Page 8 of Protected Promise

“Holden, I told you that smaller packs are closer to their Alphas than larger ones.”

“Let me introduce you around,” Tobi said. “This is my friend Marie and her mate Holden. The look-a-like next to him is his twin Hudson. This is Tyler, Finn, Dylan, Brian, and Asher. Oh, there is Brett and my friend Jade, and my friend Ember and her mate Chad. Pretty much everyone else already headed out to the party. We were just about to get dressed up and go.”

“Hi,” I said receiving a few nods as the group dispersed into other parts of the house until Jackson, Tobi, and I were the only three left in the big room. “I didn’t mean to run everyone off.”

“No, seriously, it’s the last formal of the year and we have several of the brothers graduating this year, so it’s kind of a big deal. They needed to go and get ready. I thought you weren’t arriving until tomorrow.”

I shrugged. “Just started driving and only stopped to catch a few hours of sleep.”

“We can’t miss formal, can we?” Tobi asked. “Or maybe you can go by yourself, Jackson?”

I could sense I was intruding and making them uncomfortable. I hated that. I should have stuck to the plan.

“It’s fine. I’ll be checking into my hotel soon and plan to crash. I just wanted to stop in and say hello first,” I lied. I had been really looking forward to spending time here with the both of them. I should have considered they had lives here that did not include me.

“No, it’s cool. You’ve got a few inches on me, but we aren’t that different in build. You can try borrowing one of my suits and come with us.”

I chuckled. “I did bring a suit for graduation, but I’m not going to intrude on your party either. Really. Go, and have fun. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

They shared a look and Tobi shook her head. “Nope. You are here and I’m not going to have any fun tonight if you aren’t with us. You never really got to experience just being young and free. Cut loose some tonight and go out with us.”

“I’m not young or free, Tobi. You know that,” I said sadly.

“Well, for as long as you are here, that’s exactly what you are,” she insisted.

“I’ll warn the others not to mention the whole Alpha thing,” Jackson said as he quickly left us.

“Why would that be a secret?”

“Oh, it’s not. It’s just that people, especially other wolves, can be a little intimidated by the whole Alpha thing and we both just want you to relax and have some fun for once.”

“Are you saying I don’t have fun?”

We both knew I really didn’t.

She eyeballed me and put her hands on her hips. I couldn’t help but crack a grin. That was my Tobi always ready to put me back in my place.

“Don’t even say it. Are you sure about this?”

“I’m positive. Come on, I’ll walk you back to your car and then you can come back to our place and change.”

I hesitated and she glared at me. I forced a smile to my lips. “Sounds like fun.”

*****

An hour later I was dressed in my best suit and trying to stop Jackson from pacing the floor. The door to the bedroom finally opened and Tobi stepped out wearing a long purple mermaid looking dress.

My jaw dropped. “Wow!”

The look on Jackson’s face made me green with envy, not over Tobi, but the desire to have someone that dazzled me that badly.

“Gorgeous,” he whispered before taking her into his arms and kissing her hard on the lips.

Tobi blushed then snorted as she giggled and pushed him away. “I worked hard on my makeup and hair, and you are not ruining it this time.”

“This time? Does that happen often?”

She blushed and wouldn’t look me in the eye.