Dust

The next weeks went by fast. soon the winter began and sure enough, with the weather of Maine in winter, we had early snow. my main work now was focusing on the pack's Christmas party that was supposed to be held on December 15th. I spent most of my days in the kitchen or in hallways, telling everyone what to do and how to make everything look presentable.

Fortunately, I was on time. the Christmas tree was decorated, the menu was chosen, the rooms were cleaned and dining room and ballroom were spotless and ordered. my only worry now was Alpha Liam. the risk of having a war depended on that party. if I could pull it off, I could save the entire pack from a deadly war.

On the other hand at least I was satisfied on my mate situation. almost every morning I went to that cafe to get my morning tea and she was there all the time. although we didn't speak more than the usual smalltalk, I began to notice more and more about her.

She was Canadian. she spoke French and liked Archery. she moved here from Vancouver with her friend, Lucy, after college and opened up this cafe and she liked smooth love songs and whispered along with them when they played in cafe. every time she got free time, she would put on a round glasses and started sketching in her notebook. and she seemed even happier when it was snowing. altogether, I think I never saw her not smiling. the only problem was that I was starting to get addicted to her. I had no idea when am I gonna reject her but I thought about it a lot. it shouldn't have been hard...for her. she didn't even know she was my mate but for me it was like a living hell. I was starting to think I should have never come to meet her in the first place.

Days past this way until everything changed on the Christmas party.

The guests started arriving at 7 pm. I, as the Beta, was standing at the entrance hall to welcome them. I was wearing a very dark grey, almost black suit and and a dark blue tie. my hair looked a bit more calmer than usual as I welcomed every werewolf in the mansion. most of them were Alphas and Betas of the notable packs of country. I recognized most of them. there was Alpha Jimmy Jr. from New York, Alpha Sandler from California, Alpha Goode from Alabama, etc.

Alex joined beside me later. he was wearing a light grey suit and a striped tie. and he wasn't talking to me. ever since that day I got in my mood and yelled at him he got away from me and stopped talking to me. I didn't really have time to to apologize due to all of checking and double checking and setting everything for tonight.

-"Hey..." I said. he glanced at me and then back at the front door and guests again.

-"Hey." he said coldly.

-"Are you still mad?" I asked looking at him. he didn't respond. "look I'm sorry ok? I was scared and angry and...you know how I feel about my mom. I don't want to mention her as much as possible. but still, I was overreacting. sooo....sorry." he looked at me.

-"For?" he asked.

-"Yelling at you." I replied.

-"And?"

-"Pinning you to wall."

-"And?" he asked smirking.

-"And...for not controlling my temper?" I asked.

-"And?" he asked again.

-"...For being an idiot."

-"Apology accepted!" he said and smiled at me for the first time in weeks.

-"I missed you blondie." I said slowly chuckling and welcoming another family.

-"Me too dumbass. but seriously, do that again and when I'm Alpha, you're gonna get kicked out of pack or worse, I'll make you an Omega!" he smirked.

-"You can't do that."

-"Try me." he smirked again and looked at the door when his smiles faded. "here comes the devil..."

I checked the door to find my worst nightmare walking through the door. Alpha Liam had arrived. I had never seen him but I had a feeling I knew him for years. still a very fit man for his age, he reminded me of an old lion with wavy grey colored hair and brown eyes. he was wearing a blue suit and black tie and has his usual smirk and fully shaved face. his family walked beside him. his wife was tall, Brunette and looked like the kind of women you see in art galleries or Swarovski shops. her tightly fit red dress was surely designer brand and she had matching diamond necklace, earrings and ring. but there was someone else too.

A young man walked in after them. he must have been his son. he was wearing a brown suit with a green turtleneck underneath. he looked more alive than his companions. he had shining smoothed brown hair and a small brown stubble that made him look really handsome and green eyes. in the first look, he was 30 year old handsome gentleman. I guessed he must have been their son, the future Alpha.

-"Alpha Liam, it's a pleasure to have you here." I greeted him as he entered.

-"Yes, very pleasurable indeed. and you're the Beta." he said. if he was anyone else, I would have angrily reminded them that I have a name and Beta is just my rank but this was a special case.

-"Yes sir. Alpha Henry asked me to show you and your family to your special seats."

-"No need. you're Alpha's son, Alex right?" he said, turning to Alex. he was quiet until now and just then he raised his head and looked at him.

-"Yes I am. I'm Alex. good to meet you."

