Audrey

I leaned into Thomas' side, sighing heavily. He was by my side the whole night, listening to the boring conversations between me and all the people I had met. Although, I haven't met everyone yet. "Hey, Thomas?" I asked quietly, so no one would hear me.

My mate hummed in response. "Who's that guy with Riley?" I tried my hardest to keep my voice steady, but it still came out shaky. Riley was sitting on a man's lap. I didn't mean this guy. I wasn't scared because she was with an unknown man, but this guy had red eyes. Like really, really red eyes. When I told Riley to make friends, I did not mean this guy.

Thomas used his thumb to rub circles on my lower back in attempt to soothe me. "Don't worry about him. He just looks scary" Thomas whispered in my hea. He guided me over to the table, keeping his hand on my back. "Audrey. This is Phoenix, the Alpha of the Red Eyed Pack" What the hell? There's a pack of red-eyed people.

"I would shake your hand, but..." Phoenix said, trailing off. He was an older man, maybe in his thirties. But because of Riley, he was holding a bunch of toys. There were two small cars in his right hand and a stuffed animal in the other hand. RIley had her own stuffed animals, acting as if they were interacting with one another.

"It's nice to meet you" I told him, with a small laugh. Unlike most of the times I have said it tonight, my statement was actually true. "Riley, sweetie. Isn't it past your bedtime?" I asked, leaning down to her level. She shook her head as a yawn escaped her lips. "I don't think your new friend would like it if you fell asleep on him" I told her softly.

She turned and looked up at Phoenix. It was like his eyes didn't faze her at all. "I really don't mind. I have a little boy about her age at home" the Alpha told me. Who would've guessed that the beefy guy with blood red eyes has a soft spot for kids?

Smiling, I nodded my head. "Just come find me or my brother if she falls asleep" I told him. With a handful of toys, he saluted me. I laughed as Thomas steered me away from them. "Is there a Purple Eyed Pack too?" I asked jokingly once we were far enough away from Phoenix.

My mate shook his head in amusement. "Audrey!" my arm was yanked back. Thomas growled lowly, ready to attack. I turned to face my sister, who pulled me in the first place. Thomas relaxed, giving Gar an apologetic smile before leaving us alone. Gar continued to drag me away until we were in the corner of the ballroom, hidden away in the shadows. I gave her a suspicious look. "He's here. My mate is here" she whispered.

I gasped. "Well, why are you talking to me? Go talk to him" I demanded fiercely.

She shook her head at me. "I don't think he's figured out who his mate is. I've seen him look around for me, but he hasn't spotted me" she stated.

I grabbed her shoulders and lightly shook her. "What is wrong with you? Stop hiding and go talk to him" I urged. Why hid in a corner away from him?

"He's with another girl" she answered my unasked question. Tears gathered in her eyes, which she quickly wiped away. She wasn't quick enough; the tears rolled down her cheeks and dropped on the floor. "I knew all this mate bond shit was fake. I don't know why I thought that we would meet, instantly fall in love, and rule a pack together" she said, not stopping the tears.

My heart ached for my sister. I gently pulled her into my embrace and rubbed her back. "Just talk to him. You're jumping to conclusions. That girl could just be a friend. And he's trying to look for you. So that's gotta count for something" I told her. Gar sniffled and nodded her head while pulling away. "Which one is he?" I questioned, turning to the crowd.

She scanned the crowd for a few moments. "Right side. Brown hair. Light blue button up. Sleeves rolled to his elbows. Black jeans" she slowly described her mate as she gawked at him. "Damn" she muttered, turning away from the crowd. I looked around, until I spotted the man she described. He was well built, but I couldn't see his face. My mate has a better body. I thought. But I might be a bit biased.

There was a girl standing close to him. It was obvious that they were talking, but she still could just be a friend. Turning to Gar, I gave her a small smile and wiped the tears off her face. "Go wash off that make up. You don't need it anyway" I told her softly. She smiled, wrapping her arms around me before disappearing out the door.

I walked back to the crowd and grabbed my mate's arm. I quickly described Gar's mate to Thomas and asked if he knew who he was. "I don't know his name. But I think he came here with the Storm Pack" Thomas stated, looking at the man. My mate turned back to me and grabbed my hand. "He didn't do anything right?" he asked quietly, his grip on my hand tightening.

I quickly shook my head. "No. No. I haven't even met him yet. I was just thinking that he looks like an interesting person to meet" I told him.

