Ebony Rose

Chapter 4: The Party

It was hard processing all the information I learned, as Alex kept harassing her mother throughout the car ride home. Everyone else sat in awkward silence, I’m assuming they knew better than to try and cut in or take a side. Once we got back to the house Alex grabbed her stuff and went straight into the house. The echo of Alex’s bedroom door being slammed echoed through the house. Em, Steph, and I were all too scared to attempt to enter the room, so instead we rested our belongings in the small living room area outside the door. 

“I think I’m going to take a run.” I offered as I noticed the tension between Tabitha and Alles while they spoke in hushed tones about what happened. It was clear to see that Tabitha was pushing for information that Alles was trying her best to keep to herself. At my words her head popped up. 

“That’s a great idea Jess! I’ll join you and we can do your first patrol.” Alles smiled at me in a way that I knew I couldn’t object. 

“Alles” Tabitha growled, “someone else can handle that, we aren’t finished here.” 

“Sure we are mom, like I said I don’t really know what to say about what happened.” Alles shrugged and moved towards me and the door. I quickly exited the room and made my way out of the entry hall shifting into my wolf as fast as I could. Alles was still right on my heels, so I waited and let her wolf lead the way. I hoped she really was just trying to get away from her mother’s questions and didn’t want to single me out to discuss what I knew. 

Those hopes were shattered as she spoke into my mind, Have you thought more about our discussion earlier today? She asked. 

I know from an outsider’s perspective it would seem easy to forsake my pack since they abandoned me, but they are still my blood. You guys have been so nice to me and I really like and respect you all, but I don’t feel like I fit in yet. Not that I ever really fit in with my family to begin with, but still it’s a hard decision. Plus with whatever the history is between you and Carter’s dad is I don’t want to make it worse, until I know for sure if I want to pursue that relationship. I thought back to her. 

That is fair, I suppose I am asking a lot of you. Just, I know Vincent and even if Carter isn’t like him I don’t put it past him to use Carter to try and pry information out of you. So I just ask this, if Carter starts asking you about Alex and the pack, and to be a spy for them on us, I want you to agree, and then give me all the information you can about them while I feed you what information you can share about us. She glanced in my direction. Can you promise me that? 

So you want me to be a double agent? My feet ground to a halt as I realized what she was asking me, Before you even know if they’re going to ask me to be a spy?

Yes. If they don’t ask you to be a spy there’s no concern, just if they do I need to know you are willing to put our pack and our safety first. Her wolf sat staring at me, her blue eyes showing the same determination I often saw in Alex’s. 

If that were to happen, I would put the Rose pack’s safety first. I told her trying to mimic the same determination, But I really hope it doesn’t come down to it. I added. 

Good. She took off running again. 

Alles, I guess since I’m the only one who knows, if you need to talk about what happened you can. I offered, hoping she would take the bait and I could learn more about my potential in-laws. 

Her wolf huffed a sigh, There’s really not much to tell. The last summer I was with Theo’s father was when I met Vincent. We were young, and I was quite rebellious. Andy and I had been dating for four years, we weren’t mates, and I was falling more and more out of love every day. Vincent was new to the area, and I thought at first he was human. We started dating and fooling around, he said he was okay with my arrangement with Andy and would back off when it came time. Eventually, he told me he also was a shifter as he became more controlling and jealous of the arranged marriage. He took it upon himself to sabotage the arranged marriage by poking holes in the condom when I was in heat. When I found out I was pregnant, he initially wanted us to run off together and both forsake our packs and the marriage contract, but then he met his mate. The day after he met her he dumped me, and it wasn’t too long after that that my pack had to relocate due to the fact that I was pregnant with Alex. I managed to break off the engagement before the Winter pack realized I was pregnant. 

I’m so sorry. I said to her, That must have been so hard for you.

It was for the best. She insisted, Vincent wasn’t a good man, now that I’m older I realize his abusive tendencies. I'm just grateful I got Alex out of the whole ordeal and was able to break the marriage contract. I wouldn’t have been happy as an alpha, or married to Andy. 

You still haven’t found your mate? I asked her, remembering the man Alex had killed who claimed to be Malcolm’s father. 

Nope, but that is okay. Mates are rare afterall. Vincent was the first in our area to find his in decades, the fact that two more mated pairs were found in the next generation is almost unheard of. The Goddess must have something lined up. Her voice in my mind grew wary. I just hope it’s something good. 

