Chapter 4

The Uber arrived outside just as we were walking out, my mom had gotten one for us just in case. After the short ride, the night was ready to begin.

Thankfully, Seth was on good terms with the bouncer at the door so we got in without a wait. The inside of Panic was loud and full of colors, which somehow seemed brighter than they had ever before. 

“It’s wolf vision,” Leah said in my mind.  “We can see in the dark. As the days pass, we are getting stronger. In a few days' time our full strength will be revealed.”

We headed to the bar to get some drinks, “What would you like to start with birthday girl?”  April asked.

“I’m not sure, what would you recommend?”  I replied.

April ordered us some drink that were pink in color and had a fruity taste. I drank my first one quickly figuring if the goal was to get drunk, I might as well get it over fast.

“Alright then, guess you need another,” Seth said laughing.

After another drink, we made our way out to the dance floor. I had never been a good dancer but with Leah’s aid my body seemed to move with a lot more grace than it had previously. Seth danced between April and me though I could tell his eyes would keep straying back to April. I was starting to notice that something was happening between them and it made me think what that would mean for our friendship. I tried to push those thoughts back and just enjoy the night, when the most amazing smell met me on the dance floor. 

I began looking around for the source but with so many bodies pushed together around us finding the source was starting to seem impossible. As I looked around my eyes feel on Jocelyn, she was dancing with an extremely handsome man that I could not help but notice wasn’t Derek, her boyfriend. I wondered where Derek was and if they had spilt when the man with Joceyln looked me directly in the eyes.

Leah started leaping in circles in my head, “It’s our mate! He is there! We have to go to him!”

“What do you mean mate, Leah?” I said as I started to feel a strange pull toward the mystery man.

“He is ours; we are his! The other half of our soul!” she squealed urging me to go to him.

Instead, I told April and Seth I was going to the restroom and turned away from the man's stare to head to the restroom and gather my thoughts.

Leah let out a growl in my head “What are you doing? Go back!! We belong with him!”

“No,” I growled back. “First you appear in my head, then you tell me I am a wolf and not human like I have always thought. Now, you are trying to tell me that this stranger across the room is my mate! It isn’t ok. I always thought I would get the chance to find someone and fall in love, not just have someone picked out for me in god knows what way.”

“The moon goddess chose him for us! She does not make mistakes. We will fall in love but I am telling you it will be with that man!” Leah retorted.

I continued walking towards the restroom while arguing with Leah. I refused to accept that even who I would spend my life with was out of my control. My whole sense of self had changed over the last week and this was too much. The only thing I was currently grateful for was that even after three drinks, I barely felt any effects. 

I was so caught up in the argument in my head that I hardly noticed a large figure step in front of me as I was nearing the restroom stopping only inches from him. In front of me stood the man that had been dancing with Jocelyn. As I stared up at him, I could feel my jaw drop. From up close, I could see that he was the most attractive man I had ever seen. He stood around 6 ft with broad shoulders and arms thick with muscles showing under his black t-shirt. Shoulder length dark black hair framed his strong jaw line with sapphire blue eyes seeming to stare into my soul.

I could see his perfectly plump lips move and from them came one word, “Mine!”

That single word pulled me back to reality. “Excuse me? I am not yours! I don’t belong to anyone but me.” I shot at him.

A look of pure confusion came across his face as I turned to walk away from him. Much to my dismay, Jocelyn was walking towards us.

“What are you doing here freak? Don’t tell me you think you have any sort of chance with him? Derek was too good for a tomboy like you and so is Kent, so back off.” she said attempting to push me backwards. 

I heard a loud growl from behind me and felt a hand on my shoulder. I could feel sparks dance across my skin at the point of contact and turned to look at the man I assumed to be Kent. He looked to be at least five years older than me but there was no mistaking the look his was giving Jocelyn. He appeared to want to rip her face off and let out another warning growl that sent Jocelyn running with only one last grimace on her face for me.

Though I was thankful that he got Jocelyn away from me, I still wanted away from this man. Everything in my body was pulling me to him but I would not let this decision be made by some moon goddess. It was my decision to make. As I started to head back towards April and Seth to tell them I was ready to leave, I could feel a wave of power rush over me as the man behind me spoke.

“Stop, come back!” He said with commanding

authority tinged with a hint of what I guessed to be sadness.

“oh, our mate is an Alpha,” Leah cooed. “You can feel the power in his words.”

I turned and looked at the man letting my anger at his command show in my eyes. “You have no right to order me around.” I spat then continued towards my friends. 

I could see the look of shock written across his face as if he had assumed, I would have no choice but to listen to him.

“We should have been forced to Sarah. No one can refuse the word of an Alpha. It is impossible and yet we can. It makes no sense that our power is greater than his.” Leah chimed in.

When I got back to Seth and April, they were still dancing together and I could clearly see that their friendship had become something more leaving me feeling like the third wheel. As I got closer, they both looked over at me.

“Are you ok?” April said quickly pulling away from Seth and towards me. “You look anger.”

“I just ran into Jocelyn,” I responded not ready to tell my friends all of the changes that had been happening over the last week. “I’m think I ready to leave if that alright with you guys.”

They both agreed and we got an Uber to take us home. It was still going to be about 15 minutes before our ride got there so I told April and Seth to dance for a little while longer while we waited. I could feel eyes on me from across the room as I sat at a table waiting. That man Kent was standing with his eyes locked on me and a puzzled look on his face like he was trying to figure me out. He started heading across the room towards me, much to my relief I received a message letting me know our Uber was outside. I grabbed April and Seth and rush towards the door and away from my destiny.