by Simone Elise
“To kidnap you.”
“Kidnap me?”
“Well, not kidnap. I want you to come on your own free will.” Cole’s grinned wide. “So what you say?”
“Um, actually, I was just going out.” I walked down the steps with him at my side. “To see a friend.”
“And this visit couldn’t wait till like tomorrow?” Cole grinned at me sideways. “Come on, you look like you need some fun.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I stopped and turned to face him.
“You look a little worried.”
Worried? Me? What would I ever have to be worried about? Oh right, the fact my mate just happened to be an alpha or maybe my best friend is ignoring his mate because of me.
“It’s been a rough few days, that’s all.” I shrugged my shoulders. “And I really need to get going.”
“Come on, Chloe, a few hours.”
Sighing deeply, I turned my phone in my hand. There was a good chance Dan wouldn’t even be home. He had ‘disappeared’ according to his mom. Which I knew meant he just wanted to be left alone for a few days, and who could blame him?
“What did you have in mind?”
“Thought we could go feed the homeless for a couple of hours.” His face was deadpan. Then a wide grin spread across it and he shook his head, amused. “Your face, classic. Nah, actually, few of my mates and myself are going to Laser Force.”
“Laser Force?” My face clearly showed my confusion. “That being?”
“You have never been to Laser Force?” Cole stared blankly at me. “For real?”
“Well, it sounds lame.” I crossed my arms defensively. “So no wonder I haven’t.”
“Don’t be like that, Chloe.” Cole bumped my shoulder lightly. “You will love it. Trust me.”
I stood with my arms crossed. His pup dog eyes pleaded with me to say yes. But I had things to do, important things. I couldn’t just go off and have fun.
“I...”
“Awesome. You are coming.” Cole reached out and tugged my hand, pulling me along. “You will love it. Trust me.” He grinned over his shoulder.
“I really don’t have time for this.” I muttered under my breath.
“Lighten up, Chloe.” Cole’s hand wrapped tightly around mine as he continued to drag me behind him. “You’re only a teenager once.”
***
“So, I just have to push this bottom.” I frowned down at the large plastic gun in my hand and played with the trigger once more.
“And you have to aim. Remember.” Cole tapped the large plastic vest he was wearing. The silly thing was that I had one on too.
“Then, once you get hit, the light goes out in the middle?” I questioned again, still only just grasping the idea of this game.
Cole nodded his head and held his gun up in the air. “It resets after about a minute and you get your kill strike on the way out.”
“Sounds easy.”
“I hope you like running, Chloe.” Cole winked at me before slightly backing away. “You’re going down.”
I shook my head with a slight smile and then let my feet carry me through the maze. How had I never been here before?
The gaming room, or the Killing Area, as the sign on the door said, was like a maze, a very large one. It had rooms and funny faces sticking out from everywhere. All the walls were black, and it was extremely bright.
I walked through a tunnel and then glanced between the steps going up to what looked like a platform and then another small passageway. With my gun dangling loosely at my side, I wandered aimlessly up the small passage, glancing at the round holes in the walls. Must be for decorations I muttered to myself.
When Cole said his friends were coming, I thought maybe a few. So I was surprised when I saw close to twenty, and most with girlfriends. We actually had booked out all the spots in Laser Force, which, from what I heard, was ‘totally sick.’
This didn’t seem this exciting. I glanced over my shoulder. Cole wasn’t anywhere in sight. Didn’t he say something about hunting me down? He wasn’t doing a very good job at it.
“LET THE GAMES BEGIN.” An evil laugh boomed though the room. It sounded computer- generated.
Weren’t we already playing though? Frowning, I twisted around to walk back the way I had come, but the lights went out.
Everything went dark. I glanced down at my lit-up vest that matched the colors my gun was now flashing. This felt like something from an Xbox game.
I felt the walls and slowly guided my fingers across them, trying to find the way out. I squealed when something hit my leg. Looking down at what hit me, I saw a freaky baby doll head retreating back in the wall.
As I was squealing from the shock, another one came flying out of the wall from a different angle. And then, all of a sudden, heads were flying out of the holes from every direction. Screaming, I fled up the passageway, squealing and dodging the freaky things at the same time.
My squeal was muffled by the loud music screaming overhead. The music only added to the intense feeling that was boiling through me.
Reaching the end of the passageway, I spun around a corner quickly and then came to a stop when I entered a room. The room was flashing in black light. Different colors splashed across the walls. So that was why we were in darkness. I glanced down at my white socks, which were glowing above my sneakers. I loved black light.
It was beautiful. I walked slowly through the room. A puff of smoke from the wall had me coughing slightly and waving the air in front of me to make it disappear.
Smoke machine, freaky baby doll heads, black light. It was light a house of horrors mixed with an amusement park.
I gasped as a firm arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back. Another swirl of smoke fogged the air.
His hot breath ran up my neck. I felt his lips brushed teasingly across my ear. Gulping, my grip on my gun got slightly tighter.
“Don’t lose concentration, Chloe.” His voice was thick. I couldn’t keep myself from pushing back into his chest just slightly.
