Chapter 6)That’s Nice

"We're here," Happy/Zach announced when we pulled up.. "Thanks, Lazarus" he turned to the driver. Wolfie gave him a grateful nod. Lazarus smiled at them, "my pleasure." "Pick us up at nine. I'll call you if the time changes." Yay, 4 hours of standing around as a decoration on someone's arm. "Yes alpha," Lazarus nodded. When the conversation was over I turned to open the door and — Child proof locked. Again. I turn to the three werewolves, addressing the two making the decisions, "what do you think I'm gonna do? Jump out of the moving vehicle?" I raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't put it passed you," Jason shook his head and got out. He made his way around the fancy car to my side and opened the door. "Yeah, good call. Only, where in the flying fadoodle cakes do you think I plan to go?!" I exclaimed. He shrugged and put his arm out for me to take. "I don't know how good you are at planning ahead. You could be dumb as rocks, for all I know." I rolled my eyes and took his arm 'cause, if I don't, he'll take mine, and we all know how that turns out. Happy ran inside in front of us. "Please, I'm a combat tactician," I argued his 'dumb as rocks' statement with an eye roll. "Yeah, one that let her territory get taken over," he quipped, raising an eyebrow down at me. I rolled my eyes, again. "I wasn't even there." "Still, leaving your house defenseless. . ." he trailed off, shaking his head in disapproval. We walked up the marble stairs to the huge mansion that the Gala is being hosted at. Dang, just as beautiful as last year. "There were plenty capable fighters there, and even negotiators. AND a defensive plan, but it can only be set into motion by a master's order." I pointed out the obvious, getting back on track. "Or at least a heads up," I shook my head. "That's the problem with weak leadership." I let out a bitter chuckle. "No argument there." They just. . . Left. "Good, hopefully it'll stay that way all night," he looked down at me blankly, derailing my train of thought. "No arguing." I processed what he was saying and let out a sigh. "Oh hun, knowing you, knowing me, knowing — " I cupped his hand in both of mine and held it to my heart, "Us, that will not be happening." He ripped his hand away and glared. "It will if you don't want trouble," he growled, leaning in closer. I pursed my lips, "Eh, we'll see where the night takes us," I shrugged. He glared at me again and scooped up my arm into the crook of his own, just for show probably. I discretely shook my head knowingly. Softy. He is such a poser. No tyrant has such a happy beta. Not to mention such a beautiful face. His gaze snapped to me and I immediately stopped. With narrowed eyes, he watched me skeptically. Not finding anything standing out as suspicious, he turned back the other way. A smirk started pulling at the corners of my lips. There's something great about knowing something and just sitting quietly knowing that you know it while someone else doesn't. It's the best. "Eeeeeeek!" I was jolted out of my thoughts by a high pitched squeal. Startled, I turned to find the source. I found my extremely rowdy, and equally kindhearted friend, Jaimee. "Mari!" She yelled, running towards me and engulfing me in a bear hug. "Hi Jaimee," I smiled into her curly red hair that surrounds her shoulders. She's a few years older than me, but that doesn't stop us from being really good friends. "Oh my gosh, I heard what happened! Are you okay?! Did they hurt you?! Your house?!" Jaimee asked glaring at Jason and giving me a pat down for injuries. Jeez, information spreads like wildfire. I chuckled. "I'm as fine as anyone could ever be under the circumstances." Jaimee's face hardened. "Well of course you are," she winked twice at me. "But do you need me to," she looked around. Despite our audience, she proceeded, "take care of anyone for you," she offered 'inconspicuously'. I laughed. "Of course not," I smiled. I saw Jason's shoulders losen considerably at my response from the corner of my eye "I'll take care of all that myself," I finished, waving her off with a wink. His shoulders tightened again. Jaimee chuckled. "Well, of course. I must have forgotten who I was talking to," she grinned. "Yeah, everyone knows THE Maria Crimson doesn't stand for crap from anybody," another voice budded in. I looked behind me and saw one of my other friends, Dustin — the source of the voice — approaching with a wide grin that's showing off his large canines. He must have just fed. Lucky. I saw him lick off a drop of blood that remained on his teeth. It smelled old, so I can tell he didn't just sink his fangs into someone on the way here. But it still smelled so sweet, even though it wasn't fresh. I have to keep myself from drooling. "But of course," I humored with a grin equally as wide, forgetting the smell of blood. Jason's lips pressed into a thin line, and he grunted. "What I've seen hasn't been very impressive," he spat, cutting into the