Finally, I reach the drink station. Several glass drink dispensers are set side by side and clearly labeled. I grab a disposable cup and debate between sweet tea and punch before finally settling on sweet tea.
I distractedly turn around and nearly crash straight into someone. It feels like Deja Vu and for a split second, I wonder when I became so clumsy. It turns out the person I nearly steamrolled is a girl around my age.
She has a wild mane of gorgeous red curls framing a sweet heart-shaped face, freckles dotting her alabaster skin. Striking honey colored eyes hidden behind thick-rimmed glasses. I quickly apologize and am rewarded with the most sincere smile I have ever seen.
"It's totally fine, I was standing kind of close. You smell nice! oh, I'm Bailey Reid!" she seems to talk a mile a minute with a bubbliness I didn't know was possible. Her hand is extended waiting for a handshake. Something about her energy is so infectious and I find myself giggling at the petite firecracker.
I shake Bailey's hand and with a smile introduce myself. "My name is Hope, are you from the Onyx Moon pack?" Bailey's hand drops away from mine and she nods as she grabs herself a drink too. "Yup! been here for years. I had seen you at a couple of the dinners but never got to say hi".
I give a sheepish smile and take a quick sip of my sweet tea. "Yeah, I'm not very good with large groups so I tend to keep to myself".
Bailey looks me over and loops her arm around mine, pulling me along with her. "Well, then it's a good thing you met me. Now we can hang out and be loners together". She flashes a big smile and a laugh just bubbles out of me before I can stop it.
Bailey is different, in a good way. Between her friendliness and exuberance, I am left with no room for discomfort.
It's refreshing and I can't help being drawn to this cheerful sprite of a girl despite meeting mere minutes ago. She drags me over to the large wooden picnic tables with fairy lights placed in bottles illuminating the center and adding to the magical feel of the area. We find a mostly empty table and sit off to the end.
"Are you sure you don't have some friends to meet up with?" I ask once we're sat. Bailey shakes her head then adjusts the glasses that had began to slip down her nose.
"Nope, I'm usually with Finn and Chelsea but they aren't here right now. They had to transfer to a different pack a couple of states away. You'll probably get to meet them when they visit during summer though".
I nod and go to take a sip of my drink only to nearly choke on it when Bailey asks "What about you? I don't think I've seen you spending time with anyone".
I cough trying to clear my throat "I'm just not super close to anyone. I guess making friends isn't my strong point". I try to play it off in a way that doesn't make me seem completely antisocial.
"Well now you have me and you can be sure I'll be around to bug you all the time. That's the best part of having friends, there's always someone there. Sometimes, even when you don't want them to be".
Her carefree giggle fills the air and I join in. I'm not sure if I know how to be a good friend but I know I'm gonna enjoy my time with Bailey. If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that there's never going to be a dull moment with her.
"Somehow that doesn't sound so bad" I reply with a mock salute, tipping my red plastic cup. A gesture which she reciprocates with a raised pinky.
We can't resist laughing, imagining how silly we must look. Before we can continue our conversation, our attentions are drawn to the sound of clinking against glass.
Alpha Maximus is standing beside David who is holding the glass in hand. Everyone grows quiet and looks to them waiting for their Alpha to speak.
Of course, the White Thorn pack members do the same. It crosses my mind for a split second that I have not spotted Daniel or Angelina anywhere but the thought is gone before I can even dwell on it.
There is a sea of people here tonight and besides, I truly don't care whether they are here or not. In the end, it makes no difference to me.
Chapter 27
Hope
There's something so captivating about Maximus. There's no doubt he was born to be an Alpha. That sounds like a given considering it is quite literally in his blood.
With that being said, I have met quite a few Alphas. Which is why I can say that not all fit the role as perfectly as he does. His younger brother happens to be a prime example of that.
The fact that everyone is looking at him means I don't have to feel weird about taking the opportunity to study him a little. He looks relaxed in a fitted three quarter sleeve Henley and dark wash jeans.
"It really is unfair to look that good in a shirt and some jeans" Baileys voice cuts in and I look at her to see her wiggling her brows at me. I stifle a laugh at her antics and shake my head. I direct my attention to the front again but have to admit, she's definitely not wrong.
Our eyes seem to meet for a fraction of a second. My first instinct is to look away but I don't. His gaze continues on looking over the crowd before speaking.
"Good evening, everyone. I'm glad to see the members from both packs enjoying themselves and coming together. We know it has been a big change for most of you but now that things have settled we hope that this get together will be a sign of a unified community going forward. We want to thank all of you who helped set this evening up and worked hard so we could have a good time. With that being said, I think we all know the food is why we're really here so come grab some and dig in".
