#4 Moonlight on the Water

Knox

Finally, it was the day of Meredith’s 18th birthday. I couldn’t handle any more party planning. The packhouse was beginning to look like Barbie’s dream house with all the pink samples and deliveries. The staff was working feverishly to set up for Meredith’s party, terrified of getting anything wrong. I was in a bad mood after dealing with her and our mother’s demands.

Meredith was a spoiled brat and that always bothered me, even before Navy was in the picture. Now, I was even more pissed off at the way she treated my mate. Her and my mother both. I had no idea what made them think they could speak to her that way, but I wasn’t going to allow it. I was being complicit in honor of Meredith’s birthday, but after today, I wasn’t going to stand for it any longer. I would throw them in the damn dungeons if I had to.

Navy was hiding in our room, her mood just as sour as mine. Jenna, Julia, and Natasha were on their way up to get ready with her for the party. I was in my office with Clay and Dover to do the same.

“Dude, I cannot wait for this thing to be over.” Clay groaned, staring at himself in the mirror. Meredith had demanded we all wear tuxes with pink bow ties and a rose boutonniere.

“This is ridiculous. I’m not even her brother!” Dover glared at his reflection. Mason walked in my office then sporting the same vial expression.

“I had to see if you three looked as ridiculous as me.” He mumbled.

“Yep.” We all agreed.

“The girls have to wear pink dresses. Jenna is pissed.” Mason added.

“Yeah, I heard the same from Tasha.” Dover said.

“I’m fairly certain Meredith is doing this on purpose.” Clay said, pouring himself a glass of whisky,

“All I’m saying is, there better be good booze at this party.” He added, handing out glasses to everyone.

“Oh there is, trust me.” I clinked my glass to his and downed it in one gulp.

“Has she seen Harvord yet?” Mason asked.

“No, she wants to do it publically at the party.” I said, noting everyone’s worried expressions,

“Yeah, I know, it’s stupid.” I responded to what they left unspoken.

“He’s not her mate, you know.” Clay said, shaking his head,

“There’s no way.”

“I agree. I don’t see the connection.” Dover nodded.

“I feel bad, I don’t want her party to be ruined as much as I despise it.” I sighed.

“The girls tried to talk her out of it.” Mason said and I nodded,

“I know, Navy told me.”

“How’s Navy doing, anyway?” Clay asked.

“Good, she’s adjusting pretty well, actually. She’s agreed to stay.” I announced with a grin. The guys cheered,

“That’s great, man!” Clay grinned.

“Finally, a Luna!” Dover was relieved that he wouldn’t have to feel the rejection of his Luna.

“Can I ask why she’s not marked yet?” Mason asked boldly. We all stared at him,

“What? Everyone was thinking it.” He shrugged.

“He’s not wrong.” Clay grumbled, filling up his glass again.

“She’s not ready for that yet, or a Luna ceremony. She needs to go home and reject her other mate and tell her parents that she’s staying. We’re going after Meredith’s party.” I explained. They all exchanged glances,

“Dude, you know you’re a dog not a fish, right?” Clay stated.

“Dude, drink less alcohol.” I rolled my eyes, ripping the glass from his hand,

“Navy can make it so I can breathe underwater.”

“That is freaking awesome! Can she do it to us, too?” Dover asked excitedly. I growled at him,

“Hell no!” My Gamma back away with his hands in the air,

“Sorry, sorry.”

After we all had a slight buzz from the bewitched whisky, we ventured out to the venue, awaiting further instructions from my sister. A herd of pink was waiting for us with viscous scowls on their faces.

“Oh this isn’t going to be good.” Clay mumbled as we all observed our mates. Mason shook his head,

“We’re in deep shit, fellas.” He said, plastering on a fake smile.

Julia, Natasha, Jenna, and Navy were waiting for us at the doorway in the pinkest pink I had ever seen. Honestly, it was sickening. They were homecoming style dresses with a puffy bottom and unflattering waistline. Navy was positively fuming.

“Hello, my love. My gorgeous, beautiful, baby girl.” I laid the compliments on real thick. She just glared at me some more, punching me in the arm with her teeny fist.

“Shut. Up.” She snarled.

“Ah, baby, you look amazing in anything.” I leaned down to her ear,

“Besides, I’ll rip this off of you later tonight. You’ll never have to see it again.” I promised her. She shivered, letting out a little squeal as my hand squeezed her butt. She swatted my hand away.

“Behave!” She whispered loudly at me.

It was time for Meredith’s grand entrance with Harvord. We were all situated in a makeshift aisle for the birthday girl. The girls were standing on one side and the guys on the other. I swear, this was like a rehearsal for Meredith’s wedding.

I gave my mate a dirty look and she stifled a laugh as the DJ played some terrible pop song and Meredith made her entrance.

Everyone clapped as she walked down the aisle of pink, stepping over the rose petals that were scattered all over the ground. Of course, the grass wasn’t good enough so I had to pay for an artificial platform to be put down for Meredith to walk on. A matching one was in front of the stage as a makeshift dance floor.

She stopped at the end of the aisle and waved at the crowd like she was a princess. She even had the bedazzled tiara to match. She was wearing a floor length, mermaid style dress. It was a much more flattering pink than the girls’ dresses and was way too sexy for my liking. After blowing kisses to the crowd and practically bowing at them, she turned and waited for Harvord to make his entrance.

I braced myself for the drama. Navy had a nervous expression on her face. I looked around, so did everyone else. Harvord was already 18, so if they were mates, the connection should be instant. Meredith was bouncing excitedly at the end of the aisle. Harvord finally stepped out of the packhouse. I saw the exact moment Meredith realized that they weren’t mates.

Both of their faces went white, their expressions horrified. Harvord immediately retreated, not wanting to stick around for Meredith’s rage or the embarrassment. What a coward. I hurried to my sister’s side but she brushed me off, pushing me away.

The crowd was silent, having no idea what to do next.

“Music!” My mother yelled at the DJ,

“Start serving the drinks!” She commanded the staff. She was trying to distract the crowd, turn their attention away from Meredith. I took pity on them and decided to help.

The staff quickly bustled around with trays full of alcohol. The bar was open for mixed drinks, beer, liquor, and the local draft on tap from a nearby, werewolf owned, distillery. The crowd dispersed, clearly feeling as awkward as the rest of us. My mother took Meredith inside and we all huddled together, whispering.

“Jenna, should you go in there?” Navy asked.

“Hell no! I’m not going in there!” Jenna shrieked, Navy raised her hands in surrender.

“Do not look at me.” Clay said, sensing that us brothers would be next up.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Clay.” Navy smirked.

“Seriously, Clay, who would send you in? You’re literally the least sensitive person around.” Julia rolled her eyes at her mate.

“What do we do now?” Natasha asked in a hushed tone.

“No idea.” Dover shrugged, putting his arm around his mate.

“Pretend like it never happened?” I suggested grabbing Navy’s hand.

“Does that mean we can change out of these stupid outfits?” Jenna grumbled.

“No, I think that would make it worse, actually.” Mason replied to his mate. Jenna huffed in frustration.