The Chase

Chapter One

          Celia fidgeted in her seat tugging at the top of her dress trying to cover more of the swell of her breasts. "Will you please hold still?" Angel huffed trying to finish doing Celia's hair. Celia stopped moving with a frown, "Are you sure about this dress?" She had a soft whine to her voice feeling naked compared to her usual t-shirt and jeans. The strapless, sweetheart, glittery lilac dress clung to her curves showing of a gorgeous hourglass figure. Angel rested her chin on Celia's shoulder their gaze meeting in the mirror "Absolutely you are smoking hot! Besides have I ever been wrong?" Celia gave her a look and both girls erupted into giggles. "On second thought don't answer that," Angel retorted shaking her head. She went back to braiding the front pieces of Celia's dark chestnut curls allowing the braids to cascade down her back with the remainder of her silken locks. "Done. My masterpiece is fini," Angel announced placing her lips to her fisted fingers with a wink. 

           Celia rose from her seated position her dress caressing just above her knees making her gnaw her lip nervously. "Stop that!" scolded Angel, "You'll ruin your perfect lipstick." Celia sighed closing her eyes a moment dreading this party tonight. She turned to face her best friend who looked like a fashion model in her tight black minidress. Her golden wheat in a tight bun atop her beautiful head. "Maybe you should just go without me," she suggested. Angel shook her head, "Not a chance it's us...you and me like always. Right?" Celia couldn't help but smile that horrific night five years ago made them closer than ever. "Gosh we haven't seen much of Shane since well you know," Celia whispered softly. "No. We are not going to think about that night not now. That's the point of this party to show we will survive." Celia nodded knowing that and tucked her arm inside Angel's as they headed downstairs. 

             The girls stopped to a loud gasp near the bottom of the stairs. Turning their eyes fell on their father tears gleaming in his eyes. "My sweet Moon Goddess when did my little girls become such beautiful women." The girls moved too hug him tight and kiss his cheeks. He held them tightly closing his eyes. When they lost half their pack five years ago in the rouge attack they had to bury his dearest friends, Celia's parents, and his lovely wife. Naturally he adopted Celia afterward and continued raising her with his own daughter. "Okay let me take a few pictures before you leave me." The girls chuckled softly and stood together smiling as he got out his phone and snapped a few photos. He made them pause once more before leaving getting a look from Angel "Just one more thing I promise," he smiled warmly those girls being his whole world. "I want you to have fun, but also be safe. Don't stay out too late because you're still under eighteen." "We won't," Celia promised before both girls kissed him goodbye and went to the car. 

              Celia stared out the window with this gut feeling that she should have stayed home. The car ride seemed to last only a few moments making her release a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her emerald pools looked ahead at the house sending a shiver down her spine. Angel checked her makeup before looking to Celia, "Alright let's go party!" Celia couldn't help but smile at Angel's enthusiasm and got out of the car with her. The both took a deep breath and walked to the front door to ring the doorbell. The door opened and a shrill voice greeting them. "As I live and breathe, are those my nieces?" The girls chimed in unison "Hi Aunt Vicky" before entering and hugging her tight. "Where's your father girls?" she asked softly. "He said he'd be down later I think he just wanted some alone time." Celia answered sadly. Vicky nodded in understanding she knew her husband missed his sister terribly. 

             "Your uncle is out back with everyone," Vicky laughed softly. "You know him king of the grill." They all shared a laugh they desperately needed from reminiscing about the past. The girls thanked their aunt and grabbed some sodas before heading into the backyard to join the fun. The girls couldn't help but grin finding their uncle just where Vicky said he would be. He was laughing and chatting while drinking a beer and flipping burgers. Their scents reached him and he turned to give them a wide smile. "Well look what we have here fellas my little nieces all grown up. Now when did that happen?" The girls giggled and hugged him tight as the other men ogled them. When he noticed he swatted at them with his spatula, "They're not for touching boys they're to young." "Uncle Deacon!" Angel whined "We're not that young. We're sixteen and just as equal as Shane and his crew." Deacon patted her shoulder gently "You're not too young for the young guys but these old goats are much too old for you and already have mates to boot." he scolded. The men gave innocent looks and glanced around for their wives. 

               Deacon served the girls a burger each and sent them to the buffet table to take whatever they wanted for dinner. They kissed his cheeks and went to make their plates before finding a shady spot to sit and enjoy. After eating their fill they threw away their garbage and made their way to the dance floor. A few moments later a loud roar of cheers could be heard making Angel roll her eyes, "Yay the birthday boy is here." Celia laughed shaking her head "We used to have fun when he'd come to the house." Angel shrugged unable to keep from smiling at the memory. Then Shane came into view being met by his parents as they hugged him tight welcoming him back home. Celia felt her wolf stir within suddenly her heart fluttered getting to see Shane better. He resembled a Greek God flowing shoulder length blond hair muscles straining against his gray shirt Abe those piercing blue eyes. "Mate!!!! Mate!!!!!" Celia's wolf screamed in their mind link. Celia shook her head and spoke back to her "Are you crazy, Jewel? We can't be mates with Shane and his wolf he's our cousin." "Only through adoption," Jewel huffed loudly. "That's our mate trust me you'll see soon enough when Shane turns eighteen in a bit."