Into the Spirit

Behind the Velvet Curtain

---POV Terra---

She squealed and didn’t even give me a chance to change my mind before yanking my arm toward the VIP Booth. Towards the scent. Terrific. I almost forgot about it, but fate has a funny way of making sure I remember. “Whoa, what did you do to spring this cost?” I mean Mason did bring a bit of publicity, but not that much.

She spun back on her heels and winked. With my statement, I made sure to play it cool. I didn’t want her to egg on my wolf and I really didn’t want to have to bring her down from more squealing, but I think whatever that scent is in there, has something to do with it. I was just hoping I was wrong. “Remember that...brother Mason told you about?”

“Vaguely.” I noted before she pulled me through the curtain to reveal a group of wolves, powerful ones, standing together eating and drinking. Some stopped to stare at the newcomer to the party, but once they saw who it was, they went right back to their conversations. I breathed a sigh of relief. From the faces I noted, not one of them looked familiar until I recognized Mya’s parents and Mason.

I was scared of being in this room. There were too many people I didn’t know. What if one of them was a shadow of my past or knew a shadow from my past? I started to hyperventilate, but only for a moment, before I shook my head subtly and focused on the now. I am focusing on the now.

I heard the shift of fabric behind me, and the toned-down music spiked for a moment before toning down again with the fabric falling behind Bryce, the club’s manager. He came in behind us and nodded to the group. “The underlings are watching the doors, Head Alpha.” He nodded off toward the other side of the room, but I wasn’t really paying much attention to that.

More so, the whole Alpha comment…. Wait, like Head Alpha?? These scents are too strong not to be him or at least his immediate pack. I don’t remember much about my relations with Mason, but he did say he was a part of the Head Pack. There is only one Head Alpha in that pack. There is only one Head Alpha in the Western Region.

---POV Ayden---

I listened to the few Alphas and Betas from our territory laughing and chatting with each other while I leaned on the velvet cushions towards the back of the room. I didn't really feel like mingling tonight and Mason was insistent that I go to at least one party that him and Mya threw for their wedding. They have already thrown enough parties to set a new record. I don't know why this one was any different.

I sighed and Lily hopped up from the chair next to me. "Daddy....gramma." She said, pointing to my mother sitting a few tables away, chatting happily with Mason. I guess Lily wanted to see my mom for a bit.

I shrugged and pushed her in that direction. I know she is safe in here with everyone present, so I didn't see any worries about not requiring her an escort to walk across the VIP section. That would be overkill. "Go on. Daddy will be right here for you if you need me, princess."

She grinned slightly and played with the hems of her clothes before grabbing her tablet and racing to the empty seat between Mason and my mother. "Do you smell that?" My wolf asked, antsier than before. I was a bit confused but shrugged.

When he started to pace, I decided to humor him and take a deep breath. The scent was subtle, but alluring. "Yes? And?" I asked, as if I was missing something.

"And, maybe we should go check it out." I sighed angrily at his sarcasm. I'm too tired for this. I don't remember the last time I could take a break from work, and I know there is a lot more to do when I get back home. I guess that's why I cannot enjoy this rare

break.

I heard the music rise and fall and the scent got much stronger. I shifted in my seat and looked over at a woman with beautiful curls and a luscious figure waltzing in the room along with Mya. When the room grew silent, I noticed it made her uncomfortable.

"Are we all clear, Alpha?" I heard one of my men ask and I nodded, knowing he could see me from wherever he was stationed. Once I gave the ‘all clear’, the room moved about as normal, and I saw the woman visibly relax. There was something about her that really made me want to find out more...find out everything about her.

“Oh, my girl! Your music is amazing!!” Mya’s mom jumped at her, and the startled face the woman instinctually showed immediately became a mask. A soft smile that sated Ms. Eagan immediately. Mya looked between the woman and her mother a couple of times before she let go of the woman's hand. To be polite, I'm assuming, Mya's friend began to continue the pleasantries around the small group of people gathered around her.

