A dance in the rain

A young nineteen-year-old woman sat on a bench staring out at the water and trying to listen to the world around her. Voices still rang in her head as she leaned back closed her green eyes and took a deep breath. Gray eyes watched her from the bushes downwind his brown fur hidden in the shadows he watched her from afar as a little girl ran up to the woman and hugged her tight. "Kayley! I've looked all over for you; Mom just told me that you are going to be married to the alpha of the Dark Moon pack." Kayley tried not to cry as she hugged her little sister tight not wanting to tell her the reason why she was marrying the alpha was so their pack would have more protection and a little more money trying to smile. "Willow I'm glad you're happy about this." Telling Willow dryly as she gave her little sister another hug. Willow scoffed and shrugged "Well it's not every day my sister gets married, is it? Do you know anything about your future mate? Is he handsome and sweet?" Kayley looked away and shook her head. "I don't know anything about him." Willow frowned and shook her head "This won't do. I will find out what kind of man he is." Kayley laughed for the first time all night. "How is a twelve-year-old going to find out about an alpha in a different pack?" Willow looked offended. "Hey! I'm almost thirteen Besides people talk to me I'm going to be a journalist someday." Kayley just smiled and shook her head. "Come on it's getting late Let's head home." Glancing out at the water with a sigh. "I don't even know his name." Willow tugged on her hand leading her back home their matching brown hair fluttering in the breeze behind them. The brown wolf waited a minute before following Kayley and Willow with a huff. He stuck to the shadows following his orders from his alpha; he wasn't about to disappoint him with a shutter like the guy did. Kayley and Willow's mother Rose was waiting for them at the door Their father Kevin was sitting on a chair on the porch of their small simple house wearing a gray dress shirt and dark blue dress pants his black dress tap as he relaxed for a moment having lost his tie hours ago his short blonde hair was messy from him running his fingers through it. Reaching their father they hugged him and kissed him on the cheek Kaylay walked into the house, but Rose stopped to talk to her wanting to explain their side. Shaking her head Kayley walked towards her room. "I'm sorry Mom I can't talk now." "Kayley! Please" Rose frowned glancing at Kevin with a sigh. He shrugged and shook his head before kissing her temple. "Give her some time my heart, I'll be in my office for a while." Rose threw up her hands and walked to the kitchen to make some coffee with a huff. Kayley ran up to her room with a sigh she looked longingly at her college-wrapped boxes tossing a pillow at the wall she grabbed her ragged teddy bear and held it tight wondering how long they knew she would have to give up her dreams for the pack as she flopped back on her bed debating her options. Willow followed Rose mischievously sitting down at the kitchen island and pretending to ponder. "So Mom now that Kayley is getting married do you know anything about the alpha? What if she meets her fated mate I mean we are supposed to have them you and Dad right?" Shaking her head with a laugh Rose looks at her daughter and smiles at her setting down her canister of coffee on the counter next to to her coffeemaker. She wiped her hands on her blue skirt. "You know my dear little one we have fated mates I wish things could have been different for your sister, but I will tell you a secret my sweet." Leaning close she whispered in her daughter's ear. "I raised tough pups, and I'm proud of you both." Willow hugged her and smiled. "Thanks, Mom." Blinking she realized her mother had avoided her question about the alpha. Crossing her arms she narrowed her gaze at her mother and leaned back as she watched her mother go back to making coffee. "Mom." "Hmm?" Rose started to clean the kitchen ignoring Willow or trying to. "Why don't you do your homework, Sweetpea." Willow snickers. "I already did it, Mom." Rose huffs. "Go read a book then." Willow laughs and runs to check on Kayley. "Lee! Mom is being mean to me! Save me!" she screams as she runs up the stairs her voice bouncing off the walls her steps can be heard throughout the house. The brown wolf shook his head happy to see Kayley home and safe. His job was done for the night as stood and trotted to his car shifting behind some bushes he quickly dressed in a black T-shirt with black shorts and tennis shoes he got into his black Range Rover. "Hello Alpha, yes The future Luna is safe." Sighing as he rubbed his temple. his shaggy blonde hair caked with dirt and leaves. "Sir, you know your son isn't going to like this." A yell could be heard through the phone. "He will follow my orders. He has been gone long enough time for him to settle down and lead the pack." The man sighed rested his forehead against the steering wheel and nodded. "Yes, Alpha I know where he's at." The older Alpha with graying hair growled. "Why are you still on the damn phone talking to me, bring him here!" He hangs up before Mark has a chance to answer him. Mark tosses the phone in the