up. We broke apart so fast that we probably looked guilty.
I forced my face into a neutral expression. I took in a long breath through my nose and released it quietly from my lips. I didn’t look at Griffin, instead I looked to Keith.
Inside I wanted to scream. I didn’t.
“We’ll see you down there, Griffin.”
Keith sounded hoarse. His eyes were slightly red. Had he been crying? It was possible. I wouldn’t be surprised. I knew this wasn’t easy for him either. I turned and plastered a smile on my face.
“You don’t have to pretend right now. Everyone’s scared. Come now, think of the poor wolf who’s going to catch the most tantalizing scent he has ever smelled. This is the first day of the greatest hunt!”
Keith kissed my temple.
“Yeah, that sounds super romantic,” but it was hard keeping the sarcasm from my voice. I couldn’t help but worry that the wolf who was my mate would scorn the fact I was only half. My family never treated me any differently for being what who I was, but I knew other packs thought less of half-breeds.
I pushed that thought away. I continued the mantra I had taken up since last night. It might not happen, it probably won’t happen. I could hope that it would be Nick. He wasn’t a bad choice. He was devilishly handsome with his tattoos and his blond hair. His eyes were a lovely shade of green color. Being an Omega’s mate wouldn’t be so horrible. They travelled a lot. They weren’t targeted because they were the peacekeepers. I knew Nick would never force me into anything I wouldn’t be ready for.
Keith squeezed my hand, bringing me out of my reverie. I looked up at him and smiled. He would always be there for me. No matter what happened tonight, I’d at least have him…
Griffin could never join another pack, he was too much Alpha for that. His Alpha colors shone through even at the age of eleven. I knew one day he would have a pack of his own. But Keith, as our pack Beta, could step down if I asked him to come with me. If I needed him. And Griffin? Griffin would take Keith’s place until Isaac deemed him ready to rule.
I knew any male that I was paired with, even if they were an Omega, the least possessive of our males, they would still take me from here. They would never live comfortably in another pack, and after you find your mate, there really was no letting go.
Keith took my hand and we headed out of my room. It was customary that the father of the wolf to act as escort to the party. I was to arrive a half hour before to receive well wishes.
Keith and I made our way down the stairs, my heels still in hand due to the fact I was terrified I would fall. I breathed in and let it back out.
“Men should have something equal to heels. These are death traps!” I said. I held onto Keith’s arm as I put them on.
Keith snorted at my comment, pressing his lips together holding in a laugh.
“They did, we had them in the early 50s. Platform shoes. But we men grew wiser and let the trend fade,” Keith said with a wink. I smiled imagining him wearing platform shoes.
We rounded the stairway’s end, past the entrance to the kitchen and headed to the French doors. The doors would lead us outside to the patio, where the party was taking place. I took in a deep breath.
I had to do this. It was tradition.
We stepped outside, the patio was beautiful. It was a brick layout, a large, irregularly shaped in-ground pool. Lights were everywhere, a mixture of Christmas bulbs, little tiki-lights, and hefty looking torches. The arch that I would stand under was black metal, with intricate designs of wolves. Isaac had it crafted by a master before I was born. It stood tall, and long enough for a couple to stand under it. Ivy grew up the arbor, giving it a more natural look.
I recognized my pack members’ faces, but there were other packs here tonight with their males. I swallowed hard seeing Caine and Brady talking to Isaac. The males of my pack watched me with cautious eyes. They knew my relationship with Griffin and Isaac.
The males from the other packs openly stared.
Keith walked me around and people wished me luck. My pack members would touch me here