Thomas shrugged, pulling me towards Gar's mate. "Let's go meet him then" he insisted. My eyes went wide, but I didn't try to get my hand out of his grasp. Within seconds, we were in front of Gar's mate and that girl. They both bowed their heads respectfully. "Hello. I am Alpha Thomas Laney of the Midnight Howlers. And this is my mate, Princess Audrey Reed" Thomas told the pair.

My mate shook hands with my sister's mate. "Marco Hendryx and Tai Robinson. We're from the Storm Pack" the guy introduced himself and the girl. Thomas and I shook their hands, giving them our own smiles. Thomas started talking to Marco, and I used the time to tap into his mind. I'm just kinda invading his privacy.

My mate's scent is on her. It's strong. But she's not my mate. But she knows my mate. Why is my mate hiding from me? I know she knows who I am. I could feel her watching me. But I can't spot her. Oh shit. This Alpha guy asked me something. I should just nod.

"Oh. When did you guys meet?" I pulled away from Marco's mind as Thomas posed a question.

Tai lightly smacked Marco's chest. "Sorry. This dufus wasn't even listening" she told my mate apologetically. "We're not mates. Just friends. And we met when we were ten- I think" she stated.

Good. Just friends. "Do either of you have a mate?" I asked in a genuinely curious tone.

Tai shook her head and looked shocked when Marco nodded. "Well, I- she's here. I know that for sure. I'm just not sure who she is" he muttered, embarrassed.

Thomas ducked his head down to my ear and whispered lowly, so they wouldn't hear. "He's Gar's mate. Isn't he?" he guessed. I nodded my head, mumbling a quiet answer. "Are you gonna tell him?" he questioned.

I didn't give him an answer, so he pulled away from my ear. "Oh. Um- happy birthday" Marco said to me. I thanked him, giving him a smile.

"Don't change the subject, Marco. Why were you just standing here and not trying harder to find your mate?" Tai inquired. Marco shrugged and Tai shook her head with a sigh.

"Why are you talking to them?!" I winced at my sister's loud voice in my head. Looking around, I spotted her by the door. "Audrey. Please don't tell him who I am. He might be happy with that girl .And as much as I hate it, I don't want to screw up something that makes him happy" she pleaded.

This girl is way too nice for her own good. I pushed her out of my mind and built up my wall. She huffed and glared at me from across the room. "You don't have any significant other, correct?" I questioned Marco. He shook his head. "Would meeting your mate make you happy?" I watched as his face lit up and he nodded his head.

Marco rubbed the back of his neck. "I can smell her on you. That's why you came over here, right?" he guessed. I nodded in confirmation. "I would be delighted if you would introduce me to my mate" he said.

A smile broke out onto my face. "Quick. Let's go before she runs off" I said hurriedly. Gar was facing the opposite direction as she spoke to Ryan. Marco and I stood behind her as I tapped her shoulder. Her eyes went wide as she took in the sight of her mate. "Marco meet Gardenia, my sister" I gestured to her.

Marco was frozen in a trance, their eyes locked on one another. "I like your face!" he blurted. I pursed my lips to hold in my laughter as Marco turned red. Embarrassed, he made a move to leave, but Gar grabbed his hand.

A shiver ran through her body as she pulled him back towards us. I alway squealed at the sight. "I like your face too" she said softly. He grinned moving his hand, so his fingers were now intertwined with hers. Something suddenly caught Gar's eye. Abruptly, she untangled their hands. "I-I'm sorry" she said quickly, leaving us alone.

Marco frowned as he followed her with his eyes. "I'm Ryan" the man butted in. Glaring, I shook my head at him. Not the right time. "But I'm irrelevant right now, s..." he trailed off before also moving away.

"Hey. Where'd your mate run off to?" Tai questioned, coming out of nowhere. That's must've been what Gar seen. SHe saw Tai- who she thinks is Marco's girlfriend- so she ran off.

Sighing, I went on my tippy-toes to look for my sister. Thomas was with her as he spoke. Gar looked upset, making crazy hand gestures. Then her mouth turned into an oval shape while she nodded. They both turned and walked to our trio group. "Hi, I'm Gardenia, but everyone calls me Gar. I'm Audrey's sister and Marco's mate" she stated, holding her hand out for tai to shaske.

I totally have to thank Thomas later. "I'm Tai. Unfortunately, I'm friends with this dufus" she jutted a thumb in Marco's direction.

We all laughed. Marco reached out for Gar's hand. She smiled, intertwining their fingers."Hey! When'd you get back?!" Gar exclaimed. I glanced to my left, seeing a guy who looked maybe five years older than us. "Audrey. This is Charlie. He's the Gamma's son of the Blue Moon Pack" Gar stated.