passenger seat starting his Range Rover he stuck out of the Silver River pack and drove north up into the mountains. Parking at the base of a trail he pulls out a backpack with clothes in it a bottle of water and venison jerky. He started hiking up the trail reaching the top at sunset he smiled at the small cabin covered in snow. "Finally!" He gasped for air as a snowball sailed through the air smashing him in the back of the head. "Hey! What the hell man! I'm on your side!" He raises his hands as he turns to dodge another snowball flying by his head hitting a tree. The twenty-six alpha Theo laughs bundled up for the weather in a fleece-lined jacket gray shirt denim jeans and tan boots his black was shaggy and he had started growing a beard. "So.." Mark begins rubbing the back of his head trying to get all of the snow out and tell his best friend he has to go home. Theo shakes his head and laughs. "My dad sent you didn't he?" Looking shocked Mark nodded his head. "Yes, he wants you home." Theo crossed his arms and nodded. "Are things bad?" Mark shook his head not wanting to tell him everything going on at the Dark Moon Park. Theo looked longingly at his cabin and sighed. "Well if it can wait the night, I have dinner on the wood stove. We can leave early in the morning and see what the hell he wants," he grumbles picking up the bundle of wood he was carrying before he smelt Mark and walked to the cabin. Mark followed him shaking his head and grumbling about how much the father and son were driving him crazy making Theo laugh. "So what's new with you Mark?" Mark flopped in a chair and sighed. "Well let's see my parents can't wait for me to find a mate and have kids or become your Beta whatever becomes first." He rubs his face listening to Theo laugh at him. "Thanks, man." Mark throws his backpack at Theo. "Here there is some clothes water and jerky." Theo catches the backpack and groans as he ducks his head remembering. "I need to get a suit before I go see my Dad, You know how he is." Mark snickers. "Maybe a haircut and shave too Alpha Ralf was in a bad mood when I last talked to him." Theo rolled his blue eyes. "I'll take it under advisement, but thank you Beta." He laughs softly at the shocked look on Mark's face. "Damn." He hung his head. "Hey! I can decline it and Michael my little brother can take the position in a couple of years." Smiling triumphantly at Theo as Theo slumps his shoulders and his head falls back with a groan. "No, please don't leave me with my dad!" Mark thinks about it as Theo dashes into the little kitchen to check on his stew."Safe!" Mark yells as he strolls in and checks to see what his friend has cooked patting Theo's shoulder Mark smiles. "I'm honored to be your Beta Theo." Theo smiled and nodded at Mark. "So, dinner is done afterward you can tell me what's going on with the pack."The sun had not even woken up when Theo was standing in his kitchen dressed in a dark blue sweater, dark denim, and his dark brown boots his black hair still carried the bedhead look. stirring his coffee dredging and going home to see his dad he and his dad never got along after she passed away in a rogue attack. His mother Luna Aura protected him when he should have been protecting her according to his father Ralf. **Flashback** Theo was ten when the attack happened playing at the park with some pups when he heard women screaming and ran to his mom as she scooped him up and ran towards their pack house. Ralf had gone to a neighbor pack to show off his elite wolves. Aura faced five wolves but with her dying breath, she killed the last rogue leaving Theo sitting next to her as the pack mourned the loss of their Luna. Marshall Mark's dad found him crying he scooped the pup trying not to get blood on him and pat his back. "Shh You are the alpha of the pack and the alpha doesn't cry." Theo wiped away his tears trying to be strong for his mother struggling out of Marshall's hold. "I think I can walk," he said in a small voice Marshall tried not to look at him as he scanned the area around them setting him down. "Right now I need to get you to a safe place a few omegas are taking the Luna to a safe place and to be prepared with the rest of the dead." He patted Theo's head before picking him up and rushing down the path to the pack house setting him down on the huge stairs and giving him a nudge. "The attack is over Your father is almost in pack boundaries you can wait in his office until he gets here." **End of Flashback** "Theo, man why did you let me sleep so long?" Mark walks into the kitchen as Theo blinks. "Huh, Oh yea sorry ghosts man." Mark nodded and patted Theo's shoulder. "I'll be ready to go in five Just let me have some coffee." Theo looked down at his and sighed. "Sure man." Kayley ignored her sister even though she loved her dearly She needed a break she tossed the teddy bear on the boxes that she thought were going cross country to her college. The room seemed to be closing in on her, Her wolf demanded to go for a run so she opened her window and climbed out shifting into a large gray and silver wolf running into the woods enjoying the silence of the night and the moonlight. She chased small animals and drank from streams her gold eyes watched the world around her as she