Chapter 5

The day of the party is here and I'm not sure that I can handle Jason showing up. Ashley will be coming over to help me pick an outfit. I can only imagine what she will have me wear. I'll probably end up looking like a street whore. Oh my goddess, I can't handle the thought.

I was reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, when I heard the front door open and Ashley's voice. "Oh no," I grumbled.

I winced when she threw the door open. "Your savior is here!" Her epic smile always gave me some hope.

"Savior? Really? You're dressing me for a party, not making water into wine," I responded. Peering behind her, I saw a full dress bag. "What the hell is that?"

Ashley put the bag across my bed, smirking.  "This....Miss pain in my ass, are the dresses you have a choice of. I know you don't really have any cute dresses and I want you to look your best," she said with a smile. She means well but she knows I'm not comfortable wearing this nonsense.

Getting up, I was looking through the dresses while she was rifling through my limited make up. "Ash, you seriously want me to wear this? I'll look like a hoe."

"Correction. You'll look like a classy hoe," she laughed.

Rolling my eyes, "A hoe is a hoe, no matter how you dress her up."

"Just shut up and put this on." Throwing a dress at me, I reluctantly changed.

How tight is this dress? It feels like my ass is barely covered. Looking at myself in the mirror, the royal blue material is hugging every curve I have. I feel so exposed. Is this really what its going to take to get Jason's attention? This shouldn't be the way; he'll think I'm just another pack whore. Maybe he'll reject me; wouldn't surprise me.

"Move your ass!" Ashley called from the other side of the door.

"I'm coming!" I yelled back.

Stepping out, Ashley's eyes widened. "Damn girl, you look hot!" She made a sizzling sound on her side.

Rolling my eyes at her, I couldn't believe how ridiculous she was. "Oh, please. Look at me! I look no better than the resident pack slut."

"Dakota, you look nothing like Jolene. She is the definition of slut," Ashley said, shuddering just saying her name.

"How the hell is Devon okay with her behavior? It's sickening to think that she has broken up couples, all for nothing." Jolene was admitted to this pack because Devon felt sorry for her. My parents weren't thrilled with his decision, but she was booted from her last pack for breaking up the alpha, and his intended mate. She was so heartbroken that she rejected him. Shortly thereafter, his pack dissolved. He fell into a deep depression, and eventually killed himself. As did his mate. It was very sad. Our pack took in some of the wolves from that pack, but others went elsewhere, or went rogue. When we took Jolene in, there was a pack feud over it. We knowingly took in a homewrecker, but Devon was convinced that he could reform her. As far as I'm aware, she has made no such reformation.

"Devon still thinks he can help her. I don't know why. All she does is make goo-goo eyes at all the unmated males in the pack. I bet her privates smell like a fish market."

"Oh, gross! What the hell, Ashley?!" I exclaimed.

Her laughter was filling the room, while my disgusted expression only furthered her. Suddenly, Erika, and Mandy came in. They were dressed for the occasion. Erika was wearing a red dress, black flats. Mandy was wearing a green dress, fitted to her, blue pumps. Their make-up was done beautifully. Just enough to make it look like they were wearing, but not enough to make them look like street walkers. "Aren't you two ready yet?" Erika asked. "People are already starting to arrive."

"Not quite yet," Ashley answered, "but if you two want to make yourselves useful, then help me out."

"Oh, goddess," I mumbled.

All three of them were taking turns doing my make-up, and hair; from the foundation, to my eyeliner. It was starting to stress me out. I could swear it took two hours for them to finish, but that was probably just my anxiety. "Are you three about done?" I asked, impatiently.

"We are now," Ashley said, finishing my eyeliner.

Turning me around in my swivel chair, I got a look at myself in the mirror. My eyes widened seeing how good I looked. "Holy shit. Is that me?"

"Damn right it is. Maybe now you'll put a little trust in me," she said. "Jason will not be able to keep his hands to himself once he sees you."

My mind started to race when she said that. What would he think of me? Would he think I was just some slut trying to get attention, or would he genuinely be attracted to me? I started to get very anxious just thinking about it.

Ashley slipped on my black pumps. "You ready for this?"

"Not particularly," I answered.

"You'll be fine. Just take a deep breath, and remember to keep breathing," Mandy encouraged.

We headed for the party, already hearing the noise of the music. My hands started to get clammy in anticipation; the other pack members watched me walk out in awe. Most of them knew how I felt about myself, and knew I blamed myself for the death of my brother.

There were new faces amongst my own pack members; everyone seemed to be getting along quite well. I could feel stares on me, based on what I was wearing. Unmated males seemed to be the ones giving low growls in my direction. This is making me slightly uncomfortable.

