There Is and Then There Is Not

                                    

                                          

Beatrice quickly ordered our drinks, collected them and hurried back into the crowd. We found Ray and I stayed with him and Beatrice as the party carried on around us. I couldn't help the bitter feeling in my throat from Adam's words. How many women had tried to become Cain's mate before me? How many had almost succeeded? Had he loved any of them? These thoughts and more wandered through my head as I sipped at my drink.
I felt him before I saw him and I saw him before I heard him speak. A presence that caused electricity to shake the air around me began to approach us. I turned my head to the side and saw Cain making his way through pack members whom all would stop their conversations to glance at him for as long as socially acceptable before returning to their previous activities.
"Alpha Cain." Ray was the first to acknowledge Cain's presence. Beatrice and Ray both lightly bowed their heads in the direction behind me and I took a quick sip of my drink and swallowed before turning and looking at Cain. 
He was godly as always, looking more attractive than ever before in a fitted white dress shirt and black dress pants. His eyes were glowing their own beautiful deep blue and a bit of scruff was on his chin. Around his neck was a navy blue tie and I couldn't help but do a double take and see that it was the same color as my dress. It was the same color. He had us color coordinate. 
A part of me found it harder than I thought it would be to stop a grin from over taking my features. The little things he's done; walking slower for me, having me wear his scent, having us color coordinate. I tried not to raise my hopes as I wondered if all these little things were just his wolf. 
"Ray, Beatrice...." His eyes met mine and lingered. I felt nervous feeling almost inadequate in his presence. "... Emily. I trust that Beatrice has been taking care of you?" 
"She has." I looked to Beatrice and smiled with a small nod of my head. 
"Good, if you both don't mind I need to speak with Emily before dinner." Cain's hand touched the small of my back and even though a layer of clothing separated us I could still feel the overwhelming electricity between us. I noticed an ache in my neck and I rubbed at it lightly. My body wanted to be marked.
Cain placed a small amount of pressure on my lower back and nodded in the direction of an outdoor patio area that was almost completely free of people. My heart thumped in my chest and I was sure he could feel it through his hand and the bond. Eyes turned in our direction as we walked and lingered far longer than they had when Cain walked across the room alone. 
I couldn't help but notice the eyes of a small group of she wolves narrow when they looked at me. Were they once all candidates for Luna? I maintained my composure on the outside but internally I was a mess of emotions. I was sad Cain and I weren't closer. I was mad these she wolves wished to claim him as their own and a part of me was happy that Cain had his hand on my back instead of another female's. 
We finally passed through the threshold leading to the outdoor area and even with the door to the party still open and conversations inside roaring loud, I could hardly hear any of it the second we got the patio railing. The view was the same as out of Cain's room and when I looked up I noticed the window connected to his office area. The memory of him chastising me for sitting in the window gave me mixed emotions, both pleasure and stress.
"Emily." The chill of his voice equaled that of the air and caused goosebumps to rise up on my skin. "We need to discuss a few things, first, will you be running tonight?"
My nerves told me to say no but my pride told me... "Yes, I will be." Cain didn't react.
"Alright, I will be introducing you as my mate tonight. You will run near me to satisfy my wolf but there's no need for you to be beside me." My heart ached and I could see his form twitch slightly. He had felt my pain. He continued. "There are still other females looking to take the spot of Luna, behave towards them as you see fit but do not embarrass me." More pain, another twitch, he was silent now.