I didn’t respond as I let that comment sink in. Alex found her mate, excusing me from the marriage contract and giving me the ability to meet my mate who is Alex’s half brother. It could be a way for the Goddess to unite the packs, or it could be a start of a war knowing what I know about the Smith’s wanting to take control of Alex. Whatever the Goddess’s plan is, I'm sure Alex is at the epicenter. 

Sighing I pushed my wolf harder increasing my pace, I had to get stronger. Not only for myself, to prove my worth and value to the Rose pack, but also to prepare for whatever Alles feared was coming. If it ended up being another war I was not going to sit back and be useless. 

When we get back, we can start your training if you would like. Alles said in my mind. Her wolf kept up with mine easily, her breathing rate not even changing while my lungs felt like they were on fire from the exertion. 

That would be great. I thought back as I tried desperately to hide the fact that this run was enough to exhaust me. 

Don’t be offended if we start you off with the pups to assess your skill level. I’m sure you’ll be moved to Malcolm, Em, and Steph’s level quickly. She thought back. 

Alex isn’t at the same training level as the rest of her age group? I asked, not particularly surprised. 

No, Alex has been training with the adults pretty much exclusively since the challenge was issued, at least that’s what I was told. She explained. 

I remembered then that at the beginning of the challenge Alex had presumed her mother was dead, and it wasn’t until the hunter’s attacked that she was reunited with the pack. I remembered rumors between the packs that Alles had given up her wolf when she rejected the marriage contract. But when she returned it was in wolf form. I wanted to ask but I didn’t want to offend her. 

You’re wondering what happened to me aren’t you? She asked, picking up on the slight change in my demeanor. I was shocked by her perception, and understanding of me so soon after meeting. My mother never cared enough to pay attention to me and my emotions but Alles observed every change in my demeanor no matter how slight. I know it was probably in order to make sure I didn’t mean the pack harm, but it still felt nice to be seen. 

You don’t have to tell me. I responded to her. We had reached a small pond surrounded by pine trees, I followed Alles over to the pond where we took a drink before relaxing under the largest pine tree. 

This is one of my favorite places on our property. My wolf has always felt at home here. I think it reminds her of where she lived her first life. She thought to me as she laid down and rolled in the pine needles laying on her back and using the needles to scratch it. She rolled onto her stomach and her eyes seemed calm. Her wolf huffed out a sigh. When the pack moved up here I was captured by my ex-husband, and handed over to the hunters. I was kept in a cage and fed minimally. Alex’s ex ended up being one of the hunter’s, and he’s the one who found the pack. As they led their attack I pleaded with the Goddess who returned my wolf to me, so I was able to escape and help. Although, by the time I got there you guys had already made quick work of disposing of the threat. 

I’m sorry, you’ve had a pretty rough life haven’t you? I asked her, my wolf crawling on her belly towards Alles, I gave her a nuzzle and cuddled close. 

I suppose I have. Alles said, But without the heartache and pain I wouldn’t have gotten my two children. I would go through it all ten times over to ensure I had them. My heart ached at that statement as I realized my own mother would never make a statement like that. But, unfortunately, this is another of my secrets I must ask that you keep from Alex. Knowing my daughter she would only blame herself for my heartache and pain, and I don’t want that for her. I want her to see me as her happy mother who is strong. 

I understand. I thought back to her. Your secrets are safe with me. I lay curled against her side, my wolf at ease next to her, enjoying the warmth radiating from her body as the snow melted beneath my own heat causing the cold water to seep into my fur. The smell of pine was strong and also soothing, especially mixed with Alles’s scent of rose and lemon. It was like being with Alex and Theo. Alles got up slowly, and I followed her as we ran back to the house. I watched her honey colored fur shimmer in the patches of sunlight that filtered through the trees. I couldn’t help but admire her. I understood her point that Alex would be destroyed if she knew the extent of the pain her mother had gone through and would blame herself. Alex would have believed if her mother hadn’t gotten pregnant with her she would be happy. But that wasn’t quite true, Alles was right without Alex she wouldn’t have been able to break the marriage contract and from seeing her personality and Andy’s it wouldn’t have been a happy marriage. Alex was her ticket out, and as for Malcom’s father that was also one hundred percent Alles’s choice. She may not have been happy in that relationship either but she honestly loved her children so much it was enough to bring contentment to her life. Seeing her wolf run through the woods, all I saw was strength. I don’t think I would be able to survive losing my wolf, yet Alles and her wolf ran together as if no time had passed. She was finally free, and seemed truly happy. Without a doubt she was one of the strongest people I would ever meet, and I made it my goal to be strong and free like her. To live my life for myself starting at this very moment. 

