Chapter 36
I stood in front of Evey’s floor to ceiling mirror and admired the work the sisters had put in. My eyes were bright with shimmering eyeshadow while my face looked flawless with just the slightest bit of peachy pink color dusting my cheeks. My hair hung in soft waves down past my shoulders and was pinned back gently on one side.
But, above all, I was blown away by my dress.
I’d chosen the two piece, thinking it would allow me the most freedom to move and enjoy the party without tripping over a long hem or worrying about something popping out. The white stood out against my tan skin and the skirt flowed in such fun waves around my knees. I couldn’t help but twist and turn back and forth watching it spin.
What I wasn’t expecting, was how much of my torso was on display.
I turned to the three sisters, two of which were watching me while the other frantically curled her own hair.
“What do you guys think? Am I showing too much skin?”
Evey turned to stare at me in the mirror and immediately scoffed. “Ellie, everything is covered!”
I pointed to my very much un-covered stomach, and she rolled her eyes.
“That’s nothin’. And quit fussin’ you look beautiful.”
“You really do look great, Ellie,” Callie added softly.
Del nodded, her straight pink-streaked hair flying around her face. “Don’t worry about the bit of skin. You won’t even notice it once the party gets started.”
I bit my lip and took a seat next to them on the bed. “Have you guys hosted the solstice celebration here before?”
Both girls shook their heads, but it was Evey who spoke up. “We’ve had our own solstice parties, and we’ve gone to celebrate at other pack lands, but Abey’s never invited other packs to join us.”
“Why do you think he wanted to hold it here with so many people this year?”
The two girls on the bed with me exchanged looks with Evey across the room. “Isn’t it obvious?” Del asked.
I shrugged. “Not to me.”
“It’s because of you,” Callie finally answered.
I frowned. “Me? I don’t know anything about solstice celebrations. Never even knew it was something people still celebrated. Why would he throw a whole party because of me?”
“He wants to show you off,” Del added. “What better way to do that than to invite over a hundred wolves and parade you around?”
My stomach dropped to the soles of my feet.
“Are you sure?” I asked softly.
All three girls nodded simultaneously, and I felt like I was going to be sick. I wrapped my hands around my bare waist and rocked forward.
“I don’t want to be on display. Or to be showed off like a prized pony. I thought I just had to greet a few of Abraham’s alpha friends and that’s it.”
Evey shrugged a shoulder as she curled the last of her light brown hair. “That is all you have to do.”
I stood up and began pacing in front of the bed. “But everyone’s coming to get a look at me. It was bad enough when I had to deal with all the stares from the pack, but eventually it got better. Now I’ll have another hundred wolves all watching me? What if I do something stupid? Won’t that look bad for Abraham?”
Callie stood and grasped my biceps in her cool hands. “Ellie, stop worrying. You just have to be yourself, and everyone will love you like we do.”
I took a deep breath, but the panic wasn’t subsiding. “I just don’t want to look like an idiot.”
Evey spoke up from across the room. “No one that I makeover would ever look like an idiot. Now stop your stressin’. We’re gonna have a great time, eat a lot of food and jump over a bonfire.”
My head fell backward on my neck. “Oh, God I’d forgotten about the stupid fire jump.”
Thankfully I’d chosen the short dress that probably wouldn’t catch fire and burn me alive.
Del stepped up next to Callie and titled my head back upright. “Ellie, we’ve all done it a dozen times. You’ll be fine. And you picked the perfect dress for the occasion.”
“That was my number one choice!” Evey yelled from across the room.
I looked down at my flowy skirt and imagined it filled with dancing with flames instead of lace. I turned to the sisters in front of me. “I don’t think I can do this,” I whispered.
They both opened their mouths to argue when there was a knock at Evey’s bedroom door. “Ladies! Can I come in?”
“Yes!”
“Come in!”
“NO!”
“Please come in!”
That last request was from me. With the panic rising in my system, a dose of Abraham’s calm steadiness was exactly what I needed.
“I’m confused,” he yelled from the other side of the room and a burst of laughter shot out of my mouth. It was a little strained, but it relieved some of the stress I’d been feeling.
I walked across the room despite Evey’s protests and whipped open her door.
