Of course my punishment for mocking the "Mate and Mingle" would be for Adam to hand over the responsibility of it. Well, if I was in charge, I would be doing it my way.

When December rolled around, I looked out into the great hall, decorated instead for a Mate and Mingle werewolf party. The Edison bulb lights hung high, giving just the right amount of soft glow to the room. A raging fire crackled in time with the softly playing jazz music. A table full of treats and a large fountain of sparkling red punch sat along one side. The center of the dance floor occupied by a profoundly tall and elegantly decorated Christmas tree.

I swished the glittering pink rhinestone gown around my feet as I looked out over the crowd from the balcony. Everyone looked majestic in the low light and ball gowns and fine suits. I'd already seen four couples find their mates, so all the effort felt worth it.

I watched Alpha Timothy dancing his Luna Danielle around the floor. I missed her as my third tier servant, the new guy just didn't do things quite as effortlessly as Danielle did, but I was so ecstatic that she'd be my sister-in-law now. She showed me so much kindness even the first day I came tumbling into Lone Raine, I knew she'd be perfect as a Luna. They had met each other at Adam and I's mate welcoming ceremony.

"Here's the brownie platters you ordered," spoke a timid voice beside me.

I smiled at the pretty brunette in her gorgeous blue shimmering gown. "Hey Sarah, you made it."

I had the diner cater some brownie platters because I'd missed Marjorie's cooking so much. I had asked Sarah, the waitress from day shift to bring them up, since she's a wolf she might as well come too.

She leaned to my side fully frightened, "Elise, I don't think I should be here. I'm a rogue. I'm not supposed to be allowed at any pack functions."

"Nonsense!" I laughed. "If I have to host this party, then I get to decide who comes. Besides this is pretty much my pack. We're all friends here." I pointed to the treat table. "Go put the brownies over there and then mingle-mingle-mingle!"

She looked unsure but sighed and did as I asked.

Adam came to my side then and drew me up into his arms. "This looks beautiful, my Elise. I think I'll pass the Mate and Mingle party responsibilities to you every year."

I leaned up to kiss him. He looked stunning in his completely black attire. "It wasn't that bad. And look at all the cakes I was able to decorate." I pointed to the pink frosted creations.

His nose caressed mine with a smile. "They look lovely too."

"But not as lovely as you," came a deep voice beside us. I was pulled from Adam's grasp to see Nate there dressed in dark handsome suit. He winked to Adam as he held me tight against his chest, "I'm taking her for a dance."

"Nuh uh," Adam argued, and reached me back for himself. "I haven't even got a dance first. My girl, my first dance. You can have her when I get tired."

I laughed, "you'll never get tired."

"Exactly," he grinned and placed a lingering kiss on my lips.

"Well you better dance with me, you made me miss my junior prom. You owe me."

"I owe you everything, my Elise. I'll make up every dance you ever missed." He nuzzled down into my neck, lips skimming across his mark. It brought a shiver up my neck.

"I put the brownies over there," came Sarah's quivering voice, "but I think I'm going to leave. I'm sorry Elise. I just can't stay."

I then heard Nate's rough voice, followed by Sarah's sweet soft one.

"Mate."

"Mate."

Adam and I turned to see Nate and Sarah staring at each other. I remembered the feeling of enveloping warm honey as the mate bond from Adam hit into me in the council room. That same flowing heat burning the area around us now.

I giggled at their gazing embrace. "Looks like you did get the wrong waitress's number after all, Nate."