Chapter 3

“Demi?” Nora nudged me, bringing me out of the trance the other guy had me in. 

“What?” 

“You remember Amelia?” She was our age and the daughter or mate of some beta that I couldn’t remember. 

“Yes!” Reaching over, I gave her a hug. “How are you?” 

She was just as tall as I was, but a few pounds heavier. “I’m great! It’s so good to see you girls!” 

“What can I get you ladies?” The bartender got our attention. 

The three of us walked up to the bar. “I’ll take a burbon on the rocks. Whatever top shelf you have is fine.” I said instantly. 

“Still drinking that gross stuff, huh?” Amelia laughed. “I’ll take a cranberry and vodka.” 

“Make that two.” Nora laughed with her. 

“I feel like it just fits my vibe.” Laughing, it felt good to let loose. 

“Here you ladies go.” He pushed all three drinks over to us. Grabbing an extra straw, we turned back to the party.

“We need to find our seats before my dad blows a vein, but come find us later, okay?” Nora smiled at Amelia. 

“Will do!” She waved before walking away. 

“Where are the guys?” I asked, looking around. 

“No idea.” Nora did the same as we made our way to the tables. “Oh, shoot! I forgot something. I’ll be right back.” She took off almost at a jog. 

Shaking my head, I walked around the table and found the name tag that said my name. “So, you are Demi Rose?” 

The sexiest voice I had ever heard sent shivers down my spine. He was deep, manly, with a hint of ruggedness that instantly made me want to squeeze my legs together. Slowly, my eyes raised up to see the same man that was staring at me from across the room. The other guy was standing right behind him with a smirk on his face. I swear they were almost a foot taller than I was. 

Keeping my composure, I tried to play it cool. “I am, and you are?” Tilting my head to the side, slightly, I was intregued by his demeanor. He seemed intersted and amused at the same time. 

“My name is Luca, and this is my beta Heath.” He motioned behind him as Heath nodded his head. 

Well, damn. Not wanting to be rude or disrespectful, I have him a little bow of respect but I was immediatly defensive. “Nice to meet you.” 

“What are you drinking?” He glanced down at my drink that was in my hands. 

“Burbon.” I had as I took a larger sip. I needed this to kick in. 

“Hmm.” He said as the amusement played in his eyes. 

“Luca!” Nora was walking up behind us. Reaching out, she allowed Luca to wrap his arm around her and twirl her around a few times. “It’s good to see you!” She was smiling from ear to ear. 

“It’s good to see you. It’s been too long.” He sat her down. “This is my beta, Heath.” 

“Ma’am.” he drawed and tipped his glass to her. 

“I see you guys met Demi.” Nora walked around to stand next to me. 

“We did. Where is our brother? I haven’t had a chance to say hello.” Luca looked around. 

“Luca!” Alpha Dylan came walking up with Luna Callie and Chase behind them. I could tell Chase was already pissed off about something. 

“Mom.” Luca hugged his mother first before shaking Alpha Dylan’s hand. “Good to see you. This is my beta, Heath.” 

“Alpha Dylan, Luna Callie. Pleasure to finally meet you.” Holding out his hand, he shook their hands, but there was a stiffness to it that made me lift an eyebrow. 

“Please, have a seat. We are about to start the meal.” Luna Callie pointed to the table. I didn’t realize just how the seat were until we all took our seats. Luna Callie sat on one side with Luca beside her and then Heath. Alpha Dylan sat across the Luna Callie with Chase, me and then Nora.

Chase pulled out my seat for me before he took his own. “THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING!” Alpha Dlyan yelled loudly. “IF YOU ALL WOULD TAKE YOUR SEATS, DINNER IS READY TO BE SERVED!” He sat down as the servers came out. 

“Well, Luca…” Alpha Dylan looked at him. “How are things going with you? Found your mate yet?” 

“No, I haven’t.” I wasn’t sure why that gave me butterflies, but it did. “Heath was hoping he would find his mate tonight as well.” 

Heath was taking a drink when Luca tossed him under the bus. Choking, he had to clear his throat before speaking. “That is the plan.” For some reason, I didn’t buy it. That was this dangerous air around them.

“What about you, Chase? Find your mate yet?” Luca grabbed his drink and took a sip. 

Chase put his arm around my waist. “I will at mid-night.” 

“Mid-night?” Luca looked at me with somethinig in his eyes that I couldn’t quite read. 

“My 18th birthday is tomorrow.” Thankfully, the servers came around with our room, making Chase pull his hand off my waist. 

“So, Luca. What have you been up to?” Luna Callie changed the subject. Nora and I both chose the roasted duck. It seems everyone else chose the steaks. Since my hair blocked out everyone to my left, I could only see Heath and Nora without turning my head. This was the perfect distraction so I could stay out of their family drama. 

Chase would occationally put his hand on my thigh that I would brush away. At one point, I had to give him a look, since his hand was moving up too high for my liking. A move that didn’t go missed by Luca. 

“Dylan, I think everyone is done eating. Why don’t you give your speech so the dance can start?” Luna Callie leaned over the table. 

“I think you are correct.” Alpha Dylan stood up to deliver his speech.