Runaway Mate

Chapter 13

Raine

It was dark and silence surrounded Raine. She could feel anticipation radiating from everyone around her and she loved the sensation.

She was hidden from view, behind the black velvet curtain. She watched and felt her heart thrum with excitement as the lights slowly faded on, soft and cool lights to add to the effect.

She touched her face, making sure the mic taped to her cheek was still secure, and then glanced down at her dress. Long and red, with a long slit up her right leg, it hugged her curves and showed a little cleavage. Her heels made her appear taller and her hair was down, long and a darker red than the dress.

She watched as her partner walked on stage as the music began to play and his voice rang across the stage. He started the final number of the evening.

Raine waited patiently and then, upon hearing her cue, she walked out from behind the curtain revealing herself and began singing her part of the duet.

"So let me hold both your hands in the holes of my sweater." Her voice rang across the stage as she walked to her partner’s side.

They were the perfect singing duo, they effortlessly sang the song in sync with one another and their voices easily complimented each other.

Raine could feel the eyes of everyone in the room, below the stage on them, and she loved it. They were eyes full of awe and adoration as they sang the emotional words together, perfectly conveying the love and sadness held within the lyrics.

She glanced at her partner under her long eyelashes, she loved him and he was dear to her, which helped their relationship as singing partners. Joe glanced back at her and sent a quick smile at Raine. They were the best of friends and there was nothing that could break up their friendship; there wasn’t even the fear of feelings or other icky emotions getting in the way of their friendship. There was no fear, only love, like that of a brother and sister. Even if the audience believed them to be more, it only added to the power behind the songs they sang together.

They got to her favourite part of the song. She made sure to look away from Joe and wear a sad and solemn expression as they sang, knowing he was doing the same. They practiced the song so much; the movements were trained in their bodies by memory.

A slight pause in the music and suddenly the lights flashed brighter, making members of the audience gasp as the music appeared again, more intense than before. They both spun to look at one another, letting the emotion flow powerfully between them as they sang to each other. They walked closer, until they could hold hands and then whipped away and sang to the audience again, their hands still connected to each other. Then it was over.

The lights faded until the stage was cloaked in darkness once again. The audience burst into applause and cheers, chanting for more. Raine felt their praise wash over her and a smile adorned her face, she felt a squeeze on her hand and Joe led her off the stage and backstage.

They removed their mics, just in case, and then he pulled her into a suffocating hug, which she gladly reciprocated.

“You were fabulous as always, Raine!” He whispered to her and then released her from his powerful hug.

“Thanks, you were pretty fabulous yourself Joe.” She winked, the adrenaline from the performance was still coursing through her and it felt amazing.

“Haha, careful Raine or I might be tempted to change teams for you.” He winked back with a cheeky grin.

She just laughed at him, knowing there was no way that was ever going to happen.

“Alright, whatever!” She giggled. “We had better get changed and head out, don’t want them turning out the lights on us while we’re still here.”

“Like Sigi's going to leave his best performers in the dark.” Joe scoffed, but all the same, he followed her until they came to their changing rooms. They parted ways and entered their own changing rooms.

Raine’s was a mess like always, but she chose to ignore this. She quickly stripped off her long dress and hopped into her comfortable jeans, tee and sneakers, before settling down at her make-up table and removing all of her stage make-up.

She noticed her phone flashing and smirked without checking it. She knew exactly what it would be, a message from Fidelia which she would reply to once she was home and comfortable.

As she removed her make-up she found herself thinking of Fidelia. It had been nearly a year since Fidelia had managed to sneak away from Orion Valley to visit her as Raine’s guest and it had been nearly five years since Raine had been in Orion Valley herself.

Five years since she had escaped him.

She had finally found another place to call home and she felt very protected and cared for here in Andromeda City. A city filled with more super-natural beings than humans and, even then, most of the humans here were generally involved with the super-natural world in some way or another. The city was ruled by the Ring-Master and his word was law.

Raine and Sylvia had been travelling for nearly three years when they came across Andromeda City and met Joe. He was performing at the club as a solo singer before their arrival and he and Raine became quick friends. She was offered protection and work, Sylvia too, by the club's owner, Sigmund.

