Moonlight Run

Six

As I sat on the end of Pipa’s bed, waiting, I checked the clock on my phone. 7:06pm. The party would be starting at eight.

“Pipa, It’s already after seven.” I grumbled. “I still have to do my hair and makeup and get dressed, too, ya know.”

“Nobody shows up exactly when a party starts, Isadora. Chill,” she said from her walk-in closet.

“Okay, well I want to be there when everyone is just kind of buzzed and likeable, so I can also be buzzed and find them likable… but leave before people start getting trashed and become very unlikeable.”

“If we show up in the nine o’clock hour, then we’ll still be safe.” 

And she burst out of the closet in pink pointed toe heels, and a black floral mini dress with pink and red floral print. It was so tight, it looked glued on. She turned around and I saw the zipper was still undone between her shoulder blades and had at least another 6 inches to go, “Think you can zip me in?”

“Ha! I’ll give it a go.”

After what felt like major surgery and intense acrobatics, for which I probably deserved an award, I finally managed to fully zip Pipa into the dress.

“Jesus, Pipa. I know Nikolai invited me, but who the heck are you trying to impress?”

She signed, and flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder dramatically. “Everyone,”

“Okay, well now we have to figure out what the heck I’m wearing…”

She shook her head. “Mmm, mmm. Stay right there. I bought a little something for you.”

She ran back into her closet and when she returned a minute later I scoffed. “Yeah, Pipa… there’s no way you’d catch me dead in that.”

“Um, why? This dress is fūcking gorgeous.”

And it was. It was an emerald green mini dress, and it looked simple enough from the front, adorned only by two rhinestone encrusted shoulder straps. It was the back that packed a punch… The fabric came to a low back around the point where I’m sure, if I were to put it on, the top of my ass crack might be visible. Stretched between the open back there was a web of criss-cross rhinestone straps that weaved back and forth all the way down. 

“I agree. It is fūcking gorgeous. Which is exactly why it does not belong on my body.”

“You’re right,” Pipa said calmly. I almost took offense, but she continued, “This dress belongs on the floor… after a man rips it off your body... Which any reasonable man would do, with your consent of course, because you are banging, and don’t you dare forget it.”

I rolled my eyes, but I felt my cheeks redden.

“Humor me,” she said. “Put the dress on, Isadora.”

***

A little more than an hour later, we were rolling up to the house on Highland Road in Pipa’s Nissan. Cars lined the block and we couldn’t find a place to park, so Pipa left it in the street. She handed off the keys to the first person we saw, Cyrano’s younger brother. “Hey kid, park this for me and bring me back the keys. If nothing stupid happens to it, I’ll show you my boobs.”

“Oh my god,” I said as we stepped inside the house. “Pipa, I don’t even think that kid was eighteen yet.” She laughed and I added, “I’m serious, I think I saw him go through puberty the minute you said that.”

“And was done the next minute…” She added, snapping her fingers. “Typical male.”

The house was full of pack members, some as young as teens, others into their late twenties. But there were plenty of faces I didn’t recognize either. “Do you know who half of these people are?” I asked over the music.

“I see a few folks I recognize from other packs,” she said. 

We continued to walk around the common areas, occasionally saying hi to someone we might know. “Where do you think he has the kegs? She asked. I looked around, and spied a familiar metal barrel tucked against the kitchen island across the house. I was just pointing out to her when she said “Holy fūck.”

“What?” I asked, looking in the direction she was, trying to decipher what, or who, had caught her eye. 

“Blue dress with the black bomber jacket,” she said.

My eyes rest on the long legged girl with the dark brown hair that fell down her back. 

“She looks like the brunette version of you,” I chuckled. “Who is that?”

“You really don’t know?” Her eyes went wide. I shook my head. “That’s Becca Glass… used to be Rivera. Ring a bell?”

“Should it?”

“She’s Nikolai’s ex. She’s with a wolf from the Hocking Hills pack now. I’m pretty sure she has a baby at home, too… What is she even doing here?”

“She was invited,” the voice came from behind Pipa’s right shoulder, and I turned to see Nikolai standing there. He had a beer bottle in one hand, and the six-pack he had taken it from in the other.

Pipa furrowed her brow. “Well, isn’t that civil of you?”

“Well, her brother is one of my best friends. So, it seemed like I should at least extend the invite.”

Pipa looked embarrassed. “Right. She’s Valric’s little sister,” she said to me. She turned back to him and said, “I believe we had a deal. Can you point me to the Stella, please?” 

“There’s a 24 pack for you in the fridge of the garage.” He motioned over his shoulder across the lawn. “Wanted to make sure it was safe and sound for you.”

