Night Flame

Ch. 2 - Finding Mates

Chapter 2 – Finding Mates

June of the Blood Hounds

Steve clasps my shoulders and holds my gaze. Searching my eyes for any sign of discomfort, or fear. But he finds none, because I trust him. And when he tells me it's going to be okay, I believe him.

"No one is going to hurt you, June." He ensures me before guiding me back to the kitchen. Alana smiles when she sees me entering, but it doesn't reach her eyes. What's happening? I look around the room, looking for danger. Someone growled. Actually growled! Then my eyes find Jonathan. He's not looking at me.

His arms are wrapped around a beautiful girl. She looks to be a few years older than I am. Maybe twenty-two, like Jonathan? I don't know. She looks shocked, but soon is smiling. Is she his mate? I smile inwardly. He got to find his true love. Even before the ball! He's so lucky.

"See, nothing's wrong." Steve whispers in my ear. He is still holding my shoulders and squeezes lightly.

I nod my head.

Jonathan finally looks up and beams at me. I smile back. The girl he's attached to narrows her eyes on me. I back away. I know that look, it means someone wants to hurt me. Someone's not happy with me.

Steve won't let me leave. Instead he guides me to two empty places on the table. We sit down and Rosa, the woman from earlier, hands me a new plate. I blush, feeling bad for breaking the one she gave me earlier. I realize there weren't any shards. Someone must have cleaned it already.

The food is delicious and I lick my lips when I think I'll never have to be hungry again.

Steve is already on his third plate, while I'm still working on my first. He surely eats a lot. I giggle when he sinks his teeth into a chicken wing, like a beast. He grins goofily and smiles at me. Giving me a quick, almost unnoticeable wink.

"Where are your manners?" Alana scolds him. "You're disgusting." I laugh, a little louder this time. She always says this to Steve.

"Just because you're half wolf, doesn't mean you have to act like a beast all the time." I finish her usual monologue. Alana rolls her eyes, but nods. Steve drops the chicken onto his plate and ruffles my hair.

"Alright little one, I'll behave." He says.

I squeal. "Ieuuww!" I swat his hands away from me. "You've made my hair dirty again!" I pout and stare at my plate. I was finally clean. How long will it be before they'll let me shower again? A month? Maybe two? I liked the fresh feeling. Now I'm not fresh anymore.

Steve starts eating again, but I'm not hungry anymore. Alana notices my mood and asks me to eat a little more. Reluctantly I do as she asks.

"I'm sorry June, I'll ask Alana if she wants to help you shower after dinner alright?"

Later that evening, I'm once again sitting on my bed. The others are downstairs, making new friends. I'm just a little overwhelmed by all the people. I'm not used to big crowds, though it looks like lots of fun. But I'd like to sleep now.

I'm also a little nervous for tomorrow when the other packs will be arriving. I can only imagine how much people will be joining the ball. Would my mate be among them? Jonathan looked really happy. He hasn't introduced the girl to me yet. What if she doesn't like me? She did narrow her eyes on me.

I crawl under the blankets and try to catch some sleep. Maybe I'll ask about her tomorrow. A yawn escapes my lips and I allow my exhaustion to overtake my body.

***

Everybody is really busy preparing for tonight. They're all walking around frantically, stressing about flowers not being arranged right and about the chicken that has been in the oven too long. I sit on the stairs, just watching people rush in and out of the hallway.