Karma

Chapter 4

Rain

We finish at the spa and head back to the clan house to get dressed. I have been waxed, shaved, plucked, and beautified to the point of no return. My makeup does look great though. Natural, except for my eyes, they went bold with winged eyeliner. Now for this torture device called a dress. It's a black corset dress with a thigh-high split on one side. Though the person staring back at me in the mirror is stunning. I don’t feel like myself and maybe that's why I need a distraction for one night. Mom comes in to tell us it is time. Even though it’s my birthday, the party includes influential members of other clans we are in alliance with and some we are seeking alliances with. This is normal when a high-ranking pack member's child has a party such as this. So here we go.

The mom and Luna head down to their mates. I’m envious of their relationships. A mate is a blessing and maybe once my wolf comes in I will find mine. I begin my descent down the stairs, praying I don’t fall, because of those death traps I'm wearing. What most people refer to as heels. I see my family, the Alpha, and Luna looking up at me so proudly. Then I noticed Wes waiting at the bottom of the stairs to receive me. Thank God, at least I know he won't let me fall on my face and make a total ass of myself. Just a few more steps. He looks so good in his suit jacket, button-down shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. Wait a dang minute, why does he get to wear cowboy boots and jeans? While I’m stuck in this dress and heels. I got a bone to pick with him later.

Holy Heck, I made it down the stairs! Wes holds his arm out to me and I take it. As he leans in and whispers “Rain, you look amazing and it appears I may have to beat a few asses tonight if all these guys don't stop staring at you.”

I giggle and shake my head as I inform him “I can still fight in this dress so, I’ll handle all the ass-kicking myself.” Wes is so protective. Did I mention hot and sexy, as well? Is it normal to think of your best friend this way? Stop it, girl, he has a mate and you have a mate, so move on and let go.

“Of course, you will, Ditlihi”. Which is Cherokee for a warrior. He leads me to our friends' table and the festivities begin. The Alpha welcomes everyone and congratulates me on my big celebration and then everyone begins to eat dinner.

After dinner, I hit the floor for some dancing with the other girls from the clan. I am having such a great time and then the next song is a slow one. The girls are joined by their mates and as I turn to leave the floor, Wes is there and spins me onto the dance floor. As I look into his eyes, he had that devious grin on his face.

“Shouldn't you be looking for your mate?” I asked. He just grins wider and answers with “None of those ladies are the future Luna and I could ask you the same. Could your mate be out there?”

“Yes he could be and I wouldn’t even know until he tells me, or we meet during a full moon. That is thanks to not having a wolf to tell me.” I grumbled.

“So certain you don’t have a wolf, huh?” He asks.

“ All I can say is I feel no different to Wes, so not likely. I don’t feel there is another presence in my mind. Didn’t you say your wolf talked to you when he emerged?”

“I’m sorry Raina. I know you wanted this but trust that the Great Spirit, The Moon Goddess, and The Witch Goddess have a plan. We know of no one else like you, so it's hard to say what is normal for someone like you”.” He sympathizes with me.

I know he is trying to cheer me up, but smart-ass mode is activated. “So you're gonna send Alice and Jasper to find information about someone like me so we can understand what my purpose is and to make sure I’m not a danger to anyone?”

Wes leans into me and says “Never lose this part of you, Rain, it's why everyone loves you.” I wonder if he is referencing himself there as well. I have to quit thinking like this. It's not doing either of us any good and with him holding me this close, I can’t afford to be aroused. His wolf would smell it and I would just die if he knew how much he excited me.

As we exit the dance floor, I see an Alpha from a different clan or pack. His may be called a pack since they are not from this area.. He is watching us as we leave the dance floor. Well, he is watching me and it's giving me the creeps. What is his problem?

“Wes, who is that over there?” I asked. Wes looks at where I am looking and he informs me that it is ‘Alpha Boone’, one of the packs that came for an alliance and to see if his mate will be present. I decided to be nice and nod in his direction. He in turn nodded back to me. He would be considered a nice-looking man if he wasn't watching me like a piece of meat. Like all Alphas, he is tall, has messy blonde hair and green eyes and his tan reminds me of a surfer.. So I ask Wes where he is from. Guess what I am right. His pack is from California. I wonder why he came all this way. Must really want to find his mate and Luna.