ONE Night Of Excitement

"Do I have to go?" I asked my mother as I leaned against the staircase, in our farmhouse. "Who's going to watch my horses while I'm away?"

It was only going to be a few hours that I was going to be away but they were still on a schedule.

It wasn't so much of that fact I was going to be away from Scarlett, Flinch, Ruth and Quinn for a couple of hours or so but the pressure of attending my first wolf pack meeting. What if they asked me a question and I didn't have an answer to it? What if I couldn't handle the pressure? What if I messed everything up?

My mother gave me knowing look. "Your brother will. He's too young to come with us and he promised me he would take care of all your horses."

Eddie was ten and he had six more years to go before he would get involved in all the wolf business.

I sighed. "Why can I not stay? I don't think I would be much help tonight." I said as my last attempted of staying home.

She nodded in agreement. "You won't, but your father believes it is time for you to learn how the meetings work before you become alpha next spring."

If I didn't find my soulmate before this time next year, I wouldn't have a choice but to step up and became the leader of my family's pack. My soulmate would be human, but the pack would listen to him. I didn't know how it worked but once I had found my soulmate, he would get the ability to have control over the pack and no one would be able to defy his orders. I didn't want to be the leader and I didn't want to be in control of everything. I didn't want to be a wolf and some days I pretended I wasn't.

"Trust me, darling, the meeting will be over before you know it and we will be back home quicker than you can imagine."

I gave her a small smile. "You promise?"

"I promise. Now let's go, your father is waiting for us." She extended her arm for me to take and I did as I took the last step on the staircase. "Ralph! We are off!" She called out to one of our family's protector as we walked out the door.

I stepped into our family's car as Mama hopped into the passenger's side. We drove onto the dirt road, leading us away from our farmhouse that sat on the very outskirts of Asheville. We didn't stay on the edge of the town because we were a colored family, but because our farmhouse led straight into the woods and it came in handy whenever we had to shift and no one would bother us way out here.

When I turned sixteen, the age of my first shift, my parents were very tempted to have me and my brother homeschooled. They didn't think I could control my inner wolf and feared I might reveal our secret to the town. Yet, I could control my inner wolf, which I called her Sasha. I never wanted to be a wolf in the first place so I wasn't going to let her control my feelings and thoughts.

Sasha was very strong willed and feisty. It took me a while to get her under my control because I was nothing like her. I had to soften her up but her nice side didn't last very long and she was getting moody by the day since she hadn't find her other half yet. Going to school, I figured I would've meet my soulmate but I didn't and I finished school two years ago and I hadn't found anyone so far which irritated Sasha.

Any day now, I would have to shift to allow her to let some of her frustrations out.

It didn't help when my two good friends, Dawn and Bobby weren't the nicest people. They weren't horrible but they had a bad habit to let the smallest things get the very best of them and it was up to me to remind them of who they were and stop them from saying or doing something they would end up regretting. They were very outspoken and didn't hold back anything. And in return, they would stick up for me to my bullies, Amber, Mitch, Flora, and Earl. It was mainly the girls who did the bullying but since Mitch and Earl were dating them, they would join in on the bullying.

Sasha was ready to rip them all apart but I wouldn't let her do that and thought nice things with a smile on my face. I knew I was stronger than them physically and if I lost my composure, Sasha wouldn't hesitate to take control. I didn't want to be someone everyone was afraid of so it was easier for me to not say anything I would hate myself for later. Dawn and Bobby didn't care about the school hating them and stood up for me when I couldn't do it myself.

It didn't take us very long to arrive at our "secret" hideout because it resided in my hometown in a building no one used anymore. My parents had it paid and fixed up for these occasions. To everyone on the outside, it was just a group of people who decided to get together every now and then. My parents were highly known in our town and were respected enough to be trusted. So we didn't have to worry about anyone interrupting our meeting.

The meetings were held in a different place every time. Last fall, it was held by the Western pack and the meeting before was held by the Southern pack. Now it was my parents' turn to hold the meeting and next fall it would held by the Eastern pack.

Daddy pulled up at the same time as a few other cars, I didn't recognized. Since this was my first time coming to a meeting, I hadn't meet any of the other packs yet. Tonight was going to be an enjoyable fun night of introductions and a ton of smiling.

"Come on, sweetheart." Daddy said, opening his side of the door. "There's a few people I want to introduce you to."

I followed him as he walked towards a male and female around the same age as my parents. Daddy hugged the man as Mama greeted the woman. They spoke to one another before Daddy turned his body slightly to me, inviting me into their conversion.

"Leigh this is Mr. Mark Easton and his lovely wife, Susan Easton of the Eastern pack."

I smiled as I shook each of their hands. "Hi. Nice to meet you both."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Leigh." Mrs. Easton replied with a smile. "We have heard so much about you and we believe you will be a wonderful alpha."

"Thank you that means so much to me." I said, politely.

"Where's your boy at?" Daddy asked, looking around for their son.

