Chapter 2: Meeting Arabella

Hearing the music from miles away, I know precisely where the rave is being held. It is already in full swing, and I just hope that we have gotten there early enough before the massacre has started. Driving past the woods, I see the clearing ahead and right away my senses go in overdrive when I smell the Alpha of The Wind Walkers pack, Jordan.

When I don’t smell blood, I call it a good sign and start to drive as fast as I dare to before arriving at the destination. The minute I hit the open path, I signal to the others behind me and stop just before the old, abandoned building. The bright neon lights filter through the cracks in the walls and light up the hood of my truck before I ever get out.

Motioning for the rest to stay put, I signal for Beta Daniel and Beta John to follow me first. Not knowing where the Wind Walkers are right at that moment, I’m cautious while creeping around in the dark shadows. As I hear the music’s volume get turned up even louder, I realize that the pack is already inside and is just about to attack. “Why else would the music become so loud, so fast?” I think to myself before I rush to the entrance and then motion for everyone else to advance.

Leading the way, they all get behind me in a matter of seconds. Getting ready to pounce the minute I open the door. They stand there looking when I stay still and wait for some signal before going in and taking control. Glancing at each other with questioning looks on their faces, one of them starts to whisper and then shuts up the second I glare at him angrily.

Not hearing any screaming, I open the door quietly, so I don’t alert anyone to our presence. Slowly walking into the room, I find that the Wind Walkers pack is circling the humans with murderous intent in their eyes. As their fangs protrude from their mouths while they wait to attack, my group disperses through the crowd quickly until they are between the humans and the offending pack.

Having absolutely no idea what is about to take place, the humans keep dancing to the loud music and are completely oblivious to everything. Standing there ready at the drop of a hat to gain control, I feel something strange as I stare at all the humans bouncing up and down to the music. There is one girl with brown hair and green eyes, who stands out from all the others.

Feeling drawn to her, I start to walk over to where she stands. But in the meantime, Alpha Jordan sneaks up behind me and almost hits me in the head. I turn just in time to stop him and say quietly so to not scare the humans, “Stop, right now. I am your king and you had better take heed because if you don’t, you won’t live to see tomorrow.”

Knowing that I mean business, Alpha Jordan backs off for the moment before I walk over to him and say with dangerous intent, “I will rip your throat out if you don’t stop right this instant.”

The minute that Alpha Jordan sees the golden shade of my eyes, he stands down and collects his pack before leaving quietly. The whole time this is going on, the humans have no clue what was just about to happen. So, I am glad that it didn’t turn out badly. When it is all said and done, I sigh before turning around to talk to the brown-haired girl with green eyes.

Once I feel my wolf is in check, I turn around and scan the room for her. Not finding her, I watch the crowd move from side to side and the lights flicker onto the dance floor. All the rest of my pack watches from the shadows for any more problems, as I stand there almost in a trance.

Still searching through the crowd, I see her for a split second before she is hidden again. When the lights turn down and the music slows, she emerges like something from a movie I once saw where the woman was a beautiful princess. The most amazing part is that her face is glowing from where the moonlight is showing through the cracks in the ceiling.

While I stare at her, she senses me and turns to face me directly. Then our eyes meet, and I feel something that I don’t have any power over. A sudden overpowering need.

Walking over to her carefully so I don’t spook her, I wonder if I can just get her name. If I do, perhaps I will find out why I am so enchanted by her presence. But the minute I do, I realize that I am wrong because I stand next to her, and my hands gravitate to hers. As I stand there speechless, I wonder why this man has power over her.

Finally, I ask her while leaning close to her ear, “May I ask for your name and number?”

She glances up at my face and I would give anything to know what is running through her head at this precise moment. Her friend walks up behind her and pokes her in the back to get her attention. She smiles at me and then the green-eyed girl turns around to see what her friend wants before I get my answer. Feeling put out, I notice Alpha Jordan just outside the door staring back at me.

Watching him carefully, I return my attention to my green-eyed girl and gaze into her beautiful emerald, green eyes. Her friend raises her voice while sounding sarcastic and says, “I didn’t know you liked old men.”

The green-eyed girl says softly so I can barely hear it, “She is just jealous for once.” And then she turns her attention back to the me before saying sweetly, “My name is Arabella. If you really want my number, give me your phone and I will type it in for you.”

Waiting for me to hand it to her, she stares at the crowd and then I notice the minute this whole situation starts to register with her. Her eyes start to scan the crowd and then pick out my group. She looks out the door at the other pack and then I watch as her eyes turn from happiness to terror.

Knowing that if I don’t curb this now, I will lose her, I hand her my phone and say, “By the way, I am Julian. It’s nice to meet you.”

When she accepts it without hesitation and types in her number, I quickly check her out while she stares at the phone’s screen and has no clue how much I desire her. Noticing that she is done and is about to look up, I glance away just in time before she smiles back at me and returns it. She stares into my eyes and says, “Here, it’s all good to go. Now you can just click on my name, and it will dial my number.”

I smile at Arabella while thinking, “Tomorrow for sure, I am calling her, and I will have her over for dinner or something.”

Feeling a bit strange, I scan the room for my group and then when I can see them all, I motion for everyone to move out. As they get in their vehicles, I stare back at the rave and wonder to myself what strange power she has over me and what I am going to do about it.