Wants To Be Free

H E R A

Keia raises her glass to Janice and me, then downs it without hesitation. "What's the plan?"

"We're hitting up Oasis first, but we'll slip out the back and head to Club Zero," I explain.

"Do you think Mike will catch on?" Janice wonders.

"He's not even allowed in Club Zero, so it's all good. I'm an adult, I should be able to decide for myself."

"Cheers to that!" Janice exclaims, clinking her glass.

There's something else I want to check off my list tonight, but I haven't shared it with my friends. I want tonight to be the night I lose my virginity. I don't want it to be a big deal, just a spontaneous moment with someone experienced. May it be a human or my kind. I don’t want to have that mate thing. I want freedom. Mating and bonding were an old thing. If I told Janice and Keia, they'd think I'm nuts.

I'm a grown woman, and I want to explore what women do—an ordinary woman. No titles. Just myself.

Keia and Janice have already had their experiences. Now it's my turn.

As Mike drives, Janice blasts the music, and the neon lights inside the car start flashing. I open the sunroof, feeling the tequila warmth on my cheeks as the night air hits my face. Keia and Janice join me, waving at people as we head downtown.

"It's her birthday!" Keia shouts, pointing at me.

A stranger cheers, “Happy birthday!”

The queues outside the bars and clubs are ridiculously long, and I suddenly realize that I haven't eaten anything as the mouthwatering smell of BBQ wafts from the nearby restaurant. My stomach is growling with hunger.

We pull up in front of Oasis, and I quickly take a seat, trying to fix my windblown hair. I can't help but feel nervous.

I've never gone against my father or his security before, but tonight is different. Tonight, I need to break free from the constant constraints and rules that I live by just to please my dad. It's time for me to be my own person without anyone else's influence. Without reminding that I am a future leader of a pack.

The back door opens, and Janice and Keia step out. I take a deep breath and follow suit. Mike grabs my arm and raises an eyebrow at me.

"What's up?"

"You smell like tequila," he remarks.

I roll my eyes at him. "We had a few shots in the back. I'm twenty-two now, Mike. I can handle it. It's the whole point of tonight. Actually, I might even get ridiculously drunk and stumble into the limo when you come to pick us up. Sound good?"

"I'm just not used to it, that's all. As promised, I won't bother you. I have some errands to run for Mr. Smith. Call me when you're ready to be picked up. And remember your code—"

"I'll be fine." I give him a hug, and he grunts in surprise but pats me on the back. "Thank you for worrying, but I promise I'll be okay."

Mike has been my protector for as long as I can remember. His hair is starting to gray, but most of it is still black, and his eyes are sharp, calculating, and always on guard.

"Stay safe," he whispers in my ear, closing the back door before stepping away.

He's like the uncle I never had, even though he doesn't know it. That's just how I feel.

"Come on, let's go!" Janice pulls on my wrist, dragging me away from Mike.

She pulls me across the sidewalk, and Keia links her arm with mine as Janice confidently approaches the bouncer, bypassing the line. I could easily use my name to get us in, but I don't want to.

"Well, how can I assist you, my lady?" the bouncer whispers to Janice, grinning and displaying his pearly whites. His muscles strain against his shirt.

"It's my friend's birthday. We were hoping to skip the line to give her a great time," she flirts, twirling her hair around her finger, and Keia chuckles in my ear as we observe Janice work her charm magic.

Janice is an offspring of a wolf and a fairy. Magic runs in her blood.

His hazel eyes lock onto me, scanning me from head to toe. "Happy birthday, beauty," he remarks as he releases the red rope to let us in.

"Thank you," I reply bashfully, finding it hard to look him in the eye.

"What the heck! We've been waiting for hours to get in!" someone shouts.

"Send them to the end of the line!" another voice yells.

The bouncer stands tall, towering over everyone, and shouts, "Shut up. Say one more word, and you won't be allowed in." He holds the door open for us and grins as if he has two different personalities. "Enjoy yourselves, ladies. And maybe I'll see you later," he flirts with Janice.

"Maybe you will." Janice winks, leading us inside.

Neon lights flash brightly, shifting from purple to blue to green, and the music thumps loudly, shaking the walls. A mass of bodies dancing on the floor rubs against each other as the beat pounds.

"Let's go, let's head to the back," I yell, eager to leave this place as soon as possible.

Club Zero is the spot I've always wanted to visit since it opened, and I won't let my dad's rules stop me.

Taking Keia's hand, Janice follows. We navigate through the crowd, getting jostled and pushed. Someone's cold drink spills on my arm, and I recoil.

It takes a few minutes to make our way across the club, dodging grabby hands and drunken remarks, but I don't want to spend another minute here.

We reach the bar, and I grab some napkins to wipe my arm.

"There's a bouncer at the back entrance," Keia sighs in resignation.

Janice sees it as a challenge. “You act like you haven’t flirted your way out of anything before.” She rolls her eyes and confidently walks towards the back door. “My charm magic always works and it’s beneficial.”

We try to match her confidence. The wet napkin in my hand is useless, so I casually toss it to the left, hoping no one notices. Keeping my chin up, I focus my eyes straight ahead, locked on the target.

He’s larger than the bouncer at the front, with his arms crossed. “This isn’t an exit, ladies.”

“Listen,” Janice steps forward. “You want the truth? We’re trying to escape a clingy ex and going from bar to bar to lose him.”

“He’s here?”

“Yes, but it won’t matter if you kick him out. He’ll find us again. Please, let us go so we can just go home. He hasn’t seen us yet, but we have seen him and are one step ahead. Please,” she pleads, desperation evident in her voice. But in fact, she’s using her charm. Clever Janice.

He nods, opens the back door, and cracks his knuckles. “Give me a name, and I’ll ensure he doesn’t come back here.”

“Niall Horan,” Janice quickly responds, naming her abusive ex-boyfriend. That jerk is a disgrace to the magical world. He’s a totally asshole wolf.

“Stay safe, ladies.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much!” Janice kisses the bouncer on the cheek, and I think I see him blush.

“It’s okay, but don’t mention that I let you go to anyone.”

“My lips are sealed.” Janice mimes locking her mouth and throwing away the key.

He shakes his head, closes the door, and leaves us outside by the dumpsters.

It’s disgusting!

“Let’s hope Niall doesn’t show up tonight.” Keia laughs.

“At last, something positive from that man.”

“Sure, let's check out Club Zero and see what it's like." Keia takes the lead, her heels making a clicking sound on the wet pavement.

The street lights cast a soft yellow glow, and the music from the clubs is so loud that I can hear every word as we walk by.

The night holds so much potential, but the potential is meaningless if it's not fulfilled.