I took a deep breath as we entered. The doors stayed open behind us as the heat of the room hit my skin.

My arm stayed looped inside Sean's and I felt and noticed many eyes staring at us as we walked through the doorway. My hands clasped at Sean's skin as the paranoia began to eat away at me. It wasn't too late, I could turn around and go.

Sean must've felt my emotions as he grabbed my hand that stayed curled around his forearm. "You got this. Just walk."

I swallowed and nodded my head as we walked deeper into the room. People were dancing to a slow song in the middle of the room and you could tell who were the mated ones by how in sync they moved.

Sean lead me through a few people, stopping occasionally to talk to people that called his name. Being a Gamma he held position over the others so I chewed on my tongue to help the anxiety. I knew I had to be close to breaking the skin on his arm by now.

"Loving the change of scenery." A voice called from behind.

I rolled my eyes but turned to greet Beta Charlie. Being in a public setting I bowed my head gently and waited for him to do the same.

"Thank you. Sean set it all up for me." I smiled politely.

Charlie smirked at Sean, before going back to look at me. "Molly's help I assume."

"You're not wrong there." Sean rolled his eyes.

"The new hair looks great on you, didn't realise you had ears." Charlie teased.

I chuckled. "I do indeed."

"Your stutter has come on wonderful too." He took a drink of a dark liquid. "Like it never existed."

I kept my face void of emotion as I answered. "It can flare up when I don't have control."

He hummed and finished his drink. "You guys want a drink? Come, I'll hook you up."

Hook us up? Was Charlie drunk?

Sean agreed anyway, eager for a beer no doubt. We followed Charlie to the back of the room where a large bar stood in one corner. While they ordered I was too busy admiring the floor-to-ceiling windows and golden furnishings to pay attention. The windows were encased in a cream frame with gold-encrusted patterns engraved into the wood. The ceiling must've been thirty feet high, large chandeliers hung every four feet of the room. It was luxury and I had no doubt it was real gold too.

"For you, Nova?" Charlie wondered. "A wine?"

Alcohol was something I was learning about, but I know what I liked. "I'll have the same as Sean. Just a half glass."

Charlie raised an eyebrow. "A lager? You want a lager?"

I copied his actions. "Problem with that?"

He grinned and shook his head, turning to change the order to two. It wasn't long before they were handed back, being high-ranked had its benefits. Hardly frothy and ice-cold, how I liked it.

I hummed as I took the first swig, swallowing down the initial tastebud explosion. "This is nice."

Sean nodded, drinking at least half of his in one go. He licked his lips and let out a quiet burp that had me rolling my eyes. He grinned and thanked Charlie for the drinks before leading me into the other side of the room.

We greeted yet more people and I took on yet more suspicious glances. Some kept quiet but a few spoke about my appearance change. All were polite about it but I think that was just because I had Sean beside me.

By the time it felt like we had talked to everybody Sean was on his third pint and I had only finished the one. Phoenix was due to arrive forty minutes ago but he didn't so the ball just continued.

Sean abruptly stopped walking and turned to me. "Let's dance."

I frowned. "I think the beer has hit you hard already. I can't dance."

He laughed causing a few to look over. "That's why you follow my lead."

Without another protest, he dragged me into the dance part of the hall. My left hand stayed grasped in his as the other came to sit on his shoulder. His spare had sat on my waist and had me blushing already. A fairly upbeat yet slow song came on and he lead me along the dance floor. It was fairly easy, I just had to copy his footsteps, his hand on my waist guiding me.

"I didn't take you for a dancer." I teased.

He chuckled, the proximity of our body meant I could feel the vibrations of it. "Only after a few drinks. Special wolf drinks that is."

"The drinks are spiked?" I frowned.

He smiled looking around the room before suddenly dipping me to one side. I shrieked in surprise and he just laughed at me.

"Of course they are, otherwise we can't have fun. Werewolf immunity and all."

I hummed and just as he pulled me upright a hush fell over the room. Sean went rigid against me his gaze focused behind me just like everyone else.

"Welcome Alpha Titan!"

Charlie's voice was the only one to speak.

I tensed against Sean, my mind so unfocused and preoccupied with dancing that I didn't even sense him come into the room.

"We hope you had a good journey," Charlie spoke again.

Chatters came from people around us all giving small greetings to compensate for their quietness. I tensely and slowly began to turn around, swallowing down the lump in my throat as I faced the front.

I felt the prickling of my skin, my body coming alive at the intense closeness of the mate bond. My eyes wandered from Charlie who stood by the door. I couldn't hold it back any longer and finally, my eyes fell upon him.

