CHAPTER 22- Birthday party from hell
The next day is hectic to say the least. I am constantly at the front door to welcome new wolves to the pack house for the party. Plus there is keeping Jay from being alone with any of them, especially since not all of them were thrilled to see a vampire living among wolves. When it comes to four in the evening I am already spent and the party still isn’t even for another hour and a half. I have Jay and Hunter in my room when my dad arrives with boxes in hand.
Hunter takes the boxes from my dad and places them on the bed. “Now, boys, you are going to leave her alone to get ready. I suggest you two get ready too.” He ushers them out. Leaving it just the two of us. “I have something for you. It used to be your mother’s, she wanted you to have it when you turned eighteen. She said it would bring you luck.” He brings out a small box. I take it from him and open it.
Inside is a hair burrett, it is a gold vine with emerald leaves coming off a vine. I love it. “It is beautiful.”
“I am glad. She loved this piece. Also since green is your favorite color I figured it would go well with everything else I picked out.” He motions to the other boxes.
I get a happy smile and open the next box. It is a pair of satin green heels. They look beautiful. I take a look at the last box and I just about fall over. The dress is perfect. You know that dress that Belle has in the live action movie of Beauty and the Beast. Yeah, it’s that dress only green. The golden flakes make it all the more beautiful. I swear I have no other words for it. I hugged my dad about the tightest I have ever hugged him.
“I love it dad. It’s perfect.” I beam at him.
He gets a little teary eyed. “Well, I will leave you to it. I will see you down there.”
HUNTER’S P. O. V.
Jay and I get ready in my room. I kind of took the hint from Jasmine that we needed to keep him company today. All the new wolves are probably not good for a fresh vampire. He and I are both dressed in black slacks and green long sleeve dress shirts. His is dark green, mine more of a forest green. We both wanted to match Jasmine. Her dad did tell us that her dress was green, but nothing else. We finished off the look with black ties.
Now the both of us are standing at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for her to be ready. I think I am pacing. I’m not really sure at this point. I just keep noticing that I am in different places. Jay is just standing there laughing at me. He is holding a hand over his mouth so it looks more like a snicker.
When I see her I think my mouth fell to the floor. She is a vision. Her hair is done with curls down her back and the front of her hair is pinned back with this clip. The dress comes off the shoulders, showing off my mark beautifully. No one in that room will doubt who she belongs to.
Here I stand at the bottom of the stairs stuck in a trance. This is the woman I am going to have in my life until the end. I am truly a blessed man. She is giving me a smile that melts my heart. I want nothing more than to please this woman till the end of my days.
Once she reaches the bottom of the stairs, I am still staring at her. She takes my arm and starts to lead the way to the party room. She leans over to me. “So, I take it you like the dress.” She whispers to me.
“I love the woman wearing it.” I whisper back. I finally take note of what is going on around me. Jay is following close behind. When we enter the entrance of the party I can see the affects of all those stupid lights her father made me put up. It almost makes it feel like we are entering star dust. Perfect for her.
Her father had a table set up front and center of the room that is where he and us will sit during the meal portions of the party. Right now he is standing in front of the table waiting patiently for us. Many are gathered awaiting the arrival of the birthday girl. Alpha Derrick notices us and grabs the attention of the room. “Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to introduce to you my daughter Jasmine Blackwood.” There is applause for her as we enter. “She is accompanied by her mate, Hunter Greenfield.” Another applause. I feel like I am walking in the princess of England.
We are standing next to her father now. “There will now be dinner and dancing. Servers will be bringing out plates to the tables. Feel free to move about the room. Enjoy the evening.” He motions for the band to start up. He really did go all out. I thought it was over the top, but now that I am here with her on my arm, I can see that it is perfect. He turns to Jasmine and I. “Take the first dance. Hunter, this may be your only chance all night to dance with her. I know the others are looking for a chance to talk to the future Alpha.” He smiles at me.
I don’t hesitate for a moment. I can see the vultures circling. I take her to the floor and glide her arms around me. As I look in her eyes the only thought that crosses my mind, “mate.” A pleased smile crosses my face. She smiles back at me. “What are you so pleased about?” She whispers to me.
