Chapter 3- "Made up of Tears."

Turns out, the party could be worse than Tatum expected.

Much, much worse.

So worse that Tatum had only two options; Cry in happiness, or cry in sorrow.

Either way, Tatum just broke down and cried.

~ * ~

A few hours earlier, Tatum pulled into the driveway of the monstrosity of a mansion, surprised that there was an actual valet ready to take her keys to park her sleek BMW. She raised her eyebrows at Angier at the extravagant arrangements for the so-called house party, but the traitor just grinned innocuously.

She sighed and shook her head to herself, opening her door as she took an unsteady step out of the car in her 4-inch red bottom calf-length boots.

Ah, the horrors of her week-long practice session wearing those death-traps designed to kill her feet.

Tatum had to agree secretly with Angier, though. The outfit he'd purchased was a perfect combination of casual and sexy and just the right amount of Tatum. It was a sleeveless black asymmetrical flowy top, a pair of light-washed ripped jeans cuffed at the bottom and a kickass black leather strap for her Apple Watch. She'd managed a little make-up with some dark lipstick and liner, and coupled with the natural waves of her dark hair, it was perfect.

After a moment of standing on steady ground, Tatum was satisfied and confident that she could walk without embarrassing herself. She handed the keys to the waiting valet, leaving the driver's side door open as she rounded the bonnet of her car. Angier fell into step with her as they walked up the footpath, looking as hot and impeccable as he always managed to, in a pair ripped jeans of his own and a white button up, the sleeves of which were rolled up to his elbows.

Disgusting. It's disgusting how good he always manages to look, she thought as they took the three steps to the front door, which was manned by a freaking bouncer.

Just how big was this party gonna be?

"Karas and Wellington." She said as the bouncer gestured to the writing pad he was holding. He checked the list and nodded politely, opening the door and moving on to the people coming up behind them.

Whoa, was the first thing that came to her mind as she stepped inside the room. The floor vibrated under her feet with each thump of the bass, almost as if the room was also dancing along with the hundreds of people present. The huge room was decorated with strobe lights and furniture so precise, that it resembled a dance club. Tatum's eyes caught sight of a DJ on one side - of course, there would be a DJ, and there were huge couches lining the sides of the room along with tables upon tables stacked with snacks of all varieties.

"Wow," Angier echoed her thought out loud beside her, turning to her with wide eyes. His anticipation to mingle the crowd and join the dance floor was palpable, and Tatum didn't have the heart to grab a drink and sulk in the corner like she'd originally planned to do. So, she decided to join him for a while just to appease him, "Alright, I'll come with you."

"That's my girl." Angier cheered, and Tatum had one last thought before he pulled her into the crowd of Alpha couples.

Oh, how I wish.

Over the next hour, Tatum downed almost a dozen shots in different colors—nooo, not a keg, there was an actual bartender and a freaking bar, which he tended to—and met a tonne of people she had met a lot of times before in her life. It was a bittersweet experience, seeing them all grown up and most of them having already accepted their Alpha titles, with a Mate on their arm that they were showing off proudly. On the other hand, every time someone tried to tell her how sorry they were for her loss, she just wanted to rip a chunk of her hair out.

She was there to forget about real life for a while. Not to be reminded of it by every single freaking person she met.

"Ah! The man of the hour!" Angier exclaimed beside her, pulling her out of her thoughts. Tatum turned around to see a grinning dark-haired guy familiar-looking approaching them, and felt her own face spread into a smile when she recognized the mischievous glint in his eyes that was so similar to the one Angier always seemed to have.

"I hear someone is gonna become Beta!" Ezra Harland yelled with a huge beam, pulling Angier into a brief hug as he stopped in front of them. "Ms. Karas," He acknowledged Tatum with a smile, extending his hand for a shake.

"Beta Harland." She returned, controlling her grin at the comical look of shock on Angier's face.

"I was informed about it only last week! How did you . . . ?" Angier's eyes bugged out in surprise as he turned to Tatum, pursing his lips, "You told him!"

"Guilty." She replied, simpering in a pleased manner.

Ezra turned his attention to Tatum, appraising her quickly, "So, Ms. Karas, how have you been? It's easily been a handful of years since I last saw you."

Tatum nodded, feeling guilty at her willful absence in all social gatherings. "Yes, I've been fine, thank you. And just call me Tatum, I'm not Alpha yet."

"Good to know," Ezra smiled softly and Tatum just knew he was thinking about the fact that her Mate was no more, "And as for the other thing, I'll do it only if you promise to call me Ezra."

"Sure." She acquiesced, "So . . . Had any luck finding your Mate?" She asked, trying to divert his attention before he started offering his condolences.

If Ezra noticed her abrupt change in topic, he didn't say anything about it. Instead, his eyes lost its happy glow for a second as a dark look passed them, but he smiled instantly again, covering it up. "Yes, I met her last week. It's Alpha Nyah Pineda."

