Silver Mist

Chapter Seven

Half an hour later and the party was in full swing. Kim had been a little shy around Warren at first but was back to her normally bubbly self in no time, throwing herself around the dance floor and generally just having a good time. Dani tried to forget about her latest predicament and have some fun. She was taking a breather on one of the chairs near the staircase, when much to her surprise, Izzy appeared.

“Izzy!” She called, the girl turned with a grin and walked over. “Glad you could make it.”

“Hey Dani! Me too, parents are in a right foul mood so thought I’d escape purgatory for a bit.” She signed as she took a seat on the neighbouring chair. “How’s the party going?”

“So far so good, Kim met her mate earlier this morning so everyone is pretty happy.” Dani shrugged.

“Ah right.” Izzy nodded and then after a quiet minute questioned, “Are you mated?”

Dani grimaced and scrambled for a reply, “Ah, well, not really…it’s complicated.”

“I thought the whole point of mating was to make it easy. Personally I’m not a fan, I dread my 18th. Think that’s why mum keeps me on a short leash, she doesn’t want me to get any ideas of running off to the other end of the world.” Izzy rambled, for someone who didn’t have many, if any at all, close friends, she sure loved to chat. “I keep telling her I’m not going to have a mate but she just starts lecturing me.”

“Why do you think you don’t have a mate?” Dani interjected, “They are probably just from another pack if you feel the need to travel.” Izzy seemed to implode and was silent, Dani could see she had pushed into uncomfortable territory for the girl. “Sorry,” she said softly, “You don’t have to tell me.” She reached over and gave her hand a warm squeeze.

Observing the party goers, Dani noticed Patrick, Warren and Alex talking near the food table. While they seemed completely oblivious, it was quite a sight for the ladies in the room. Watching them, she noticed Pats eyes occasionally flick in the direction of Anna and Hayley on the dance floor. They were best friends and while the same age, Hayley’s birthday was last September but Anna’s was in April. Dani smiled slyly to herself and grabbed Izzy’s arm.

“Come on, let’s dance.” They went to join the 2 girls and Izzy soon got out of her funk and was having a good time. Kim came over as well and soon all five of them were dancing about without a care in the world.

Dani made a quick dash to the boys, getting hold of Pat and Alex she dragged them out to the floor.

“Come on boys!” She grinned. As casually as she could, Dani pushed Patrick in Anna’s direction, Alex to Hayley and grabbed Izzy herself, Warren had of course joined Kim. Izzy blushed at being twirled around by Dani but was soon laughing again.

After everyone had worn themselves out, the cake was cut and presents opened. Her parents disappeared down to the kitchens to start preparing for the dinner shift, Dani wrangled the three boys into putting the tables back while Kim and Anna took the leftovers. She and Hayley were working tonight so after a quick trip to the locker room to freshen up they started setting tables.

Izzy stayed with Dani for a little while, causally chatting away and seemingly not wanting to go home. She was both eager and terrified to know what had happened after she left the library last night, eventually her need got the better of her.

“Is everything ok at home?” She casually dropped in a lull of conversation, “You said your parents were angry and you didn’t want to be there.” Izzy fidgeted and looked uncertain.

“I’m not sure if I should say really, it…it’s,” she huffed and twisted her fingers together. “You won’t say anything?” Izzy chewed her bottom lip between her front teeth.

“If you want to talk, I’ll listen. I promise I won’t tell anyone.” Dani reassured.

“It’s Will,” Izzy grimaced and would look at her. “He wolfed out last night.”

“Oh,” She tried to sound surprised but her voice just came out a bit croaky. “I thought his birthday wasn’t for 2 weeks.”

“It’s not,” Izzy murmured, “He was…he was with a human, you know, doing stuff he shouldn’t do with anyone but his mate.” She looked embarrassed at mentioning her brothers s****l relations. “We just heard him start screaming and we all rushed to see what was wrong. His pants were round his ankles and the girl was on her knees, he had turned away so we couldn’t see him but his body was shaking. Mum got the guards to take the girl out and when dad turned him around his eyes and teeth had changed.”

After a pause Dani gently said “And then what happened with your parents?” Izzy sighed shakily.

“Mum was so angry, she was shouting at him for ages. Dad didn’t say anything, he was disappointed in Will more than anything I think. He was going to talk to him today.”

“Ah, well, we all know his reputation, I’m guessing your parents don’t?” Izzy shook her head. “I’m sure they will calm down after a few days.”

“It gets worse,” she grimaced. “Dad said that he could smell another wolf, that Will must have wolfed out because he was “engaging in illicit liaisons” with his future mate in the room.” Dani’s eyes widened at the thought of the Alpha knowing they were mated. Izzy mistook the look for one of horror. “I know, right? That poor girl,” Izzy sighed and shook her head. “Dad tried to follow the scent but they lost it in the snow.”

Dani tried to disguise her relief but from the frown on Izzy’s face she didn’t do a good job.

“What’s that face for? That’s a bad thing.” She stared at her.

Dani couldn’t meet her eye. “Is it?” She questioned, definitely thinking that it was rather a blessing instead. It was apparent that she was a terrible actor.

Izzy seemed to straighten her posture and watched her closely.

“Of course. Will is beside himself and my parents are worried that whoever she is will be so distraught that’s she’ll leave town.”

“Oh,” Dani said with a shrug, trying to act disinterested. Izzy continued to stare at her as she went round setting cutlery out. She was headed to the bottom of the stairs to start up there when Izzy caught her arm.

“This ‘not really, it’s complicated’ mate of yours, who is he?”