Chapter 4

Chapter Four - Bonfire Night

By the end of the week I have settled in quite nicely in the Bauer Pack. Arcadia and I went shopping recently and I got some new clothes with the money I had saved over the years. It was all going well until Arcadia dragged me to some high-end stores and bought me expensive clothes, makeup and shoes. Of course, I had argued with her but she insisted that they were "gifts" from her and that I "shouldn't be ungrateful." I knew she was joking but her stubbornness is something I had to eventually yet unwillingly accept.

However, it was only yesterday that Atticus told me that I will be accepted into the pack today alongside other wolves during the ceremony. And now I am rummaging through my clothes to find something decent to wear. Arcadia is helping me while Atticus sits on my bed answering emails on his phone with a deep frown. He has been no help since every outfit Arcadia or I choose is immediately rejected by him.

"This is the one! It's so pretty!" Arcadia squeals as she holds up a white dress made of lace with long sleeves. It flares out at my waist and will reach mid-thigh from what I can tell. I smile and nod in agreement as it's not too plain and not too over the top either.

"No." We both frown immediately before turning to face Atticus. He's staring at the dress with narrowed eyes and I sigh heavily as I wonder what the problem is now.

"What's wrong with this one then?" Arcadia huffs as she crosses her arms over her chest in frustration.

"Too short." He mutters before going back to his emails.

I shake my head as I pick up a floral printed maxi dress. Holding it up to him with an expectant look I'm hoping he says yes so I can finally get on with my hair and makeup. We don't have that much time as it is.

"I want that burned." He growls distastefully.

"Why?!"

"Why is it backless?!" He snaps with narrowed eyes.

"Atticus, I don't dress like a nun!" I exclaim in frustration.

"I just don't like these clothes!"

"Out!" Arcadia growls before pulling him up and shoving him out of my room.

I laugh at her actions when she slams the door closed in his face as he whirls around with narrowed eyes. When she locks it and turns around to face me I hold up a navy, mini dress with spaghetti straps and small daisies printed all over it. Arcadia approves with a bright smile and I get changed quickly while she goes to grab my makeup bag. The dress fits snugly and hugs my curves. I pair it with a pair of white sneakers and am thankful that I don't look too overdressed for the ceremony.

Arcadia does my makeup and keeps it natural like I requested. Although it's autumn, my skin looks quite dewy with a warm blush and a wash of nude on my lips. She then curls my hair before running her fingers through my strands so that they turn into loose waves. I thank her before picking out some jewelry to accessorize my look with while she leaves to get ready herself.

I take one last glance at myself in the mirror as I spray on some perfume. Satisfied with how I look, I leave my room and turn to Arcadia who is walking down the hallway. She's dressed casually too in a pair of ripped denim, a pink sweater and heeled boots. Her curly blonde hair is now sleek and straight. She has kept her makeup light but has the sharpest winged liner.

"You look gorgeous as always!" I tease which makes her smile bashfully.

"Oh hush!" She loops her arm through mine and we make our way out of the house.

We walk through the territory to where most of the members have gathered for the ceremony. I feel myself become increasingly nervous the more we get closer but Arcadia soothes my worries with a little pep talk. Atticus stands on the makeshift stage where everything is set up. I leave Arcadia and join the few members who will also be accepted into the pack. Atticus' honey eyes narrow significantly as they roam over my dress. I smile cheekily when they meet mine and he shakes his head in response.

I zone out as he welcomes everyone because my nerves are going haywire. Jade huffs in my mind as she mutters that there's nothing to be worried about. But even that doesn't calm me down. What if they don't like me? What if they find out what happened to me? I think to myself.

However, I snap out of it when the ceremony starts and Atticus begins to accept members into the pack. There's three men and two women, including me. It all goes by too quickly and soon, I'm stepping up onto the stage and walking over to Atticus. He stares at me intensely and it's almost like he can tell what's on my mind.

"Don't be nervous." He murmurs lowly so that only him and I can hear.

I nod and shoot him a shaky smile which makes him chuckle. Rolling my eyes playfully I take the knife from him while reciting the vows after him. We slice our palms before letting our blood drip into the bowl below. Immediately, I feel the bond with the pack forming and numerous voices in my mind as everyone welcomes me. Atticus and I smile at each other as we clean our palms before he hugs me.

"Welcome to your new home, Livi." He whispers before pulling away.

"Thanks, Atticus." I grin before letting him help me off the stage.

"Let's get the bonfire started!" His voice echoes in the clearing and everyone cheers loudly in response.

I smile happily as he guides me through the crowd to another man. He's quite built and seems to be about six foot, two. His eyes are grey and he has brown hair with lighter strands here and there as if touched by the sun. I immediately recognize him as a Beta and it's confirmed when Atticus introduces him as such. "Livi, meet my Beta Bastian Walker. Bastian, this is Olivia Peterson."

