Awkward Encounter

(Tessa)

Ellie was buzzing around the house in a frenzy talking excitedly about the welcome home party for Dimitri. She had accentuated her blonde kinky curls and donned her soft pink lipstick. Her hazel eyes beamed and popped with the expert liner she'd applied. She had a flirty black dress on that showed off her petite frame.

I, on the other hand, was wanting to go see Rowan. I had begrudgingly texted him earlier in the day to inform him of my plans with Ellie this evening, explaining I couldn't come by. He had been very understanding and told me he'd see me Saturday.

Ellie stopped her frenzied pace to glance at me, "Tess, get dressed! We need to head out soon."

"What's wrong with what I've got on?" I replied, glancing at my jeans and crop top.

"Can you at least put on a skirt? You're my wing man tonight, remember?" Ellie pleaded, grabbing onto my wrists.

I sighed and gave her a soft smile. I returned to my room, only to re-immerge with a black short skirt paired with a silver crop top. I pulled my auburn hair into a messy bun. I twirled to show Ellie I was more put together and she clapped, pleased with my change. She then hooked my arm and led us out the front door.

The party was taking place in the town square. There were glamorous tents with stringed lights where music played and tables of food were set up buffet style. Ellie practically dragged me to where the music was wafting out from. The whole pack was gathered. The older wolves sat at the tables conversing and eating. Little ones chased after fire flies and played with glow sticks. The younger wolves, where Ellie and I fit in, were in the throws of dancing, some with wine glasses in hand. I snagged 2 drinks off a passing server, handing 1 to Ellie as she scanned the crowd.

"You think he'll notice me?" she asked nervously.

"Of course" I soothed. "You're gorgeous!" I sipped my wine, trying to calm my nerves. I was personally hoping to avoid Dimitri tonight.

Ellie had had a crush on Dimitri since we were kids. Unfortunately for Ellie, so had nearly every other girl. So when Dimitri had flirted with me back then I had been both excited and guilty. I felt special that he gave me attention but guilty since he was my best friend's desire.

My stomach rumbled as I realized I hadn't had time to eat after work. "I'm going to get something to nibble on," I said to Ellie.

"I'll come but I'm too nervous to eat," Ellie answered.

I grabbed a plate and selected from the many options presented, snagging some juicy fruit, baked rolls, and of course some sweets. We drifted to a bar height table. I crossed my legs, bouncing my foot to the music as I munched. Ellie downed the rest of her wine. Suddenly clapping was heard and someone spoke into a microphone.

"Thank you all for joining us in welcoming our beloved son back home," Alpha spoke, earning cheers from the pack.

Ellie craned her neck and went to her tippy toes trying to catch a glimpse of Dimitri standing by his father. Dimitri had black hair, short but perfectly messy. He had the same blue eyes of his father. He was tall and toned. His facial features were chiseled and perfect, but his expression seemed less carefree than what I remembered. He seemed to have an edge about him that he didn't have before. Before he left for his travels, he seemed playful and airy. Now he carried a sense of darkness that made me shiver. What had happened to him while he was away?

He smiled and hugged his father, before leaning in to the mic to say, "It's good to be back, now let's enjoy this party!" as he lifted a glass of champagne that someone had passed him. The crowd cheered and whistled at his proclamation.

Ellie clasped her hands joyfully, turning to me, "He's more mature than I remember! Still beautiful and mysterious! I wonder all he got to see and do?"

"I wonder what he went through, he looks like he's really been through it," I voiced, picking at my food.

Ellie ignored my negative remark. "Look he's headed this way!"

Dimitri sauntered into the crowd, joining those who were dancing, downing his champagne. "Tess lets dance, please!" Ellie begged me.

I downed the rest of my wine quickly. I did not feel confident dancing so the alcohol might help, if only I had more of it. I allowed Ellie to drag me into the crowd, pulling us as close to Dimitri as possible, to my dismay. I didn't know what to say to Dimitri, especially since I found my mate.I found myself wishing Rowan could be here with me. I would've felt perfectly comfortable in this crowd if he had his arms around me. I grabbed another glass, this time champagne, from a server weaving through the crowd near me. I sipped its contents as I swayed to the music.

After the champagne, I felt a very slight buzz that began to relax me. I freely danced with Ellie, pushing thoughts of missing Rowan out of my mind. Ellie drifted away from me when she saw an opportunity to speak to Dimitri. I didn't notice she'd slipped away until she had disappeared into the crowd.

"El?" I called. Thinking Ellie may have wandered to the bathroom, I began excusing myself through the people to look for Ellie. "El?" I called again. I spun around to head out of the tent when I bumped into someone. A hand suddenly caught me before I stumbled back. I glanced up.

"Dimitri" I greeted, surprised. A smile crept over his face as he pulled me to my feet and wrapped an arm around my waist.

"Long time no see Tess" he uttered. I felt myself blush.

"Hi..." I said surprised.

We stayed that way for a few moments, his arm around my waist, my hands on his shoulders.

"I've missed you," he sighed, glancing down at my lips.

I felt my heart beat quicken. I had not expected Dimitri to even give me a passing thought, assuming I was just a girl on his long list of many. I had a mate now and while he still excited me, I did not feel the desire I'd had for him before. I untangled myself from him, "Welcome home," I said quickly and rushed away.

Dimitri stared after me with pursed lips. He had not forgotten about our whirlwind romance that had been cut short by his departure. We had parted ways hastily and he admitted he never told her how he felt about her, always acting detached, something he was regretting now.

"Dimitri!" a voice called to him. He turned to see Rachel slinking up to him. She wrapped her arm in his, smiling up at him. Rachel had accompanied him on his travels as both a protector and advisor. She was a skilled warrior and had been one of his closest friends for years. "We have some business to attend to," she told him as she led him away. He reluctantly followed her, wondering when he'd find time to find Tess again.