The Rogues Mate

chapter 20

Yay update!

Tia above

Riley 

After the ceremony in the backyard, the pack moved into the house and through the dining room to a huge ballroom. I was in awe there was a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Windows lined the walls, allowing natural light to flood the room. Soft music was playing and people were already dancing on the not so empty floor. Tables were scattered throughout the room, and pack members were mingling.

Dylan took my hand in his and gently pulled me into the crowd. We were immediately greeted by people coming to congratulate us. It was hard to meet so many people, I knew that by tomorrow I would forget all these names. Eventually, they settled down, and Dylan and I went to sit at one of the tables.

"How are you doing?" he asked. The ballroom was still packed, and almost everyone was dancing.

"I'm ok" I replied "now that people aren't bombarding me with questions."

He chuckled and pulled my chair closer to his. I laid my head on his shoulder, and closed my eyes. This was nice, I was happy. When I felt a small tug at my hand, my eyes snapped open. Max was standing there, his tux fitting like a glove. When did he have a tux made?

"Will you dance with me?" he asked, and started to pout, probably thinking I would say no.

"Of course baby" I laughed. A smile broke out on his face and he pulled my hand, dragging me to the dancefloor. His small hands were in mine, and we swayed to the music.

"Tell me more about your friend tia" I was curious about this girl. Max wouldn't stop talking about her, and from what he told me, I wouldn't be surprised if they were mates.

"She has big poofy hair, but sometimes she puts it in braids. When her hair is in braids she lets me touch it but not when its poofy" he said.

"Oh ya? What else"

"She's the best at hide and seek, I can never hide from her because she always finds me. I think she's my best friend, even more than Dennis"

Before I could respond, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Leo was standing behind me, a smile graced his face.

"May I?" he asked politely, but it was more directed at max then at me. Max was still shy so he just shook his head and pulled me down to his level. He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and ran off, probably to go find his friends.

Leo took my hand in his and we danced with the other couples on the floor.

"I feel like I haven't seen you, what have you been doing?" I asked. Since I had first seen him in Dylan's office, he had been pretty absent from the pack house.

"I've been staying with a nice woman in town, she's old, so she lives alone. I didn't want to intrude at the pack house."

"You're family, you're not an intrusion" I replied smiling

"I know, but you need time with your mate, besides I already see him enough in meetings."

"Can I ask you a question?" he nodded, his face turning serious "'what do you think will happen when the rogues attack?"

"Riley... your pack is strong. I've been helping with training and border patrol, and I know that everything will be okay. Dylan has allies ready to fight when he needs them, and my men and I will help any way we can" he said

I nodded and turned my eyes my mate, who was still sitting at the table, staring at me.

"I think Dylan wants to dance with you" Leo whispered. I chuckled and pulled away from him, turning to my mate who was walking towards us with a small smile.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked. He looked anxious, like I would say no and refuse to dance.

"Of course" I replied. I took his hand and pulled him to the dance floor, the music played softly and my hands found their way around his neck.

"Have I told you that you look absolutely beautiful?" he whispered. His mouth was my by my ear, and his breath was warm. It radiated heat through the rest of my body and I shivered from the pleasure.

I nodded and laid my head on his chest, relishing in his scent. He was wearing cologne but his smell of pine trees and cookies was still there. We swayed gently to the music, and my eyes closed, I was completely at peace. I wished we could stay like this forever, but of course life had a different path for us.

A shrill scream sounded through the hall. The music stopped and Dylan pulled me to his chest sheltering me from whatever was to come.

"We're under attack. Children under the age of sixteen move to the shelter. Any able body men or women be prepared to fight" he ordered through the pack link.

Gone was the loving playful mate I had grown to love. In his place was a serious powerful alpha, prepared to protect his pack, whatever it might take.

"I need you to go to the shelter with everyone" he held my shoulders firmly, his eyes blazing.

"What? No, I'm going to help you fight"

"No-"

I pulled away from his grip, much to his dismay. "Dylan, I can fight, I'm not weak. I need to protect the pack."

I stared into his eyes, daring him to challenge me. I thought his eyes were burning with anger before, but now I see they're burning with fear. Fear of losing his pack, fear of losing me.

"Riley, I know you can fight, I know that you'd be fine. But I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you. I need to be focused, and I can't if I'm worried about you. And besides, the pack needs their luna."

He was right, I'm already terrified that something will happen to him. The people in the shelter will need someone, and who better than their luna.

"Ok" I whispered, he sighed and pulled me into a bone crushing hug.

"Thank you" he took my face in his hands and gave me a light kiss on the forehead. We pulled away and he rested his face in the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent.

"Please be careful"

I knew he would be, so I just held him. Enjoying the last few seconds we would have until the fight was over.