20. The gathering

Lucky Blue Smith as Jamie (20 years old) (Luke´s friend)

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Bradley Cooper as Caleb (28 years old)

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Matt Bomer as Christian (26 years old) (Wilder´s brother)

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Aiden´s P.O.V.

After being introduced to so many people, I am a little overwhelmed by how many packs there actually are in this country.

Luke has already dragged me towards Jamie. Two weeks after I´ve gotten to know my mates, Luke had brought me to his human friend, Jamie, the guy who had been at the club. He was very friendly but soon, I could see that both of them had the same rebellious spirit in them. They don´t like to listen to their Alphas and they show it.

Every little command that is given to them, they make a sassy comment about it and try to question their Alphas´ authority over them. They end up shooting themselves in the foot though because the Alphas know they are in charge and show it to them as well, winning every physical and even mental fight with ease. They are the rocks in the storm. Calm and collected but fierce and even deadly at times, not that they would ever hurt their mates though.

I have to smile, seeing the two of them. They seem like brothers but look very different. They rebell but I can tell that they love their dominants just as much as their dominants love them. I think they´re just too afraid to be seen as weak, as if they have no say in things and that terrifies them a bit.

Well, who am I to talk, I was afraid of Alphas basically my entire life but now, I feel very secure and happy when I am with them.

"Come on, let´s dance", Caleb says to Jamie and offers him his hand as music starts to play and pairs start to form on the dance floor.

"No", Jamie slaps Caleb´s hand away, seemingly scared of going out there and potentially being in the spotlight. Caleb only grabs Jamies hand though, crushing the human´s body against his own and holding onto his waist as he just starts dancing, leading Jamie further to the dance floor.

I chickle as Noah stretches out his own hand for Luke to take and Luke just sighs and says:" Oh, what the hell". He takes Noah´s hand and they start dancing as well.

"May I?", James says next to me, his voice deeper than ever as he offers me his hand. I look up at him, smiling, and take it wordlessly and we make our way through the crowd.

The music in nice and a little slow. As James and I dance, I look around the room to see many different faces. Most of which I´ve never seen before and it still makes me a little self conscious.

Something is bothering me today. I can´t put my finger on what it is but deep down, Jax is on edge.

"Something wrong, sweetheart?", James asks, looking at me.

"No no, I´m fine. I was just thinking", I say smiling slightly.

I look back to see Wilder talking to his brother, Christian. They look really alike and there seems to be some important Alpha business going on because they are standing with other Alphas, their faces serious. I wonder what that´s about...

3rd person´s P.O.V.

The music gets more uplifting after a while, the Waltz becoming a Jive. The ballroom cheers as the pairs begin to dance more freely, including Aiden, James, Noah and Luke.

Aiden has found his passion for dancing a few months ago and is now pretty good at it. James isn´t so bad himself, being used to leading in most ways, he dances wonderfully well with Aiden, a bright smile on both their faces as people who aren´t dancing watch in awe.

Noah and Luke are doing the same, dancing crazily across the room together and laughing.

When the music finally ends and another song comes on, Luke and Noah stop for a minute, catching their breath. "I´ll be right back", Luke says smiling, turning around.

"Where are you going?", Noah asks. "Bathroom", Luke says before mixing in with the crowd.

Reassured, Noah stands there for a second, looking for James and Aiden who are still dancing. He spots them and stares at their beautiful bodies and their amazing dancing skills. When he looks back, Wilder is standing right in front of him, smiling contently.

"May I?", Wilder asks as he reaches out his hand. Noah looks at it but takes it eventually. "Only cause it´s you", Noah says, reluctantly taking in the woman´s position as they start dancing.

"So, what did you and Christian talk about? You looked a bit serious", Noah sks, referring to the prioir conversation he saw his mate and his brother in.

"Well, we talked about the usual rogue activities, potential threats of humans and then we also talked about the pack that Aiden was in. We still don´t know who they could be. They must have kept him hidden for years. The way that Aiden said he escaped through went along a river, which could mean it could be at least five potential packs in that area because we don´t know how far upstream he went when he escaped and he doesn´t remember either, as you know", Wilder tells Noah turning very serious.

We´re gonna find those bastards and when we do, there will be no mercy for those in charge and responsible. Just as there was no mercy for Aiden there. You know how he suffered and I´m gonna make sure...", Noah is suddenly interrupted. The music has stopped and people´s chattering becomes louder. Something´s wrong.

Wilder immediately looks for James and Aiden and sees them on the other side of the room, James sending him a questioning look.

All of a sudden, Jamie runs inside the ballroom through one of the doors. He looks distressed and searches frantically for something.

When he makes eye contact with Wilder and Noah he simply says: "It´s Luke"