Page 88 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

“Do I look okay for the party?” Lori asks me, her voice anxious.

“You look perfect,” I reassure her.

We both make a run for the car. Nova and one of her friends are in it, waiting for us. I recognize the other girl as Kitty, who I already know from the night we all went clubbing. “You are bothlooking hot,” Nova calls out before introducing Lori and Kitty to each other.

“Man, I want to find my mate, too,” Kitty giggles. “Really happy for you, Benji. And nice to meet you, Lori.”

“Thank you,” Lori and I say in unison.

“When is it going to be our turn, Nova?” Kitty asks with a dramatic sigh.

“You are asking the wrong person. I can’t wait to meet my mate, and never have to go to a creepy party anymore in hopes of finding him.”

“Was it that bad?” Kitty asks.

“What did I miss?” I ask curiously.

“Cass and I were invited to a party in a neighboring pack,” Nova explains, while maneuvering her car off pack grounds. “You know, one of these super-fancy matchmaking parties. Our parents were hoping we’d find our mates. Well, Isla was at the party and tried to hook up with Cassian, so he was basically on the run the whole evening. Meanwhile, I had two creepy dudes following me around.” She grimaces at the memory.

“Does Isla still think she has a chance with Cassian?” Kitty asks.

“Yeah, I don’t get it. Cass has told her he isn’t interested, and that he is waiting for his mate,” Nova says. “He doesn’t want to be too harsh on her because she is our beta’s daughter, but Cass is getting truly fed up. He is a really nice guy, but once he loses his cool, you’d better run.”

You know that Isla is my ex-mate,I link Lori.But the others don’t know about it…

Lori frowns.I am so sorry you have to listen to that.

It’s okay,I assert.I am here with you. I honestly don’t mind anymore.

Lori smiles at me, making my heart flutter dangerously. If we continue that way, I might just die of a heart attack.

Kitty and Nova, fortunately, change the topic and soon engage in a talk with us, both of them making sure to include Lori in the chatter, too. It makes me irrationally happy that my mate and my friends are getting along.

True to Nova’s words, the party is being held at a cottage up the mountains. Some guys are setting up a bonfire when we arrive. There are plenty of guests there, but it’s not overcrowded, and everyone seems pretty chill. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, much to my relief. I recognize some faces from my night out and make sure to introduce Lori to them. To my surprise, Lori holds my hand and doesn’t oppose me when I carefully introduce her as my mate.

She blushes slightly when everyone around congratulates us. No one asks any uncomfortable questions, although they know the pack we are from. They are all so similar to Nova. It’s been a long while since I felt so accepted outside of my pack, and it makes me realize that there are genuinely good people around me.

“Hey Benji, you wanna help with setting up the fire?” one of the guys asks.

I try not to beam like a silly idiot for being involved and asked to help. “Sure.”

“Come, Lori,” Kitty links arms with my mate. “Let’s make sure we have some drinks.”

“Are there non-alcoholic options, too?” Lori asks tentatively. “I don’t want to be difficult, but I had a bad experience once.”

“Of course! You are not the only one here who doesn’t like alcohol,” Kitty reassures her.

Relief is written all over Lori’s face, and she happily joins Kitty, following her into the kitchen.

“Your mate is so cute,” one of the guys says.

“You are the only one here who has found their mate already,” another chimes in. “I am so jealous.”

“She really is such a natural beauty,” Nova agrees. “And she seems to be really nice.”

“She is,” I say. “And she is super-gifted, to boot! She builds houses. No kidding!”

“So, she is beautiful and talented?” one of them says. “You lucky bastard.”