laid down resting her head on her paws not wanting to return yet as the moon started to descend. With a huff, she sluggishly walks back home and gets dressed she smiles at the scent of the upcoming rain hoping it will cover her tracks she climbs as nimble as a cat. Slipping back into her room she is surprised by seeing Willow sitting on her bed and sighs. "Do They know I was out?" Willow shakes her head no. "Do You want them to?" Willow asks with a mischievous laugh Kayley looking shocked shook her head. "You wouldn't dare! I'll Tell Mom about you and Aiden Smith!" Willow gasped and blushed. "You know nothing!" Kayley started singing "K-I-S-S-HMMM." Willow pounced her boxes crashed down around As they laughed their parent ran up the stairs to see what was going on. "Girls! Straight this room up then Kayley we need to see you in the office." Alpha Kevin yelled as Luna Rose checked for injuries. The girls stopped to fix their clothes as they giggled before picking up the boxes with a sigh. Kayley ruffled her sister's hair with a small smirk holding off the talk as long as she could. Kevin and Rose sat on the couch waiting for her holding hands wishing there was another option for them. Kayley knocks on the door having dragged her feet and glancing behind her at Willow shaking her head and laughing softly. "Enter Kayley, Willow you better get ready for training young lady!" Kevin yelled Willow's eyes grew wide as she darted up the stairs to get ready. Kayley closed the door folding her arms as she looked with anger at her now foes and loving parents. "So? I am to be sacrificed." Rose let out a wail as Kevin passed her tissues and glared at Kayley. "Not in such terms Sweetheart, we love you but the pack needs help with defense and rogues have been attacking us nonstop. The Dark Moon pack offered to help in exchange the alpha thought a bride might help him with his son." Kayley shook her head. "Dad I'm no therapist." She flops down in a chair and rubs her face. "How long?" she asks him tiredly Kevin looks at her confused for a minute. "How long what Dear?" She growls softly her green eyes tinted gold. "How much time do I have left? Days? Weeks?" Rose wails again as she wipes away fresh tears Kevin holds her close and sighs. "Two months maybe so we could plan your wedding. The Alpha is holding out help until the wedding Kayley I wish there was another pack out there to help but Dark Moon is the strongest around and willing to help." Kayley started to pace looking at her family photos on the walls and his old desk. "Do I get to meet my groom?" She glances at her parents with a frown. "At the altar at the church where we got married, Sweetpea." It was the first time She spoke hiccuping and wiping away her tears Her green eyes were puffy and red. Kayley closed her eyes and took a deep breath trying to calm down as she nodded. "Then it's decided for me. I'm going to shower then bed, I'll train this afternoon Dad." Kevin sighed. "Get some rest, Kid." Kayley hugged her parents and slowly climbed the stairs to her room She took a long hot shower before crawling into her bed and letting the world melt away for a few hours. Rose knocked on her door to bring in a tray of her favorite lunch and setting it on her nightstand Kayley hugged her mom and smiled at her. "You didn't need to do this Mom I can get up and make my food." "I know but I like to spoil you now and then." Rose ran her fingers down her daughter's hair and kissed the top of her head turning she headed out of the room. "Hurry up and eat You need to train Sweetie." Theo and Mark raced down the mountains laughing as they pushed each other through the trees, making Theo almost forget about the upcoming meeting with his father. Reaching Mark's Range Rover Theo's shoulder straightened and his eyes grew cold as he climbed into the SUV Mark glanced over at him but didn't say a word as he started the drive back to Dark Moon Pack Mark flipped on the radio as he could not stand the Theo's silence as Theo stared out the window drumming his fingers he's blue eyes flicker silver back to blue. "So are you excited at all to see the pack?" Theo sighed and leaned back against the seat before looking at Mark. "I don't know. With my Dad and everything that has happened." He sighed as he looked out at the passing scenery wishing he had let his wolf out before getting in the car. "Let's just see what he wants Mark so I can get some supplies and go back to my cabin." Mark glanced at him worriedly as he slowed down the Ranger Rover at the pack boundaries. "What about you becoming Alpha of the pack Theo Your Dad is getting old, you can't hide forever." Theo looked at the businesses and how they were thriving under his dad's leadership he wanted to feel proud but with all the mixed feelings flowing through him. Driving up to the huge pack house he noticed how his dad had added additions to the house frowning he glanced at Mark as he climbed out of the SUV. "We have grown a bit since you have been away Theo." Mark Shrugged as he walked into the house Theo followed looking around at the changes that had been made getting a few dirty looks from pack members As he walked to his dad's office and knocked on his door waiting for him to say enter. Ralf yelled "Enter!" in