Different Breed

What a party

I bump into the back of someone as I’m distracted by my surroundings. “Woah. You ok Astra?” I feel someone grab my shoulders to steady me as I look up to see that it’s Apollo. “Oh hey! Sorry to bump into you like this” I giggle awkwardly “I don’t mind at all.” He steps back and holds out his hand “I was actually hoping to ask you to dance” I stare blankly at his hand wondering what I should do. Do I decline and risk offending him or accept and possibly make a fool out of myself since I can’t dance to save my life. Before I can even think of what to say I hear a growl which makes me jerk my head in the direction it came from and see a jealous Aidan glaring daggers and heading right for us. “Back off” he snarls at Apollo while stepping between us and trying to push my behind him “Dude! Don’t be rude to the Alpha” I smack his arm but he just gives me a dirty look like I was cheating on him. Apollo clears his throat “I didn’t know that you found you’re mate while I was gone” “I didn’t” I state dryly “but we could be Astra” Aidan protests. Apollo looks between us and sighs “I see” Apollo becomes serious and gets right in front of Aidan and stares him right in the eyes “well until you both know for sure I suggest you back off a little and give her some space or I’ll have to ask you to leave.” Aidan looks between me and Apollo, judging what to do next but then storms off in a huff. Once he’s out of view Apollo turns back to me with a worried look on his face “are you alright?” “I am. Thank you for stepping in and helping me” he just shrugs “I’m the Alpha. It’s my job to help” he extends his hand again and bows slightly “now how about that dance?” I take a deep breath before politely declining and using the situation to my advantage “I don’t really feel like dancing. Especially after all that. Wouldn’t want to give him another reason to make a fuss” I roll my eyes thinking about the conversation we’ll most likely have eventually. He nods “I understand. I just wish I could have had at least one dance with you” the disappointment in his eyes was to much so I tried to soften the blow “maybe later? I just need some fresh air” he agreed to that and showed me where the back garden was. “I would accompany you but I can’t be away from the party for long.” “I understand and don’t worry. I’ve been training everyday so I’m sure I’ll be fine on my own” I say with a confident smirk. He just laughs at me then waved goodbye as went back in.

I was finally alone. I sucked in as much fresh air as I could to calm my nerves. My wolf Eve has surprisingly been quiet which doesn’t happen often but she also hates party’s so I just shrug it off and wander the garden. It is ginormous with all kinds of flowers, bushes and trees. There’s even a pond with a gorgeous willow tree reaching over it. I go to sit under the tree and enjoy the view of the night sky with the moonlight dancing across the pond. I close my eyes and soak in the sounds but I must have let my guard down as a hear an unfamiliar voice “excuse me but are you lost?” I jump up and turn to see who it is but lose my footing and start to fall towards the pond. Squeezing my eye shut While I embrace for the cold impact but instead of feeling the cold water, I feel two strong and warm arms wrap around my back. I slowly open my eyes to see a pair of forest green ones looking back at me. “Are you alright?” They ask as they gently bring my to feet and slowly release me so I don’t lose my balance. Realizing what just happened my face turns bright red and I squeak out a response “yep! Totally fine! Thanks for catching me” I giggle out nervously. They just stare at me blankly for a moment then burst out laughing. Making me turn a deeper shade of red and running out of embarrassment. I hear them call out to me but ignore it as I run back to the party. Hoping to hide in the crowd.

