Party, party,party
It was a different world, James Dray’s world.
He functioned perfectly, all the time.
His rigorous schedule of waking up, running, eating bigger meals than she knew what to do with, leaving for practice, games, dinner out and the associated socializing it required—it left her exhausted and failing to keep up with him. She was sure his friends were starting to notice her lack of social skills. If she felt well, she’d say a few words—if she was having an off day, she’d keep quiet and let James lead the socializing.
The need for drugs might have faded to the back of her mind but the sickness hadn’t waned and that morning she felt the unease in her stomach as she looked down at her cell phone and his text messages from the night before. He hadn’t sent her a good morning yet but she was sure if she’d waited just a bit longer, he would have.
Sitting alone at the kitchen table had plagued her with a new loneliness though and she suddenly missed him even more than she already did. She started a new message, ruminating on the fact that she still had another two days to go till he would be home again.
Morning, I hope you have a good game. If you screw up, Carter will make sure you never hear the end of it, but I’ll still love you.
She hit send, not overly thrilled with the text but hoping he’d at least see it before he was supposed to get ready for the game that day.
Carter walked from his bedroom into the kitchen, looking sleepy and yawning. “Morning.”
“Morning.” Kara smiled at him. “How’s it going?”
He stretched, walking to the coffee pot to start it. “Bagged but I shouldn’t have stayed out that late after the game.”
“Did you guys win?”
“Not even close,” Carter grumbled, hitting the power button on the machine. “Then we went to the pub for a bit.”
“So, you’re hungover?” Kara gave him a teasing smile.
“Fuck no.” Carter yawned once more. “That’s tonight!”
“What’s tonight?” Kara blinked.
“Halloween Party?” He said, “Remember?”
“Oh, right,” she said, hoping she had already avoided the social costume event.
“So, you going to come? Cause fuck, it’s gonna be a riot!”
Kara winced. “I’m good. I’ll stick around here.”
Carter sat down across from her at the table. “You never leave this flat.”
“That’s not true. I went to the store yesterday,” she pointed out.
He slapped the table. “You gotta come, no more of this ‘wait around for Jimmy’ shit.”
Kara sighed. “I think I’m getting a stomach bug.”
“Come on!” he encouraged. “Tons of fun. You need it.”
“I don’t have a costume.”
“Oh!” He shot up. “I’ve got an idea.” He rushed into his bedroom, making a lot of shuffling noises before he reappeared, hands behind his back. “Meow.”
He brought up a pair of black cat ears to his head and swung around, revealing a tail.
Kara smiled. “Why do you have those?”
Carter turned back to her, shrugging and tossing the tail and ears at her.
“Did some chick leave these in your room?” she asked.
He smiled, sitting again. “What? That would never happen.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Surprised I never found any in James’ room too.”
“Ah, he’s too straight for costumes.”
Kara blinked. “Yeah, I can’t use these.” She tried to slide them back across the table, disgusted by where they might’ve been. She paused in between, huffing and deciding that she needed to do something. “Kay, I’ll go, but—”
“What happens at Greg’s parties stays at Greg’s parties,” Carter said. “You can ask James about that one too.”
She pointed at him. “Don’t make me regret this.”
He laughed. “Again, that would never happen.” Standing, he walked to the coffee pot. “Better go find a nice short skirt and a bra to wear with that, you’ll have some stiff competition tonight.”
Kara shook her head. “I’m good. I’ll wear jeans.”
Carter smiled. “Oh, come on, embrace being a Dray-girl,” he teased. “Might as well flaunt the accomplishment of making James want a girlfriend and be in a committed relationship.”
“Are you being serious?” Kara stared at him.
Carter laughed, choking back a sip of black coffee.
She sighed. “What are you going as?”
“A knight in shining armour. Need to get myself a princess.” He smirked and Kara rolled her eyes at him as he disappeared into the living room, and Kara startled as her phone beeped beside her.
James: Morning, love.
How’s your stomach? I hope you haven’t thrown up anymore. If you have, can get you to see a doctor today, but you need to call me after the game and don’t worry yourself, I don’t screw up.
She smiled and sent a heartfelt ‘good luck.’ James’ response came quick and she read his ‘I love you’ with a smile.
Kara slipped into a brand new pair of black jeans from which she’d just ripped the tags and as she slipped her hips into them she was pleasantly surprised with the fit.