At first, Raine was wary of accepting, but once Sigmund explained the club to her and the protection and safety he guaranteed those who worked for him, she accepted his offer and Sylvia accepted after she was sure Raine intended to stay. Both of them became performers in the club, ‘Runagate.’

They quickly discovered that Raine and Joe had the perfect singing voices that complimented each other and they were instantly paired in duets. It was fun singing with Joe and he made practice even more exciting. Raine knew if he had any interest in women, she would have fallen for him immediately, but alas, he did not and they were destined to be the best of friends and partners instead.

It was the longest Raine had stayed in one place since Orion Valley and she didn’t want to leave. When Fidelia managed to visit, with a made-up lie of visiting another pack on business to trick her nasty Alpha brother, she was amazed and dazzled by the Runagate Club. Raine couldn’t blame her, it was basically a mansion with various different bars and lounges, each offering different types of entertainment and it was only open to the super-natural.

Fidelia had loved getting to see Raine perform and it seemed like too soon that she had to return home to Orion Valley, without raising suspicion. But Raine made sure to secure her a VIP card, so that she could return and visit anytime she wanted, as long as she kept it a secret.

Two years of safety seemed too good to be true and Raine was constantly terrified of her fragile happiness and safety being shattered. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and shook the negative thoughts from her head. There was no point in concentrating on them, she had to enjoy every moment she could and that’s what she would do.

She left her changing room and saw Joe waiting for her. He smiled warmly in his hoodie and jeans, no longer dressed in a fancy suit.

“Took you long enough!” He chuckled.

“Hey, all you have to do is get dressed; I’ve hair and make-up to take care of too!” Raine prodded him in his side, but still laughed.

“Alright, I surrender.” He kept chuckling, raising his hands in defeat. “I think we should take the tunnel home tonight.” He told her.

Raine frowned; the tunnel was exactly what it sounded like. A tunnel was built under the club which led all the way back to the house where the performer and Sigmund stayed. Sigmund built it because fans of the performers used to bombard and surprise his performers as they left the club at night, and because he promised protection, he couldn’t have that. There was always the fear of the performers being followed and the house they lived in being haunted by stalkers and diehard fans.

They didn’t even use their real names when performing and were given nicknames and aliases when introduced to the patrons, so their safety was always Sigmund’s top priority. Hence, why he built the tunnel, so they could get home without the hassle or worry. They weren't forced to use it, but it was advised to help stave off unwanted trouble.

“Why?” Raine asked. She didn’t mind having to use the tunnel, but there wasn't exactly a great view while they walked all the way home.

“It’s freezing out and someone’s only wearing a thin tee!” Joe rolled his eyes, looking at how thinly dressed she was.

Raine pouted innocently. “It can’t be that cold out!” She complained.

“It is.” Joe chuckled. “Definitely ‘sweater weather’ out there.” He winked.

“Cute!” Raine replied sarcastically at his play on words, he just had to include the title of the song they just closed the club with. She rolled her eyes and just chuckled again.

“Seriously though, it’s started snowing out there! You'll even freeze in that weather!” He pointed out.

“Fine!” She groaned, knowing that even if she argued her point, Joe would ultimately win and they’d end up going down the damn tunnel anyway.

“Come on.” He ushered her towards the door that led to the tunnel. “I have to get you back in one piece, or that crazy cat will kill me!” He gulped, making Raine laugh. “She gets back from her assignment today, doesn’t she?” He asked.

Raine nodded. The other half of their job, more deadly and even more secret than their identities at the club, but worth every thrilling and dangerous second they were away on ‘assignments.’

“Yeah, she’s been gone for a whole week! Hopefully everything went as planned.” She voiced her concern.

“She’ll be fine; I’ve never met a more formidable Were-Cat in my life! I’d hate to be her target!” He swallowed and shook his head, making Raine laugh again.

“I thought cats were the ones who are supposed to fear wolves!” She laughed so hard, she could feel a cramp forming in her stomach.

“Nope, I would rather get neutered than have to go up against Sylvia!” He answered.

“Well, we best get home soon then!” She laughed as they arrived at the tunnel door. “I’m sure Sylvia would have no problem neutering you!”

Joe shivered at the very idea, while he unlocked the door and they made their way down into the tunnel and started the very long walk back home.

Raine’s home, where she was safe and protected, where she no longer had to run and hide.

She was safe…for now…