Chapter 39

I took the red knee-length dress out of my closet and placed it on my bed. I eyed it then smiled. It was beautiful, one of the best dresses I was ever able to grasp and take. My smile widened as I thought about today. Today's Ryder's birthday, the bacon stealer. Yes, I still hold a grudge against him for stealing my bacon. But that didn't really matter today.

Today, I'm going to push that aside and be a mature person. This whole week I've been helping Lina plan out the party, it was hectic but in the end, it turned out awesome. The party is going to take place in the packhouse since Mason didn't approve of going out to the city to celebrate. He said that these past few days are really strict and we need to watch our back.

But whether it's here or not, I still think that it will be awesome.

I sighed and sat on my bed at the thought of Mason. I looked at the dress and smiled.

I wonder if Mason will like this dress on me?

My eyes widened and I ran a hand through my hair.

Dammit. It was getting harder and harder each moment to try and deny it. I bit my lip at the memory of us in the medical room. Ever since then I couldn't get him out of my head. Was there something wrong with me? Every time I saw him it would flash in my head and I wouldn't be able to stop the blush that formed on my cheeks.

It felt weird, but I won't deny it, it felt nice too.

Every time he smiled at me, not only my wolf would purr out in joy, but I'd have to grip on something before my knees gave out. Things changed between us, and I guess it was for the better. I remember at the beginning, when I first came here, I would keep denying this mate bond that's between us, but now it's different. I'm not denying it, and I don't want to.

I wonder what Mason thinks of the mate bond? Is he feeling what I'm feeling? Another sigh escaped my mouth and I looked at the clock to see that there was one more hour before the party started. I got up so I could change but stopped when I heard a knock on my door.

"Tiana! Open up," Lina yelled from the other side. I walked up to my door and opened it, looking at a dressed-up Lina. Her eyes ran up and down over my body before a scowl crossed her features.

"You're still not dressed?" She asked, looking at my pajamas.

"No. I was about to change right now," I replied. Lina gave me a pointed look and shook her head.

"Now? The party is about to start," Lina stated. I looked back at the clock to make sure my eyes weren't lying to me. Once I saw that indeed, there was an hour left, I looked back at Lina and raised a brow.

"We still have an hour left," I told her. She rolled her eyes at me.

"I guess it a good thing that I didn't let Mason come to see you," she muttered under her breath, as she eyed my pajamas. My eyes widened at her words and I stepped closer to her.

"Huh? What about Mason?" I asked. A sneaky smirk crawled onto her lips and her eyes lightened up.

"Mason asked about you. I told him that you were in your room and he was about to come here until I told him I'd come and check up on you. It's good that he didn't see you like this," she explained. I nodded my head and sighed at the thought of him coming to my room to check up on me. "Now go and change."

I gave her another nod and stepped into my room. Lina waited outside as I started to strip. Once I wore the dress I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my lips as I looked into the mirror. The dress fit on me like a glove. It was indeed, beautiful. I did a little twirl and smiled a satisfied smile.

I then let my hair down and combed it with my brush. After it was soft and tangled free, I started applying my makeup. Once I was done with that, I looked into the mirror once again before opening my bedroom door.

Lina's eyes widened as she looked me up and down. A huge smile made its way onto her lips.

"Oh my God, Tiana! That's a beautiful dress!" She squealed, happily.

I smiled and nodded my head in agreement. "I know, it is. I got it a long time ago but never had the chance to wear it."

"Once Mason sees you he won't hesitate to tap that ass," Lina gushed as she looked at my body. I gulped at her words and looked at her with wide eyes.

"Do you hear yourself right now?" I asked. She brought her eyes up to me and raised her brow.

"Yes, I do. And all I'm saying is that he won't be able to control himself tonight," she smiled. I shook my head at her.

"No, I'm saying is that you don't care if your brother gets laid. What kind of sister wants her brother to get laid?" I questioned. Her eyes lit up with amusement and she took a step closer to me, placing her hands on my arms.

