Cursed

The Party

Lana

“Wow, your house is great!” I exclaimed, climbing out of Libby’s car. Her house was a big, cottage-style property. Cobblestones and hanging ivy decorated the sides of the sun-bleached exterior. The rain was still falling at a steady pace, and we raced to get in, splashing through the puddles in the gravel road. It smelled delicious inside, some kind of spice soup fragrance.

“Elsbeth, is that you?” A thickly accented woman spoke up from the other room.

“I’m home!” Libby called, leading me up the spiral staircase toward her room. She tossed her bag on the gauzy canopied bed and ran to her closet, cycling through her outfits. Her room has so much more personality than mine. Butterflies everywhere, twinkling lights, fake ivy, hand woven hanging beautiful colored glass bottles. A huge dreamcatcher hung over her bed and a white shag rug covered the entirety of the floor.

It was like walking into a small Eden, and I instantly fell in love with the space.

“You can sit on the bed if you want, what do you think?” She said, holding up a cute tight mini skirt and red halter top.

“I mean it’s raining, so it’s probably gonna be a little cool tonight.” I said, “Plus, ya know, woods.”

“There’s a campfire, plus I doubt anyone would be cold for long with drinks and favors.”

“Favors?”

“Yeah, I think it was Ben? I dunno, he hooked up the plug on some molly though, stoked. We haven’t had a molly party in a while.”

All these terms I really didn’t understand.

My face was probably blank, because she added, “Drugs, honey.”

Oh yeah, things bored young humans do in their spare time. Wolves never did anything like that, mostly because we never get drunk, and can’t get high. Even when I drink, I don’t get drunk. Drugs? I don’t know, never done them.

“I mean you’re not forced to. Honestly, if you just wanna drink and chill, that’s cool too, seriously. I know you’re new, we just go all out every once in a while, plus summer’s almost over. We don’t go hardcore every time we get together.”

“Yeah, no haha, it’s cool.” I reassured her, I didn’t feel pressured or anything, but it was definitely interesting to really see what humans did in their spare time. I never thought it would be somewhat similar to what pack teens do, minus drugs, anyway.

Besides, hanging out in the woods after night? That is my kind of night.

Libby picked up a dark emerald green button up crop top. The color really brought out her eyes and hair. “That one.”

She grinned. “I’ll do a denim jacket with it. You can go through anything you want, mi casa es su casa.”

I did just that, and Jesus, she had sooo many clothes. I did see a blood red dress that intrigued me. It had spaghetti straps and was about thigh length. Not too flashy, but casual enough to wear with tall black lace up boots and a black jacket. I figured I’d straighten my hair pencil straight too. Short and sharp winged liner, check, red lipstick. Perfect. I couldn’t help but bust out laughing seeing myself. I’ve never worn such a daring look before, but I’m in a weirdly mischievous mood, so I rolled with it.

“Damn, you look hot as fuck.” Libby nodded appreciatively. “You know, I think Eli kind of digs you. I realllllly do. I think he'll definitely notice you when we get there.”

“Oh please.” I rolled my eyes. “Besides, he’s mated to that Courtney chick.”

“Um, what?” Oh, oops.

“You know, dating?”

She laughed, “What, are you from some erotic novel?”

“Sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking, my head is all spacey.” That much is true. I felt so loose and outgoing for no reason at all. I should be careful and filter myself more.

Eight rolled by, and soon we found ourselves driving a long winding road through the woods. I never bothered to message Susan or anyone for that matter, nor did I care. I wanted to have fun. She turned down a secret dirt road that came out of nowhere and continued on until we came across an area with a bunch of cars parked in the clearest section of the trees. Further away, next to a glistening large ocean-like lake shore. Everyone was gathered on the shore on rocks and driftwood, drinking, singing, playing music. I felt the vibe in the air, and it was definitely intoxicating. Everyone was in a mood tonight.

Casting each other devious grins, we climbed out of the car, making our way towards the large mass of intoxicated teenagers.

Courtney hugged Libby and looked me up and down, with a huffy smirk. She grabbed a beer from an ice chest nearby.

“Have you heard from Eli?” She asked her.

“Naw, I thought you were coming together?”

“No, he said he had something to do, then totally dipped.” She complained. “Oooh, drugs!” She grabbed something from a nearby guy and swallowed it. “Woo! Turn it up!”

