Moon Falls

Chapter 8

The house pounds around me, bodies grating against each other to the beat of the music. Strobe lights dance through the room, illuminating each and every being. Scents overwhelm me, wolf, human, the sour stench of alcohol. Cole leads me into a lit up kitchen, following Kayla and William. Before I can say anything, a drink is placed in my hand. I grimace at the cup, knowing what's in it. "I think you'll like it!" Kayla shouts, grinning like a crazy woman. I sip at it, managing to swallow it. It's bearable, but not exactly likeable. I'd prefer water or something. "So, I was thinking, get a few drinks in, then take on the dance floor!" she announces, gulping at her drink. 

"Kayla! How are you?" a guy calls from behind us. He makes his way to Kayla, moving to give her a hug, but stopping when he spots William glaring at him. 

"Hey! I'm good thanks, you? Oh! You have to meet Ria here! She's staying with the pack for a while, I thought it'd be good to meet a few people from the local packs" she explains, pulling him to me. 

"Hi" he mumbles, glancing at my arms, slowly following the scars down my arm, then dropping his eyes to the ones on my legs. After a moment, he finally looks back up to my eyes. My cheeks redden, I knew I shouldn't have worn the dress, I must look like a fricking idiot. All scarred up and in a dress that reveals everything, literally! 

"Nice to meet you" I manage, holding my hand out. He shakes it hesitantly, as if I'm going to break. He must have noticed my weight. 

"Ria, Luke here is from Kota Pack, they live a while away from here, but it's a nice, easy-going pack" she explains, glaring at Luke slightly. Cole rests his arm on my shoulders, a silent comfort I welcome. 

"It sounds cool" I mumble, giving him a small smile. What am I supposed to say? In England, we don't care about whether a pack is easy-going, what matters is that everyone is happy. I take a gulp of the drink, I have a feeling I'll need it. 

"It is, I'll take you there one day, hey, come on, finish your drink! You gotta keep up!" Kayla scolds, giving me an stern look. I take a big gulp, smiling through the grimace. 

After Kayla introducing me to several other people, and shoving several drinks in my hand, I can say I'm feeling warm, and even a little happy. I watch as Kayla sways in her heels, dancing with William. Well, on William. He stands still, watching her every move as she dances round him, using him as a pole. She giggles to herself, obviously happy. 

"Ria! When are you gonna show us them moves?!" Chris calls, stumbling from the dance floor. "And you too, Cole, don't you think I've forgotten about you, get your butt out there, those girls need someone to- hey William! How are you man?! So you know earlier, when you were growling at me, I thought that was real deep, man! I mean, those growls... wow" he sighs, smiling up at William. 

"Why aren't you dancing?" Kayla moans, hands on her hips and glaring at William and sulking. "I'm going to get someone to dance with me. Ria will dance with me, won't you!" she squeals, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the dance floor. I protest, pulling, but it's no use. Kayla continues to pull, and I give up when Chris gives me a push from behind. One minute, I'm in this nice quiet spot, I like my quiet spot, and suddenly, chaos! Kayla holds my hands for several minutes, swaying my arms around her. I sway awkwardly, laughing when Chris works his way around us. The beat picks up, pounding to the rhythm. I join in with everyone as they start jumping to the beat, blocking the world out for a few blissful moments. Those moments never last long enough. Glancing around, I notice Kayla and Chris are gone. I search nervously. A guy approaches me, placing his hands possessively on my hips. I step back a little, but he follows. 

"Stop" I snap, but he doesn't hear me over the music, I barely hear myself. I push at him, stumbling a little, unbalanced in these heels. But he doesn't stop.