She hadn’t tried on much when they’d been shopping. James told her she could return anything she didn’t like later, which had made the shopping experience fast and easy, but it had left her with a lot of clothing she’d yet to even look at since.
Ripping through the closet of perfectly hung items, she found a black lace tank top.
If this isn’t cat enough, I don’t know what is.
She walked out of the closet, organizing her purse, her flats she wanted to wear and her cat items, but she paused when she heard a bout of voices in the hall. She slipped her ears on her head and headed to the bedroom door.
Poking her head out of the room, she looked down to the door to see Carter greeting three others: A werewolf, a vampire and a scantily dressed Little Red Riding Hood.
“I just have to get the rest of my costume on,” Carter told them, only his bottom half dressed in his knight’s outfit.
Kara watched as they walked towards the kitchen but Carter spotted her.
“Ah, kitten!” He joked.
Kara stepped out. “I’m almost ready.”
“Come meet Frank, George, and Catherine.”
Kara hesitated but Carter urged her forward and she walked into the kitchen.
“Hey, this is Kara. She’s coming with us.”
“Hi, Kara,” they all greeted her.
“I saw you at Jim’s party, right?” the vampire asked.
“I like your outfit.” Little Red Riding Hood smiled. “I’m Catherine or Catie.”
Carter clapped his hands. “Kay, give me five minutes, I need to get my armour shined!” He walked into his bedroom and closed the door.
“Going as a kitty, then?” The wolf smiled.
Kara sighed. “Last minute costume.”
“You need some makeup,” Catherine noted. “I can help if you want.”
Kara blinked. “Y-yeah. I have some eye liner.”
“Works!” She grabbed Kara’s arm and walked down the hall with her towards the bathroom. It was obvious the girl knew the apartment, Kara just didn’t want to know why.
Kara opened one of the cupboard drawers and pulled out a small make up bag, containing her only eyeliner, mascara, lipstick and blush.
Catherine took it from her, looking inside and pulling out the pencil. “You should invest in a few more makeup items.”
Taking her chin, she forced Kara’s face up. “Close your eyes.”
Kara did as she was told as Catherine applied a heavy layer of thick liner, tapering off in the corners to a cat-eye effect.
“Oh, I like.” Catherine let her open her eyes and Kara turned to look in the mirror.
Her large green eyes popped against the black makeup.
“Thanks.”
“And you need some lipstick; red, feisty kitty.” Catherine pulled out the brand new red lipstick from her own purse. “Part your lips. Like this.” She showed her what to do and Kara followed her instructions.
“You look great!” Catherine smirked. “Ready to pick up those boys.”
“Ha.” Kara’s stomach flipped. “That definitely won’t be happening.”
Catherine zipped up her makeup bag and fluffed her hair. “Aw, well, that’s what Greg’s parties are for.” She laughed.
Kara tensed. Oh great.
“Did Carter leave that out in the invite?”
Only a lot. Kara smiled. “Yeah, I don’t think that was mentioned.”
“Maybe he likes you,” Catherine offered.
“I also don’t think so. I think he feels sorry for me,” Kara admitted, putting the makeup back in the drawer.
“Well, you must be awesome. Carter is picky about newcomers.”
Kara looked at her. “I guess I feel special then.”
Catherine giggled. “You should, just don’t let him take advantage of you, unless you’re into that sort of thing.”
“My boyfriend wouldn’t really approve.” Kara smiled. “I just need to go get my purse…”
Catherine perked up. “Is your boyfriend coming then?”
“No, uh, he’s away.”
“Away?”
“Football.”
“James Dray?” The girl’s expression was one of a deer in the headlights as she slotted together who Kara was. It had started to happen more and more, being James Dray’s girlfriend was a hot topic.
“That’s him. I’ll be right back,” Kara called, walking out of the bathroom quickly before she could be questioned further.
Their minivan of a taxi rolled up in front of Greg’s home, a historic mansion surrounded by tall trees and manicured lawn.
“Holy…” Kara breathed, staring at the house and its perfectly carved twenty-two pumpkins leading up to the door, through a Styrofoam graveyard and cheesecloth ghosts.
“Oh my god, this is amazing!” Catherine exclaimed.
“Yeah, and there’s gonna be like two hundred people,” the werewolf beside her added.
“Let’s go get some candy, kiddies!” Carter laughed from behind them, still sipping from the container of vodka mix he’d brought for the cab ride over.