The music became a little louder. I guessed somebody had brought their own subwoofers. The lights were a nice touch as well, cheap, but it created a sort of ambience that couldn’t help but pull me in. Maybe it was the s****l tension I could practically taste from all the sweaty people, dancing, drinking… It pulled me in. From the corner of my eye, I saw Libby take the same substance from the guy, who I finally recognized to be Ben. He turned around, towards me, his palm up. A chunk of white rock, some of it crushed into a fine powder, rested on an Altoids lid.

“It’s stronger if you crush and snort, but you can eat it too.”

“You gonna try?” Libby asked. “If you do, have a drink to go with it, you’ll see why.”

It looked so small, maybe the size of a tiny pebble. What the hell could this do?

“Eat it, you say?” I asked. Libby handed me a plastic red cup filled with a mixed drink. From here it smelled like vodka and sprite. I licked my finger and let it stick to it, then put it on my tongue. Believe me when I say it had the worst bitter taste. Scrunching my face, I chugged the drink. The vodka was strong in it.

“FUCK.” I exclaimed, wiping my mouth and tossing the cup. The people watching started giggling.

“First time?” Ben walked up, wrapping his arm around Libby. She looked like she wanted to shrug away at first, but he flashed her a charming smile. She giggled and blushed, playfully punching his arm.

“Don’t even feel a thing.” I said, holding my arms out, like the champ I am.

“You’re supposed to keep it in your mouth for a little bit, like suck on it.” Libby said.

“Yeah suck on it.” Ben said, tickling her ribs. Libby laughed, then pushed him away. She grabbed my hand and pulled me.

“Stooooop! Lana, let’s go dance!!” She held my hand above our heads as we made our way closer to where people were dancing.

The scent of s*x hormones is strong in the air. Bodies grinding against each other, glistening in sweat, it definitely was a lot hotter here. All this extra stimulation had me woozy, being in the epicenter of it all. I found myself swaying to the thudding beat, a tiny fog coating my brain.

“Oh hey, I know this one!” I yelled over the crowd, “It’s called Heart by Darkside.”

“Shut up and dance with me!” Libby said, turning me around in a circle and pulling me in, with a girlish giggle. It was easy to fall into the rhythm, our bodies gliding together, torso to torso, my hands on her hips, hers on my shoulders. God, when did everything just feel so warm and amazing. Her touch was silky on my skin. The air around her seemed to vibrate, and the music filled me. The colors from the moving lights were suddenly so vibrant, dancing along the tree line. I placed my hand on her neck, feeling her pulse under my palm. Why is that so prominent? Everything is so… Fuzzy.

“Hot as fuck.” Someone said nearby.

I don’t know how long we danced, our faces getting dangerously close, and I also don’t know when I felt her heat leave me, I was dancing alone to the music, feeling the air vibrate through my fingertips, through my veins, it filled me up. The bright moon floated serenely above, huge and full. Suddenly, I was grabbed and turned around, smacking into someone’s large chest. Mmm… This scent, so familiar, so delicious....

Oh right, Mr. Blue eyes. I grinned up at him.

“My god, your eyes are dilated as f**k, how much did you take?” Eli said. I pouted, his voice sounded so daddy like, nuh uh, this boy is NOT my daddy.

I blew a raspberry at him and took his hands, twirling on his arm. He just let me, he seemed to be fighting a smile though and that was my goal. I leaned into him, his arms hesitated a moment, before moving up to my hips. His fingers traced little circles on my back as he leaned into me, his nose in my hair.

“God, why do you smell so good?” I murmured into his chest. “You smelled like this earlier, you know? Hard not to take a bite.”

It was like a monster woke up inside my chest and purred.

I looked up at him. There was some kind of intensity in his eyes and he stared at me. I could get lost in that deep ocean-y pool, his scent, everything.

“Don’t give me that look.” I whispered. Suddenly, he was jerked away from me, and the last thing I remember was watching Courtney scream at him in the middle of the crowd. She walked up to me then smacked me. Really? That didn’t even hurt.

I tilted my head at her, the monster inside my chest urging me on. Come on. No, she’s human. Bad. Woods? Okay, yes!

I laughed, spun around and darted into the woods. I could still feel the music pulsing behind me, the echoed voices of Courtney and Eli fighting. The draw was strong, it’s in my nature. The wind breezed through the trunks, carrying an earthy wet scent that carried me further in. When did I get naked? It’s not even cold. I had goosebumps, but that was from something else entirely. I felt aroused, awake, primal. I found a large boulder in the middle of a clearing. How far did I go? I lay on the stone and looked up at the whirling night sky.

Hushed whispers carried loftily through the trees, caressing me. I rolled over on the stone, my back arched, take me with you already. I let their words surround and consume me, unable to understand what they were trying to tell me. Tantalizing. Calling me.