I grinned a bit and just enjoyed the view. That dress did everything for her. It made every curve accentuate blissfully as she shifted her weight from one sneaker to the other. That made me laugh silently. Sneakers with a dress? Surprisingly, she pulled it off.

My wolf continued to pace and started to growl at me. Interesting. Then, I heard the most alluring voice ring from her plump glossed lips. “Hey Ms.Paige. Thank you for that. I try.” She wrinkled her nose a bit and grinned at the motherly love Ms. Eagan projected on her. However, she seemed a bit nervous and flushed at the attention.

“Wait, you’re the DJ?!” Oh, Georgie, Bryce's brother. Their conversation continued and I growled when I realized the kid was flirting with her. I know Georgie is twenty-three but there is a lot to say about the statement: your maturity is your age. I saw her little nose wrinkle and I froze in my seat.

"She is looking for something." My wolf called in a singsong tone. He was mocking me. I was about to retaliate with the little nuisance that occupies my mind until I heard it.

“Wait, but can I have your number, though?” Georgie asked, tapping the woman's shoulder.

She stepped back a bit. It seemed like him and the contact was bothering her. She was about to say something, then her eyes grew in realization, and she winced. Was she hurt? I almost stood from the chair until I realized something. I cared. I care about every little thing this woman did. Almost to a fault, and I haven’t even taken the time to introduce myself, let alone talk to her.

I growled and slowly lowered myself to my seat. "Mate." My wolf called and I had no choice but to agree with him. Well, this was a rather interesting turn of events.

---POV Terra---

“Alright Georgie, enough. I think Mya brought her in here for a reason.” Someone from the middle table’s voice pierced through the room and the mumbles and voices around me fell silent. Him. It was him.

I turned to run. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like this. I was terrified I wasn’t going to like this. Even his voice echoed through the room with the sensual bite of a good whiskey, but I heard Mya chime in, and her hand went around mine again. Seeing me as a flight risk, I see. The grip on my hand said it all and she wasn’t wrong.

“Yes, Alpha.” She responded. I turned rigid and her grip tightened. She knew she couldn’t hurt me, and she knew I wouldn’t hurt her, but d**nit! Alpha?! Mya cleared her throat and pulled me closer to her, so I had no choice but to look around the room.

“E…everyone, this is Terra. She doesn’t have a–” I hastily pulled myself next her and yanked down a bit to get her attention. Everyone looked confused for a second, but I didn’t need those people’s empathy. I was nervous though. It seemed the Alpha hadn’t noticed our connection to each other. I think that is a good thing? “ – oh never mind. She is one of my best friends and she plays music here. She also set up the music for Mason and I’s wedding. You’re going to love it!!” There she goes, rambling again. However, it seemed to work. The confusion turned to smiles and light chuckles. It seems like the room is used to her bumbling fits. “Anyway, please welcome her. She is a good person, I promise. Can she stay?”

Mason walked up to us, and I nodded to him. I was already the center of attention. It’s not like acknowledging I know him too is going to make a difference. I hate large packs. I don’t know who I’m supposed to avoid and who I can befriend to decrease attention. “Come on, brother…just for a bit?”

B…brother?! Wait, she did say something about him when we arrived. I guess I wasn’t really paying attention while I was joking around with Bryce. He may be the manager, but I have found him comfortable to hang out with over the last couple of years, so we have created a friendship pretty close to the one between Mya and I.

“Fine.” He was stern, but he didn’t seem angry. To be honest, I’m not too sure what he is thinking. I can’t see much but a smirk of pearly whites from here. Not much to go on when it comes to someone’s emotional status. Mya smiled happily and pulled me to the side table.

Everyone went about their business, and I realized I hadn’t really let Georgie down quite yet. He looked over at me hesitantly. “Maybe another time, kid.” I smiled in his direction and his dejected look was priceless. He’ll get over me. They…they always do.

“So, this is Momma Rogue and Little Lily. You know everyone else though.” Momma Rogue looked up from the little girl’s tablet and greeted me with open arms once Mya introduced us.

