Chapter. 5

 When we arrive at the hall, there are people everywhere. It is a lot more people than there were at the other mate balls I had been to. 

 "I am going to find Shawn and let him know we are here. Then, I will meet you at the bar. Grab me a white wine, please."

 "Yes, ma'am," I tell her as she heads in the opposite direction of the bar. A few people are standing at the bar, so I wait my turn. 

 "What can I get you?" 

 "I'll have a  Ladera Verde Sauvignon Blanc and a Long Island Ice tea, please." He gives me a strange look before turning to fix my drinks. I guess the look was because Juliana and I have completely different tastes when it comes to drinks. 

 "Here you go." He says as he sets the drinks down in front of me. 

 "Someone is thirsty tonight." I hear a man say behind me, but I already recognize the voice. I turn to find Travis standing behind me. I smile at him,

 "One is my friends."

 "Let me guess the tea is yours?" He says, but it sounds more like a question.

 "Yes, I like a little kick to my drink," I tell him with a laugh.

 "Nothing wrong with that. I will have a Jack and Coke, please." He tells the bartender. The bartender doesn't waste a minute getting his drink. 

 "So, where is your friend at?" He asks me, taking a sip of his drink. 

 "She had to meet her mate when we got here, so she is meeting me here."

 "Why is she here if she has a mate?"

 "She is the beta female. She is required to be here, and she can keep me company." 

 "Did you think I would not be fun company?" He asks as he puts his hand to his chest to act hurt. 

 "I am sure if you find your mate tonight, you will forget that I am here."

 "I don't think I have to worry about finding my mate here." He says, giving me a wink. " You do look beautiful tonight, though, if I might say." I feel the blush at his compliment. I nod to him and take a sip of my tea. 

 "That looks so good. Come to me." Juliana says as she takes the drink from my hand. I laugh at her antics, and so does Travis. She must have just noticed him cause she almost loses the sip of wine when she looks at him.

 "Oh My God, did you find your mate?" She says, looking between the both of us. This time we both almost choke me on-air and Travis on his drink. 

 "No, I met him at the diner yesterday," I tell her in a hurry.

 "Wow, don't sound so glad. I am a nice guy, you know." He says, giving me a sad face which only makes me laugh again. I don't know why but I feel like we are old friends or something. Being around him is what I would think being around my brother would have been like. 

 "Too bad he isn't half bad looking," Juliana says as she looks him up and down again before taking another sip of her wine.

 "Keep talking like that, and I will have to tell Shawn." She huffs at my words. I know she is only joking around cause Shawn is the love of her life. 

 "Now, girls, I am not trying to get beat up by your beta cause I am hot," Travis says, and we all three laugh until we can't breathe.

 "Come on, let's dance before we are too tired from standing to," Juliana says, grabbing my hand and pulling me. I manage to set my drink down before she has me on the dance floor. It is a pop song, so I swing to the music trying to forget everything. I lift my hands and let my body follow the beat. I feel someone's hands go around my waist, and I snap back to the present. I look, and some older man I have never seen before has his hands on my hips. I slid away from his hands. I don't want him touching me.  

 "I am sorry if I startled you. I figured someone as beautiful as you should not be dancing alone." 

 "I am not dancing alone. I am dancing with my friend." I tell him and look around, but Juliana is now dancing with Shawn.

 "Don't be like that. It is only a dance." He says, reaching for my arm again. But this time, before he can grab me, I feel someone else behind me. 

 "Sorry, but she is occupied right now." It's Travis. I don't even have to turn around. The guy nods his head and turns away from us, leaving the dance floor. 

 "Thank you," I tell him, grateful that he helped me. I don't like causing a scene, but I was not going to dance with him. 

 "Your most welcome now let me have this dance before someone else comes along to steal you away." He says, taking my hand. It is then that I realize a slow song is playing. I don't argue with him; instead, I take his hand as he turns me to dance. He places one hand on my waist, and the other holds my hand. I set my free hand on his shoulder as we both begin to dance.

 "You dance pretty well for a big guy," I tell him, smiling. 

 "Not too bad yourself for a little woman." We both laugh as we continue to move around the dance floor. 

 "So, where are you from?" 

 "I am from Montana. Our pack is around Spotted Bear Mountain. Ever heard of it?"

 "No, I haven't, but I bet it is beautiful there." 

 "Yes, it is. What about you? Have you been here your whole life?" 

 "No, I was born in Wyoming. I came here when I was young." It just slipped out. I have never even told Juliana where I was born. Yet, here I am telling a complete stranger. 

 "How did you end up in Idaho?" 

 "It's kind of a long story." Then, before I can say anymore, I hear a growl from across the room. I tense and try to turn and look, but Travis takes and spins me pulling me back to him, and dips me. I see the most handsome man I have ever seen when he does. He is tall and muscular. I can tell even with a suit on. He has a pissed-off look on his face and is staring at me. I break eye contact and look back at Travis just as he winks at the man. This time the growl is deeper. It even sounds pissed off. I try to stand back up, and Travis lets me. 

 "Who is that?" I ask when I am standing again, my back to the pissed-off man. 

 "That would be the start of a good night," Travis says, laughing as his eyes are locked behind me. What does he mean by that, and why is that man so pissed off. I can't help turning to get another look at the man. I see him walking toward us like he is on a mission when I do.