Unnamed

ELEVEN – a party for one

I showered; washing out the stench of alcohol and fruity smell of strawberry replaced my hair. I mutely thanked Beth for the shampoo as I stood under the shower, not smelling like trash anymore. The warm water cascaded over me, slightly helping in calming my frayed nerves. I remembered being this nervous only when I had to give a presentation in my freshman year. It was about some historical topic and my partner happened to be a douche who had sworn to mess up everything. Until very last second of the presentation, I thought I was going to faint. Thank god, I didn't. That would have been mortifyingly embarrassing. Come to think of it, my partner was not that bad. He was just a little... different.

This is just adrenaline, I consoled myself as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself before turning towards the mirror, you're gonna be good. I smiled at my reflection even when my sight made me frown. I dried my hair and put it up in its regular ponytail after combing through it. It didn't look half-bad if I say so myself.

Next came a pigment green dress with a snug bodice and a sophisticatedly flared skirt that stopped two to three inch above my knees. It had a thin belt with the stones a shade darker studded into it. I was not a big fan of dresses but I wouldn't mind wearing it. It had just right amount of flashiness without bordering on unacceptable.

I quickly put it on, minding my hair, and applied a little cherry lip-gloss in the name of makeup. I was not sure I could apply eyeliner being how shaky I was. I didn't want to look like a clown at my own party. I was still not sure why they would want to throw a party in my honor. Was it a secret ritual of kidnappers for their hostages that people forget to mention in shows, books or news? I didn't mind it as long as by the end of the night I was out of here.

I grabbed the small clutch with a long silver chain that had things like a battery-operated torch, few granola bars, a compass I wasn't sure if worked, a local map of this area, everything stolen from Dylan. I had gathered it all after he left me in the bathroom to check out the scene at the mansion. I didn't have much time since I had learned that he couldn't stay at mansion longer than necessary. I scurried about like a rat, opening and closing drawers to collect as much as useful things I could. I also made sure to not to make it so obvious that I was snooping around by putting things back as they were. I knew how much possessive Dylan was of his belongings. God forbid if he knew that I had taken a few without his knowledge. I curbed the guilt by reminding my conscience that I was the victim here.

"Are you ready, Fay?" Dylan asked giving a slight knock on the door.

I quickly put on the pair of tan ankle boots that gave an inch or two to my height. I checked myself in the mirror and composed my nervous features before opening the door. I gave him a shaky smile to seem normal.

"Yeah. Let's go."

He took his time to esteem my look without trying to be subtle. I shuffled from foot to foot self-consciously. His stare was a little too intense and forceful for me to keep my breathing pattern normal. As if it wasn't bad, he always seemed like he knew everyone and everything but having those crazy x-ray eyes made it depressingly unfair. As if he needed being egotistical over a jerk.

I awkwardly cleared my throat to grab his attention that was rather fixed on my body. "I say we should leave."

He, seemingly out of his perverted trace, ran a hand through his hair. He managed to look better than me in his distressed jeans and a white and gray muscle tee under a black leather jacket. That was not hard considering I was not much to look at. I had no idea how I ended up looking like a pair of unfashionable mismatched socks when my dad was expensively handsome and mom serenely beautiful.

"Don't leave my side." From his expression, it was hard to decipher if he meant in don't-try-to-run way or it's-not-safe-out-there-for-you way.

"Were there going to be more kidnappers?" I asked naively.

"No," his lips twitched in a half smile at my clueless self. "There are no kidnappers."

"Except you."

"For the umpteenth time, Fay, I'm not a kidnapper."

"No? Sorry, my mistake." I held my ears for effect and batted my eyelashes at him, "I don't know what else it is called when a person forcefully holds captive another person." It was just fun being a smartass around him even being familiar with his short temper. The look on his face before irritation came was worth it.

His eyes narrowed in exasperation. "Exactly a minute ago I was thinking why I am I always angry at you when you look all innocent and harmless. Thanks for reminding. You are just a pain in the ass. No wonder your dad-" he caught himself before more damage could be done.

The pain on my face and guilt in his eyes made it clear that he had crossed a boundary again. How insensitive could a person be? I had opened up to him about a crucial point in my life that influenced me and my life in ways that changed my whole identity for people and he had just thrown it back in my face. I would not have hurt if he hadn't comforted me first.

"I regret every moment when I started to feel that we could be friends."

It was no rocket science to notice the palpable tension between Dylan and me. Usually, it was only a permanent scowl or annoyed frown we wore around each other but this time, I looked as if I was going to my own funeral and he was touching heights on his snappy records. He was trying to burn down everything with his fiery gaze that came in his path. Thank god, I was beside him. That was not that great. I'd rather was holding a cactus than his hand. I had no idea why was he holding it when it was immensely unbearable for either of us.