"Tiana, it's not about him getting laid. It's about him being with his mate. He cares about you, and I can see it in his eyes. You do too, so don't try to deny it. You both are so stubborn that you guys aren't together. If just one of you just accept what you feel then it would be easier. But believe me, when I say this, you changed him, whether he or you notices or not. Even if the whole entire pack can't see that. I see it," Lina explained.

I looked at her with wide eyes. I tried to swallow the lump that was in my throat. Her words were like a slap in the face and it kept ringing in my head.

Does he really care for me?

The thought of him caring for me made my head turn and my heart flip. I brought my attention back to Lina and nodded my head, I was lost for words. Nothing would escape my mouth at the moment. Lina backed away with a smile on her face, making me smile.

"Do you really think so?" I asked in a whisper.

She nodded her head, smiling.

"I know so."

I bit my lip and looked down to the ground.

After a moment, I looked back at her and smiled. "Come on, let's go get a head start"

Lina's smile widened and she nodded her head. We walked out of my room and down the stairs. Even though the party still didn't start there were many people lingering around the party area. When there is some kind of party in the packhouse it takes place in a big empty room, big enough for dancing, music, food and so much more. Most importantly, away from the tv and furniture, so no one could destroy something.

From where we were, we could hear the loud music blasting in the air. I guess they started the party earlier than it was supposed to be. I looked over at Lina and asked a question, "will Mason be here?" Her eyes lit up at my question and she nodded her head.

"Yes, he will. He told me that he needed a break from all the work so he'll be here tonight. You could say I was surprised, but I secretly knew the reason why," she answered. I slowly nodded my head but didn't ask what the reason was.

I secretly knew too.

We walked into the room to see it full of pack members. Lina smiled then glanced at me.

"Come on, Tiana. Let's have some fun tonight," Lina screamed through the loud music. I grinned at her and nodded my head. We walked deeper into the room to see many people dancing on the dance floor, and many others eating and drinking, while chatting.

We soon spotted Ryder talking and laughing. Lina and I walked towards him, pushing through the dancing bodies. Ryder soon saw us and in less than a second, he was in front of us with a huge smile. He engulfed Lina and me in a tight bear hug. We squirmed until he let go of us and caught our breath.

"Thank you so much, this is awesome!" Ryder yelled through the loud music. We smiled and Lina patted his back.

"Anything for my man," she teased. "Wait until you see what else I got for you."

Ryder's eyes widened in curiosity and so did mine.

"What did you get me?" He asked. Her smirk grew and she laughed to herself.

"Something you'll love and you'll thank me later," she replied. He nodded his head but didn't question further. Instead, he looked over at me and gave me a playful smile.

"I didn't expect you to be here. I thought you still held a grudge against me," he told me, teasingly. I rolled my eyes and smacked his neck, making him yelp.

"Ow. What was that for?" He asked, rubbing the place I hit him.

"I still do," I told him. "But I'm letting it slide today since you're the birthday boy. Besides, I helped Lina plan this party. So I was going to come from the start."

Ryder smiled down at me and pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I didn't know what I'd do if you never forgave me for doing such a cruel deed," he said, sarcastically. I rolled my eyes and smacked his neck again.

"Ow!" He whined, pulling away. "Did you forget that I'm the birthday boy?"

"No, I didn't. But don't make me remind you what I could do to you if you ever touch my food again," I told him. He raised a brow at me.

"Is that a threat?" He asked. I smirked up at him and shook my head.

"No, that's a promise."

Ryder dramatically gasped and Lina rolled her eyes.

"That's enough you two," she caught in. "Tiana, Ryder, and I will go talk to some people then we'll come back."

I nodded my head and she grabbed Ryder's arm before pulling him away. I walked to where all the drinks were and poured myself a drink. I chugged the alcohol down my throat before sighing out. Many people were drinking their guts out and I wanted to do the same today.