Kara went first with the aid of Catherine and they made their way towards the house, stepping into the lit up and strobing graveyard. A zombie jumped out at them, screaming in their face, and Catherine grabbed on to her as Kara only stumbled back.
Good try. She knew it would take more than that to throw her. Hunter. Hunter. You’re a Hunter. She chanted to herself.
They got to the front door but not without the boys behind them trying to scare them on top of it. Once inside the booming house packed with people and smoke machine fog, Carter tugged her and Catherine to the kitchen in search of booze. Kara wasn’t going to argue the drinking any further. She wanted some fun for once, wanted a break so bad from being sober, it hurt.
She took the generous cup of a pop-mixed drink. Drink, Kara, drink.
“Ah, photo evidence needed.” Carter popped up beside her, holding his phone out. “Smile!”
Kara blinked, wrinkling her nose as the camera flash on his outstretched phone went off.
Carter looked at it. “No, try again!”
Kara shook her head.
He grabbed her shoulder, shoving her away. “Stay, kitty.” He smirked.
Kara swallowed. “What?”
“Come on!” Carter held out his phone again. “Smile, sex-kitten.”
Kara smiled, trying to get him off her back.
He took a photo, right before Greg clambered up beside him. “Carter!”
“Greg!”
Kara’s smile stayed as she watched the boys greet each other obnoxiously.
“Kara!” Greg gave her a drunken kiss on the cheek before he picked her up over his shoulder.
Carter laughed as she screamed, grabbing onto his back.
“I like your costume.” Greg chuckled.
Kara attempted to steady the cup in her hand, while trying not to fall face first on the ground.
He dropped her back to her feet. “Kitty.”
“What are you supposed to be?” Kara looked him over, no sign of a costume.
“Me.” Greg smiled.
Carter adjusted the armour on his shoulder. “Smart-ass!”
“If it’s good enough for James, it’s good enough for me.”
Kara’s brow perked as Greg turned to her.
“Not here, is he?” he asked.
“Nope!” Carter interjected, “and I barely got her out too because of it.”
“Does he know?” Greg laughed.
Kara blushed.
“Will now.” Carter held up his phone and showed her the photo he’d just posted of her, holding a drink in a crowded kitchen looking overly innocent—as usual. James wouldn’t love it.
Greg laughed.
“That’s a horrible photo!” Kara scolded Carter, trying to take his phone.
“Oh no, kitty.” Carter dashed away from her, leaving her to face Greg.
“Come with me.” Greg grabbed her arm, dragging her through the house.
She kept up. “Where are we going?”
“Do you want a bump before we go outside?” he shouted over the music.
Kara blinked. Oh fuck.
“Well?”
She swallowed the alcohol in her mouth. “No thanks.” She didn’t need any drugs. Not even in the slightest. If they only knew where she’d been the month before, they would have wanted nothing to do with her.
“Alright.” He swung the back door open to reveal yet more people, but this crowd was calmer and possibly high.
Just like when I met Tom. Kara winced from her thoughts and drank more.
“Frank!” Greg brought her over to a group of boys.
“I just lit up.” The boy offered him one and Greg took a hit.
“So.” Greg leaned into her. “How do you like it in the UK?”
Kara shrugged as she stepped out of the way of the passing of the joint. “It’s good.”
“Let me have some, Greg.” A girl walked up, her voice soft and fluid, like water on ice. It made Kara’s skin crawl as she recognised who it was.
Greg smiled. “Where have you been, Lila?”
“I just got here,” she answered, taking the drugs from him and helping herself.
“Come with anyone?” Greg asked.
“No.” She tossed her dark hair over one shoulder and turned her chin up. From under her witch’s hat she set her sights on Kara. “Hello.”
Kara nodded to her, staying quiet and sipping her drink.
Lila finished her double toke and handed it back to Greg. “James’ girlfriend, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think we were ever formally introduced.” She stuck out her hand, accompanied by her long professional manicured nails. “Lila Torres.”
Kara passed the joint along without taking her turn and shook her hand. “I guess not. I’m Kara Heart.”
“Nice to meet you…” Lila turned her nose, dropping contact with her and putting her hand on Greg’s shoulder. “James around?”
Kara didn’t let Greg answer though. “He’s at a game.”
Lila turned with a slowness and looked her up and down. “Of course, he is, how silly of me. Who did they play today? Spain?”
Kara swallowed, she should have known that too.
Lila only smiled at her when she didn’t reply—taking the victory of Kara’s absent knowledge. She patted Greg’s shoulder. “I’m going to get a drink.” Then kissed his cheek and walked away.
