Of Wolves and Oranges

Chapter 15: Elizabeth

After a long drive on dark back roads we arrive at the house in Zini. It is huge and up on a hill overlooking a long strip of beach. All the lights are on and music thumps down the drive as we walk past scores of cars parked along the edge of the road. A breeze blows off the beach carrying the salty scent and the sound of the waves. I inhale deeply, I love the sea.

Suddenly I hear my name being called and I turn to see Sonja hurrying to catch up with us. Her dark hair is styled into a short sexy bob and she is rocking a pair of librarian glasses. But it's the ring on her wedding finger which catches my attention. "Surprise!" she cries flaunting the diamond and laughing.

"He proposed??" I shriek grabbing her hand. She had been dating our common friend Matthew for the past five years. He's working down in the big city for this year and he'd mentioned to me that he was going to pop the question some time before the end of the year. Sonja is practically glowing and I can see she can't wait to tell me everything. I glance around and see the brothers waiting for me ahead of us. "Why don't you go on ahead, guys, whilst Sonja and I can catch up? I'm sure you'll be bored with our girl talk."

Max nods and Ford pulls me in and kisses me on the top of my head.

"I'll come find you later, Golf."

As they walk away Sonja turns to me, her eyes wide. "OMG. You do know that those two are shifters, hey? How do you know them? Are they safe?"

"Oh, no they are fine." I shrug, not knowing if I could quite describe them as safe. "Now, let's get inside and you can tell me how he popped the question."

Even though the party was combined, it had really split in two, with the shifters opting for the quieter area around the pool and the bonfire on the beach and the humans congregating in the house where make-shift dance floors thumped with music.

Sonja and I find a happy medium on an outdoor sofa on the patio overlooking the pool area below and the beach beyond.

"Matt's proposal was so romantic, Lizzy! He booked us into the Oyster Box Hotel, in the honeymoon suite. And then, over supper he got down on one knee, looked me in the eye and told me I was the only woman for him."

I smile, thrilled for them both, "Matt is a true romantic. Have you decided on a date?"

"Well, we were thinking of May next year, but we want to see what dates the Country Club has free. I have always dreamed of a fairytale wedding there. Twinkling lights, organza, crystals." Sonja drifts off in her own dream. She starts and looks at me. "Do you think a photo shoot with a white horse on the beach would be too much?"

"If that's the dream, Sonja, go all the way, hon." I laugh.

"Oh, and you are so going to be my maid of honour. How do you feel about blue? Chiffon? I just need to figure out which of my cousins I will need to invite without hurting anyones feelings."

Sonja continues to chat about all things wedding. She periodically calls people over and introduces them as either staff from the hospital or outside friends from Mtunzini, but I'm unable to hold their attention and they usually lapse into chatting to Sonja as I observe the party going on around us.

I can just make out Ford and Max leaning against the wall by the pool below as people approach them, calling out greetings. Touch seems to form a large part of shifter interaction with even the men pulling each other in for intense embraces. The women are more sensual, ranging from light brushes to kisses to draping themselves across the men. But through it all, Ford appears unmoved. He returns the greetings but his face is impassive, reserving the odd smile for special friends. I realise that I had only seen the brothers in their comfort zone, interacting with family, where they smiled and joked easily. But here they are reserved, quiet, even dangerous. I wonder how I could ever fit into Ford's world.

"So, how do you know the shifters?"  Sonja asks following my gaze to the brothers.

"Um, well, somewhere along the road I met them. You know they went to Hilton college?"

"Oh, wow, and that's close to your old school? Well, you seemed pretty cozy with the big, hairy one. Anything I should know about? I was hoping you'd finally get back together with Owen, seeing as you guys will be in the bridal party together."

Luckily, I'm saved from answering by Detective Jake Cashazi, now changed out of his uniform and wearing a form hugging jeans and a black t-shirt covered by a leather jacket . He stops and does a double-take before approaching us and greeting Sonja. "Dr MacGraw, a pleasure as always." He shakes her hand and turns to me.

"I am glad you are recovering Ms Burnes."

Sonja turns to me, her eyes widening, "Recovering from what, Lizzy?

"I had a bit of an accident on my way down the coast this morning, and the detective assisted me."

I look over at him, willing him not to out me.

"Yes, I did, but last I saw of you, you had a sling on for a dislocated shoulder." He crosses his arms over his broad chest as he stares me down.

I squirm, "It's ok, it just didn't go with my outfit."

Jake laughs, but Sonja is concerned, "Lizzy, a dislocated shoulder? You really should be wearing a sling, babes, for two weeks at least. Why did you even come out tonight if you're injured?"

"You should really listen to Dr MacGraw," says the detective seriously, "She is one of the best doctors at the Eshowe hospital. I always ask for her. She is very professional and good with the victims of violence."

I narrow my eyes at him, I am not ready to talk about what happened today. But I say, "Oh, I know how good Sonja is. I've spent the past six years trying to keep up with her at medical school."

"Oh yes, I forgot you were also a doctor. Well, look after that arm." He turns to look at Sonja, "Congratulations on your engagement. It is really something special to find the love of your life." He winks at me.

I look at him, confused, about to ask what he is talking about, but I am cut off by an ear-piercing howl coming from the house. This is answered by multiple howls from around the pool below. We all turn to see three huge men descend the stairs, led by a tattooed man in black leather jacket with blonde hair, buzz cut on the sides and longer on the top, falling over his eyes. He high fives people as he passes them, raising a two-fingered salute to the detective, "Yebo, Spots." And, ignoring Sonja and me, he heads down the stairs.

"And that would be Richart van Rooyen." Says the detective, as he watches them descend to the pool. "Fantastic at his job, but a complete maniac otherwise."

We watch as Richart pulls Ford into an embrace which turns into a wrestling match as he tries to push his brother into the pool. I smile at Ford's broad grin. A clink of glass behind us causes me to turn. There stands Max with two ciders. He nods to the detective, then hands Sonja and me each a bottle.

"And now the party starts."