That's right, it's Saturday and The Hound is hosting it's weekly open mic night. With lots of encouragement from Rudy and Carla I have become a regular at singing there, mostly in closing the night. I didn't actually tell the girls that, yet. I'm still unsure about my singing and I would rather keep my performances a secret.
I'll be honest, this whole 'birthday treat' is mainly because Jen point blank said she absolutely does not want a birthday bash. I get it, Jen has always been the quiet one between the 3 of us, and she never did like parties, especially if she would be the centre of attention. And as she has repeatedly told us for the past 2 weeks, she is mostly excited to be moving in with Ryan and officially becoming part of Blood Moon pack.
I know from Luke that Ryan has arranged everything so that Jen starts her training as a pack doctor as soon as she moves to Blood Moon. Obviously Jen doesn't have any idea just yet, but I know Ryan is preparing a birthday dinner for her and the news will be his gift. That's surely going to make her cry, happy tears, of course.
In the short amount they've known each other, Ryan has absorbed every information regarding his mate and he is so considerate, making everything he can do to help her dreams come true. That is true love, that is the mate bond and that is what I crave. I'm jealous in the best way possible of my friend. Jen and Ryan have truly raised the bar high when it comes to mates.
Marie suddenly stands up with a serious look on her face. Well, she looks angry, mostly and we look confused.
“Guys, I have to go, my uncle just texted me.”
“Oh.” Jen and I deflate at the news. This was supposed to be a fun day in honour of Jen's birthday.
“Don't worry, I'll go see what he wants from me and the I'll meet you at the salon for our hair appointments. I'll be there before you guys finish and surely I'll still have enough time for a blow dry.” She says before bolting out the door.
Jennifer and I shrugged not letting this minor set back ruin the day. Even though I can't shake this strange feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Let's go, Jen. My hair has been dying to get back to it's pink glory.” She laughs and nods knowingly before taking my hand so we can be on our way.
We got to the salon and told the hairdressers what we ideally wanted done. I just wanted my pink hair back, so the hairdresser was more than excited to do that. She told me over and over how tired she was of doing the same hair style for every client. We decided on a pastel pink and got started. Jennifer wanted to also cut her hair and get some highlights, so she went and sat on chair further way from me explaining to her hairdresser where she wanted the highlights.
While getting pampered with having my hair done, I mentally started counting all the money I knew I had left. I imagined this day would cost me a pretty penny, I just hoped I had enough not to embarrass myself. I will probably have to only eat at the pub for the week or so, and not spend any money and I should be alright.
“Wow, that's really pink!” I gruff voice pulls me out of my mental banking system. I look up between the foils that are piling up on my head and see Luke standing next to me. The hairdresser bats her eyelashes and introduces herself, but he doesn't even spare her a glance. She then starts talking about the process of turning my hair pink, hoping that would do the trick and he would talk to her, but it doesn't work. She mumbles something about needing more foils and scurries away.
I burst out laughing. “I think she likes you, you should have at least said 'hi' to her.”
“I only acknowledge what interests me.” He says with his deep voice looking straight into my eyes, all the way into my soul. I think he.. did he mean 'me'?
“What are you doing here, Luke?” I quickly change the subject before I blush and he would notice. I had, not so casually, asked Carla if her brother had found his mate and I know he hasn't.
“Ryan couldn't bear to be away from his mate, so I just tagged along because I knew you'll be here.” He said with amusement in his voice and a slight eye roll.
“Oh. Are you going to get anything done, yourself? It's quite a wait until we finish.” I facepalm and notice the hairdresser cringing when she hears my pathetic attempt at small talk.
“I think we'll just wait for you guys outside, no rush.” And with that he walks away chuckling lightly.
“I know, OK? You don't have to tell me. I already know!” I tell the hairdresser as she started laughing.
“Damn, you are one lucky mamma. That juicy hunk of a man likes you even when you blurt out weird stuff like that. I better nail your hair, girl. You can get him that way, cause talking is not your strong suit.”
I sink lower in my chair waiting for the embarrassment that washed over me to pass. I will not get into this with her. She is human and has no idea about our ways.
It took a few more hours, but Jen and I are finally done with our hair. Also, our nails have been painted and every other hair on our body, that wasn't on our heads, has been plucked. OUCH! We are finally done and it's been as much fun as it's been exhausting.
Jennifer casually lets me know that our bill has been settled curtesy to her mate, Ryan. I will have to pay him back later, but don't make a fuss out of it because I don't want to upset Jen on her special day, I mentally decide as we make our way out of the salon.
Outside it's starting to get dark even if it's barely 5 in the afternoon. With the weather we are having here in England, we're lucky if we get a few hours of daylight at best, and Jen and I have wasted those precious hours by being indoors.
We look around and I can make out the guys waiting for us across the street in a big car park so we start making our way towards them when I hear a voice whisper from behind a parked van and I slightly jump.
10 - Stabbed
Samantha
OK, so we have an oddly parked van, it's nearly dark out, and there's 2 young girls unaccompanied. Suffice to say, I've seen my fair share of movies with this scenario, and it doesn't look great for the girls.