As soon as I make it to the doors I stop to catch my breath and smooth down my hair and dress so I don’t look like a crazy person when I walk in. ‘that was sooo embarrassing! I hope I never bump into them ever again!’ I think to myself. Eve finally chimes in after all this time “I don’t know. There was something about them that I just can’t put my paw on but I would like to meet them again to figure it out” she says thoughtfully. I was too busy embarrassing myself to notice so I try to think back about it as I walk back inside. Being so deep in thought, I don’t even realize that I walked right pass Venessa who apparently was trying to talk to me “helloo! Earth to weirdo!” She waves her hand in front of my face to pull me out of thought “oh! Sorry” I scratch the back of my head “need something?” I ask while being confused why she’s even bothering to talk to me and not flirting with every Alpha here. She rolls her eyes at me before speaking and muttering under her breath about why he bothers with me or something. Guessing she means her brother “my brother is in a horrible mood and I’m guessing it has something to do with you?” She questions with her arms crossed and eyes in slits. I just shrug “possibly” “we’ll do something about it! Poor Brie has been trying to cheer him up and it’s just sad to watch” she looks over at them and she’s right. I see Brie looking like a puppy wagging her tail trying to make him happy and Aidan is completely ignoring her with a sour look on his face. He looks up like he knew we were looking but i quickly turn my head before we happen to make eye contact. Venessa relaxes her stance and shifts her feet as she rubs her arm “look. I don’t ask for favors and obviously not from you. But I can’t stand to watch my friend and brother like this so..” she pauses and make a awkward face before she speaks up again “please try to lighten his mood or something so maybe him and Brie can actually enjoy the party” she asks while looking at my shoes. I’m honestly shocked she even knows how to say please but I also know how much she cares about her brother so I sigh and think for a moment before responding “Venessa I would really love to help but I feel like if I get involved it’ll only make things worse. Why not try to get Brie to dance with someone and have your brother go outside to get some fresh air alone. It helped me a lot” I say with a soft smile. Venessa nods thoroughly as she thinks about what I said “you’re probably right” she says then pauses in horror as if she remembered who she’s talking to. Like a switch went off she immediately puts her hands and her hips and her nose in the air “pretend this conversation Never happened” and then she walks away. I just roll my eyes and make my way into the crowd.

At that moment. Alpha Apollo starts to make a speech as I find my family and friends. “Thank you everyone for coming! It mean a lot to have each and every one of you here with us tonight! A lot has been going on with rumors and rogues so I hope this brings some joy and peace of mind in these stressful times” suddenly I notice the person beside Apollo is looking at me. He’s tall but not as tall as Apollo and possibly the same height as me with naturally dark skin and black shaggy hair but then I notice his eyes! Those gorgeous forest green eyes! I freeze as I realize it’s the guy from the pond. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks as he probably recognizes me. Just then Alpha Apollo introduces this man “Me and my Beta Tarak Asheem will do our best to serve and protect you all” Eve purrs out “Tarak. What a manly name” she sighs out like a love sick puppy “for once I have to agree” Apollo finishes his speech with a toast then come down and heads towards my family with his Beta in tow. Wondering whether to run and hide or not. “Beta Alonso! I wanted to introduce my Beta to you since you haven’t met you” he turns to him who goes to shake my dads hand “it’s an honor to meet you sir” he says with a handsome smile “please. The pleasure is all mine Beta Asheem” my dad smiles back “call me Tarak” my dad nods “and this is his daughter I was telling you about. Astra” Apollo turns to me and I start to feel suffocated under all the eyes “hi” I shyly wave. My dad laughs alittle and leans towards Tarak “she’s a shy one” Tarak bows slightly and extends his hand for me “it’s a pleasure to meet you Astra” I hesitantly place my hand on his and he gives it a soft kiss that warms my whole body. My cheeks turn red again at the gesture. Apollo clears his throat “don’t tease the poor girl Tarak” he nudges him but almost looks jealous “sorry. I couldn’t help myself” he giggles out then winks at me. This boy is gonna be the death of me. “Why don’t you dance with Tarak while me and Apollo go talk for a bit Astra” I look at my dad with wide eyes but before I can protest Tarak speaks “oh I don’t dance but we can go talk for a bit” he gives me his arm and I reluctantly take it. Wondering how I’m gonna get out of this one.

He takes me back outside to the back balcony and then lets down his arm “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings or offended you at the pond earlier” shocked that he brought it up so soon I had no idea how to respond “I didn’t mean to startle you or laugh at you” he smirks at me “you just had the cutest yet most awkward look on your face that I couldn’t help myself” he starts to giggle as he remembers the look “I’m sorry for just running off like a child” I rub my arm “I don’t do well in awkward situations” I laugh nervously. He shrugs “I don’t think anyone does really. Some people are just better at hiding it” I start to relax as we talk about a bunch of things and joke and laugh. It felt so natural even though he was a total stranger. Soon the party was over and we had spent the whole time outside alone.

He walked me to my room like a gentleman “I had an amazing time talking with you Astra. I hope to see you again” hearing that made my heart flutter. This man so easily affects me “I hope to see you again as well” I smile shyly. He gives me his number so we can stay in contact and we say our good nights. As soon as I close my door I sigh and lean against like the girls in the movie after a perfect date. Hoping to see him again before we leave.