My Birthday came fast and I was excited 'cause even though I tried to spend a lot of my time with Pandora, I also had to make it look less creepy so I couldn't as much as I wanted plus I'm constantly working and training, and I took in a baby goat for a week, they are hard work but that also gave us something to talk about and bond over because it turns out she wants to be a vet and she loves animals.
"Happy Birthday, old man" Will said, I turn to him and raise an eyebrow "you're older than me" he hits me playfully "I'm 21 shut up" I laugh "nothing wrong with your age" I check my hair in the mirror "I'm sure Pandora won't even notice your hair if you are wearing your shirt like that" Frankie says I look down at my shirt "like what?" I say then Frankie rolls his eyes and unbuttons five of my buttons "I may as well take my shirt off if that's the case" I say then fasten two "there's a compromise, I'm trying to win her over not scare her away" I say the boys laugh "if your face hasn't done that, you're safe" Damien says patting my back.
I breathe as I hear the doorbell go, Damien opens it "oh Guys, it's mini wolf killer" he says we all laugh including her then she hold up her index finger "I saw that wolf last night, so he's still alive" he says, Frankie raises an eyebrow at her "how'd you know it was a boy?" he asks "the stance and facial structure usually give it away" she says and then looks at me "Happy Birthday, old man" I laugh, Will throws his arm around her "see told you" he says with a smirk and Pandora looks at him "don't know what you're smiling about, grandpa" I laugh hard.
Pandora come over to me laughing at Will's face "here's your present" she hands me a present "can I open it now?" I ask she nods, I open it and see the portrait of my wolf self, I smile at it "I didn't know what to get you-"I cut her off before she can apologise "I love it thank you" I say and show the boys.
She had obviously drawn the picture within the past couple of weeks, I could tell that because on the picture I was laid near her cabin at night I go when I missed her now. It looked amazing with the trees and the moonlight shining down on me as I stood in my protective stance my eyes locked-on hers-forward. The picture captured the lighter strands in my fur which were hard to actually see so she must have paid good attention.
I blink resurfacing myself to see Pandora staring at me, I smile at her "you ok?" I question she nods, but that was all, she continued staring, didn't move nor didn't speak at all. I look at the guys and then back at her "Tink?" I had started calling her Tink a couple of days ago because she was tiny with blonde hair and bright blue eyes, she reminded me of Tinkerbell. She smiled "sorry your eyes.." she trailed off again.
I looked at the guys and mouthed 'my eyes?' they all shrugged 'told you she wouldn't focus on the hair' Frankie mouths back with a shrug "what about my eyes?" I question looking back at her "they are so...unusual yet so familiar" she noted then shook her head and smiled at me "sorry, I'm probably creeping you out" she said I laughed and nodded "just a little" I said and as she turned away to head out I checked my eyes in the mirror.
I shake my head and walk out over to the barn, it was a big barn and we sorted it out for parties when we didn't want to go clubbing I preferred this over clubbing, plus this was only a 'pre-party' according to the guys that planned my 'proper party' which I am honestly terrified for. I had given everyone a pre-warning about Pandora coming and about who she was and who her father was; that didn't go down well with our Alpha but he know it couldn't be helped.
I put my arm around Pandora and let the other drift around the room "what do you think?" I question she smiles "I love the fairy lights and how you guys manage to make it look not like a barn" she smiles "that's all thanks to our stylists; Kiara, Ava, Sadie and Hailey" I tell her pointed to each of them.
It isn't long before Ava, Hailey and Kali steal Pandora away from me to dance to Wilson Philips – Hold On. I cringe at this song so hard, I hate it I'm sure I had specifically said do not play this song, I can't stand it and now I was not happy on my own birthday. I groan and walk out and sit on a tree stump with my head in my hand.
"hey" I hear a voice, whoever it was sounded weak and vulnerable, I look up "hey" I smile weakly once I see it's Stuart "how's the training the fear thing coming along?" I question he shakes his hand "I have to visualise but that's all I can do as soon as it comes to actually face to face, I'm gone faster than a cheetah" he says "you'll get there one day, don't worry too much mate you are trying and that is brave" I tell him.
He takes a seat next to me "so why have you walked out of your own party?" he asks "I despise that song" I tell him he looks so shocked by that comment "really?" I nod I wasn't going to give him my background story no way, he was a pack member that was it nothing more "I hate Blondie – One Way Or Another" he says I look at him "it's more than just not liking a song..I don't wanna talk about it why don't you go back inside enjoy yourself and have a sneaky beer make me feel better?" I say and he laugh "you feel better being a bad influence?" he asks and I nod.
Stuart shrugs and gets up he heads to the door then stop and looks at me "I maybe new in the pack but Layton, I'm a good guy give me a chance I need that to show you if I'm reliable or not, right?" as soon as he says that he walks back inside "honey?" I hear I jump up turning around "you need to leave, my night can't get any worse" I state "don't be like that" she says "mom leave, I mean it I don't want you here, I don't want you anywhere next to me"
She just stands staring at me "Layton listen!" she screams at me, I breathe and look at her, I just wanted her gone "it's your father, he passed away late last night" she said "ok..leave now" was all I said, might sound cruel but it's not, then it hits me "what do you mean dad is dead?" I question "he passed away, car accident" she says "my father passed away 6 years ago after he committed suicide" I say "no not Ian-" I cut her off "Robert, is not my father.. leave now!" I screamed the last part.
"Just leave, you..you..just leave I can't stand to breathe the same oxygen as you, I can't stand to even look at you, I want you out of my life for good, you are a selfish, evil bitch and I don't need you in my life!" I scream "Lay-" I cut her off "don't use the tears, they don't work" I walk over to her to get in her face "I said get out of my life more than once now if you don't leave me alone I will make you, this is harassment and pathetic now leave and never ever step a thousand miles within my radius again or you WILL regret it" I give her a nudge and she stumbles before she grabs a tree "you're drunk" I whisper "leave or I will make you leave in a body bag!" I scream.
As she leaves I turn back and I see loads of people stood at the door but my eyes land on Pandora, who looked scared, Damien had his arm resting around her shoulder for comfort "the party is inside" I say to everyone and everyone goes back in as Joe ushers them in. The guys try to stay but he gives them his Alpha eyes and they go back in dragging my Tink with them.
Joe comes out closing the door "you need to control your temper" he says "and the prize for stating the obvious goes to Alpha Joe" I say sarcastically, which shows how bad I am cause normally we all fear him so much "last thing we need is for a show, do you want that for Pandora?" I shake my head "she just gets to me, gets under my skin, like a thousand beetles and I can't stand it" I say, Joe sighs "right we will get you in too see Doctor Golde and you will do an anger management course until you get over this" he says before going back to the party, Doctor Golde is a councillor, he knows all about wolves as he is a part of our pack, he's much older at the age of 62 so he doesn't phase much, but still does the counselling for us and as an actual job.
YOU ARE READING
Hunting Mate
FantasyLayton Hammond grew up with a troubling childhood but now he's found his feet and a new family in his pack. All Layton needs now is his mate or so he thought until he met her. Pandora is new to town, her family is away for hunting. They are wolf hu...
