Captured

{13} Birthday Bash

Zach's POV:

"What the f**k happened?" Scott growls out his question. I let it slide because I deserve it.

"I f****d up! That's what happened." I pace in my office, running my hands through my hair. She has been avoiding me since our little interaction on the trail. I realized my mistake when she stormed off. I made it about him and not us. I was clouded by jealous after Adam mentioned the charity ball. I thought she had accepted his invitation to go with him. Leah later explained her description of their date and how horribly it went in her eyes. She had no intentions of going with him to the ball.

"So if she isn't going with Adam to the ball and your invitation was rejected," I growl at the word. "then who's she going with?" I growl again.

"Please stop! Hunter is already on edge and pissed with my behavior. Right now, I just need to get through my birthday. Did Leah invite her?"

"Of course. I'm not sure if she will come, but she was invited." There was a pause before he spoke again. "Why do you never say her name?" Scott's question catches me off guard.

"What?"

"Sara Beth. You never say her name. You always refer to her as her, she, the girl, whatever, but never her name." I didn't realize anyone had noticed. It is a layer of protection, of separation. Without a name, she isn't real. I'm still not sure where I stand about accepting her into the pack, into my life. I still feel as if I am betraying my mother and Nick. If it turns out she's not my mate, then I won't be upset and if she does, then I will have to make a decision. If I accept her, I can build the bond slowly since she's human. If I reject her...Hunter growls loudly in my head before I can even finish the statement.

Since I woke this morning, Hunter has been restless in my mind, as if he knows something I don't. Since I'm turning 21 today, a lot of things are changing. I will have my Alpha ceremony and will officially start my hands-on training with my father in order to transition into my role as the next Alpha. He will relinquish power at the Alpha ceremony, which is normally held one month after the 21st birthday. I will also be able to find my mate. Although I've grown increasingly fond of her and want to protect her from the likes of Adam, I haven't fully accepted the situation. So far no signs have alerted me to my mate being here, so I will wait to see what happens at the party. I refocus my attention on Scott's question.

"I never noticed." I lie.

"You're a liar and you know it. You're trying to protect yourself. You already know the truth about her, why not just admit it." Scott stares at me intently.

"No, because that leaves her vulnerable to the darkness of our world. If she is my mate, I have to keep it a secret until I can protect her. I will not let anyone use her as a target to get to me. f**k that!" Scott nods in understanding.

"Look, I just want to see the once happy guy, my best friend, the guy I saw a glimpse of at the lake when you were flirting with Sara Beth. The one laughing and enjoying life before that asshole showed up to ruin it." Scott admits. I process his words.

"I wasn't flirting." I smirk at him. I was. It was so nice to be able to put everything down for the day and just have some fun. She was so sexy in her swimsuit, I almost lost control of Hunter. Scott had to calm me down before I lost it. When she finally got in the water. I wanted nothing more than to slide my arms around her. We started a splash war, then I got the idea to dunk her. She met my gaze and instantly knew what I was going to do. We were in sync with one another. I felt alive chasing after her, catching her, breathing in her scent. Then, he rolled up. I was too pissed at his words and brashness to speak after that. We got back on the boat and headed back to the shore.

I kept tabs on her as she sunbathed. Goddess, she looked so good. I caught Chloe watching me, which made me curious as to what she was up to. She tried on several occasions to sleep with me. She is power hungry and definitely not my mate, but she doesn't care, she wants the title of Luna. She quickly looked away and busied herself. I turn my gaze back to the girl who captured my attention when I saw her walking towards my table. I almost growled when she called me Mr. Turner instead of Zach, but her request peaked my interest so I let it slide.

After getting on the boat, I thought about having a conversation, but she quickly went into photographer mode, which was sexy as hell. She definitely has talent. She leaned over the bow and her position, although easy to look at, made me concerned for her safety, so I grabbed her legs to secure her from falling. I did the same when she stood on the bow, but this time, I had to work a little harder as to not stare at her ass or grip her waist too tightly. She was too beautiful for her own good.

When we returned to shore, the memory of Adam flashed through my head, making me instantly angry. I quickly loaded the truck and prompted her to get in the truck and we rode in silence back to the pack house. My anger was brewing. I knew I should have left well enough alone, but I couldn't. I had to know how she felt.

Instead of heading into pack house, she proceeds to walk around the house to the back trail. I follow her looking to pick a fight or make a point or who knows what else. I was pissed and wanted answers.

"What do you see in that guy anyway?" My frustrated voice calls out to her. She snaps around to face me with confusion and annoyance clearly adorning her face.

"What?! See in who?"