My breath caught from the intensity of his stare. His hazel eyes were already focused on me, and I felt everything just slip away. It was like the first time we met all over again. Cel was bristling beneath my skin, a whimpering in my mind to tell me how much she wanted to approach him. But she knew my feelings and thankfully respected my want to not give in to him.

I let my gaze travel the full length of his body, taking in his appearance. His dark hair was neatly styled, his beard was stubbly along his jaw. He wore a black suit with a white shirt and black waistcoat, and I was surprised when I noticed the green tie that matched my dress. Oh, Sean really had planned a lot without me.

My eyes wavered from the black shoes he wore back up to the straining muscle beneath his jacket. I know he always wore smart clothes but something about the full suit had me quivering.

I looked back to his face to gauge his emotions but caught him eyeing my body instead. I blushed and shuffled slightly, Sean tightening his grip on my waist to steady me.

Phoenix's eyes dropped to his hand on my waist and I could physically see his jaw clench and eyes narrow. Sean didn't move, however, clearly, he didn't notice or he wasn't bothered. I dropped my hand from his shoulders, moving out of the dancing position awkwardly.

Phoenix took a few steps into the room. "Thank you all for welcoming me back. I'm glad to be home. Enjoy your night."

People released a few cheers before the music started back up. They began to dance again and I finally cast my hungry gaze away from the Alpha to look back at Sean.

He looked down at me, still partially tense but smiled at me. "You okay?"

I nodded, unable to form words. He chuckled and gestured his head to the bar. I took the silent words and let him lead me to the bar for another drink.

"Another lager for the pretty lady?" The bartender smirked.

I shook my head in thought. "Something sweet this time."

He shot me a wink and got on making me a surprise drink. Sean had helped himself to a drink by reaching over the bar and grabbing a bottle. He popped the cap off the side of the bar and gave me a smirk as he drank away the bubbles.

"For you, my lady, a raspberry martini." The waiter smiled.

I thanked him and took the large glass, sniffing at the contents. It smelt good, and the first sip proved it tasted good too. Sean teased me about the girly drink but I just told him to go drown in his boring beer.

My hair suddenly stood on end, the feeling of a certain someone approaching. I froze with my drink in my hand, waiting for him to reach me. I hoped he would divert but it was inevitable.

Sean was laughing at something the bartender said and cut himself off when he turned and realised who was behind us. I was slightly in front of him and could see how he swallowed and fixed his shirt before offering a nod to his Alpha.

"Glad to see you back Alpha," Sean commented.

Phoenix hummed. "I hear you have taken the Beta role well, Sean."

Sean shrugged with a smirk. "It kept me busy for a few weeks, the ranks fell through a little with their training without me but all back to standards now."

"Is that so?" He mused. "And you, Nova? How is your training?"

I closed my eyes in defeat, knowing now I had to turn to face and talk to him. Otherwise, I would be disrespectful and going by the curious glances already watching the exchange, it wouldn't go well. I had to face him.

I cleared my throat as I turned, keeping my attention on not tripping over the trail of my dress. I looked up from the ground to meet his gaze, my breath caught in my throat from the intense hit of his aura. He smelt amazing, better than his sheets ever did.

I held his vacant gaze with ease, Cel reminding me that I have just as much power as he does. I may be the 'submissive' counterpart as Sean says but everyone knows the female has the upper hand on their mate.

'Make him work for it.' Cel whispered.

"Very well. Sean has been training me extra hard every day." I smiled politely and turned to look at him.

He laughed. "Oh yeah, we've spent lots of time doing all kinds of training. She's been great, her speech too."

I couldn't help stop the blush that tried to force its way upon my cheeks as he winked at me.

"Oh really?" Phoenix grumbled, eyes wavering between us. "You took your position as guard pretty well then."

"Hmm, I wouldn't say just guard more like a best friend," I giggled.

Phoenix's eyes turned to me in surprise and he trailed his gaze across my face. I think he knew what we were teasing about but he did well to hide his emotions.

However, he suddenly took a step toward me, and I inhaled sharply, my body becoming rigid. I came to his shoulder in these heels, so the closeness of his skin and neck was overpowering me. His scent crept into my pores and I swallowed harshly. Why was he so close? He was drowning my wolf right now.

His right arm came around me and his other shoulder brushed against my face. I held my breath and only let it out once he moved away, a drink now in his large, ringed fingers. I found myself staring at the golden emblem on one of them, something about it sparked interest in me.

