The Forgotten Mate

The surprise.

I drive up to pack house with my piece in the bed of my truck the next morning. It will be the first one I have ever shown to other people besides grandma. I am feeling nervous, but the sun is shining down on me and warming my skin. It's like it's showing me a sign that everything is going to be ok.

Grandma had helped me load the large wrappef canvas, so I hadn't thought about unloading it by myself. Opening the tailgate and sliding the canvas towards me, the weight of the piece comes over me. Why did I have to make it an interactive piece? Adding all this extra weight to it really added up.

"Can I help you with that, Miss?" a voice boomed behind me.

I turn around to see a man walking towards me in the distance. As he gets closer, I can not help but compare our height differences. He is over 6 feet tall and towers over me. My small frame sits at 5' 6". He is wearing dark rimmed aviators, a black fitted tee, black jeans, and black combat boots.

"That's would be appreciated. Thank you!"

The stranger moves to the same side of the truck as me and reaches completely over me to pick up the canvas. His arms land on either side of me capturing me in between. His hand brushes mine as he picks up the whole piece, his muscles rippling at the weight. The touch sent sparks through my body, and I gasped.

"Oh!"

"Are you ok, little wolf?"

I hesitate but quickly step away to recover, "Yes, uh, I am Mr.... I am sorry I never got your name."

"It's Quinn. Quinn Night. I am Alpha of Blood Moon Pack."

This is one of the Packs coming for the Gala this weekend.

Realizing that I was just staring at Quinn, I averted my gaze and asked, "You're a little early, aren't you?"

He picks up my piece and turns towards the pack house while he answers my question.

"Yes, we are. It's a few days' journey, so we came earlier to unpack and explore before the Gala. I have never seen the canyon for myself, and I've heard about its beauty." He said with a grunt.

I blushed. Our pack grounds are known for the canyon view, but only those who have been invited into our territory have seen it.

We walked in a quiet silence into the pack house where the Gala was being held. Seeing all the other pieces on display instantly put knots in my stomach. I am so nervous about my creation to be up there with ACTUAL artists.

"Are you nervous?" Quinn said quietly next to me.

I looked at him and saw he was watching me through his sunglasses. I can feel his gaze and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I shiver under his gaze. He reaches towards my face, the spot in between my eyes where my eyebrows are furrowed together. He rubs small circles in that area. His fingers are rough but warm.

A cough behind us breaks me out of my trance. I step quickly away again from this man to see Mr. Wells with a huge grin on his face. I blushed.

"Well, I will see you tomorrow night, Ms....?"

"Winters. Lexi Winters." I said.

"Lexi..I like the sound of that. Well then, tomorrow it is." Quinn said with a smile on his face. He grabbed my hand and kissed the top of it right before he turned and walked away.

I smiled at Mr. Wells and walked out of the house and to my car. I still have so many things to do before tomorrow night, like find a dress! I completely forgot and was so wrapped up in planning and painting.

I headed towards the pack boutique, hoping I could find something. Hours later and no such luck. Nothing caught my eye or fit. I was frustrated and figured I would have to go to the neighboring town tomorrow to find something.

As I pull into the driveway to see my headlights reflect off something on the porch. I walked up to the door to see a matte black box with a green bow on it. An envelope addressed to me. I bring the large box in with practically run to my room with excitement.

I open the box to reveal a satin deep red dress with rhinestones lining the plunging neckline. Picking up the dress, it feels like butter, and the red is just a gorgeous color. I hurriedly put the dress on feeling giddy. There is a thigh-high slit I didn't realize when I first looked at it. seeing myself in the mirror, I am taken back. It fits me like a glove and accentuates my figure. I look at the envelope and open it. On the card, there's writing "To match the unlit fire inside, my little wolf" signed Q.

Not Quinn. No. It can't be. How did he know where I lived or my size! I must say, his taste is amazing. I got to sleep that night staring at the dress, just buzzing in anticipation

The afternoon I start getting ready. I keep my makeup simple besides a deep red lip so it doesn't overshadow the dress. My hair is left down with loose curls at the end. I accessorize with black pumps and black stud earrings. My grandma knocks on the door and comes in. She is looking at me with a smile on her face.

"You look beautiful, darling. Your parents would be very proud of you right now." She says with glassy eyes. We stand there hugging both trying not to cry.

We hop into her SUV and head to the pack house. As we drive up the winding road to the canyon, my wolf Amara stirs in my mind.

"You really do look beautiful, Lexi. I am sorry we don't talk much, but I have a feeling things are going to change for the better."

You and me both Amara. Things are going to change... but for the better?