His Spitfire Mate

Dangerous Quiet Corners

The luncheon is an endless stream of speeches and performances, but the food is amazing. Our table comprises our family and an older couple who have already passed their pack on to their son. My mother is really invested in her conversation with Luna Cleary so I think back to my index cards to try to decipher why she is so important.

Luna Cleary is from the Clear Pond pack which is located in the South Carolina region. Nothing in the index cards would suggest they were anything more than an average pack. They are medium in size and they don't cause too many problems. Their son took charge of the pack 3 years ago at the age of 25 and has still not found his mate. It is rare for shifters not to find their mate by 25, but not impossible.

The topic has become more common lately since the Alpha, Beta and Gamma of the Imperial Pack have not yet found their mates and they are all at least 25. There were whispers about this being a sign that the Imperial Pack was weakening despite many signs to the contrary. The news was constantly reporting on improved mortality rates and higher rates of education. Information that actually shows the overall well being of the population.

After 2 hours of eating and speeches, we are finally able to leave our seats. My mother leaves with Luna Cleary leaving me to assume I can hang out with my brothers for a bit.

"So what can I expect at these celebrations," I ask, "will I get to see you at all outside of these kinds of events?"

"There's our Josie," Aaron says, giving me a squeeze around the shoulders, "always a million questions. We'll try our best to come hang out with you in our family suite, but we still have some classes and our parents want us at a lot of events."

I nod in understanding, "So tell me everything."

They catch me up on school and their friends before being pulled away by various people. I find a bench tucked away behind some flowers and take a moment to myself. I wish there had been a way to bring a book. I lean my head back on the back rest of the bench and close my eyes, letting the sun warm my face.

"Hiding, are we?" I hear from behind me. The sun no longer feels warm and I turn around to see Stone behind the bench.

"I-It's just a lot of people to be around," I say dumbly, "I'm not used to it."

"Cute," he says with a condescending chuckle. He walks right up to the back of the bench, forcing me into an awkward position. My back is twisted to try to face him and my head is tilted far back, but now the sun is directly in my eyes, making me squint. I go to stand but he keeps me seated with a hand on my shoulder.

I feel dread run through me at his touch. I keep my head facing forward to hide my expression as I try to think of a way out. I'm somewhat hidden but not completely, so maybe someone will see us. The only problem is they might just see a young, flirting couple.

"I just got here," he says, "stay a little."

"Ok."

"So your brothers are very protective of you, aren't they?" he asks curiously.

"Yes," I answer, without giving any extra details.

"Do you think one will try to rescue you if they see us here?" he continues, questioning.

"Why would they need too?" I push back, "We are just talking, aren't we?"

He smiles at me and looks pleasantly surprised. "So the quiet home schooled princess can talk?"

I just shrug, not letting the insult land.

"It's a shame you won't get to go to the Academy," he says nonchalantly. "Your brothers always say how much you like school."

My head snaps a little too fast in his direction and his smirk says he knows he caught me off guard, "I'm only 17, I can still go to the Academy."

He has walked around to sit beside me on the bench and his arm has somehow made its way rest on the backrest. He leans in to meet me at eye level in a position that feels too intimate, "Yes, but we both know you aren't."

I am at a loss of words. I know my parents would never let me go, but even my brothers don't know. They probably think I will be staying at the end of the celebrations to attend school. It's the last second but they can take me right up until I turn 18.

Stone is watching me as I panic in my head, but there is not much I can do about that. My parents have never brought me with them anywhere so I know they have some kind of plan for me, but I have no clue what it could be. Stone knowing this detail about me is worrying, it makes me feel like he may be involved in some way, and I don't want him anywhere near me.

Luckily someone steps in right at that moment, "Stone, Academy students were supposed to leave 5 minutes ago."

His gaze lingers on me for a moment before looking up at the man behind me. "Yes, sir." He says with a mock solute.

He's off the bench and walking away in an instant and I sag with relief. I look back to see who my saviour is and I see the retreating back of Gamma Killian. I guess I will have to thank him another time. He was just making sure a student got back to class without knowing he got me out of a bad situation.

I make a mental note to stay in more public areas at these events. The solitude is not worth the ambush. I look around to find my mother. With all the students leaving, the event is emptying out pretty fast and I don't want to be in trouble if she can't find me.