Thirteen

Everyone in the room has frozen on the spot and is watching the three of them, most gazing at Isaac, wondering what he is going to do next as he stomps up to Amira and Calix. He stops in front of Amira and grabs her arm roughly, bringing her closer and looking down at her neck – to the spot where Calix left a mark earlier. 

      While she was enjoying herself, she forgot to cover her neck and her hair must have revealed the mark. 

      "How were you able to see it from that far away?" Calix asks. It is then she realizes that he also has his hand on Isaac, gripping the forearm of the arm that is holding Amira. 

      "I didn't see it at first, I could smell it from all the way across the room. I'm the only person in this room who knows her unique smell and when someone else has tainted it," Isaac growls. 

      Calix throws him off of Amira and stands in front of her, everyone else around them now crowding in to see the fight. 

      "What in the hell is your relationship?" Isaac asks, looking around Calix. "It hasn't even been a month since you left me, and you're already latching on to another Alpha?" 

      Amira's mouth drops open in shock, never imagining that Isaac could throw such accusations at her, no matter how angry he is. She might have been the one to end their relationship, but she can't believe he still doesn't understand why she did it, and just own up to what he did wrong. 

      "Watch your mouth, mongrel," Calix says, his voice low and threatening. 

      But Isaac just laughs. "Or what? I'm an Alpha, we're allies. Are you really going to fight me over some human girl?" 

      He is barely able to finish his sentence before Calix tosses him across the room into the far wall, then crosses the floor in a flash to pick him up by the throat. 

      "I might not fight you over some human girl, but I will destroy you over my mate," Calix growls loud enough for even Amira to hear. She covers her mouth and looks around to see the same looks of shock from everyone else, most of them turning to look at her. 

      "Is this true, Amira?" Eris asks. She looks both shocked and somewhat angered by this discovery. 

      Everything was going so well; I should never get my hopes up. 

      There is a loud clap throughout the room which echoes off the silence, everyone turning to Isaac's mother on the other side of the room with a forced and awkward smile. 

      "All right, everyone, shall we head outside while the room is cleaned up? The moon is almost in full rise, the ceremony will start in a few minutes." She makes the perfect distraction for the guests to start filing outside where a meal will be served while the Alpha ceremony is performed. 

      Amira has no clue what goes on, with Isaac always claiming he wanted it to be a surprise for her when the day came. The day is here, and she could care less about it, wanting nothing more than to go home and crawl under her bed to pretend she doesn't exist. 

      Isaac finally manages to kick off Calix and looks right at Amira, his eyes asking her if what Calix said is true. Amira gives him a blank stare back, then looks to Calix. 

      "Are you all right?" she asks him. 

      He gives her a smirk. "As long as you aren't mad at me." 

      "We'll see about that," she shrugs. "Right now, I really just want to go home."

      Calix shakes his head as he walks toward her. 

      "That won't do, sweetheart, the night has just begun. Now that everyone knows the truth between us, you have to stay by my side." 

      She tries to ask him what he means by that, but Calix interrupts her and grabs her hand to walk outside. There is a dancefloor set up where everyone is getting ready to dance under the full moon as it rises to it's highest peak in the sky. 

      Isaac comes wandering out of the pack house moments after and glares at Calix, unable to meet Amira's gaze before he wanders over to his parents and the eagerly awaiting Eris, who fusses over him like a nanny. He continues to stare over in Amira's direction, glaring at Calix and gazing at her like a dog wanting it's master, it was uncomfortable for everyone around them. 

      Eris seems to try and drag his attention toward her by asking him to have the first dance, grabbing his arm and attempting to lead him to the dancefloor. Isaac waves her off, looking the least bit interested in dancing and continues to stare wistfully at Amira. 

      Calix suddenly stands up and walks to her side, sticking out his hand to her. 

      "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" 

      She smiles gratefully at him, seeing through his intentions. 

      "It would be my pleasure," he says and takes his hand. Calix drags her into his arms the moment they hit the dancefloor, the music a slower tempo which prompts him to lead them in a slow waltz. This is the first time she has ever danced at an event or party, especially one as fancy as this, with all eyes on her. 

