Chapter 13-- The Costume Party

“Of course not, don’t even ask me that.” He spat.
“You barely know me. I barely know me.” Tears stung my eyes.
He closed the distance between us. He hesitated at first, but then he put his arms on my waist before pulling me close. Our foreheads touched.
“I know enough about you to want to protect you for the rest of my life beautiful. I don’t believe for a second you have anything to do with the Dare pack.”
“And if I do?” I swallowed.
He pulled away and took my hand. “Let’s get you something to eat.”
He completely evaded my question. He wrapped his arm around my waist, keeping me walking in front of him as we made our way to the dining room. I didn’t know what time they made it here, though Ash, Ginger and Sam were stuffing meat in their faces. The Betas lounged on the dining table too along with other ruthless looking shifters that I assumed were Dean’s Beta wolves.
“Where’s Gabe?” Kenzie asked.
“Couldn’t give a damn.” Dean shoved me onto a seat to the right of the head of the table, next to Ginger.
As if on cue more food rolled in carried by female wolves, dressed in medieval see-through skirts that displayed their thick thighs. Their tops didn’t bother to cover their waists or their breasts entirely.
A blend of two heated emotions bubbled in me and I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to admit I was jealous. Was this what kept Dean and his wolves entertained. Subconsciously, I glared at Dean, but he didn’t catch it.
One of the servers brushed her breasts against Dean’s shoulder as she leaned forward to place a bowl of salad that wasn’t even necessary on a table for wolves! She kept a straight face as she brushed her breasts along my man’s arm! A possessiveness I’d never felt washed over me and I wanted to drag her as outside— Where did that come from?
Ginger snickered, “I guess you know who your competition is now.”
“Competition?”
Ginger winked. “I’ll tell you outside.”
Dean placed his hand on my thigh and I had half a mind to slap it away, but he gripped it tight. I had to suppress a groan. It was difficult to eat with Dean rubbing his hand on my thigh the entire time. When we were done I found Ginger outside.
“Eager to hear about your competition? I guess it isn’t much of a competition since Lexi was here first.”
“I’m not interested in any competition.”
Ginger’s brows dipped, “So you’re going to let your mate keep his mistress? Granted all Alphas, do it, doesn’t seem fair to me.”
“No! I… I don’t know.”
Ginger sighed, “You’re hopeless. I can fix this.”
“You want to help me?”
Ginger scrawled, “Don’t say it that way. I just don’t have anything to do around here.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Listen, there’s a costume party tonight to welcome the new pack members. To get everyone to relax and convince them they’re safe.”
“Okay?”
“You’re going to dress up mark your territory.” Ginger smiled.
I was skeptical about going along with this plan, but it didn’t involve me getting in a van or setting me on fire. I was safe for now. Hours later the sun had set and Ginger and I were alone in her room with a pair of fishnets dangling in my face.
“You’re kidding!” I said.
Ginger frowned. “It goes with the costume.”
The costume was a sparkly purple bodysuit with a sweetheart neckline. It came with a puffy tail and bunny ears. I knew I should have gone shopping with her.
“Have you seen the heels?” Ginger pulled out a hair of five inch black stilettos.
“Is the plan to embarrass me?” I shot up from her queen sized bed and paced the room. Why was I doing this?
“Don’t you want to look sexy? You have to mark your territory or else these older omegas are going to walk all over you.” Ginger began to strip.
“I…I… well, I guess so.” I didn’t know what it felt like to be sexy. I wasn’t sure I had ever walked in heels before.
Ginger pulled out a black costume like mine, but hers was a she-devil. She had a mini ceptor and red horns to match. What if Dean didn’t even like it? I’d never know unless I found out.
I changed into the bunny costume. Fishnets first then the bodysuit. It hugged every curve perfectly and the fishnets were sexier than I thought they would be. I scrutinized myself in the mirror when Ginger came up behind me and dismantled my ponytail.
“I did good. A tube of red lipstick and you’re good to go.” Ginger eyed me up and down.
Unlike me Ginger wore thin black tights and higher high heels.
“Come on! Let’s go. We’re late.”
The party started hours ago. Not enough time left to practice walking in heels. Ginger dragged me out of her room. It was a steady descend down the stairs. Luckily we didn’t have to go far to get to the party which was in the castle’s back yard.