Carter had shown up again. “I see the wicked-witch has arrived. Which stick is she riding tonight?”
“Don’t be an ass,” Greg warned.
“Ah, right, then it’s yours clearly.” Carter intercepted and grabbed the weed mid-pass.
Greg creased his brow. “Carter, come on.” He turned away from his friend, done with the conversation and to her relief, Kara’s phone beeped in her purse.
She pulled it out, reading the text message.
James Dray: And I quote… ‘Happy Halloween, Jimmy, I think our view is a bit better than yours at the moment.’
Kara choked on the drink in her mouth, staring at the photo attached to the text, the one Carter had posted online.
Happy Halloween. Meow.
Kara hit send and drank more, hoping his mood would be favourable to her being at the party.
The ears are cute.
Kara perked up, smiling at that.
Does that mean you like the costume?
James: I want to but I know where you are.
She swallowed, finishing off her drink.
Your friends are amusing. I’m having fun.
James: I could show you more fun than that. Be careful, my love.
Kara smiled, stepping back out of the group.
“Where are you going?” Carter asked, catching her before she could get away.
Kara pointed over her shoulder. “Another drink.”
“Don’t go far. I promised James I’d keep an eye on you…” He winked at her and she huffed, of course that was a thing.
Kara rolled her eyes. “Just lie to him. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Carter laughed as she walked away, heading back to the music and people.
As she made her way towards the kitchen, she began to feel the effects of the strong drink but enjoying it. She wasn’t sure if James would have approved, but then again, it was his friends who had offered it to her.
She reached out for the container of pop and poured herself another drink with a healthy shot to go along with it.
“Are you enjoying Lord Dray?”
“Excuse me?” Kara turned to her left, where Lila stood, grabbing a bottle of hard liquor.
“He’s good in bed, isn’t he?” She doused her cup with vodka. “Best I’ve ever had and I’ve had a fair amount of men.”
Kara stared at her in shock.
Lila leaned in with a smile. “Massive cock. I could never get it all the way down my throat. I heard his father was the same and that’s why he didn’t get married until they forced him at thirty-something to pick a wife. He needed an heir, a son. Now we have James Dray, lucky us.” She giggled and leaned away from Kara with a smile.
“Wow, that’s a lot of information.” Kara took a big gulp of her drink.
“Well, or else you might not have believed I was fucking him up until you showed up at his party.” Lila snorted. “I guess the most pressing issue is his sudden change of agenda.”
Kara wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t show up at his party. He brought me with him.”
Lila almost laughed. “Okay.” When Kara’s eyes didn’t waiver off her, Lila’s amusement faded to a glare. “He’s from one of the most prominent families in the Elite circle. Who even are you?”
Kara creased her brow. “Why does that matter?”
“Because you don’t fit in and if I’m being honest, I’m having a hard time figuring out how you ever will. I mean look at you. Look at him for Christ’s sake.”
Kara’s stunned silence egged Lila on.
“Alpha men like him don’t like girls like you…”
“Awesome. Thanks for this amazing chat, I’ll cherish it forever.” She went to walk past her but Lila stepped in her way.
“Everyone knows James. Everyone knows his family.” Her glare just needed laser beams and it would be complete. “You’re not a model with a name or even a trust fund baby. No one knows who you are or where you came from—”
“You should really mind your own business.” Kara sneered.
The girl snaked around Kara and she watched her disappear into the groups of rowdy kids. She took her leave too, getting outside and out of the hot stuffy air. She leaned against the side of the brick home as the cool breeze hit, rattling the dead leaves of the vines as she tucked herself into a shadow and out of the moonlight.
After taking several sips of her drink, she allowed the alcohol to seep into her system and numb some of her anger. She needed that if she wasn’t able to beat the crap out of Lila Torres for being well, a total bitch.
Kara fumed. Stupid girl.
Shuffling steps interrupted her boiling thoughts and she looked up to the shadow now near her. She squinted at the tall, male frame through the darkness, a failed attempt to figure out who it was.
“There you are. Finally away from… are they your friends or his?”
She tensed, the deep drawl of his heavy voice made her skin crawl and the panic from it wasn’t far behind. That voice she knew anywhere.
He stepped up to her side to grab her arm but she wasn’t fast enough with the booze hitting her and he got her.
“Tom.”
