It was Australia and the social convention meant I was supposed to drink. I never tasted what was in my cup and I lied saying I was getting a refill when I needed a breath of fresh air.
There were dancers around the fire and beautiful women from all different backgrounds. The local packs came out for the Ogalas. It was nice seeing the diversity in the packs. This was how it was supposed to be in my opinion. We were strong when we were connected.
On my third trip to the bar table for a "refill" I saw a lanky blonde walking up to Arthur. He barely noticed her presence until she put her hand down his pants and gave him a sultry look.
Everything in me went still. I could not react, I reminded myself. I was the mate of the supreme alpha. I had to be calm under any situation.
I could not breathe as I watched her say something to him, her hand still grasping him. I felt my fur beginning to prick my skin and knew my wolf demanded to tear the bitch apart.
I put my hand on my stomach reminding my wolf we had to take care of more than ourselves now.
She could not lose control here. It could hurt the fetus.
Suddenly I felt like I was thirteen again at a carnival in Alberta. The day everything went badly for me. I had not controlled my temper that day, I had not walked away and I suffered for years because of it.
I was older now, I knew violence would only make things worst. It would even cause an international nightmare.
Thankfully Arthur grabbed the blonde and threw her backwards. The pack's beta caught her and ushered her away quickly.
When I approached the group, their leader was apologizing profusely.
"We have different rules here as you know," he was explaining.
"We understand," I said cooly as I stood by Arthur's side.
Arthur seemed to disagree with my comment but I continued and ignored him.
"Tonight though, we only wish to find a bride for our supreme beta," I explained.
"So it would be futile to ask for a night with our Luna?" The man asked with a black raised eyebrow.
He wore a beard and short cut hair. Clearly he was aboriginal in his features and had perfectly white teeth. He had a hairless torso that was completely sculpted. Tribal symbols were drawn on him and it was clear he came from Tribal royalty.
"It would be dangerous to even ask," Arthur snapped. "I would recommend not even looking at her were I you. Just for self preservation. Now if we can meet the potential bride you have put forth."
"Right this way," their leader locked eyes with me and ushered us to the tent a few yards off from the group.
Arthur wrapped his arm around my waist, claiming his territory.
"I want to get out of here," he growled lowly.
"I thought you enjoyed yourself last time you were here," I reminded him.
"I didn't have to fight males away from my bride," he huffed.
"You also didn't have to behave," I pointed out. "That female's advances wouldn't have put you off last time."
"True," he admitted.
It was like a dagger in my stomach hearing his admission. But why should I get mad about a woman he would have slept with before he met me?
"I cannot say that I would have given in to the revelry even if I weren't married," I said.
"Not for a lack of partners though," he snapped.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning every male wants to mount you," he responded. "Were I not here they would have tried to lure you away from the bon fire and take you out to the bush."
I sighed. "Is that all I am?" I whispered to myself.
Before we entered the tent he grabbed my arm pulling me back.
"No, it's not," he bore into me. "You are more than that."
"Truly?" I whispered.
"You are a precious jewel," he continued. "And I'm terrified of losing you."
"Because you want an heir?" I asked stubbornly.
Before he responded their alpha called our attention to inside the tent.
We ducked to get inside and noticed the tapestries that separated the tent into rooms. Three females stood at the centre of the tent and they chatted quietly until we approached.
Their eyes grew large when they saw us. Reverently they turned their heads to the side exposing their necks.
"Which one do you like?" The alpha asked. Pointing towards them as if we were purchasing a birthday present for Emory.
"We haven't spoken to them," I said obviously.
"Well..." the leader continued. "Your beta won't be taking them for their conversation skills."
"His Supremeness can have each of us to decide which one he wants for the beta," one of the females said.
I growled without realizing and tried to calm myself down.
"That won't be necessary," Arthur put his hand up. "My wife and I are going back to our hotel. If each of you want an interview please let your alpha know and meet us tomorrow around noon."
Arthur grabbed my hand and snapped his finger to our attendant. He jerked me out of the tent and pulled me towards the car with our attendant running after us.
"What is wrong with you?" I snapped as I tried to keep up.
"What's wrong with me?!" He turned quickly once we were out of earshot. "Their alpha was throwing women at me trying to get you alone. I wouldn't have put it past him to have spiked your drink."
I sighed. "This was a power move for him..." I realized.
"He wanted bragging rights that he stuck his flag in my territory, so to speak," Arthur growled as he kept dragging me.
"Wait!" I snapped noticing how open the desert was; How full the moon was.
"What?" He turned to me again.
"Can we run, anyways?" I whispered as a chill ran over me. My wolf wanted out, after the stressful situation.
Arthur caressed my cheek before nodding in agreement.
"Not all night but for a little while," he smirked. He nodded to our driver who understood he was to remain with the car and be backup if we needed it.
I followed Arthur out into the desert as the euphoric feeling of my wolf began to take over.
I slipped out of my dress and felt Arthur's eyes on me. I heard his belt undoing and goose bumps went down my arms.
With the cracking of bones I let my wolf take control and where I had stood in the moon light on two feet, there a white wolf stood proudly.
I was always a larger wolf and stood out from all others. But as a silver wolf walked to my side, I suddenly was dwarfed. He rubbed my head with his.
'How are you feeling?' He asked rubbing muzzles with me.
'Good,' I looked up at the moon.
'Let me know if you need a break,' his silver eyes locked on me.
'I'll tell you... if you can catch up,' I thought and with that I ran off into the Australian outback.