Tatum felt that usual stab of sharp jealousy that yet another person had found their soulmate. She flashed her dimples instead, extending her arm for another shake, "Congratulations. So, I assume you're gonna leave the Mordecai Pack and become her Aleph."

"What?" He looked perturbed by the idea as he shook her proffered hand weakly, "I . . . I don't think so. Nuh uh, no way."

"Oh," Tatum was baffled by his reaction. Angier looked confused too, "Well, it's either that or she has to step down. Maybe you can get her father to accept the brother who was thrown out." He suggested and Tatum hoped he hadn't stepped on a sore point.

"Yeah, I guess so," Ezra responded distractedly, when suddenly something behind Tatum caught his eye, "Oi! Seneca and Micajah! Oh and Alarice and Anders, you too! Come here!" He called loudly and seconds later the familiar redhead pushed people out of the way as she stepped into their small circle, followed by Alarice and two guys Tatum didn't know, but assumed were the infamous Mates everyone kept talking about.

"Oh, Tatum, it's you!" Alarice DeVega was the first one to talk and before Tatum could understand what was happening, she'd thrown her arms around her neck in a strong embrace, startling Tatum.

"Oof," She grunted, patting Alarice's back awkwardly, "Nice to meet you too, Alpha DeVega."

"None of that 'Alpha' crap, Tatum," Alarice reprimanded with a glare as she pulled back, "I didn't think you of all people would do that."

"Uh . . . I'm sorry . . . Reeci?" Tatum didn't know what else to say, except using the nickname Alarice's Beta had come up with, seeing as Alarice was justified in her reaction. Out of all of them, Tatum, Angier, and Alarice had been close as kids due to the fact that Alarice was 2 years older than Tatum and Angier, who were both older than the rest of the Alpha heirs like Seneca Mordecai and Nyah Pineda by a year too.

"That's more like it," She said happily, grabbing the arm of the shy looking dark-haired guy beside her, "This is Anders Larzelere, my Mate. Anders, this is Tatum Karas. She's gonna take over the Karas Pack next year." She introduced, her grin turning a bit hesitant as she no doubt, recalled the reason for Tatum's long absence.

Great, another happily married couple to add salt to the gaping wound, she thought resentfully, making her Wolf whine silently in the back of her mind for all that she'll never have. She truly was happy her friend had found that happiness she deserved, so she desperately tried to hold on to that feeling. This time, Tatum could only manage a small smile in response, "Very pleased to meet you."

"Likewise." He replied with a grin devoid of any sympathy, making Tatum relieved that there was at least one person here who wasn't showering her with pity.

"And you remember little Seneca." Alarice continued, gesturing to the Alpha who was responsible for the whole event.

"Yes, of course." Tatum plastered on yet another smile, this time tinged with more genuineness to meet another one of her acquaintances, "Glad that you found your Mate, Alpha Mordecai. I hear congratulations are in order, when's the wedding?"

"Ah . . . we haven't settled on a date yet. We just moved to Hillbridge so it's been a heck a lot of work. We're thinking mostly by the end of the year though." Seneca replied with a smile as she looped her arm through the other guy, who with his shock of platinum blond hair reminded Tatum of a familiar celebrity. "Oh, and this is my Mate, Micajah Rye."

"Hi," Micajah greeted her, beaming widely. "I wish you the very best on your title acceptance next year. Is this your Mate?" He questioned with a woefully clueless grin as he gestured to Angier, who choked on his swig of beer and started coughing violently.

Tatum felt hysterical at the irony, "No, this is Angier Wellington. He's gonna take over as Beta when I accept the title."

"Oh!" Micajah blushed, mortified, "I'm so sorry! Hello, Angier, nice to meet you! I hope you're enjoying the party!"

Angier, who seemed to have recovered from his coughing fit, thanks to Ezra's thumping on his back, replied amusedly, "Hi, there. Glad to meet you, too. Yes, yes, I am, this is a kickass party. And don't worry about it, could happen to anyone."

Ezra or Seneca must've told him something through the Pack's Telelink because Micajah looked stricken all of a sudden. Seneca squeezed his arm and he tried to school his features, but his emotions were clearly written all over the face. "I'm sorry once again." He apologized with a small crack in his voice, penitence coloring his words.

"It's fine," Tatum said in a tone harsher than she'd intended and the conversation lapsed into an awkward silence.

She immediately felt like a party-pooper, like the fun-sucker who ruined the night for them all. Tatum knew that apologizing would only make it even more awkward, and didn't know what to do. Thankfully, Angier chose that moment to speak, "Why don't we all grab more drinks and sit on one of the couches? After all, there's a lot to catch up."

Everyone agreed with far too much enthusiasm, and Tatum silently cursed herself for being the one who ruined the mood wherever she went.

~ * ~.

Part 2 of Chapter 3 will be updated in 24 hours and promises some drama.

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