“SHOT!” My vest screamed out. I was slightly startled. I caught Cole grinning as I turned around to face him. His gun was in the air, and he looked rather smug.
“Keep your mind on the game, Chloe.” He winked before running past me.
“Oh, payback is a bitch,” I screamed at his retreating back, and I heard his deep rumble of a laugh.
Grinning like an idiot, I ran after him. Past a wall full of cracked mirrors, he was so going to be owned when I caught up to him.
***
I crept up behind Cole. He had his back to me. He hunched over slightly with his gun through a hole in the wall, clearly having a target lined up.
He had shot me, I reckon, about five more times, each time taking me out smugly. I had also taken a few hits from his friends. I had only got one shot in and it was at his mate’s girlfriend. And the only reason I got it was because, in shock, my finger squeezed the trigger before she could.
We both squealed, both scaring each other. We laughed about it for a few minutes, and then both got shot by her boyfriend, who, just like Cole, was sneaky.
Taking another slow step towards Cole, I held my finger on the trigger. I could totally shoot him in the back right now, but that seemed a bit cowardly.
So using my female charm, I slowly lowered my gun to my side and moved an inch away from his back. Leaning up on my tippy toes, I slowly kissed the back of his neck. I felt his body shiver as my lips left his neck.
Blowing a breath of hot air, I distracted him as I snuck my gun around to his front, pressing the trigger quickly.
The familiar saying screamed from his vest. I smiled smugly to myself.
“That was dirty, Chloe,” he breathed huskily turning around to face me, his eyes playfully narrowed.
Before I could shoot him again, he had me wrapped to his body and pressed me against a wall. His hands pinned me to the wall on either sid
e.
“Shooting your date. Shameless.” He lowered his head slightly.
“I didn’t know this was a date.” I placed a hand on his shoulder. “And you shot me first. Remember, Mr. Seductive?”
“Looks likes you learned from the best then.” He grinned.
“You’re the best?” I cocked my head to the side. “Really?”
“Baby, I will give you experiences you can only dream about,” He whispered in my ear before lightly kissing my cheek and my vest just happened to ruin the moment when it screamed the familiar saying.
“You shot me again,” I groaned and took my hand from his shoulder and crossed my arms. “That’s uncool.”
“I didn’t.” His vest made the same noise and we both turned to look.
“Can’t keep your hands off each other. What do you expect?” Cole’s friend Hunter had his gun pointed directly at us, clearly proud of the kills he’d just made.
Spinning around quickly, he fled away from us.
“Wanna pair up?” Cole looked down at me playfully. “We can’t let him get away with that.”
“Oh, it’s on.” I smiled and gripped my gun. “He’s going down.”
Cole chuckled and reached out for my hand, which I comfortably placed in his. I wasn’t used to this feeling pulsating through me but I remembered it from a long time ago. Happiness. And for once I was actually having fun, free of stress and laughing with a guy who wasn’t twisting my emotions.
I could get use to life being this light and carefree.
Chapter 18
“So what do you want?” Cole asked and we both took a step forward in line. “The chocolate one is really good.”
“I haven’t been here before.” I looked around the busy shop, briefly glancing at the board with the names of different smoothies.
“You have never been to Smoothie Heaven?” Cole arched an eyebrow at me. “Where have you been living, under a rock?”
“My life is a little bit busier than some.” I rolled my eyes. “Not all of us have time to drink smoothies and play Laser Force.”
“Whatever. You’re still in high school. The hard years haven’t even begun for you yet.”
Shoot me now if that’s the case, I wanted to say, but stopped myself.
“How is college?” I asked. We both took a step forward. Now we were next in line. “Is it hard, or do you love it?”
“Love studying? You would have to be crazy.” He grunted. “But yeah, I do at times.” He shot me a quick wink.
“You must be crazy then.” I nudged his shoulder and saw his eyes roll.
“Go on. Get us a booth.” He said and pointed to an empty booth a few feet away.
“What? Don’t I get to order?” I teased.
“Nope.” He winked “Booth now.”
Grunting out a laugh, I smiled as I walked away from him. He was so charming, even for a human. Sliding into an empty booth, I saw it was dark outside now. We had managed to ditch his friends, even though I said we could stay with them. But he wanted to spend time with me.
Which I thought was so sweet. I tapped my foot on the floor to a song playing on the radio.
The place was filled with groups of teenagers laughing and a few families with young children. Again, I didn’t know how I didn’t know this place existed.
“Chocolate. Thought it was safe bet. It’s awesome.” Cole placed the chocolate smoothie in front of me and sat down across from me.
“I hate chocolate.”
“Really?” His face went blank. “I can…”
“Your face is classic.” I chuckled and then took the straw in my mouth and started to suck up the chocolate mixed goodness. I couldn’t stop myself from teasing him, remembering his joke about the homeless at the beginning of the night.
“I think I’m a bad influence on you.” Cole smirked watching me. I arched an eyebrow at him.
“Sorry about stealing you away from your friend.” Cole played with his straw. “Hope they aren’t too pissed you cancelled.”
“Considering he didn’t know I was coming, he won’t mind.” I said, after gulping down the goodness.
