Chapter 2

Andrea's Point of View

As soon as we get to the party and I hear the music my skin begins to crawl. I stop walking, just staring at the people out on the lawn.

"I already regret this."

I murmur.

"Oh come on. You've been here for exactly three seconds."

Lizzy says, tugging on my arm and I sigh.

"Three seconds too long."

I mutter. She rolls her eyes at me before pulling me along with her.

The moment we step through the door, the noise doubles. There are people everywhere. Some are dancing in the living room while others are gathered around the kitchen island with red plastic cups in their hands.

"This..."

I mutter, looking at the mess around us.

"This is exactly why I hate parties."

I say and Lizzy nudges my shoulder.

"Lighten up."

She says and I frown at her.

"I'd rather go home."

I mutter and she arches a brow at me.

"You just got here."

"I've seen enough."

I say, uncomfortably pulling up my shirt, trying to cover my breasts when I see a few guys glancing at me.

Lizzy sighs before turning to face me fully.

"Okay, Miss Grumpy. I get it. This is not your thing, but you promised you would come with me so just try to enjoy yourself."

She says and I fold my arms in front of my chest.

"I'm leaving at eleven."

I say flatly and her mouth falls open.

"Eleven?"

She asks incredulously and I nod my head.

"Yes."

"You've got to be kidding."

She says and I shake my head.

"Nope..."

I say popping the p.

"I'm serious."

I say firmly and she frowns at me.

"You can't come to the last party of high school and leave after an hour."

She says and I arch a brow at her.

"Of course I can. Who said I couldn't?"

I ask and she groans loudly.

"You are such a party pooper."

She mutter, grabbing both of my hands before I can protest.

"But tonight you're going to enjoy your life for once."

Before I can answer, she drags me towards the middle of the living room.

"Lizzy!"

"Nope. No more stalling. We're going to dance."

"I can't dance."

I try to protest but she just continues to pull me along.

"Sure you can. You have feet."

She says with a shrug.

"Just move."

She says just as the music changes to something faster.

Lizzy immediately begins dancing like nobody is watching. I, on the other hand, just stand there awkwardly.

She grabs my hands.

"Dance, Andy!"

She urges and I begin to move.

For the next few songs, she refuses to let me hide, and eventually, I relax.

After another song ends, Lizzy fans herself.

"I'm dying, and I'm dehydrated. I'm going to go grab us something to drink."

She says as she starts backing away towards the kitchen.

"Don't disappear."

I call out with a frown and she rolls her eyes at me.

"I won't disappear."

"You always disappear."

"I'll be right back. I promise."

She say, winking at me before vanishing into the crowd.

I watch her disappear between a group of people before sighing.

Knowing Lizzy, "right back" could mean anything from two minutes to half an hour.

I scan the room before spotting an empty couch against the wall.

Perfect.

I quickly make my way over and sink onto it gratefully.

My eyes follow all the dancing people. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. The birthday boy is yet to show up for his own party, but that didn't stop anyone else from enjoying it.

As I sit there, snippets of conversation drift through the room.

"...he finally came back..."

"...Alpha training changed him..."

"...did you see how tall Rafeal is now?"

"...everyone's been waiting for him..."

So Rafeal finally showed up.

My wolf suddenly begins to pace and I feel my skin crawl.

I decide it's time to leave and I stand to go find Lizzy. I weave back through the crowd of people, searching every corner of the house downstairs for Lizzy but I find nothing.

I scoff, shaking my head.

Typical Lizzy.

Of course she disappears, leaving me all alone at a party I didn't even want to come to.

I think I need a drink and some fresh air.

I quickly find some sealed water bottles on the kitchen counter.

Perfect.

I grab one before I quietly slip out the back door.

The cool night air immediately brushes across my overheated skin.

I inhale deeply and I instantly feel better.

I sink into one of the patio chairs before unscrewing the bottle. After taking a long drink, I close the bottle again before I lean my head back, turning my gaze up at the sky, watching the stars twinkle overhead.

My wolf slowly begins to settle as the sound of the night around is begins to soothes us and the strange restlessness that has been bothering me all day eases little by little.

I close my eyes.

I guess I was right. I just needed some quiet and fresh air.

I don't know how long I sit there before I hear the sound of a twig snapping somewhere close by.

My eyes immediately fly open and I sit up.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand as I scan the darkness.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

I call out but all that greets me is silence.

Maybe it was just a rabbit, I think to myself, but I stand anyway.

Carefully, I take a few cautious steps towards the tree line.

