"No. It is completely out of the question." Shiro crossed his arms. "It is reasonable," Soren said. "It is stupid." Soren rolled her eyes. "I am willing to go far for my pack but this is too much," I said. "What if she is our foe instead of our ally? We would have just exposed ourselves and condemned that entire pack and possibly the world. Or if she thinks you are crazy and tells her mate about you." Shiro said with a stern voice.
"She won't." Soren was confident and calm about her idea. "Shiraga, tell her the plan is absurd." Shiraga did not say anything. "It could work. If things get out of hand I could do another memory wipe." You have got to be kidding. "Our powers are not something to play with!"
Soren looked at me. "Do you not understand that this is more than your pack. Our job is to maintain a proper balance. If these rouges invade your pack with the help of a witch and other packs find out there will be war. Wolf business and witch business should never mix. We have always been damage control. This time we can stop the damage from happening. If we sit on our asses and wait for a witch to tell us the secret she has been keeping for years your pack will be gone and so will any unity or companionship that witches and wolves have developed."
She was not taking no for an answer. If she believes this plan will work then nothing is going to stop her. I can either be with or against her. She also made a decent point. If our discoveries get out then there will be a lot of distrust and speculation. If wolves and witches go to war it will be a disaster.
"Telling that witch could make just as big of a disaster as a war between wolves and witches." Finally speaking up, Shiraga says, "I think we should sleep on it. I know we are limited on time but I think we should all agree before we make a decision." I nodded, not wanting any conflict between us.
Soren nor Shiro said or did anything. Shiraga walked up to the both of them and put his hands on their heads. "Say something." He demanded. "Do whatever you want." Soren slapped his hand off her head. "Fine." Shiro turned away. They were both so stubborn.
Shiraga did not look pleased but accepted their response. After saying our goodbyes, Shiraga opened a portal at the far edge of the territory. Soren and I walked deeper into pack territory. "Why did this have to happen? What are the odds that the pack that houses my mate would have a rouge witch?" I groaned. This was unfair and not what I imagined.
"Don't worry about this too much. We are here for you and that has not changed. Spend time with Seth. Don't waste the opportunity because I cannot guarantee that you will get your desired outcome."
I don't know what I desire anymore.
We made it back to the main pack area without casualty. We even greeted a few guards on the way. On the way to the pack house, I spotted a man who looked a lot like Seth. Too much like him. I took a quick sniff and smelled that he was closely related to him. Most likely his brother. I wasn't ready for this. Maybe this is a good thing though.
I have always thought that meeting the entire family at once for dinner was awkward. Did they even know Seth found his mate? Not wanting to ruin anything, I quickly grabbed Soren's hand and led us in the opposite direction.
"Afraid to meet a relative?" Soren smirked. "Extremely," I responded with nerves lacing my voice. While trying to run away from an inevitable situation we ran into Laurence. "Hey, Laurence." I greet him. He looked nervous trying to talk to us. He couldn't possibly still feel guilty? Man, did this guy ever commit a crime in his life?
"Hey, Sakura. Can I borrow Soren for a bit?" No doubt it was to apologize properly. "Of course." She walked away with him with no resistance. I walked around the pack in search of Seth. It took me a while but I finally found him. After circling the entire pack twice I found him walking out of the pack house. Of course, he was in the one place I couldn't go in.
I hollered at him, "Seth!" he quickly turned his gaze toward me. A smile lit up his face and butterflies took home in my stomach. We both walked to each other meeting halfway. "Hey," he says and hugs me. I waste no time reciprocating the action. "How was the sister hang out?" he asks while still hugging me. "Honestly, it did not go how I hoped."
"Hmm." he hummed on my head. "Want to go into detail about it?" I shake my head in his chest. "Not really." We stayed in that position for a while before I spoke up. "I want to go on a date." I immediately blush at how it comes out. I didn't mean to sound demanding or harsh.
The chuckle that escaped his mouth vibrated and warmed my entire body. "I have no complaints. What do you want to do and where do you want to go?" I did not think that far. I shrugged my shoulders. "You know this place better than me." He took his chin off my head and looked at me.
