The Claimed Promise

Last Night Out

It’s been almost a week since I agreed to go with Samara. Tonight, is my last night with my family and friends. My heart aches as I think of leaving them, but I can’t talk myself into not giving myself a chance at the kind of love Samara has offered me. The time I’ve spent with my family has been amazing. I’ve gone every night and had dinner with them and covered every extra shift at work in order to have the extra time together. My parents had been very understanding and my dad had even suggested a few places he had always wanted to visit. My mom cried at first after finding out I was planning on traveling for a long period of time, but came to terms with everything after a while. I hadn’t told them I intended it to be permanent; I couldn’t bear to see her upset anymore. Lindsey is aware that I am leaving and is happy I’ve decided to take this chance, but she has been moping around all day. It didn’t take long to pack my belongings after the incident with Mandi. There didn't seem to be any reason for me to return to the house to try and salvage anything from the ridiculous mess. Everything can be replaced and that kind of stress and drama wasn't worth it to me anymore anyways. Plus, the only thing at this point that was really important for me to have was the satellite cell phone my dad had given me. Samara's words of not having contact with the human world rang through my my mind but this phone would give me the ability to still talk to my family and Lindsey. It was now safely hidden in a jacket on the bottom of my suitcase. Part of me felt guilty hiding something from Samara, but there was no way I could just give my family up. As night approached, I went over to my parents and had my last dinner with them. The night was good and my parents joked about all of the things I was going to see and experience.

“Now remember, Kora. Don’t fall in love with the first rebound you find.” My dad smirked at me as he spoke; My mom sat quietly but a smirk had appeared on her face.

“Your dad is right, Kora. Don’t fall in love with the first person to jump in bed with you. I don’t need my little girl moving to some different country over something so trivial.” The sound of her laugh filled the room and lightened my heart. I hadn’t heard her laugh most of the week and it made me happy that she was coming to terms with things. The rest of dinner was spent joking about my soon to be triumphs. Once finished, I kissed them both goodbye and told them I loved them.

When I returned to Lindsey’s, she was waiting for me at the door, ready and dressed to go out.

“What’s going on, Lindsey? Why do you look like a w***e right now?” I laughed and gave her shoulder a push.

Her laughter filled the entry way before she finally looked at me very seriously. “I want to go out with you one more time, Kora. You and me. Lots of drinking, dancing and fun. What do you say?” The pleading look on her face already gave me my answer. I knew there was no way I could tell her no.

“Let me change and we’ll go out.” I give her a big smile and rushed in to change.

We went straight over to our regular spot Rhythm and got right in.

Lindsey drug me through the building, passed the dance floor and straight to the back towards VIP.

“Lindsey, what the hell? We can’t go back here.” As soon as I had finished my sentence, she had shoved me into a VIP room where Samara, Liam and several familiar faces resided.

“Surprise, Kora! I got everyone together for tonight so that we could party like the super stars we are!” She laughed and rushed over to where Liam and several other guys were hanging out. My eyes instantly connected with Samara’s. In less than 24 hours, I was starting my life over with this woman. The intoxicating sweet smell filling the room radiated from the corner she sat in and I soon find my feet have a mind of their own. Within a moment, I’m standing in front of her and it’s everything I can do to calm my nerves.

“Hello, Kora. I’m glad you’re finally here.” A smile spreads across her lips as she stands and closes the last of the distance between us. My face heats up instantly and I can barely control my breathing.

“Hi.” The single word is all I can manage. Her eyes gleam at me and I can tell she finds my response humorous.

“Come now Kora, you can muster more then that can’t you? After all, you leave with me tomorrow and I had hoped we could get to know each other some more this evening.” Excitement sored through me at the aspect of learning more about her... about my mate.

While sucked in my thoughts of having a mate, my chin is gently risen to meet Samara's glowing eyes. "What are you thinking about that has you so distracted?" Her curious gaze brings heat to my cheeks and a nervous laugh escapes before I can stifle it. "Well, I was just thinking about how happy it makes me at the prospect of learning more about you and Yuri, my mate. Err, mates?" A puzzled look now causes the heat to subside and again my thoughts consume me. This time, Samara doesn't draw my attention, Yuri does. A light growl brings my attention back to her eyes but I don't find the bright blue instead, they're almost black.

"Yuri? Are you ok? I didn't mean to say anything to upset you... I ended up thinking out loud..." My rambling is ended by the crashing of our lips. The surprise causes me to gasp and that opening is just what she needed for her tongue to slip in and explore every inch. Our bodies tighten together and before anything can further escalate, the sound of Lindsey clearing throat brings me back to reality. Both of us separate and my hands shoot to my face to cover the bright red flush quickly filling my cheeks to the top of my ears. Laughter fills the room and soon I'm being led over to the couch and a cold beer is pressed against the back of my hand.

"Here Kora, this will help cool the heat in your face." Retracting my hands, my eyes meet Lindsey's mischievous ones this time and I can't help but start laughing. "Lindsey, you're the only person I know who can ruin and fix a situation in a matter of seconds." We sit down together on the couch, laughing like hyenas and sipping on our drinks.

Our night is full of drinks and good music. Both Lindsey and I are feeling pretty warm as we dance in the middle of the VIP room. We grind together seductively to the beat of the song. It means nothing to either of us and no words are necessary for us to know what the other's intentions are. Samara's eyes are black and to my surprise, so are Liam's. Without another thought, I turn my back to Lindsey and stop paying attention to the eyes staring us down. My hips move with the music, grinding against Lindsey who responds by placing her hand around my waste and meeting my movements. The hand on my hips seems to be all it takes to set Samara off. A loud growl rips through the room and echoes over the sound of the music and is soon echoed by a second jealous growl. Liam's eyes are as black as night and staring intently at Lindsey. Again I turn, but, this time it's towards Lindsey with a different purpose.

