Stressful Dance.

Asher sat up looking back at her as she spoke, quickly I heightened my ears as I slowed down my advance to hear their conversation.

"... keep an eye out okay. I'm not supposed to notify you once he realized you were here" she said. Who realized?.

"Tell Aurora to watch herself too." She continued.

"Why, what does he want with her?" He asked a hint of a snarl leaving his lips.

"Not him, the others." She replied. Others, I began walking over much quicker. What others?.

"What others?" The exact question left his lips.

"Wolves for wolves Asher, it's obvious. You'll realize if you look close enough. They want her just as we want you." She warned Asher stilling icily.

"Who wants me and why?" I asked seating to her right so she was sandwiched between Asher and me.

She straightened up to look at me.

"The vamps, of course, they're here too. So be careful you both". She muttered then standing she looked down at Asher in a business-like manner.

"You'll be meeting our Alpha soon" she stated.

"When?" Asher and I asked simultaneously.

"When he chooses. He'll find you not to worry. And Aurora, I'd advise you worry about the vamps coming for you. Though I'm sure it's to pull you in as we want for Asher". Tiana stopped about to go.

"Can't she just stay in the pack with me?" Asher asked.

"Why, is... Is she your .. mate?" Tiana asked curiosity lighting up her gaze.

"Mate?" I asked looking at Asher. "What's that?"

"Oh. Good. Nevermind. Wait you both aren't up to nineteen yet right?' she asked and we both gave her a serious look.

"It's important. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't" she urged a serious look on her face. I shook my head as he did to which she sighed seemingly relieved.

"What's so bad about that?". Asher asked eyeing her.

"Just the matter of the mate stuff. It's not something you want to be caught up with yet at least for now. " She informed us then turned to Asher about to say something then looked to me as if thinking better of it.

"I'll excuse you both I guess" I muttered.

"Sorry.". She apologized as I walked away nodding in acceptance. I walked back to where Venna stood looking pouty and glanced at her with a raised brow. She looked up at me and away stretching the pout if that was even possible.

"What?" I asked. She eyed me a bit and poured more.

"Won't ask again V not in the mood. What's it?"

"I'm sorry okay. I overacted, more like overreacted but that's cause I thought he was insinuating my family was showing off or something. Really sorry." She pouted some more looking at me childishly.

"Overgrown baby," I muttered. She just smiled cheekily.

"Forgiven?" She prodded pouting once more.

"I'm not the one who needs it. Can't be mad at you. Someone though..." I glanced back just as Tiana walked off noting the pure outrage on Asher's face.

"...may be whom you should apologize to. Okay?. A minute" I stated heading back to Asher who was now seating once more his fist locked in a grip.

"What'd she say?" I asked taking Tiana's seat. He looked up to me first then back at his hands. Releasing a slow breath he opened them and turned to me.

"Not now. Maybe later let's just enjoy this" he said glancing as the plates were set up in front of the tables. Alarm bells went off in my head but I couldn't prod him as Venna sat to his side her attention on him while he gave her a look that said not in the mood before focusing on his plate. Empty plate.

"Broody much" she mouthed to me from behind his shoulder.

"Hey, people"Benjamin appeared smiling goofily as he glanced at our trio.

"Why are y'all so silent. It's a goddamn party, rich people party of course but a party nonetheless so please cmon" he urged.

"Get the food Venna ?" I asked her and she nodded while we both stretched to dish out the food.

Food it seems raised Asher's thoughts as he soon joined in as did Benjamin. Derek ran up to us grinning widely his jaw smeared in some sort of sauce while Venna chuckled at him.

"You look like a little vampire kiddo" she traded making him laugh as I tensed slightly then shook it off. Glancing over at Asher to see his gaze on me as he cast a smile that seemed to settle me.

I looked back to Venna who was now eyeing me as I glanced down to Derek and her.

"What?" I asked

"Oh nothing. You just won't last another week" she mused shaking her head in defeat then glancing at Asher.

"Last another week?" I questioned confused. Then my eyes locked on Asher and then went back to her as realization swept through.

"So not true." I argued glaring at her .

"Girl even Derek realizes and he doesn't even know what it is. " She shot back then looked past me to something. Following her gaze I found a man on the bare area where the table didn't reach a mic in hand. But it was his skin more like his paleness and when he turned I could not mistake the hunger in his eyes right as it flashed a dim red like a warning right at me. Vampire.

