Kacie
My heart thumped as I walked away from him. I wasn’t swayed and I wouldn’t be. My heart and body belonged to Viktor. I wasn’t the same girl I was when I first came here but one thing would never change; my love. Jake’s flirting was harmless.
I wasn’t used to boys or men flirting with me. Jake liked to lightly flirt with me and it caught me off guard every time he did it. My heart thumped nervously as I forced myself to walk slowly back to my room. It wasn’t until the door was closed and locked behind me that I exhaled the breath I’d been holding.
I shook my head. My yawn turned into a stretch and I made my way to the bathroom. As soon as the steam rose, I slid into the tub. Time didn’t pass under the hot water. I closed my eyes and relished in the heat as it cascaded down my body. I welcomed the way the scorching water relaxed my sore muscles.
I laughed as thoughts of Jake filtered through my mind. It’s going to take some time before I can get used to the way he’s been acting. The water shut off and I stepped out of the shower. Droplets of water dripped from my hair and slid down my back and breast. I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my body before grabbing a second for my hair. A gust of cold air hit me, raising the hairs from my skin as I opened the door.
I didn’t even take two steps into my room before a knock rapped at the door. I jerked back and gripped my towel. Viktor would have told me if he was going to be back early. Who could that be? Was it another attack? I shook the thoughts from my head. If we were under attack, I doubt they’d knock on the door. I made my way to the door and put my hand against it.
“Who is it?” I called to the other side.
Hey, Luna.
What the hell?
It’s me, Jake.
Oh, it’s Beta. He mind-linked me.
“What can I help you with, Beta?” I asked. “I’m getting dressed so I can’t answer the door right now.”
“I’m going out with a few friends,” Jake said.
“Okay…,” I said. “You don’t need to report what you’re doing.”
“Oh, I know. I was going to leave but I didn’t feel right leaving you here alone,” Jake said.
“I’m fine, Beta,” I insisted. I turned from the door and headed towards my dresser.
“It doesn’t sit right with me,” he started, “especially with Alpha gone,” Jake continued.
“So what are you suggesting, Beta?” I called as I dug through my clothes. There was silence for a minute and I wondered if he was still there. I pulled my pants over my skin and shivered. I could hear him take a deep breath.
“I’m asking you if you could join me for drinks,” he said, he didn’t take a breath and it came out rushed. I laughed. “With my friends, too. Not just me…”
“Do I have to?” I asked.
“I mean… you don’t have to. I can cancel my plans,” he said quietly.
I sighed.
“Okay, Beta. When are you leaving?” I asked.
“Now?” He said, chuckling.
“Of course,” I said. “Can you give me a few minutes and I’ll be down?” “Yes, thank you, Luna,” he said. I could hear the smile in his voice. “I’ll wait for you in the lobby.”
After I got dressed and tried to look decent. I grabbed a jacket and made my way downstairs. If someone had told me I was going to go out to a club today, I would have laughed in their face. I’ve never been out to one before. I’ve been focusing on training and haven’t even thought of doing other things.
“Think of this as a way to relax,” Athena said. “I don’t want you to go out with Beta Jake and even more so that his friends are going… but you deserve a night out. So don’t let me hold you back.”
I laughed.
When I woke up this morning, I did not have plans to go to a club and I did not foresee riding shotgun with Jake. I wore a black silk dress that fell above my knees paired with a red leather jacket. I wasn’t sure if I’d made the right choice in coming along. I was wondering if I should have just told Jake to cancel his plans.
“We’ve got a table reserved so you don’t have to worry about rubbing up against people on the dance floor,” Jake said. I know he was trying to comfort me but that only made me feel more nervous than I already was. He was wearing black ripped jeans and a loose long-sleeve v-neck.
“Sounds good,” I said as I crossed my arms in front of my chest. I looked out of the window and focused on the shapes as they flew by. In the back seat, Jamie sat squashed in between Delta Bruce and an Omega named Mia. The ride was a little awkward but thankfully they were talking comfortably in the back.
We arrived at a place called the Ocean’s Oyster and Jake ran around to open my door for me. Everyone filed out of the car and I felt a part of a friend group going out for the weekend. I couldn’t stop the smile that pulled at my lips. I’d been feeling weird about going out with people I didn’t know well. Jamie looped arms with me and lead me past the bouncers.
The doors were closed but the music was loud from outside. As the doors opened, the music was deafening as we made our way in. We followed Jake’s lead as he walked towards a long half-moon booth. Mia was sitting on Delta Bruce’s lap and bounced excitedly when a waiter greeted us.