FORTY-EIGHT | A MIXED BAG

"Good afternoon, sunshine." Hale greets me about an hour later when I come out of my room, fully dressed in semi-formal clothing that belongs to Mom. I don't have much aside from really baggy stuff or overly casual things that really won't work well at a function like this one. It's an important day after all. So I've managed to stuff myself into one of Mom's button down blouses, the sapphire color the same shade as my eyes, and a black pencil skirt that's really not gonna survive the night if I'm being honest. I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, though a few curls have managed to spring free in the last five seconds, I keep brushing them aside in annoyance when they fall into my eyes.

"Hey, Hale." I greet him. "You don't happen to have any of those tiny black thingies normal girls use to keep hair back do you?" I plead to whatever powers may be that he knows what I'm talking about and has them.

"Bobby-pins? Of course he does, princess, can't you tell from all that lush hair-" Mikyle begins sarcastically.

"That's enough, Mikyle." Hale cuts off the vampires fun. Overly relaxed Mikyle snaps to attention, nodding once at my father's clipped tone. "You don't need them." Hale comes over to me and coaxes a few of the curls into position so they fall to the sides of my face and don't try to blind me.

"Thanks." I give him a sheepish smile. "I wanted to look presentable."

"You look beautiful, sunshine." Hale reassures me gently. "Your mother told me that you would be meeting up with her in the main house before the ceremony, so I'll take you there first. Afterwards, you can stay near me and Mikyle." It's not a request, but that's fine by me.

"Okay." I nod, relieved he seems to be aware of the situation and up to date on the events of tonight. At least one of us is. The potion seems to be keeping the memory of my own failed ceremony at bay in the back of my mind, but now that the stuff's beginning to wear off, I wonder how much long I'll be able to keep a clear head. And with this cloud of uncertainty, I'm starting to wonder if I should have offered to tag along in the first place.

"Everything will be fine, sunshine." Hale tells me, almost like he's reading my mind. I nod to him and allow him to lead both me and Mikyle from the house and in the direction of the center of the Azure's territory. The going is slow since I can't take as large of steps as I'd like with this skirt, but we make good time anyway.

Even after passing a few houses in the center of the territory, we don't run into any Azures I recognize - which both relieves and disappoints me. My Wolven senses are failing me, and I really can't smell anything in the air aside from pine and general outdoorsy scents even once I'm inside the main house. It's a large cabin-styled home with lots of windows and dark russet-brown wood. Mikyle stays outside while Hale leads me into the large home.

The place is spotless, the cabin-feel continues within, wood furnishings and stainless steel appliances can be seen every so often in the foyer though I don't recognize most of the metal appliances. It's clearly a waiting area with some modern comforts. Down the hall on the other side of the room, I catch sight of a few whispering Wolven, none that I know the names of. I can't make out what they're saying, which is odd, considering how much better my hearing's been lately.

Hale leads me down the opposite hall to large room in the back. Mom's standing on some sort of circular stage about a foot off the ground with Luna Azure, wearing the most beautiful sky-blue lace dress I've ever seen. Her hair's been pinned up in swirls with pearl strings interwoven in her strawberry-blonde hair, disguising the silvery-grey threads of age there. She's got a light dusting of make up and her crystalline-blue eyes sparkle with anticipation and excitement. If I didn't know any better, I'd think she were an angel and not a shapeshifter.

"You're right on time, Scarlett." Alpha Azure says from behind Luna Azure, holding a stack of different colored fabrics while Luna Azure picks through them.

"What do you think?" Mom asks softly, but when I look back at her, she's looking to my father.

"Um, well, it's - *uh*," Hale's blinking almost dazedly beside me, a slight pink hue coating his cheeks. I feel myself grin at my bashful father, not sure he's ever looked so flustered before. "You look amazing, Ris." He says after a second and a throat-clearing cough.

"Now that you've gotten a peak, get out, Hale," Luna Azure tells him coolly, her tone gentle but firm. "I don't want her smelling like you." She adds with a little smirk. Hale nods at the woman, but hesitates before exiting the room, eyes still unfocussed.

"You really do look wonderful, Mom." I tell her, walking up to the stage she's on to examine the fine dress. When I first came in, it looked like lace, but now that I'm closer, it's almost like woven silk or something finer. "What is this stuff?"

"A gift from a friend." Mom replies, which doesn't answer my question, but by the way her eyes suddenly get cold, I decide not to press her further. We all have our secrets, I guess.

"I'm thinking this one, Marissa," Luna Azure says, holding up a shawl of sheer fabric that's silvery-grey and slightly reflective and lightly draping it over one of Mom's shoulders.

