HERS

8. Mine

Danica entered her room to find Avery sitting on her bed. Danica had a game plan, she had now mastered the art of poker face and the she was about to play one of the biggest roles of her life. It was Chris's big day; his birthday is all about him.

"What do you want?" Danica asked acknowledging her friend.

"Why would you possibly think I would want something?"

"It's either that you want something or you're hiding because you never sit quietly waiting in my room."

"Fine I want something, it that a crime?"

"Well, since it is you...yes it's a crime." Danica simply stated waiting for Avery to tell her what she wanted. "Well...?" She prompted.

"Oh right, let me dress you please?"

Danica contemplated what was being said, "Sure, as long as I get to dress you in return." Danica smiled as the perfect plan formed.

"Fine," Avery agreed hesitant, she had the feeling that Danica was planning something, something she wasn't going to like, it was rare when Danica bargained. "You first though."

Avery had already picked out the outfit for Danica. A black bralette with a white tee paired with some high waist Levi shorts. Avery did Danica's make up subtle and dewy, barely there makeup and then pulled Danica's hair into a messy bun with a few strands framing Danica's face.

"You're turn," Danica grinned as she appreciated herself in the mirror. She could honestly say with her hand on her heart that Avery never disappointed. Danica bought out a simple black skater dress from the wardrobe. "Put this on." Danica ordered, handing her the dress. Avery took it without a word and changed into the dress. "Do you want tights or are you good?" Danica asked pulling a pair of tights out of her sock drawer.

"How does it look?" Avery asked pulling at the hem of the dress.

"Perfect," Danica beamed, the dress was a simple cut skater it was all laced with three quarter sleeves. It had an open collar that cut into a V shape down her front giving some cleavage and the back was held together with a smile hook and eye.

"I think we should leave the tights you look good without them plus your makeup from earlier still looks amazing."

"I know got this new setting spray, the makeup stays on all night long."

"I should get on. Tie your hair into a ponytail." She said as she disappeared into her wardrobe and reappeared with black heels. "Put these on?"

Avery obliged without a complaint. "What kind of shoes are you wearing?"

Danica grinned, "These." She held up a pair of burgundy Kensington flora boots. Danica slipped them on and headed down before Avery. Ladies and Gentlemen," Danica cleared her throat, gaining the attention of James whose eyes nearly bulged out, Chris and his few close friends Adam and Grace who was mated to Owen who was also here and Ellie. They had a drink in their hands most of them were beers. "Introducing Miss Avery Belle Roberts," she gestured towards the stairs, as if on cue Avery emerged from the stairs stumbling as she held onto the railing for dear life.

"Dan, I'm going to kill you..." She threatened drifting off as she noticed all eyes were on her and only her.

"Isn't she lovely?"

The drinks were flowing and the food was gone. A gathering with werewolves had only one downside, the food was gone before the second hour came by. Danica went into the kitchen filling the bowls with more snacks.

"Dani, doesn't Avery look hot?" James asked with an amused look in his eyes, he had a few drinks.

"I know."

"Chris obviously can't keep his eyes off her." He continued. "Do you think he's going to mark her?"

"What?" Danica spun around so fast she got whiplash, she starred at her best friend in shock she had thought she was the only one with that idea.

"It's obvious they both like each other and it has got to be more than mutual attraction." James explained. "Have you seen the way they look at each other?"

"Can you get the trail mix?" Danica asked grabbing the popcorn and crisp on her way out the kitchen and into the living room where the gang had moved to.

"Danica your turn!" Avery cheered spotting her best friend. She was seated on the sofa next to Ellie and on the other side was Grace and Owen all cosy in their own world. Opposite Avery sat Christopher and Adam who took the bowl of popcorn out of Danica's hand.

"My turn for what?"

"Truth or dare with a twist of course." Avery explained. "This is how it goes, you pick truth or dare if you pick truth everyone will ask a question you have to answer it truthfully of course, if it's not true you don't drink however if it's true you drink. Now, if you pick dare you must do it, if you refuse you must have five shots."

"Shots of...?"

"Coke."

"Really, that's simple."

"Of course not coke, you nana, vodka or whiskey shots either will do." Avery snapped. "Okay now that's clear, pick one."

"Dare," the answer just rolled off her tongue.

Avery smirked deviously as if she knew Danica would pick that. "Perfect, I dare you to kiss James and just so we're clear on the lips."

Danica narrowed her eyes at her best friend, "you are going to regret this." She warned her, before turning to James who was now grinning; she got off her seat and crossed the space between the two sofas to where James was sitting. "Let's get this over and done with," she muttered.