Wait, are you getting angry? Why? They sounded angrier. I couldn’t understand them. I touched my neck, oh the necklace is still there, so pretty.

Wake up.

I’m not even asleep, be nice, talk slower.

WAKE UP! Just then a crippling pain, not just an echo from earlier, slammed into my chest. I screamed, and threw myself on all fours, still on the boulder.

Wake up. WAKE. Wake up. Wake up.

Blinding, white-hot pain pierced my forehead. Make it stop. No this isn’t fun anymore.

Take it off. TAKE IT OFF. LET ME OUT.

“STOP!” I screeched. My bones felt like they were on fire, threatening to crunch and move and pull away from each other.

Please…

I can’t come out… It won’t let me. Why do you sound so sad? Please, don’t go, help me.

God, I can’t think. I can only run. No, I need to go back, I need to go home. Fading, coming in spurts, after not even 30 seconds of relief, the pain crippled me again. I cried out, buckling over. So dizzy. Fire, it’s all so hot.

“Oh, s**t are you okay?” There was a hand on my back. Hello? I can’t see, everything is fuzzy, spinning. Please help me. I don’t think I’m talking out loud.

“You’re naked, Woah, Lana is that you? Your hair is different. Did you dye it? When did you get that tattoo on your forehead?”

He kept talking nonsense. I couldn’t focus on his words.

“Damn, you don’t look so good. But you know, you still look hot, crazy as f**k, but hot.”

I felt a burning pain in my back. I yelped, curling up on my side, trying to pull as much of myself together as I possibly could. It felt like something was trying to rip out of my body.

“What the f**k? It just showed up on your back. What the f**k is happening?”

“Just shut the f**k up, please, just shut the f**k UP!” I wanted to scream, but my voice was so soft, so weak.

“Don’t f*****g talk to me like that you f*****g bitch.” He grabbed me by my hair, my eyes barely focused on his face. “You know you act so tough but you ain't s**t. Learn your f*****g place, stupid ass f*****g whore.”

He threw me to the ground. No, this is wrong. Why can’t I fight him? I tried to stop him, but he hit me over and over again. Something warm and wet on my face. His hands went around my throat, cutting off my circulation. Why am I so weak right now? I could only claw at his grip helplessly, I felt myself fading fast, but he stopped. Keeping a firm grip on my neck, he pried my knees apart.

No, what are you doing to us? LANA WAKE UP!

I felt stuck there. Gravity, his body, everything pinning me down. The pain settled down into a low ache, I felt strangely numb, I hardly felt his fingers touching me… Gripping the most personal parts of my body. Not even when he shoved the tip of his member at my entrance. Ripped apart, all of me. My head… I can’t think… I just want to sleep now. Let me sleep, please stop. I could only internally repeat myself. Was I even moving?

I barely felt him pumping into me, when he felt I lost my fight, he stroked my neck, biting it, whispering in my ear.

“God, your p***y feels so good.”

“GET THE f**k OFF OF HER!” Someone yelled. This was all wrong. I was aware of the collision that occurred between two people. Then suddenly--

BANG!

A sharp pain again, this time on my side. That one quickly faded, however, overridden.

“LANA!” I felt a warm liquid pooling at my side. Someone was trying to shake me. “Lana, come on, wake up, come on. This is all my fault. Wake up.”

Eli? I blacked out again, but something brought me up again. More thudding. What’s that smell? It smells sweet. Familiar.

I contemplated the smell, as Eli’s face appeared in front of me. Why are his eyes blank like that? Eli?

I felt my mouth move, but no words could come out.

“I see you got my gift, Lana.” A silky voice whispered in my ear. “It suits you and looks like it did just what it was supposed to.”

I felt a sense of foreboding in my haze. The voice didn’t feel real. Eli’s empty stare didn’t look real. Why wouldn’t he move? I wanted to touch him. Please wake up.

Something inside me whimpered.

“Interesting markings on your back, the sun and the moon… Never seen a wolf with one of those, but your blood is special.” I felt a cold finger stroke the naked skin of my back.

There was a rustling nearby. The sweet smell disappeared. A scream.

“Eli? ELI!” My vision went black again. “Why is there blood everywhere? OH MY GOD LANA!”

“There’s something over here in the bushes, oh Jesus f*****g Christ. What the f**k, is that Tori? Where’s his body?!” I heard sounds of vomit. Feminine hands continued shaking me.

“Please wake up, SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE!”

“What’s wrong with her hair? It’s white, she didn’t come like that, right? Am I tripping? Where’s her clothes?”

Everything faded again.

