Out Running the Alpha

It's Not the Freaking Bachelorette

The next week passed in a blur. I wasn't allowed out of the house except for when Olivia dragged me out to get a dress for the tea that we were hosting for all the sons of the alphas. Everyone had been busy either preparing for the tea or securing the community against vampires. As promised Pierre had got me a packet of the boys and Ada, Olivia, and I had poured over each starring our favorites. No one from Bennett's pack was in there and when I had asked why all he had told me that they were a pack of rogues and therefore not eligible and wouldn't say anything else. I'd had to pester Ada all afternoon before she would tell me. I would have asked Olivia, but I thought it might upset her because of her attachment to Truitt.

Rogues were Weres that wolves that chose not to be part of the traditional pack. Normally they just stayed on their own as lone wolves but Bennette's ragtag group. I guess it was considered kind of a taboo thing to go rogue in the Were community which was why they weren't invited to today's tea.

I was in my bathroom with Ada and Olivia who were helping me get ready. "I feel ridiculous," I said in a golden Herve leger bandage dress and heels.

"You look amazing beside you already vetoed the white dress," Ada said fixing my hair.

"I don't want anything to suggest that I'm ok with this and white is reminiscent of a bride" I groused "This is too tight".

"Well, I am not letting you go out there in a potato sack which is what I'm sure what you want," Liv said handing me a clutch "Now let's go you don't want to be late".

The tea was held at a nearby country club and by the time we arrived everyone else was already there. All of the guys were gorgeous and ranged in age from 17-24 although I was fairly sure that there were a couple that didn't even speak English.

My dad walked onto the balcony where everyone was waiting and I tried to hide behind him but he just laughed at my reluctance and nudged me out in front of him. "You should say something to them" he whispered in my ear.

"Ok um," I said glancing around the mass of guys who were all staring at me "Hi I wanted to thank everyone for coming today. Tea will be served up here and there's croquet on the lawn. I hope everyone has a great time" I said meekly. I turned to head back to the car but my father caught my wrist.

"Come on kiddo it's a party. Just try to have fun," my dad said, "I'll be nearby if you need me".

As soon as he wasn't by my side anymore I looked around wildly for Liv and Ada who were each mingling in the crowd. I tried to signal for help but they both waved me off.

"Hello," a tall British guy said, "I'm Mason".

I looked up at an immaculately dressed leanly muscled guy with brown gelled hair "Um hi".

"I like the choice of croquet. It tells me that you want someone with finesse and intelligence" he smiled.

"And I suppose you think that's you," I said trying not to seem completely senseless.

"It doesn't matter what I think. It's what you think that's important so I plan on proving it to you" he winked "Anyway I just wanted to introduce myself before the wolves descended on you". He left just as three more guys came up to us.

I couldn't get comfortable even as the day wore on. Finally, I was able to find Olivia who was flirting with a cute South African Were and unlike me, she seemed completely at ease. "Hey, how's it going?" She smiled.

"Can I go home?" I asked, "I've been here for about half an hour and I'm already exhausted and I'm at least half terrified of all the guys here".

"Well, you shouldn't be. I mean sure they're physically stronger than you, but you have the power in this situation. They're the ones that have to impress you and no one would dare step out of line" Liv said without pity. "Now quit your whining and get out there or at the next event you lose veto privileges on your outfit".