Before I know it, they surround the three of us. Twenty of the hottest she-wolves around. I quickly get lost in the moment with so many sexy women wanting my attention. Just like I’ve grown accustomed to, these women are all over the three of us. What can I say? I love the attention.
I’m not too sure how long we all laugh and talk, but apparently, we missed the arrival announcement of the birthday girl herself. I only realized it after I caught my parents glaring at me.Shit.I look around the tent and I see Kate staring at me as well.Double Shit!I recognize the look in her eyes… sadness and disappointment.Did I do something wrong?It was the same look she had when she ran from the bonfire… that was just over a year ago. I’ve been home twice since then, but she’s never around.
“Bro, we need to go wish your sister a happy birthday before our parents kill us.” I look at Kelsey, then back to Zane.
“Will you excuse us, ladies?” Zane flashes the women his million-dollar smile and we make our way to Kate.
“Nice of you to come talk to your sister.” Gamma Earnest snarls and sucks his teeth, looking at Kelsey.
“Happy Birthday, Kate.” Zane hugs her. I breathe heavily, controlling Alex. He’s not happy that any man is touching his mate.
“Thank you, Zane.” She smiles at him.
“Kate… you look absolutely beautiful. Happy birthday, angel.” I embrace her, pulling her fully into my arms. The electric tingles of the mate bond erupt on my skin. She hugs me back, but her body is stiff… something is wrong. She pats me in the middle of the back like you would a friend.Wait! Am I in the friend zone? What the hell has happened since the last time I saw her?
“Ian, thank you for coming,” she pulls away from my arms. “I hope you all have a great time.” She takes a deep breath. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have guests to greet.” She walks away, followed by her parents.
My mouth is wide open as I’m left standing there stunned and speechless, watching my mate walk away from me.
“What the fuck just happened?” I put my hands on my hips.
“Bro… no clue. Shouldn’t she have felt something?” Zane puts his hand on my shoulder, “I’ve never seen her so cold before.”
“Kelsey, is she dating someone?” I look at him.
“Not that I know of.” He shakes his head.
“She is my mate. I know damn well I have felt the mate bond.” I look between Zane and Kelsey.
“Wait… she’s still seventeen. Her birthday is tomorrow. Today is just her party.” Kelsey snaps his fingers and points like he’s had some grand epiphany or some shit like that.
“What?” I turn to him.
“Yeah, since her birthday fell on a Sunday and she has school on Monday, my parents decided to have her party on Saturday.” Kelsey winks at a brunette that’s looking at him.
“So, she hasn’t met her wolf yet?” I look at Zane, since Kelsey is obviously thinking with his dick.
“That explains a lot. Look, let’s just have a good time tonight and things will be clearer to her tomorrow.” Zane pats me on the back and leads me and Kelsey to a group of hungry she-wolves.
I’ve been watching Kate move around the tent, dancing and talking with everyone here. She is absolutely stunning in her blue dress with pink roses. The dress is short, form fitting, and is very low cut. I’m surprised Gamma Earnest let her out of the house at all. I’m surrounded by two horny wolves and a dozen she-wolves, but I couldn’t care less. The only woman I have eyes for is my Kate. I just wish she felt the mate bond… or would just talk to me.What the hell?Kate and I used to be so close; we could talk for hours about nothing at all. Now she won’t even look at me. I watch her as she dances with her friends… including male friends. Watching her dance and laugh with other males enrages me. That should be me out there with her, but she won’t give me the time of day. I just sit and watch from afar.
Hours go by. It’s a little after eleven p.m. and I have lost sight of her. She was here one second and gone the next.Did she sneak off with some male?That thought sends a pain straight through my chest.
“Bro, you see Kate?” I lean into Kelsey.
“Ha! You think I’m watching my sister? Bro, that’s your job.” Kelsey kisses the she-wolf on his lap.
“I’m going to go find Kate,” I say to Zane before lifting the female from my lap and walk away.
I walk all around the tent looking for her, but she is nowhere to be seen and her scent is fading fast.Where did she go?
“Excuse me,” I say to Kate’s mom.
“Ian!” She turns to me still dancing, “are you having fun, sweety?” She is smiling from ear to ear.
“Yes ma’am, but I was looking for Kate. I have a gift for her.” I pat my blazer where her gift is.
“Well, she has been dealing with a migraine all day and went home early.” She spins and rocks her hips. I laugh because she is the opposite of Gamma Earnest. He’s very strict and always stoic while she is the life of the party. I’m guessing Kelsey got his temperament from his mom rather than his dad.