Night Flame

Ch. 12 - Blooming Bonds

[a/n]

I know, I know I'm way too late. But life has been really hard and busy. So please forgive me.

Recap:
June (who is called Rue by the Members of the Shadowwolves) is already residing in Shadowwolves and is learning about the pack life. She's living together with a guy named Adam who has also been rejected by his true mate. When she arrived, June stayed in her wolf form until she finally trusted Adam enough to change back.
Last chapter Rue started the ceremony to join the pack of the Shadowwolves. So that is where will be picking up.

Chapter 12 - Blooming Bonds

Adam of the Shadowwolves

She looked beautiful, stunning. I couldn't keep my eyes off her through the entire ceremony. Her beauty was enchanting. I could see her eyes light up as soon as she felt the pack connect to her, she was genuinely happy to be a part of us. My body became warmer and my wolf-side became less dormant. We were forming a connection. Soon it seemed that Rue couldn't control her wolf-side completely because she threw her head back and howled. Not two seconds later we all were joining her. The howling died down and Rue was officially a part of us.

So now we're seated at the dinner table, there's a party going on to celebrate Rue joining us. I have yet to speak to her tonight, she's been occupied and stolen from me by my packmembers. But of course I'm not far from her, I'm still protective and close by in case she needs me. From where I'm sitting I can see her talking and laughing with an elder woman. She's come a long way, when she first came here she wouldn't have had the courage to talk to people she didn't know. She'd cower away and hide behind whatever there was to hide behind. But now she's laughing and seems to be at ease. I feel proud, seeing her like this.

I stand up to get another drink, never once losing her from my vision - peripheral or not. Graham comes to join me and watches me watch her. "She's a special girl, isn't she?" He says. "Very," I agree and raise my glass to that. Graham raises his beer bottle and chucks it down quickly. "I can see the influence she has on you already." He says while taking another beer bottle from the fridge. "It's nice, about time someone took you out of your misery." I don't fully agree with him, my friends were the first to put me back together.

We're both watching her interact with the people we've known our entire lives. And to my surprise, she fits right in, almost like she's been with us along the way. "It's weird though," Graham starts. "My wolf-side feels protective of her. I can't explain it, but I feel the need to warn you. If you ever so much as think about hurting her... I'll come and find you and show no mercy." This takes me by surprise, who is he to threaten me with that? He's not the one who has spend hours earning her trust, trying to get her to shift, to get to know her. He is not going to take her away from me. I will not let him. I want her to be mine and mine alone. A low growl rumbles in my throat. The fact that he may be my future Alpha doesn't hold me back, not this time. It usually doesn't but the fact he's my best friend does.

Graham sees my fury and holds his hands up. "Relax Adam, it's not like that." Though I try, I can't shake the feeling that I've been challenged for Rue's affection. The only message I got from him was: 'I'll take her away from you.'

I know Graham is actively searching for his mate. But I can't help but worry; what if he's tired of searching, of waiting? Rue is one beautiful she-wolf after all. "I won't take her away from you if you don't give me any reason to." This doesn't make me trust him more.

Rue looks at us, obviously having caught onto me growling. She frowns and excuses herself from yet another elderly couple. She comes to stand with us and places her hand gently on my arm. The wolf-side of me wants to impress her and is quick to react: I tense my bicep. There's no denying it, I feel immensely threatened by my best friend who's taken a liking to her, too. And while I normally don't doubt his words, I can't help it this time.