I hear another rustle, this one closer and I stop.

My heart begins to pound in my chest.

"Hello? If someone is there, this isn't funny. Just come out."

I call again and for several long seconds there is nothing.

Then there is another rustle and a massive black wolf steps out from between the trees.

Before I can do anything, his scent reaches me.

Warm.

Wild.

Completely intoxicating and my mouth instantly begins to water.

Inside my head, my wolf throws her head back and howls.

Mate!

I watch him shift back into human form. He lifts his head and as soon as our eyes meet my breath hitches in my throat.

For a few seconds I stand there, just staring at him.

Well, I guess they were right... He did finally show up.

My gaze slowly travels over Rafeal and my cheeks heat up when I realize that he is still naked. My gaze quickly snaps back up to him and I see him arching a brow at me, a teasing smile tugging at his mouth.

I quickly look away from him and when I hear him chuckle softly my cheeks heat even more.

I hear some rustling before he speaks.

"You can look now, little wolf."

He says, his warm voice rumbling through me and I can't help but shiver.

I slowly look back at him and I swallow hard once again.

I slowly let my eyes wander over Rafeal again, taking all of him in.

He is much taller than I remember, and his muscular chest, and arms make my mouth go dry. His dark wavy hair is messy and my hand itches to reach out and move that little strand of hair off of his forehead.

Our eyes meet again and oh god... those eyes, those dark beautiful eyes, I swear they make my knees buckle.

His eyes flash when I nervously lick my lip and a soft growl escapes his chest and before I even have time to acknowledge him he is right in front of me.

He wraps his arms around me then his warm lips are in mine, and he is kissing me.

The moment his lips touches mine, I feel the sparks of the matebond rushing through me and I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him back.

After a few seconds he pulls back, resting his forehead against mine as we both try to catch out breathes.

"Hello, Andy. It's good to see you again, little wolf."

He says, his voice husky and I swallow hard before giving him a nervous smile.

"Hi..."

I say softly, biting my lip.

He groans, before cupping my cheek with one of his hands, and pulling my lip from my teeth.

"Don't do that."

He murmurs huskily and I quickly nod my head. He watches me for a second.

"You know... you are absolutely beautiful."

He murmurs, his thumb gently stroking my cheek. I feel my cheeks heating up, but I still smile up at him.

His words make my heart flutter in my chest.

"Thank you. You have grown into quite an attractive guy yourself."

I say shyly. I nervously reach out, brushing the hair from his face. My fingers gently brush against his skin, and I gasp when I feel the sparks tingling against my fingertips.

He laughs softly and pulls me closer to him.

"Look at you blushing. I would never have guessed that the girl who always had something to say would be so shy when I came back."

He says and I feel my cheeks turning red again.

I quickly look away.

"Sorry..."

I murmur, but he turns my head to look back at him and he shakes his head.

"Dont apologize. I like it. Girls usually aren't shy around me. It's refreshing, and honestly, coming from you it's quite amusing and cute."

He says and I blush again.

"I'm sorry. It's just... Well, I am not really used to being around guys, especially not ones that call me beautifull and kiss me."

I say with small smile, tugging a piece of my hair behind my ear.

He laughs softly again. I can feel my heart racing.

"Are you nervous little wolf?"

He murmurs with a grin.

I nod my head before answering him..

"A little, yeah... I guess most people are when they meet their mates for the first time. Right?"

I ask and he hums. He doesn't say anything but the way he looks at me makes me swallow nervously again.

"Do I..."

My voice cracks slightly and I clear my throat before trying again.

"Do I make you nervous?"

I ask.

He smirks at me, placing my hand on his chest and I feel his heart racing under my hand.

"Do you feel that?"

He asks and I nod my head.

"I'd say you make me nervous and very excited."

He murmurs huskily before he pulls me even closer to him.

I gasp softly when I feel him throbbing against my hip.

I swallow hard before looking up at him with big eyes.

"Oh..."

I whisper, unsure of what else to say and I feel myself blushing again. I quickly look down.

Rafeal chuckles softly. He lifts my chin slightly and our eyes lock again.

"I'm sorry little wolf. I didn't mean to scare you or anything. How about we go sit down and talk for a bit?"

He asks and I quickly my head.

"I would like that."

I say, smiling and he returns my smile.

He let's me go, but quickly grabs my hand, entwining our fingers and I can't help the smile spreading on my face.

I guess for once getting dragged to a party actually paid off.

If I only knew what was coming...