conversation. He looked at me condescendingly. I delivered a dazzling smile at his comment, "Great! Then things are going as planned," then turned back to my friends, not giving him anymore time of day. My friends raised their eyebrows in amusement. They looked to me, then to Jason, then back to me, and then finally settled on Jason. Dustin chuckled while shaking his head knowingly. "Yeah, enjoy it while it lasts," he patted Wolfie on the shoulder as he walked away. "'Cause it won't for long," He finished. He threw me a goodbye smile over his shoulder as he took his leave. Jason raised his eyebrow. "Yeah," Jaimee cut in. "Good luck with that," she smiled knowingly. Wolfie frowned deeper. Jaimee pulled me aside by the arm so we could get some privacy. We're probably not out of ear shot, but neither of us are too concerned about it. "So, what's the deal? Why haven't you kicked this guy and his lousy pack out of your territory?" She questioned in a whisper. I shrugged. "Well, you know me. I don't do the whole 'killing thing'. Not unless it's absolutely necessary," I responded honestly. She let out a short chuckle. "Yeah, I do know you. And you do do the whole seriously maiming and taking what's yours thing," She mocked me. "What's the deal?" I let out a sigh and leaned in even closer. I looked at her, contemplating if I should even tell her or not. ". . . He's. . . My mate," I revealed quietly. Her eyes went wide and her mouth made an 'o' shape. She pointed at him, then at me, then went back to him. "You two?" She raised an eyebrow. I nodded. "Yep." "Oh gosh, that's rough," She cringed. "What are you gonna do?" She asked the question of the day. I tilted my head and scrunched up my eyebrows in thought. "Well, I don't really feel like dying a slow and painful death, soooo, can't leave 'im," I answered. She pointed a stern finger at me. "Hey, there's a chance you could survive the break up. Especially with those master genes of yours." I looked at her. "The aftermath still wouldn't be very pleasant," my nose scrunched up at the thought. She sighed. "Yeah." "C'mon, I need to —" I cut Wolfie off, "I'll be fine here. I'm not going anywhere." "No, you —" He was interrupted again by a group of alphas and betas coming over. "Heeeyy! Alpha Jay! Come have a drink with us!" One of them exclaimed, his words coming out a bit slurred. Probably already had a few drinks from the open bar. Wolfie grabbed my arm and started pulling me in that direction. "Oh, c'mon! I'm in the middle of a conversation, the bar is literally 10 steps away," I argued, gesturing to his destination. "Oh, leave her be," one of the men waved off. I think his name is Alpha Michel. I've only spoken to him a few times, but when I have, he's seemed alright. "This is actually something better discussed in private," he told Wolfie. "I wouldn't necessarily call an open bar private," Wolfie responded lightheartedly, with a charming smile. Another example of Alpha Jason being so much cooler than invader Jason. It's like he just changes into a different person on a dime. Alpha Michel chuckled. "By that, I mean just not in the presence of Miss Crimson," he gestured towards me with a smile. Is he allies with Wolfie? Jason sighed. "Alright." He turned to me and gave me a pointed look. "Don't do anything stupid," he ordered. I responded the same way I did to Blondie. "Wouldn't dream of it." He glared at me as he walked away, but eventually turned his attention towards the group. I looked back at Jaimee so we could continue our talk. She huffed. "Man, our ancestors were so lucky," she shook her head with narrowed eyes, almost like she's glaring at them now. I can tell she's referring to how back in the old old old days when they wanted to reject their mate they just had to say a few words. Sure they went through some physical and emotional discomfort, but nothing close to what we go through now. It gets brutal. And deadly. "I know," I nodded my head in agreement. "It's because so many people were getting together with people who weren't their mates. I heard the numbers got as high as dozens per year." Which is pretty high, considering mates always have, and probably always will be, practically irresistible to each other. She shook her head, and her puffy hair flung around her shoulders. "Stupid adaptation and evolution," she stomped and crossed her arms angrily. I nodded in agreement, like I always do when we fall down these sorts of holes. It happens quite often. We both find amusement in complaining about things we have absolutely no control over. "But anyway, there's a couple in my pack that are the same way — mixed species — and it took them a hot minute to work things out," she nodded with wide eyes, changing the subject. I sighed. "Not sure this is the same thing." Her shoulders slumped dejectedly at my un-enthusiasm. "Yeah, I know. But, they did end up working it out in the end!" She tried to encourage me. I shook my head. "That's great, but like I said. Little different," I