"Scarlett," Alpha Azure comes over and greets me while Luna Azure continues dressing Mom. The two are muttering to each other about the different fabrics and possible things to add to Mom's already extravagant outfit. I revel in how happy my mom looks, so carefree and at peace. So excited. "You know, we can induct you as well if you're ready." The offer sends a shock through me, echoing in my bones and dispelling the calm I've been swimming in.

"*What*?" Emotions I'd been feeling only distantly bombard me in an whirlwind of confusion as I turn to stare at the Alpha.

"The invitation to join the Pack, I can extend it to you as well if you're ready." He says more clearly, then tilts his head. "Didn't Zane talk to you about this?" His name does weird things to me, warming and suddenly cooling my heart painfully, driving the breath from my lungs. My hands begin to twitch at my sides uncontrollably so I have to clasp them together and pull them close.

"W-we haven't," I rasp, nearly choking on the words before clearing my throat and reigning in the storm within. "I haven't seen him since he brought me back." I clarify, my voice distantly sounding too breezy and relaxed, but Alpha Azure doesn't seem to notice.

"I see," His eyes are troubled, but his expression remains calm. "Things have been tense around the Pack lately." He lowers his voice slightly. "I won't make excuses for my son, but please find it in your heart to look past his...*stubborn* nature if you could. I don't think I've ever seen him so happy as when you two first met." He tells me, stunning me into silence. "And if you could also consider becoming part of our Pack?" His voice returns to it's normal volume and an easy and warm smile tugs on his lips in an almost paternal way.

"I..." I say quietly, looking at my slightly trembling hands now pressed firmly together under my diaphragm. "I'll think abut it." I croak, my throat feeling raw and voice scratchy.

"Take your time," Alpha Azure places a hand on my shoulder and my eyes dart up to meet his. Almost the same color as Blue's, silvery-grey but not nearly as bright. I yearn to see the real thing. The oddly hypnotic dance of contradictory colors alive with warmth I haven't seen in months now. Not the way they used to be. I suddenly wish to travel to the past to see them.

"Yes, sir." I nod, letting the agreement carry out the breath I'd been holding, the wish I'd been hoping for. "I'll think about it." The Alpha nods back, and turns his attention back to Mom and Luna Azure.

"Are you two finally done?" Alpha Azure sighs, walking back to the two women on the stage.

"Just about." Luna Azure replies, not even glancing at her husband as she continues to touch up the string of pearls in Mom's hair.

"That's what you said an hour ago, Sandy," Alpha Azure scolds his wife, lightly tugging on a strand of her loose, brown hair. She swats his hand, scowling at the large man, but there's no malice in her expression. "I'll give you five more minutes or it's going to be nearly midnight before you're satisfied."

"See, I'm finished." Luna Azure lightly taps at a pearl, as if that one little ball was the only thing holding up the perfection of Mom's look. I can't help but smile at the woman.

"Wonderful. Now," Alpha Azure lifts his mate from the stage and sets her on the ground, gently pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead before turning to my mom. "Are you ready, Marissa?"

"Yes." Mom breathes, looking exhilarated and wild despite the formal elegance of her attire.

"Let's be off then." Alpha Azure grins broadly, his eyes flaring bright silver a split second before he turns his head skyward and lets out a long, booming howl. My soul seems to ignite at the song, heat combusting in the recesses of my chest and spreading as the singular cries from near and far - both within and outside of the house - explode into the stillness and become one.

My chest expands, aching until I think I'll go crazy as my own song threatens to rise in me, but then they're all suddenly gone, running from the room as if the world beyond were calling to them. A pang of longing spears through me, and I grit my teeth, clenching my fists as I do my best to keep my wits and calmly follow.

When I get outside, I see blurs of fur and skin running past, following after the Alpha, Luna, and my mom, all heading into the forest in the direction of the ocean. I yearn to join them, shift and follow the rest into the deepest parts of the forest and beyond.

"They've released the hounds." Mikyle chuckles, leaning against the cabin wall, watching the Azures as they go. I frown at the vampire, feeling a spike of anger towards him slice through the elation I'd felt only a second ago and dampen the warmth.

"I'm part Wolven, too." I round on the man, glaring at him. "Does that make me a hound?" It annoys me how rude he can be sometimes, not in a way that's directed at me, but at people I care about. People like me. Sort of.

"No, princess. You'll never be one of those mongrels." He replies, his eyes flicking over me slowly. His words are like shard of ice in my chest, reminding me what I am, despite the way I felt just a second ago.

"Mikyle." Hale warns, his eyes narrowing at my shadow. I set my jaw, stepping out of my flats and feeling the packed earth between my toes, closing my eyes as I concentrate of the howling all around. Without a word to either man, I turn around, letting the song reignite the fire within.

And then I'm running after the call.