Chapter 40 - A Dangerous Game

The dimly illuminated street and the adorned trees for the evening's festivities were almost too much for me to enjoy. My seatbelt seemed unable to stop me from flying out as I grabbed to it with both hands. "Watch out!"

When Damon did not show any signs of stopping behind a stopped car at a traffic light, I cried out once more. Instead, he passed the car in front of the driver and ran the red light, nearly forcing another car to crash into him now that it was honking. When we arrived at the crowded venue, Damon eventually pulled the car to a stop.

While he gave his keys to the valet, I hurried out of the car. I ran to the nearest isolated bush and puked into the shrubs.

I heard Damon saying, "You're so dramatic," from behind.

I tried to give him my hardest glare and murmured, "Fuck you." as he gave me a handkerchief to wipe my lips with.

"You're crazy, your driving will take your life if the vampires don't."

While he chuckled and rushed towards the doors, I shoved past him. The guards flicked a quick peek at Damon above me and nodded their heads "welcome, Alpha."

I walked inside as if he didn't exist and I continued to roll my eyes at how much they feared him. Similar to the last occasion, the enormous room was filled with hundreds of werewolves.

All of them were dressed in black, just as Damon had said. A high platform stage with black velvet couches on which I could see Luke and Tiffany, together with other members of the council, added an air of sophistication to the event. Her gaze instantly locked with mine before averting her gaze.

As usual, Damon grabbed my hand and pushed me through the crowd despite my best efforts to resist. Everyone applauded and congratulated him as they parted as if they sensed his arrival. I thought sourly to myself, "Congrats on murdering thousands of innocent people." We reached the point where we were once again granted entry by security.

"Ava, finally, you're here! Better late than never, eh?"

Daphine said, scrambling to her feet and rushing to give me a hug and a kiss. I caught a whiff of alcohol on her breath as she giggled. Purple bruises showed through her makeup under her eyes. I wondering if her mate also hit her similarly to Luke. Could it soon begin with Damon, I wondered?"Ava, finally, you're here!" "Better late than never, eh?" Daphine said, giggling as I could smell the alcohol on her breath. She quickly stood up and rushed to give me a quick embrace and kiss. Purple bruises showed through her makeup under her eyes. I pondered if her partner had struck her similarly to Luke. I wondered if it would start with Damon soon? As Damon said his hellos, I said mine. Tiffany attempted to seem normal, but I could tell that her air had thickened when I gave her a kiss and a gentle hug. When no one was watching, I gave her a pat on the back.

Letting her cry into my shoulders was something I wanted to do for a longer time. The grief she must have been going through following the murder of her family members was beyond my comprehension, and all of this just to come here and act like it's a celebration. For one person, it was simply too much.

"So, do you want a drink, or ten!" I sat down by Daphne's side as she unleashed another outburst. Damon was sitting across from Luke when I turned to look at him. My naked legs, which were showing through the jacket, caught his attention. They went through my stiletto heels and down to my perfectly groomed feet.

"Yes, I'll have a champagne please." When a glass was presented to me, I looked around the room and took a moment to take a sip. People moved to the upbeat music. There was a huge metal cage hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room, which caught my attention. That wasn’t there the last time, was it? Although I might have been hallucinating, I could have swore to you that something inside the cage had moved.

"What is that?" I stammered, but Damon's fixed stare was too much to ignore.

"What?" I lost it.

"Remove your jacket," he commanded, spinning his whiskey glass.

"I don't feel like it," but the reality was, I felt uneasy about doing it.

"Take it off," he repeated, his demeanor intimidatingly composed.

I groaned and plastered a wicked smile on my face. I got up to reveal my bright red, exposing gown to everyone watching me, and I let go of the fur jacket, letting it fall to my seat behind me.