Ming is on high alert, but I can't risk letting her take control since we're in human territory and the supernatural law forbids us to out ourselves. I'm already in enough trouble, I don't need the supernatural council coming after me as well.
Jen is shaking like a leaf and is in deep eye contact with her mate who's watching her while readying himself to get out of the car. I look left and right and with Jen holding my hand and I try to get to the other side of the street, and into Ryan's car.
I guess that would have been too easy, and it's been a good few days since I haven't received any beatings at school. Timothy and his brother from another mother intercept us, ready to fix that. Great, just what we needed.
“Hi there Omega. Aww, you're gotten your hair done.” He slurs a bit, like he's drunk or high on something.
“Look Roger, the Omega has pink hair again.” He coos mockingly. “Do you think that looking like before will make you have the same life again? Being hot is not going to help you.” He's not even making sense. We walk away not stopping to give in to their words or start up a fight.
I can already see the car door opening and Luke and Ryan getting our of their car. Unfortunately for Dumb and Dumber, neither of them, Timothy and that other idiot, who now I've learned is named Roger, didn't seem to notice the blood Moon's Alpha and Beta.
“Jenny, scram. This has nothing to with you. This is all about this nasty Omega.” as he says that, Timothy grabs me by my hair and pulls me into his chest, trying to choke me with his free arm.
“Fuck, you!” Jen spat and tried to pry him off me, but she is also being held by the other guy. ”I'm going to teach you a lesson, Omega. You need to stay away from any Crescent Moon pack members before you fill their heads with your stupid ideas. We're all onto you, but unlike the others I am not afraid to get my hands dirty.” I don't even have time to be confused by all the nonsense he's saying, because a loud, ear piercing, growl rips through the air. I'm certain is Ryan seeing his mate being forcefully held by another male. As I think that, I see Rog
er being ripped from holding Jennifer. I realise that since we are in mostly human territory the guys can't do anything that would raise even more attention or suspicion.
The two old humans that were casually strolling on the street while carrying shopping bags, have now dropped them and have run away scarred, abandoning their shopping in the middle of the street.
Before Luke's punch swiftly connected with Timothy's nose, I felt it. A silver dagger was pushed into my left side just in between my ribs. How do I know it's silver? Well it fucking feels like poison is clawing into me, from the contact of my flesh with the blade. Roger and Timothy got up and ran away before anything else could have happened to them. They took advantage of the fact that Jen and the guys rushed to my side, making sure I'm still alive and assessing the damage. I can feel Ming pouring all her strength into me and keeping myself aware and awake.
“We have to move her before anyone alerts the human authorities.” Luke commands and takes me into his arms, while Ryan rushes to hold the car door open. Jen gets in the backseat with me applying pressure to my wound and talking to me so I don't black out.
Geez, that hurts. I imagined a stab wound would hurt, but isn't there supposed to be like an adrenaline rush, and you're numb or something? I feel myself drifting away with all the thoughts I'm having, but I quickly snap out of it.
If I have learned anything from listening to Jen's stories, about what her father has encountered as a pack doctor, I know that when stabbed with a silver dagger so close to your heart, keeping awake is key. As soon as I would fall into darkness, the poison from the silver will start spreading faster, and the odds aren't in my favour anymore.
“We're here, let's take her inside through the back.” Luke says while carefully lifting me up. I try my best to look around, be helpful in some way, but my vision is blurry and I can't really move either. It takes me a while to see that they have taken me to The Hound and into Carla's office.
The sofa in the office has a white sheet over it and there is a medical kit already prepared. Jen barks orders at Ryan and Luke, and before I know it she shoves a towel into my mouth, smiling apologetically. She then she rips my shirt open, leaving me in only my bra.
”Oh, grow up, it's just a bra. Surely you've seen a girl wearing one before.” Jen snaps at the two males who are politely trying to avert their gazes.
”Luke, pass me that scalpel. Ryan..” she looks him dead in the eyes, and my own eyes widen in fear like never before. I already know this is going to hurt like a bitch. “..baby you need to use all your strength to keep her as still as possible.”
I try to scream but the towel in my mouth is muffling any sounds that I try to make. Shit, I would have expected her to give me something to numb the pain. Oh Goddess, oh fuck, she's planning to clean the wound and stich me up without any numbing. I try to trash but Ryan uses his Beta strength and holds me still while Luke diligently hands Jen whatever she askes for.
It's not long before the searing burn stops, being replaced by manageable pain, and I realise that Jen managed to clean my wound of most of the silver, and the remaining poison is very diluted not being deadly to me anymore. That's when Ming lets me know she can't help me anymore, she is getting too weak and needs to rest and regain her strength. I agree, knowing that her strength was the only thing keeping me awake, and I start to slowly drift off into unconsciousness, welcoming the fact that I won't feel any pain anymore.
