Page 18 of Rejected Mate Bride
In reality, his men knew exactly why Camden wanted to have this party. They agreed with him that things should change within the pack and were on board with whatever plan Camden deemed necessary to make that happen. It was for his uncle’s benefit that he decided to frame it as a benefit to the men for the women to be invited.
“Oh, very well, then,” Harold agreed. “Have it tonight at the pack house. There’s plenty of space in the back garden for everyone.”
It didn’t take long for news of the mixer to reach everyone in the pack. By nightfall, the pack house and attached garden were abuzz with activity. Men and women had naturally separated into two groups on either side of the space, talking amongst themselves. Camden had known it was going to take some time for everyone to come together, but seeing the division laid out in such starkness made him thankful he hadn’t wasted any time in setting this up.
“Hey, boss,” Jasper said, clapping him on the shoulder as he approached with the rest of the squad. “Good turnout tonight.”
“Dance floor is a little empty, though,” Cillian Thompson said, disappointment coloring his voice.
“Sounds like a job for you to take care of,” Camden said with a smile. “Our resident flirt. Why don’t you get out there and ask someone to dance?”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Thompson replied.
Thompson smoothed back his hair and walked confidently across the paved area in the center of the yard to where a group of young women was gathered. Camden saw them blush and whisper amongst themselves as he approached. He held his hand out to one of the women, and she took his hand delicately. With a spin, he twirled her into the center of the space and began a slow dance that didn’t quite match the upbeat song that was playing over the speakers.
Camden saw that Flora had arrived, joining the women’s side of the party. He was surprised and happy that she had decided to show up. When he'd told her about the event, she hadn’t seemed too keen, but apparently curiosity and boredom had won out over fear. He didn’t want to bombard her with attention, so he watched from afar as she cautiously made her way up to the group of women that Thompson had just retrieved a dance partner from.
“Did you want me to check on her for you?” Jasper asked quietly.
Camden thought he was being discreet, but Jasper had noticed where his attention was focused.
“If you don’t mind,” Camden replied, trying to sound casual.
Jasper grinned and took Franco Marbles with him to join the women. They greeted Flora enthusiastically, and Camden breathed a sigh of relief when she smiled at them. She seemed happier than usual and seemed to be making friends. Hecouldn’t take his eyes off her as she leaned into the conversation and laughed with the other women. Everyone was getting along.
The song ended, and another song started up, prompting a few of the other men in the pack to cross the divide and find dance partners of their own. The air in the garden started to feel light as people let loose and began to intermingle.
It’s working, Camden thought proudly.
Just as he was starting to feel the high of his success, he heard the bell-like twinkle of Flora’s laugh. She was doubled over in mirth and grasping Thompson’s arm. He had clearly just told a joke, as the rest of the group was laughing as well, but all Camden could think about was howheshould be the one to make Flora happy. Onlyheshould make her laugh like that. His jealousy was in full force as he marched across the garden to where they stood.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he snapped at Thompson.
“Well, hello to you, too,” Cillian said, clearly unaffected by Camden’s tone. “Did you want to join our party? We’re having a lot of fun. Much more than you were having brooding by yourself.”
“I was not brooding,” Camden argued.
“Mm-hmm,” Cillian said, jostling him with his shoulder. “It’s alright, bud. But don’t worry, I promise not to make your lady laugh anymore. Scout’s honor.”
Camden rolled his eyes at him, realizing he had let his jealousy get the best of him. His squad had a way of disarming his least attractive traits, like Cillian had just done. He looked to Flora, wanting to laugh about the situation with her, but instead of seeing her smile like everyone else was doing, her mouth wasturned down in a frown. A crease of anger had appeared between her eyes, and Camden was immediately alarmed.
“Flora?” he asked. “You alright?”
“Fine,” she replied shortly.
Without another word, she turned on her heel and left, heading through a gate toward the street instead of going into the pack house.
“Is she…leaving?” Camden asked his friends, completely bewildered. “Did I do something?”
“Looks like it,” Jasper replied.
“What are you waiting for?” Marbles asked. “Go after her!”
Camden wasted no time. He took off after her, dodging through the crowd so he could catch up to her quickly. He jostled a few people near the edge of the dance floor and apologized quickly without looking back. He had no idea what he had done or said to cause her to leave so abruptly, but he knew he needed to make it right with her. This entire party was to help her assimilate into the pack and improve the visibility of the rest of the women. If he had done anything to jeopardize that, he didn’t know if he could forgive himself for his foolishness.
“Flora, stop!”
She whirled around to face him, her eyes still full of rage and hurt. “What do you want now?” she demanded.