a gruff voice as he focused on paperwork on his desk well dressed in a black three-piece suit with a crisp white shirt. "Welcome home, Theodore." Ralf leans back looking at his son in disappointment with a sigh noticing his shaggy hair and beard. "It looks like you wrestled with a bear Son." Theo sat down in a plush chair in front of his father glaring. "It's Theo, Alpha. I've wrestled a few." Looking around at the changes his dad had made to his office curiously Ralf watched his son waiting for the right time to tell him the great news. "You wanted me here Alpha, and I came what is it you wanted?" Ralf growled lowly as he hit his desk "Pup, you may be a man now but that doesn't mean I can't still show you who is Alpha so watch your tone! Now the reason I called you is that there is going to be a wedding and you are going to be the groom I can't run this pack anymore. " Holding up his hand as Theo tries to protest he shuts his mouth. "It's time for you to forget the past and become the alpha." Theo sat in shock trying to wrap his mind around the news. "You want me to get married to some woman and run the pack? What if I don't want to get married? I'm happy alone Alpha." Ralf snorts folding his arms as he stares at his son. "The deal was struck, be at the church at ten in the morning on Tuesday. Oh, get a haircut and shave with a new tux Theodore. See Diana if you need anything son you are dismissed." Theo jumped up and left the office like he was being chased Mark looked at him weirdly having waited on him out in the hall. Mark followed Theo outside as they made their way to the training grounds the group that was training froze seeing Theo and moved to the side. Mark kept a close eye on Theo as he started swinging his huge fists at the punch bag. "So I'm guessing the meeting went bad right?" Theo clenched his fists and took a deep breath. "I'm getting married on Tuesday and becoming Alpha." Mark tried not to look surprised at the news of Theo becoming alpha it was time he was shocked about Theo getting married. "Did your dad tell you anything about your bride? I know you want to be alone, but what if about her?" Theo sighed as he shook his head. "I guess I'll have to figure it out as I go." Kayley sat in her living room with her mother chatting happily with Lisa a wedding planner, She could feel a headache building as she stared at the rack of wedding dresses Lisa brought for her to try on. Rose loved the idea of Kayley wearing her old wedding gown, but Kayley found an elegant sleeveless sweetheart wedding gown with a small train and veil. Wanting something for herself as she lets Rose decide everything else she walks outside and goes for a walk happy to be away from all the wedding planning so she can breathe again. Walking down to the community garden she ran her hand along the fence Opening the gate she picked up a pair of gloves and started pulling weeds around the vegetable plants and herbs. Wiping the sweat from her brow a couple of girls came passing by. "We thought you might be here, Luna Rose didn't know where you went." Kayley smiled at Annie and Tara, happy to see her friends from high school. Annie was the outgoing type with her blonde hair and blue eyes she found her mate right when she was eighteen and Tara was shy with her black hair and brown eyes. "I can't have the garden go to waste," Kayley told them as she leaned back on her heels. The girls shared a look of confusion. "The garden will be fine while you are at college Kayley, You can visit at harvest time." Blinking Kayley realized they didn't know about her upcoming wedding and smiled softly. "Oh, yes of course I can." "Are you ok?" Tara asks softly fidgeting with her hair as she glances at Kayley. "Oh yes, thanks, and you two? Annie, how is Thomas doing?" Annie laughs as she picks up some gloves and starts to help with the weeds. "He got injured trying to be romantic to me, he climbed up a tree and was singing at our bedroom window I opened the window and saw him the branch broke he fell, and boom He is resting for the day but otherwise we are fine." Kayley and Tara both laugh out at poor Thomas. "Well, I hope he gets better soon," Kayley tells her as she stands and dusts off her shorts. "So? What did you two come out here to find me for?" Tara glances at Annie as she looks about to burst with excitement and Kayley just patiently takes off her gloves and smiles at her friends. "Well.." Annie took a big breath of air before beginning. "Before you take off on your big adventure across the country to college and leave to the unknown Tara and I thought we should do something like go clubbing or whatever you want." Kayley was stunned she smiled and hugged her friends. "Thank you both so much. I would love to do that." Seeing the time she said goodbye to the girls not noticing a new shadow following her a small brown and white wolf with blue eyes. Heading home she hoped her mom had finished with all the wedding planning and she would not have to deal with it. Smiling at her father sitting on the porch she hugged him before walking inside. Kevin eyed the wolf lying in the shadows."Shift now and state your business." The wolf whined and backed away running out of the pack boundaries. Sending a few guards to follow the