Seth led me outside, the sun had long gone and the stars were finally out over the lake. The moon was still rising it's crescent still ascending above the water. I couldn't tell you if it was waxing or waning.

I could tell you however, how gorgeous the man that was standing beside me. Seth looked like he was made for the night, not to cover him up but to let him shine. The way the moonlight hit his perfectly chiseled cheeks made me think the moon was made just for him.

"You don't live around here do you." I finally spoke. He looked at me and put his hand over mine that was sitting on the railing. I wonder if he feels these sparks, these tingles I get when he touches me. Maria used to tell me how her Jeremy used to give her tingles, it was because that was her, "soul mate." Oftentimes she would call him 'mate' for short.

I remember Maria typing on our 10 year old laptop when I was a young teenager, right before she took a turn for the worst. She typed her and Jeremy's love story and I have it saved on a thumb drive I keep in my photo album full of different pressed flowers.

"No, I don't, but I do not live far from here, with Rebecca." He smiles at me. Right to the point, not much information from that. He just keeps staring at me. It isn't an uncomfortable stare but I want to know more.

"How long are you going to stay?" my voice wavered. What if he was leaving tomorrow? I should cut this off right now if he is leaving. I can't get attached to something that may not have the same feelings. How awful would that be?

"Until I get what I came here for." His husky voice was low and direct. Eyes never leaving mine. Seth's finger trailed the side of my face from the side of my eyes to the tip of my jaw.

Tingles, tingles everywhere. I hope he feels it too.

I could feel my breath hitch as he pinches my chin and moves my head up slightly. With slow steps to close the gap that was between us he takes his other hand and caresses the side of my face.

My body couldn't help but lean into his touch as I closed my eyes and let out a small sigh.

This man is going to be the death of me.

Seth just stood there, looking into my eyes. He was a man of very few words but I felt like I could understand him. He looks like he has seen and heard things I would never want to.

This is crazy, I've only been with him for a few hours and he can make my heart, my mind and my body weak. I'm just putty in his hands and I would do anything to stay near him.

I know nothing of where he comes from, who his parents are, what he really does for a living and I just know I need to be there for him, always. I need to snap out of this feeling, I need to...

Before I could finish my thoughts and really enjoy the moment, several people burst through the doors heading out to the balcony being ;loud and obnoxious. They were obviously intoxicated but they looked like they were having a fun time.

Seth whipped his head quickly at the loud noises and quickly gave a thundering growl from his chest. I don't know how he did that but that was the sexiest thing I've heard.

The drunk couples looked up quickly and snapped out of their drunken stupor quickly when they met Seth's eyes. They were ablaze, if looks could kill.

Seth was shaking, upset that they had ruined our moment. Was it our moment? Were we having a moment? I'm not sure, I'm still too naive to all this.

When I felt like the tension couldn't be any more thick, I stood in front of Seth's face and put my hand on his face. A spark within me let me know I needed to step in to comfort him. My body seemed to be doing all the reading of his actions and following every muscle in his body.

Seth looked down at me once my hand reached his face. The stern look on his face started to fade, his eyes started to soften when he looked at me. The calloused hands that were balled into fists were now loose and holding my arm cradling his face.

"They were just having fun, we can go talk somewhere else." I said soothingly. It did the trick, he wasn't mad anymore. I know people are scared of him, he's a big guy, tattoos, piercings, handsome sexy, wait a second. Yes, he is intimidating to other people, but not to me.

Before we walk off to the stairs to find another spot to talk, Lela runs up to me and pulls on my arm. Seth growls and puts me into his arms saying, "mine." My hair is side swept with his hand and he starts to sniff the crook of my neck.

He is smelling me, I am really hoping I used the soap good enough. I should be weirded out but it feels so good for him to be this close. It must be the alcohol setting in, I can ask questions later?

I start giggling because it starts to tickle with the tingles I am feeling and the warm breath on my neck. Seth starts chuckling into my neck and it only makes it worse. I'm a completely hot mess.

Lela smiles as she puts her hands up in mock surrender. "I'm here with a word from Rebecca. She says meet at the big bonfire, they are going to read the semi-annual werewolf story." She smiles gleefully.

"Werewolf?" I left my head up while Seth eyes Lela carefully from the crook of my neck.

"Yeah, don't you know the legends of werewolves came from this area? Anytime there is a mixer at the lake house we read the legend, around 11 before the real party starts." Lela says flatly. "It's fun! Come on! Grab a jacket though!" With that, she was gone.

~~~~~

By the time I grabbed a sweatshirt, Seth and I made our way to the bonfire. It was a bit of a walk into the woods, we were surrounded by darkness and it was hard to see the moon and see with the branches trying to touch the tops of our heads.

The fire was obviously large, it must have taken hours of prep work to bring the firewood to set it. Some of the late-teen kids were roasting marshmallows, I'm guessing they were seniors in high school.

There were logs in the large clearing, not nearly enough to seat everyone. Many stayed on the outskirts of the clearing with their arms crossed, waiting for everyone to settle down.

When we approached I was going to sit on the ground seeing there were no seats left available, but Seth tugged on my sweatshirt and pulled me to his lap and had me sit with him next to Lela.

Sitting on someone's lap seemed so intimate, he is probably doing it just so we don't have to stand or sit in dirt. I was a bit ridged while I sat on his lap, but started to rub my back and I instantly started to melt into his arms.

He curled his arms around me to keep me warm, still not being completely dressed for the weather. I was still in this darn pink dress so my legs were a bit exposed.

A man in his 20's finally walked closer to the fire and spoke.

"Good evening everyone, I wanted to officially say thank you for coming to our 78th semi-annual Mixer. It's great to see all of you and it will be great not to see you next year as well."

Everyone laughed. I didn't get the joke.

"Anyways, I am Alph- I mean- Mayor Adrien's son Maddox. As tradition, we have the Mayor's Lu- wife- read the legend of werewolves and their mates. I give you, Co-Mayor Sammi.

The Mayor's wife was beautiful, just like everyone else here. Everyone here was so young looking, tall, beautiful, handsome, strong this place has some wicked strong genes.

Sammi's hair is a golden wheat blonde, her eyes blue as the Caribbean sea. Her lightly golden complexion may mean she was actually there shooting some supermodel magazine cover.

"Thank you, Maddox." She grabs his hand and gives it a squeeze. "We are grateful for all of you to be here to celebrate. However, tonight seems to be an especially momentous day." She smiles and looks at Seth and I's direction.

Confused is an understatement.

Alcohol, it's the alcohol.

"Tonight, I will read to you the legend of Pineville Creek, a legend of despair, war and love."