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Surrounded by several young men, Norman was enjoying the attention.
From what he could tell, the pack beta didn’t care much for Elliot and his friends. It might be a problem, but Callum didn’t care.
Vivian was his. Norman would just have to get used to that.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The BBQ dragged on much longer than Vivian would have liked. Normally, that wouldn’t have been an issue, but she was eager to get to the treehouse.
When the final guests had left, she, her mother and their team of volunteers worked for three hours to get everything cleaned up. By the time they had finished it was almost ten o’clock, and Thatcher’s friends were starting to show up at the lodge again, for his after-party.
Her father lumbered out of his truck and headed for the front doors of the lodge with two friends.
Perhaps it was cowardly, but Vivian waited in the shadows until he was gone. She crossed the lot and got into the car where her mother was waiting.
“Will you be home tonight?” her mother asked.
“I’m going to shower and then head out.” She smelled herself, hoping she didn’t have lustful undercurrents, which would be surprising since she’d been distracted by thoughts of her mate all afternoon. Fortunately, all she smelled was hot dogs and hints of popcorn. “I want to wash the smell of meat off me.”
Her mother laughed. “I understand. I’ll drop you off at home before I head to Aunt Lauren’s.”
It hadn’t been lost on Vivian that her mother had grabbed several opened bottles of leftover wine before they’d left. She was going to feel pretty awful in the morning.
“Thank you.”
“Of course.” Her mother made a few turns. “You did an amazing job today.”
“Thanks.” She shifted in her seat. “I really enjoy hosting the events.”
“You’ll make a wonderful mate one day.” Her mother sighed. “Much better than me, thank goodness. About Thatcher…”
Vivian glanced over. Between Rafe’s promise to keep her safe and the sudden appearance of her fated mate, Vivian had put the encounter with Thatcher behind her.
“I really don’t want to mate him, Mother.” She suppressed a shudder.
“I don’t want that for you either, but if he and your father deem it so, we won’t have a choice in the matter, which is why I wanted to talk to you. I think you should join the Curusm. It would get you away from him.”
Aghast, she stared at her mother.
“I know. I know.” She put her blinker on and pulled up in front of their house. “But it might be the safest option.”
“You know how I feel about it. Look how running turned out for you.”
“I have a coveted position in the pack.” It was a valid point, but not one that made the grimace leave her mother’s face.
“I know you mean well, but…” Vivian hesitated. She didn’t want to tell her mother about Callum. Sad as it may be, she didn’t trust her with that information.
“One of Felix’s friends, maybe? He says a few of them have asked about you.”
Vivian knew this conversation was pointless. Grabbing the handle, she pulled open the car door. “I’ll think about running. Thank you.”
Her mother reached across the car and kissed her cheek. “I want the best for you.” Water welled in her eyes. “I just don’t know how to get it for you.”
Don’t worry, Mamma, I do, Vivian thought.
With less than two hours to prepare for her deflowering, Vivian rushed through a shower. She put on lotion and packed her bag.
She tossed in a few extra bottles of water, along with a washcloth, tissues, and gum. In the kitchen, she added a few granola bars, and an apple. Unsure of what else she might need for tonight, she returned to her room, opening her closet.