Mrs. Easton rolled her green eyes. "Don't bother looking for him—he isn't here yet. No surprisers there. For once, it would be nice if he were show up on time."

Daddy laughed. "He's a boy. If it weren't for this wonderful woman right here." Daddy wrapped his arm around Mama's waist and pulled her closer to him as he grinned. "I would never be on time for anything."

I smiled at their cuteness.

"Same here, buddy." Mr. Easton agreed. "But my son knows better. He's been the alpha for two years and I've taught him better—at least I thought I did."

"Two years already?" Mama said, surprised.

Mrs. Easton nodded her head. "I know. It's crazy. He was nineteen when he decided he was ready to become alpha."

Female alphas could only become alpha at the age of twenty one and if they hadn't found their soulmate. Male alphas could become alpha whenever they were absolutely certain they were ready to take over the position of alpha and even then the former alpha had to deemed them as ready.

"Has he met his mate?" Mama continued.

Mr. Easton shook his head. "No, not yet."

"Well, we wouldn't know if he has or not because he's been keeping to himself these days." Mrs. Easton said before pausing. "I'm hoping he has."

They continued their conversation until a man from inside of the building stuck his head out.

"The meeting is ready to begin, Mr. Sage."

"Oh!" Mama said. "I forgot the reason we were here."

"I did as well." Mrs. Easton said. "We'll talk later."

They headed for the entrance and I followed behind them like a shadow. I shut the door as I stepped inside the somewhat full building. I smiled and waved at the familiar faces, the ones who belonged in my pack.

I stayed in the back as Daddy head to the podium to commence the meeting.

He adjusted the mic. "Alright, is everyone here? Northern pack? Southern pack? Western pack?" When everyone confirmed each pack was here, Daddy spoke again. "I appreciate everyone who come out tonight and I promise I won't come y'all long. Firstly, ask everyone to keep Mr. Lane and his family of the Southern pack in your thoughts. Mrs. Shirley Lane has passed early this morning."

There were a few muttered throughout the crowd and silent tears.

"Her funeral will be next week and I ask if you can attend, please go. Mrs. Lane was a very sweet and incredible woman and she will be greatly missed." Daddy spoke. "I heard talk about black witches arriving this month. Keep your a lookout for them and report if something suspicious is happening in your area."

"Black witches?" A woman repeated. "I thought they died out a long time ago."

"That is what we were told but we cannot be foolish enough to believe everything. As a precaution, be alert of your surroundings."

He talked some more about new information that wasn't a bit interesting but had to be said. My mind was still on the news of the black witches as I was sure it was on everyone else's minds. Black witches magic couldn't harm us wolf after we shift but they could harm those who hadn't shift yet.

They couldn't hurt us physically but emotionally they could. What I was told, once I had found my soulmate, I would feel an emotion I could never imagine and I would never be able to describe it accurately. That person would become my whole world and if something terrible were to happen to my person, my mate, it would feel like a stab to the heart and I would feel that pain for the rest of my life. I would had the feeling of wanting to die and that was what the black witches wanted. They wanted us to suffer and that would be the only way of making us suffer.

I began to wondered if that was how Mr, Lane felt in this moment or was it something entirely different. Mrs. Lane wasn't murdered—she passed peacefully away in her sleep. My heart broke for Mr. Lane and I prayed he wasn't in unbearable pain.

My attention went back to my dad as he received an exciting news.

"It seems like the Walsh family is adding a new addition to their family." He announced. "Congratulations, Greg and Nora." He smiled at them.

I smiled as I watched Nora place her hands on her slightly round stomach. The packs congratulated them before there was another announcement. Robin and Raven of the Western pack we're engaged and were getting married in the fall.

"Well, this is a night full of excitement." Daddy said. "I say, enough of the meeting and let us toast to Greg, Nora, Robin and Raven. As well as Mrs. Lane. She is gone but she will not be forgotten."

"I'll drink to that." A person said and the rest of the crowd agreed.

On the other side of the room, there were drinks and foods lined up in the tables. I moved out the way as everyone made their way to the back.

"Leigh." I heard my mother's voice. "I would like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Knightly."

For half an hour I walked around meeting new people who have heard a great deal about me courtesy of my parents. They all believed I would make an amazing alpha.

"I was wondering when I could meet this lovely daughter of yours." A female said as she walked up to my mother and hugged her.

"Elizabeth." Mama said. "It's so good to see you. You haven't been at the last couple of meetings."

"I know, I know. I've been busy with the boys." She said before looking at me. "Leigh, right?"

I nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"I'm Elizabeth, your mother's oldest friend."

Elizabeth had short blond hair that was curled with bright blue eyes. Her red lipstick screamed for attention but not too much attention. She wanted to be noticed but not the center of attention.

