Reading Between the Lies

Chapter 3

Your wolf is a part of you. That’s common werewolf knowledge. Your wolf is your other half. It completes you. Your wolf also helps you find your mate. You feel the bond regardless but your wolf gives you the definite answer. There is no guessing or assuming. Your wolf knows. Your senses also heighten when you get your wolf around the same time “puberty” hits so anywhere from 10-15 then you shift at the next full moon.

Imagine my heart wrenching shock when year after year I never get my wolf. No one knows why. But yeah… I don’t have a wolf. I’m just hoping I can still sense my mate.

Isaac said he has been researching and said I may just have a dormant wolf because he can sense her. He said from what he had read some wolves can just become dormant either due to trauma, health, genetics, or other supernatural causes. Seeing as none of those play a factor he is stumped.

He wants to bring elders in on it to see if they can figure it out but dad made him swear not to say anything to them. My father is trying to keep it within the family. Carson obviously knows since he is training me.

I can kinda see why my dad wants to keep it under wraps. With our dad being the supreme alpha I don’t want to risk being the reason they decided to strip him of his title. Isaac says that’s ridiculous but you never know. They may see it as a sign our family is weak.

I do another lap around my room and check all the window before I call it a night. The feeling is gone. Maybe it’s just birthday nerves and the fact that about 30 families are all staying under our roof. …………………………………………………………

I could hardly sleep last night. One, With the whole weird being watched feeling and two, With the anticipation of my birthday. Happy Birthday to me! I go to reach for my phone and I see a beautiful bouquet of flowers. There is a card. It just reads

“Happy Birthday my dearest”

That is so sweet of my parents to get me flowers. They’ve already done so much for the party. I pick up my phone and see that it’s already 10 AM. There’s only 8 hours till the party starts. Then it hit me. I’M 18 TODAY!!! I could find my mate!! What is he like? What are his hobbies? What are his likes, dislikes, favorite food, favorite color, favorite ice cream flavor? More importantly,what will he think of me? Just as I was getting all in my feelings there was a knock on the door. I barely open it and Kylee tackles me.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHICA!! oh my goddess there is so much to do! First things first you need to go take a shower. You kinda stink. Then we need to head into the city because I’ve booked us an appointment for facials, mani pedis, and last but not least hair and makeup.”

Goddess this girl…

“First off.. I don’t stink. Second thank you so much for doing all this I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Let’s not think of such depressing things and get a move on the clock is ticking!” She says while holding her wrist up and tapping on it with a finger.

“I’m going I’m going.” I wave her off. There really is a lot to do in so little time. I take the quickest shower of my life. As I’m drying off I can here Kylee screeching in my room.

“TOCK TOCK”

Goddess help her mate whoever she ends up with. I throw my hair up in a messy bun, brush my teeth, throw on a tank top and short and head out the door.

…………………………………………………………

We made it back to the pack house a little over an hour ago. We both went to my room to get our dresses on and made it back down to meet my family before I’m “introduced to society” as my father likes to put it.

“Amelia you look absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you dad!” I replied while he pulls me into a hug.

He kisses the top of my head and slowly pulled me away and looks at me for a minute before speaking.

“Mia, you have exceeded every one of my expectations. You have grown into a beautiful, smart, independent woman. Your mother and I couldn’t be more proud of who you have become. It would be a lie to say if you find your mate i would be thrilled. While I would be incredibly happy for you… it’s going to be very hard for me to let you go. You will always me my baby girl.” I could tell he was fighting back tears. I pulled him into another hug.

“Oh come on dad, if you’re acting like this now how would you act for my mating ceremony.” I joked, which earned a very big chuckle from my dad.

“You’re right.. You’re right” he said shaking it off “all right well if you are ready I think they are waiting for us.”

My dad went in to give his opening speech. He got through the formal mumbo jumbo and now he’s talking about me. I soon heard the doors start to open

Okay this is it. This is when my life could change. I’ll find my mate and we’ll ride off in the sunset. Okay, I’ve got this. I take one step into the room and all eyes are on me. Now I really feel like I’m being watched. I make my way to the front of the room where my family is standing.

