Chapter 3 - Mason

Despite my reluctance, and trying my hardest to avoid the evening, my friends had ensured I had met them, and soon enough, we were in the town, touring the bars like nothing had changed since we were teens. Having fun, drinking as much as we could, knowing that the alcohol would take little effect on our werewolf bodies. We were out to enjoy ourselves and to ensure that our friend enjoyed his celebrations.

One of the bonuses of being a werewolf was our tolerance of alcohol. We could drink it in serious excess before it had any major effect. Though, in some ways, that could also be somewhat of a downside too. For example, if it was you paying the bill, which often fell to me, or if you were wanting to drown your sorrows… which again seem to fall on me pretty often of late…

Ah well, tonight, I was here to try to enjoy my time with my friends, celebrating Jaxon getting married. Killian, Leon and Eli, three of the pack’s best warriors, and also three more of my closest friends had come along with us. The six of us had grown up together since being pups, as our Dads had been close.

So, it was inevitable the six of us would end up being friends. Our friendship only grew closer as we got older, and obviously, Levi and Jaxon followed their fathers into the roles of Beta and Gamma, meaning I got some of the guys I trusted most in the world in the most important roles in my pack.

“Another one.” Jaxon called across the table as he slid yet another shot across to me, and I smiled, he was definitely making the plan to celebrate tonight. I had lost count of the shots he had been knocking back so far. Plus the countless beers.

I picked up the small glass between my thumb and fingers, before raising it toward all of my friends, and knocking back the brightly colored liquid, savoring the bitter taste. I am pretty sure we have not tasted a nice one of those things yet…

"Levi said you got Brooke told earlier." Leon said, offering me a high five, while his brother gave him a far from discreet scowl. I had a feeling Levi had given them all strict instructions not to mention today's earlier situation.

I grinned. "Did he now?" I shook my head at Levi. "Yeah, I did. Warned her I would set the guards on her if she came back. I am getting sick of the sight of her now."

Killian and Eli began laughing. "Aww dude, that is good!" Eli said. "You know she has been trying to hook up with a couple of our warriors, right?"

I looked at him in surprise. No, that was not something I did know, nor was it something I cared about. They were welcome to her if they wanted to go there. She had a thing for warriors. Two of the three guys she had cheated on me with had been warriors. One from my pack, two from others. "Good luck to them." I dismissed it, and Killian slapped be playfully on the back.

"You are definitely better without her." he attempted to reassure me. "And tonight we will make sure you forget about it all!"

I rolled my eyes, I honestly did not need to forget about it all, because I had already moved past it all. I wanted to leave it in the past. "Well, let me leave it where it belongs then, yeah? And let us get on with drinking?" I suggested, to which all of my friends grinned in response. I knew they were not going to refuse drinking!

“There is that other new bar down the road. Midnight Moods, I think it is called. We got given a flyer outside. Money off drinks.” Killian suggested, and I nodded. We had been around our usual haunts, and they were pretty standard, all really busy with it being a Friday night. I was more than willing to try out a new place.

“Come on then, let us go and try it out.” Levi stood up. “Think it is less busy in there, because it is pay to enter.”

Even better, fewer people to have to tolerate, and with a name like that, it sounded a little less trashy…

We walked along the street, chatting as we went, the guys laughing and joking, while avoiding the many drunken revelers who were doing their best to stay upright. It was only early in the evening, and if they were like this now, they had no chance before the end of the night!

‘Aren’t you glad we can drink without being like that?’ Levi linked and I smiled across at him. We definitely didn’t have to worry about that, and on the odd occasion we had been out drinking with human women I had found it more of an irritation when they became intoxicated.

We got to the new bar, and two large doormen blocked the entrance, both looking more than a little angry. Like they were pissed off with the world. I knew how that felt, but these guys were here to do a job, and I was not in the mood for them making our evening difficult. But, thankfully, with Killian slipping them some money, they allowed us in without any issues.

My eyes wandered around the bar, and as Levi had predicted, it was quieter in here. I could see it was newly renovated, elegantly decorated in silvers and blacks with delicate but flattering lighting. Leather and silk booths, cordoned off areas with small stages. Hmmm, this was maybe not quite what I had been expecting, it seems this was for private dances…

“You brought us to a strip club?” Jaxon asked in shock. “You know Thea will not be impressed.”

I couldn't help but smile, I think I could understand that. Most mates would likely agree with that... but the way Jaxon was panicking was quite sweet. Just showed he would be a good mate.

“I don’t think it is a strip club, they just dance, see.” Eli motioned to one of the stages nearby, where there was currently a tall, dark-haired woman dancing. Dressed in a tight red and black lacey corset, enhancing the natural curves of her womanly body, and a small matching skirt and stockings with high black stilettos…

My eyes were drawn to her as I watched her lithe body twist and turn in time to the music, completely transfixed by her. Her long brown waves of hair swaying in time with her body; as her big brown eyes suddenly looked up to meet my gaze, making my heart race…