HERS

15. A triumphant BANG

The invites were out and in a few hours the pack house would be alive and a party in full swing. Danica added the last finishing touches to her look tonight; she carefully applied the pink lipstick on and slid on her nude heels. Her hair was curled and pulled to the side. Danica straightened out her dress as she checked herself in the full length mirror. She wore a Persian nude skater dress with black velvet roses. Her makeup was subtle and light. The party invites were sent out to the whole pack, everyone was invited.

Danica went down after she double checked herself.

Downstairs the crowed had began to form, the drink was flowing and the songs were blasting. Within the first five minutes of being down Danica had already drowned two glasses of champagne.

Danica went around spending the first hour and a half doing a quick meet and greet on behalf of her parents.

"Nic," James slurred slightly from behind her, grabbing her attention, she was still quiet sober. He handed her a beer.

"Thanks," she took, drinking generously from it.

"Let's dance," he pulled her along to the dance floor where the song had changed to an upbeat dance anthem. A couple of songs later the songs had changed to a slower song, where couples had come onto the dance floor, Danica was about to leave but got pulled back by James who had already wrapped his arms around her and began swaying to the song. Danica didn't struggle only snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You know Bruce is here," James slurred.

Her heartbeat spiked at the mention of his name, "Oh, I haven't seen him around. How do you know that?"

"Everybody got an invite to this party, Nic." He told her in a 'duh' tone, making her look dumb.

The song finished, and the two split up. "I'm going to get a drink." She said.

"Me too," James tugged her along to the kitchen where they were doing shots.

"What are you guys playing?" Danica inquired.

"A drinking game, if the statement said is not true, you drink, if it is you're safe."

"What are you playing with?"

"Vodka!"

"I'm in," Danica pulled up a stool.

"Me too," James chirped.

"Are you sure?"

"Whatever you play I'm playing." He said childishly.

The brown haired boy, set up the shots of vodka, "We will go clockwise. I'll go first. I've never kissed a girl." Most of the guys took a shot.

"I'm mated." Danica took the shot, the clear liquid burned down her throat. Her face scrunched up in distaste. The game continued, with each statement the more alcohol Danica consumed.

"I've never kiss my best friend." Danica downed her shot, this time it didn't burn as much as she was getting use to the sensation.

"I'm not a virgin," Very few drank, Danica was part of the very few.

"Christmas is tonight!" Danica slurred raising her glass and taking the shot.

"Okay that's enough," Chris pulled Danica away, as well as James. "Let's have you conscious for the new year, shall we?" He ushered the two to the living room where everyone was surrounding the big screen which was showing the New Year celebration that was going on in London.

Seconds away from the New Year, the crowd began to count down, where Danica joined along. "Five, Four, Three, Two, One....HAPPY NEW YEAR!" The crowd erupted into cheers as the fireworks on TV went off. They all watched the showcase of fireworks exploding in the capitol city, together as one big family.

Danica wished her parents and her brother and Avery happy New Year, then went off to the back for fresh air. She starred up into the night sky until her hand was going numb from the cold and goose bumps rise covering her arms. Rubbing her arms to warm up was faulty as the cold winds nipped at the flesh. Danica watched her breath turn to condensation and went inside; bidding good night to her friends and family she headed up to bed.

The party roared behind her as she made her way upstairs, the night still young and the pack even younger as they partied well into the new year, starting it right, starting it off with a triumphant bang! However Danica's, heart wasn't in it, her mind was occupied and her eyes searching hoping to spot the one person they wished to see but it was futile to spend the night searching the room for a certain pair of eyes. It was beginning to get tiring.

Promising to shower in the morning Danica changed into pyjamas and got into bed. She lay there disappointed, she knew she shouldn't have expected him; it wasn't like they're committed to each other. It's not even a normal relationship, by now when most, if not all mates become mated yet she wasn't. It's not like-

Her train of thought was cut short when the knock coming from her window was getting loud. Curious, she walked over to the window opening it with caution she look out the window scanning her surroundings.

"Boo," a silhouette whispered, appearing in front of her making her jump back, a startled squeal escaping her mouth. "s**t, I didn't mean to scare you," he said getting inside. Straightening himself, he walked across the room wrapping his arms around her, who was frozen in place, shocked.

"Y-you came?" She said relaxing into his embrace leaning into his body. She didn't mean it to come out as a question but it did.

"Why do you sound so surprised?" He chuckled, "sorry, I'm late I couldn't get away..." he told her drifting off into thought.

Danica got out of the embrace to look at him, she frowned taking him in it was clear that he was distracted. She walked over to the bed sitting down, not taking her eyes off him, there was something off about him she couldn't pin point. "Why did you come through the window?" She asked deciding to change the subject.

He looked at her, in focus and aware of the current situation he walked over to the bed and took her hand into his. "You see, the entire pack is in this house still partying unlike you," he told her pulling her up. "And I teach at the school you attend, It may be okay by the pack for me to join the party and..." he pulled her into a hug pressing her body against hers. "Do this, it may be okay by your family but the rest of the pack wouldn't be too impressed or this," he said kissing her on the jaw, trailing feather light kisses across her jaw his lips barely touching her skin. Her breath hitched at his touch as he trailed his lips down her neck. "Okay, maybe not this one, they won't be too pleased either..." he murmured into her neck, placing a firm kiss on where her neck and shoulder meet.

His hands trailed down her arms until he reached her hands and wrapped them around him; he placed his hand on her waist pulling her closer into him. He stood up straight, all the while holding her to his body. He tilted her head making her look at him, "Danica, I'm sorry I came late, and that I scared you." He added sheepishly. He bent down closing the space between their lips ever so slowly, making Danica burst with anticipation. "Happy New Year," he whispered ever so quietly and pressed his lips against hers.