Discovering Me

Summer Solstice

The ballroom is a short walk from the guest suites on the west wing of Western Revier Pack house. It’s actually behind the pack house and we just had to take the elevator to the main floor and walk across the courtyard, which is beautifully decorated with fairy lights as an accent to the beautiful flowers planted all around.

There is a parking lot behind the west wing that leads into the ballroom and we can see that many pack members have already arrived. As we walked in, we saw the DJ stand at the far end and he was playing a mix of classic rock and old school R&B. There were tables set up around the edge with what looked like appetizers and a bar on the right of the entrance door.

“Hey, Janet! I”m glad you made it.” a pretty girl with big bright red curly hair and a very cute red sundress to match says as she comes up to hug Janet.

“Oh hey Megan. Yes. You thought I wouldn’t show up?” Janet says giggling. “These are my friends Lexi and Tia. Guys, Megan was in the culinary class with me at the convention.”

“Speaking of, you all have to taste my hors doeurves. This is my first time having my own area to set up. Follow me.” Megan proudly tells us.

We followed her to her table and she began dishing out a variety of appetizers on our plate. Once she starts, all the others in the area suggest we try their foods also. We don’t want to offend anyone, so we end up walking away with a huge plate of all the different food.

“Looks like we came in right on time, Corey.” Domenic says, both he and Corey look very handsome dressed in black suits. Domenic with a purple tie that somehow matches Janet’s dress and Corey with a green tie that seems to match Tia’s dress very well. I wonder if they planned on color coordinating and no one told me.

“You’re right Dom. Ladies, are you planning on eating all of that? Will you have room for dinner if you do?” Corey says, eyeing our plates.

“I think we may need some help. Why don’t we find a table and you guys can help us?” I suggest.

“Alright. My two most favorite things at one table. Beautiful ladies with beautiful dishes of food.” Domenic says, as we walked over to one of the large tables set up. We had plenty of hors doeurves to share with the fellas even with their big appetites. All of the tables are beautiful, some have white linen with blue hydrangea in a vase in the middle of the table, others have sky blue linen with white lilies.

We hear a clink of glass and Alpha Ralph is standing on stage with a glass in his hand. He looks very handsome in a light gray suit with a sky blue tie and pocket square. Luna Dianne is in a sleek baby blue knee-length satin A-lined dress with jewels all over and a very classy matching knee-length jacket buckling over that has a ¾ length sleeve and a lace design on the edges. Her hair is in a braided updo and makeup flawlessly done to give a regal look. To their left are Corey’s parents, the Beta couple. Dressed similarly to the Alpha and Luna except, Corey’s father is wearing a gray suit and a baby blue bowtie and Corey’s mother is in a baby blue floor-length chiffon dress with a bateau cap sleeve.

To the right are Rashawn and Brent. Both chose to wear black suits. Rashawn has a baby blue tie and a pocket square same color with silver polka dots. Brent is wearing a baby blue tie that has black stripes.

Alpha Ralph thanks everyone for coming to their annual Summer Solstice and gives a brief history as to why it is an important celebration for the pack. He then tells everyone to enjoy themselves as our main course is brought out. We’re served a choice of beef, chicken or shrimp vegetable kebabs served with a Mediterranean orzo salad. Perfect for the end of summer.

After dinner, the appetizer tables are switched over to dessert tables and the DJ begins playing more up tune music for dancing.

“Janet, would you like to dance?” Domenic asks, and Janet nods her head and takes his hand as he leads her to the dance floor.

“Awe, this is my jam. Corey, let's dance.” Tia says as she grabs Corey’s hand and pulls him to the dance floor. I can’t help but giggle at his facial expression. He did not expect that. I stood back laughing and watching my friends.

“Hey, you look beautiful.” I heard Alpha Rashawn say behind me.

“Thank you. Your mother did a great job designing this dress.” I said, smiling at him.

“True, but I think your natural beauty is what’s making it stand out. Do you think I could have this dance”, he asks as the DJ switches to a slow song.

“Sure” I replied, wondering if he had a hand in the sudden change.

“Lexi, I don’t know what it is but I’m drawn to you. The first time I met you it was just something about you. I know you probably thought I was weird because all I did was stare at you. I just couldn’t figure out the words to say. I don’t know if we’re mates , but the conversation just flows so naturally with us and I feel such a strong desire for you. My days aren’t complete without talking to you. I’ve never felt like this before with anyone. I’m not trying to pressure you into anything, but I really want to see how far this will go.” Rashawn confesses.

“Yes, I understand what you’re saying. I enjoy talking to you as well. I just don’t know about trying to pursue anything more than a friendship. I mean, what if we are not mates? One of us will be broken” I said, looking up into his eyes.

“I get what you’re saying. I like what we have now and don’t want to hurt you ever. I’m just becoming so attached. Please just let me continue to spend as much time with you, maybe take you out, as a friend for now, but I would really love to have you as my girlfriend.” He pleads.

“As a friend. I guess I can do that. I can't commit to more than that right now” I replied.

He smiles, hugs me and places a kiss on my forehead saying, "I know. This just feels right. You, here in my arms. I guess we will see soon enough."

I wake up smiling after a blissful night of sleep. I couldn't help replaying the night over and over again in my head until I woke up...

