Rhythms of the Wild

Chapter 2: Oh So Serious

We road back to the pack house in mostly silence, listening to Chesneys music mix. The whole car fell out in laughter as "Play That Funky Music" came on and Ches started to disco in the front seat. We couldn't help but to join in, its been our goof around song with her since I could remember. Before we knew it we were back at the packhouse and headed up to Erins room to get ready for tonight. "This dress is beautiful but I can not wait to change" I huffed as we made it back up the stairs. "and my feet are killing me" I whined as I sat down and started to untie the straps of the heels. Erin snickered "Ah, the woes of female beauty" she laughed as she went into the closet. I pulled out my duffle and headed towards the bathroom to change. I came out in a black tank, pair of my worn in jeans that felt like butter, and my cowboy boots. "feel better?" Erin chuckled "oh, absolutely" I sighed as I fell back on her bed. She rounded the closet again, in a green lace tank top, jeans, and brown Michael Kors boots. "Verryyy cutsie" I said winking. she climbed into the bed and started taking the pins out of my hair. I sat up when she was done. "Do you want me to take yours out?" she moved her head back and forth considering. "Nah. I love it and want to keep it a bit longer. I just knew yours will end up in a bun before the night is over though" she laughed. Just then her door was thrown open "Hey, Losers" we jumped up running to Nick, Erin's brother who just got back from visiting their uncle Ozzys pack. He gave us a group hug before stepping back. "Who's ready for a bonfire?" he said as he grinned big. "Im going to help Darren and Gage set up if you both want to come." They are the sons of Alpha Ozzy, presumed to take over as Alpha and Beta within the year. We grabbed our jackets and bolted out the door, racing down the stairs. We jumped in the side by side and rode to the back clearing of the pack lands, surrounded by trees and far enough away we could party without being a disturbance. We unloaded out of the side by side and walked over to where the big pyre was already built. It was huge and looked more like a tower than a bonfire. Gage, Darren's younger brother was balancing off the top like a acrobat laughing. He looked over and grinned "welcome to the circus" he said in a Ring Masters booming voice, throwing his arms out right before he jumped of and did a flip on his way down. Darren looked unimpressed and honestly angry as he leaned against their side by side. He looked over towards our arriving party and nodded his head in acknowledgement then turned back to Gage, "Let's go get the rest of the things we need.This place will not set its self up G." Gage turned to wink back at us "Be back with the kegs in a bit". I turned to Erin, when I knew they were far enough out of earshot "Darren is intimidating, but Gage couldn't be so different. I dont understand how they are brothers." She laughed "Darren is not that bad when you get to know him. Serious? yes. Mean? only if you deserve it." I walked back around and grabbed the lawn chairs out of the back of the side by side and put on my jacket. The sun was going down and even though it was spring the air still held a chill at night. "Nick what can we help with?" I asked turning to face Erin smiling like a pup at Christmas. "Help with the lights would be nice" he pushed one of the 5 stadium lights to the outside of the clearing making sure it was facing the opening. We jogged over to the others and each grabbed one and started moving them to the opposite sides of the field. By the time we finished struggling with the lights my hair was getting on my nerves so I flipped it up into a messy bun. "I knew it wouldn't last" Erin yelled laughing. I turned to run back to the 5th light. What do we need to do with this one. "I'll move it to the side and keep it just incase Gage continues to climb on things he shouldn't and breaks one of the others. It's easier for me to do it since I have my wolf anyway" he said with a soft grin. Before we knew it the brothers were back and we set the kegs up in random spots with stacks of cups on the top and trashcans strategically placed around the clearing. Guest after guest started showing up and Gage howled "Who's ready to party!?" tapping into the first keg before the word party left his lips. Darren moved up beside him grabbing two freshly filled cups and yelled "It is not the omegas jobs to clean up after you delequents. Use the damn trash cans." With that he turned and walked back to a laughing Nick passing him the second cup. I looked away quickly, I laughed at myself for the absurdity. What is he going to do challenge me for staring at him. For the rest of the night something in me couldn't keep my eyes away from him, just to see if he had any other facial expressions. Each time was the same thing, serious face and attention scanning for any threats. Each time I would move my gaze as fast as it landed to keep him from noticing. Erin came up "incoming" she chirped. My eyes widened as I was spun around, I deflated as I came face to chest with Reed. "Do not touch me." I huffed stepping back. "What do you want?" He looked startled at my response and I laughed couldn't help it laughed in his face. "Did you think I would be excited to see you?" at this point I was bent over laughing like a hyena. "You use to be excited for my attention" he crooned "I just wanted to tell you, you looked great today, and your legs" he huffed out as he grabbed my arm and ran his hand down it. I lost it with that and drew back and punched him with my other fist. I felt the bones in his nose crunch as I made contact. "I told you, do not touch me." As soon as the words left my mouth I was hauled into the air and flipped over a shoulder. I went to fight and instantly relaxed as I heard Nick say "Easy little wolf, let's just get you away from trouble. Darren question this jackass" he pointed to Reed who paled. "I didnt do anything, she punched me!" Ohh real manly I thought, not me I never do anything its always her fault I mimicked in my head and rolled my eyes. Erin stepped beside Nick "Heres the nitty gritty, he grabbed her, she told him not to touch her, and then he grabbed her again. She only defended herself." she raised an eyebrow towards Reed challenging him. Dangling upside down I saw Darren with a ghost of a smile. Gone before it made it into a full smile. "Well since she clearly handled herself, there is no further action required here" he yelled so all the gawkers could hear. Then he stepped up looked down and whispered "Next time, dont touch someone that tells you not to". Just like that I was swooning, it could have been the blood rushing to my head as I dangled there but oh how hot was that? "Uh Nick, her face is bright red you need to put her down now" Erin snorted. "Oh s**t, sorry Sam. I was just really into the play by play there." Nick sat me in the side by side with Erin climbing to the back of the other side "let's go get you a bag of frozen peas for that hand Sammy" she giggled. Nick climbed in to drive and growled "You are lucky, what were you thinking? He could have shifted on you?!" he glared back at me as he started to creep the side by side around the party. I blanched "He could have but maybe when someone says "dont touch me" he should respect that." I jumped as Darren landed in the front passenger seat. "Gage will watch these party pups until we come back."