"You know damn well who?!" I was trying to control my anger.

"Not that it's any of your damn business. I don't see anything in him. Why do you care?" She stands with her hands on her hips. She's sexy as hell when she's mad.

"I don't." I say lowly, but I'm not sure if I was convincing. I stalk toward her as she backs away, not out of fear, but by instinct, until she finds herself up against a tree. I methodically place my hands on each side of her head blocking her in. "If you don't see anything in him, what do you see in me?" Her breath hitches and she looks deeply into my eyes. I'm trying to read her, but her emotions are everywhere.

"I—I—don't—I mean—I just met you, so I don't know you. I can't know anything." She stumbles over her words, but her lie is obvious.

"You're not a very good liar. I can see the effect I have on you. You want me." Her body agrees, but her face shows anger at my calling her out.

"Whatever Zach!" She slides under my arms and begins to walk back down the trail. I refuse to let up so I approached her from behind and wrapped one arm around her waist, bringing her to a stop, but also bringing her into my chest. I decide to tease her to see how she reacts. I slide my free hand up from her hip to her side and finally, I tenderly cup her breast and rub circles on her n*****s, which harden instantly. I lean in to whisper affirmations into her ear, watching as her whole body softened at my touch. She leaned further into my chest as I knew her body was heating up and she was enjoying my attention.

"See, you react to my touch. Does he do that for you? Does he make you feel this good? I should be the one to take you to the charity ball, not that prick." It was with these words I knew I f****d up. Her whole body tensed and her demeanor switched on a dime.

"Oh! I see." Her laugh was laced with rage and only increased with the fire in her eyes. "Your attention is only because of someone else's interest in me? Un-f*****g-believable! You know what Zach?! Go f**k yourself!" She stormed off without so much of a look back at me.

"You were because you know she's the one. You're scared for her and I get it, but something tells me she's a lot stronger than you give her credit for, both mentally and physically." Scott's words rip me from my memory.

"I am not scared. I'm an Alpha. I can't afford to be scared." I stop pacing and look at my best friend.

"And I am your Beta, observant and meticulous in my role. I'm also your best friend, so you can cut the crap, Alpha. All I'm saying is let tonight be a good memory. Just let nature take its course. Once you know, then allow the bond to grow without the need to rush anything. She won't feel the pull like you do, but I have a feeling she's already feeling something based on her actions toward you even though you've only been a jerk to her." I frown at his words. "That's not to say you can't change or fix the issue. Just let things happen. The Moon Goddess knows what she's doing." I nod.

"Fine. I'm gonna go change and get ready." I head up to my room and immediately feel my anxiety rise with so many unknowns and what if's, I definitely need to clear my head. I get into the shower and turn the heat up. Instantly, the warmth helps ease my tension and clear my thoughts. After showering, I feel more at ease. I decide to dress a little nicer with a pair of dark washed jeans, a grey v-neck, and my black Converses. I top my outfit with my black denim jean jacket. I rub a little mousse in my hair for a wet look and dab on a little cologne. I'm finally ready as I hear the party kick off downstairs.

I open my door and descend the stairs, the music is thumping through the walls and I can hear a lot of chatter. My heartbeat increases at the thought of my mate being in this crowd. As I round the corner into the living room, I sniff the air and scan the crowd, but nothing. I leave and enter the kitchen to find Leah, Ally, Penny, and Chloe chatting much like the time I found them at the bonfire. I look into each of their eyes. Only Leah seems to understand what's happening. She shakes her head no. I sigh and turn to leave.

"Hey Zach, wait up!" Chloe follows me. "Happy Birthday!"

"Yeah, thanks."

"You okay? You seem a little distracted." She's fishing for information that I'm not going to give.

"I'm fine. I was looking for my father. He wanted to see me before the party got going. I'll see ya." I quickly leave before she can say anything further to annoy me. I decide to go out back and see if maybe I notice anything out there. I walk through the crowd of people wishing me a happy birthday, clapping high fives, and congratulations. I find Scott near the grill helping my dad with food.

Well? Scott mindlinks.

She's not here. I asked Leah and she said she wasn't sure if she would come tonight or not. I link in a defeated tone.

Luckily for you, you have the best Beta on the planet. Scott smirks while dad hands him another set of cooked hamburgers.

Oh do I! And why is that? I link hastily.

You'll see. He closes the link. I take a burger and begin fixing myself a plate. Suddenly, the smell of hamburgers is overcome with the smell of wildflowers. My head snaps around to find the source, but my eyes instantly lock onto a shadow coming up the back trail. I know it's her before she even enters the light.

Sara Beth Collins is my mate.