Maximus last statement is met with laughs and then a quick round of applause as a line is formed by the food station. There's meat galore from ribs and steaks to chicken, burgers and hot sausages.
The usual picnic side dishes are also present. Large trays full of potato salad, Mac and cheese, green bean casserole and rolls are set up along a large table.
Bailey's parents call her into the queue and I tell her to go on without me promising we'll meet up once we're done eating. I spot my parents sitting at a small table and see they've had the same idea I did.
I'm opting to let others go first. Once the line has diminished I'll go grab some food. It's a gamble with how much werewolves eat, even with the copious amounts of food I can guarantee it will all be eaten tonight. I still prefer to take my chances and avoid the first chaotic rush.
While I wait I get lost in thought simply pondering over the eventful day I've had. At some point without realizing it, I started humming. I'm not even entirely sure what the tune is which is going to bug me until I figure it out.
Looking around to see if anyone was close enough to notice, I once again lock eyes with Maximus. This time though, it's not a passing glance. He was looking straight at me. With a little bit of a smirk, he tips his head in my direction and my face heats up. Could he have heard my humming?
That's impossible, even with our heightened senses. He is clear on the other side of the lawn leaning by the drinks. It's not unusual to hear something from that distance but considering how low my humming was and how many people are talking, laughing and generally making noise it shouldn't be possible.
And yet, his small smirk means that somehow despite all that, he heard my awkward little tune.
In response, I give a small smile and then get up to join the queue with my parents. For some strange reason, that made me feel happy.
It didn't hold any particular meaning. It was a simple momentary connection from across the room without any words. There's something sort of cute about that. Maybe that's just the inner little girl in me that long ago stopped watching Rom-Coms and fantasizing about the perfect meet cute.
Our wait is pretty short since almost everyone is eating by now. I grab a burger and some macaroni and we find a couple of open spots at a nearby table.
As we eat mom fills dad in on our day which makes me think of that strange parking lot incident. I'm still not sure who it was or what even happened which is why I didn't tell mom.
Listening to how happy she sounds and what a good day this turned out to be, I feel assured that it was the right dec
ision.
My plate wasn't very big so I finish before mom and dad. I look around and see Bailey at a distant table still eating with her parents. We were gonna meet up but I'm sure it will be a little bit.
Kissing mom on the cheek I stand and give my dad a hug and let them know I'm done. They tell me to have fun and I walk away to throw my plate in the trash.
The itch to go for a nice walk has been clawing at me. As much fun as tonight has been, I'm yearning for some relaxing quiet away from all the people.
The glow of lanterns and the boisterous talking start to fade as I walk into the adjacent woods. The brisk night air caresses my face and I breathe it in deeply. There's something incredibly comforting about a cool quiet night illuminated by the moon.
I don't have any particular direction in mind, I just allow my legs to carry me wherever they please. A sharp sadness hits me as I think about how long it's been since I was out for a run in my wolf form.
At some point I lost the ability to shift, a secret I've kept hidden. Perhaps now that I'm getting stronger and I've felt my wolf stir, it's possible that I could do it.
Unfortunately, it's rare for no one to be in the woods long enough for me to try. I even avoid the night runs the packs go on in fear of failing and having anyone find out.
Besides, a part of me doesn't want to try. The thought of never being able to shift again and permanently losing that part of myself scares me to death.
I guess in a way it feels like if I don't try, I can keep believing I could possibly do it. But if I attempt the shift and fail then I can't even hang on to the hope. However small it may be.
Instead of mulling over it, I clear my mind and keep wandering around in the peaceful darkness. The same unknown tune coming to my lips.
Chapter 28
Hope
Time seems to slip by like water through my fingers. I could have been walking around for seconds, minutes or hours. I loved the feeling of walking without aim or fear. Simply letting my senses get lost in the darkness.
In the blackened night I see a glow through the curtain of a willow tree in the distance and the sound of rushing water. I make my way there, my curiosity leading me.
The smell of damp moss and fresh springs hits my nose a second before I break through into the clearing. There's a river, tranquil and clear. The moon brightly reflecting off its surface. I see ripples as fish swim upstream.
There are scattered wildflowers growing along the riverbank. Walking up to the edge I lay down beside the river. The peaceful atmosphere acting like a natural relaxant. I close my eyes and once again hum the unfamiliar tune feeling the soft mist from the ever flowing river against my skin.
My body begins to feel heavy and sleep seems to be setting in when the snap of a nearby twig sends my eyes flying open. I bolt upright and look towards the sound.
There, approaching me is Alpha Maximus. His hands up as a sign that conveys he means no harm. "Sorry if I startled you, the party has been over for a pretty long time. Your parents were worried and I had already planned to patrol so I offered to look for you".