Jason
Luder has been driving me crazy all day with his whining and whimpering. It got so bad that in Tactical Defence class I had made a crucial mistake and basically killed a group of innocent people. It made me the laugh of the class, and I did not appreciate that at all. Usually I'm the best in any class and everything comes easy and natural, but today Luder made me fail, and as Alpha I cannot fail. Luckily this was just an exercise and nobody was actually hurt, well asides from my ego and reputation in the Academy.
“Hey Jason.” I look up from my chair where I've been sitting for the past half hour, fighting with my wolf and nursing the massive headache that he's giving me.
“Hi uhm...”
“Monica. We've met last week. I'm new here.” Oh yeah, that's right. Monica is a Beta and just joined her Alpha in his final leg of training here at the Academy. They're from New Zealand and Alpha Zeke and I have become friends since we were both complaining about Americans speaking improper English.
“Monica, yes, sorry, I knew that.” I flash her my signature smile that I knew will dampen her panties. I guess it worked because she bites her lover lip and bats her long and thick eyelashes at me before leaning in and seductively whispering in my ear: “I would love to explain some tactical strategies to you. You know, to avoid what happened today from happening again, Alpha.”
Monica was great, just like I knew she will be. Despite Luder's protests, I tuned him out and enjoyed the pleasure that sexy she wolf has given me. She rode me hard and called me 'Alpha', knowing just what buttons to push and when, in order to obtain maximum pleasure. Yes, Monica was good and she was experienced, exactly how I like it.
“See you around, Alpha. Call me if you ever need more tutoring.” Monica winks at me as she collects the rest of her stuff and leaves my room.
I'm starting to get antsy being in here without my pack and it looks like Luder is even worse. Luckily Brian is joining me soon. As I think about finally having a close friend around here, someone from my pack, my Beta, an idea pops into my mind and for the first time in days, my wolf agrees with me. I will go back to England for a few days to get Brian and bring him here myself.
11 - Story
Samantha
Finally I can feel myself getting back to my senses. Everything still seems a bit numb, but I can tell I'm alive which counts as a victory in my book. Oh, Goddess, I just can't catch a break, can I? I hear hushed voices around but I feel safe, I know it's Carla and the others.
“I can't believe how fast that healed. I've never seen anything like that.” Carla shouts amazed causing me a slight head ache. Her bedside manners could use a bit of improving. Oh, I hope her and Rudy managed to cope last night without my help. I can't believe I missed the open mic. That has become the thing to look forward to the most, for the past few weeks.
“Carla, what rank is she, do you know? Her ability to heal is faster than any Omega I have seen. She can heal pretty much as fast as Ryan or us.” I hear Luke's voice and I inwardly smile knowing that he's here.
“Jennifer told me she ranked Omega, but there's more to her story, way more.” Ryan now jumps in the conversation and my curiosity peaks. I really want to know how long was I out for and who else is in the room with us. “And just to put it out there, how incredibly gifted and hard core is my mate? I mean, she basically saved Samantha's life, we are lucky to soon have Jen as an official member of the Blood Moon Pack.” I almost burst out laughing - almost because I can't move just yet- at Ryan's little bragging moment. But I do manage to roll my eyes even if they are covered my by eyelids.
“What do you mean?”
“Stupid Crescent Moon and their archaic ways!”
Both Luke and Carla talk at the same time. I kind of want to get up to tell them I'm alright and not to worry, but I'm dreading having to also tell them everything about me. The whole story, well as much as I know, anyway. I feel ashamed, even though most of it is not my fault, it's not like I could have any control over who birthed me or who raised me.
I do my best to open my eyes and I squint trying to get used to the light after being in the dark for who knows how long.
“You really have fallen hard for Jen, didn't you?” That's the first thing I say after I managed to force open my eyes and all I see is a blushing Beta Ryan grinning proudly that someone finally acknowledged him praising his mate.
“Oh, thank Goddess you're awake.” Carla rushes to my side staring at me, her face a bit too close for comfort, but I know she means well. Her eyes scan my body like an X-ray machine and the breath she lets ou
t means she must have not found anything wrong with me.
“Sorry I missed open mic night.” I say smiling at Carla and she just dismisses my comment while the others laugh lightly.
“You're a tough one, kid. You really scared us there for a minute. We're all glad you're alright.” Rudy, who is seated on a chair, in the farthest corner of the room, speaks. He sounds just like a father who is glad that his daughter is well, but at the same time doesn't quite know how to express his feelings. His words warm my heart and give me strength. I'm pretty sure I saw him wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.
I slowly get up, flinching a bit in pain, but it's nothing major. At this point I can say I've been though way worse pain. Luke jumps up and comes towards me as soon as I start moving but quickly settles as he sees I'm capable of doing it on my own.
“Good call, Luke, good call.” Ming voice echoes in my head as she snarls a bit at Luke's intention. I guess she's also feeling a bit better, even though I do not appreciate her bitchiness towards one the people who helped save my life, in more ways than one. As I roll my eyes at Ming's comment, I look around and realise how stupid and insensitive I am, because I can't see Jennifer in the room. Panic quickly fills me and my heart starts beating faster that usual.
Fight For The Highest Wolf Rank Page 5