Abraham stood in the hallway, his dark jeans hanging from his slim hips and his black and blue shirt unbuttoned over a plain white tee. Why did a simple plaid shirt heat up my insides? I had no idea, but he looked delicious.
I leaned against the doorframe, studying him just as hard as he was studying me.
“How ya’ doin’ handsome?”
Abraham’s eyes snapped up to meet mine, and I instantly felt like I was wearing nothing at all. “Better now,” he said, his voice deep and rumbling.
He reached for me, and I stepped into his arms. The calm I felt in his embrace was incredible. I never knew just being held by someone could ease so much of my worries. With Abraham around, it felt like I could do or be anything.
He dug his face into my neck and breathed deeply. “You smell more like me than usual,” he murmured against my skin.
I shivered. “That’s because of how many times we’ve done the horizontal tango in the past twenty-four hours.”
He pulled back with a wide grin. “I see you’re coming over to the dark side of sexual euphemisms.”
I laughed. “Y’all are rubbin’ off on me.”
Abraham chuckled and pulled back further, so he could see what I was wearing. I swear I could feel every inch of skin that Abraham’s eyes perused as if it was a physical caress. Finally, he shook his head and shot me a grin.
“You look fuckin’ amazing.”
His bad word sent a thrill through my veins, and I stood up straighter under his praise. “Thanks, baby. You look good too,” I said.
He pulled me back into his arms and leaned down to whisper in my ear. “You know what it does to me when you call me baby?”
I bit my lip to contain my smile. “Probably the same thing it does to me when you say it.”
He pulled back just far enough to see my face again. “Is that right?”
I nodded and leaned in close, so I could whisper in his ear. “It drives me crazy.”
His smile grew and spread across his whole face. It was so beautiful I almost had to look away. “Good to know.”
“Are people arrivin’ yet, Abey?” Evey called, breaking us out of the small bubble we’d created.
We spun around and walked back into the room where both Callie and Del were giving us knowing looks.
Abraham pulled out his cell and glanced at the face before tucking it back into his pocket. “A few have showed up, but I think most people won’t be here for another thirty minutes.”
Evey squeaked and began to move faster. I felt bad that she’d spent all that time on me when she should have been getting herself ready. I broke away from Abraham and approached her. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”
Evey smiled and shook her head. “I’ll be all right. And besides, they’re not comin’ to meet me. You need to be down there when everyone gets here. Y’all go on, and I’ll be there soon.”
I raised a brow. “Are you sure? I don’t mind helping.” And secretly, I was hoping I could hide up here with her a little longer.
She shook her head with a knowing look. “Nope. You’re free to go. In fact, get goin’ so I’m not distracted anymore.” She made a shooing motion with her hand, and the four of us left her alone to finish getting ready.
The other two sisters dispersed leaving just me and Abraham in the hall outside Evey’s room. Abraham was watching closely, and I knew he could tell something was bothering me.
I sighed. “I’m nervous about today,” I confessed.
He wrapped a thick arm around my waist and led me down the hall. His thumb rubbing against my exposed skin was driving me to distraction.
“There’s nothing to be worried about, baby. You just need to stand next to me and say hi to our guests. That’s all.”
“But they’re all here to see me.”
“Who told you that?”
“The girls,” I muttered.
He sighed and shook his head. “Big mouths,” he muttered under his breath. Then louder, “Baby, yes, everyone is excited to meet you. Between the fact that you’re a bitten wolf that made it past her first shift, and you being my fated mate, everyone’s curious. But I promise, no one’s gonna make you feel uncomfortable. They just wanna’ meet you.”
His arm around me did more to soothe my nerves than his words.
I hadn’t realized news would spread of my unlikely shift. I didn’t know that packs spoke that often, but I guess that was my oversight. Of course, wolves from different packs would still communicate. From what I understood, they didn’t switch between packs too frequently, but I’m sure there was some movement. A wolf might move to a new pack for whatever reason and of course they’d still have friends and family in their old one.
Honestly, I wasn’t crazy about the night ahead of me, but I needed to suck it up. I wouldn’t hide upstairs all night and embarrass or upset Abraham, so I needed to get my act together.