"You have a point there. Give me an idea of what you want to do. Eat, watch T.V, play, or rest. Whatever you want." I was happy he was giving me the option but as an indecisive person, it was more of a burden. I looked away in thought. An idea suddenly popped into my mind as Seth patiently waited for a response.
"I want to eat under the stars with you." His eyes widened a bit in surprise but he quickly fixed his look. "That is very specific. Have you been wanting to do that for a long time?" I shake my head in response. "No, I really like nature." He smiles down at me and kisses my forehead. "Then we will eat under the stars." I lean into his embrace, the sparks of the mate-bond warming the both of us.
"When do you want to do this?" he asks. "Whenever you have time. I am not in a rush and I know you are very busy." I rest my chin on his chest as I bend my head to look up at him. "I am not busy right now." he grins. I laugh at his eagerness. "It is not dark out," I reply. "That doesn't mean the date cannot start now. I know you do not have many clothes so I will take you out shopping."
I rapidly blink in surprise. "You guys have stores around here?" He laughs and grabs my hand. "It is fairly far, but yes." The nearest city was a two-hour drive away. "We do not need to do all of this for some outfits." I did not want to spend his money nor did I want to inconvenience him with the long drive.
"Don't worry about it. I want to pamper you." He looked down at me and we exchange a look. Knowing he would continue to persist I sighed in defeat. "Okay," I whisper and snuggle into him. We make our way to what I have recognized to be the route to Ranor's office.
We almost reached his office when two familiar scents reach my nose. It was Catalina and Kate. "Hey, guys!" Kate waves both her hands in the air like a maniac. "Hey." I smile and wave. "What are you two doing?" Catalina asks.
"We are going shopping for our date." In contrast to my enthusiastic attitude, Seth groans and puts his head in his free hand. Did he have a problem with our date after all? "That is so cute," Catalina responds. "You guys are going shopping?!" Kate squeals. I caught onto why Seth's mood noticeably changed. "We are going to have the best time!" Kate grabs my arm that is not linked to Seth's.
We? "No, Sakura and I are going to have a great time. You two are going to go about your business." Seth spoke with authority. Such tactics did not deter Kate or her determination. "This is our business. She needs more clothes than the outfit for your date and we have a more reasonable sense of fashion. Besides, you cannot see the outfit she is going to wear it has to be a surprise."
We weren't getting married although the thought did interest me in the far future. "We can invite the guys so you don't have to be stuck with just us girls," Catalina said in agreement with the new plan. "I guess I will invite Soren then. She also needs more clothes and since she is with Laurence right now, he can come too if he wants."
Seth visibly frowns at our newfound companions. I rub his arm and give him an encouraging look. He looks back at me with frustration lining his face. The creases in his face soften after looking at me. He groans and says, "Fine."
This time both Kate and Catalina squeal. Kate yanks me from Seth's hold. "That is adorable, you thought we were asking." She says and suddenly I can understand how he was pressured to introduce me at lunch. Kate drags me away with Catalina at her side. I give Seth one last glance of encouragement. I hear him groan and make his way toward Ranor's office.
"We have to get you dressed before we go out," Catalina says to me. I mind-link Soren to update her on the situation. I frown at Catalina's comment. I thought my grey shirt and jeans looked fine.
~~~
Kate, Catalina, Soren, and I were currently driving to the city with Kate as our designated driver. The boys were behind us.
"This is going to be epic!" Kate said as she swerved too far to the right for my liking. 'Why is she the one driving?' Soren asked. 'She was the first to get into the driver's seat.' I responded with a slightly distressed look.
"You two look nothing alike. Are you sure you are related?" Catalina asked from the passenger seat. We got that a lot. It was only when we did similar actions that anybody could see the resemblance.
"No, I found her on the side of the road and decided to adopt her because I am that nice." Soren never looked away from the window. "Wow, even your personalities are day and night." Soren didn't respond to Catalina. Kate laughed. "I like you." Soren raised her eyebrow, surprised that she got such a comment. She glanced at Kate and then turned back to look at the scenery that passed us by.
