Silver Mist

Chapter Five

Dani had been laying in bed for over an hour but sleep still seemed far away, her brain just wouldn’t switch off. The fact that Will Harris was her mate had gone on the back burner. Her future as Luna of the pack was very much making her head spin. Dani doubted if even half the pack knew who she was, gaining respect and confidence amongst the shifters for her as Luna would be a huge challenge.

Dani wasn’t without skill, she helped with the staff scheduling, stock take and general running of the restaurant, her duties as Luna would be vastly different but she had hoped at least some of her knowledge and experience would be transferable. The planning of the Winter Solstice Ball would be another matter entirely. Each pack held a gathering, either a tournament or party, throughout the year with an open invitation to all the Northern Colonies. Silver Mist held an immensely popular Ball during the off season in December and their guest quarters were always maxed out. It doesn’t bare thinking about the amount of time and effort that goes into planning and prepping for the ball, playing host to all the Alphas from the other packs and still have the energy to mingle and hold conversation. It would be the ultimate test of her abilities.

Luckily she had a couple of years before the title would officially pass to her. On a shifters 20th birthday, any official titles or family business was passed on. This allowed time for mated couples to settle into their roles before the females first heat at 21 and any subsequent pups.

Dani eventually drifted off, thoughts of the future still floating around her head.

The next morning after her breakfast shift, Dani fetched the party supplies and went upstairs to set up. Moving some of the tables and chairs to the edge, she set up a buffet table with a few chairs around a small open space. She wasn’t expecting many people so just half the room would be enough.

The pale pink and grey bunting went along 2 of the walls, balloons of the same colour grouped in corners and along the back of the food table. A ‘Happy 18th Birthday’ banner went along the wall at the top of the stairs, in front of it a small table that Dani carefully placed a couple of small well wrapped presents.

By the time she finished they were open for lunch and very busy. Peeking down the stairs she spied Kim taking an order at a table by the window. At the same time she saw Warren pass outside heading for the door. Walking into the restaurant his entire body tensed and he squeezed his eyes shut. Sensing danger, Dani quickly darted through the tables, grabbed Warrens arm and dragged him back to the locker room. Shutting the door behind him she turned to find a rather alarming look on his face. His eyes closed and he took a large breathe through his nose.

“What’s wrong?” Dani asked. Warrens eyes opened and the bright Hazel eyes of his wolf gazed back at her, nostrils flaring and mouth open, his tongue swiping his bottom lip tasting the air.

“Mate.” He growled, he eyes flashes back as Warren tried to rein in his instincts.

At that moment Kim burst into the room wide eyed and out of breath.

“Dani! I can smell-” she locked eyes with Warren and gasped. A deep growl and Kim’s whole body shuddered. Dani turned back to Warren just in time to see a flash of his elongated teeth.

“Warren! Get a hold of yourself or leave!” She scolded, “There is a room full of humans right next door!” With gritted teeth and clenched fists he turned away from them.

“You know him?” Kim asked, “How?”

“We met last night out in the forest.” Dani said, not explaining any further. “He’s in the Guards.”

Feeling rather more composed, Warren turned back and walked up to Kim.

“Apologies for that, I’ve been waiting quite a long time for you.” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “I’m Warren.”

“K-Kim, it’s nice to meet you.” She replied, still in a bit of shock.

“Your birthday is today?” Kim was about to answer when the door opened again.

“Kim! What are you-?” Dani’s mum walked in and looked at the 3 occupants. “Well congratulations! I hate to be a pain but we are swamped out here!” She exclaimed before leaving again.

“Uh, I’d better get back to work,” Kim said hesitantly.

“When do you finish? I will wait.”

“About 3:30, I would like that.” She smiled shyly.

Dani interjected, “You’d better get back to work,” she said shooing Kim out the door. “We are having a party after lunch is finished if you want to wait or come back later.”

Warren nodded. “I’ll come back, I’d better go and tell my parents they might get grandchildren after all.” He grinned.

“You’re more than welcome to bring them along later, Kim’s parents and brother are coming, along with a couple of our friends and various people.”

“That would be great, thanks!”

Dani made Warren leave out the back, just to try and avoid setting his wolf off again walking past Kim. She sighed, thinking of the simplicity of meeting your mate the normal way and wished more than anything she had been so lucky.

Leaving out the back herself, Dani headed next door to the bakery to check if the cake was ready.