Chapter 76 - WHY IS HE FOLLOWING HER?

Maya ran her eyes through the thick crowd for the umpteenth time, and sighed dejectedly. He hadn't come. It had been the main reason why she had come for the party; a chance to see her mate who hadn't recognized her. Her hopes had been really dashed. She had been waiting and searching, for even a glimpse of him.

"We would see him next week." She heard her wolf say, and sighed again. She didn't know whether it would be a good news or not to go to her pack next week. She had a hunch that it would be the later, and it scared her a lot. She might be the strongest warrior in her pack, but she knew she wasn't strong emotionally. She was totally a wuss in that area, a softie.

"Hey, are you okay?" She heard Shane whisper in her right ear, and smiled sincerely. The guy had really been a gentleman for her this night. She knew that he found her attractive, but then, they weren't humans who just acted on mere impulses and attractions. His mate was out there. And she wondered why he hadn't found her yet. She knew from her cousin, that he had turned 18, six months back; enough time to find his mate. But then, there was also enough time to keep waiting.

"Yeah." She finally muttered, smiling up at him. She couldn't successfully shove down the wish, that wanted Shane to be Leo. But then, she knew it wasn't happening anytime soon. The earlier she dealt with it, the better.

"More drinks?" He questioned, gazing at her with a careful look which caused her to ponder on what Derek had really told him. Since the night began, he had never acted out of line; never given her a course to think that he was still annoyed with her for her betrayal seven years ago. He had been actively around then; a close friend too, after Anthony.

Speaking of Anthony, she hadn't seen him yet. Derek had said that he travelled for a particular assignment.

"Yeah." She muttered thankfully. She couldn't get drunk anyway. Werewolfs had a strong and high tolerance for alcohol.

She watched as he nodded and walked off in the direction of the main bar, ignoring the glances she was getting from Clem. They still hadn't spoken since she had come to the pack. She wondered if Derek had told him anything yet. It didn't seem like he had.

"Maya getting cozy with Shane. I ship you two." She heard Emma sing-sung and laughed, trying hard to hold back a whole lot of bouts. The human really knew how to tickle her. Her and Shane could never happen.

She noticed that the redhead was now closer to her, and smiled in friendly happiness when the human interlocked their hands together. She had a feeling that they were going to be friends for a really really long time.

"Where is Derek?" She finally asked, noticing that her cousin had been gone for a while.

"He went to get some more drinks." Emma replied, throwing a glance at Clem who stood some distance away from them; but still had his eyes on them.

"Oh, okay." Maya replied, taking a scan through the crowd again. She could sight her cousin with Shane at the main bar. They were discussing. She didn't bother straining her ear to catch on, on what they were saying. There was already a lot of music and noise in the hall.

"You and Clem..Were you guys exes?" Emma asked, dropping a bombshell. She had observed that Clem hadn't spoken to her friend, even when he had come earlier with his sister for a short friendly talk. Although she had felt like groping his sister's eyes out as the blonde oogled her man, she still noticed the tension between the duo.

"What?! Emma!?" Maya whisper-yelled, finding the whole thing funny still. But then, she didn't blame her friend; she wasn't like them. She also hoped that the redhead wouldn't chicken out when she knew the truth. It would be devastating for her cousin, and for her too. She had gotten attached to her.

"What?" Emma asked, with a shrug.

"Just an observation." She added.

"Well, we aren't." Maya replied, shaking her head, as she tried to curb a string of laughter.

"So why are you guys not talking?" Emma continued her interrogation while taking a steady glance at her boyfriend, watching out for bitchy girls that would try a funny play on her man; especially brunettes.

"Well..we will soon. We didn't part ways properly after I left the town seven years ago. I just came back last week." Maya summarized, hoping the human won't ask further questions. The redhead was inquisitive like her.

"Okay,I see." Emma muttered, not really seeing. The only thing she could see was the brunette who had approached them earlier, catwalking towards Derek. What now? She thought, still staring keenly at the troubling factor.

"Yeah." Maya said, making up her mind to talk to Clem, herself; perhaps during the weekend. She was tired of the glances.

"What are you looking at?" She asked, noticing that Emma was staring intently ahead.

"The brunette.." Emma replied, still gazing ahead.

"What brunette?" Maya asked, racking her brain for an answer.

"The silly brunette that accosted us outside the hall." Emma answered.

"Oh…" Maya muttered, looking ahead and scoffing as she saw the said brunette trying to get her cousin's attention. She could also see that Shane was trying to hide a smile. It made her smile too.

"What do you think is her problem?" Emma asked, gritting already through her teeth.

"Why can't she find someone else?" She continued, fisting her hands around her gown.

"Calm down Emma. You shouldn't mind the weasel. You should know that Derek wouldn't fall for that. He only has eyes for you." She said, hoping that this truth will placate the human. Again, she wished that the redhead was a wolf; it wouldn't be hard to explain or understand then.

"Right..." Emma muttered, releasing her fists from her gown. She still didn't understand why she got so easily jealous over Derek. It hadn't happened with the others. Perhaps this was how love worked. She thought.

But then a large blanket of frown enveloped her face, within few seconds later.

"Why is he following her?" She asked, her fists tightening again, harder this time; as she watched Derek keep his drinks and walk away with Cassey.