What goes bump in the night

Chapter two

Before Alpha cast her out of the pack, he made sure she would be able to make it on her own. Alpha knew she was creative and a very good artist, so he set her up with a job at an art studio where she made and displayed her works. Mara worked with all sorts of mediums to make her art. She sculpted, she painted, she used oil crayons and charcoal. She was a photographer, using both film and digital formats. She was making a decent living, at least. Her studio shows were sold out most of the time, and her works were all over the city.

Mara woke in the morning, as the saying goes, bright eyed and bushy tailed. The night before wasn't forgotten but daylight made her feel safe. The park across from her apartment was beckoning her to come out and enjoy the summer sun; and she planned to do just that. Mara got out of bed and picked out a simple outfit. She planned on doing some work while she was at the park, enjoying the sun. She packed her bag with her art supplies of a sketch pad, a few pencils, extra erasers, and a sharpener for her pencils. She added a couple small canvas in the bag, as well as her oil crayons and charcoal. She had ideas brewing in her head, she just had to see what would come first. Pulling on a pair of spandex-type yoga capri pants and a simple yellow t-shirt, Mara was ready to go. She placed the strap of her bag over her shoulder and slipped her feet into her favorite pair of Sperry's.

--

Sitting at the park at her favorite table, Mara set up her work table how she liked. She pulled out a canvas and her oil crayons first. Mara began her work of art. She let what was in her mind flow to her hand and out through the oil crayon on the canvas. She was so into her art that anyone who walked by would think she didn't see them, but she did. She was aware of everyone and everything around her.

Across the park, a small group of friends stood; two guys and a gal. They caught Mara's attention for some reason. She looked up and watched them. One of the guys had his arm around the girl. He was tall, over six foot easily. He had slightly shaggy hair so black it almost looked blue in the sun. The girl was blonde, and comfortably shorter than him. The other guy was also tall, about the same size of the other guy. He had short copper colored hair. There was an air about him that confused Mara. There was something about him that made her want to get close to him. She stayed put though, and watched the group. As they continued to walk, her brow creased in thought and confusion. She realized why they had caught her attention.  They weren't just normal people, they are what she is, a werewolf.

--

Walking with his arm around his mate, Colby felt someone watching them. He didn't think anything of it though. Lots of people watched them because they looked so different, so beautiful compared to normal humans. His arm began to tingle slightly. He rubbed his arm as he realized what was tingling, his twin mark. His brow creased in thought. He hadn't seen his twin in over fifteen years. He thought she was dead. He stopped and began to look around.

"Hey man, what's up?"  His best friend, Remy,  asked. Colby shook his head.

"I... I'm not sure." He mumbled.  Remy began looking around as well. He thought maybe he could find what was making his friend uneasy. Across the park, his eyes fell upon a city artist. His eyes scanned over her but something drew him back. She was looking at them as well. She had long black hair and just under the end of her shirt sleeve on her left arm, he noticed something familiar. He tilted his head as he noticed Colby had noticed her as well. Colby advanced across the park, with his long strides it didn't take long for him to be standing in front of the girl. His mate followed as quickly as she could and Remy kept up easily. Remy was lost in her turquoise eyes instantly, and suddenly felt the pull. He didn't even know who this beautiful young woman was but his wolf was telling him to get to know her because she was their mate.

Mara swallowed as she watched the group advance across the lawn in front of her table. The copper haired guy locked eyes with her. His green eyes seemed to go on forever. She gasped as she felt what was explained to her as the mate bond develop between his gorgeous man and herself. The guy with black hair sat down on the other side of her at the table. Mara drew her eyes away and set her gaze upon the guy sitting in front of her. Images of her twin flashed through her mind as her twin mark tingled. She gasped as she placed her hand on her mark.

"Mara..." Colby said quietly. She nodded quickly as her eyes welled up with tears. The two got up in unison and met each other quickly. He wrapped the slender frame of his once long lost twin in his arms. He buried his face in her neck and held her close. "Oh Mara, I thought you were dead..." he whispered.

Mara's tears spilled onto Colby's shoulder. She squeezed him tight. Never in her life had she been so happy to see someone. She pulled away slightly and looked into his eyes. His grey blue eyes were comforting to her. She smiled at him and hugged him tight once more. "Where have you been?" Her small voice had a sing-song type quality to it that danced over Remy's skin.

Colby chuckled, "I could ask you the same question, Mara." Remy clearing his throat caught Colby's attention. Colby grinned and shook his head, "Mara, this is my mate Cora, and my best friend Remy." The blonde smiled at Mara and Remy held his hand out to Mara, "Nice to meet you," Remy's tenor voice pleased Mara's ears and as she shook Remy's hand, the bond she thought was there, was absolutely there now. She blushed as she pulled her dainty hand out of his large, very masculine one.

Mara tried to turn her attention back to Colby but was distracted by Remy. She shook her head, attempting to clear her thoughts. "Where have I been?" She asked quietly. Colby nodded. "I was kidnapped..." her heart started to flutter in her chest and breathing began to pick up as the memory was brought to the front of her mind. This alarmed Remy; the hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and he knew something wasn't right. Out of instinct, he sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. Mara's anxiety began to lessen almost immediately.

Colby bristled. His best friend shouldn't be cradling his little sister; but he noticed as soon as Remy had, Mara's obvious anxiety had lowered. Colby tilted his head as he looked at the two. Was his sister his best friend's mate? "Guys, what's going on here?" He waved his hand between Mara and Remy,  "Do you know each other?"

Mara quickly shook her head no as Remy looked Colby in the eye. "She's mine, Colby."