***

We had such a lovely time at the party. I danced with Alpha Rashawn almost the whole night, only stopping because my feet started hurting. Today my legs are paying for it.

We woke up around 10am, took a quick shower and got dressed to meet up with Corey and Domenic before heading back home. The guys had training this morning and we were to meet up with them afterward for an early lunch at a diner within the pack grounds. They said it was a short walk from the training facility but they must not have realized their legs were longer and they were not wearing 5” heels all night.

“This place had better be worth it.” I whined as we walked to the sign that said Revier Diner.

“I hope so. I’m so hungry right now, I’ll eat it even if it's the worst food ever.” Tia says.

“Tia, you're always hungry. There goes the guys now.” Janet noticed.

“Hey. You guys are in for a real treat. My aunt owns this diner and I promise this will be the best food you have ever had. It serves breakfast 24 hours so we can still get breakfast.” Domenic says, and he ushers us in and to a booth in the corner.

A waitress comes over immediately and takes our orders. Okay. He might have been right. The food was so good and the servings were huge. I can’t believe I ate that whole banana walnut pancake and all that bacon. I kept trying to put my fork down because I was full, but it was too good to walk away from.

“That was so good.” Tia said, rubbing her belly.

“Yeah we can tell you all enjoyed it by looking at Lexi’s happy dance.” Corey says, teasing me, and I stick my tongue out at him. He laughs then asks, “ So what do you ladies want to do before you leave?”

“Take a nap” Janet and I said in unison.

“Good, because I don’t think I’ll have energy to do much. We went to bed so late and had to be up so early for training,” Domenic says. I can feel he’s relieved at that.

The guys walked us back to our suite and we took an hour nap before packing our bags to take down to Janet's car. As we were bringing the bags down, I felt my bag being lifted out of my hands. I looked back to see a beaming Rashawn looking down at me.

“I’m glad I caught you before you left. You should have called me to have someone load up the car. You didn’t have to bring your bags down on your own.” He says

“I know. We just didn’t want to trouble anyone for something we can do on our own.” I replied.

“It’s no trouble. How many more bags do you guys have? I’ll carry them down for you.”

“These are the last of them.” Tia tells him as he takes her bag from her hands as well.

“Okay. Will you have room for your dresses or should I have my mom ship them to you?” He asks.

“What do you mean dresses? My dress is there in that garment bag.” I asked, confused.

“She’s sending more. Another for each of you, I think.” He replies with a wink causing my girls eyes to light up.

“Oh, we get dresses too? We can make room. I loved that dress she made for Lexi last night. I can’t wait to see them.” Janet says, excitedly moving things around in the car.

“Lexi, would you like to walk over with me to pick them up as they make room for them?” Alpha Rashawn asked.

“Sure. I really wanted to see her boutique.” I replied as he held his hand out and I accepted it as we walked down the street to the shop.

“I know I could have sent someone to come pick it up for you. Is it wrong I just wanted to spend a little time alone with you before you had to go back?” He ask, giving my puppy dog eyes.

“No. I think that’s sweet of you. Will your mom be at the boutique?”

“No. She’s still away doing pack business. She has someone working there now.”

“Oh nice.”

We walked in and are greeted by the employee, “Hello. Alpha Rashawn, what brings you in today?”

“Hi Stephanie. This is my girlfriend, Lexi. My mom has some dresses picked out that she told me to receive for her and her friends.”

“Oh yes. She had been in earlier making some small alterations to them. We already have your girlfriend's measurements from the dress last night. The others will need to be fitted properly, of course, before they decide to wear them.” Stephanie replies, pulling up a note left on the counter saying everything she just said.

“Thank you, Stephanie.” He says as she goes to retrieve the garment bags.

“Um, your girlfriend?” I asked, looking up at him with a 'what in the world' expression on my face.

“Well, you are a girl and you’re my friend, so it’s not a lie, right?” He asks while pushing a stray strand of hair away from my face.

“I don't remember agreeing to be your girlfriend. Until I do I am just your friend, pal.” I say as he steps closer and wrapping his arms around my waist giving me the puppy dog eyes again.

“I’m sorry. I know we never agreed to anything more than just friends. My mind just can’t stop wishing for more. I love hugging you and wish I could just…” He tilts my head up,leans in, and kisses me before finishing the sentence. I should be stopping it but I can’t. I lift up on my toes and kissed him back. He’s not my first kiss, but I’ve never been kissed with such passion as this before. Each stroke of his tongue was just... blissful.

“Oh... excuse me, Alpha. I’ll just leave the dresses here.” Stephanie says as she ackwardly puts the garment bags on the counter and begins walking back to the back of the shop.

“No it’s OK, Stephanie. We will take them and leave. Lexi has a long drive back home and I just had to sneak a kiss in before she left me.” He says to Stephanie but with eyes intensely on me and his hand caressing my neck, causing my insides to heat up and face to blush.

“I understand Alpha. Lexi, I hope to see you again. Have a safe drive back home.” Stephanie says, dipping behind a clothing rack.

“Thank you Stephanie.” I yell back to her, knowing my face is probably bright red with embarrassment. I can’t believe he kissed me. I can’t believe I got caught up kissing him. I can’t believe we got caught. And now he's introducing me as his girlfriend. Are we a couple now?