The Jaded Assassin

Party Time

Jaessa POV

I spend the afternoon helping my dads with chores around the house, before we have lunch together.  As soon as I’m finishing up, there is a knock at the front door.  J.T. stands and makes the move to answer, but is beat to it by Elizabeth barging directly in, fully glammed up in an emerald, satin gown with a halter neck, her red hair flowing in perfect curls down to her waist.

“Hi dads!” She proudly proclaims.  “Hey sis! What? You can’t wear that to the party!”  Her excitement at being in my home changed to horror at my attire.  Elizabeth is the daughter to Alpha Tyler and Luna Eva.  She is a year younger than I, but happens to be my very best friend.  Since we grew up so closely, we are all more like family than friends, however.

“Hey Liz!”  J.T. greets my friend warmly, as he gives her a fatherly hug.  “Don’t worry, we bought her a gown for tonight, but convincing her to wear it is a task best left to you.”  He teases.

Liz takes on a very serious expression, “Mission accepted.”  She then prances over to me, before grabbing me by my arm and dragging me up the stairs to my room.

“Seriously, why is everything always black with you?”  Liz asks in exasperation as she looks over the knee-length, shoulderless, velvet cocktail dress J.T. ordered for me.

“To go with my black heart.”  I smirk at my BFF.

Liz rolls her eyes at me before taking the gown from its hanger and commanding me to undress.  

An hour later, I’m gowned, with make-up skillfully applied by Liz, who gave me the perfect smoky eye, and my curls are tamed and sleek, flowing just past my shoulders.  I have to admit she did well.

Liz trots downstairs before announcing me to my parents, and I carefully step down the stairs in the black velvet stilettos which I’m unaccustomed to walking in. 

“Oh my Goddess!  You are absolutely stunning!”  My dad. J.T. fawns.

I look to Jaden who has a soft smile on his face, “Well done Liz, you turned my tom-boy into a lovely lady.”  Jaden praises before stepping towards me to kiss my forehead, right as J.T. snaps a picture with his phone. 

I link arms with my father, Jaden, as Liz does the same with J.T., and we exit our cottage, en route to the packhouse.

If you think you’ve ever been to a real party, I guarantee it’s nothing compared to a werewolf party, especially when we reach the age of maturity.  Add in the high-profile of the Alpha’s heir, you’ve got a real rave going on.  

I step into the ballroom, which is lined with tables around the edge of the large dance-floor, Liz hugs each of us before we take our seats, as she hurries to take her own at the Alpha table with her brother and parents.  Eva looks up and gives me a warm smile before nudging Tyler who looks out at me and grins, shooting me a thumbs up.  I inwardly laugh and roll my eyes at the same time.  

Dinner is served of roasted duck, pecan-crusted salmon, medium-rare prime-rib, along with sea-salted baked potatoes, creamed corn, and steamed broccoli.  Mama Sue, the lead kitchen Omega, never disappoints in her menu selections, and she is simply the best chef around.  Our meal is followed by individual, molten-lava cakes, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.  

Once we’ve completed our dessert, Alpha Tyler calls for everyone’s attention as he stands to make a speech.  “I’ll keep this short, as I know the real reason why you all came this evening.  First of all, welcome Black Hills, Rosebud, Spirit Lake and Dark Moon packs.  Thank you for making your long journeys to celebrate the coming-of-age of our future Alpha, Westley, and the lovely but fierce future warrior, Jaessa.”  I glance across the room to my father Jaden’s cousin, and Luna of Black Hills, Sarah and her mate Alpha Travis.  “Thank you as well to my Crystal Lake members for joining us tonight.  Now, let’s get this party started!”  Tyler loudly proclaims as the DJ steps up to his stage and “Party Rock Anthem” begins to blare through the sound system.  

Liz jumps up excitedly and dashes to me, pulling me up from my seat as I internally groan, but follow her anyway, out to the dance floor.  Westley soon joins us, handing me a glass of werewine (much stronger than normal human-strength wine due to our advanced metabolism), which I down in one gulp, and before long we are all dancing and enjoying our night.  

“You know, Jaessa, I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed.”  Westley moves in close to me and whispers into my ear.  

“Why?”  I ask, truly curious as to what he’s find lacking in the night.

“I really had hoped that once I gained my wolf, that he’s claim you as our mate.”  He confides to me, and I instantly stop moving to the music and look up into the eyes of my long-time friend.  

I quickly try to play off my reaction, “You’re joking.”  I offer a fake laugh.

“No, I’m not.  You would have made a kick-ass Luna, and I’ve had a crush on you since we were kids.”  He admits to me. 

His words are not given a chance to sink in before Liz grabs my arm, “Come on Jaessa!  Let’s go get a drink!”  She shouts to me over the music.  

Welcoming her interruption at the perfect time, I follow her, but I can’t help glancing back at Westley, whose eyes are looking at me with regret.  I don’t have long to contemplate it though, before Tyler’s voice comes over the speakers.

“If you would all join me for the pack run, we will commence before us old-timers turn to bed, leaving you youngsters to your fun.”  He grins with his announcement. 

Everyone heads outside, where we undress to save our clothing from ruin.  I feel eyes upon me and quickly shift into Tara before turning and making eye contact with Westley who winks at me before he shifts into a large black wolf.  Westley’s wolf takes off into the night, and all at once, a sea of wolves in all colors trails him around the pack lands. 

Once the run is completed, I shift quickly back to my human form and rapidly pull my gown back over my head, before turning to face the future Alpha, who is standing in all his ripped, masculine, nude glory, staring back at me.  I divert my eyes, as Liz, who is completely oblivious, nudges me back to the packhouse.