Hunting grounds
1072 Words
Ivy's stomach twisted.
But she followed the direction nevertheless.
Music pulsed in the distance, a deep, hypnotic beat that vibrated through the cool, stormy air.
Was there a party on?
The further she walked, the more she realized that this was definitely not just some random high school flash party.
It was something else.
Beyond the iron gates at the back of the school lay a lavish private estate. A massive, luxurious pool glittered under the storm lit sky, surrounded by sculpted gardens and towering trees.
There were students everywhere…dripping wet from the pool, lounging on extravagant outdoor furniture, dancing under flashing lights. The air smelled of expensive liquor, smoke, and something…something with a metallic tang... Just like the Kingston estate.
A dark, primal energy thrummed throughout the space.
Ivy's pulse quickened.
She spotted Axel almost immediately.It was surprisingly easy for her.
He was at the far end of the pool, leaning against a sleek black lounge chair, a dark crimson drink in his hand, two girls at his feet.
His wet, dark hair clung to his forehead, droplets of water sliding down the sharp angles of his face.
But it was not just his appearance that made her breath catch.
It was the way he looked under the stormy sky, like he belonged there in the shadows, like he was something untamed. Yet the romance of that sight made Ivy want to tear up for some reason. Like a déjà vu. Like it was something she had been longing for.
His gaze flicked up.
And then his silver eyes locked onto hers!
Damn! Ivy knew she was dead!
***
The moment Axel spotted her, his expression darkened. He immediately sprang up, almost kicking the girls who had been clinging onto him.
Ivy barely had time to react before he was stalking straight towards her, eyes blazing with fury.
She braced herself for the inevitable scolding, eyes closed shut, already picturing him grabbing her arm and dragging her away. But before he could reach her, a hand wrapped around her wrist.
"Nope, not today,Ax, " Ashley murmured beside her, tugging her away just as Axel's lips parted…no doubt ready to bark at her.
Ivy let herself gladly be pulled through the sea of bodies, adrenaline and tension buzzing through her veins.
"What the hell are you doing here? How did you find us? " Ashley just grinned.
Ivy shrugged. “ Just lost I guess. The whole school literally disappeared. You can't blame me for worrying, can you? What are you all doing here any way? ”
"Saving you from Axel's wrath, obviously." The way she answered,Ivy knew Ashley wanted to avert the question for some reason.
They stopped at the edge of the pool, and before Ivy could ask her anything else, Ashley yanked her into the water with a splash.
The cold shock sent shivers up her spine, but within seconds, laughter bubbled up in her chest, tickling.
They bounced up and down in the water, the tension from earlier melting as she and Ashley splashed each other, twirling through the water, giggling.
But even as she laughed, she felt him.
Watching her.
His gaze burned into her from across the pool, and when she turned to meet his stare, her breath caught.
His eyes were locked on her.
Only her.
There were way too many girls in there. She could find no excuse!
She swallowed hard.
His eyes were definitely on her and certainly not in a very brotherly way!
She noticed a flicker of something passing through his expression.
Hunger? Possession? Fury?
She could not tell.
And then Ashley was pulling her up, dragging her towards a large circle forming at the edge of the pool.
"Come on,Ivy, " she grinned. "Since you are already here, you are not escaping this one. Our very classic game of'Dare or Dare'. You must play it! ”
Ivy hesitated, her instincts screaming that this was a bad idea.
But before she could refuse, she was already being pulled into the circle. Dragged and then roughly seated.
She found herself between Ashley and some blonde whose name she had not caught yet, her fingers playing idly with the hem of her soaked T-shirt.
She was still flushed from the water, her skin damp , her pulse unsteady.
Axel was directly across from her.
He hadn't taken part in the game. Just sat there, silent and brooding, one long leg stretched out, fingers lazily tapping against his knee. He looked completely uninterested.
Ivy tried to ignore him and tried to focus on the game as the bottle spun again.
A guy named Mason groaned when it landed on him, rubbing his hands over his face as the group erupted into wicked laughter.
"Strip down to your boxers and cannonball into the pool, or take a shot!" someone shouted. He muttered a curse but stood up, peeling off his shirt for a round of whistles before sprinting toward the pool.
A second later, a loud splash! More laughter. More cheers.
The bottle spun again.
Another dare. Another shot. And then…
It landed on Ivy.
“Ooooh, newbie's turn!" someone teased, and a fresh wave of giggles rippled through the group. “Giddy up! Don't chicken out on us, little sister! ”
Ivy looked very uncomfortable, but finally she sat up straight and said, “ Alright! What's my dare? ”
"Sit on Axel's lap. For two minutes. Family love!"
The words sent a ripple through the group. Someone whistled. Someone else gasped.
And Axel…he went completely still.
Ivy's heart slammed against her ribs as her gaze flicked at him. His expression was unreadable, but there was something lethal in the way his fingers flexed against his knee.
Ashley nudged her. "Don't back down now, sweetheart.”
Ivy swallowed, then before she could overthink it she stood up, stepping over to where Axel sat.
His eyes met hers, unblinking, unrelenting.
A silent warning.
Don't do this!
But she did.
Slowly, she lowered herself onto his lap, barely breathing as her body molded against his.
The moment their bodies touched, a jolt of heat shot through her.
Axel inhaled , sharp ...his grip landing on her waist, fingers curling possessively as he pulled her in closer, absolutely taking Ivy by surprise.
The group cheered, laughter and whistles echoing in the air, but Ivy barely heard them.
All she could hear was his labored breath ramming against her skin.
- Writer