She groaned, and removed her heels. Once barefoot, she held them by the straps and made off across the grass towards the building. He laughed after her before turning back to me, motioning to the drinks he carried in his other hand. 

“You want to help me finish this six-pack off?” I took a step back, smelling the alcohol on his breath. 

“Ooh.” I waved my hand in front of my face. “Sounds like you got a head-start?”

He began to laugh. “We may have done shots earlier,” and then he almost fell over on his side. I stepped into place just in time to help steady him, and I took the cardboard container of unopened beer from his hands. 

“Careful, dude. Let’s slow it down maybe? Those IPAs are stronger than your average Bud Light.”

His laughter subsided and he smiled at me, his eyes glazed over. “Hey,” He took another sip from the drink he still held, “You look amazing. Anyone told you that yet?” 

I shrugged. “Maybe a few people.”

Nikolai inhaled deeply and let out a slow exhale. I cringed at the overwhelming scent. “Well, I hope they have better intentions than I do for you tonight.”

“Well, that’s charming. Maybe when you’re sober we can talk about those. But for now I’m gonna take this,” I lifted up the six-pack, “and you’re gonna take a break for a while, okay?” 

Even the most inebriated of werewolves would sober up within about 20-30 minutes after their last drink. Getting drunk was a challenge, one that pretty much required back to back to back drinks. It seemed Nikolai was particularly rising to the challenge this evening. I turned around to walk off and find a fridge, when he grabbed my wrist and yanked me back towards him.

“Oh come on… if you’re gonna take my booze at least give me something in return.” I didn’t care for the way his eyes ran over me, and stopped at the hem of my dress. “It’s my birthday, you know?”

“And you think I owe you something for that?” I scoffed. “Jesus, Pipa was clearly right about you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” He let go of my wrist in resignation.

I shook my head in frustration. “The other day, in your office? I’m sure you’re too shìtfaced to remember, but she suggested that you drop the act… I guess I’m glad to see you’ve decided to do that now, and not after I’ve wasted my time.”

He said something incoherent after me as I moved through the crowd of people. After about ten minutes I realized I went in the entirely opposite direction from which Nikolai had sent Pipa to find her beer. But I didn’t want to go back the way I’d come and risk a run in with him again. I tried to have a seat on the stairs, trying to make myself small against the wall so as not to be in anyone’s way as people moved up and down the steps. I carefully dodged being stepped on by a girl who was a bit too preoccupied with trying to keep the vomit in her mouth to notice me. That’s when I decided to seek out a new place to hang out with the five-outta-six pack I was now carrying around. So I marched up the steps in hopes that I could scope out some quiet up there. 

The first door I opened at the top of the landing was the bathroom, where vomit-girl was currently ocupado. “Shìt, sorry.” I closed the door quickly. “I hope you feel better!” I yelled through the door. 

I continued to the next door, where I found a girl who also looked like she had her hands full… with at least two guys. There were a lot of limbs and I didn’t have time to connect what belonged to who before I slammed that door, too.

At the end of the long hallway was a single door. I decided to skip the rest of the floor and make my way down to that one. “Okay, let’s see what’s behind door number three,” 

Just as I put my hand on the doorknob, the door was pulled open away from me, and I fell inward, smacking face to chest into the person that had opened it before me.

“Wow, I am so sorry,” he said, helping me to my feet. “Are you okay?” 

I steadied myself in my high heels and looked up at the man who I had just crashed into. His dark eyes bore my reflection. Like Dimitri, he was closer to the 5’9 range than six foot. He was not as barrel chested as most of the other wolves, his build more slim. He had olive skin color, not very different from my own. And his raven hair was slicked back greaser-like, giving Johnny Depp’s Cry Baby vibes. He flashed a white smile at me, and said, “Hi, sorry. Are you alright then?” which is when I realized I’d been staring, and I snapped myself out of it.

“Um, yeah, thanks.”

“You looking for something… or someone?” He asked as he bent over to put the few bottles that had fallen out of their pack back into place.

“What makes you think I’m looking for anything?” I asked.

“Well, normally people at parties tend to stick to the main areas of the house, and don’t go poking around bedrooms… unless they’re looking for someone to poke around in a bedroom with.”

I raised a single brow at him. “Yeah, that’s not—”

“I’m kidding,” he chuckled. 

I let out a breath of relief, “Um, honestly? I’m just trying to escape the chaos… and find someplace quieter than” I motioned behind me, “...this.”

“Right,” he nodded. “I get that. Total sensory overload.”

