"I want you to make me feel like I'm the only girl in the world" Jocelyn screamed out with the music as the base controlled our movements in the character filled crowd. 

Peter Pan and Tinkerbelle were upstairs in the VIP lounge that Jocelyn's Dad had managed to get us into and as we left them I don't think they even noticed our presence was no longer there. The Mad Hatter had found a friend in Alice and I glanced over to find them still laughing and talking closely together by the bar. There was too much alcohol in my system to let me focus properly not that I cared. I had left all my reservations at home and tonight I had decided I was going to be bringing in the New Year in style. A

s The Black Eyed Peas took over from Rihanna I signaled to the bar and Jocelyn nodding bounced behind me. We had just slipped our way to the empty corner and stood slightly breathless from all the dancing. I looked around the room and noticed all the stars that glowed in neon colors hanging from the roof, a large screen behind the DJ had flashing similar colors, as welcome to wonderland would appear and disappear in time to the music. For a 'Wonderland New Years' party I was expecting more than just the usual decorations in the club, the only thing different were the white rabbit costumes the bar staff had on and the names of the cocktails had been changed.

"This is so much fun!" Jocelyn yelled and I smiled in response. 

Her black wig had slipped slightly and so I gave it a small tug putting it back in place. We had just ordered a 'Down The Rabbit Hole' or in other words, long island ice tea, when I felt someone come up behind me. Jocelyn was too busy on her phone texting her cousin who was meant to be joining us tonight to notice as I straightened up from slouching against the sticky bar top.

"What a nice ass you have Little Red" The man's voice was slurred and beer was thick on his breath as it drifted from behind me, his hand slapping me on the ass. 

I turned slowly to face him, he wasn't anything special. He stood slightly taller than me, his black hair was cut short and two ears sat on top on his head on a cheap headband and some faint lines that was coming off with his sweat lingered on his cheeks as whiskers. He wore a black suit and on his tie the silhouette of a wolf howling to the moon made me laugh. He was a wolf. A grin appeared on his face as his checked me out, his eyes lingering on my bust a little too long and I folded my arms over my chest as if to cover up.

"Wrong Red" he hiccupped and on queue another red caped girl appeared beside him. If looks could kill he'd be a goner. Seeing his 'Red' he grinned sheepishly at her and with a glare at me she dragged him away. Turning back to Jocelyn our cocktails had just been set in front of us and we took a few moments to relax, deciding to head back upstairs where Dylan and Andrea were still making out. Surely they had to come up for air eventually? Jocelyn rolled her eyes at me as she took a seat on the opposite side of them and deciding it was time for Andrea to come and dance, I jumped between them. I was met with a growl and a surprised look from Andrea as I wiggled further between them until they finally split up.

"Come dance with uuuusss" I whined, giving her my best puppy dog eyes. She laughed, taking my drink for the table and downing it.

"Oui!" she yelled, bouncing up and dragging us back downstairs. We only had a couple of songs before Dylan moved in on her and by this time Jocelyn was locking lips with Shrek. It was just gone eleven and with my friends all busy amongst themselves my high deflated. My feet started to ache from the high heels, as good as they looked they hurt like hell. I felt sticky from all the drinks that had been spilt on me while on the dance floor and the club suddenly felt too small. It was time to go home, seeing in the New Year didn't seem that great anymore. I sent them all a text so they wouldn't worry if they couldn't find me and headed outside. The cold air hit me with force and I took in a deep breath. I remembered Eric mentioning something about the new pack initiation happening tonight and for whatever reason I started heading across town towards the pack house, pulling the cape tighter against me as the heat from the bar was left behind.

I could see the building as I turned the corner, a few people lingered outside and a couple ran out shouting excitedly. I couldn't hear what they were saying but as the taxi pulled up outside and they all piled in I guessed they were off to start their night. I continued down the street, my heels tapping on the pavement steadily. I could see someone coming down the stairs and the hint of blonde hair told me who it was. As if sensing me Freddy looked down the road towards me and started approaching. Meeting him half way I hugged him in greeting.

"You're a bit of a hugger aren't you?" He teased, looking my outfit over curiously. I never had been much for contact but with these people I always seemed to be doing it in some way or another.

"Where are you off to? Did the pack thing finish?" I asked, curiously looking back to the doors. He nodded.

"I was going home; you just missed Marcus and Cecilia. They were heading over to Ben for the fireworks" When I was younger every year my Dad had taken me into the city center for the sky show, I hadn't gone since he passed and didn't feel like doing it tonight either. Noticing my distracted gaze looking at the doors he smirked slightly. "Finn is in there if you wanted to go say hi"

I had wanted to talk to Finn about Parker and so saying goodbye to Freddy, heading inside. The warmth was welcomed as I closed the door. A few lights were on down the corridor as the hall was empty. I rubbed my arms to wake them up, the cold finally leaving my body as I walked cautiously down the passage, not wanting to interrupt anything he may be doing.

"Finn?" I called, stopping as I waited to hear an answer. Silence. I kept walking calling out as I do so. The wooden boards creaked slightly as I came to a door and hesitantly I knocked. "Finn are you here?" I heard movement and stood back from the door, a man in about his forties appearing. He had on dress pants and a white collared shirt, his brown hair was left a little too long and unkempt and hazel eyes looked at me expectantly.

"Sorry, I was looking for Finn. Have you seen him?" I asked hopefully. My wolf stirred them, my stomach lurching as the swirl of emotions from her entered. I felt her curiosity towards the stranger; unsure I paid attention to her. He rocked back on heels slightly, his hands going into pockets as he seemed amused.