I lean in so that my lips are barely brushing her ear. “I get to look in those beautiful eyes for the rest of my life.” I can hear her breath catch. I give a pleased purr as a response. I love everything that this woman does to me.
At the end of the dance I don’t want to let go. I know obligation dictates what I do. So when the first Alpha asks to cut in, I bow out, leaving her with a kiss on the cheek.
I take a seat next to Jay, he smiles. “You looked pretty pleased with yourself out there.”
“I was. I didn’t want to stop. Now, I have to spend the rest of the night wishing it was me. I just have to remember that I have the rest of my life. They only have tonight.” I smile back.
Jay and I spend the night entertaining each other. After an hour, I am getting restless. I am not sure how she is still on her feet. A vampire that I don’t know comes over to chat with Jay, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I don’t like this place, so I excuse myself and head to the bathroom. Once in there I splash water on my face. I look at my reflection repeating the mantra, “It’s only tonight. I have the rest of our lives.” It takes a few minutes to calm my spirit again but I am ready to get back out there.
I’m on my way back, I can see her dancing with yet another Alpha, then I am pulled into a dark room.
JASMINE’S P. O. V.
I think my feet are just going to fall off. I know I have to do this, but seriously how do they expect me to be on my feet all night. And in heels no less. I keep watching Hunter with Jay all night. I would much rather be with them. My father keeps giving me encouraging smiles. So, I keep trudging on.
Something starts to feel off. I look for Hunter and I don’t see him anywhere. There is a vampire sitting with Jay, but Hunter is nowhere in sight. I am currently dancing with an Alpha from a farther off pack, I don’t know how far my father went to invite these people. Too far. I give him an excuse of needing a small break with a promise to return to finish the dance afterwards. I head to Jay to see where Hunter is. “Excuse my interruption, Jay have you seen Hunter?”
He stops talking to the vampire that he is chatting with and turns to me. “Yeah, he was here till about fifteen, twenty minutes ago. Said he had to go to the bathroom.” He simply shrugs. I can’t help but feel this nagging feeling. Something is off.
I head towards the bathroom. On my way there I caught sounds coming from the library, maybe he needed a break from the party. I can smell his scent passed through here. I open the door to the library and flick on the light. I wish I hadn’t. I feel my heart fall to my stomach. Shock makes way for anger. I close the door behind me before I start yelling. I have to keep this from the party. As pissed as I am, I know my duty to the pack.
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
On the couch is Hunter with his tongue down Allison’s throat. She is half dressed. At my words Hunter’s eyes shoot open. He looks at Allison like he has no idea how she got there and throws her off of him. She of course grabs her chest trying to be all modest. Boy they have this act down packed. “Jasmine, I…”
“I don’t want to hear it. I hope it was a good joke. The fat ass girl in love with the guy she could never have. Right?”
“Baby…”
He starts making his way to me. “Stay the hell away from me. Don’t baby me. I just can’t believe I fell for it.”
“Jasmine, please…”
“Just shut up. I am done listening to your lies. I am done with all of this.” He is now standing about five feet in front of me. I took off the ring that he gave me and threw it at him. “It was probably meant for her anyway. I don’t want you to utter a word to me again. I, Jasmine Blackwood…”
“Baby please…”
“Reject you, Hunter Greenfield.”
He drops to the floor, clutching his guts. I can only imagine the pain he must be feeling. The mate bond isn’t something to mess with. He just keeps crying. I turn to his slut. “He’s all yours.”
I turn to leave the room. “Jasmine…” He cries out. I don’t even look back.
I am fuming. I know there is no way I can return to the party right now. I know I need to though, so I head to the bathroom to compose myself.
I look at my reflection. Taking deep breaths. “You are an Alpha, you can get through this.” I look at the mark still on my shoulder, only Hunter’s name is gone. This pings my heart. I can’t believe I was so stupid. “Pack first.” It takes time but I compose myself and head back to the party.
I pass by the library, I don’t want to look, but the door is open. Hunter is still on the floor, but now Jay is standing over him. He is supposed to be my best friend. What the hell made them so close? Ignore it, compose yourself. When I return the Alpha I was dancing with before approaches me. I agree to continue the dance. Anything to distract myself from what is going on.