"Lindsey, why is Liam acting so weird? He seemed like he didn't care what you did." My eyes shift towards Liam's black ones and I can tell he's doing everything he can to continue sitting where he's at on the couch. "Now, he seems to be struggling with just keeping himself planted on the couch." Lindsey's giggle fills my ears and I realize there's something she knows that I don't.

"Kora, I don't know how to tell you this but, Liam says I'm his mate." My eyes instantly widen and without a second thought, I crush Lindsey against my chest. "That's so amazing Lindsey! That means you can come with me! My eyes water and stare at her with an expecting gaze.

"Honestly Kora, I don't know what to do or think... Liam is so sweet to me, attractive, and well, he wants me to be with him." The ending of her sentence makes me realize she's not where I am. As we continue to dance closely with one another, I try to understand what she's thinking and feeling after finding out this information.

"Lindsey, do you not want to be with Liam? You know I would never push you to do anything like you do me." A very large smile covers my face so she knows I'm joking to help ease the mood.

"Kora, what would you do? Liam says I'm his mate and we have a bond that no other connection can compare to and I won't disagree that I feel something special... but I'm scared... and I don't feel the same things that he feels." My eyes widen at the realization of Liam's emotions and the similarity they've shared with Samara's.

"Honestly Lindsey, this is a choice you'll have to make. For me, it was easier because what Samara has offered me is something I've always wanted. You'll have to really dig into your own wants and desires to make this decision." Lindsey has stopped dancing now and she seems to be lost in thought. "I'm going to grab another drink." I watch as she sneaks a glance at Liam and then rushes over to the private bar. My eyes land on Liam's next and I can see they're full of hurt as they follow Lindsey's fleeting form. Sighing, I head towards the bar and join her. The music blares around us and after some time, she finally speaks up.

"Kora, I'm trying to understand everything Liam has told me and I just need to know a couple things."

"Ok, I'll do the best I can to help you but, I'm still trying to understand too."

"So, Liam says he's a royal beta and Samara is their Alpha queen and that you're her mate. So, what does that mean for us? Does that mean you're going to be the bad b***h in charge with her and I'll be your second bad b***h beta chick?" Her eyebrows are furrowed deeply and it's everything I can to not laugh.

"Well, if my understanding is correct, as long as the Moon Goddess finds me worthy to be blessed with a wolf and be fully mated to Samara, yes I'll be a "bad b***h" in charge." I laugh while quoting her with my fingers. "And, if I have any say, you'll definitely be my second in command "bad b***h" backing me up." I end again with quoting her and for a moment, I can see her mind working, processing everything.

"You know, I always thought we would be friends forever, Kora and this really seems to solidify that for me." Before I can ask her what she means, she's up off the stool and walking towards Liam. Lindsey leans over and seems to be whispering to him. Within a few moments he's pulled her into his lap and is kissing her deeply. My eyes move from the make out scene and find Samara's glowing eyes staring at me with what looks to be pride. A small smile and blush form on my cheeks as she gestures for me to join her on the couch. Without hesitation, I'm up from the stool and soon sitting next to her on the couch while my bestfriend makes out with Samara's beta. As if noticing my state, Samara glances over and chuckles at them.

"Liam, perhaps another room would be better for you and your mate to celebrate her decision?" The look of embarrassment and guilt spreads across their faces and I can't help but laugh. This may be the first time I've ever seen Lindsey embarrassed.

"Of course. Sorry Alpha." Liam rises, holding Lindsey bridal style in his arms and he quickly carries her out of the room. I shake my head and laugh again. Maybe Liam can tame that crazy girl. My thoughts are quickly interrupted by the feeling of Samara's hand on my thigh.

"So, Kora, how about we get to know each other some more?" Red paints my cheeks and all I can manage is a nod and smile.

"Good. I'll get things started by explaining more of my background and what to expect." A deep breath fills her lungs and she let's it out slow before continuing. "So, as I told you before, I am a werewolf and the Alpha Queen. My parents currently still rule but when I return with my mate, they'll begin the process of stepping down. And yes, with Liam being my beta, Lindsey can be your second in command "bad b***h" if you'd like." Samara laughs and makes the air quotes when she says it and I instantly crack up thinking about Lindsey's thought process.

"There is something else you should know however about my arranged marriage. The woman I was set to marry is actually Liam's sister, Claudia." Samara's revelation takes me by surprise and for a moment, I'm confused as to why this is so important and it dawns on me; she's a beta too. "With her being of beta blood, she will be around frequently and in our meetings. However, it will be established right away that I have found my mate and will not be taking a chosen mate." Her eyes stare intently at me, trying to decipher what I'm feeling.

"Samara, I'm not upset if that's what you're worried about. Claudia is a beta female, which I understand is high ranking and I don't want to come in and take anything like that away from her. Plus, if she's as respectful and loyal as Liam, it shouldn't even be an issue." I smile at her comfortingly and she nods in agreement. Part of me knows some words are going left unsaid but, we can't what if the situation. Only time will tell how she'll take the news of Samara finding her mate. Hopefully, she'll be happy for her since finding your mate in their society really seems to be something special.