4- Mating Ball 1982

“At least we can all be thankful the Lycans declined our invitation again.” Everyone laughs at Elder Stevens opening remarks.

Cain was on the male side of the room, the other side of the curtain from me. I am standing with a bunch of little twits. Most of whom will find a mate when the curtain drops.

“What if I’m mated to Cain Shaw?” I hear a girl say behind me. I turn slightly to look at her. Cain couldn’t do much better in the looks department. I’ve never been one to like the look of a she-wolf, but even I have to say, whoa, she’s hot.

“Don’t worry, you are an Omega, he will reject you.” A stuck-up bitch replies.

“Only if he wants me to break my foot off in his ass,” I turn to face them. “Sweetie, if you are mated to my brother, then you are special indeed and he will love you to the ends of the earth and back again. My brother looks all mean and scary and to an enemy he is. But to his mate, he will be everything she needs. Don’t worry. When that sheet drops, just follow your wolf.”

“Thank you, Princess,” she is demur and kind, I can see it in her eyes.

Stacey- That’s Cain’s mate. I know it.

Me- How sure are you?

Stacey- As sure as I was when I told you that perm would look awful.

“Hey, what is your name?” I ask the pretty girl.

“Savannah,” she smiles.

“I’m Evie and I would be honored to have your as a sister-in-law,” I wink at her and turn back around.

“Now, as the parents watch from the balcony, we will drop the curtain and allow a new set of mates to meet.”

I look up and my parents are staring at me. Great…

Stacey- He’s not here Evie, I’m so sorry.

Me- The curtain isn’t down yet.

Stacey- Zeke can’t sense him on that side. Sorry, Evie.

The curtain drops and my brother rushes to Savannah. He lifts her up and holds her close.

“MINE” they say in unison.

‘MINE” “MINE” “MINE” “MINE” “MIINE” “MINE”

I’m surrounded by new mates and my heart hurts.

Stacey- I’m so sorry Evie.

“Hey,” Tyler whispers in my ear. “Let’s go over here.”

“No mate for you either?” I am trying to not cry. Why has the goddess abandoned me? What did I do? I waited; I did everything I was supposed to. Sure, I rebelled a little, but I kept my devotion to the pack. I just wanted to get an education.

“Evie, it's okay, you can cry, I’ll hold you while you cry,” Tyler pulls me to his chest.

Stacey- Evie, his wolf his restless. You need to get away. He wants to claim you. Trust me, this is not a good guy. Please, listen.

I look into Tyler’s eyes, and I see the conflict. His wolf is restless and wants nothing to do with me. I’m not his and he knows it. But Tyler wants me. He wants to own every bit of me.

Me- Daddy, come save me. Alpha Tyler is getting desperate for a mate and is going to try and claim me.

Hendricks- On the way. Resist, but try not to kill him.

“Who did you mindlink?” Tyler asks.

“My dad sees us and was asking if we are mates,” I lie.

“What did you tell him?” Tyler smirks.

“I told him you are a nice guy, and I think I like you,” I am buying time.

“Evie,” my dad’s stern voice rings over music.

“Daddy?" I turn and pretend like I’m not trying to get away from Tyler.

“Evie, your brother found his mate, come meet her,” Daddy is acting all mean like he does when other Alphas don’t do thing his way.

“Of course, Daddy. Please excuse me, Tyler,” I smile and let Dad guide me to where Cain is meeting Savannah’s parents.

It seems to be going well, then I see mom making her way over.

Me- Heads up, mom’s coming, and she look ready to fight.

Cain takes a defensive stance and pushes Savannah behind him.

“Well, I never! Cain Shaw, let me see the she-wolf good enough to take my place,” Mom is evil.

“That could be just about anyone,” I mumble and stand next to my brother. “Mother, get that predatory look out of your eyes and maybe Cain will let you meet the she-wolf the goddess herself picked for your son.” I say, standing next to Cain, ready to throw my own mother out of this place, if she hurts my brother or Savannah.

“Is everything okay? Savannah, you okay?” Tyler asks.

“Yes, Alpha,” Savannah answers.

“She is my mate, Tyler,” Cain tells him.

