Padalecki, the former Alpha of the Padalecki pack and Jared’s father said. Four years into John and Allison's mating, Graham Padalecki had stepped down to let his eldest lead the Pack. John had agreed to do so, on one condition- once Jared had found a mate of his own, John would surrender his position to his younger brother, as he had no desire to lead the Pack. Being an Alpha meant responsibilities, but being Pack Alpha meant more so - and John didn’t wish to carry that burden. No alpha could take over without having a mate, hence the push for Jared to settle. Even John had become angsty over the past year, waiting for Jared to find someone.
" No, Dad. I’m not gonna settle down with someone that might not be enough for me – it would be cruel, both towards myself and my future mate. Would you have settled for anything less than Mom? Would John settle for anyone other than Allison?” When he was met with complete silence, he nodded, “That’s what I thought.”
And thus the whole conversation ended, just like that.
Days passed - even months - and eventually years. John and Allison had become proud parents of a baby girl; a Beta. She was the most beautiful creature Jared had ever seen.
“Wait ‘till it’s your turn, little brother,” John had said, as Jared was cooing at his niece.
“I know you want a mate, Jared. But after all these years, I don’t think you’ll find one unless you go out and look for one.”
“What do you mean, John?”
“Well it’s more than clear to me that your mate is definitely not in this pack, and you need to step out. Only then will you find him or her. I know you prefer males over females anyways. I’ve seen you check out Rick Jordan’s ass many times.”
Jared blushed, but didn’t respond.
“But that’s not the point. The point is that he or she is not here. So you need to step out and go on a mating quest. That’s the only way I see you finally finding happiness. Hell, it’s the only way I can find my happiness.” Jared bristled at that and John immediately took a defensive posture not to enrage his brother.
“Hey, I’m not trying to pressure you. I just want you to be happy, and that won’t be the case until you get out of here and find someone.”
“John, I know.” Jared sighed, “I know okay. I just …”
“Hey, I understand. And it was nothing more than a suggestion. It’s basically just a suggestion. It’s always going to be up to you.” With that, John walked away.
It took another three whole days of continuous discussion with his family when he finally decided to take the leap and roam around the nearby packs. After all he was still a little bit hesitant to visit other packs, for a reason that he was a Padalecki. The Padaleckis’ were known to be the strongest of wolves. Their bloodline was strong and very seldom did it was heard that some wolf had managed to defeat a Padalecki in a fight. They were good and strong warriors. But the prospect of finding his ate had him agreeing to try his chance. He’d been given two years-if he hadn’t found a mate by then, he would have to settle down. He left the next week in search of his mate - the one who would complete him.
One year later
This was the third pack territory Jared had entered. He’d spent the last year going through the process of elimination. He’d met many prospective mates throwing themselves at him for his hand in marriage but they were not his mate. Some of them had been beautiful - appealing even, and Jared had even considered them, but that wasn’t the way it was supposed to be as they were not what he wanted, what his Alpha was searching for. They didn’t smell right and their scent did not appeal to him, and they didn’t call to his inner alpha. So, here he was - after having spent the last whole year just wandering from one pack to another, making friendships and breaking many hearts. When he had met the Alpha of the Kane-Harris pack, he had been welcomed with open arms. The Alpha Christian Kane and his Beta mate Danneel Harris had been sweet to him and even made arrangements for him to stay at the best inn on their packlands.
“I know how exhausting it must be to not have a mate when your heart is all but pumping in your chest, hoping the next one could be the one -- But it never comes. So, I feel you.”
Jared was confused. The alpha possibly could never understand his predicament.
“Oh no, no. Chris, I told you not to go overboard. Not everyone is ready to listen to your smug ass repeating how you found your mate,” Danneel spoke, possibly sensing the conflict on Jared’s fate.
“Alpha Jared, my mate is just trying to tell you that he became Alpha by default.”
“I’m not sure I understand you Alpha Mate,” Jared said.
“He was just a lucky by chance. My father was the Alpha of this pack and I was his only offspring. Therefore, it wasn’t much of a choice for him. So he decreed that whichever Alpha would mate me could have the pack. It was a bloodbath, let me tell you. There were fights but no one succeeded in catching my attention. Then one fine day Chris stumbled into me at the bar and one look at him and I knew, I knew he was my destined mate. We practically made out in the bar in public, and it was enough to send everyone in shock. But this big bad Alpha of mine, endured it all. He fought at least three other alphas who attacked him the moment he stepped near my father’s house. But he killed them all swiftly. It was then that he had to court me and prove not only to my father, but to the whole pack that he was in for the long haul. Eventually he gained everyone’s approval and all was well. Today he stands in front of you as the proud Alpha of Kane Harris pack, with his Beta Mate and two sweet kids - who at the moment are off at their aunt’s cabin.” She smiled and shot a fond look towards Alpha Kane.
“That’s very sweet of you to share your story, and I cannot thank you enough Alpha Kane - for all the hospitality you have extended to me. Really, I’m grateful.” Jared said.
“Oh none of that. I know what you’re going through and I’m glad I can help out someone like me looking for a life mate. So, you’re welcome to stay here. In us, you’ll find an ally Alpha Padalecki. I must insist though, you’ll have to have dinner with us tonight. So that I can introduce you to a short history of our pack and then tomorrow, I shall formally introduce you to the pack at the gathering at night.”
And Jared had no choice but to accept the offer. He was escorted to the inn he was staying at and then back to the Alpha’s house.
He was welcomed in the warm home and was immediately drawn into a deep conversation about the history of the pack and how similar it was to the one back at his home. They were in the middle of having desserts when he first smelled it.
The sweetest scents of all. Like vanilla and cinnamon. Like home. Like mate. Like the other half of his soul. And He stiffened when the scent hit his nose. Just then, he heard a whisky drawl and he was fighting hard not to surrender to his instincts because his Alpha was pawing to reach out and find out who exactly this person was.
“Hey, Kane, if I find out that you’re trying to set me up one more time, I swear to God, I’ll kill you,” the voice said while the person to whom the voice belonged entered the dining room.
“Oh God, Jenny, talk about being dramatic. I just wanted you to meet the guy before I introduce him to the whole pack. Just so you can judge him to see if he’s fit to be here and all.” Chris answered while looking up at the stranger all innocent. That’s when Jared turned around to see who the voice belonged to and it felt like he was shot with a big dose of cocaine, as he was instantly high on that sweet voice and the sheer beauty of the omega standing in front of him. It was definitely an Omega, because he had scented him out and holy shit he was the most beautiful thing Jared had ever seen in his entire life. Even better than his niece. Those leafy green eyes, staring wide, the cute freckles, the plush pink lips, the blond and spiked hair. The lean muscled body. The miles of pale skin. There was a masculinity to that Omega. Omegas were supposed to be delicate, fragile beings, but this guy? Oh no.
This guy had all the theories about Omegas in Jared’s head tossed out the window. He was staring slack-jawed. The instant those green eyes met his, he knew. He definitely knew that this Omega was his. He belonged to him, and in turn, Jared belonged to this beautiful creature. His Alpha was constantly hammering in his brain “minematematemine”