The Heat

RIVER

During my exceedingly long shower, my aunt and uncle left. I knew Auntie would help with the side dishes, and Dale would be with her to help with whatever it was she asked for.

Not everyone was so lucky to have such a devoted mate. Sometimes you got a good one and sometimes you didn’t.

I rubbed at the healing mark on my neck. It was barely visible anymore, and I was thankful for that. Every day it faded more and more. I wished the memories would do the same.

Arlene left a cup of coffee on the side table and a pale pink sundress on the guest bed. The sundress was tighter on my curvier frame, but it still fit. Its pale color went well with my golden skin and strawberry-blonde hair. It was simple and perfect for a casual pack barbecue in the middle of spring.

Despite what happened last night and the possibility of seeing the mystery man again, I was looking forward to the time with my family. It felt like ages since I had spent quality time with them, and I was excited to relax and hear about their lives.

As I was about to walk out of the guest room, I paused at the mirror behind the door. Aimlessly, my fingers traced over the three scars over my eye. Some things only need time to heal, but I didn’t think these ever would.

“All right, let’s go!” Arlene said as I came down the stairs. I took a deep breath and followed her out the front door. She was nearly bouncing with excitement as we walked down the street toward the pack house.

We didn’t have massive barbecues like this in my pack. Several smokers and grills sat side by side in the yard in front of the house, and the smells coming from them made my mouth water.

Tables with chairs were being set up near a buffet-style long table covered with side dishes, and there was the usual hustle and bustle of getting things ready for such a large crowd.

“Come meet some of my friends and grab a drink.” Arlene tugged me toward a crowd starting the base for a bonfire to light when the sun went down. We grabbed some hard ciders from a cooler on the way.

As much as I didn’t want to, I kept looking over my shoulder at every passing male, wondering if I would see the mystery man from the previous night again. Was he already here, somewhere in the crowd?

“Hey, guys! This is my cousin River. Some of you may have met her in the past. She used to visit during the summers when we were kids.” Arlene’s bubbly personality came to life as we joined the crowd.

My fingers tightened on the cold bottle in my hands. “Hi.” My smile felt weak, and I gave them a brief wave.

“Don’t worry, they’re all harmless,” Arlene whispered into my ear. Although I tried to hide it, she could see how overwhelmed I was with all these people, but her presence at my side was reassuring and helped to ease the tension tightening my shoulders.

After half an hour and a couple of drinks, I felt almost normal again, but the heavy shadow of the past hovered just over my shoulder. Although I relaxed, laughed, and blended in with Arlene’s friends, I couldn’t quite shake the voice of darkness that echoed in my head.

Would he find me? What would he do if he did? He told me I deserved what I got last time, but running was so much worse, especially since it was away from him.

The sound of laughter brought my attention back to Arlene and the others, and I smiled and forced a chuckle even though I hadn’t heard what was said.

It was all behind me now. He was behind me now. But I had to accept he’d always be with me every time I saw the scars above my eye.

Before I knew it, the bonfire was roaring to life, and someone rang a bell to signal the food was ready.

“Oh, look guys, the alpha finally showed up. He’s sitting down now!” Arlene whispered to our group as we waited in line for the smoking meats at the line of grills.

I turned my head in the direction they were looking, but there were too many people surrounding the alpha for me to see what he looked like. I wasn’t too concerned about him though. My eyes were on the lookout for just one man.

We got our plates piled high with meat and every fried item we could fit on them and then sat at the table. Everyone talked happily as they dug in, and for a moment, I lost myself in the taste of all the delicious food and good company.

Suddenly, I felt that chill you get when someone is undoubtedly watching you. It crept down my spine and tingled every nerve ending in my body, sending me on alert. I closed my eyes and bit my lip, determined not to look in the direction from which I felt the stare.

My determination didn’t last long. Curiosity got the best of me, and my eyes drifted down the length of the overflowing table to the impressive man sitting in the alpha’s chair.

Whiskey-brown eyes stared back at me, and my heart stopped beating. My fork slipped from my fingers, and I couldn’t move.

I couldn’t breathe.

When I looked at him, I remembered the feeling of his lips on my skin as if they were still on me. The ache between my legs became a dull throb as our eyes locked and never wavered.

My body felt feverish all over again under his dark gaze.

The alpha. It had been the alpha.