Ashley went to find Devon, and the twins went to find their mates. Heading toward the drinks, I knew I'd need a few before Jason got here.

"You look nice," I heard a voice say.

Turning, it was Devon. "Thank you, brother. Seems to be a good turnout."

"Most of the Black Forest Pack is here--"

"Is Jason here?"

A smirk came across his face, "Not quite yet. He'll be here soon, then we can get the ceremony going." He paused looking through the crowd. "Speaking of, when it starts, you are going to be up there with me since you're family."

"Naturally," I responded.

Ashley came bounding up to her mate, all smiles. "Dance with me," she cooed in his ear.

"You know I don't like dancing," he protested. She gave him a fake quiver lip to make him feel guilty. "Alright," he submitted. Taking his mate by her hand, they shimmied over to the dance floor leaving me along, again.

Making my way towards the stage area, the most beautiful smell hit my nose. A familiar smell of cinnamon, and pine. Jason.

Don't run, Dakota.

As I turned, I saw him standing by the back door with his Beta, and Third. All the unmated females were fawning over him, including Jolene. I started to get nervous again; they were all prettier than I was. His eyes fixed on me immediately, and I could hear a rumble come from his chest. All the girls who were trying to approach him were rebuffed.

I froze in place, unsure of what to do. My legs wouldn't move; I wanted to run. Now that I'm practically staring at him, I got a good look at the wolf approaching. He was tall, short dark hair, beautiful brown eyes, his muscles showing through his tight shirt, and the length of his strides were so long that I couldn't run fast enough.

He looked me up, and down, his rumble growing louder. I could see his wolf taking over; his shade of brown was brightening with yellow flecks. Fear hit me instantly. When he saw that, he relaxed himself. "Evening, Dakota," his smooth voice said.

Jesus, even his voice is godly. "Hi," was the only word I could speak.

There wasn't a lot of room between us, and he tried to close the distance, but I sidestepped him. "Could you please not do that?" he asked, agitated. I kept my head down in submission, afraid he would reject me right there. "Look at me," he demanded. Raising my head, I was still afraid to look him in the eye. "Please."

Hearing that eased my worry slightly. "You can reject me, if you want."

His brows knitted together in confusion. "Why would I do that?"

"Because I'm not half the wolf you deserve."

"You are that wolf, and more," he said.

All I could feel was confusion. "You're one of the most feared wolves in the state. Why would you want to waste your time with me a wolf like me?"

Before he could answer, Devon took the stage. "Everyone, can I have your attention please." I took the opportunity to wiggle away from Jason. I joined my parents, and brothers on the stage. "I'd like to thank everyone for joining us tonight. On behalf of the Moon Goddess Pack, I would like to welcome the Black Forest Pack. Hopefully tonight will be a celebration of good times to come." All the wolves howled in response. "I'd also like to thank Alpha Jason Morgan for agreeing to an alliance that will only give strength to two great packs." Everyone cheered in response. As I looked into the crowd, all I could see what Jason's eyes fixated on me.

When the speech was over, Ronnie bounded toward me. He was very excited to be invited to the party, for once. "Hey, Dak, want to get me a drink?"

"I heard that," our mother called.

"Damn," he said, snapping his fingers.

Walking away, I'm sure he was going to make a fool of himself on the dance floor. My brother thought he was the best dancer in the world; no one had the heart to tell him he wasn't.

Getting off the stage, I was blindsided by Jolene. "So, I heard you're the mate to Alpha Morgan?"

"Yes, I am," I answered.

Scoffing at me, she started to laugh. "You're nothing. Just a waste of space--"

A growl came from behind me, "Say one more thing to her, and that will be the last thing you ever say," Jason yelled.

Devon came up with Brian, and Alexander flanking him. Immediately, Jason's Beta, and Third came up with me in between the two fuming Alphas. "What's going on here?" Devon asked, as nicely as possible.

"This pack slut you have here was insulting my mate!" Jason belted.

Devon looked to Jolene, who looked incredibly embarrassed. "Is that true?"

She kept her head down, "Yes, Alpha."

Jason was growling at her. "What are you going to do about this, Mayfield?"

Devon took a deep breath, knowing what he had to do. "I, Devon Mayfield, do hereby banish you, Jolene Hayward, from the Moon Goddess Pack. Get your shit, and get out."

Jolene started to sob, and she turned to me. "You'll pay for this," she growled at me.  Jason took a step forward, his chest rumbling. She scrambled out before anything else could happen.

Everyone took a breath once she was out of sight. "Brian, make sure she's out in ten minutes." Nodding, he did as his Alpha told him, and disappeared into the house.

"I'd like a chance to speak to my mate," Jason told Devon.

"Go ahead into my office," he said.

Frozen in place, I can't believe this is happening. What could he possibly have to say to me?