I straightened my spine and tilted my chin up as I let Abraham lead me down the stairs. I wouldn’t cower in my room and let this whole lovely night pass me by. This was a party, and I was going to live it up.
It didn’t matter that a lot of people were coming just to see me. It didn’t matter that I had to meet a bunch of important werewolves and not make a fool out of myself.
What mattered was standing by Abraham’s side.
I’d hold my head up high and stand there like I was born to be with him. Because according to him, I was.
I wouldn’t let a bunch of strangers intimidate me. I wouldn’t let my nerves get the best of me.
Abraham must have noticed the change in me because he kissed my temple and whispered, “You’ll be great. I can’t wait to stand there with you by my side.”
And that right there was why I needed to do this.
Abraham was counting on me as his mate to stand by his side and host this party. I’d do everything in my power to never let him down.
I nodded and bumped my hip into his. “I can’t wait either.”
And now that I’d willed the nerves away by sheer determination, I found I actually was pretty excited about the upcoming party. I’d get to meet some local wolves and eat a bunch of great food with my favorite people.
Why had I been nervous to begin with?
That question was answered as soon as we got to the sliding glass door and saw the swarm of people already congregating out on the lawn.
Abraham waved me ahead of him, and I swallowed harshly. I stepped through the door, knowing I’d need to put my nerves to rest if I was going to be anything other than a hot mess all night.
“Is this everyone?” I asked quietly as I counted the heads I could see.
Abraham chuckled and pulled me close again. “That’s mostly our pack, babe. Not many of the others have arrived yet.”
And now that he mentioned it, I realized I recognized most of the wolves congregating on the lawn.
Maybe that was better.
I’d warm up my hostessing skills by greeting my own pack before having to meet any new people. That sounded like a great plan.
Soon there was a line formed in front of Abraham and I, and all our pack mates were taking turns hugging and kissing us hello. At one time, displays of affection like this would have sent me into a state of panic, but not anymore. Now I reveled in the affection from my pack and my family. It felt good to be embraced by so many people and give them affection back. I never knew it could be like this, but here we were.
Finally, we got through all our pack mates and the first stranger approached us.
“Adam! You and your mate made it! Did you bring your pack too?” Abraham asked a tall man with short dark hair and a full beard.
Adam stepped forward and hugged Abraham, slapping him on the back before stepping away. “They’re on their way. Me and Maggie wanted to get out here early though,” he said, gesturing to the beautiful and heavily pregnant woman standing next to him.
Maggie had long brown hair and soft brown eyes. There was something about her that immediately put me at ease and I knew I could do this hostessing thing.
Adam shot a glance my way and Abraham pulled me closer to his side.
“Adam, Maggie, this is my mate, Elizabeth. Elizabeth, these are the alphas of the Greensboro pack.”
I held out a hand, but Adam ignored it in favor of pulling me into a big hug. When he released me, his mate tugged me into her arms next.
I really needed to get more used to greeting strange wolves with hugs, apparently.
“It’s so nice to meet you both,” I said softly, still a little unsure of my role.
Adam pulled his mate close and wrapped a hand around her distended belly. “Yeah, Mag’s doesn’t like stayin’ out too late, so we thought we’d get here early.”
“We’re so glad you’re here. When are you due, Maggie?” Abraham asked.
She rubbed her swollen stomach. “The pack doc thinks within the month, but he hasn’t delivered many pups so we’re not really sure.”
“We have an OB nurse here. If you want, you could come see her sometime.”
Maggie’s eyes lit up before glancing at Adam who looked equally excited. “That would be amazing, thank you so much, Abraham,” she gushed.
He waved away her thanks. “It’s my pleasure. You just give me a call whenever you’re ready and I’ll set it up.”
They smiled and thanked him again before setting off to find a place to sit down beneath the shady tent.
That was just the beginning of a steady stream of werewolves. With each passing minute, I felt stronger and more sure of myself. Instead of cowering by Abraham’s side, I often stepped forward first to greet our guests.
It felt good to meet and connect with some many other werewolves and before I knew it, the backyard was swarmed with people and they were beginning to serve the food. Knowing we weren’t going anywhere for a while, I pasted on a smile and greeted our next guest.