      She can't help but look around to see if there is anyone whispering about them, her eyes landing on Isaac as he glowers at them from the sidelines. He watches them with envy and rage for a few seconds longer before storming off, Eris scurrying after him like a rat. 

      Before Amira can watch what happens next, her gaze is forced back to look at Calix, and sees his dark eyes swirling with anger. 

      "This is your last warning, Amira. I don't want to see your eyes stray from me again," he whispers in her ear and as always, it sends shivers of pleasure throughout her body. 

      It must be the alcohol working as she feels rather playful at the moment and wants to see how far she can go. 

      "What's going to happen if I don't listen?" she asks. Her fingers somehow find their way to his chest, enjoying the feeling of his broad and solid chest under her palms, always wondering what it felt like to caress a man with such a sturdy body. 

      Calix captures her hands and stops her wandering fingers. 

      "You will receive a punishment so severe; it will take away your ability to walk for a week," he growls in a low and deep tone, his lips to close to her ear she feels the saliva on his lips. His tongue comes out to flick the tip of her ear and Amira nearly melts, leaning on him for support.

      Never has anyone whispered something so provocative to her, and in a public setting none the less. She is terrified that someone near them might have heard what he said, but she is also thrilled by the idea and wonders if this is why some people get a sexual kick out of having sex in public places; the thrill of getting caught. 

      Calix continues to lead the rest of their dance, surprising her with his adequate dancing skills for someone who appears so rugged with the typical bad boy aura. Every so often during the dance he buries his face in her neck, right where he left his mark this she hopes has started to disappear by now and kisses it as if to remind her. 

      Each time she tries to swat him away but ends up burying her face in his chest to hide her red cheeks and deep breathing. She realizes she has been experiencing so many firsts with Calix, noticing that her flushed cheeks, deep breathing and trembling legs are all signs of how extremely aroused she is – just from dancing. 

      She has never been so aroused in her life before, she almost forgets how to move her legs properly, relying on Calix at this point to make her at least look functional as the song comes to an agonizing end. She wants to run to the bathroom and lock herself in until she calms the hell down, but going inside also means the chance of running into Isaac. 

      That would be equivalent to a cold shower, she laughs to herself. 

      As if silently summoning him with her thoughts, he returns to the party just in time for the Alpha ceremony to start. Alpha Luna, Isaac's father and after tonight former Alpha, takes the front of the crowd and explains the ceremony, how he will bestow onto Isaac the wolf skin of his grandfather, the former deceased Alpha. 

      It is ceremony for the newly appointed Alpha to bear the skin of the one before him, as it used to be customary for the two contestants to fight to the death, the victor being claimed the Alpha. He would wear the skin of his opponent as a trophy and proof of his leadership, but those barbaric times have come to an end, it not becoming a family tradition where the father passes down the skin of his and so on. 

      Once that part is done, everyone is gathered to pay tribute and blessings to the Gods around the fire, and then a late swim in the lake under the last bit of moonlight before it starts to lower into the night, signalling the approach of dawn. 

      Amira waits on the grassy shoreline as she watches most of the men run into the water, hooting and hollering to each other about being the first one in. Calix is her ride home and being Alpha of the Highmoon Pack, he is obligated to participate. It is said that werewolves feel a sudden surge of energy during the night of a full moon and feel most powerful in their true form. The pack plans to go for a run after this but Calix already said he would drive her home, knowing she has had her fill of the night. 

      She picks grass and dandelions in front of her as she waits for him to come out, remembering Calix's warning from earlier and avoiding accidentally looking at Isaac. Hearing the water splashing next to her, she does exactly what she just said she wasn't going to do and looks over into the eyes of Isaac as he walks out of the water. 

      She tries to quickly look away and sees the shadow in front of her but doesn't have the chance to look up when she is hoisted up from under her armpits. Calix grabs the back of her head and lifts her head, his usually dark eyes blazing a light red. 

      "Looks like a punishment is in order," he grumbles, then captures her lips a hungry, breath devouring kiss.