I barely drank, and it barely affected me, so I decided that I was going to drink. I was about to pour myself another cup when Mason's familiar scent hit my nose. My breath got caught in my throat when I felt his hand touch my waist, making sparks erupt at the contact.

I felt him softly dig his nose at the crook of my neck and inhale my scent.

"You're beautiful," he whispered. My eyes widened and my shaking hand softly placed the cup on the table. I slowly turned around and faced him. My eyes slowly took in his appearance and I gulped.

Damn him for being too sexy.

It should be a crime.

I stared into his eyes to see them pitch black as they absorbed my look. I heard a soft growl erupt from his chest, making a shiver run down my spine.

"Thank you," I whispered. He stepped impossibly closer to me and tightened his grip around my waist. He inhaled my scent one more time before letting go. I let out a shaky breath at the loss of contact.

"You look good to," I told him as I stared him up and down. A lazy smirk grew on his face which made my cheeks flush.

"Hmm, really?" He questioned. I slowly nodded my head.

"Yeah."

"That's good," he muttered lowly, and if it wasn't for our werewolf hearing, then I wouldn't have heard it through the loud music. I looked around and thankfully everyone was minding their own business, not noticing that their Alpha was here. I looked back at him and he took a step back. He then grabbed a stool and sat on it, looking around before his gaze fixed on me.

I hesitantly looked away and poured myself another drink before gulping it down. Lina soon walked up to me and smiled when she saw Mason.

"Ah. You actually came?" She asked. Mason didn't say anything but nodded his head. Lina looked at me and smirked. I raised a brow at her once she grabbed my hand.

"Let's dance," she ordered. I glanced at Mason then back at Lina. She had an excited smile on her face and I couldn't help nodding.

"Ok," I muttered as we walked to the dance floor. Lina stopped and turned around, facing Mason.

"Why don't you come?" Lina asked. Mason shook his head and crossed his arms against his chest.

"I don't dance," he said, lowly. She smiled at him and shrugged her shoulders.

"Suit yourself." And with that, she pulled me to the dance floor.

My eyes widened when my favorite song started. Lina and I smiled at each other and we started dancing like there was no tomorrow as we sang along.

"Hey, I was doing just fine before I met you. I drank too much and that an issue but I'm ok!" I sang loudly through the loud music.

Hey, you tell your friends it was nice to meet them. But I hope I never see them again

I know it breaks your heart

Moved to the city in a broke-down car

And four years, no call

Now you're looking pretty in a hotel bar

And I, I, I, I, I can't stop

No, I, I, I, I, I can't stop

So, baby, pull me closer in the back seat of your Rover

That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder

Pull the sheets right off the corner of the mattress that you stole

From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older.

I was lucky that the music was loud enough, making me sing with all my might without single care that someone would hear my horrible voice. I soon grabbed another drink and gulped it before giggling at Lina. She was singing along to the lyrics and might I add, I'm not the only one with the horrible voice.

After a while of dancing, I looked around. I looked back at the place where Mason was to find him gone. I furrowed my brows and let my eyes roam the place, trying to find him. When my eyes laid on him I couldn't stop the frown that overtook my features. I gulped and stared at Mason as he stood against the wall as Chloe, stood in front of him.

My wolf growled at her and I slowly looked away, not in the mood of dancing anymore. I let my eyes land on them once again and growl softly as I saw Chloe's hand touch Mason's arm. Chloe was too close to him, while Mason didn't look like he cared. All he was doing was standing against the wall with a drink in his hand as he looked around the flooded room. His eyes soon lit up once they laid on me, they slowly went to Chloe then back at me. I could've sworn I saw an amused glint in his eyes, and slowly, a little smirk appeared on his face.

I gulped again and looked away, only to see Lina looking between us. At first, she had a pissed expression. But it soon disappeared and was replaced with a smirk. She walked closer to me and whispered in my ear. "Are you jealous?"

My eyes widened at her. I frowned and shook my head.

"No, why would I be jealous?" I asked.

