The next few days flew by, and I got more work done on controlling my abilities and how I will know how they are going to act. Now, it is the mating festival. I got dressed in a form-fitted white dress and did my hair in a nice half-up braid. I added a little dust of blush just to add some colour, and I was ready to head out. I came downstairs, and everyone was dressed nicely and ready. The girls were dressed and ready to go, and Kiera was dressed nicely.
"Mama!" Kiera came bouncing over with curls in her hair. I hugged her when she clung to my legs. I felt the others' eyes locked on me. I looked up, and the boys were red in the face, the girls too. I looked down and saw my cleavage was exposed, so I stood up and fixed the dress. The boys looked away, and the girls fixed their outfits and avoided my eyes. I gathered my purse, took Kiera's hand and headed out; the other four followed us out the door. Dad and Mom had already left for a date while the others and I were preparing for the festival.
I got outside, and I walked with Kiera to the festival location with the others behind me. Soon we were at the heart of the pack. The pack house was always used for pack celebrations, and often was booked for big birthdays and celebrations that families wanted to gather the pack and show how far their pup or family member has come over time.
I made my way in with Kiera at my leg, and the four others came in behind me. The entire building was decorated and filled with unmatted individuals around my and the others' ages. I looked around, then I saw Hendrick and two others with him, his pack members were secluded in the corner, Kiera's brother was there, both he and Hendrick were in casts, guess the twins and I did a number on them. I went to the food table for Kiera to have something to eat.
I picked out some cookies and a cup of orange juice and sat with Kiera at a table, and she enjoyed her snacks. The four others sat with us. I stayed with them, and we enjoyed the night. The music was pleasant, not too loud, and we got more drinks and snacks. Alcohol for us, juice for Kiera. We talked about how nice the festival is, and the food was good. Then some big people came in. Skull Fang, I didn't know they would even be coming here for the festival.
"What is Skull Fang doing here?" I asked the twins.
"We called them," Markus said, "for security, it was short notice, but the alpha's eldest daughter, Sasha, came immediately with her packs Beta, Trin, and Gamma, Gavin."
"Oh," I said. I had heard about Sasha and the other two when my parents were travelling with the twins' dad before he got sick a few years ago. They said Sasha was closed off and didn't get along with others, mostly because of her bond. She has a shadow walker, a wolf of the dead, bonded to her. She was judged for it and was almost bullied, till she started fights. In one case, she almost killed someone based on the rumours going around. But I can't say I believe them fully. She doesn't have scars, so I can't imagine her getting into the type of fights I've heard of.
Her eyes looked guarded. Kiera needed the bathroom, so I took her there. We passed Sasha, I saw Sasha look at Kiera, and... her eyes were soft as can be, seeing little Kiera. I was surprised as we went to the bathroom. I got Kiera settled in a stall so she could do what she had to do. I waited for her to get done. I heard voices outside the bathroom. It sounded like a few men talking. Kiera was done and came out. I helped her to the sink to wash her hands. She finished and dried her hands. Then we heard shouting. I picked up Kiera and stepped out, and Hendrick was on the floor with the other of his pack mates, all beaten.
"The hell were you idiots doing going into the women's room?!" Sasha was yelling in a thick accent. I stood there in shock, holding Kiera. "What were you trying to do?! Ah?!"
"Rose!" Mark called as the other four came running, they all jumped over the guys on the floor. "Are you and Kiera okay?!"
"Uh, yeah, we're okay," I said, "what-"
"They were trying to sneak into the bathroom with you and the young one inside," Sasha told me, her eyes softened at Kiera in my arms. "I heard about the girl, she was abused by her brother before you took her in. Then Hendrick, horny prick, was turned down by you, too. So,"
I felt cold all over. Was Golden Claw really this terrible? Looking at these men, I felt horrified at what could have happened. I could have been assaulted, Kiera too! If Sasha hadn't noticed, who knows how bad this could have been, or what the result could have been. The festival was moved outside into the streets, and the food, drinks, and attendants went to enjoy the activities outside. After that, Sasha stayed close to Kiera, and I, the other four, took the members of Golden Claw out of the pack. Sasha and I talked, and it turns out all those fights? They were all false. She fought to protect others in her pack, and the rumour of her almost killing someone was a guy who assaulted her baby sister because the guy hated pups. She is actually a really sweet person. She adores pups and wanted some of her own one day. She was an incredibly kind person. Her pack is truly lucky to have an alpha heir like her.