Once we got back Alles shifted and her eyes radiated light of pure joy as she hugged both her children. Alex was stiff returning the hug, but Malcolm immediately pulled Alles towards the fireplace asking for a story. Alles curled up in a plush recliner with Malcolm sitting on an ottoman next to her, his head on the arm of the chair as Alles began reading to him. Alex rolled her eyes, and grabbed my arm leading me out into the yard. 

“Shift.” Alex commanded when we were outside. 

“Why?” I asked, worried about being attacked by her. 

“I need to train to relieve my tension, and you need to train to get stronger. Now shift.” She repeated her command, at my hesitation she added, “I promise to go easy on you, I just need to train.” 

“Your family said you aren’t supposed to be training.” I muttered, looking down and pushing some of the snow around with my foot exposing a small patch of grass. Alex let out a low growl before storming back into the house. 

I sat on the porch swing gently rocking myself back and forth. The expansive yard was beautifully coated in a light coat of snow, the woodshop hummed filled with life as the saws and other tools were being used, smoke rose from the chimney on the building. I could smell the wood stove going to heat the shop. A cold wind blew through causing some of the snow from the overhanging roof to trickle down, my nose began to run from the cold, but I continued to sit there my hands in the pockets of my winter coat. I thought again of the party and what I would do. Just then my phone buzzed. I pulled it out. 

Hey. It’s Carter. Sorry it took so long for me to text you. Carter’s text read. 

No worries. I responded, It gave me a lot of time to think and process everything. I sent the second text quickly after the first, realizing just saying no worries might come off as me blowing him off. 

Yeah. It’s pretty complicated huh? He responded. 

Sure is. I responded, not knowing what else to say. 

The whole drama between the Smith and Rose packs aside, I think you’re really beautiful and would love the chance to get to know each other. Do you have any plans tonight? He asked.

There’s a party at one of my friend’s houses. If you’d like to be my date? I asked him, the idea had come to me suddenly. It’s only high school, honestly I don’t think anyone would be surprised if Theo and Alex came together. There were plenty of rumors that they were a thing going around. And if I brought another date, it would prevent people from pitying me. They would accept it faster that we broke up and both started seeing other people. 

Sure. What time do you want me to pick you up? I sighed as I read his response. 

Pick me up at 6. I said, giving him the address of the Rose pack house. 

Okay, see you then! :D he responded. I smiled at my phone putting it back in my pocket. I pulled it out again wanting to tell Theo everything, but realized I couldn’t. If I did, then he would tell Alex. Sighing I put the phone back in my pocket. Realizing it was already 4:30 I went upstairs and thankfully found the room door open. Going inside I noticed Em and Alex were already in the bathroom getting ready for the party. 

“Hey guys.” I said, “So, um, Carter is going to come to the party and will be picking me up at six.” 

“Ooooh, hitting it off really well?” Em teased. 

“Well, um, he’s kinda my mate.” I said awkwardly, smiling and scratching my head. 

“That’s great!” Em said, excited and happy for me. 

“Yeah.” Alex said in agreement. “I’m glad you found your mate.” she forced a smile and gave me a hug. “I’m glad you’re putting yourself out there and giving him a chance.” She added. I could see the hesitation and questions swirling in her blue eyes. 

“Is it alright if I shower?” I asked. 

“Yeah, go ahead we’re just doing our hair and makeup.” Alex said, giving a dismissive wave. I shrugged as I took off my sweaty clothes and hopped in the shower. Honestly, after cheer camp, and gym classes any modesty I used to have was gone. 

“Damn. That ass.” Em whistled. 

“You’re one to talk.” I laughed as the water warmed up. “With the freaking bootylicious family you guys are a part of.” 

“Genetics. They’re a blessing and a curse.” Alex shrugged, trying to control her laughing so she could steady her hands for her eyeliner. I showered quickly and when I got out they were in the closet pulling down different outfits to try on. I wrapped the towel around my chest and proceeded to get ready. Soon I was joining them in the main bedroom as I pulled out my clothing from the bags. I tried on all my outfits again ultimately deciding on a powder blue sweater dress with black fleece lined leggings and knee high winter boots with a fur lining. Alex emerged wearing a buffalo plaid dress with black lacing holding the bustline together and a fur lined hood, black leggings, and buffalo plaid knee high winter boots with fur lining. Em came out in a neon green sweater dress, brown leggings, and brown ankle high winter boots. The doorbell rang while we were all giving a spin to showcase our assets. 