James pulled her down on his lips, as they closed in on each other the memory from earlier of Mason flashed in her mind, shoving the memory away she focused on the dare in front of her. As James's lips met hers everything was forgotten all but them and their lips together, moving in sync. His soft lips captured hers, the kiss was soft and gentle getting heated slowly. His hand went from her face to her hair where they locked in place pulling her closer to him; she had forgotten everything except them, except kissing him back. She was giving back just as much as she was receiving.

Someone cleared their throat grabbing their attention, reminding them they weren't alone, begrudgingly James pulled away from Danica who let out a moan in protest.

Danica moved away from James, but still remained on his lap, looking into his eyes to see the lust and want in them made her face heat up. Looking away she faced the group to notice everyone eyes wide and mouth open. They hadn't expected that reaction from them, it was far from what was expected.

"I...I..." Someone stuttered from behind James, his head blocked the view. Danica leaned back to find a black eyed furious Mason standing there wide eyes as shocked and pissed off. "I'm sorry for interrupting, just came by to wish you a happy birthday, Chris." Mason explained himself not taking his eyes off Danica as he spoke. His voice cold and distant. "I also came by to drop off your bag, the one you left in detention."

"Thanks you," Chris acknowledged him being polite as ever, especially now though he was slight ashamed of himself. "It's good to see you."

Mason's eyes returned to normal, is emotions may not have been clear on his face but obviously in his eyes they were clear as day. Hurt. Betrayed. Jealousy. Danica immediately looked away, feeling bad almost guilty not understanding why, she ducked her head in James shoulder, as Mason still looked at her with those eyes as if to say to her, "How could you?" James protectively wrapped his arms around her, as if understanding what's going on.

"Well, what a turn of events that was." Avery said breaking the silence. "You look like Bambi caught in the headlights."

Danica rolled her eyes. "Now, I get to give a dare," Danica smirked as a plan formed in her head. "Ave, your dare is to make out with Adam." Danica saw Chris visibly tense as those words left her mouth, ignoring her brother as she looked at Avery expectantly.

Avery got up ignoring her friends grin she walked over to Adam who sat dumbfound on the sofa next to James and Danica. With her finger she gestured for Adam to get up which he obliged. Adam was almost a foot taller than Avery, who required for him to bend down so Avery could reach, slowly yet delicately Adam cupped Avery's face as if she was going to break, his touch was gentle, slowly then they came closer. Adams eyes dropped to Avery's lips, Avery's eyes were set on his.

Danica was giving her dare a second thought now, had she made a mistake miscalculated Avery's and Chris's relationship? Miscalculated Chris's motives that he wasn't going to stop them. Danica chewed her bottom lip anxiously, she could see Chris fidget in his position, his face grew hard, his jaw locked in place.

...Millimetres away from touching...

"Move!" Chris barked. His wolf was present now, the voice demanded and the wolves in the room froze. Moving at an unnatural speed, James pulled Danica back in time protecting her from getting hurt. Chris shoved Adam out of the way back onto the sofa, pulling Avery into him. "Mine." He spoke in his Alpha voice that echoed throughout the house. His intense gaze looked at the group one by one telling them to back off, then his eyes landed on Avery's his intense gaze softening automatically, gently he cupped her cheeks pulling her closer to him, he bent down resting his forehead on hers

"Happy birthday," she whispered to him a little out of breath.

Chris leaned forward closing the gap between them, his lips captured hers, kissing her gently with an undercover urgency. "Mine," he state in a whisper, "My mate."

Cheers erupted around them as they pulled apart but not really letting go properly. The whole pack was present now, cheering on the future Alpha with his new found mate.

"Congratulations son," The Alpha clapped his son on his back.

"I'm so happy, you finally found your mate." His mother gushed. "Always right under your nose. Isabelle and Lucas will be here soon."

"They know so quickly?" Avery asked.

"The whole pack knows you are his mate, Hun." Christine explained to Avery. "When Chris stated you are his, the message was broadcast through the whole pack, with your image running through their minds."

Danica pulled Avery away from Chris's arms, which earned her a low growl, "Oh shut up," she snapped at him. Danica snatched Avery into a big hug, suffocating her. "I told you!"

James joined the two after congratulating Chris. "I'm happy for you Ave," he said pulling her into a hug. "Come here you," he pulled Danica into the hug the trio hugged it out only t let go when Chris came over to join his mate.