I offer a small smile to let him know I'm fine "I should be the one apologizing. I guess I was out here a lot longer than I had thought". Closing the gap, Maximus sits beside me looking out towards the river. "It's easy to lose track of time out here, especially on a night like tonight".
I nod in agreement and turn to look out onto the languid river as well. "I started walking and then got carried away. As great as moving here has been, there's also so many of us together. The quiet was just a nice change".
I feel him look at me briefly before returning his gaze to the scenery. "I get it. I do it all the time when I need to think. With that being said, you should still let someone know where you're going. We work hard to keep our territory safe but you can never be too cautious. If nothing else, you at least keep others from worrying". I blush a little knowing he's right. His tone isn't harsh or serious in any way so I know I'm not being reprimanded or anything.
The realization hits me, this is the first real conversation we've had. The atmosphere is so relaxed. This may be a one-time thing so I need to make the most of it. I want to keep talking to him. Get to know Maximus past the calm cool exterior he constantly puts on.
"Do you come here often?" the question is out of my lips before I realize how cliche and dorky that line is. I hear him chuckle softly under his breath. So much so that I barely even heard it.
"I come around whenever I need time to myself. It's pretty far from the pack house so it's not frequented by many. Wanna know something I've never told anyone?"
His face is now turned towards me and I match him. I feel giddy like a kid being let in on a secret. I nod excitedly, now wide awake and listening intently.
The smile on his face isn't the polite one I have seen him use when dealing with the pack members. It's more boyish and a little playful. It makes him look younger and much softer than his rugged warriors' physique gives off.
"This river and the clearing concealed by that ancient willow tree are the reason I chose this land". "Really? I always thought Alphas were assigned certain territories".
Max shakes his head "Nope. Well, not always. It depends on the situation. When I decided to start my own pack I chose an area that didn't have any established packs nearby. That's why I was free to choose the land I wanted and expand our territory as we grew".
I guess that makes sense. If you're the only pack around then you don't have to worry about encroaching on someone's territory or any of the politics that come with setting up.
"Can I ask a question that's completely none of my business?" This time his chuckle is loud and clear " go right ahead. Ask anything you want". I hesitate for a second, hoping I'm not stepping into sensitive territory. "Why did you want to start a new pack all on your own? I know you could have taken over for your father".
His expression gets darker for just a moment and he sighs. "You're right, I could have. It's what anyone would have done. Its complicated but the short version is that I wanted to build something that was my own. The White Thorn pack was established and had very ingrained ways. I realized the only way to implement my vision and way of leading was to start from scratch. There are details I can't go into but I hope it at least made sense".
I see an almost apprehensive look on his face. I wonder if he's worried about what I'll think? or perhaps he thinks I'll feel offended since it's my pack he's talking about.
I may not be a genius but I'm smart enough to read between the lines. The pack was broken and stuck in its ways too much to be fixed from the ground up the way he would have wanted.
"I understand. Sometimes you just have to take a different path than the one set before you. Life takes unexpected turns, that is definitely something I get. From there you adapt. Honestly, I'm kind of jealous. You changed your course, even though it must have been hard. But you trusted in yourself and your vision. That's pretty amazing".
I wish I'd had that strength years ago. I would never say that part out loud though. "Amazing and stupidly reckless are often confused for each other". "It's only stupidly reckless if it doesn't work out so I guess you got lucky, huh?" I joke back with laughter in my voice.
I feel unreasonably proud of myself when I hear Max laugh out loud "You're not wrong about that". He readily admits. The laughter gets swept away by the wind and we settle for staring back out at the flowing river in contented silence. Somehow feeling closer to this incredible person sitting beside me.
Time goes by and I once again feel sleep wanting to overtake my body. I fight against it as best I can but end up bringing my knees up and folding my arms over them so I can rest my head.
Chapter 29
Maximus
The scent of honeysuckle and lavender envelopes me. A smell completely unique to Hope and I feel almost drunk off of it. I had been craving her presence since she walked back into my life.
My skin tingles at the sheer proximity and my muscles ten
se as I try my best to restrain myself. I can sense the contentment radiating from my wolf at getting to be close to his mate.
Unfortunately, along with being content, I can also sense his desire to get even closer. To touch her, hug her, claim her. It mixes with my own creating a dangerous cocktail of emotion.
With Hope's eyes now closed, I can freely admire her. I'm not sure how many have noticed the change in her since arriving but I most definitely have.
She was already beautiful but her beauty only continues to grow. Much to my frustration. She also seems happier and more confident. I can't claim that its all due to coming here but my chest swells with pride just considering that it's my safe haven that has allowed her to flourish.
Willow From The Ashes (Children Of The Moon Book 1) Page 9