“That must be yours.” Em said with a smile. 

“Hey it could be Theo.” I said. 

“Nope. I just walk in like I live here.” Theo said with his hand raised to knock on the door Alex had just opened. Alex laughed wrapping her arms around him and pulling his face down for a kiss. 

“We will just leave you alone for a minute.” Em winked, as we squeezed past them out the door. The door shut quickly behind us. 

“Mom, there’s some guy at the door.” Malcolm called. 

“Hi, I’m here for Jessica.” Carter said, awkwardly. I hurried down the stairs trying to get to him before he was bombarded by the rest of the Rose pack, but I was too slow as they all started moseying in from all corners of the house. 

“Well come on in.” Tabitha said, pulling Carter by his arm. She immediately looked to Alles with suspicion in her eyes. 

“I’m sure they want to get to their party as soon as possible.” Alles said to her mother, “Right kids?” 

“Well actually, we’re still waiting on Alex to get ready.” Em said with a smile, and a quick elbow to my ribs. Seeing her bold face lie to her pack about Alex’s current state made me realize how seriously she took her job as Alex’s beta. 

“Cut the crap, Em.” Britt smiled, “Theo greeted us all before he went up there.” Archer tensed slightly at that as he realized what his granddaughter must be doing. 

“Now Britt, we should all take Em’s approach at pretending certain things aren’t happening.” Damien scolded his daughter as he also realized what his favorite niece was up to. 

“Well it sounds like I have plenty of time to get to know my mate’s friends.” Carter said, following Tabitha who led him into the kitchen mentioning snacks. Alles was visibly tense and the rest of the pack looked at her sensing something was wrong, as she tried to play it off. It made me quickly realize the downside of having such a loving, tight knit, pack. As everyone else followed Tabitha and Carter to the kitchen Alles slipped upstairs, most likely in order to interrupt her daughter and get us out of the house faster. 

“So where are you from?” Tabitha asked, as she handed Carter a cookie, I recognized the technique immediately she was bribing information out of him. Each question he answered would earn him a conveniently timed cookie. 

“Ah, I’m from Midland. The Smith pack has been there for a while now. We immigrated from Canada.” He answered as he happily munched on the cookie. 

“Oh the pizza shop in Clare used to be run by a Smith.” Tabitha said, extending another cookie. 

“Yup that was my great-aunt. My dad stayed with her for a summer when he was about my age.” He smiled accepting the cookie. 

“Oh, what’s your father’s name?” Tabitha asked, grabbing another cookie. 

“Vincent Smith, and my mom is Carly.” He took the cookie not expecting anything. 

“Oh, didn’t Alles have a friend named Vincent when she was about his age?” Tabitha asked Britt and Crystal. 

“Huh. That kind of rings a bell.” Crystal said, but Britt elbowed her subtly in the side. 

“I thought his name was Victor.” Brittany mused. 

“Oh yeah that could be it too.” Crystal said, finally catching on. “Honestly, it was hard keeping up with Alles’s social life back then.” Tabitha slowly put the cookie she was going to give Crystal back in the jar. Crystal shot a glare at Brittany as she watched her treat disappear. 

“Well, the kids really should be off to their get together.” Alles entered the room smiling with a grumpy looking Alex and flustered Theo following behind her. “Remember to be home by midnight.” Alles said, ushering us all to the door. 

“It was nice meeting you all.” Carter waved as we exited the building. 

“Why doesn’t my mom like you?” Alex turned on him. 

“I don’t even know your mom.” Carter lied. “But from what I gathered it’s-” 

“Come on.” I said, smiling as I took Carter’s arm pulling him towards the SUV I assumed was his, “If we don’t leave now we will be more than fashionably late.” I smiled as Alex looked at me suspiciously before she and Em filed into Theo’s truck. 

“Whew. That was close.” I sighed as I got into the passenger seat of Carter’s vehicle. 

“Why did you interrupt me back there?” Carter looked hurt. 

“Because Alles doesn’t want Alex to know yet.” I explained. 

“But Alex has a right to know I’m her brother, she already suspects it.” Carter argued back as I directed him through the back roads to Tony’s party. 

“Yes, she does, but as her mother Alles has the right to determine when the right time to tell Alex is.” I pointed out, “Plus we have more pressing matters to discuss. Turn right here.” 