-"Why don't you show our seats? I'm really looking forward to see your father." he smirked along and so did his wife. but the young man just looked down, like he was not pleased.

-"Um...I would love that. follow me please." he said and lead them to the main hall. I could see where this was going. Alpha Liam was famous for his mind games and tricks and I'm sure he was playing one of them. he rejected my help as the Beta and yet he asked Alex who was Alpha's son and future Alpha to show them to their seats. he wanted to humiliate Alex, Alpha Henry and entire pack by showing everyone that he's so important, even this Alpha's son is like a servant to him.

The thought made me cross. I was fortunate I wasn't in the Dining room cause if I had seen this view, I would have surely smashed a champagne bottle on his head. instead I kept welcoming the guests as they arrived. soon enough, Alex came back just as crossed as I was.

-"Can you believe that?! he asked me to get him some drink! Me!" he said slightly loud which made me shush him.

-"Keep it down! the bastard, I knew what he was playing at the moment he started talking."

-"Yeah! can you believe he called you Beta? who does that anymore?! it's not 1800's!" he said angrily.

-"Keep it cool. we gotta keep appearances. soon this night'll be over and we don't have to see him ever again."

-"Look who's talking...I've never been more humiliated in my life! you should have seen the look on dad's face!"

-"I can picture it..." I said as I kept my eyes on the door. suddenly Elsa walked in. as always she was stunning. she was wearing a white silk dress and her sleeves were made out of veil. her blonde hair was made wavy and were hanging by the side of her neck and over her shoulder. but she wasn't alone.

Suddenly Alpha Liam became my second problem of that night when I saw her companion. Robin!

She was wearing a beautiful long green dress. her auburn hair were hanging behind her head as usual but this time she had styled it and made it wavy like Elsa, with a streak of it was hanging on the side of her face. she didn't have any make up that I noticed except a red lipstick and I think that her skin looked a little more white and freckles looked a bit fader. I was stunned and speechless. I never saw her this gorgeous. but I had no idea what the hell was she doing here.

-"Wow! who's the foxy with Elsa?" Alex asked smirking.

-"M-my mate..." I said, still looking at them wide eyed.

-"What?! the human girl? seriously dude?" he asked, just as surprised. I kept looking at her. she was talking to Elsa like an old friend as they gave their coats to butlers.

-"Y-yeah..."

-"What's she doing here?" he asked. "and with Elsa!"

-"That's what I wanna find out too..." I said as finally they approached. I could see Elsa had a smirk on her face.

-"Hey Alex, Dust. you're looking fine tonight." she said as she hugged us. "let me introduce Robin. she works in the coffee shop I get my espresso from. this is my brother, Alex." she pointed at him.

-"Pleasure." Robin said smiling.

-"Pleasure's all mine..." Alex said, still a bit surprised.

-"And this is-"

-"I know who he is!" Robin said smiling looking at me, cutting Elsa off. "He's Dust! he comes to cafe too to get his tea! I didn't know you knew each other!" she said excitedly and I think Elsa was a bit surprised too.

-"Does he now? I didn't know that Dust! Robin told me she's an admirer of the mansion's architecture and I thought, tonight's the great time to show her around."

-"She's really kind! this place is really beautiful and classic."

-"Aha...it is." Alex said looking at both os us. I was still silent, not sure what to say.

-"So how are you related to each other?" Robin asked.

-"I'm her brother." I simply said.

-"Step-brother. we're not related. he came to live with us when were babies." Elsa corrected me.

-"Unnecessary details." I said, frowning at her.

-"It's ok I thought you weren't blood relatives. I mean Elsa and Alex really look alike. I mean Blonde, Blonde, Brunette! I don't think that works." she said, nervously chuckling. she got even more cute like that. yet I couldn't believe myself that I was thinking of her cuteness in this situation.

-"Elsa can I talk to you for a second?" Alex said and pulled her aside and started whispering.

-"What the hell are you doing?" Alex whispered to her.

-"Um...helping out a friend? duh!" she whispered back.

-"What friend?! you don't even know her!"

-"Of course I do. we talk every morning in cafe."

-"That doesn't count! you can't bring anyone to this party! she shouldn't be here!"

-"Why not?"

-"Well for starters, she's the only human! you know what happens if she finds out what we are? or worse, they find out who she is?"

-"It won't happen. unless there's another reason you or anyone special doesn't want her here to make them nervous?" she whispered smirking.

-"You're such a..." Alex said angrily and walked away towards us.

