Chase (Chasing Tails Rewritten)

Seventeen - Party

Julie skeptically accepts Dresden's hand as he helps her off of the bed. He hasn't said a word but there's a slight gleam in his eyes that she's noticed he has when he's amused by something. It's something she's not sure if she's okay with noticing or not because it only makes her that much closer to him. It's only been a couple of days and she's convinced herself that he's nothing like James. He's still dark and he's still intimidating and he's still her Alpha but that's just it. He's her Alpha and there shouldn't be anything else she should know about him. Instead, she knows that he usually sleeps on his stomach. She knows there're hidden tones in his voice that distinguishes his reactions, his hidden thoughts, and his mood. And she shouldn't know these things or like them.

"What's going on?"

It's Friday and the last two days has almost driven her mad. Yesterday, not even Dresden visited her for dinner. She knew he was going hunting again but she didn't even see him that morning like the day previous and it feels like it's been longer than that. She did sleep a lot but even that didn't help the boredom disease. Now, it's past dinner time and there are bright lights outside and chattering bouncing off of the walls and somewhere, music is blaring through the walls.

Opposite to the last few days, today had noises echoing from all over the house. Kids were running around outside while the adults were setting up what looked like a large picnic in the backyard. Everything else was normal. Just a lot more were going in and out than usual. On top of the abnormalities, Dresden has told her to come downstairs.

"It's pack party," He tells her, ushering her out the door and Julie suddenly remembers.

"Oh."

She hears her Alpha chuckle as he leads her down the stairs. Dresden has given specific orders for everyone to take time off tonight to relax. He's been pushing them hard to look into the rumors Ollie mentioned and to find Trisha as soon as possible now that Ollie's accused him of kidnapping her and he knows they deserve a short respite. But he's also given strict orders for them to avoid mentioning anything about Ollie or Trisha tonight. This party is to welcome Julie and to help make her feel comfortable and safe. He doesn't want her to think about dangers or to feel fear. He wants her to feel welcomed, settled. He wants her to feel like she belongs.

"Only sentries and those on border shifts are absent. Everyone else will be there."

He watches Julie swallow nervously and chuckles again.

"Is that really necessary? I mean, shouldn't-"

He stops her by placing his finger on her lips and mentally curses himself. The soft texture of her skin against his makes him think of other possibilities where her lips could be and his wolf scolds him for tormenting them both.

"It's happening, Julie."

Julie's blush deepens when he smirks at her. She's not sure why. His smirks have never caused her to blush before but she assumes it's the shock of his finger against her lips that threw her off. Dresden doesn't stay long to watch her shake herself off. As soon as they exit the back door, he leaves her to handle some matter or another and she's left alone.

The last time she partied with her pack didn't turn out so well. Her pack members were high on mating season and her weakness was clear as crystal, alerting them like a siren to how vulnerable she was. Plus, Dresden had become angry with her to the point where he ruined a perfectly good shirt and scared her away. She's made some friends since then and she knows that being in the middle of the season, most of her pack mates have already found their season partners but even then, she's not sure if she has to confidence to stay for very long.