wolf Kevin went to his office to call Ralf. "Hello Ralf, it's Kevin listen the kids are getting married within weeks now and I need the support you promised me now or I won't have a pack." Ralf leans back and snorts. "Fine, I'll send you some support just so my future daughter-in-law doesn't get killed by your failure to protect her. " Kevin grumbles and hangs up the phone as he leans back and rubs his eyes. Willow knocked on his office door waiting for him to say enter she hid a couple of cookies. A tired "Enter." could be heard as she slipped in and closed the door. "Dad?" "Hmm?" Kevin kept an eye on his mischievous child as she sneaked around his desk like she was on an uncover mission and handed him a chocolate chip cookie. "You need this more than me." Scooping her up he sets her in his lap he starts to eat his cookie as Willow eats her cookie Rose walks into the office to check on Kevin and shakes her head. "Kevin! You'll ruin Willow's dinner." Kevin's mouth drops up. "But she was the one who brought me the cookie." Willow hops down and runs off. "You!" Kevin yelled chasing after her as Rose laughed. Kayley went to her room to shower and try to figure out what she was going to tell the college, Sorry my family is having me marry a stranger for our pack she shook her head and tossed her laptop on her bed looking at the boxes and college leaflets with a sigh. It should be easy to give up her dreams of becoming a professional photographer for her pack and family as the alpha's daughter. Grabbing her phone she calls Annie. "Hey, Annie, let's go clubbing tonight, let me know when you're ready and I'll pick you and Tara up." She quickly dresses in a short red sequin dress with light makeup making her green eyes stand out with black high heels and a black purse her brown hair was braided down her back. driving her silver Honda Accord over to Annie and Thomas' house she parked her car and knocked on the door. Annie answered wearing a green belted dress and gold high heels her blonde hair was twisted in a French twist showing her mate's mark. Tara wore a pink dress her makeup was very light and her hair was brushed back in a ponytail she wore brown booties playing with her hair nervously Kayley smiled at them both. "You both look amazing for short notice, shall we go have some fun." Kayley, Annie, and Tara climb into Kayley's car and drive toward the city listening and singing to music on the way. The music was blasting from the club when they pulled up with lights flashing, Tara was a bit intimidated but Kayley and Annie stayed by her side and smiled as the bouncer let them pass moving towards the dance floor they danced and sang with the music having fun. Theo shut his eyes with a grimace not wanting to see his reflection in the mirror. "Just cut my hair and trim the damn beard please." The barber frowned at Theo but started to give him his business haircut and then trimmed his beard. Mark sat in the waiting area playing on his phone his brows drawn together as he focused on Candy Crush. "Mark?" "Yeah?" blinking as he looks up over at Theo frowning at his lost game. "You need to get your haircut too." Mark gasped dramatically "I can't it's part of me please no." Theo rolls his eyes and sighs. "If I do so do you do you are going to be my best man anyway. So get a tux as well by Tuesday." Mark hangs his head. "Damn, well ok." Theo stands and brushes off his cut hair patting Mark's shoulder. "Don't worry I still have to get my tuxedo, we can go get that chore done next." Mark quickly gets his haircut and only cries a little so the barber gives him a lollipop to cheer him up. Theo burst out laughing as Mark ate the lollipop and well paid the barber as they walked to the Ranger Rover. They drove over to pick out their tuxedos choosing a black simple tuxedo for the wedding Mark picked a similar one with a shrug making it a quick trip. "So are you going to have a Batchelor party?" Mark asks and Theo shakes his head. "No thanks, Man. I appreciate it but no." Mark looks confused as he shrugs. "Ok, Theo." Driving back to the pack house Ralf calls and Mark glances at Theo. "Do You want to answer it?" Theo shook his head no and looked out the window as Mark answered the phone. "Hello Alpha, how can I help you?" "Did you get the things you needed for the wedding?" Ralf grumbled. "Yes, Alpha we are heading back home now." "Did you remember the rings, Mark?" Ralf smirked as he could picture Mark sweating and shocked expression. "No, Alpha Ralf I will go get them right now. What size is the bride?" Ralf looked down at a folder he had to check glancing at her surveillance photo. "Her ring size is seven." Mark glanced at Theo who shrugged and looked back out at the scenery. "OK Thank you, Alpha." Ralf hung up and snorted going back to packing business and checking his other businesses happy to see everything was coming together as Marshall came in. "So is Silver River as bad as we feared Marshall?" Leaning back he crossed his arms looking at his Beta. "Well, from the reports I've been getting Alpha Kevin's guard patrol is very lacking and your future daughter-in-law gets to wander wherever with rogue attacks happening." Marshall flops in the chair in front of Ralf. "I just hope she is better trained."