I was swirling in a familiar darkness. I couldn’t see, all I could feel was my own arms wrapped around myself, stuck trying to hold myself together. The pain was gone though… Where am I?

I stood up.

Finally… A voice whispered, relieved behind me. They took it off. I couldn’t come out.

“Who are you?”

How can you not recognize me? The voice was familiar, I felt like I'd heard it all my life, but where?

Something big, hairy brushed up against me, and then, like a switch, the moon materialized above me. Absolutely huge, casting everything in a silver glow.

A giant silver wolf stared down at me, concerned. With a whimper, she laid down next to me. I laid my hand on her snout. She licked it.

“You’re my wolf?... But how is this even possible?”

Don’t ask me, but why would you wear a silver necklace? Are you dumb?

“It’s not like I wear one everyday… Why are you suddenly here now? I have no mark.”

Guess again. She stood up, stretched, then walked over to a still reflective pool. I followed her, then stared down at the pool. I dropped to my knees.

A filled in mark of a crescent moon, sapphire in color, linked to delicate swirls that touched my temples. A full mark? Why is the crescent filled in? I haven’t felt any sort of mate link.

She felt my confusion. I haven’t felt the mate link either… You also have a mark on your back.

“What?” I sputtered. “What does it look like?”

A crescent moon interwoven with the sun. Lots of swirls, you’d like it, it’s pretty.

Another thing caught my eye. My hair was completely white. The light reflected made it appear silvery.

“What happened to me…” I wondered.

I’ve been with you all this time, you just could never hear me… Sometimes it seemed like you did, but you could never actually HEAR me. I knew you felt alone. I should have been able to meet you already, but all I could do was watch you from a distance. My name is Neoma.

I already knew that. I embraced her. Her fur was so perfect, comforting. She is a part of me now. I’m sorry.

“For what?” Just then, a burst of electricity jolted me and I slammed back into my own body. Everything hurts, holy s**t. I opened my eyes, first noting that I was in a hospital bed, with a tube in my nose.

Why? Oh… That’s right. I blinked wearily, attempting to remember everything that led up to that moment. Someone… Horrified, I reached for my lower stomach, over my hospital gown. No… No, no, no, no… Please let that have been a dream.

“You’re awake…” Libby? I turned my head, wiping the tears that brimmed my eyes, noticing the tears in hers. The look said it all.

“What happened?” Libby burst into tears, her body shaking violently.

“Eli… Eli’s dead! And Tori, but then, you were shot, and I don’t know, no-one can make sense of it! There was blood everywhere, you were laying there, not moving, Eli’s throat… Whoever sliced it almost took off his whole head… Tori wasn’t so lucky, they found his body half a mile a way, torn in half. What the hell happened, Lana? Why were you naked? What happened to your hair?

Where did that tattoo come from?"

I couldn’t bring myself to speak, besides being physically exhausted, my brain couldn’t even begin to wrap around everything she was telling me. Eli was dead.

Neoma whimpered in my chest. I really liked him…

I think I did too… My heart felt torn in two.

“What am I saying…” Libby said, her voice broken. “You almost died too… I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I reassured her, weakly. I winced at the pain in my side. Everything overwhelmed me… I yawned, I could fall back asleep.

“I should go, I need to go home, make calls… Get some rest.” Libby said, her eyes dark, exhausted. Soon, I fell under again, until something else startled me awake.

“Hello?” I said out loud. The room was empty but I could have sworn I heard a voice. No, not Neoma’s, but something else.

Who the f**k are you? A male voice commanded, the power in his words made me wince.

“Are you in my head?” I asked, touching my forehead. It still stung.

The voice was angry, I could feel a little fear in it too, but it went away so fast I felt as if I had imagined that part.

Alpha Elijah Forrester of the Crimson Moon pack, I felt your presence, but you never responded to me before. I realized you were asleep, so I tried the mind link again. Again, who the f**k are you? I don’t recognize you.

“Lana Greystone.” I responded, frowning at the rudeness. I felt him stiffen. So this is what it’s like having a mind link with an

Alpha. Trippy.

Where are you?

“Hospital, I don’t know where.” I said, getting tired of the conversation, I just wanted to sleep. “I woke up here… Attacked in the woods.” I finished sleepily.

I could feel his angry, panicky bewilderment, his thoughts started racing, wondering about all the possibilities of exposure.

I’ll figure it out. Watch yourself, Lana Greystone, and see you when you wake up.

Wait, what did he mean by that? Ugh, whatever, sleep.

Finally, I drifted off again, my dreams anxious and restless… Eli’s face haunted me.