Royal Submission

2. Distraction or Disaster?

"I'm so excited you're letting me take you out for your birthday," my best friend Haley squeals! She spent the entire school day using ever trick in the book to get me to go out with her tonight. I know I promised James and my parents that I'd come straight home for our birds and bees mate talk, and as much as I loathe being in a crowd with heightened senses, I happen to dread this talk even more. I know its wrong, and they're going to be pissed, but I'm sure thar whatever they've got to say can wait until morning. Its not like I'll be shifting for the first time at midnight or anything.

Thats just a myth. Shifters are born with our wolf side active. We all shift at different times, but I personally havent heard of anyone shifting after the age of ten. Ive read that if a shifters wolf side doesnt appear before puberty then their wolf isnt strong enough to shift skins. I cant imagine not knowing the feeling of total freedom that my wolf skin gives me. It also helps to run off all the extra hormonal and emotional energy that all shifters are known for. Anyway, turning 18 is only a big deal because our wolves suddenly release our individual mating pheromone to help us find our missing half.

"I can't believe I talked you into this," my best friend squealed making me frown. She was right. I'm shocked too. I'm normally not the rebellious type. I don't wanna hurt my parents or break their trust, and I definitely don't want any one of my brothers showing up at a club in the city. Haley knows one of the bouncers at some club. He goes to college with Haleys brother, Mike, and she swears he can get us in with hand stamps that says we are old enough to drink. s

Shes talked me into going to tonight instead of to collect me. It wouldn't be the first time I've been completely embarrassed by them.

As if reading my thoughts, Haley quits digging through her closet and raises an eyebrow in my direction, "what did you tell them anyway? In case they ask me."

Haley isnt a werewolf, she's human. We've been best friends since the first day of kindergarten when she seen me crying in the bathroom, unable to button my pants. She helped me. That was the day our girl tribe was official. We've been vibing ever since. Where I'm sweet and subtle, she's salty and direct.

We always joke about her being a better wolf than I am. My parents would murder me if they knew I told Haley about werewolves. It was strictly against some honorary code, but enforced by who? We're the only damn wolves aound.

Besides, no one in my family is gonna punish me. I'm the baby. I take advantage of that to the fullest.

"I told them I had to stay late at school to decorate for homecoming tomorrow, and that I was staying with you afterward," I shrug. Haley notices the swift change in my mood.

"And," she questions. When I just look at her she continues, "What if they say no, and make you come home?"

"I didn't leave it open for discussion. I didn't ask. I just told them my plans, and then I shut my phone off."

"What if they send one of your brothers to collect you," Haley warns. She was concerned. Her concern is valid.

"s**t! You're right. We need to hurry up and get ready. If we arrive too early for your plans then we'll find something to do to kill some time." Hearing my directions Haley starts the mad dash around her room rounding up our outfits and heels.

She hands me mine and points to her ensuite bathroom, "Go," she commands.

"Yes, Alpha," I tease her. She howls like an animal at me, and we both are laughing our asses off as we both finish geting ready.

"Damn girl," I complain, "one wrong move and my goodies are going to be falling all outta this dress!" Haley knew what she was doing picking this little bitty thing out for me knowing I've got a full ass.

"You better move right then," she laughs and teases me. "Besides it aint as revealing as mine," she tells me as she walks out of her closet wearing the tiniest strapless dress that I have ever seen. She has a huge smile on her face and wiggles her hips playfully making me giggle. Her dress is fire truck red with sequins.

I wolf whistle at her. She tells me to spin, and compliments me on my ass. I swear she's such a little kid about my ass. She's always making jokes and slapping it when I walk by her.

She isn't a lesbian or anything, far from it. She's been boy crazy for as long as I've known her. She's always had a thing for my youngest brother, Joel. He's a year older than us, so he's no longer in school. He went on to coach the girls basketball team though, and I swear it's the only reason she joined. She's not his mate though, unfortunately. If only it were that easy to upgrade my lifelong bff to official sister.

My dress hugs my curves like a second skin. It's black and has only one long laced sleeve that grips my wrist, leaving my other shoulder bare. I keep my jewelry the same, and slip on the 4 inch heels Haley let me borrow. They look better than the wedges I wore to school.

We always share clothes. She's the sister I've never had, official or not. We usualy spend the majority of our time together at her house, away from wolf life and pesky wolf problems, like mate bonds.

TWO HOURS LATER

After spending the last two hours in Haley's tiny ass car, the wolf in me is yearning to jump out and strech my legs. My wolf instinct felt a little all over the place. I felt anxious as soon as we crossed into the city. The tall buildings towered above our heads blocking any view of the forest from me. The only trees here were little shrub trees that were scattered among the other landscaping. They were purely for asthetic purpose only.

Haley must have noticed my agitation, because after she found an acceptble place to park she turned to me and rested one hand on my bare knee. She was trying to comfot me, and I was glad for the support. If she would have jumped out and started rushing me out of the car into the busy street I would of had a full on panic attack.

I took a deep breath. "Hal, are you sure this is a good idea? A club," I questioned, "In the city," I added to emphasize my concern? I didn't need to explain to her the potential risks of being a wolf in a highly populated area. We have spent countless hours on the phone, me spilling every detail of my parents many safety lectures.

"You're a f*****g werewolf," she scoffed! "And a total badass, might I add. You also don't get drunk, you can smell our drinks to make sure they're not drugged, and you've got a great instinct for danger. What could go wrong," she asks, shrugging a shoulder like it's not big deal?

But it is a big deal, and that instinct for danger is what I am feeling. If I had a moment alone in a quiet place I could probably tune into whatever it is thats grating against my senses. There's nothing peaceful about the city. I was experiencing a multitude of sensations all at once. Maybe it's just the over stimulation I rationalize with my inner wolf, though my instinct says it's more than that.

When I notice Haley get out I swallow my anxiety and step out to meet her. We join arms, and both huddle towards together to conserve a little body heat. I wasn't too cold, but I knew Haley was. She's always cold.

She can tell I'm still not one hundred percent comfortable with the plans she made for us. "Charlie, your family has practically kept you under lock and key your entire life. I'm your bestfriend, and I know that you needed this," she gently spoke.

She was right too. I had been feeling seriously smothered for a long time now. If it wasn't my parents trying to sit me down to talk about my mated s*x life, my brothers raining on every good time I've ever tried to have, then it was my father's lectures about getting excellent grades and filling the remainder of my time with intense physical training. I never had any time to myself.

Rounding the corner we stepped into a short line infront of a building that read "DISTRACTION" in bright smooth lettering.

"Distraction," I read aloud. "Hopefully this doesn't end in disaster," I mummble under my breath.

"Hey," my best friend elbows me in the side softly, "I heard that. Just loosen up, alright Birthday Girl" she laughs.

"Okay," I agree, and into the club we go. I was, after all, the one who was asking for a distraction just this morning.