I smiled at the blonde man and shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you" I told him. He grinned and nodded his head in agreement.

He and Thomas did that bro hug think as a greeting. They excused themselves after a few moments to go talk elsewhere. "What's the matter?" Marco asked, looking at Tai in concern.I also turned to look at her.

She shook her head, plastering a smile on her face. Even I could tell that it was forced. Marco gave her a look, causing her to sigh. "Charlie is my mate. But he didn't even look at me" she stated, her eyes brimming with tears. But she didn't let a single drop fall.

We all frowned at her revelation. "Maybe he didn't smell your scent" Marco suggested.

She shook her head, biting her bottom lip. "I'm standing right here. There's no way he didn't smell my scent" she stated. That's true. Your mate's scent is supposed to be really strong so it would be impossible to miss.

Gar started talking to her, attempting to comfort the girl. I slipped away, following Thomas' scent into a living room. "Babe" I called out, interrupting their conversation. He gave me a smile, motioning for me to come closer.

When I was in arm's length, he pulled me into his body. HIs arms wrapped around my waist with his chest pressed against my back. "Is something wrong with your nose?" I blurted, looking at Charlie.

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but he slowly nodded his head. "I got hit in the head yesterday. Doc said it affected my nose nerves. But it should heal by tomorrow morning" he informed us.

Thomas let out a low whistle. "Damn. How the hell do you screw up your nose nerves?" he inquired.

Charlie chuckled, pointing at some spot on his head. "A stupid twig got stabbed into my head. I have no idea how it got in there or how the doc got it out. But they did it and it healed up. The inside just didn't heal yet" he stated.

"You're weird" I said slowly. His lips curved into a frown. "But that just means we'll get along better!" I chirped. "Anyways. There's this girl who you totally ignored. And she's your mate" I told Charlie.

He froze and looked at me with wide eyes. Then he started pacing, mumbling about how he didn't think he would find his mate. "I'm 24. It's been six years. I gave up after year five" he said to himself. "Fucking twig" he spat. His head snapped up as he remembered that we were there. Charlie rushed forward. "My mate. Is she still in there?" he asked.

I nodded my head and he tugged me out of Thomas' arms. My mate growled, making Charlie release me. Giving Thomas a smile, I held my hand out. He gladly intertwined our fingers as we walked back to the ballroom. We went straight to Gar, Marco, and Tai. "Charlie, this is Tai" I introduced them. Tai stared at her mate, breathing in his scent.

But Charlie looked skeptical. He slowly reached his hand out and gently touched Tai's cheek. Grins spread across their faces once their skin made contact. I'm a good match maker. I'm bringing all these mates together and whatnot. "I'm too old for you" Charlie muttered.

Tai laughed, putting her hand over his. "I'm 19. Which means I'm an adult. Which means I can be with whoever I chose without people giving me any of their crud. And-"

"Crud?" I blurted. Everyone's eyes snapped to me and I shrunk. "Sorry. I'm ruining the moment. Continue" I urged.

Thomas chuckled quietly, his chest vibrating against my back. "Okay" Tai said. "And I chose you" she continued her sentence.

"Pokemon" Marco muttered. We all ignored him though. Charlie smiled, looking down at his mate before pressing his lips to hers.

I started cheering, then other people started cheering. Marco also kissed Gar, and we all cheered louder. Then Thomas kissed me, and the crowd got even louder if that's possible. After a few moments, we all pulled away from our mates. The cheering died down and we all went back to our business. I let out a yawn and Thomas pouted. "Are my kisses boring you?" he questioned.

I quickly shook my head, pecking his lips. "Not at all. I'm just a bit tired" I informed him. Matchmaker is tiring. Thomas pressed his lips against my temple and began leading me out of the ballroom. We walked to my bedroom and I stripped out of my dress. "Can I have your shirt?" I mumbled. Chuckling, Thomas took off his shirt and slid it over my head. I thanked him, taking my bra off from under the shirt.

Sliding into the bed, I yawned again. "Being Cupid gets you tired easily" I told my mate. He laughed, sliding into bed next to me. Thomas pulled me into his chest and kissed my head again. "Goodnight, Thomas" I said.

"Goodnight, beautiful"  

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"Truth is everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for."

-Bob Marley

I think I'm just gonna start putting quotes in these note things. It just looks nice.

Anyways... Happy (late) Valentine's Day!

Kayyyzzzzz Byeeezzz

~A.J.