In This Life or Another

Chapter Four: Introductions

Sarah's POV

In time, we turned off the main road and drove about a mile and a half to where we encountered the guard shack. Two guards stopped us and the driver stated that we were from the Crest Hill pack. The guard's eyes glazed over and minutes later he let us in. It was a quarter-mile drive from the guard shack to the house, luscious green grass everywhere. There were beautiful canopy trees arched over the scenic drive, and pristine landscaping with roses as far as my eyes could see. Upon reaching the old plantation house, there was a roundabout driveway with a glorious fountain in the center and the whitest house I'd ever seen.

The back door opened, and Alpha Roland reached in and took my hand. As I stepped out he smiled at me and said “Hello Miss Sarah, my how stunning you have become.”

“Hello Alpha, thank you, what a pleasure it is to be with you on this marvelous occasion.” I stepped aside as my mother reached her hand out and the Alpha took it and assisted her out.

“Luna Beverly, welcome back to our home.

“Thank you, Alpha, Luna Queen. What a pleasure to see you again.”

Luna Grace and my mother walked into the ballroom while I waited for my father.

The two Alphas shook hands and made small talk while I stood there admiring the breathtaking views of the huge plantation-looking house. I walked over to the wall of beautiful pink and silver roses and I bent down to smell them. I had the strangest feeling I was being watched. I continued into the rose garden and sat on the marble bench. All of a sudden, the roses smelled like lavender and pine. I looked around confused.

“Excuse me, ma’am, can I sit here?”

I looked up and, to my surprise, I saw the most amazing green eyes I have ever seen. I knew right away who they belonged to.

“Striker? Wow, you have grown a lot since the last time I saw you."

I didn’t even realize I was staring until he replied. Rynn was going Buskirk, jumping and howling. I could have sworn I heard faint whispers and the word "mate".

“I could say the same about you, you know. But don’t stop staring at my account.”

I could feel the redness in my cheeks as I looked away and moved over so that he could sit next to me. I waited until he sat down to look at him. He had changed a lot over the few short years since I had last seen him. He was taller, and more muscular than I remembered, but his eyes were the richest shade of green, almost like emeralds. We sat in silence for what seemed like forever until Striker cleared his throat and spoke.

“That bracelet… where did you get it?” he says as he reaches for my hand.

When our hands touched, there was a very odd tingling sensation that flooded my body. We both looked at each other, sort of puzzled.

“Do you remember the green stone that I found at your sixteenth birthday party… by the lake?”

“Yes, of course. What about it?”

“My father took it and had it made for me,” I spoke as I gazed up into his eyes, finding myself lost in them. I didn't realize he was still holding onto my hand.

“Well, it is absolutely stunning and suits you quite nicely.”

“I am glad you like it.”

As the rest of the day went on, Striker took it upon himself to show me around the plantation. We had lunch in the rose garden, which turned out to be my favorite spot. We walked along the path toward the lake, watching the ducks swim and getting to know each other better. Throughout it all, I found myself intrigued by Striker as if we had known each other our whole lives.

"Sarah, there's something I need to tell you, but I need you to not freak out." Striker looked petrified. "Gus, my wolf is claiming you as my mate."

I looked into his eyes and smiled gently. When I reached up and placed my hand on the side of his cheek, he moved into my touch.

"That would explain why Rynn is going crazy. I won't be 18 for another 6 months. I'm happy about this, but please be patient with me. I have college plans, and to become a doctor. There is so much to discuss." My eyes pleaded with him to understand.

As we were walking along the path, I got a mind-link from her father. “Butterfly, it is getting late, and it's almost time for dinner. Your mother is asking about your whereabouts. Please don’t forget you need to get ready for the ball.”

Hearing my father’s words, I mind-linked my father, telling him I was on my way before turning around to look at Striker. “My parents feel I need to come back and get ready for the ball.”

As we reached the packhouse, Striker kissed the top of my hand and said, “It would be my honor if you would sit next to me tonight at dinner.”

Feeling my cheeks flush with red, I looked up to him and replied, “The honor will be mine.”

Striker's face changed at that moment, and it was as if I could see every emotion he was feeling.

“Well, until I see you again, just know I have had one of the best days of my life,” Striker said with a genuine smile.

I returned his smile with a nod and then walked into the packhouse where my parents were waiting for me.

“Sarah my dear, there you are, I have been looking all over for you. It is time to get ready for the ball, you do not wish to be late do you?” My mother said, walking past me.

“No Mother, heaven forbid I look like a hoodrat for the ball,” I spoke with a hint of sarcasm in my voice as we walked up to our room to prepare for the ball.

