Nightmares of Beauty

Chapter 11

Samuel

The pack went wild. It was insane. Anyone not already in their second, wolf form shifted in the middle of whatever they were doing and howled, throwing their heads back to the sky. It was a powerful song, and I took my cue from Jaydn, who shifted and joined, adding a leading alto to the wolfsong. My own deeper howl complemented her voice perfectly, and the others faded to a harmony with us keeping the leading parts.

All too quickly, it faded. I took a moment to notice that one of the werewolves was in human form and carrying an odd-looking utensil towards us. Before I had time to ask what it was, it was explained. The one with the thing - it looked kind of like an odd sort of staple gun - put it to my ear and something went through the skin. It didn't hurt, but it did startle me. Jaydn was apparently undergoing the same thing - there was a stud in her ear. I guessed that I had one, as well.

I was a part of the pack now, for better or for worse. I'd probably need to get into contact with the pack I'd been with to explain what had happened, but that was not at the front of my mind right then. Apparently, this pack was always ready for a party. Someone was leading us down into one of the dens - it was certainly easier to get through the small opening as a wolf -, through doors, until we reached a massive room. The center was obviously a dance floor. There was a DJ booth in one corner. I shifted to my human form, as did Jaydn. She was quickly taken by a group of woman, pulled into a side room.

A group of guys brought me into anther room. There were all sorts of clothes in there, semi-formal shirts and slacks beside tuxedos and suits. One of the guys took my measurements and found me a dark grey, silvery-looking suit, which I put on quickly. Apparently, everyone else was getting dressed, as well. As soon as I was in the suit, I was pointed back to the ball room.

I looked, but didn't see Jaydn anywhere. Several tables along the wall were covered in food - how did they get that there, that fast? - and there was a bar along the other. Many people were already dressed and walking around. Soft music played, but I noticed that no one was on the dance floor at all. I glanced around again, and I saw her.

Jaydn was simply breathtaking. She was in a dress that looked like it might have been made of liquid gold, though I knew better. Startlingly green gems sparkled at her throat and wrists and ears and fingers, matching her eyes, which were green-blue. Everyone around her made a pathway to me, so I started towards her. We met on the dance floor. I noticed that Jaydn was in gold and black wedges that put her only a few inches shorter than me, and when she got to me, she said, "Well, I suppose we ought to dance." I couldn't help but agree.

Carefully, I put one hand at her waist and the other in her hand, and the music changed to a slow dance. I was not an experienced dancer, but apparently Jaydn was, and she took the lead so I could avoid embarrassing myself. After out dance ended, other people made their way to the floor and the music changed again, getting faster. Everyone started spinning with easy grace and so were we.

After that song, we stopped and got some drinks - apparently, anyone who was considered an 'adult' within the pack could drink anything they wanted. Jaydn herself did two shots of something that I didn't see the name of, but there was a drawing of some kind of snake on the side of the bottle. I decided not to drink anything but water or soda, because I'd never been the type of person to drink a lot, if at all. What anyone else did was on them, not me.

Jaydn

I was on my fifth round of Cobra when my phone started ringing. I rolled my eyes and answered it, because it was Rose. "Hello?" I yelled, attempting to ensure she could hear me over the noise of the party, and making sure my words didn't slur too badly. "Daniel? What?" He said something about Rose needing me, so I yelled, "Alright, I'll be there soon!" and hung up. Sam was at my side, sipping a Dr. Pepper. "Sam, we have to go help Rose with something," I said, directly into his ear so he could hear me.

We made our way to the door, and went out. I shifted, a little more oddly than normal, but then, I couldn't really walk on two legs properly. Running was sorta out of the question, as well, so I jogged, Sam leading the way because I couldn't recall the way out of the woods. He got us out, and we shifted. I had to lean on him to walk back to Rose's house.

Sam knocked on the door, because I didn't feel like lifting my arm up, and we stood back, waiting for it to be opened.

Scott

I'd kissed Rose with a desire I hadn't known I had. I knew that she had a boyfriend, but he wouldn't be hard to get rid of. I really hoped Jaydn wouldn't kill me, though. I was in my house, checking the dates on all my blood bottles to make sure I never had any that would make me go that crazy again.