Rutting Season

4

Once home, Tessa took a hot shower, slipped into her favorite flannel pajamas, and flopped into bed. She was tired, but her mind returned to a pair of golden eyes looking at her from across the room.

She had a few hours until the ball and wanted a nap. The past few days had been mentally draining. So much so that she regretted agreeing to attend this season. It would be fun if things were more spread out, but cramming so many activities quickly was absurd.

She closed her eyes, and thoughts of Racyn wouldn't let her sleep. Goddess, he was handsome and made her heart race, but the eight-year age difference made her wonder if he had been playing with her. Why would he be interested in her? Wouldn't he be better suited to one of the ladies closer to his age?

She tossed and turned, unable to clear her mind, and finally gave up. She switched on the TV and settled on a documentary. Her dress for the ball hung in the corner, and she wondered if he would ask her to dance. Her phone vibrated on the bed beside her, and she checked her messages.

“What are you wearing tonight?” Candice sent a group message to Eva and her. She eyed the dress in the corner, wondering if she should have her mom pick something different. The dark red dress was a bold choice.

“My dress is a black a-line with a bardot neckline,” Eva answered. “Nice, sounds very pretty,” she responded. Candice said, “Mine is a bright pink ballgown with an asymmetrical neckline.”

Tessa shook her head with a grin. That dress sounded exactly like Candice. She liked attention. “Mine is a red fit-to-flare with a sweetheart neckline. I may wear something else, though. I haven't decided yet.”

They talked a little longer about the ball, and then she decided she needed to shift to burn off some of the nervous energy she felt about the night.

She left the house and found a spot in the trees to change. She roamed the trees and open field once she was shifted into elk form. The setting sun was beautiful, and the forest sounds were soothing.

“Tessa, come on in! We need to get you ready,” her mother’s voice called out from their back door. Accepting her fate, she found her clothes and transformed into human form. She threw on her clothes and went inside.

“Take a quick shower so I can help with your hair and dress,” Kyla instructed, and Tessa did as she was told. Once her hair and makeup were done, she stepped into the red dress and turned for her mom to approve.

“Do you think the color is too much? I think most of them will be wearing bright colors. Candice is wearing a pink dress,” she fussed with her hair as she addressed her mom.

Kyla swatted at her hand, “Don’t mess up your hair! The dress is perfect. It looks lovely with your dark curls, and the gold shoes will be perfect. The fellas will be lined up to dance with you.”

Tessa huffed, “Mom! I'm not choosing a mate. I'm supposed to be a wallflower this season, remember? If I’m drawing attention, I'm giving them false hope.”

Kyla rolled her eyes, “It’s impossible for you to be a wallflower. You're simply too pretty. Enjoying yourself isn't giving them false hope. Be honest with them. It's their job to catch your eye. If they can't persuade you, they're not the one.”

Tessa decided not to argue and waited to zip up her mom's dress for her. At forty, her mom was still pretty, and her deep purple dress was lovely.

“Oh, Dad will have his work cut out for him tonight. You look hot, mom,” she teased. Kyla laughed and led her into the living room, where Tomas waited for them.

“What a beautiful pair you are,” he exclaimed with a smile, “Come on. It's time to go.” She was glad it was a short ride to the event center tonight. They entered the ballroom as a song began and dancers took the floor.

One of the men approached her with a smile, “Good evening, I’m Lucian. I don't think we’ve met.” Tessa returned his smile. He was handsome with short brown hair and Hazel eyes. He was tall and lean, and his suit fit him well. “I’m Tessa. It’s nice to meet you,” she introduced herself.

“How have you enjoyed this week’s events,” he asked, and she decided to go with the truth as her mom had advised. “To be honest, it's a lot. So much packed into one week,” she shook her head, “I wouldn't want to do this repeatedly.”

He looked surprised, “Really? I guess I assumed the ladies enjoyed all of it. Does that mean you will be choosing a mate this year?” Tessa newly choked on her spit, “Goddess, no. Oh, um, sorry, but no. I came this season to make my parents happy. I'm not expecting to find a mate.”

He laughed, and that surprised her. “You're surprising. I can see why you have so many admirers.” Before she could ask about that comment, a new song began, and he offered her his hand, “Would you dance like to dance?”

She took his hand, “Are you sure you want to spend time with me when you could be wooing a potential mate?” He grinned, “Absolutely. I like your directness, and there's always hope you will fall in love with my dance skills and change your mind.” He gave her a playful wink, and she laughed as he spun her on the dance floor.

Racyn led Zara around the dance floor. She was a good dancer, and they moved around the room easily, but she only talked about herself, trying to sell it a little too hard. He responded appropriately as his eyes skimmed the room. He saw a dark red dress and a pile of curls.

He didn't have time to drag his feet about approaching her. The song ended, and he politely left his dance partner to work his way around to where he had seen her. She was short, so spotting her in the crowd would have been difficult. Another song began as he reached the area where he had seen her.

Suddenly, there she was, in the arms of a man with short hair dyed purple. His suit was a deep blue and complimented her dress. He felt anger surge through him.

He wanted her attention and stepped forward to snatch her away from her dance partner, but he came to his senses before entering the dancers' swarm. What the f**k? Was he losing it this soon in the season?

He turned to leave the ballroom. He needed some air. The level of testosterone in the room was making him crazy. As an Alpha male, he usually had more control, but the rut intensified his need to dominate the other men in the room. Keeping himself under control was a balancing act. Apparently, one he wasn't handling well this season.

This was his ninth year of this torture. In the beginning, it was a little exciting. He enjoyed showing off for the ladies and the fighting. When it came to s****l urges, he had been able to take matters into his own hands. It gave him just enough relief to get through the rutting season.

So, what was it about this one? Someone he had barely spoken to that made him want to chase? She was so small, probably about five feet, compared to his six foot six inches height. She was beautiful but not as curvy as he usually liked, but something felt right when she bumped into him.

He couldn't decide if it was how she felt in his arms or the spark in her eyes. Maybe both? He rounded a corner of the garden and sat on a discreetly placed bench. Probably intended for secret kisses. Instead, he was out here brooding when he should have been looking for a potential mate.

He had pursued many women. Some of them had a lot of potential to be a good mate and Luna for his pack, but when it came down to choosing, he felt like something was missing. So, he never made an offer.