“Do you have what I asked for?” Ginger slithered her way up to Ash.
Ash smirked and handed her a red cup. I couldn’t be sure what costume Ash wore. He was dressed in black from head to toe. Same with Sam who fidgeted quietly by the food table.
So many people in masks grinding on one another. It made my palms sweat. “Uh, are you sure— Oh.” I turned and found Ginger sucking Ash’s face.
I blushed a bit and backed up. Maybe this was a bad idea. I spotted Lyle among the crowd dressed as a vampire. Wrong costume for a wolf party maybe? He noticed me too and raised his brow. It was the fishnets I needed to get out of here.
Ginger groaned, “Here drink this.” She shoved a cup in my hands.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Alcohol duh.” She placed her hands on Ash’s shoulders.
He laughed, “Are you sure about that? Layla could be a lightweight.”
“Who cares she needs to relax. Like Sam.” She scrawled at Sam who looked like he was about to bolt.
Ash laughed, “Sam’s had one too many.”
I took a sip and the liquid tasted like cotton candy. I expected it to be sour and stink. It kind of felt like glitters were floating up to my nose. The drink was finished in seconds.
“Good huh?” Ash asked, mischief on his face as usual.
“What another?” Ginger smiled.
“Sure.”
The second cup didn’t last much longer. I loved the way my tongue tingled. The pink liquid was delicious. Ginger handed me another one. Suddenly I aware of the music playing. When I whirled I stumbled. My body quaked. I needed to get on the dance floor.
“That’s her last one Ginger. You know the limit’s three.” Ash said.
“Don’t be such a spoil sport Ash.” I snapped, gripping my drink to my chest.
“Yeah, Ash. Can’t you see Layla’s loosening up.” Ginger smiled.
I glanced at my drink and it was half done already! Ash glared at a playful Ginger. He wasn’t going to give me anymore. He had to be getting it from somewhere. The DJ changed the song to a faster and more upbeat one.
“I love this song!” I said.
“Me too!” Ginger cried, throwing her hands in the air and spilling her drink. I nearly whimpered when the drink hit the ground.
“Let’s go dance.” I giggled.
“Yes!”
I dashed off, expecting Ginger to appear next to me, but I was alone. I gulped my drink and moved my body to the beat of the music. The dance floor was crowded that’s why I kept grinding on people or so I thought. I heard someone call me, but I kept drifting, drifting through people’s arms. When I finally stopped someone had their big hands on my waist, pulling me close.
“Hi there, little wolf.” A man with silver front teeth grinned at me.
“Wanna dance?” He asked.
I tipped my head back and laughed as if what he said was the funniest thing on earth. He pulled me close and I could smell cigarette smoke on his clothes. I wanted a cigarette too!
He grinded his body on me and I felt his erection. Normally that would have scared the crap out of me, but I swayed against him, feeling him get harder and harder.
I groaned and tipped my cup up to my lips. I waited far too long for the drink to hit my tongue.
“It’s finished!” I whined.
“You want to get out of here little wolf?” He asked, his hand gripping my waist.
I wanted more of my magical drink. I wiggled out of his hold, but he wouldn’t let me go.
“Come on now, we’re just getting started.”
“I need more of this! Do you have any?” I gripped my cup and pouted, making my eyes as big as possible.
The wolf smirked, flashing his silver teeth as me.
“Of course I do babe. Back at my place.”
“If I come back to your place will you give me some?” I poked his leather waistcoat and slurred.
“Of course babe.”
“Layla!” A bark sounded that made me lose my footing.
“What?” I slurred. That was me right?
“Get your fucking hands off her or you’ll lose them wolf.” Dean growled.
The room started spinning and I could barely see. The people turned into clouds. Why were clouds dancing on the grass?
“You’ll get your turn dude.” The wolf with his hands on me said.
Dean’s eyes turned as red as the blood in the punchbowl. The wolf let me go and I nearly hit the floor.
“I didn’t know she was yours. She was all over me man.”
“Don’t go! What about my drink?” I turned and glared at Dean. At least I think I did since my eyes were closed. “You Mister owe me a drink and it better be magical.”
“You’re fucking drunk. Let’s go.”
“To get my drink?”
My feet left the ground. Dean threw me over his shoulder and tightened his grip on my thighs. He moved so fast the dance floor vanished!