Cursed with Two Mates

The Dance

They really went all out turning the courtyard into what resembles a night club. Loud music, strobe lights and lasers assault my senses when we enter and I groan. Here we go.

Katie has a huge grin as if in her element. She sticks her nose in the air and takes a deep inhale. I see the disappointment flash on her face and realize she was probably checking for a mate. The place is pretty full already thanks to our tardiness so I suspect he isn’t here.

She turns to me as Toby walks up to us, “let’s go blow off some steam on the dance floor!”

I smile - dancing with my friends doesn’t sound too bad. No pressure to do more. We make our way to the middle of the floor and start dancing. I shut my eyes and begin to move my hips to the rhythm.

“You got moves girl!” Katie shouts at me and I laugh.

We dance a few more songs before I motion to the refreshments table “I’m thirsty - want anything?” I shout at Katie. She’s staring at someone I don’t recognize approach and waves me off as she goes to dance with him. I look over and see Toby must have ducked out. He was pretty awkward dancing to begin with so I suspect this isn’t his thing.

I make my way over and see a bowl of what I think is punch. I pour myself a cup and finish it in one gulp. I was thirsty! I down 2 more glasses and pause to take a look at the scene.

I hadn’t realized just how many people were here - easily more than 100 people were wriggling around on the dance floor. Some couples were making out - hard. I suspect they’re new mates. You can smell the sweat and pheromones and it’s all a bit intoxicating. I take a deep breath and make my way over to Katie who was just finishing her dance with that guy.

“See you later Dan!” She calls out after him as she grabs my arm for another dance.

We dance for another 5 or 6 songs laughing and I mention I’m going to grab another drink. She smiles but points to her watch. It’s 11:30 - almost midnight. My stomach flutters wondering if everything’s about to change.

I pour another 3 glasses and down them quickly. Hmm this punch is tasty.

I scan the room and notice I can smell Xander - he must be here. Probably dancing with Harmony. I roll my eyes at the thought and go for a forth glass.

“You need to slow down,” Xander says from behind me and I jump, spilling the full cup on me.

Of course.

“I’m thirsty” I snap back at him and reach for some napkins to clean my now sticky skin.

“Then drink water - getting wasted isn’t going to help anything.” he’s annoyed with me but his eyes are darkening as he’s watching my hands clean the punch from my cleavage.

I freeze. Crap was the punch spiked?? I’ve never had alcohol before - I saw some teens back at my old school acting like idiots when they were drunk one time, so it never appealed to me. Plus I had a secret to hide and being drunk jeopardized that.

“I can drink if I want to.” I retorted trying to act like I knew what I was doing. I turn my face away from him.

“You’re mad at me?!” He asks clearly pissed.

“What does it matter? You should get back to your girlfriend.” I say boldly trying my best not to show any hurt.

“She’s NOT my girlfriend,” he shouted firmly.

“You always kiss your not-girlfriends like that?” I’m sharper than I want to be due to the punch.

He takes a step towards me “I’ve been clear to Harmony there’s nothing romantic between us. You on the other hand have been acting like a jealous child by ignoring me.”

*What did he just call you??* Ruby jumps up clearly mad.

I feel a wave of anger hit.

“You’re treating me like a dirty mistress - why should I even bother giving you any attention!? You’re all over me in private but she’s all over you in public. You let her touch you and hang off you constantly - as if saying you're not together is enough to absolve you of any guilt you *should* feel by acting like you are hers.”

He visibly recoils at that. Good. I keep going not caring that I’m slurring a little. “Sorry I’m not falling all over you willing to to take whatever scraps you throw my way like all the other she-wolves. If you haven’t noticed I’m still unmarked and not in your pack so that means I can do whatever I want. Maybe I should go around kissing guys infront of you and see how you like it!” I shout at him.

That actually seems like a pretty good idea. Give him a taste of his own medicine and see how he likes it. I picture his anger and jealousy seeing the tables turned. I turn to walk away but he grabs my wrist halting me.

“Jade don’t be rash,” he commands.

“Let go of me Xander!”

And suddenly it hits me - the familiar vanilla and smoke scent. It’s him. I know it before I see him.

“Is there a problem here angel?” he asks smoothly from behind me.

I rip my wrist from Xander’s grasp and turn to gaze into those green eyes. He reaches out to hold my arm to steady me as if he knows I was losing my balance. I gasp at how cold his hand is against my hot skin. The mix of pheromones, the thumping of the music, his scent, and Xander’s palpable anger behind me hits me as electricity courses through my body.

“Jade do you know this guy,” it’s Xander again. He’s worried.

I feel the icy hands travelling up my arm across my back and into the base of my hair. He tugs slightly at my hair tiling my head up to him.

“You are stunning,” he whispers as he bushes my cheek with his thumb. I’m frozen in place but my body is on fire. I glance down at his lips. “You want something angel?” He smiles and touches my bottom lip gently.

I lick my lips in anticipation and nod unable to find my voice. He moves quickly as he seals his mouth over mine. I wrap my arms around his hard body gripping him so I don’t fall. The contact is too much, too good, im tingling everywhere. I let out a slight moan and he tightens his grip in my hair. He uses that opportunity to slip his tongue in my mouth.

Suddenly he pulls back and skillfully maneuvers me over to the side before I hear a thud of 2 bodies colliding.

I get my barings and see Xander lunging at him “keep your filthy hands off her Travis!” He barks out.

Travis - even his name is sexy.

Travis steps to the side and easily dodges all of Xander’s attacks. He’s faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. He doesn’t even bother to fight back - Just let’s Xander chase after him clearly amused by the situation. A crowd starts to form around us.

“Why’s that Xander, afraid she might be the only wolf who can resist your.. charms?” He smiles devilishly and side steps another attack . “If I’m not mistaken you have a different girls scent all over you. Maybe I should be the one telling you to stay away from her?”

I glance around mortified that this is happening infront of so many people. I stop when I see Katie and she points to her wrist. Oh crap it’s almost midnight!

I turn and run out. I can’t be here with an audience if midnight hits and one of them is my mate.

I stumble a bit thanks to the unwanted alcohol in my system but luckily I don’t fall. I manage make it out to the forest. I kick off my heels and run. I don’t even bother shifting I just want to get as much distance as I can from the scene I left behind me. I need to get away from here. I need some time to think! I imagine how nice it would be to go home for a few days away from this mess as tears well up in my eyes.

Suddenly I hear a huge crack of thunder and I feel blackness start creeping over me. I’m panting but it doesn’t feel like I’m getting any oxygen. All I can smell is Xander and Travis. Are they here for me? I try to find them but the blackness takes over and I collapse to the ground.