"What are you two going to do for your date?" Catalina asks. "We are going to have dinner under the stars." Simply thinking about it made my heart flutter. "That is so cute." she smiles. "If you don't mind me asking, what is going on with you and Liam?" I ask Catalina. They seemed to have a lot of history and since she likes to poke her head in other's relationships I figured I might as well get some insight into hers.
She chuckled nervously. Even Kate was tight-lipped. I waited in silence for a response. "He is my ex." I waited for her to elaborate further. When I saw she had no intentions of doing so I quickly tried to change the subject. "Why is Lucas always a grouch?" Kate's face lit up, now being able to participate in the conversation.
"He's always been mysterious and broody. We always assumed he had a dark past but he is a sweet guy once you get to know him. Oh, right you never met him, Soren." We did not have time for introductions since Kate was super eager. "He is the black-haired guy with a frown you saw when you picked Sakura up for a run."
Soren hummed in response. The air conditioner in the car felt cold on my bare legs. "Was a skirt and crop top necessary?" I say, questioning Kate's fashion. She had me in a long-sleeved black crop top and a red skirt that accompanied my short boots. The look on Soren's face when she saw me in this outfit looked as if she was questioning my sanity.
She did not escape Kate's grasp though. She was forced to wear ripped jean shorts and a white sleeveless crop. She kept her knee-long stilt boots. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, different from her usual braid. Mine was kept in a parted wave bob.
"It was extremely necessary. It is the perfect combination of showing enough skin but still leaving something to the imagination. Seth is going to freak when he sees you in that outfit." That was not something I was looking forward to. None of the guys had a chance to get a glimpse of us. That is how fast Kate worked.
We were up and out before the guys got their key into their car. "Besides, those clothes are easy to take on and off. We are going to need that accessibility when changing in and out of clothes." Soren and I visibly cringed. Shopping was not something we liked but we had to. We couldn't keep borrowing clothes from Samantha and her sister.
Not that I would want to. Kate, Catalina, and I made conversation the rest of the way while Soren remained quiet.
Seth's P.O.V
Lucas drove with Noah in the front seat. Liam and Laurence sat in the back with me. "How is everything going with Sakura?" Noah asked me. "We had a tough start but everything seems to be going well. That is why we are here. We are supposed to go on a date tonight so we were going to go shopping to find an outfit for Sakura." Laurence chuckled. "I am guessing Kate got wind of this."
I deeply sighed. "Of course she did. I overheard her saying that she was going to get Sakura dressed. I love your sister but she can be a bit much when it comes to outfits." Laurence's chuckle turned into a deep and hardy laugh. "Don't worry about it I know what you mean. You know she means well."
"Speaking of sisters what is going on with you and Sakura's sister?" Liam wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at Laurence. Laurence rolled his eyes at what Liam was implying. "Nothing. Do not ever suggest it again." His words held finality in them. Liam acknowledge that and backed off.
"Just messing with you dude. She seems like a hard-ass. I am sure she and Lucas would get along well." All the guys aside from Lucas snickered.
"She is not bad once you get to know her," Laurence said. "When did you 'get to know her'?" Noah air quoted Laurence's previous words. "Before I left her in the woods-" Laurence visibly cringed at his actions.
I knew it was eating him up. He was too much of a decent guy for it not to be. "-we played around together. You know how Ethis can be." Liam snickered. "Sure. You guys played around." Laurence growled at another one of Liam's implications. "Everybody knows how loyal you are Laurence. You wouldn't cheat on Alison even if it meant the end of the world."
Laurence relaxed at the mention of his mate's name. He and Alison were ridiculously cute. It made me yearn for my mate and now I have her. "As I was saying, she was really fun to hang around with once you get past her icy exterior." I gave Laurence's words some thought. I am not a big fan of Soren. I wish she would make a bigger effort instead of making things hard for people but I did not dislike her either. She was a grey area for me.