I showered and did my hair in the most simple of updos with locks around my face. Just the right amount of makeup. Although I am not a fan of makeup, I do love my full lips and with the red lipstick, it can turn a few heads. I am not ugly by any means. I am tall for a female, but most Alphas are 5 ft 10in. I am much taller than the average female wolf. I had a toned body and long dark brown hair that went to the middle of my back. My eyes were by far my best feature. They were a unique shade of purple and often changed with my mood. I put on my ball gown and then the 3-inch silver heels. As I looked in the mirror admiring the silver fabric hugging my body, I was in awe at how different I looked. My dress was absolutely breathtaking as it had butterfly rhinestones towards the bottom and the back was open, allowing everyone to see my tattoo.

I entered the dining hall with my parents and stopped when I saw Striker in his suit. Wow! That was all I could think. He was so handsome and as he approached I started smelling pine and lavender again. To my surprise, it was quite calming. I didn't even realize how tense I was until I relaxed due to his scent.

“Striker … you look amazing,” I said as he took my hand, bringing it up to his lips. He kissed the top of my hand with a smile.

“Sarah, you are as beautiful as Aphrodite herself. I have taken it upon myself to set up a private table for the two of us tonight,” he spoke before taking my hand, leading me towards the table he had prepared for us, in the back of the ballroom.

After an incredible dinner, I reached into my bag and pulled out a small box. “I wanted to give this to you in the rose garden… but I didn't want to be so cliché.”

As I held out the box for him to take, he picked it up. Giving him a small smile, I said, “Happy birthday Striker.”

Striker opened the box, he paused, staring at the small gift in awe, and he tilted his head back up to look at me. “Sarah, the green stones in your bracelet… are these..”

“Yes, Striker, the stones in my bracelet and the stones in that ring are from the same rock I found that night. My father had the bracelet made for me and rings made for you and Henry. When he took the ring from the box, he found an inscription inside each piece, which read “In this life or another”. Mine reads “our love will always find”. Do you have any idea what this means?”

“So you gave Henry a ring? Does it have an inscription too?” he asked, a bit of hurt in his tone.

“I was not allowed to see the rings until you opened yours and Henry’s his. Striker, I see the look of pain in your eyes. I want you to know, I haven't seen Henry since I've been here. I put Henry’s gift on the table with the others.”

At that moment, Alpha Roland announced for Sebastian and Avery to come join him on the stage. I watched as they welcomed Avery into their pack. I glanced over at Striker, who seemed to be having a conversation with someone else. He then stood up and kissed my cheek before walking over to the stage to join his brother. It was at that moment I noticed Henry trying to look in my direction. I took a step back, towards the decorations, to hide from his view.

After the ceremony, Striker walked back to the table, asking if I would join him for a stroll. Accepting his offer, he led me to the rose garden. It was covered in fairy lights and candles. The scene was breathtaking under the pale moonlight. He reached for my hand and asked, “Would it be too bold of me to ask my mate for a dance?”

A blush crept onto my face, I secretly thanked the gods that the darkness hid the redness of my cheeks. I curtseyed and nodded my head. “Just one dance? A little bold of you to assume I just wanted one?” I smirked slightly.

Striker chuckled, but pulled me into the garden, his hand coming around to rest on my waist as he held my hand in his.

I placed my hand on his chest as the music seemed to come out from the ground. He began to twirl me around and around. I had the biggest smile on my face. We danced and danced for what seemed like hours, not talking but taking comfort in each other,

Around 2 am, my father mind-linked me, asking if I was okay because they hadn’t seen me at the ball. I replied that I was in the rose garden with Striker and that I would be in shortly.

“Why do you look so disappointed? Is it something I did?” Striker asked.

Breaking the mind link, I realized we had stopped dancing. I looked up at him and said, “No, no, of course not. My father is looking for me. It’s late, I should probably return to my room for the night.”

“Do you want to go?”

“Not really,” I said with hesitation.

After a moment of silence, Striker wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer towards him. He started to lean in towards me when we both heard a familiar voice.

“Striker!”

We both jumped at Henry’s voice, causing us to separate from each other. I looked at Striker. My heart was pounding, as my wolf started to howl in my head,

“Goodnight Striker, I will see you tomorrow.” and I walked away. As I exited the rose garden, I walked into a wall of a man. Looking up, I realized that not only was it a man, but it was Henry. Rynn was going crazy.

“What were you doing in the garden with Striker?”

“What's it to you?” I said, unimpressed.

“It's my business to know why my mate is dancing with my brother.”

My heart stopped, the blood rushing from my face as I took a step back and ran towards the packed house.