Big Bad Wolfie

"We're here," Happy/Zach announced when we pulled up.. "Thanks, Lazarus" he turned to the driver.

Wolfie gave him a grateful nod.

Lazarus smiled at them, "my pleasure."

"Pick us up at nine. I'll call you if the time changes."

Yay, 4 hours of standing around as a decoration on someone's arm.

"Yes alpha," Lazarus nodded.

When the conversation was over I turned to open the door and —

Child proof locked.

Again.

I turn to the three werewolves, addressing the two making the decisions, "what do you think I'm gonna do? Jump out of the moving vehicle?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't put it passed you," Jason shook his head and got out. He made his way around the fancy car to my side and opened the door.

"Yeah, good call. Only, where in the flying fadudle cakes do you think I plan to go?!" I exclaimed.

He shrugged and put his arm out for me to take. "I don't know how good you are at planning ahead. You could be dumb as rocks, for all I know."

I rolled my eyes and took his arm 'cause, if I don't, he'll take mine, and we all know how that turns out.

Happy ran in in front of us.

"Please, I'm a combat tactician," I argued his 'dumb as rocks' statement with an eye roll.

"Yeah, one that let her territory get taken over," he quipped, raising an eyebrow down at me.

I rolled my eyes, again. "I wasn't even there."

"Still, leaving your house defenseless. . ." he trailed off, shaking his head in disapproval.

We walked up the marble stairs to the huge mansion that the Gala is being hosted at.

Dang, just as beautiful as last year.

"There were plenty capable fighters there, and even negotiators. AND a defensive plan, but it can only be set into motion by a master's order." I pointed out the obvious, getting back on track. "Or at least a heads up," I shook my head.

"That's the problem with weak leadership."

I let out a bitter chuckle. "No argument there."

They just. . . Left.

"Good, hopefully it'll stay that way all night," he looked down at me blankly, derailing my train of thought. "No arguing."

I processed what he was saying and let out a sigh. "Oh hun, knowing you, knowing me, knowing — " I cupped his hand in both of mine and held it to my heart, "Us, that will not be happening."

He ripped his hand away and glared. "It will if you don't want trouble," he growled, leaning in closer.

I pursed my lips, "Eh, we'll see where the night takes us," I shrugged.

He glared at me again and scooped up my arm into the crook of his own, just for show probably.

I discretely shook my head knowingly.

Softy.

He is such a poser.

No tyrant has such a happy beta. Not to mention such a beautiful face.

His gaze snapped to me and I immediately stopped. With narrowed eyes, he watched me skeptically.

Not finding anything standing out as suspicious, he turned back the other way.

A smirk started pulling at the corners of my lips.

There's something great about knowing something and just sitting quietly knowing that you know it while someone else doesn't.

It's the best.

"Eeeeeeek!"

I was jolted out of my thoughts by a high pitched squeal.

Startled, I turned to find the source.

I found my extremely rowdy, and equally kindhearted friend, Jaimee.

"Mari!" She yelled, running towards me and engulfing me in a bear hug.

"Hi Jaimee," I smiled into her curly red hair that surrounds her shoulders. She's a few years older than me, but that doesn't stop us from being really good friends.

"Oh my gosh, I heard what happened! Are you okay?! Did they hurt you?! Your house?!" Jaimee asked glaring at Jason and giving me a pat down for injuries.

Jeez, information spreads like wildfire.

as fine as anyone could ever

Jaimee's face hardened. "Well of course you are," she winked twice at me. "But do you need me to," she looked around. Despite our audience, she proceeded, "take care of

"Of course not,"

I saw Jason's shoulders losen considerably at my response from the corner

that myself," I finished, waving her off

His shoulders tightened

Jaimee chuckled.

of course. I must have forgotten who I was talking

Maria Crimson doesn't stand

behind me and saw one of my other friends, Dustin — the source

have just

Lucky.

saw him lick off a drop of blood that remained on his

smelled old, so I can tell he didn't just sink his fangs into someone on the way here. But it still smelled

a grin equally as wide, forgetting the

grunted. "What I've seen hasn't been very impressive," he

things are going as planned," then turned back to

looked to me, then to Jason, then back to me, and then finally

head knowingly. "Yeah, enjoy it while it lasts," he patted Wolfie on the shoulder

a goodbye smile over his shoulder

Jason raised his eyebrow.

luck with that," she

Wolfie frowned

me aside by the arm so we could get some privacy. We're probably

deal? Why haven't you kicked this guy and his lousy pack out of your territory?" She questioned in a

you know me. I don't do the whole 'killing thing'. Not

"Yeah, I do know you. And you do do the whole seriously maiming and taking what's yours

out a sigh and leaned in even closer. I looked at her, contemplating if

. .

wide and her

pointed at him, then at me, then went back to

I nodded. "Yep."

cringed. "What are you gonna do?"

up my eyebrows in thought. "Well, I don't really feel like dying a slow and painful

stern finger at me. "Hey, there's a chance you could survive the break up. Especially with those

her. "The aftermath still wouldn't be very

She sighed. "Yeah."

I need

"I'll be fine here. I'm

"No, you

Alpha Jay! Come have a drink with us!" One of them exclaimed, his words coming

Probably already had a few

Wolfie grabbed my arm and started pulling

I'm in the middle of a conversation, the

her be," one of the men waved off. I think his name is Alpha

to him a few times, but when I have, he's

call an open bar private," Wolfie

so much cooler than invader Jason. It's

chuckled. "By that, I mean just not in the presence of Miss Crimson,"

Is he

turned to me and gave me a pointed look. "Don't do anything stupid," he

I responded the same

"Wouldn't dream of

He glared at me as he walked away, but

Jaimee so we

She huffed. "Man, our ancestors were so lucky," she shook her

to how back in the old old old days when they wanted to reject their mate they

Sure they went through some physical and emotional discomfort, but nothing close to what we go

It gets brutal.

I nodded my head in agreement. "It's because so many people were getting together with people who weren't their mates. I heard the numbers got as high as dozens per year."

hair flung around her shoulders. "Stupid adaptation and evolution," she stomped and

I always do when we fall down these sorts of holes.

find amusement in complaining about things

my pack that are the same way — mixed species — and it took them a

this is the same

they did end up working it out

like I said. Little different," I said, pinching my

She sighed. "I know."

not going to get rid of each other that easily," I gave her a confident nod. "I'm going to work something out.

brightly

A voice called from somewhere else in

She looked behind her.

"Oh, I have to go. Luna Beckett is calling me.

and held my hand up in the direction of Wolfie. "I'm not alone, remember?" I raised an

her head.

her. "Go, I'll be

sigh. "Fine, come find me if

smile widened.

off into the crowd in search of her

"Hey."

to another familiar voice behind

introduced myself. I'm Zach,"

gave him one back. "I know. . .

"I know."