Maybe I should follow Laurence's unintentional advice and try to get past her icy exterior. I know it would make Sakura happy. It was one of her terms for our relationship after all.
"I heard she pinned Samantha to a locker. Nobody was permitted to spread any videos but everyone was talking about it. Weren't you there Seth?" I was there alright. It was partly my fault it happened to begin with. I got a headache just thinking about it. "Yeah, I was. Samantha got too touchy. I was going to push her away but Soren beat me to it. They exchanged some not-so-friendly words. Sakura got Soren to back off before anything escalated. Ela intervened and sent everyone away."
Noah whistled. "Yikes. Ela almost never gets involved."
"I got angry that Soren handled the situation aggressively so I-" before I could finish my sentence Lucas spoke up. "-handled the situation aggressively." I looked away, ashamed at the hypocrisy of my actions. "Did you apologize?" Laurence asked. I did not answer him. I saw the disappointment in his eyes.
"Don't sweat it too much. As you said, you and Sakura are doing good." Noah spoke, always the cheerful one in the group. "You should still apologize," Laurence said with furrowed eyebrows. I sigh. "I will." Satisfied with my answer, Laurence nods and looks away. "How are things going with you and Catalina?"
Noah asked Liam. Bad topic. Things never go great with him and Catalina. Liam's usual lighthearted face morphed into one of despair and frustration. I never knew anyone who could love someone who wasn't their mate so much. "Things are going how they usually go with her and me," he replied solemnly.
"In her defense, I would completely deck you if you ever did that to Kate," Laurence said, his brotherly side coming out. Lucas scoffed. "I don't know why you tried a relationship with someone who is not your mate."
Liam frowned. "I get you are always pissy because you haven't found your mate but you don't need to spread the insecurity." I saw Lucas' grip tighten on the steering wheel. "You don't know shit."
"I know enough."
"If you knew anything you wouldn't have shoved your tongue down another girl's throat."
"You fucker-" Liam reached for Lucas. Before he could get too far, Laurence and I pushed Liam back on his seat. In his attempt to avoid Liam, Lucas swerved to the side of the road. All of us flew to the right. Liam and Laurence smushed me between the door. We were about to crash into a tree before Lucas slammed the brakes.
We all jolted forward. My nose hit the passenger seat. Shortly after, I felt blood dripping down my nose. It was warm and tasted bitter. My head rang from the impact. "What the fuck is wrong with you both! You nearly made us crash!" I heard Laurence yell. "Laurence, calm down," Noah said.
Their voices weren't helping my growing headache. "Everyone just shut the hell up," I growled. I felt my door open. I did not completely fall out of the car thanks to the seatbelt. Warm hands wrapped around my body. The scent of cherry blossoms and peaches invaded my nose.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" I hear Sakura ask. I look up at her and see there are two clones beside her. I shake my head to get rid of them but they only multiply. "Are you guys okay? What the hell happened?" I hear Kate's voice from the other side of the car where Laurence is.
"You're bleeding!" I hear Sakura gasp. She pulls out some sort of cloth from her skirt and wipes my nose. A skirt? Sakura never wore a skirt. It was another one of Kate's products. I could not focus on that as my vision was failing me. Sakura embraced me harder and placed her hands on my eyes.
Not a second later I instantly feel better. The mate-bond was truly magical. "You are going to be okay." I hear Sakura say. I feel her warm lips on my forehead. She takes her hands off my eyes. They weren't there long enough for me to need to get adjusted to the light.
The instant I saw her face it was like nothing else was there. The moment soon faded as I heard Catalina's shriek. "Of course, you caused this! You can never help yourself can you?!" She stormed off toward the car the girls had come out of.
"Everything bad that happens is always my fault! There is no winning with you!" Liam yells at her. She continues to ignore him and stick up both her middle fingers. "Go fuck yourself! Or better yet go fuck Ashley. It wouldn't be the first time!" Catalina gets in the car and slams the door.
I take my seatbelt off and get out of the car. This is not how this evening was supposed to go.