"Please ladies and gents. Let's shake those stiff joints. The floor is open.for the dance.' he announced before casting a glance in my direction again and walking off. If my heart had been fully functional it woukd have been beating louder than a drum now.

A soft music was already playing, and men walked up to their wives or other people to ask for a dance as the then led them to the floor. My eyes turned to find Asher eager to tell him about the vampire with the mic when a hand came in front of me. My gaze went up past a narrow eyed Venna to platinum hair and ash eyes.

Platinum hair. George!.

"May I have this dance". He asked as softly as he could manage. I gave him a cold glare as his eyes crinkled realizing I was about to stand him up.

Venna pulled me down to her bending over like gossiping children .

"Go." She hissed.

"Why?." I asked infuriated and confused.

"Cause I gotta apologize to Asher and with you in the way it's not happening. Plus you and dicky over there have to end things officially and smoothly." She clarified.

"I think him in the closet with some bimbo and their pants down was official enough. Besides you didn't like him more than ten minutes ago and almost had him out the party." I questioned.

"Well ten minutes ago I didn't also have to apologise to your other man friend to keep him from tearing me apart." She snapped and my mind skipped. It was the second reference she was giving this night in the space of ten minutes. Was this a sign did she know . I looked at her as she eyed me alarmingly as she waited my decision. Shaking the thoughts away I continued.

"You could have pitched me in with Benjamin." I stated. She sighed.

"Yeah. I thought of that, but Benji is no amateur" she commented looking to the side, my gaze followed to see him already, hand to waist leading another girl to the floor.

"Wow. He's fast " I mumured and subtly looked to Asher who's eyebrows crinkled and looked up at me. Shit , forgot the hearing part.

" Sure. Fine". I agreed consenting. She smiled then glared up at George.

" Not to worry we get to change partners after some minutes." She informed me. I grinned.

"Bless your event planner for me girl " I sang then standing I turned to a still waiting George who looked quite bored as I smiled at him as best as possible.

"You were saying?" I asked. He raised an eyebrow then sighing he asked once more.

"May I have this dance?" I nodded as I placed my palm in his the touch cold and unwanted. He led us past the table to the still filling dance floor. His right hand went to my waist and his left hand entertwined with my right. My eyes found Asher as we began moving, he and Venna headed for the dance floor next to us. I watched as he took her hand his posture stiff as a board while placing his right hand on her waist. Something twisted in my gut as she leaned in closer and I listened in watching as he glared down at her for a minute when she mocked his stiffness and told him to loosen up.

His gaze found mine as I shrugged at him a smile sweeping pass my lips.

"It's just a dance. She won't bite" I whispered. He seemed to think about this as the danced then looking up he shook his head whispering back.

"She doesn't need to, her claws are enough" he replied looking to her hand on his shoulder the fingers mischievously digging in as did the one he held. I shook my head, leave it to Venna to inflict more pain on you while apologizing for the previous one.

She did apologise though, seeming to try and explain though Asher kept staring at her fingers. To which she said nerves. I almost laughed.

*Aurora. I'm really sorry." I froze.

"I mean I know I messed up big time and I wasn't even thinking or.."

"Shut up. Not a single word more about this ever. Do you understand me " I hissed looking into his eyes and watching them dilate in and out probably from the lights. He just nodded and then we continued our dance in silence. My gaze turned to Asher and Venna shocked to see them laughing at something she said. Well there was finally peace in paradise.

The partner switch came and somehow I ended up with Benjamin who looked at me like I was in the wrong place.

"Hey you". He greeted.

"Hey you." I answered laughing.

"So how's it been. The week, missing school and all.". He asked with a wink. My smiled dissolved.

"Not to worry, your secrets safe with me." He stated chuckling,I smiled in return as he looked around while our deers moved. Then he looked down at me again his face now serious.

"Look. I just wanted to say. Thank you." He spoke again and I must have looked confused because he nodded to Asher.

"Dude don't give a rat ass about shit like this. Honestly only reason he agreed to get outta bed and wear that tux and even comb his hair, dude actually combed his hair. Was cause he heard you'd be here.". He said it like it was unbelievable. I glanced over to Asher again as I watched him now dancing with a random lady and conversing as best as he could . There was stiffness in him but it wasn't much.

"You know. I really think whatever went down in that cliff hike for you both, really did him good, for the better too." He stated and I looked up at him , his eyes still staring at Asher.

"Why is he like that?" I asked curious. He shrugged looking back at me.