"Oh...so this is the Olivia, huh?" He smirks mischievously and I look at Atticus to see him glaring warningly at Bastian.

"Atticus mentioned me?" I think aloud and find Bastian nodding eagerly.

"A few times, yes. He wanted to contact you actually." He reveals and I look at Atticus with furrowed brows.

"Why didn't you?"

"Your parents wouldn't tell me anything. I didn't know where you were or what your number was." He sighs with a halfhearted shrug.

"Oh." I nod in understanding as he hands me a drink.

"You were from the Red River pack right?" Bastian asks lowly just so us three can hear.

"Yes, I was mated to Vincent Ross actually." I explain and see him scowl as he shakes his head.

"I've met him on some occasions. He's so arrogant and self-centered I can't stand him!" He growls before turning to me with a sympathetic look. "I heard you rejected him recently. How are you now?"

"I'm alright, thanks. It was excruciating but thankfully, Atticus was there to help me through it." I smile up at him before realizing something I never asked. "How did you break the bond between you and your mate?"

"I had the elders involved who sourced an Oracle for me. She contacted the Moon Goddess and notified her of what I wanted to do. Unfortunately, because I wanted my mate to feel no pain I had to take all of it." He explains and my eyes widen at the thought of Atticus going through that alone. "I was passed out for days because it was too much and felt awful. It was the worst honestly."

"It took you a few months to get your shit together." Bastian sighs with a reminiscent look in his eyes. "I thought there would be another way but frustratingly one mate must go through the pain if not both."

"Atticus!" A brown-eyed redhead interrupts as she pushes into the small circle Atticus, Bastian and I had created. "You're needed by the grill."

"That's Alpha Bauer to you, Scarlett." Bastian mutters which causes her cheery smile to drop.

Scarlett clenches her jaw before nodding and addressing Atticus by his title. As soon as she walks off Atticus turns to Bastian with a smirk. He shakes his head while Bastian just shrugs and winks playfully in response.

"I'll find you later. You'll be okay right?" He takes my hand and rubs the top of it soothingly.

"Of course." I smile and watch him make his way in the direction of the men by the grill.

"Don't worry, you don't have to call him Alpha...unless you want to." Bastian murmurs lowly into my ear and I look up to see him chuckling in amusement.

"Wouldn't it be right to address him by his title like every other pack member?" I frown in confusion when his eyes light up knowingly.

"You're not just a pack member to him though, are you?" He smiles and nods at a few people who say hello as they walk past us.

"Right." I shrug before Arcadia grabs my arm.

"Come with me! I want to introduce you to some of my friends!" She grins excitedly before waving goodbye to Bastian who only chuckles as he watches her drag me away.

I spend the rest of the night mingling and getting comfortable. However, I do notice Scarlett and her group of friends eyeing me a couple of times and whispering to themselves. They make it obvious that they are talking about me but I choose to ignore it.

We all eat, drink and dance well into the night. Thankfully whoever I meet is kind to me and I start to feel a sense of belonging here. When I moved from my home to Vincent's pack I never really got a chance to feel like I was accepted. And when I tried to go back home I was treated as an outsider and refused entry. I spent a little over a year feeling like I had no place to truly call home. And now I do.

It all gets a bit too overwhelming for me at some point and I drift away from the crowd. I take a seat on one of the empty picnic benches close to the pack house and just watch everyone. The children are running around with their toys and chattering away to each other. The teenagers are crowded around a few parents on the dance floor and cheering them on as they bust out some moves. Some elder pack members watch on with amused smiles like me. It's a nice sight to see.

"Cold?" I suddenly hear his familiar voice behind me.

"Shut up." I mumble because I know he's going to annoy me about forgetting to bring a cardigan.

He chuckles deeply before I hear some rustling. I turn around just as he drapes his jacket around my shoulders. My breath hitches when I realize how close his face is to mine. He notices too and we lose ourselves in the depths of each other's eyes. A tender smile blooms across his lips and I find myself looking away shyly as he takes a seat next to me.

"I could've picked out something better for you to wear." He huffs as he eyes my dress.

"You don't like it?" I frown as I pick at the hem.

"I didn't say that." He replies which makes me look at him expectantly. He shrugs half-heartedly as he glances at his pack enjoying themselves in the distance. "I would have made you wear something warmer –"

"I wanted to look nice for tonight." I interrupt and his gaze swivels back to mine.

"You always look nice." He murmurs and his eyes blaze with such intensity that it makes my tummy flip.

"Even if I wear...a bin bag?" I tease and watch as he nods his head.

"Even then." He chuckles as he tucks me into his side.

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