Cole nodded his head and twirled the straw around in his smoothie. I kept stealing glances at him when I didn’t think he was watching. There was something about him, something that made me feel like a normal human teenage girl.
Not a girl who turned into a werewolf or who was dealing with possible loss of a mate or a reclaiming of one.
“I’m beginning to think you like the look of me or something, Chloe.” Cole smirked at me, catching me looking at him.
“As if.”
I accidently brushed my leg against his under the table and that little action kept his smirk in place. Biting my bottom lip, I turned my attention back to the half drunken smoothie in front of me.
The door to the little business swung open and a gust of wind through the door brought a scent to my nose that had my head snap up.
What was Xavier doing here?
Xavier looked bored as he studied the long line ahead of him. It only took a few minutes before he stiffened, clearly picking up on my scent. His head snapped over in my direction.
Our eyes locked. Of course this would happen now. I hadn’t seen him since I left him in my room. Did I feel bad about it? Maybe.
“Chloe,” Xavier greeted me with a half smile. Shit, when had he walked over here?
Xavier glanced at Cole. My eyes were glued to the side of his face. Why, why, why, why, WHY! Couldn’t I just have one night away from all our garbage!
“Cole.” Cole reached out a hand and shook Xavier’s. They shared a few words before Xavier’s eyes pieced mine.
“So how do you two know each other?” Cole asked. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from Xavier to see Cole’s expression.
“He is my teacher,” I finally muttered. Xavier’s eyes only narrowed with anger as I spoke. Gulping, I pulled my eyes away from Xavier and glared at the table.
“I always think it’s weird seeing teachers outside of class,” Cole said lightly, trying to make conversation.
“Tell me about it,” I muttered, not looking up.
“Chloe, can I have a word?” Xavier grunted.
“I’m sure whatever it is can wait till class,” I huffed.
“Chloe. Now.” Xavier turned quickly and stormed away. Clearly I was meant to follow him.
“Sorry,” I said to Cole, rolling my eyes and dragging my feet to follow Xavier, who had walked outside.
Xavier leaned against the brick wall, crossing his arms. “Who’s he?”
“A friend.” I crossed my own arms. He wants to be defensive. I will be defensive.
“So you can manage to hang out with new friends. But you couldn’t bring yourself to call me and tell me you were alright.”
“Why wouldn’t I be alright?”
“Come on, Chloe. You know a lot happened.”
“Whatever. I’m over it.”
“Don’t lie.”
“I’m not lying.” I stamped my foot. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
“Just when I think you are mature enough to handle a mature conversation, you turn around and show me how immature you really are.”
I remained silent and glared at the sidewalk. “Done yet?”
“Chloe, I miss you.”
“Xavier, I’m sick of you.”
His face went blank.
“Kidding.” I smiled weakly. “I don’t feel like fighting.” Sighing, I uncrossed my arms and looked him in the eye. “I’ll see you in class.”
My shoulder brushed against his as I walked past him. I placed my hand on the door. Xavier twisted around quickly and placed his hand over mine.
“I miss you,” Xavier whispered in my ear and I closed my eyes tightly. Pulling the door open, my elbow hit his chest, but I couldn’t bring myself to turn around and check if I hurt him. Because once our eyes locked, I struggled to remembe
r my name.
I felt Xavier walk in behind me, but walked back in Cole’s direction, keeping my eyes on him. Cole frowned slightly at me as I approached.
“I have to go,” I muttered and smiled weakly at him. “Sorry.”
“Nah, you don’t.” Cole stood up and slid out from the booth. “You need to talk.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to hear it.” I sighed. It wasn’t like I could actually talk to him anyway. It wasn’t like I could tell him the truth.
“Try me.” Cole stepped forward, his carefree grin on his face. “I could surprise you.”
“It’s a long story.” I raised an eyebrow. “And I can’t tell you most of the details.”
“Then I will just have to go on what you’re willing to tell me.” He winked and reached out, threading our fingers together.
I nodded my head, not being able to come up with an excuse to say no. Sure, I couldn’t tell him everything, but maybe I could just tell him the highlights? Or maybe I could just spend the rest of the night with a great guy and be a teenager for once. Walking behind Cole, I glanced at Xavier as he stood in line with his back to me.
I wondered why he was here anyway.
“So, my house?” Cole asked as he opened the door and I walked out before him, our hands still linked. “And when I say house, I mean apartment.”
“Sure.” I smiled.
What was the worst that could happen? Maybe I wouldn’t be able to tell him everything. But I had a feeling that just having someone else to talk to and laugh with might be nice for a change.
Right now Dan needed space. Xavier, well who knows what he needed? And I, well, I needed to just live without the drama, just for one night, and that was what I was going to do.
You could imagine my surprise when I realized it was a human guy who had made me see my life was too serious. Just for tonight I was leaving my guy problems behind because I knew they would still me there in the morning. Like it or not.
Chapter 19
“Ok, everyone, have a good weekend.” Xavier spoke over the ringing bell signaling the end of the school day. “Chloe, could you stay for a minute?”
I groaned and stopped in the middle of the classroom. I was more than ready to make a getaway. But no Xavier had to put a stop to that.