"Who knows, trauma, born that way, his dad may be, no one really knows. He just doesn't hang much, it discomforts him it's quite obvious the stiffness you know.." He said and I nodded in agreement.

"Well. Partner change . You dance well by the way and looking even better. " I laughed at his compliment shaking my head as he steeped away . I turned quickly heading for Asher when a tux blocked me.

"May we " it was the creep from earlier and I glared hard as he grabbed my hand and tugged me into a twirl. My body hummed and I felt the urge to rip his throat out rise like a wave from within me.

"Breathe, it's just a dance" I heard the voice sweep through my ears and ring in my head. Turning my head I found his eyes on mine as he nodded while he twirled Venna's mother.

Lady Callista spun around her smile and laugh still as beautiful on her face as the first time I saw her when I was a little girl. I watched as she and Asher talked his stiffness not there as she joked and prodded at him sweetly.

"So that's him eh, the fine friend that stole your sweet heart.," He spoke again. I looked to him seeing the lust and annoyance in his eyes.

"Normally I'd disagree but for you I'll agree. Yes. That's him." I leaned back and smirked sweetly.

*We'll see about that angel?. You know my family has a saying." He leaned in closer till his breath tickled my ear.

"Hunt what you love at times, also hunt what threatens you" he moved up looking back at Asher with a look that chilled me.

As out time lapsed and we swapped partners again his lips quickly descending to mine right before I turned meeting it with my cheek, I decided there and then that he was dangerous.

"Seems you already caught one's eye eh. Careful careful youngling. They are rather rash, more than the wolves infact." The new man looked into my eyes a hint of a smile on his lips right as his eyes gleamed red.

The vamps of course. They are here too.

Crap.

Aurora

I stared lip shut as we both danced his eyes on me like I was the only thing in the room.

"A beautiful youngling too. How quaint". He mused smiling to himself.

"What do you want?". I asked finding my voice. He seemed perturbed by the question.

"I don't want you dear. You need us. To train and guide you. This world is very dangerous for our kind. Very very dangerous."he made a smug smile then turned to stare at Asher who stared back at him. Gold burned like fire in his gaze for a minute then died off as Tiana tugged him around a warning look crossing her features.

"Brave lad. Hope he stays alive long enough for us to meet. " He muttered with a disconcerted look.

"What do you mean.? I hissed glaring at him.

"Nothing much. He might not just last long" he replied nonchalantly as he twirled me around then pulled me back to him.

"If you hurt a hair..." He shushed my threat with a finger then continued the dance.

"Don't make threats with vampires that can kill you before you think." He warned his smile never fading.

"Don't threaten people you don't have a clue about". I hissed back.

"I make  no such threats. Actually I make no threat. I kill when I want to kill. I find it stupid to warn the victim before hand." He made a look that said he thought it stupid.

"You aim to kill him?" I asked getting worried.

"No dear, he's a wolf and the wolves are barbaric as they are cruel in degrees." He explained. "He'll be lucky to survive his first night" he stated chuckling.

I refrained from speaking anymore as I stared back at Asher who was locked in a heated gaze with Tiana. I started then calmed myself as I realized there was nothing romantic in the stare off. It was more animalistic than romantic and I was right as I noted the gold seeping from both gazes.

*We'll see soon enough my Lady Aurora" he assured me as my attention went back to him his head leaning down as he placed a soft peck on my cheek then disappeared into the crowd. I stood staring after him my thoughts racing through his words while the crowd found new partner.

A hand appeared in front of me without a body. I stared realising it trailed behind me and I followed it with my eyes as I turned slowly till I looked up into blue orbs.

"Save me a dance?"he asked his eyes observing me curiously while the skin beneath them crinkled worriedly.

I placed my palm in his as I spoke my body moving closer till it leaned against him his other hand touching my waist a spark flaring up from the spot shaking me.

"Like I'll dare not to" he smiled his eyes twinkling as the worry disappeared from his face. I smiled too it didn't look good on him.  My left hand went to his shoulder which I grabbed onto like a lifeline and we moved.

He moved us, literally my feet  too shaky to make my own steps. His hand held me flush against him our gazes locked like there was nothing else but each other in the room. We made each step as slow as the breath that passed from us, taking our time like nothing mattered.

He released me as I twirled and he stared his eyes sending a wave of heat up my cheeks I let go of his hand and felt cold again. As I stood apart the crowd around us still moving slowly to the song. 