“What’s more important than Alex realizing who her family is?” He asked. 

“Alex’s mate Theo, is my ex. As you saw he will be at the party, it’s a long story but we just ended our courtship Friday. Everyone at the party still thinks we are together.” I explained. 

“So you invited me in order to look better and make it look like a mutual break up instead of him leaving you for Alex?” He asked, disappointment in his voice. 

“Yes. But I also invited you because I want to get to know you better, and figured this would be a good chance, but you have to let the Alex thing go. For now at least.” 

“Okay.” He sighed heavily as he agreed. “As my mate I owe you at least that much.” 

“Thank you, the driveway is on the left.” I said pointing to the yard full of cars. Alex and Theo were just getting out of his truck and Emily leaped out and into Tony’s arms planting a kiss on his lips as she wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands went to her ass for support as he kissed her back. 

“Hey where’s Jess?” Xander said, coming up putting his hand on Theo’s shoulder. 

“Um yeah, about that.” Theo rubbed the back of his neck. 

“We broke up.” I said, as I stepped up to the group with Carter’s hand around my waist. Xander looked at me and then up at Carter, something flashed in his eyes, but then he was his normal happy go lucky self again. 

“Well it looks pretty amicable.” he smiled at me. “I’m just gonna go warn the rest of the group to spare in any awkward questions.” He disappeared just as quickly as he came. 

“That was Xander.” I explained to Carter, “He’s normally a lot more polite. The one attached to Em’s face is Tony. And you obviously already met Alex and Theo.” I pointed out. 

“Nice to meet you.” Theo said, shaking Carter’s hand. He looked Carter up and down in the faded porch light, before looking back down at Alex, his brows raised, but he shook his head thinking better of whatever he was going to say. 

“Well how about we move this party inside.” Tony suggested as Em finally dismounted him. We followed him. Tony insisted on giving Carter the grand tour and made his normal host statement that anyone who gets too drunk is more than welcome to crash there. As soon as they went down the hall Theo grabbed me and pulled me aside. Alex went to go get drinks. 

“Do you know why he looks like Alex?” Theo asked. 

“Alles said Alex’s father also had dark hair and blue eyes.” I shrugged.

“There’s more to it than that.” Theo pressed, “Are you sure he isn’t Alex’s brother or something?” Theo kept insisting and I had to look away from his green eyes. 

“Is there a problem?” Carter asked. 

“No, not at all. Theo and I were just discussing how we would answer any awkward questions.” I lied. 

I saw your nose twitch. Why are you lying. He’s Alex’s brother isn’t he? Theo thought into my mind. “Yeah we just dated for a while and wanted to make sure we kept our story straight as everyone else is a human and wouldn’t understand the mating bond.” He said out loud with a smile. 

Don’t you dare tell Alex. Alles doesn’t want her to know. It was a f****d up situation. I begged Theo in his mind to help me keep the secret. 

Alex has a right to know. He responded as he walked back towards the party. 

“Is everything alright?” Carter asked. 

“No. Theo figured it out.” I whispered. “He’s not responding to me anymore and I’m worried he’s going to tell Alex.” 

“Alex seems pretty smart, she’s probably already figured it out.” My mate tried consoling me. 

“I know, but I don’t want to be kicked out of the pack house for betraying Alles’s trust.” I whispered back as fear consumed me and my eyes began to water. 

“Alright. If it’s that important to you, I’ll go talk to Theo.” He sighed. “You know I do want to get to know my sister too right?” He asked me, pain in his eyes. 

“I know. I just don’t want to hurt Alles in the process.” I explained. My heart tightened in my chest and my hands balled into fists at my side. 

“Alright, for now I will take care of it for you.” Carter said, brushing my bangs out of my face and kissing my forehead before he walked off to where Theo was standing waiting on Alex. I saw them whispering back and forth, Theo’s brows creased and I could tell he was angry as he gritted his teeth in order to keep his voice down. Alex approached fast, Theo gave a brief nod as Carter made his way back to me. “He agreed not to tell her.” Carter explained. “Now can we go to a private place to get to know one another?” He asked. I nodded. Alex glanced at me as if she was going to head over, but Theo grabbed her arm, stopping her as he grabbed his drink and led her to a different part of the house. I led Carter upstairs to the master bedroom where I knew we would be undisturbed. 

“Take off your sock.” I ordered. He raised an eyebrow at me, “If we put it on the door knob we won’t be disturbed, I explained. He rolled his eyes but followed my orders.