“You’re a bad girl.” His sadistic amusement rolled off his words. She didn’t need to see him to feel the level of shit she was in. Pushing into her, he put his mouth against her cheek, breathing against her, smelling her.
“I told you I’d find you, Kara.”
She shoved him off using every bit of strength she had, trying to focus through it all as her head rushed, causing her vision to blur momentarily.
“I won’t lie, your vanishing act did elude me for a bit,” he said. “But then I started digging a bit and that’s when word got out around town there was an Elite with you the day of your brother’s funeral.”
Her ears throbbed as the adrenaline surged her Hunter veins and made listening almost impossible. She had to fight or accept the fate she’d run away from to begin with.
“What?” She went to break his hold but almost lost her balance. He corrected her, bringing her against his chest and she heard the animalistic growl in her ear.
The debilitation of his grip increased, hurting her, digging into her and making her body not respond to her need to get away.
“…So I went to the police station next, pulled some favours on your brother’s case. They are pretty useless but I got his fucking name from them at least. And low and behold, here you are!” He snarled in her ear. “I didn’t think you had it in you to play in this type of a circle, baby, but I must say I’m impressed.”
“Get off me…”
Tom grinned, keeping his stance closer than close to her. “We had a deal and you tried to fool me.”
With all the strength she could muster, she sent a direct elbow to his gut and he coughed from the unexpected blow.
He grabbed her and slammed her against the brick stone exterior of the home, so hard the air left her lungs. “You are mine, not his.”
She gasped. “Fuck you, Tom.”
He smiled, going silent, watching her in the darkness and as he lowered his mouth to her cheek, he breathed her in again. His hold made her gasp for air. “You’re going to be worth a lot on the market, or I may keep you for myself. Depends how much you piss me off.”
She broke from his hands in a swift movement and dashed past him, right as he grabbed her hair, making her scream, but he was preoccupied with his speech. “Now that I’m within inches, all I smell is him on you!”
“Get off me!” Her elbow cracked his jaw and she jumped at the opportunity to book it when he stumbled.
“You’re coming with me!”
She ran right into a chest and they caught her along the shoulders.
“Kara, are you okay?” It was Greg and her eyes widened.
“I’m fine.”
He didn’t let her go when she tried to step away, the panic fled her. Tom wouldn’t spare him now that he was involved too.
“Look, man—” Tom walked over with a slowness, stepping into the light that came from a window.
“You need to leave. This is my party and my friend’s girlfriend, you don’t want to go further with it,” Greg warned him with a boldness that stunned Kara.
Tom lost his amusement. “Now I know why you’re here. Bullshit.” He walked past them to the open gates and hit the shoulders of a few partiers as he did. His departure settled her panic and she tried to process that last few minutes of her life.
“Thanks, Greg.” she mumbled. He had a tight hold on her but once Tom had gone out of sight, he let her go.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Kara looked up to him. “Yeah. P-please, don’t tell James about this…”
Greg paused. “What?”
“He doesn’t need to know. It’ll just make him upset.”
Greg titled his head. “Did you know that guy?”
Fuck. Kara stumbled to form an explanation. “Back home, yeah.”
“Really?” Greg pried, looking interested.
“Yeah… sorry.”
He didn’t seem to care. “Right, well, shall we get back?”
Kara sighed, feeling a need to warn him. “He’s not a good guy, Greg. He’s actually sort of dangerous…”
He smirked, stepping up to her. “I don’t think I’m the one in need of a warning. He knows who not to mess with, don’t worry yourself too much.”
Kara didn’t know what to make of that, he didn’t seem even slightly bothered by Tom or her heady warning. “So, you won’t say anything to James?”
“Only if it won’t all backfire on me. Jim doesn’t like being kept in the dark.”
“It really wasn’t anything,” Kara said, trying to downplay the whole event the best she could. “Tom and I, we just have some old history and it’s way over. I don’t want James to be concerned over nothing, he doesn’t need that right now with soccer and everything.”
“Sure.” Greg glanced over his shoulder. “Come on back to the party,” he encouraged her.
She didn’t want to though. She wanted to go home, and more specifically she wanted James but none of what she wanted would be coming in that moment.
Following Greg back to the group outback, she opted for no more booze and no more drugs.
“Now, where have you been, Kara?” Carter asked.
She turned to him, forcing a smile. “Just around.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Was getting worried.”
“She’s fine,” Greg interrupted, eyeing her, and she nodded.
“Yeah, I’m great.”
Lies.