"Finn is upstairs. Who are you?" he challenged as his demeanor changed slightly. I shrugged casually, trying not to let it bother me.

"A friend. I'll just head upstairs then" I mumbled, turning to leave. His hand was around my arm in seconds holding me in place.

"Let her go John" Finns tone was firm as he came up behind me. Instantly John dropped his hold and I stepped back against Finn. I looked at him thankfully and he stared blankly at me as his took in my outfit. Stupid cape.

"I was about to leave anyway" John replied turning back into the room he closed the door. I sighed out relieved and followed after Finn as he headed back towards the entrance.

"Care to explain" he finally said roughly as we entered an office, waving his hand toward me. I sat down on the mahogany leather chair before the large oak desk with a groan.

"Stupid Jocelyn and her stupid fancy dress parties and her stupid costume" I complained and he chuckled slightly sitting behind the desk. He typed a few things on the computer before turning back to face me.

"It doesn't suit you" he finally spoke, his even and calm tone back again. "The girl who wore the red coat first. They said it was blessed by a powerful priest and passed to her from her Mother to keep her safe. It was a lie" He had my attention now. He always seemed to know what I was thinking and always willing to fill me in on what I wanted to know. I shifted so I was a little more upright, paying attention. My gaze wobbled slightly, focusing hard as the large amount of alcohol I had thought I'd managed to walk off coming here hit me. Not so lucky.

"It was 'blessed' so to speak. The spell was for protection so that part was true too. A witch like her needed all the help she could get. She had a lot of enemies, most passed on from her Mother. So she befriended a wolf. We will gladly die to protect our mate, we serve our Alphas loyally and she knew all of this from her Grandmother and so found a way to imitate the connection our kind has with our mate" He stopped as if letting the words sink in. My brain was goo but as his words were processed they were understood just fine.

"You and Parker knew this didn't you?" I asked amazed. He sat back in the chair, picking up the glass of scotch from his desk and took a sip.

"I had my suspicions when I learnt who her Mother was, just before Parker had decided to warn Will away from her. He already knew who she was the daughter of, but not what her plans were for his brother. Having the affections of two wolves was more than she had planned on but she wasn't going to deny either of them. To say anything wrong about another's mate is a risky game so of course our warnings fell on deaf ears. My own foolish brother was too loyal and naïve to believe us so what could we do?" All this time Parker had been set up as the bad guy, but he wasn't. He'd been living with it for so long he probably started to believe his reputation.

"You know I can hear your thoughts Beth?" he teased, taking another sip of his drink. I had my suspicions but confirmation had me panicked.

"From the second I saw you in Vence on your first day I knew who you were, my wolf knew who you were going to be and like Eric accepted you as our Alpha. He is much younger than me, but if he concentrated he probably could. Once you have your first shift you will be able to hear us too" Well that was an interesting piece of information. He picked up a remote and turned on the flatscreen that sat in the middle of the bookcase, handing me a party hat from out of his draw he put one on and I did the same.

"The fact we see you as Alpha proves you are to be part of our pack, our Alphas wolf accepts you to be beside him and that is how the mate bon begins. Before the take over of the pack your family comes from the signs have been there you were a destined leader. Your friend, Dylan he didn't know what it was he felt towards you, he probably thought it was a chance at another mate stupid pup but it was his wolf accepting you as his leader, to protect and follow. You will be a strong Alpha...." His words surprised me and I had so much to ask him on the werewolf thing as well as Penelope. Maybe he had a book with it all down, the Alpha issue confused me perhaps more than the past yet the feeling my wolf sent me showed her contentment at being recognized that way.

Before I could ask more he pulled out another glass and topped both up with the brown liquid and we watched the countdown until the New Year on the TV. At midnight we both knocked down the glasses, the aged scotch not as harsh as I expected but it still made my throat burn.

"Happy New Year Elizabeth" he set the glass down on the table and I did the same, offering him a smile. I hear the buzz of my phone from my clutch that sat on his desk and ignored it as we watched the firework display coming live from Thames.

"Happy New Year Finley" I replied, lost in my own thoughts. It was nearly one as we left the building. Finn offered to walk me home and I somehow knew it was to do with why I was never left alone. He knew I wanted more answers but seemed our sharing session finished at midnight and I regretted not going to see him earlier. We had only gone a couple of blocks when I felt something change. Looking up clouds covered the stars and the feeling of rain seemed close by but that wasn't it. The ache I was used to in my chest was gone and usually if it wasn't hurting, it was tingling. Now it just felt empty as if I had been cleaned out inside. I struggled to feel my wolf but she was gone now, it was like the barrier had been put up again only this time I wasn't sure if we could fight through it. My legs became unsteady and noticing my distress Finn stopped walking and moved to my side as I fell to my knees. I couldn't breathe.

"What's. What's happening?" I gasped looking at him desperately. He knew the answers to everything else, why would this be different? Unsure he went to help me up and as he touched me he jumped back as if he had been hit with an electric shock.

"I don't know. Do you have your ring on?" I looked down at my hand but the index finger I usually had it on was bare. I remembered taking it off before showering when we were getting ready to go out. I didn't put it back on. Pain exploded in my stomach, not as bad as it had been that night in Vence but enough to force me down onto the pavement, a cry escaping me as another bolt seemed to hit. Finn looked around us before he shifted and thankfully this part of the city was quiet and empty.

"Don't leave me" I begged as I heard the soft thud of his paws disappear into the night. And then I was alone.