My dad does a quick introduction and then the party starts. I walk around to show my face and thank people for coming. I make my way back around to the front and I see Isaac, Thomas and Carter and huddled in the corner seeming to be in a heated talk. Of course I’m going to eaves drop.

I get as close as I can to where I can hear but also not be seen. Spy 101. I hear Thomas first

“I though you said they would be here.”

“That’s what my father said. Maybe they finally grew some sense and didn’t show up.” my brother replied.

“If they had any actual sense in the first place they would have never came up with the idea in the first place to even come.” Thomas growled back. What is going on?

“Okay guys… come on , they’re not here …okay so let’s just not worry about it. Let’s just go enjoy ourselves and party” Carson said. It sounds like he’s getting annoyed by the topic.

“You know what.. fine.. yeah let’s go I’m kind of tired of worrying about it anyways.” My brother said wiping his hand over his face.

Carson goes over to him and puts his hands on his shoulders and gives him a little shake.

“That’s what I’m talking about! Come on, let’s go who knows your mate may be here.” He said while wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

The guys walk off and join the rest of the party. Who do they keep talking about and why is it such a big issue? Seems to me like it’s more of the guys issues than it is my father’s, because I have not heard a single word except from them.

About 2 hours later I still have no mate. I’m starting to get discouraged and think he may not be here. I go to walk out then I feel and arm pull me back.

“Where do you think you’re going.” It was Carson.

“You just about gave me A heart attack. I haven’t found my mate yet. I’m just feeling a little bummed and not really in a party mood.”

He just rolled his eyes at me. Not impressed with that answer.

“Um… I think you may be forgetting something.”

I look at him a little confused.

“ uh huh I knew you would forget.” He said narrowing his eyes. Then it dawned on me.

“Oh crap I’m so sorry I owed you a dance!” I smacked my hand to my face.

“I am hurt.. just absolutely hurt.” He said sarcastically. He takes a few steps closer until we are inches apart. I can smell his masculine cologne and it smells divine. He looks me up and down and says “well lucky for you the night is still young and the music is still playing.”

I look down and blush. Partly uncomfortable, partly kind of attracted to his demeanor at the moment.

I listen to the music and it’s a Waltz. My favorite dance.

He leads me to the dance floor, puts his hand on my waist and we begin to dance. I look up and he is staring at me with adoration. It’s intense. He pulls me closer to where there is almost no space between us. I can feel his hand start to inch lower on my waist.

My thoughts go back to what Kylee had said. I can feel my heart speed up. I can’t do this. We’re just friends. What if he does like me and he thinks I’m leading him on. I can’t do that to our friendship. I mean yeah the guy is nice and sweet and hot as hell, but..no… he’s like a brother to be.

I can tell he is noticing me panic because he has a puzzled look on his face. I can’t help but just shake my head at him and start backing away. I can’t, I just cant.

“I’m sorry…” I say I’m a whisper but loud enough for him to hear. Before I can even register my actions I’m running out the door.

I hear footsteps behind me then hear a pained voice.

“Amelia…” he said softly “how can you not see how how I feel about you”

“Carson please…don’t, don’t do this”

“Why not! I love you. You should know that. I know you didn’t find your mate today and I’m sorry. I know it was your dream to find him the day you turned 18, but you need to know how I feel. I would love and cherish you for the rest of our lives. I could be the man of your dreams if you just let me, and I know it is selfish of me to ask you to choose me when you and I both know we probably have mates out their, but I love you and I want you to choose me.”

I’m speechless. How do you respond to that.

“Carson, that’s the thing. My mate is out there for me and so is your mate. You say you would love me forever but what happens if I take you as a chosen mate and then our mates come along later down the line. You can’t honestly say that you wouldn’t leave me to be with your true goddess given mate, because I can honestly and whole heartedly say that I would. In a heartbeat.” Oh my goodness the look in his face right now is just heartbreaking. This is what I didn’t want. Nothing will be the same now. I can’t help but cry at this point.

He comes over, cups my face in his hands. He then brushes his thumbs over my tears to wipe them. I look into his eyes and I can see he is in deep thought about something. I soon figure out what that was when his lips come crashing onto mine.