I shook my head in agreement. He leaned towards my ear, “Well you didn’t hear it from me, but there’s a private bathroom in this room. And, uh, the door locks if you need that alone time.” He straightened up and flashed me a smile again.

“Thanks,” was all I could manage.

“Don’t mention it. You’re sure you’re alright? I feel like I kind of ran you over.”

I nodded, holding the beer up. “I will be.” I stepped into the bedroom and began making my way towards the door when he said “Hey?”

I turned on my heel. “Hmm?”

He stood in the doorframe, smiling at me. “I didn’t get your name.”

“I didn’t give it.” I smiled, and I headed into the master bathroom with my leftover beer, closing and locking the door behind me.

***

I sat on the bathroom counter, working my way through the bottles I had brought in with me. After a while my phone dinged. I had managed to polish off one before I got a message from Pipa.

Where are you??

I sighed, not wanting to even open the message just in case my read receipts were on. 

After a few minutes nature called and I had a seat on the toilet. As I relieved myself I looked around the bathroom, taking in the decor and items. It occurred to me I had no idea whose house this was. Across from where I sat on the toilet was a wicker hamper, and a sleeve hung loosely from the top of it. When I was done and had flushed the toilet, I sat back down on the closed lid, and yanked at the sleeve. A North Face hoodie came flying out at me. They were a dime a dozen, but the scent was oddly familiar. 

I heard my phone ding again, and decided I should probably reply to Pipa, letting her know where I was. I was surprised just a few minutes later when there were several loud knocks at the door. That was fast.

“Hold on, it’s locked!” I hopped down off the counter and opened the door, expecting to find a displeased Pipa. Instead, there was Phoebe, Dimitri’s mate.

“Oh! Phoebe… Hi?”

While Phoebe and I were not exactly close, we’d been on friendly enough terms since she’d come to our pack. Afterall, it wasn’t her fault that her mate ended up being my boyfriend. I always found her likable enough, and generally found that she was polite to me.

So I was taken aback when her expression upon seeing me immediately turned to disgust. “What the hell are you doing in here?!”

I was so caught off-guard and was struggling to find the words to reply when she seethed, “Get out of my bathroom!”

“Your bathroom?”

“Yes, this is my bathroom… in my bedroom… in my house. But you knew that. What were you in here snooping around for anyways?” She looked around past me and her eyes narrowed at the hoodie that lay on the floor next to the hamper. Her face drew into a sneer. “I knew you were still pining for him. Stealing his hoodies from the laundry, Isa? Desperation doesn’t suit you.”

“Phoebe, I swear, I didn’t even know—”

“Take your shìtty beer and get lost, Isa.” She bared her teeth at me, shoving the now four-out-of-six pack into me. I gripped it to my chest and slipped past her and out the door. I was halfway down the stairs when I heard Pipa.

“Isa! Why did you—” A flash of concern spread across her face as she said, “What’s wrong?”

I kept walking past her, well aware of the hot tears coming down my face. “Can we just go?”

“There’s no way I can drive right now, babe.” She breathed. “Give me a bit?”

I kept my head down as I moved through the people, hoping no one would notice. 

“It’s fine. I’ll just walk,” I said over my shoulder to her.

***

A while later I was under the streetlights, carrying my heels in one hand, and still lugging around what remained of the six pack in the other, continuing to work my way through the bottles. I saw a familiar building off to the right, lit up with neon signs. I could hear the music thumping, and looked at the cars parked around the block; not as many as there usually were on a Saturday night, but then again, most everyone was probably back at the party.

I set my beer down on a sidewalk bench and took a moment to put my heels on, almost falling over as I did. I heard a laugh, and narrowed my eyes across the road, where a group of men who were standing outside the bar having a cigarette were watching me.

Once I was good to go, I grabbed my drinks and crossed the street. As I headed towards the door, one of the men whistled at me. I was rolling my eyes and about to step inside, when another turned around. 

“Hey,” he said. “No outside alcohol.”

He motioned to my hand when he registered my confused expression. “You can’t take that in there.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes, and looked at his two friends who were snickering behind him. “You guys thirsty?” I offered the pack up to them.

“Oh hell yeah.” The one extended his hand to grab a bottle.

The other waved me away. “I don’t drink that shìt,”

“Okay,” I breathed. “More for me.” I removed the last bottle from the carton, thrusting the empty cardboard into the hands of the would-be doorman. Then I twisted off the bottle top and began to chug.

The group laughed, and then I handed the empty bottle to the man who’d stopped me. He was looking at me incredulously, still clutching the cardboard box.

“Thanks for holding that for me, sweetheart.” I said, and then I turned around into the bar.