Elaine POV
“There are fewer people here than I thought,” I commented.
Fran nodded. “Some party this is. Where’s the music and the real alcohol? This isn’t going to get anyone drunk.”
I snickered. I wasn’t planning on getting drunk tonight. That would be an error around people I barely knew. My wolf was agitated tonight and angry because of the argument I had with Azaire.
Since I walked out of the house he sent me fifty text messages but I hadn’t opened one.
“Do the Blood Moon crowd always party in the woods?” I asked.
“No, like this is so juvenile. Ugh, we’re the masters of parties. Whoever organised this thing should be ashamed.”
“Gather around everyone!” Zoe’s high-pitched voice travelled around the trees and bounced off the large stones sticking out of the ground.
It was a little bit chilly out here but Zoe was overdressed in a hot pink faux fur coat and three-inch heels. How could she walk in those when the ground was so moist?
“Hmm, Zoe, I should have known this is probably something for her social media following,” Fran said.
“Do you follow her?”
“What? Hell no, I don’t see the hype. Her family’s rich but there are way more influential people in town.”
I laughed. “Oh, Fran.”
Zoe completed the incredible act of climbing on a slippery and smooth rock with her heels on. She tapped her phone on a large wine bottle.
“She’s a total snob,” Fran whispered.
I scanned the group for someone recording to support Fran’s claim that this was all for content but I couldn’t imagine what was film worthy about this party. It was totally lame and I hadn’t seen Chase anywhere though the alcohol was flowing.
“Thank you all for coming! This whole party is only to welcome Elaine into our circle. The reason there are so few people is because the only ones invited are people who actually matter, with power and influence. Let’s all make Elaine feel welcome. She’s part of our beloved Alpha’s family and they would want us to shower her with love and affection.”
“I’m not buying this,” Fran hissed.
I was having a hard time buying it too but Zoe didn’t hide her words she didn’t have a problem talking down on others and expressing her true emotions. She thought she was better than everyone else and she truly believed it.
“Hi Elaine,” a boy said.
“Welcome to the group.”
“We should totally hangout.”
“When are you accepting visitors?”
I smiled as a small group of people swarmed me. I understood the only reason they were being nice to me was because of my status as Azaire’s girlfriend but it was better than being scowled at.
Fran rolled her eyes and wandered off to find another drink. I needed one too. What was I doing here? I didn’t want to go home either. How would I look into Azaire’s eyes? How could I sleep next to him and let him hold me when my heart was shattered and my soul was confused?
“Looks like someone is popular now,” Chase said from behind me.
He carried a brown beer bottle and leaned on a skinny tree.
“You know it’s fake,” I said, walking towards him.
He shrugged. “Yeah, I know.”
I bit my bottom lip. Maybe he could relate because his Dad was super rich. He must have people swarming him all the time.
“Why are you here, Chase? You don’t seem to like this.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “Because you intrigue me, Elaine. There’s something about you-”
“There you are!” Fran brushed past me and sent me stumbling two feet to the right.
Fran grabbed Chase by the collar and growled.
“Whoa, Fran, let me go,” Chase laughed and lifted his arms.
“This isn’t funny! Where’s my brother?”
“He’s your brother, not mine shouldn’t you be the one keeping tabs on him?”
Cold fingers wrapped around my arm, tugging me away from Fran and Chase. I came face to face with Zoe’s smile and flawless face.
“We’re leaving,” she said.
“Oh, is the party over already?”
“No, but we’re moving locations. Austin has connections in the local police and they plan on sweeping the area soon. The last thing we need is to get caught out here.”
I nodded.
“Obviously if the police caught us out here you could get us off the hook because you’re close to Richie but…”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t want to get caught out here. That would be an embarrassing conversation.”
She nodded understandingly. “Right, and he would totally tell my Dad. I’d rather not have that conversation.”
I wondered what my Father would think about me drinking out in the middle of the forest. Did he even care about me drinking when he was alive? All he cared about was me keeping his precious secrets and marrying Neel.
“So where’s the party moving to?” I asked, feeling a little more relaxed.
“Just a few minutes from here.”
I looked over at Fran and Chase. She had him against a tree this time Chase looked genuinely concerned for his safety.
“Don’t worry about him. He knows where the party’s going. He’ll bring Fran.”
“Sure if she doesn’t kill him first.”
“Chase can take care of himself. Let’s go.”
“Uhh…”
Zoe yanked me forward I followed her behind a small group of young adults discussing a new TV show. It felt normal and I barely knew what normal felt like. After a couple of minutes of walking, I couldn’t tell where we would end up, but Zoe was comfortable as she chatted with her brunette friend.
“How much longer?” I asked. I turned to see if Fran and Chase were following us but they weren’t.
“Oh we’re almost there,” Zoe replied. “Greg, do you have another bottle of tequila?”
Greg held up a blue bottle.
“Great! I need a shot. A girl like me wasn’t meant for walking,” she laughed. “We’re here!” Zoe raised her hands.
I turned to see what was so marvellous but my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.
“A cemetery?”
Zoe planted a hand on her hip. “You think you’re so good you can’t drink in a cemetery?”
“No, but why the hell would I want to?”
It was dark and the clouds had covered the moon. However, what little light was left glistened over the sleepy, cold tombstones sticking out of the earth scattered across the yard. The air was ominous like a warning sign of things to come. I stepped backwards.
“Don’t be a wimp, Elaine,” Zoe said.
I worried they would think I was a coward but now I didn’t care.
“Greg, hand me the tequila. Do your stuff.”
I shook my head. “Cemeteries aren’t my thing, Zoe. I’m leaving.”
The tequila bottle reached her and she shrugged. “Leave if you can.”
“Goodbye,” I said.
But I didn’t go far when cold metal wrapped around my wrists and locked.
“What are you doing?!” I screeched.
I turned to see Greg yank on the chain and drag me to a mausoleum. I dug my heels into the ground and summoned my wolf strength but it was like trying to turn on an empty lighter.
Greg pulled out another handcuff and locked it to a metal pipe sticking out of the ground.
“What the hell?” my wolf flashed in my eyes but that was all Dove could do.
My restraints were too short for me to stand so I was left kneeling in the dirt.
Zoe towered over me. “Did you really think anyone would want to be friends with a Black Claw spawn like you?”
“You’re such a bitch!”
She fake yawned. “Like I haven’t heard that before. Take her phone just in case.”
“A little chain won’t hold me!” I growled.
“I know. We took into consideration you’re an Alpha female. There’s vampire venom around your handcuffs. It’ll eventually wear off but that means you’ll have to spend the night here alone in an abandoned cemetery. No one’s coming to save you, Elaine.”