The Party

          It's been two weeks and it seems like Zahara and Cory are getting closer. They try to keep it from being obvious, but I have eyes and ears everywhere. I've been trying to figure out how to get Zahara to go for me, but nothing has worked. I talk to her everyday, but she is really standoffish. She is very polite, don’t get me wrong, but she doesn’t go beyond that. Hopefully, this party tonight can change things.

          The upperclassmen are hosting a party since we are getting closer to the end of the school year. I may have made sure that Zahara was, for sure, going to be in attendance. One good thing about being the future Alpha is that I’m able to get people to do things for me. The hosts of the party were more than happy to make sure that they convinced Zahara to attend the party. Now it’s on me to get her to see me as I want her to. 

          I arrive at the party when it’s already in full swing. I don't want to make a spectacle of showing up or being there early. I would usually make an entrance at an event like this; loving every woman to hang all over me. Tonight, I want to be as invisible as possible. I know that is asking for a lot, but I’m committed to not advertising my existence. I dressed in black jeans, a gray fitted t-shirt, a black, zip up hoodie, and my black boots. I added a black ball cap which is something I don’t normally wear. I like my face to be fully on display for all, but tonight I only want Zahara to look at me. 

          I sneak into the back door and see people milling around. Some are hovering by the keg and others are around the counter that houses the liquor. I can feel eyes on me, but I keep my head down and the conversations don’t pause. I guess everyone got the hint that I’m trying to be lowkey. I scan the kitchen, but I don’t see Zahara. I’m not surprised because she doesn’t strike me as the type that is focused on drinking. I walk to the doorway that leads to the living room and take a moment to look around. Some eyes float to me and we nod in greeting. I’m really looking to see where Zahara is, but there are so many people. 

          I look over at the couches and I spot her. She is sitting on the couch with Lennox and a few other people from our class. She is laughing and her smile lights up the room. Her glorious legs are on display in her jean shorts. Her feet are adorned with a pair of teal colored wedges that match her teal colored camisole. Her braids are up in a high ponytail and her makeup is light. She is leaning against Lennox and that is pissing me and Nero off. I have to keep my cool though or else I will blow the entire thing. Just as I’m about to head towards Zahara, my way is blocked by a small, female body. Small as in width, very skinny…..svelte. The perfume was a dead give away as to who it is. Always a sharp smell and there is always enough to choke a damn horse. “What do you want, Nikki?”

          “Awwww baby. Don’t be like that.” Nikki runs her manicured hand up and down my chest. She is wearing a hot pink, short bodycon dress. Her heels have to be at least 5 inches though she is still much shorter than me. Her makeup is heavy as hell and so unnecessary. I have slept with her a few times, but since I’ve met Zahara, there is no interest there. “I’m so glad you’re here. I missed you,” Nikki leans in to try to kiss me, but I push her away. Her face falls at this, but I don’t care. 

          “I’m not interested, Nikki.” I move to the right to walk past her, but she blocks my path again. She looks up at me, batting her fake eyelashes at me. I really don’t have time for this and I don't want to deal with it. I lean down and I can see Nikki’s eyes light up. “I don’t have time for this. Move the fuck out of my way and back off,” I growl at her. Nikki’s eyes show fear and she bares her neck in submission. I walk around her and look towards the couch to see Zahara walking away. FUCK! I need to talk to her so I follow her out the front door and into the dark night. 

~Zahara~

          I wanted some fresh air and let Lennox know that I would be right back. He doesn’t like me to go around on my own especially since we don’t have guards with us tonight. I told him I’d be fine and head out the front door. I didn’t want to go too far because I know Lennox will worry. I walk to the side of the house and see the treeline to the forest. I walk out the trees and look up at the moon. I have to say that switching schools was good for me. I have enjoyed meeting new people, especially Cory. I don’t know what it is about him, but he has pulled me in. It has taken a bit to open him up and he still hasn’t completely given in, but he does talk a bit more that he did when we first met. 

          I’m deep in my thoughts so I don’t notice that someone has walked up behind me. I can’t smell any scents so I don’t know who it could be. Arms wrap around me, tight, startling me back to reality. I try to turn around and look at the person, but I can’t move. I can feel a nose rubbing up and down the back of my neck. I’m being sniffed and I don’t like it. I feel so uncomfortable right now and I don’t know what to do.

Aria, can you tell who that is?

No, I can’t. I know they are not safe.

          Fuck! How can I get out of this? I could mindlink Lennox, but he will come out with guns blazing ready to kill anyone who attacks his future Alpha. I could scream out for help, but I don’t know if the perpetrator is alone or not. I can hear a growl in my ear and it sends a chill down my spine. There are no lights out here so I can't even look down to see any clues as to whom this may be. The hold tightens around me with one arm and a hand reaches up and squeezes my breasts. It is a rough feeling and I don’t like it. I’m still struggling to break free, but this person is so strong. I can feel a tongue caressing my neck and I want to throw up. “Let me go, now!” A rough hand grabs my neck and it feels weird. I can feel some sort of raised callus on it. It is really bit and feels like it is a circle. That seems to be the only clue I’m going to get. The hand moves from my neck and goes down to my private area. The hand grips me and I’m trying not to cry. I refuse to be taken advantage of. I will not be forced into anything. I have to figure a way out of this. 

Lennox, I’m outside. You need to come out here. NOW!

          I cut the mindlink and concentrate. I don’t have full range of my arms, but my hands are down at my sides, close to the perpetrator's thighs. This may be one of the many advantages of being a wolf. We get our wolves at 16, though being an Alpha, my wolf came at 14. We can sense our mates at 18 and I still have 3 months to go. I extend my claws and take a swipe at the thigh next to my hand. I hear a growl and am forcefully pushed down on the ground. I fall face first and before I can turn over, a body falls on top of me. My head is pushed into the ground and I’m finding it hard to breathe. I start to get punches all along the sides of my body. Each punch hurts worse than the last. My arms are receiving punches as well and I know this will look bad later. I can hear yelling in the distance. The punches stop and my back feels lighter all of a sudden. I’m crying in the dirt underneath me. “Z…..Z! Are you ok?” I feel hands on me and I flinch. I curl up into a ball and try to shield myself. “Z, it’s okay. It’s Lennox, I won’t hurt you.” I uncurl and look up to see Lennox’s face hovering over mine. I let out a gut wrenching sob and Lennox pulls me into his arms trying to soothe me.