Chapter 26
Skye’s POV
By nightfall, the oasis had transformed. String lights illuminated the central gathering area where over two hundred pack members had assembled
For a pack only two years old, the size was impressive–most new packs struggled to attract even fifty members in their first few years.
I supervised final preparations for the bar area, arranging bottles and confirming that the ice supplies would last the night. The setup was professional but festive, with colorful lanterns illuminating the drinks station and handwritten signs describing the special cocktails I’d created for the occasion.
As the celebration officially began, Adrian delivered a brief speech about Oasisborn’s progress, followed by a traditional Alpha howl that the entire pack joined–a sound that stirred something primal and lonely within me.
It had been three years since I’d participated in such a ritual, and the harmonious voices rising together in the desert night made my throat tighten with unexpected emotion.
Once the formalities concluded, music began playing through speakers disguised among the vegetation, and pack members broke into smaller groups–some dancing, others gathering around food tables or collecting drinks from my station.
I found myself enjoying the simple pleasure of mixing drinks, chatting briefly with pack members who approached the bar. Unlike in Boring, I didn’t need to hide what I was here.
When a young female wolf shyly asked if I could show her how to mix a particular cocktail, I didn’t have to pretend I couldn’t lift the heavy bottles with one hand or that I couldn’t smell the faint traces of nervousness in her scent.
“Here you go,” I said, sliding a vibrant blue drink across the bar to Venus, who had approached during a momentary lull. “Ocean Breeze–my own creation.
She accepted it with a nod of thanks. “You seem to be fitting in well,” she observed, taking a sip and raising her eyebrows in appreciation. “I was skeptical when Adrian said he’d invited an outsider to help with our celebration, but you’ve proven me wrong.”
Before I could respond, Ryder appeared, practically bouncing with energy as he leaned across the bar. “Come on, bartender! You’ve been stuck behind this counter all night. Time for a dance break!”
“I can’t just leave the bar-” I began, but Venus interrupted with a dismissive wave.
‘Go ahead. I’ll keep an eye on things for a while.” Seeing my hesitation, she added, “I worked my way through college bartending in New Orleans. I might be missing an arm, but I can still pour a decent drink.”
hrough
With that settled, Ryder eagerly pulled me toward the dancing area where dozens of pack members moved to the rhythm of an upbeat song. It had been so long since I’d participated in anything resembling normal socialization that I felt awkward at first, my movements stiff and self–conscious.
*Loosen up!” Ryder shouted over the music, demonstrating with his own enthusiastic if slightly uncoordinated dance moves. “Nobody’s j
Gradually, I allowed myself to relax, the music and energy of the crowd working their magic.
you here!*
Here, amid the dancing, laughing wolves, the music pulsing through the desert night, and the occasional harmonious howls rising above it all, I experienced a fleeting sense of belonging.
As Ryder spun me in an impromptu twirl, I caught sight of Adrian standing at the edge of the gathering, a drink untouched in his hand. Even from a distance, I could feel the weight of his gaze–intense, assessing, and heated in a way that sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.
For a moment, our eyes locked across the crowded space, and everything else seemed to fade away–the music becoming distant, the dancers around me blurring into insignificance,
Then someone jostled me, breaking the connection, and I turned away.
I excused myself from the dancing crowd and made my way back to the bar, where I quickly poured myself a glass of ice–cold lemon water, hoping it would calm my unusually racing heart.
I had barely taken a few sips when Adrian materialized beside me, his quiet approach almost startling.
Chapter 26
“Would you like to take a walk? Adrian asked, “There are some things I’d like to discuss with you. Privately
My fingers tightened around the cold glass. *1 should stay here,” I replied, gesturing to the bar area. “I’m responsible for→
“The celebration will be winding down in about an hour,” Adrian said, his gaze sweeping over the gathering. “Most have already had their fill of drink. His eyes returned to mine, patient but somehow insistent. “Venus can manage if anyone needs anything else.”
I hesitated, caught between curiosity about what he wanted to discuss and the safety of staying in this public space. The sensible choice would be to politely decline, to maintain the professional distance that would make my inevitable departure easier.
Alright, I found myself saying instead, setting down my half–finished water. “A short walk.“,
We made our way through the celebration, gradually leaving
among the desert plants. The sounds of the party faded to behind the music and laughter until we reached a quieter path illuminated by scattered lanterns
on the sandy path.
a
distant hum, replaced by the gentle chorus of night insects and the soft crunch of our footsteps
‘It’s been a while since you’ve attended a werewolf celebration, hasn’t it?” Adrian asked, breaking the silence between us. “How does it feel?”
“It’s… nice,” I admitted. “I feared they wouldn’t…” I trailed off, unsure how to finish my thought without sounding insulting.
Adrian glanced at me, his expression thoughtful. “You thought Marcus, Venus, or Lydia wouldn’t accept you?” He shook his head slightly. “You seemed quite shocked when you met them today.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks as embarrassment washed over me. “Was I that obvious?” I asked, mortified. “Please believe me, I don’t have any prejudice against them. It’s just… they’re so different from any pack council members I’ve ever encountered.”
Adrian sighed, his expression softening as he looked toward the distant celebration lights.
“They’re all excellent partners and warriors,‘ he said, his voice filled with unmistakable respect. “They’re survivors of life’s cruelties. No- he corrected himself, they’re fighters.”
I hesitated, curiosity warring with politeness. “May I ask… what happened to them? How did they become…”
I stumbled over my words, suddenly self–conscious. “I’m sorry, that’s probably too personal. I shouldn’t have asked.”
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