The Girl In Red

Last Time

I pulled on a beautiful dress and paused. I wasn't sure what to expect at tonight's party. I could faintly hear the hustle and bustle going on downstairs.

“You may want something you wouldn’t mind ruining or that's easy to get out of.” Stephon noted. I looked at him through the mirror. He pulled on plain jeans and a t-shirt. I began checking him out, of course.

“No shoes?” I questioned him with a raised brow. He chuckled at the floor as he walked to me. His arms wrapped around me from behind and buried his face in my neck, brushing his nose against my mark. Electricity shot through my entire body from the sensation. Goosebumps rose on my skin.

“We’ll be shifting and going for a run to solidify your position as Luna of Cross pack, baby girl.” I could feel his breath on the bare skin of my neck. “ No need to be fancy or civil.” He straightened his back and looked at me through the mirror. He smiled as he rested his chin on the top of my head. I bit my lip, thinking of what to wear.

“Since we're being uncivilized, why not jeggings and a cute top?” I wanted to be sure I wouldn’t wear anything wrong. He nodded. I smiled shyly and pushed away from him to grab my clothes.

I ended up in black jeggings and a black shirt. Pretty plan, but good for this occasion. I won’t be in them for long anyways. I pulled on a new pair of black and white sneakers and smiled at them. These were comfortable! I shrugged as I bounced to the door and swung it open to join Stephon and the others down stairs. I turned back to the door to close it when I smelt a new smell. I had met just about everyone in the pack in passing by. I never smelled this one before. I looked around for the source of the smell of overly ripped oranges. It was so sweet it was almost nauseating. I intensely listened to my surroundings and heard the lightest tapping of feet approaching. Was someone trying to sneak up on me?

Sasha growled in my head and I became frightened. I couldn’t see this threat. My fight or flight reactions were buzzing in my brain. Do I stand my ground or do I make a mad dash for the pack downstairs? Giggling sent a shiver down my spine. I knew that giggle. It was Katie.

“And just what do you think you are doing?” Her quiet voice pierced the darkness of the hallway. Why was this the one area with no windows? As she stepped closer I could make out her outline. Then, standing six feet away from me, I could see her clearly. My heart began to pound in my chest. She was wearing booty shorts and a white tank top. Her hair was in loose curls that brushed against her shoulders. She had cut it recently and looked like she added highlights. Her curls bounced as she stepped towards me.

“You think you're the packs’ Luna?” She laughed quietly in her hand. “Let alone one of us?” She pointed to herself.

“I-I am a wolf. A-and I am S-Stephons m-mate.” My voice was barely over a whisper as I stammered over my words. I had never stood up to anyone before. Not father, not her, not Mike; noone. If I was going to lead a pack with Stephon, I needed to find my voice.

‘Straighten that damn back! And stop stuttering!’ Sasha growled at me. I straightened my back, trying to show some confidence.

“Y-you have no right t-to question me.” Damn it! Stop stuttering!

“My, my. Overly confident.” She snapped her fingers and a large hand covered my mouth and an arm wrapped around my body, pinning my arms down under their strength. I let out a shriek under the hand that covered my mouth.

‘What!?’ Sasha seemed as shocked as me. Who was this? How did we not notice them? Was I just too concentrated on Katie to pay attention to my surroundings?

“Boo.” I went ice cold hearing Mikes’ voice. He always said that to me when I knew he was in a mood to bully me back in school. He was never quite as bad at Katie, but I knew with her here, he’d follow her lead.

All confidence faded. My stomach flipped as my attention was taken back to Katie as she gave Mike a light clapping. Why were they trying to be quiet?

“Well done with your stealth there, baby!” She purred, walking towards us. She brushed his shoulder with her hand. I wanted to vomit.

“What was it you wanted to do again, hot stuff?” I heard Mike ask her.

“Hmm.” She walked back to stand in front of me after she circled us.

“I want her to renounce her so-called ‘station’ and Stephon.” She gave me a menacing grin.

“Never!” I growled between my teeth. My voice was muffled under Mike’s large hand. The thought of not having Stephon by my side was agonizing. My heart clenched at the very thought. My fear took a back seat to my rage. I could feel my insides vibrating with heat. I could feel Sasha wanting to rip her to shreds. My bones began to ache and the look of astonishment flashed on Katie's face for a mere second before being replaced by pure anger. Sasha wanted to shift. I held her back. Last time we shifted lead to a messy ending. Her hands balled into fists as she spat at me.

“You damn, b***h!” She screamed at me before throwing me a punch to the gut. The force of it pushed all the air from my lungs. I could feel Sasha gasp and step back in my mind. She shook it off and stepped back into the front of my mind as growls oozed from between our clenched teeth.

‘How dare she tell us what to do! How dare she say to reject our mate!’ Sasha was hot with anger. I broke free from Mikes’ grasp and heard a pop followed by a scream. Everything was a blur as I lunged to Katie, landing my fist against the side of her face. I wasn’t going to be bullied by her or anyone ever again. I had enough.

I shook my hand. It was red and stung from the impact against Mike’s face. My heart was pounding in my ears as I looked at them both sprawled on the floor, groaning and holding their faces. I know they both have broken noses; I felt the crunch. It had only taken me a mere minute to defend myself. Sasha purred in my mind, congratulating me. I smiled and thought ‘thank you’ to her.

“Fuck.” Mike groaned as he sat up, one hand still over his face. Blood oozed through his fingers and dripped onto his black t-shirt. I couldn’t see it well, but I knew there was a good bit of blood on that top. He was wearing black spandex shorts.

“So, that's how I didn't hear you. Not even brushing of clothes.” I murmured to myself. My head snapped over to the stairs where Stephon and Chris had just ran up. Both looked slightly disheveled. Their eyes wide and questioning. I bit my lip and gave a small and guilty smile.

“Sorry. I couldn’t be their punching bag anymore.”