The Wolf Within

Chapter Five

The week flew by faster than I thought it should have and before I knew it Friday morning dawned bright and sunny. So much for the party being cancelled due to rain. I got up slowly and went to take a quick shower. I knew I was gonna drag my feet today, but I couldn't help it. I really didn't want to go. I knew I was mostly afraid of what would happen if things didn't go smoothly, but I also hated being around a crowd. I couldn't help that I was antisocial. Eight months alone have taught me to be.  After the shower I stood in front of my dresser mirror in a bath towel trying to figure out what the hell to wear to this thing. After a few minutes I gave up. Jeans and a tee it is. I grabbed my shoes and went into the kitchen to put them on.

Dad was sitting at the table with a big plate of eggs and sausages. A girl could get used to this I thought. I walked over to the table and sat down. "So what time does it start?" I asked piling eggs onto my plate. Completely forgetting to put on my shoes. "As soon as we're done eating." He said. "This early?" I asked grabbing a few sausages. "Sam's parties usually last all day" he said taking a bite out of his sausage. "Great, any chance you would believe me if I said I wasn't feeling well?' I asked. "None at all, nice try though," he replied picking up his plate and heading to the sink. I slumped down in my chair. Well it was worth a shot.

I spent the entire way to Sam's house biting my nails and tapping my foot. His house was down a long driveway back in the woods. Away from the prying eyes of neighbors. It was a nice house, rustic and charming. It had that old wooden barn look with a porch that spanned the length of the front of the house and around to the side. There were a lot of cars already there. There were quite a few people on the front porch too. I didn't recognize any of them. Dad reached over and grabbed my hand. "It's gonna be ok hunny. They won't bite." He said giving my hand a squeeze. "One already did dad." I said reaching for the door handle before remembering that I couldn't open it from the inside. Dad got out and came around to my side and opened the door. "You know, you really need to get that fixed. Even classics have working door handles." I said as I jumped out. He laughed. "I'll get right on that." He said as he looked back at the porch as Sam came out of the front door. "Hey Pete, Rayne. I'm glad you guys could make it." He said walking up to us and shaking dad's hand. I gave a weak smile. "Come on, the party is in the back." He said turning around

The back was actually a mid size field surround by woods. There was a bunch of tables clustered together in the middle and there were a lot of people. What did he do invite the entire town? I looked back at the way we had come wondering if I could sneak back to the truck without getting caught. My dad grabbed my arm. "The party is this way Rayne." He said looking straight ahead but smiling. I let my breathe out in a huff.

Sam led us over to a couple of people that was closest to the house. He walked up to a girl with long black hair and  put his arms around her from behind, kissing her cheek. She turned around slowly and I couldn't help noticing the scars on the right side of her face, but that didn't take away her beauty. It was in her eyes and her smile as Sam introduced us. "Em, I want you to meet Rayne, Pete's daughter. Rayne, this is Emily my fiancée." He said putting his arm around her. "Fiancée huh? Seems to me that you're a lucky man Sam." I said shaking Emily's hand. He smiled at me. "One of the luckiest." He said pulling her closer and kissing the top of her head. It was hard to mistake the love in his eyes as he looked at her. "It's so nice to finally meet the girl that can put Paul in his place," she said grinning, "He can't seem to get over the fact that you punched him." I couldn't help but laugh a little at that. "Well, I guess I made a lasting impression." I said looking up at my dad. That got a laugh out of all three. Sarcasm don't fail me now.

Before we could say anything else a bouncing little dude showed up smiling like a cat that got the canary. "Rayne, this is Seth Clearwater. The newest member of the pack." Sam said giving Seth a weird look. "Hey, so you're the new wolf in town?" he asked staring at me completely ignoring Sam. "I guess" I replied. Looking around, not really wanting the conversation to go there. "Seth, could you go fill up the coolers with the ice. It's in the deep freezer." Emily asked. "Yea, sure." He said and bounced away. I couldn't help but smile as he left. "Is he always so.... Bouncy?" I asked. Sam and Emily laughed. Dad just shook his head. "Are you kidding, that's him being calm." Emily said taking my arm leading me closer to the tables. I couldn't help looking back at my dad and Sam. My dad just nodded, but Sam looked a little nervous. I couldn't blame him. I would feel the same way if the person I loved was walking away arm in arm with a dangerous animal.