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

you are," she winked twice at me. "But do you need me to,"

I laughed. "Of course not," I

saw Jason's shoulders losen considerably at my

of all that myself," I finished, waving

His shoulders tightened

Jaimee chuckled.

"Well, of course. I must have forgotten who I

Crimson doesn't stand for

saw one of my other friends, Dustin — the source of the voice — approaching with a wide grin

have just

Lucky.

a drop

I can tell he didn't just sink his fangs into someone on the way here. But it still smelled so sweet, even though it wasn't fresh. I have to keep myself

I humored with a grin equally as wide, forgetting the smell

I've seen hasn't been very impressive,"

going as planned," then turned back

amusement. They looked to me, then

patted Wolfie on the shoulder as he walked away.

threw me a goodbye smile over his

Jason raised his eyebrow.

in. "Good luck with

Wolfie frowned

pulled me aside by the arm so we could get some privacy. We're probably not out of ear shot, but neither

"So, what's the deal? Why haven't you kicked this guy and his lousy pack out of your territory?" She

do the whole 'killing thing'. Not unless it's absolutely

"Yeah, I do know you. And you do do the whole seriously maiming and

I looked at her, contemplating if I should even tell her

. My mate," I revealed

wide and her mouth made an 'o'

me, then went back to him. "You two?"

I nodded. "Yep."

She cringed. "What are you gonna do?" She

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

you could survive the break up. Especially

her. "The aftermath still wouldn't be very pleasant," my nose scrunched

She sighed. "Yeah."

I need to

off, "I'll be fine here.

"No, you

group of alphas and betas coming over. "Heeeyy! Alpha Jay!

a few drinks from

my arm and started pulling me

in the middle of a conversation, the

men waved off. I think

spoken to him a few times, but when I have, he's seemed alright. "This is actually something better discussed in private," he told

wouldn't necessarily call an open bar private," Wolfie responded lightheartedly, with

of Alpha Jason being so much cooler than invader Jason. It's like he just changes

mean just not in the presence of Miss Crimson," he gestured towards me with a

Is he allies with

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

responded the same way I did to

"Wouldn't dream

me as he walked away,

Jaimee so we could continue

"Man, our ancestors were so lucky," she shook her head with narrowed eyes, almost like she's glaring at

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

physical and emotional discomfort, but nothing close to what we

It gets

who weren't their mates. I heard the numbers

her shoulders. "Stupid adaptation and evolution," she

always do when we fall

in complaining about

— mixed species — and it took them a hot minute to work things out," she nodded with wide eyes, changing

this is the same

my lack of enthusiasm. "Yeah, I know. But, they did end

shook my head. "That's great, but like I said. Little different," I said, pinching

She sighed. "I know."

of each other that easily," I gave her a confident nod. "I'm going to work something out. First comes my house, then mate bond comes

brightly at me. "That'a

voice called from somewhere else in

She looked behind her.

is calling me. You gonna be okay alone?" She asked

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

her head.

her. "Go,

let out another sigh. "Fine, come find me if you need another female

widened.

into the crowd

"Hey."

turned to another familiar voice behind

"I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Zach,"

gave him one back. "I know. . . I'm

"I know."