“Hello, lovely girl. It’s so nice to finally meet the maid of honor.” Everything about her made me feel comfortable. She wasn’t like the normal grandma though. She had a pixie cut hairstyle with longer wisps of hair in the front styled and spiked. Her jeans were straight from the seventies - flared boot cut - and sported a bunch of flowers and designs around the hem with a simple purple long sleeve shirt to match.

She shifted in her ballet flats, and I noticed each shoe had a simple buckle on the front polished to shine. Her southern accent was icing on the homey cake. She just made me want to rest my head on her lap and talk about everything. Just like a momma.

“Um…yes. Maid of honor. I’m going to be behind the turntables most of the day though.” I smiled politely while sitting across the small bar table from her. The dimpled cushions weren’t the most comfortable, but that was by design, so no one thought it would be a good idea to stay after closing and take a snooze.

She threw her hands my way and continued her smile toward Mya and I. “Ohhhh, posh. You can come out any time deary and enjoy the party. You will have to help Mya too.” My smile relaxed and became more genuine the longer she talked to me. I could tell she knew I wasn’t comfortable. I don’t think I have been comfortable in a pack setting in over ten years.

However, I wasn’t really considered a deserter because I didn’t have a pack to desert, but I didn’t really feel comfortable completely joining Mya’s parent’s pack either. Her father and mother were the Alpha and Luna of their pack, and it was of modest size with around fifty families. It was adorable and they were not power hungry. It was refreshing.

Since they only had Mya, she decided not to take over her parent's pack with Mason, and at some point, they will integrate the pack into the Rogue Empire to compensate. Apparently, they border with each other, so it’s good for both parties.

I appreciate that Momma Rogue still tried to include me though, and I guess it’s the thought that counts. “I will do my best, Ms. Rogue.” She laughed and threw her hands in the air again happily.

“Oh…Oh…no honey, call me Momma Rogue! It’s been a rather long while since someone has called me Ms. Rogue. That is too formal.” She dismissed my polite way of addressing her so easily. You would never guess that she was Mother Luna of anyone's pack. Well...I guess Paige was like that too, but it took me a whole year not to call her Ms. Eagan.

“O…okay, Momma Rogue.” I grinned and she pulled me to sit next to her from the other side of the table. Just because she is probably in her sixties, don’t let it fool you. Wolves just get stronger with age. Then, at a certain point, we stop aging depending on how strong we are.

We could stop aging at thirty and even stay like that for centuries. Once I situated myself next to the woman who tends to light up a room, she patted the little girl’s shoulder next to her as the girl’s legs swung back and forth. Once I really looked at the toddler, I was surprised she was in here at all.

I mean, this club isn’t too dangerous, but she is still just a child. She looked up at Momma Rogue with adoration, but she seemed as silent as I was as a child. At least she had her tablet to keep her company. I wish I had that much. “Would you like to meet Mya’s bestest friend?” Well, wasn’t that cute.

The small child Mya called Lily before, turned her head a bit to see around her grandma and looked at me. “You’re pretty!!” She was a bit loud but so was the music; even though it was more muffled in here. Her little-tooth smile lit up the room and my heart immediately melted.

She was just the cutest thing. Her sandy brown hair was pulled up into neat little pig tails with white ribbons to match her soft pink shirt and ruffled white skirt. She had small socks with lace outlining the top and small red ballet flats to tie everything together. She had dimples on each of her plush cheeks and her hazel eyes glinted a bit to confirm her joy.

By now she had climbed over her grandma and squished herself next to me. I tapped her nose lightly and smiled. My whole world was around this child at the moment. This…Little Cub. “Well, aren’t you the sweetest?” I said.

She giggled and it made my heart swell to see her happy. Even my wolf was finally distracted and wagging her tail at this interesting pup. “Well, daddy told me to always be honest.” She said with purpose.

“Well, that’s a good lesson to remember.” I agreed.