said, pinching my fingers together in front of her. She sighed. "I know." "But! We're not going to get rid of each other that easily," I gave her a confident nod. "I'm going to work something out. First comes my house, then mate bond comes second, if at all." She smiled brightly at me. "That'a girl." "Hey Jaimee!" A voice called from somewhere else in the room. She looked behind her. "Oh, I have to go. Luna Beckett is calling me. You gonna be okay alone?" She asked me, with a sympathetic look. I nodded and held my hand up in the direction of Wolfie. "I'm not alone, remember?" I raised an eyebrow. She shook her head. "Sadly, yes." I smiled at her. "Go, I'll be fine." She let out another sigh. "Fine, come find me if you need another female to vent to." My smile widened. "I definitely will." With one last glance, she walked off into the crowd in search of her Luna. "Hey." I turned to another familiar voice behind me. "I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Zach," Happy smiled. I gave him one back. "I know. . . I'm Maria." "I know." We chuckled. It died down after a few seconds. "So. . . You took over my house," I nodded, addressing the elephant in the room. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking down at his black dress shoes. Hm, knew they were softies. "Um, yeah. . . Listen, about that, Jay is a good leader. He'll be fair, and understanding, and —" "But, that's not the point. And you know it." Silence. He sighed. "I know, but —" "So, how adamant is he about keeping all the power?" I questioned. "What do you mean?" "I mean exactly what I said." "Well. . ." He started, "We weren't expecting. . . Y'know," he gestured to me. Weren't expecting his mate to be the second? Obviously. It's customary for mates to rule together. I'm also wondering if it's wavered him away from screwing me over any. "Yeah. But either way, not super adamant," I nodded. He gave me a confused look. "Not super adamant about keeping the power. You didn't answer 'very' right away." "I — that's not what I meant, he —" I put my hand up. "I know what you meant. It's just a relief to know I don't have a power hungry psychopath on my hands." He cringed. Uh oh. "Ehhhh, it depends on the circumstances. It can get kind of out of hand," he practically winced even thinking about it. Oh jeez. And that's coming from his beta. "But usually, you just have a controlling — in an over protective way — leader." Sadly, that's not enough to make an invader sound likable. Especially with the whole "eh, depends on the day weather he's a power hungry psycho or not". "I promise he's a good guy, though." Happy's trying to keep a smile. A few seconds later, his grin faltered then fell completely. "But, don't push it this time. He's seriously determined to see through this deal he has with some other packs and houses. He's not the type to let obstacles get in his way," he warned. "Even if they're his soul mate," He finished staring intensely at me. I nodded slowly. "So, define 'don't push it'." He raised his eyebrow. "I mean exactly what I said. Don't. Push. It." I nodded again. "Right, So. . . How far —?" "Not at all. Don't even try." "But —" "But nothing. If you care about your well being, you'll just be a good little vampire and do as we say. I'm telling you, things will go smoothly for your entire house if you do," he asserted. "Well, how long will that take?" I rolled my eyes. "What?" He looked confused. "The whole 'going smoothly thing'," I made "ation marks with my fingers around the words. ". . . As soon as everyone understands and excepts how things are going to work now," he responded. "Right. . . And that's why I need to push it." I pointed at him. "I know some stubborn people, and if you stick to that plan, my house will be in turmoil for years. . . Or down to less than a dozen people within a few months. It depends on how you deal with things," I shrugged as I turned to walk away. I want to find my new supreme ruler . . . Who is also my mate. I stopped to glance back one last time. "But, if you really care, and be honest, how far can I push it until he just turns to trying to get rid of me, for good? 'Cause, some roughing up isn't going to stop me. Neither are murder threats or attempts." He sighed while hanging his head and shaking it with the smallest amused smirk. He looked at me with his big bright blue eyes through shaggy brown bangs. Chuckling, he said, "You? To the end of the world." . . . Wow. That was WAY more honest than I was expecting. He straightened up. "But, I can't say the same thing about your pack." House. And, there's why he can afford to be honest. The dogs have insurance. "I also can't guarantee how comfortable your life would be if you were to do that." Hm. ". . . Actually, I can. It would be pretty sucky," He tacked on. I nodded. Well, that's to be expected. "Well, thanks for your honesty. How blindly trusting you are is adorably courageous/arrogant." "I'm off to go bug your alpha," I skipped off to the open bar.