She scoffed at me.

"I see the way you're looking at them." Lina nudged me. "It looks like it's working."

My frown deepened at her words, "what's working?"

"My brother is doing that on purpose, I can tell by the look on his face. He's either trying to make you jealous or wants to see your reaction," Lina explained. I looked at them to make eye contact with Mason. He was staring intensely at me. I then looked at Chloe and she was twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. Mason not paying attention to her, made her follow his stare and land on me.

I could see her glare as she looked at me with pure anger and disgust. I glared back at her when she smirked at me and placed a hand on Mason's chest. I blocked my wolf because she was telling me to walk over there, grab her by her hair, and pull her off of our mate. And I was this close to doing that.

I scoffed at myself.

Turning around from them, I walked to the drink area and chugged down another drink. I poured another one and drank it. Now, I really wanted to get drunk. I kept drinking and drinking until someone pulled the cup out of my hands.

I looked up at Mason and frowned.

"Hey! I was drinking that!" I pointed.

He shook his head, "you had enough to drink tonight."

I pouted at him.

"No, I barely drank!" I whined like a child. Yeah, I could feel the alcohol doing its thing.

"I saw you, Tiana," he said, sternly. "That's enough."

I frowned and shook my head. I was about to argue with him and tell him to go back to his little girlfriend until I saw Adam walking in. I smirked up at Mason and took a step back.

"Fine. You keep that. I'm going to go see my friend," I smiled at him and stepped to the side. But before I walked away I placed my hand on his chest and smirked up at him. "Bye."

I giggled softly as I saw him glare at Adam. Once Adam saw me, I waved at him.

"Hey!" I slurred and pulled him into a hug. Adam grabbed me by the waist and raised a brow.

"Are you drunk already?" He questioned. I giggled and shook my head.

"No, I'm not drunk!" I stated.

He nodded his head. "Yeah, you're drunk."

I shook my head and pulled away as I heard Lina's voice through the speakers.

"Can I get everyone's attention, please!" She spoke in the microphone. I looked around and saw her in the middle of the crowd with a smile on her face. I frowned when she barely got their attention and so did she.

"I said attention!" She screamed and everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her as the music turned off.

She coughed and put on a smile, "that's better."

"Now, as all of you guys know, today is my best friend's birthday. He means so much to me, that's why I wanted to make his birthday special!" She started, making everyone look at her in awe. "I got him the best present a man could ask for. Ryder, would you please come up here?"

Ryder walked to where she was with a huge smile on his face. She smirked up at him and pulled a chair.

"Sit," she ordered. Ryder shrugged his shoulders without care and sat on the chair. "My present for you Ryder is about to come through that door right now." She pointed at the big doors.

With that, everyone brought their attention to the big doors and waited for someone to open them. I watched the doors carefully, wanting to know what kind of present would stand up and walk on its own. After a couple of seconds, the doors opened, and completely, half naked women walked into the room. Everyone's eyes widened and Lina's smirk grew.

"You got me a stripper?" Ryder asked with an amused face. Lina nodded her head.

"Yes, and she's going to give you a lap dance."

Everyone laughed while Ryder looked pleased. Of course, he would, it's Ryder we're talking about. The woman that walked in with a smirk, made her way to Ryder. From where I was, I could see Ryder checking her out. The music started once again and that's when everyone turned around and minded their own business as the women started to give Ryder his lap dance.

Before Lina walked away she said something in the microphone which made me laugh.

"She's all yours tonight."

I looked at Adam to see him watching me. I smiled at him and turned around to get another drink, even though Mason told me not to. I made eye contact with Mason, he was standing against the wall staring at me with his arms crossed against his chest, which might I add, made him look intimidating. I gave him a sweet smile and looked away.

I grabbed another drink and drank it. I glanced back at Mason to see Chloe trying to talk to him. But he said something to her, which I didn't hear, making her frown and walk away with her fist clenched.

Ah, that's much better.