My Lost Spirit-Mate

5. Let's get this party started

The party is already in full swing when we arrive at the top of the stairs. We can hear music and people talking loudly. But when we start going down the stairs, the conversations die down and all the eyes are now on us. I am feeling more and more embarrassed as the guests begin to gather at the bottom of the staircase to welcome us and wish us a happy birthday. I really HATE being the center of attention.

Those bloody steps are endless and I look for familiar faces in the crowd. And then I see him.

In a gorgeous black tux, with his curly black hair going wildly around his head, Xander is staring at me with his emerald eyes. He looks way taller than the other people here, with his 6’5”, he is towering everyone and it’s a good thing because this way I can look at him better.

This man is a snack.

I can guess through his tux, his muscular shoulders and his pectorals, and good God I want to be wrapped in his arms, against his chest. There is no way you don’t feel safe in those arms.

Without realising it, I bite my lower lip and then I see his eyes turning black.

Oh sh*t sh*t sh*t !

I turn my face away from him, ashamed of myself, and when we finally arrive at the bottom of the stairs, I glance at him. He is smiling.

THAT AS*HOLE.

- “You are beautiful my Darling girl.” I hear someone say and turn my head to see Luna Mary, looking at me with pride in her eyes.

She always was so nice to me. Teaching me good manners in society, how to be good with others, how to never step on anyone’s toes. She taught me to be a better person and I couldn’t be more thankful to her.

- “Thank you Luna. This is a beautiful party that you organized, thank you so much for that.”

I finally look around and she really outdid herself. The decorations are very elegant, in black, white or grey, with small touches of green there and there, and now I realise that it is the same green as my dress and William’s bow tie. All the guests are in a tux or very elegant cocktail dresses and even if it is very far from the quiet dinner I wanted to host at first, I am overwhelmed with joy to see that so many people came for our birthday and that Luna Mary gave herself so much trouble to decorate the house this way.

- “Nothing is to good for you and William, Darling ! Now let’s get this party started !”

When Luna Mary leave to welcome some guests, I search for Alice, because William already left me to join his football teammates. But every time I take a step, someone knew is wishing me a happy birthday and asking me how I am or even my pronostic on my future spirit. After 30 minutes doing small talks, I give up on finding my best friend and go straight to the bar for a drink.

- “I’ll have a Gin and Tonic please.”

Even if I never was an alcohol person, this particular drink was my poison. And I needed the warmth of it right now. I am really wondering where Alice is.

- “You really look amazing in that dress.” I hear someone whisper in my ear.

I gulp at his words.

My whole body tenses up and I know it’s Xander. Why is my body reacting this way to him ? What is happening to me today for God’s sake ?! I can feel him behind me, I can smell his perfume. Hmmmm pinewood and honey.

I grab my glass and face him. He is really handsome in that black tux.

- “Thank you Alexander, you look good too.” I tell him and a grin starts forming on his face.

How is it possible to be this handsome ? There should be a law for that. To protect us poor mortals...

- “Are you happy with your party and your guests ? I know my mom can go a little over the top sometimes when it comes to host an event.”

- “Even if I wanted a quiet dinner in the first place, I’m grateful she gave herself the trouble to organize this. And I’m glad so many people came to wish me and William a happy birthday.”

- “Well, even if it’s in a few hours, happy birthday to you Mackenzie” and while he says that, he takes me by my waist and I feel tingles everywhere he touches me.

Surprised by his gesture, I giggle. Oh come on Mackenzie what the hell is wrong with you ? You’re not the kind to giggle ! GET YOURSELF TOGETHER.

- “I am really looking forward to midnight, to see you turn. I am sure you are going to be perfect in whatever you are.” And in saying that he squeezes my waist and is starting to lean towards me, but before he comes too close, I ask.

- “Your girlfriend is not here tonight ?” changing the subject.

I really don’t want to be the third wheel and I realise that if he keeps coming closer to me, I might end up being one. And more than that, I just don’t understand why Xander is so nice to me all of a sudden. I mean, the guy IGNORED me for months and now he just comes back, charming and confessing weird things to me by the stream ? I don’t want to be a conquest or some kind of toy to him before he goes back to Julie. HELL NO !

I can see that he is a bit tensed now and embarrassed. But he quickly gathers himself and removes his hand from my waist. I feel cold all of a sudden and weirdly uncomplete, I really liked the physical contact. Well girl, you need to ask him what he wants before anything else. I open my mouth to speak but he cuts me saying

- "Sorry but I better go help my mom with the presents or she will be buried under a pile of boxes in a few minutes.”

And just like that, he leaves.

REALLY ?

I take a sip of my Gin and Tonic as I see him go through the room and now I am left alone at the bar.

Well Mackenzie, you better go find Alice, at least you could talk to her about what happened with Xander today.

I realise that there is only one room on the ground floor I didn’t inspect and this is the kitchen. If my best friend helped organize this party, she will probably be there to give instructions to the staff.

I start walking through the crowd when I bump into someone, spilling a bit of my drink on the floor. And looking up, in front of me is standing THE LAST person I want to see tonight : Julie.

Sh*t

- “I am so sorry, I didn’t see you there. Do you have any on your dress ?” I immediately apologize and ask.

Well if a gaze could kill, I would probably be super dead by now. She takes a look at her amazing dress, a red one with a very deep cleavage, and realising there is nothing on it, she turns back her face with a smile to say

- “Well, I can see you dressed up tonight, maybe for the first time in your life ?” That b*tch “I am currently looking for my boyfriend, have you seen him ? He must be expecting me.”

I take the insult and shut up about it, I really don’t want to make a scene in front of the whole pack tonight. As I am trying so hard not to answer anything mean to her nasty remark, I can see she is watching something over my shoulder and then, excusing herself, she passes me and join a group of people.

What is it with people not letting other people speak tonight ?

I walk to the kitchen, a bit offended by this encounter, and this is when I witness THE LEAST expected thing in the whole bloody world.