The Time I Tripped into a Curse and got two Mates

Chapter 5

I dutifully checked their names off the list and made notes of the group arriving later. “Perfect. Everything should be in order, then. The ball will take place tomorrow evening, starting at 6pm. There are plenty of entertainment options for you inside the guest house until then. If you need anything, let me know and I will do my very best to provide it for you.”

“Anything we need?” Luke says as I fastened my pen to the clipboard. His crooked smile and his singular dimple made me blush in response.

“Yes, of course.” I said with a smile, then raised an eyebrow. “Within reason.” My smile widened.

“What are your suggestions then, Ms. Evelette?” Luke asked me as he winked, which made my heart flutter.

“Well, there is a large forest nearby that you can explore. If you want something closer, there is a lovely pool,” I gestured towards the back of the house, “and there are also a plethora of video games in the game room and practically any board game you can think of.”

“I like the idea of swimming. It’s warm enough, and it would be refreshing after traveling here. Would you care to join us, Ms. Evelette?” He grinned at me and I blushed again. I was seriously going to start wearing blush if I ever had the possibility of saving face with this crew. I was sure all of these Lycans were able to detect the heat that flushed in my face.

I heard a chorus of chuckles as I averted my eyes when my blush deepened. I cleared my throat and attempted to busy myself with putting away my clipboard and straightening my clothes. Once I righted myself, I cleared my throat again and addressed the micro pack of Lycans before me.

“I’ll leave you to it then. Remember, I’m here if you need me.”

“Aww come on!” Luke responded. “Just a little dip in the pool.”

I rolled my eyes at him and gave him a sardonic smirk. “I think I’ll pass. I have a lot to get done anyway.”

“How about you come over tomorrow, then, and join us for a swim and some games? I imagine we will be so bored here in unknown lands…with people we don’t know….in a place we haven’t explored! Plus, you can give us all the details on attendees coming to the ball tomorrow night.”

I scrunched my eyebrows at him for a moment in contemplation. I mean, it would be a perfect opportunity to get to know them and see if it would even be a possibility for me to leave with them. Maybe there would even be a smooth way of me going and my pack never really finding out.

“Um, alright.” I said, giving in. “Sure. I can totally come by tomorrow if everyone wants. It would be nice to be able to have some relaxing fun before the ball.”

Plus, I thought that it sounded like a fun way to spend one of my last days in the pack. Who cared if it looked odd or provoked rumors if I hung out with a pack of Lycans by myself. I didn’t care, that’s for sure. If I was going to be exiled soon because of my inability to shift, I might as well get a little bit of attention from some extremely attractive strangers, right?

I ended with, “It would be nice to have a little bit of fun.”

Clay raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Well, I can’t wait for tomorrow, then.” And he patted Luke on his back in a “job well done” manner.

With the comment, the others laughed and gave knowing smiles as they looked between Clay and I. Then I heard a low, guttural growl coming from Luke, which surprised me so I glanced at him with confusion.

“Well, it will be one of the last days for me to have fun here in the pack, so we can play games,” I said pointedly as I emphasized the word ‘games’ as I looked at each of of them in turn, “To be honest, I have never played a single one of those games in that room before. Would be nice to be a rebel.”

Luke grinned at me and I saw that adorable dimple pop up on his cheek and I was powerless to do anything but smile back at him.

“Just remember, I can’t hang around all day tomorrow. I’ll need to get ready for the ball at some point.” I said.

I noticed Luke roll his eyes at this before he crossed his arms and looked at me with his eyebrows raised and a serious look on his face. Man, I want to see that dimple again.

“Of course, we understand.” He said, “we wouldn’t dream of keeping you late from getting ready. I’m sure that you will look more breathtaking at the ball than you do now, which is something I look forward to.”

My breath caught at his words. The innocent flirting was one thing, but this was…something else. This felt almost like an invitation.

“Thanks.” I said as I looked at the floor. Was I embarrassed? Why was I acting like this? Some shy little she-wolf that felt no power of her own? I needed to get it together. “Well, I need to get going. It’s a long walk to the pack house and there are things that I still need to do tonight.”

“Walk? To the pack house?” Clay chimed in. “Absolutely not. Let one of us drive you there.”

I started to refuse him, but all of them, all at once, drowned out my protestations.

“Fine, alright.” I said, raising my hands as I started walking towards the car, “But I call shotgun!”

With this, the parade of Lycans raced me to the car.

I reached the door first, of course. They might have said that they let me win, but I was sure that I beat them fair and square. Maybe…maybe not. I did have a few seconds head start on them, afterall. Luke took the driver’s seat and Clay and Atlas sat in the back and we talked companionably for a while during the drive.

“Oh, by the way,” I started, “If you need anything, just call the number to the pack house and ask for me. Someone will be able to get me from there. I left the number on the refrigerator in case anyone forgot.”

“Do you have a cell number?” Luke asked me, smiling and I saw that wonderfully cute dimple reappearing on his cheek, “I’d rather just call you directly.”

“I, um, don’t actually have a cell phone. There isn’t really a need for one since we just all use the mindlink to communicate. The phone at the pack house is for those outside of the pack to communicate with us.” I explained.

The Lycans all looked at each other. “So there is no way to quickly get into contact with you directly?” Clay asked.

“Erm, well, actually. I can mindlink with you, if you’re comfortable with that. I can open a pathway.” I said as I touched Clay’s upper arm. “I can mindlink with anyone I’ve touched.” I told Luke through the mindlink. I felt him identifying the pathway between my mind and his and he responded back. “This is odd. I’ve never heard of anyone being able to do this, wolf or Lycan.”

I shrugged and responded out loud. “I hope I didn’t cross a boundary. If you’re uncomfortable, I can permanently sever the link. I’m sorry, “I said sheepishly, “I should’ve waited for consent first.”

“No, it’s okay,” Clay said suddenly. “It’s just that I’ve never been…accessed…so easily, if that makes sense?”

“What are you talking about?” Luke asked, clearly crestfallen to not be included in whatever was happening between Clay and I.

“Evelette just mind linked with me just by touching me. It was a weird feeling. But I can feel her pathway in my mind now.” He responded cheerfully.

“Oh, yea, again, sorry about that. But, really, it’s the fastest way to reach me.” I said to him, “Just don’t go spreading it around that I can mindlink with anyone I touch, it’s not something that’s super well known.”

Luke’s mouth opened, “Are you serious? You can just do that? Do me next!” He said as he reached out his hand towards me.

I obliged him and grabbed his hand to open the link. Can you hear me? I asked once I established the link.

“Yes! Goddess, I can hear you. This is wild.” He blurted out loud. “Atlas, hold out your hand too.”

Atlas held out his hand and I opened a channel with him as well. He was just as surprised but far less vocal. The only thing the man did was look at me with round eyes and a raised eyebrow.

“One last thing,” I said to them, “Abuse the link and I'll block you.” I looked at all of them in turn, seriously. They all nodded with acquiescence. Good, I like being in control.