By this time Robin and I were alone and making one of those small talks we made in the cafe.

-"I can't believe I'm actually in this mansion!"

-"You really love it here." I said.

-"Well yeah! don't you? it's so classic and beautiful!"

-"I prefer modern and new."

-"Buzzkill." she said smirking as Elsa and Alex walked back to us.

-"Robin dear let me show you around a little. I'm sure you want to see these rooms." Elsa said as she walked towards her with Alex.

-"Oh I would love to!" she said happily and followed Elsa inside. we waited until they disappeared in a hallway.

-"She's up to something!" Alex said as soon as they disappeared.

-"Robin?" I asked.

-"No Elsa! I think she knows that Robin's your mate."

-"What? how? I only told you! and back then even I didn't know who she was."

-"Well I think she knows. she said if me or anyone special want her to leave. I think she was referring to you."

-"still, even if she knows Robin's my mate, Elsa isn't the matchmaker kind to bring mates together! and this party is the worst place Robin could be!"

-"You have no idea. Alpha Liam hates humans. if he realizes there's a human here, There will be blood."

-"...He can't smell her can he?" I asked worried.

-"don't worry I don't think her scent gives her away among all this food and perfumes. and besides, I heard he's a champion drinker so I don't think we need to worry."

-"Still this is not the place she should be in! what if she realizes we're werewolves?! then I would never..." I stopped talking as I realized what I was gonna say.

-"You would never what?" Alex asked curious.

-"I..."

-"I thought you were gonna reject her!"

-"I am! I just..."

-"You just what? starting to get second thoughts? you can tell me buddy."

-"No I'm not! I will reject her just... look it's hard ok? I didn't know I would be this attached to her."

-"Listen, don't worry about rejecting tonight. if she realizes you're a werewolf, she'll leave like she never existed and you'll be free from rejecting her."

-"Thanks for the uplifting news." I said, poker faced.

-"Listen! but if someone realizes she's a human...I'm seriously worried about her life."

-"Don't worry. I'll find a way to get her out...or something." I sighed looking around. everything seemed normal and no one seemed to be suspecting anything. servants walked in and out of kitchen, serving Champagne and small snack to guests. dinner time was approaching and everything seemed to be in place. that reminded me that Robin doesn't have anywhere to sit. all guests were counted a month ago and their seats were chosen but now Robin was an extra.

-"Hey Jonah!" I called out to one of waiters.

-"Yes sir?"

-"Add another seat to my table. with plates and glasses."

-"But sir we..."

-"We have an extra guest. hurry now!"

-"Yes sir!" he said and rushed in kitchen.

-"On our table? with Alpha Liam? do you want her to be exposed?" he asked.

-"Better keep an eye on her myself. I feel more comfortable if she's close. I'll take care of the rest."

By this time Elsa and Robin came back. Robin was obviously happy and Elsa seemed to be enjoying herself.

-"Elsa don't you remember? dad told us to sit at our table! come on." Alex said and winked at me before taking Elsa's hand and dragging her in dining room before she could even say Hey.

-"So Casablanca huh?" Robin asked smiling at me.

-"Huh?"

-"The poster in your room. sorry we went in when Elsa was showing me around."

-"Oh, It's alright. I got nothing to hide." I said.

-"Your room is so different from the rest of the mansion. it's like some hotel room mixed with a bit of home feeling."

-"Thanks..." I didn't know what else to say. I was always like this around her. I wanted to keep talking but I had no idea what to say. and she was the only one who made me like that.

-"So you like old movies huh?"

-"Oh yeah better than new ones. they're classics."

-"I like them too. I specially loved 'Casablanca' and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'."

-"I love both of them but my all time favorite is 'The Rear Window'."

-"Sorry I haven't seen that one."

-"Seriously? Hitchcock? James Stewart? Grace Kelly?"

-"Sorry. maybe we can watch it together sometime."

-"Y-yeah maybe..."

By this time the dinner bell rang. I heard a pleased cheering from the dining hall as everyone got in their seats.

-"So um... would you like to join me for dinner?" I asked, feeling my face heat up a bit.

-"Don't mind if I do. Im starving!" she said laughing as I smiled.

For some unknown reason I was happy. maybe because my mate hadn't rejected my dinner offering. not that she could reject it or sit anywhere else but I was still happy. almost enough to help me forget how incredibly hard it was gonna be for me to keep up appearances and keep her out of sight from a hall full of Alphas and Betas for the rest of the night.