I shook myself out of my daze when I noticed him smirking at me over his glass. He was drinking straight whisky, a drink that made my nose crinkle at even the thought of it.

How could a man make drinking so... flustering?

"I'm glad your training has gone well." He mused. "I look forward to seeing it tomorrow since it's sparring day."

I licked my dry lips and took a large gulp of my own drink, finishing the glass. Oh, this male was getting to me. I turned to place the glass on the side and gestured for another one to the bartender. I soon downed that one, avoiding the curious glances of the testosterone men around me.

"No more lager Nova?" Sean teased.

I shook my head. "Don't want to end up like you."

He scoffed at me and finished the rest of his fourth beer, swaying lightly. "I am perfectly fine. Now if you'll excuse us Alpha, Nova and I have a dance to finish."

I gasped in surprise as his hand gripped mine and led me out to the dance floor. He spun me around when we reached it and I couldn't help but laugh at his childish behaviour.

I found Phoenix staring at us from where we left him, his grip so tight on the glass that it smashed in his hand. My eyes widened in surprise, a little tug in my brain telling me it was my fault to rile him up. But it's what he deserved, he didn't just get to lead me along. No, no, no. Mate bond or not, he was gonna work for it if he really wanted me.

Sean and I danced for quite a while, thankful that most of the songs were upbeat. For a big scary guy, he was enjoying himself maybe a little too much. I could feel Phoenix's eyes on me most of the time as he spoke to his peers. He never once approached or joined someone on the dance floor though.

Finally, a slow song came on and I blushed when Sean wiggled his eyebrows at me. My feet were absolutely killing me in the heels and I was going to go sit down. Just as I took a step back from Sean, his grip kept me close.

I frowned up at him, my hands on his chest to stop us from getting too close. "Sean, what are you-"

"Nova, why can't you be my mate?" He sighed, swaying me from side to side.

My eyes widened and I stared at him in surprise. "S-Sean, you know I'm-"

"Mated to the Alpha, I know. I just wish you were mine. You're everything I dreamed for in a mate, Nova. I respect the boundaries, but I thought I'd just tell you before I'm sober again." He smiled softly.

I sighed, confused by his admission. "We're just friends Sean."

"I know. That's fine with me, Nova. I'll always be your friend."

I reached up to cup his cheek in my hand. His sad grey stared down at me as a sad smile briefed his features.

I sighed. "You'll find her someday Sean."

He chuckled. "I know I will. I'm twenty-six now what's another eight years... I can only hope she's as strong as you are."

I laughed lightly. "You've drunk too much."

He shrugged and I dropped my hand back to his shoulder. "Maybe, but I'll always be here for you Nova. Don't let Alpha treat you like shit just because he has his own personal problems to deal with."

"I won't." I smiled

We swayed a little longer but the constant aching of my feet and the prickling of Phoenix's stare was getting too much. I cleared my throat and told Sean I needed to rest my feet. He laughed at me but lead me to some chairs and sat at a round table.

I sighed in relief as I sat and rubbed my ankles. Looking up to take in my surroundings I found familiar hazel eyes staring at me from the other end of the room. I groaned and looked away, unable to shake his hard gaze.

To my surprise, Molly was sitting in front of me pouting.

"What's up princess?" I asked, tilting my head.

She blinked rapidly and turned her gaze to me. Her eyes widened in delight and she turned her whole self around to sit facing me.

"He ditched me for the lads." She groaned.

I looked to where she was pointing to see her date in a group of men all standing around the bar, even Sean had gone to stand with them. They were all drunk and laughing boisterously.

"Men are trash, Novie. Don't fall for it." She huffed.

I smiled softly and stretched my arm out to her. "Least you still got me to be with."

She chuckled and took my hand across the table. "That's true Sherbet. Anyways, why is my brother so drunk already? It's barely ten o'clock."

I laughed but shrugged, deciding to keep his less than sober confession to myself. "Is he usually like this?"

"Yeah he often gets drunk, he's good though 'cause he knows when to stop." She rolled her eyes. "Wanna drink?"

Even though my feet were hurting and I was fed up with the eyes on my back, I nodded a yes. We made our way over to the bar and ordered some cocktails to be brought to the table. When they arrived we cheers each other, vowing to the downfall of mankind before downing the drink.

••••

19/06/21 THANK U

I'm literally screaming I'm at #3 in mates & wolf category and #1 in Lycan & #34 in love! I'm soooo happy omg

If you follow me I do post on my board/announce to followers when I will be updating! Thanks!!

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2021 © XDeafening_SilenceX on Wattpad