Maybe to make sure you do not run away, my subconscious suggested. I rolled my eyes as if that was going to stop me. I forced myself to ignore the weird warmth and tingles where our hands connected and not to jerk back my hand, which I had tried, by the way. He only crushed my fingers quite painfully. I stopped trying after seventh time because I had a feeling that I would not be able to hold a glass of water when he'd let go of my hand. I sighed maybe for fifty-seventh time since the time we had arrived that was only an hour ago.

Instead of taking the party inside, they had set the things out in the gardens. It looked like high school party meets England's Queen styled banquet. The decoration and arrangements were so expensive that you could taste the money on the small glass chandeliers, satins, variety food dumped on a table so big that two king size bed could be made out of it. A dance floor seemingly made out of the glass from the way it looked sparkled and shook under the hundreds of feet thumping over it. The speakers were blaring a piece of upbeat music that was too loud to make out the lyrics. I literally stopped from the magnificence of it the moment I stepped out of the forest. More than anything it seemed truly enjoyable from the way everyone dancing, drinking, laughing. Did I really miss it all? It all seemed pretty harmless.

Even being here, I was not allowed to join the fun. I exhaled again, much to Dylan's growing irritation, and admired the bush decorated with small lights that glowed and dimmed, giving it an illusion of fireflies. Dylan had made me sit on the more secluded part beside the big pool. Pink and orange lights danced in the clear water of the pool. Only a few people who wanted a breath or two away from the chaos on the other side were here. A much smaller table than the main one was set in a corner with colorful exotic drinks and snacks. It looked so mouthwatering that it was giving my stomach cramps from hunger.

"Why don't we return home if we are just going to sit like this?" I complained when I couldn't take the silence between us anymore. I was already agitated that I couldn't walk out of those gates. That was just fifteen or so steps away from where I sat, opened for people to come and go as they pleased. Only if there was someone who would divert Dylan's attention, I could casually walk out of there. In the crowd of hundreds who would notice me except the one who was keeping an eye on me. "At least let me eat something. You know, there is a raccoon stealing the food."

I knew that he didn't talk much but he didn't even acknowledge that he heard me. He kept staring at the lights flickering in the water, ignoring the nice people who came to greet him or us.

After another sigh, another wave of exasperation, another silent urge to strangle Dylan, I yanked my hand. Even when he tightened his hold, I managed to pull it up to my mouth and bit hard on Dylan's hand.

He freed me with a curse, "What the f**k?" He snapped at me, noticing the blood red marks of teeth on his flawless porcelain skin.

A few people turned toward us, startled by his outburst. Was that a little intimidation that I saw in their eyes? Ignoring them, I was smugly smirked, satisfied with my artwork.

"Your company is heartwarmingly depressing but I'd rather see the other people," Since this party was for the sole reason of socializing, "who are here for me." Just because I was right about my fingers getting numb and bruised and that was the least I could do for all he had done, I stomped on his foot for payback. "Goodbye, asshole."

I didn't think that you would want someone's scowling face as their last memory but I had a big heart. I could manage with that as long as I didn't see Dylan again.

From the crowd of people that were coming, I knew the party had just started. I thought it was safe to wait for it to get more partyish, where everyone would be so drunk to notice a small girl escaping. Yeah, I like the sound of that. Since I would not go back to Dylan, I decided that I should look for one of the girls, or boys maybe. I watched out for Hailey's bright hair in the throng of people. It would have been a lot easier if I were a little taller. I barely saw any person under a height of six feet or so. They all were inhumanly attractive and proud looking. They strike me as runway models, cold expression and hot bodies. I would have belonged more to one on Basil's birthday party with his friends.

It took me some time but I spotted Hailey and Chris together. It was a relief that I had someone of my size. Chris had Hailey perched upon the bar where they were giving booze and getting her drunk. From the way people were cheering and laughing over the loud music, I was sure she was close. I was about to head over to them but someone caught my hand.

Thinking it was Dylan, I tugged my hand and turned around, "I said stay away from me, Dyl-" I stared harshly but stopped when I realized it wasn't him but a boy around my age. He had light blonde hair with a few natural highlights and pair of striking green eyes, only his were lighter than mine and more cheerful. "Sorry, I thought it was-"

"Dylan, right?" He questioned cutting me off. While he looked older, his voice had a young tint to them. When you look closely, he had features that were more boyish.

"Yeah, him." I awkwardly trailed off, not knowing what to say more. I didn't know who this boy was and what he wanted from me. I was just a little shy and nervous.

He was unaware of any discomfort between us as he gave me his first bright smile, "I am Leo, Leo Shrine." He introduced himself as he extended a hand toward me.

"I am Fay Madison," I said shaking his hand.

"I know. You are the star of this party after all. Everyone," he waved a hand around, making me notice a few groups of people watching us, "here is excited to meet you. For a moment we thought Dylan was not going to leave you. It's understandable taking how possessive Alphas can be towards their mates."

