The Alpha's Forbidden Obsession

Chapter 7 - Josette

Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I watch Vanessa and Riley debate over which dress I should wear to the bonfire party – an event I still hadn't agreed to attend. Summer break was finally over, and I was surprisingly eager to get back to school. Who would have thought I'd miss school that much?

With my parents both busy at work and Vanessa and Riley away for most of the break, I was ready for some action. I was bored at home, but a bonfire party with people I barely knew didn't sound like my thing.

I raised an eyebrow. "You guys know I'm not going, right?"

They paused, exchanging a look, then Riley spoke up. "Oh, you're going."

Vanessa clasped her hands together, giving me her best puppy eyes. "Jo, come on! It's our last party before school starts. Pretty please?"

I rolled my eyes; she knew I couldn't resist the puppy eyes. "You guys are impossible. Fine, I'll go. But if I end up bored out of my mind or stuck alone, I'm blaming you two." Vanessa squealed, pouncing on me with a hug. Riley joined in, and we erupted into giggles and tickles.

As we calmed down, they jumped out of bed. Riley picked up the pink dress my mom had bought me over the break. "No way," I said, shaking my head. "It's too flashy."

Vanessa chuckled, taking the dress from Riley. "Come on, Jo, it's just one night. You can handle a little flash." Riley nodded, grinning. "Besides, it'll look amazing on you."

When Riley saw I wasn't giving in, she held out a black dress which was more my style, but it was too short. "Don't you think I'd be showing too much skin?"

Riley shrugged off my worry. "It's perfect; come try it on!"

I hesitated for a moment, but then I took the dress from her and headed to the bathroom to try it on. When I came out, Riley's eyes widened. "Wow, Jo, you look amazing!" Vanessa nodded in agreement, a smile spreading across her face. "Stunning, Jo. We're going to have so much fun tonight!"

Their excitement was contagious. We spent the next hour laughing, taking selfies, and having fun getting ready together.

We all poured into my car and headed to the woods, where the party would take place. Riley had left her car at home since she was planning to meet up with her boyfriend, Axel, at the party. Vanessa and I had decided to stick together, figuring Riley would likely ditch us the moment she spots Axel.

Ae pulled into the party and found a parking spot, and before Riley could even grab her purse, Alex appeared out of nowhere. The moment Riley stepped out of the car, Alex swept her into a passionate kiss. Riley giggled and called out a hasty goodbye to us over her shoulder as Alex whisked her away into the crowd.

Vanessa rolled her eyes at their display. "Well, I guess I saw that coming." She grinned at me and hooked her arm in mine. "Now it's just us. What do you say we go find something to drink?"

I smiled and nodded, and we set off into the crowd. We made our way to a makeshift bar and were handed a cup each. "What's this?" I asked, wrinkling my nose at the strong smell.

The bartender, a laid-back student with a friendly smile, replied, "Our infamous punch. Drink up!"

Vanessa and I exchanged a wary glance, then took a tentative sip. The punch was sweet and fruity at first, but it quickly gave way to a spicy kick that left me coughing. Vanessa let out a startled laugh, and then she downed the rest of her cup in one bold gulp.

I stared at her in surprise, but Vanessa just flashed a mischievous grin as she refilled her cup. She downed her third round before I'd even finished my first. Then, with a laugh, she grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the dance floor.

The lively music swept us up, and we lost ourselves in the rhythm. Our bodies swaying to the beat. Vanessa spun me around, our laughter echoing as we danced recklessly. The uplifting beat matched the crowd's mood, the atmosphere infectious.

As I danced, my eyes suddenly locked onto his, and I froze. My smile faltered, and my movements came to an abrupt halt. Everything around me melted away, and all I could see was him. The emotions I'd tried so hard to suppress rushed through me, and I struggled to contain my excitement at seeing him again. Vanessa noticed and asked. "What's wrong?" But I couldn't tear my gaze away. He turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Panic set in as I realised I couldn't just let him leave just like that, not after all the times I'd imagined this moment. Without a word, I went after him, as fast as I could, pushing through the dancing bodies until I emerged into the cool night air. I frantically swept my gaze left and right, but he was nowhere to be seen. Just as I was about to give up, I caught a glimpse of something – a shadow, a movement – near the woods. Without thinking, I took off in a sprint, my heart racing as I chased after him.

A few minutes passed, and I realised with a jolt of fear that I was lost. The woods seemed to close in around me, the darkness suffocating. I'd been so focused on finding him that I hadn't noticed the music fading away. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering as the chill of the night air seeped in. This far away from the bonfire, the temperature had dropped significantly. I called out for help, but no one answered. Suddenly, I felt something brush past me in a blur, and I stumbled back in fear, landing hard on my butt. My heart racing, I looked up to see a large brown wolf standing in front of me. Its eyes glowed, its teeth bared as it snarled at me. I let out a blood-curdling scream.