Chapter 7: Helena POV

I turned around to try and catch another glimpse but just saw the edge of his cape glide through the trees and out of sight. There was no point trying to chase a phantom. Fyre sighed, frustrated and confused. I had much simpler, immediate needs...a strong drink and a chance to look as normal as possible until the news broke about Caleb and Jack.

I headed back into the party making sure to give Alpha Jones and Luna Maeve respectful smiles so they wouldn't view me as absent, headed straight to the glistening long glass bar, now bursting with revellers enjoying the night and muscled my way to the front, purposely being annoying to remain visible to other guests. I kept waiting for the horns to sound and panic to filter through the crowd as news of their attack broke.

/Keep calm/ Fyre soothed, /our new friend will take care of it./ But who is he? The question ate away at me causing me to bite my bottom lip in between sips of my drink. My exposed lower back still felt hot from where his gloved hand had rested.

My mind raced to recollect how he'd gently moved my hair, brushing my neck delicately to whisper in my ear…god his breath was right there along the length of my neck…his body was so huge and solid and he had me right there wrapped up in arms.

/Keep it together/ Fyre urged /or every unattached man is going to smell arousal on you and think you're pining for them!/

I shook my head and turned my eyes to the dance floor, finally I could see Celeste. She looked radiant in Jason's arms, her white and gold dress swirling magnificently. He held her with a defiant, possessive stance that informed every man in the room she was his, one strong lean arm wrapped around her waist, the other holding her hand aloft, like a triumphant prize. I almost felt bad interrupting but realising the time I knew I would have to break their spell in order to say my goodbyes.

At the end of the song I sidled up to the happy couple. "Sorry guys but can I quickly borrow Celeste?" Out of the corner of my eye I saw a group of Betas down their drinks and leave the dancefloor. Jack and Caleb must have agreed a story and summoned help. My stomach clenched but I tried to remain focused.

"Helena! My guardian angel!" Celeste exclaimed with her widest smile. "I cannot ever thank you enough for tonight, I truly truly can't," and Jason let go of her enough for her to wrap me up in a hug though I could see in his eyes his wolf was keen to have her right back at his side, with violent flashes of colour sparking through his iris.

"A million thanks from me too" he graciously added, and gave my shoulder a squeeze as his wolf settled down and his eyes returned to normal, any more physical contact would have given me my first ever growl from Celeste's wolf's.

"I honestly couldn't be happier for you both, but Celeste...I…I..." and the emotion took over and my eyes brimmed with tears. She grabbed my hands and took me over to a quiet table while Jason went to fetch some more drinks.

"Look theres no easy way to tell you but...I'm leaving tonight. This is my last night as part of Five Lakes. It turns out that while we knew I was adopted, erm, I'm being reclaimed by the White Forest Pack."

And with that I pushed my increasingly wild hair out of my face, gave a big sigh and looked into her shocked little face, her mouth hanging wide open.

"Helena...I can't imagine us not seeing each other...the White Forest pack are you going to be safe? You know all the rumours we've heard about them!"

Fyre almost purred at the thought of our protector which helped kill the rumble of fear in the pit of my stomach.

"I will, I have a good feeling about it honestly...you know I can't stay here with Caleb being future Alpha its just not safe for me. But you and Jason! You get to leave as well don't forget, you'll be going to his hometown away from all this too!"

Celeste's mind was whirling "I guess so...I hadn't got that far my mind is just literally caught up in getting out of this party and wondering how soon we can just absolutely go wild on each other, I mean I've managed two hours but my mind is fucking losing it!"

"Ditto," said a grinning Jason appearing with the drinks, leaving me howling with laughter and Celeste dipping her head into her hands in mock embarrassment.

/Heads up/ Fyre warned and as I looked up an elegant, tall, long haired brunette with dove grey eyes approached our table. Her delicately decorated half-cloak highlighted her floating emerald green gown, patterns of what looked like wildflowers were visible sewn in with jewelled, shimmering thread that gave a magical quality to her.

"I'm Bella Penkov, I'm going to be taking you back to the White Forest Manor tonight, I hope that's not going to be a problem?"

She gazed at me coolly trying to work out if there was a scene coming. /Game face/ reminded Fyre and I gave Celeste a peck on the cheek and a squeeze then stood to my full height, trying to look as composed as possible and stepped towards her with my hand out stretched.

"Helena Dawes...and no there's no problem at all, I'm ready when you are."

Bella gave me a gentle smile as she shook my hand, "how about I see you by that table over there after the next dance?" nodding towards the collection of White Forest delegates at the far end of the dancefloor. Although they were all physically intimidating to look at there were some smiles and laughter coming from the group. None of them were my mysterious helper though.

Despite everything going on in my head I couldn't help smiling at Bella, "Deal!" and with that the band struck up a fast jazz jump dance and Celeste grabbed my hand and dragged me onto the dance floor.

Dancing isn't my strong suit but I had on my fabulous dress, hair flowing completely wild now and a burgenoning sense of freedom. Something exciting was finally going to happen. We just danced and danced to the music like nothing else mattered for those few moments, just free spirits on the wind.

However I knew there was one last thing I needed to. As the song ended I took Celeste into my arms for a huge hug, whispering into her ear

“Don’t ask why, but promise me you will leave town with Jason first thing tomorrow. It’s not safe here anymore. Promise me.”

Celeste stepped back from my hug and nodded silently, her eyes glistening with tears. “Will we see each other again do you think?”

“Of course, at the very least I will be writing to you, but do you promise?”

“I do, I don’t know what I’m going to do without you…” and a single tear spilt down her gorgeous face as Jason came over to comfort her.

“I know you’ll be fine, you have the most amazing mate to look after you. Love you.”

“Love you too,” and with that I had to let go of her hand, turn around and head towards the White Forest table before my own resolve crumbled.