"Oh no, no, no. Dylan and I are not mates. He said we can't be mates." I corrected him, remembering when Dylan had said that us being friends was impossible. Didn't they know I was kidnapped? It was better to not to tell them that little fact, in case they decided to keep an eye on me too.

He seemed genuinely sad after hearing that. "So he rejected you?"

"Yeah, something like that. But it's okay," I smiled for him a bit, touched by his concern. "He is a jerk anyway. It's for the better I guess."

"Are you going to stay?"

"For the night, I think."

"Well, you seem like a good person. We would have loved to have you in our family." He gave an encouraging pat on my back.

"I guess but something's better off not happening."

"Leave this depressing topic," just like that his smile was back in place. "Do you wanna dance?"

"Uh," I hesitated, taking a glance toward the dance floor, "I am kind of bad." I half lied, afraid that he'd think I was letting him down subtly.

"Me too but doesn't two odd make an even? C'mon, let's try." he held my hand and lead me on the dance floor. A song, I recognized by the singer's voice, was playing. I didn't know the name though.

I didn't protest except for blushing a bit when he wrapped his arms around my waist and I kept mine on his chest since they could not reach all way up to his neck. We clumsily moved our feet, squishing each other's feet here and there and laughing it off. It wasn't that bad to dance with a stranger.

"So we heard you're a human. What does it feel like?" He asked seriously while I immediately started choking on my laughter.

"Why? Are you a unicorn or something?" I teased him back. I didn't know if it were Australians or only Dylan's friends were this weird.

"You have a sense of humor." He complimented, laughing with me.

"You're funny too." It felt nice knowing that I could hold a conversation with an unfamiliar person.

With Dylan, it was only arguments. His friends were nice to me so that I didn't feel too alone. However, Leo didn't know anything about me. We were as a stranger as I was at this party. I felt proud that I had something left from my old self.

Leo continued interrogating me while I kept up with his conversation. I answered whatever he asked me such as my age, home, parents, family, likes, dislikes et cetera.

I learned that he was fifteen.

"But you don't look like fifteen," I said in surprise. He looked more of seventeen or eighteen.

"So do you. You look a lot younger. You are so short and have his innocent and naïve aura around you."

"Way to raise a girl's self-esteem, Leo," I said dryly.

We both knew that I wasn't offended but he elaborated because he was just that nice, "That's not a bad thing. Short girls are cute. And as for your innocence, it's endearing. I don't know why Dylan would reject you as a mate. You are amusing, can take a joke without being offended, you are pretty, you have a celebrity dad. My sisters are cuckoo about your dad's looks and his works. I am not trying to hit on you or anything. It's just my thoughts in general."

"I'll remember to tell my dad about your sisters and maybe convince him to send something for them. Thanks but I think I am not any of them. You are just being polite."

"See, you're generous too. Who gives out designer jewelry for free, let alone to a person they don't even know."

We continued our conversation as the song kept changing. He started telling more about himself. He had three older brothers and two younger twin sisters. His parents were Gamma of this pack. Whatever he meant by it. I remembered Hailey telling something about their family being like a tribe. It could be something about that. Bad thing, I couldn't stay long to learn more about their tribe. It sounded interesting from the way Leo was talking about it.

"I am surprised that no one told you about this. Well, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta are titles and they go on down to Omega. Every person is ranked according to their aptitude test when they turn eighteen."

"Why eighteen? Why not before that?" I asked curiously.

"There's a pretty good reason behind it. Until the age of eighteen, we grow and learn. Whereas ranks divide people, school is a place where everyone is equal. If a kid knows he is Alpha, he'd treat the kids of lower rank with authority. Or if a kid is Omega, there is a chance that he'd be reluctant to learn about anything since he was going to be lowest anyway.

"When they don't know their rank, they are eager to learn in hopes that it would improve them in ways. So, by the time we give aptitude test, Alphas and Omegas all have the same education. The ranks become meaningless since once an Omega must have beaten an Alpha in a history presentation." We both chuckled a little. "Alphas just become leaders with moral rather than arrogance and Omegas take it upon their duties with pride rather than the low self-worth. Besides, it's kinda cool and exciting."

"I am just blown by it." I stared at the people around me with an overwhelmed emotion. I had witnessed a few fights at my school between students over petty things such as a stolen boyfriend or some bet money. Here everyone looked like a close-knitted family. Everyone was with everyone. "You're tribe is truly amazing"

"Pack, not tribe. Thanks."

"I know it's too soon but I might not be here, so, best of luck for your aptitude test."

"Thanks," he said before looking behind me. I turned to saw a group of boys waving toward Leo. "They are my friends." He told looking at my confused expression. "They want to meet you. Wanna come?"