“Congratulations, I’ll release her,” Tyler runs his fingers down my side and wraps an arm around me. “May I borrow your sister?”

“Not right now, but as her Alpha, stay here,” I say to him, and he gives me a puzzled look.

“Oh, for goddess sake, let me meet the woman,” my mom complains.

Dad is eyeing Tyler’s hands with interest. Tyler must feel his glare, because he removes his hands from me.

Cain slowly brings Savannah to his side, but holds her close.

Mom lets out a laugh, “Made him wait 6 years for a mouse. Cain, I hope you don’t break her. She can’t replace me.”

Cain starts to growl, and I step between he and Mom.

“Dad, I don’t know what hold this bitch has over you, but grow a pair already. Mom, this is Savannah, the next Luna of the Night Claw pack. Be respectful, or be dead, your choice,” I speak loud enough that people are looking.

“Evie, a lady doesn’t speak like this,” my dad’s eyes are wide in shock.

“And an Alpha doesn’t behave like this,” I point out. “It’s high time someone put this snotty bitch in her place.”

“At least I was given a mate, you with all your beauty and that precious education, will have to settle,” Mom snarls at me.

Stacey- You are not Alpha Hendricks daughter!

Me- What?

Stacey- Your mom was pregnant by Alpha Reynolds when she and Hendricks met. You can’t sleep with Tyler; he is your brother.

I feel like my insides are going to come out.

“At least I’m not a whore,” I spit. “Tell them all about Alpha Reynolds. Sara gave you up. Even your wolf is sick of your shit.”

The room is stunned to silence.

Tyler looks green. Me too. I tease Cain, but I kisses Tyler. I was planning to fuck him.

“Stacey confirmed Cain is your brother?” Mom looks ashen.

“She also confirms Tyler is too,” I choke on the words. I may actually need to puke.

“Dianna?” Now Dad looks like an Alpha.

“Hendricks, it’s not true, not any of it,” Mom lies.

“Cain, we need to transfer power as soon as we get home. I, Hendricks Shaw, Alpha of the Night Claw pack, reject Dianna Shaw, for deceiving me into claiming a child falsely. She is rejected as my mate and Luna.”

I see my dad in pain, but he stands and endures it. My mother on the other hand, screams in pain and grabs her mark.

“Holy shit,” Cain says, putting Savannah and I behind him. “Do you mind helping?”

Tyler nods and the two of them carry my mom out of the room, my dad on their heels.

“Wanna get a drink?” I ask Savannah.

“Yeah, sounds like you need it,” Savannah looks at me with wide eyes.

“Well, ya know, kissing your brother has that effect on a person,” I say, as we make it to the bar. “Tequila, double, straight.”

The bartender must have seen what happened because he doesn’t question me, just makes the shot. I knock it back and he refills it.

“You are a good man!” I tell him. He winks at me.

“So, Alpha Tyler is your brother?” Savannah looks at me.

“Dude, my wolf like just laid this on me. I’m letting it wash over me,” I tell her.

“Savannah, are you okay?” Cain comes up and kisses her cheek.

“Yeah, so your mom?” Savannah asks.

“Was the one my dad cheated with,” Tyler interrupts. “My mom never recovered.”

“I can’t imagine,” I tell him.

“Guess we know why you and I being close made her nervous,” Cain winks at me.

“Yeah, thank the goddess I have one brother I haven’t played tonsil hockey with,” I say.

Tyler looks pained.

“Hey, but you’ve slept with,” Cain jokes.

“WHAT?“ Savannah and Tyler say, surprised.

“He fell asleep next to me,” I roll my eyes.

Savannah laughs, “my heart jumped.”

“Sorry, baby,” Cain smiles at her.

“You get used to his humor,” I tell her. “Tequila?”

“Make it a double,” Tyler sits next to me at the bar. “My wolf kept saying not to mess with you.”

“Yeah, pretty sure Stacey would have never said a word if she wasn’t protecting Savannah.”

“Yeah, Stacey is awesome,” Cain smiles.

Tyler and I throw back two more shots and call it a night. Sleeping alone isn’t all that bad, I guess.