He pulled me back to him his hand keeping me straight as it lay on my back igniting a new flame as we kept dancing. My eyes left his and found my mum's who danced with some guy her eyes on me with a twinkle. My face heated up more before I looked away only to spot Mrs Eve watching us like a hawk, a hint of a smile on her lips.

Venna came into my vision next as Asher made a dip with me as everyone else did. Her eyes twinkled knowingly and I just averted my gaze freezing as the met his blue gaze again.

*Yep, told you, you're totally into me" I muttered trying to shift his attention from the heat on my cheeks. He chuckled as he bent low a bit, my cheeks my heating up more.

"I'd beg to differ" he commented looking down at my cheeks before righting us up. I smiled at him awkwardly right as the music stopped and everyone sighed out.

"Finally." He muttered. "Can't move another round." We walked off the dance area with Venna behind us tugging a reluctant Benjamin who's attention was on his new date.

"What now?" I asked Venna. She looked around as we sat making sure no one was in hearing range before she leaned in and whispered.

"So my parents apparently have this underground basement kinda thing. Just found it yesterday when we were preparing this place for all this. So wanna check it.out. Warning it's certainly off bounds but I bet it's cool most likely haunted with ghost's and stuff. " She finished already giddy with excitement.

Asher glanced at me worriedly, finding out supernaturals were real and all we weren't too keen on seeing ghosts yet. But Venna looked to excited for me to shrug her off so smiling apologetically at Asher I answered.

"Sounds cool. Benji." I turned to the boy who seemed to have no attention with us.

"Yeah yeah totally." He agreed looking at us like he'd heard anything.

" We could totally sell you off man." Asher deadpanned with a bland face. Benjamin poked a tongue out in his direction and Asher lunged at it making Benjamin jump back.

"So, Asher?" Venna looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. He shrugged standing up as he held out a hand to me.

"Let's do this.eh"

"Hey no lover affair here. Some of us here are single." Benjamin pouted.

"Dude. We're all single here". Asher said glaring at him.

"Yeah for how long?". I groaned at his reply. Asher looked lost while Venna chuckled and led us away from the table. Then from there we entered a serious case of mission impossible as a member of Venna's family seemed to be almost everywhere.

"How many siblings you got girl" I asked getting annoyed.

"Yeah like, your mother didn't know when to stop or she just didn't have time to use damn pills" Benjamin sassed irritation in his voice.

"Shut up Benji. Plus those are cousins and nephews and other family tree complications that I give up on figuring out." Venna prattled out.

We got to a door that Venna seemed intent on following but there another family member. Her brother Vince actually.

"Well if I didn't know better I'd say your family are guarding something. You guys illegal dealers or something?" Benjamin asked.

"The only thing we'll be dealing is your balls if you don't shut it Benji. " She hissed at him .Asher seemed to smile at this apparently glad to have her animosity directed elsewhere.

"Let's go" she ordered and we flocked over just as Vince moved to get a champagne flute.

"I want a champagne flute" Benjamin muttered earning a three headed glare as we shut the door behind us.

"What it's not like he can hear..." he started.

"Shut up man." Asher whisper shouted slapping him across the head.

"Owww. What?" He whispered back.

"Sometimes I just wanna rip out that tongue off yours" he whispered back while we descended a stairway.

"Geez man. If you did that what would I use for the ladies." He asked back.

"Hmmh. I don't know maybe your charming personality." Asher relied sarcastically but it went over Benjamin's head as he placed a hand to his jaw whirl stroking.

"I do have a charming personality. Could work wonders I'll give that a try next thanks bro" Asher groaned in annoyance before shutting up Venna and I laughing as quietly as we could manage.

"We're here guys "Venna announced. Here was a star shaped corridor that branched off to five directions.

"Woah this is below your house?" Asher asked in awe.

"Okay. I was joking the first time. But now I'm serious. You think your parents are into shady stuff?" Benji asked. We all looked at him but he was indeed serious. Venna seemed to sigh as she looked back around.

"No. Their not besides their hardly around." She replied. We chose a hall and walked down.

"Well they've been busy cleaning here up then" Benjamin stated earning a glare from Venna.

"No he's right. Not around for a while so this place should dusty or dirty even. Unless it's been in use even with them gone but you know nothing about it right." Asher spoke up.

"Which leaves just them or whoever else was in the house with me.". Venna picked up.

"Yep" Asher stated as we burst out in a room. More like a hallway and we stared our jaws almost smacking against the ground.