"She helped me navigate through the wolf world." Mama added. "When I first learned about your father, I thought he was crazy until he shifted then I thought I was crazy. I wanted to break things off with him but I couldn't because of the bond and I loved him before I knew he was a werewolf. So, when I came to my very first meeting, I meet this crazy girl and she helped me a great deal."

I smiled. "That's nice."

"So, where is your mate at?" Elizabeth asked in hopes of meeting him.

"Oh, no." Mama said as she shook her head. "Leigh hasn't meet her mate yet. That's why she's here tonight."

"Oh." Elizabeth responded. "I'm sure you will meet him soon."

"Hopefully." I replied.

"Don't worry about it too much." Elizabeth continued. "I didn't meet my annoying husband until I was twenty one. He's out there, somewhere, sweetie." She comforted me even though I wasn't worried about it.

I was more worried about the fact of becoming alpha in the next year. I wasn't old enough to consume alcohol so I sipped on my nonalcoholic drink and stayed away from the meal appetizers. I ate the fruits but that was it.

"A toast to the new addition, to the engagement and Mrs, Lane." A voice yelled after getting everyone's attention.

Everyone raised their glass. "Cheers!"

They took a drink.

"What are we toasting to this time?" A new voice asked and all eyes trailed over to the front entrance to look at the newcomer.

He was tall at least six feet with dark brown hair that was pushed back away from his face. He had a mixture of blue and green eyes. He wore a black leather jacket over his white shirt. That was all I could tell from where I was standing.

"Adriel." Mrs. Easton scolded as she walked over to him. He rolled his eyes at whatever she was telling him and I looked away from them.

"That's a surprise." Elizabeth said. "He was only two hours late this time."

Mama nodded. "I'm surprised he even showed up. Don't get me wrong—he makes an excellent alpha but he always shows up late."

"He's going to have to learn to grew out of that one day." Elizabeth replies taking her gaze off of Adriel and Mrs. Easton.

Another two hours goes by and I walked around majority of the time, snacking on the fruits, growing bored. My eyes kept going to the newcomer named, Adriel. Every time I would look at him, he was engaged in some conversation. He would smile here and there but they didn't seem genuine.

"Leigh, your mother, told me about your love of horses." Elizabeth said when I returned.

"Oh, yes. I absolutely love them." I tuck my hair behind my ear. "I mean they're my favorite kind of animal."

"She's an animal lover. She couldn't do any harm to them." Mama said.

Elizabeth smiled. "That's so sweet. Darren has allergies so we can't have any pets." She said. "And I had a dog before I met him and I had to give him away. It just broke my heart having to give him away. I'm going to be here for a few days, to catch up with your mother, and I was wondering if I could meet your horses?"

"Of course!" I responded with a huge smile. "They love meeting new people. I honestly believe they get tired of seeing the same faces everyday."

The other day, I invited Dawn and Michael over and they got full with excitement and we took them out for a ride and they didn't die down until a few hours had went by. And they went for a ride everyday Mom, Dad and Eddie rode them so no one would feel left out.

"Speaking of which, Eddie's probably struggling with them. Can we go now?" I asked with hopefully eyes.

"I supposed so." Mama replied. "I will see you tomorrow, Elizabeth."

"For sure! It was nice meeting you, Leigh."

"Same to you." We separated and went in search of Daddy.

"Harold." Mama called out when she spotted him talking to one of his old friends. "Leigh is worried about her horses."

Daddy nodded gesturing he heard what Mama said. He finished his conversation before making his way over to us.

"I'm sure they are fine. Eddie knows what he is doing but if you want to leave, we can." He glanced down at his watch. "It's about that time to end this meeting anyway. Let me thank everyone for showing up."

The meeting started an eight o'clock and couldn't last longer than midnight. I didn't know why and I didn't plan on asking. I guess that's just how it always been.

Daddy went back to the podium to get one more speech, announcing that the meeting was over and to wish everyone a safe travel back home. Everyone began to say their farewells and slowly began to exit the building as Mom and I cleaned the building that wasn't a total mess. We removed the items off the back tables and took them to the small kitchen on the side.

Once everyone was cleared from building, Daddy locked the doors.

"Hey, Mr. Sage." A male voice said as we were heading to our car.

We turned our heads and saw Adriel leaning against his car as if he was waiting for us. Which was exactly what he was doing.

"Mom wouldn't let me leave without speaking to you and Mrs. Sage and introducing myself to your daughter. My old man agreed with her." He speak as he walked over to us.

"I'm glad you listen." Mama said, smiling at him. "It's good to see you, again, Adriel."

"Always a pleasure to see you, Mrs. Sage." He said as he hugged her before shaking Daddy's hand. "I'm gonna assume that's Leigh over there." He said, nodding towards me.

"Yes, that's her." Mama glanced back at me. "Leigh get over here." She instructed me.

I moved away from our car and walked over to my parents. On the way over, I had my eyes on the ground so when I glanced up at Adriel to look him in his eyes, something happened and before I could figure out what that something was, Adriel spoke.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me."