| CHAPTER 49 : PALE SKINS AND LAVA EYES |

It was the next day with the clock showing 7 in the night.

King Alpha and I still haven't spoken a word to each other and didn't even sleep in the same room. Drew said we were acting like children and then earned a hard glare from King Alpha.

I didn't really want to see Katia, but I went to her anyway and asked her for a dress telling her about where I'm going. She smiled and took me into her room, making me sit on a chair near her dressing table.

"Vampire club is one of the high-five clubs in the city. You'll need something absolutely exotic if you want to blend in good." she rummaged through her closet.

I shrugged.

"I think you'll need to wear something red."

She went through her huge wardrobe.

After a load of time, a question popped in my mind which I voiced out before even letting it settle in.

"Katia?"

"Mmm?"

"What did you want in return for me accepting your deal?"

She looked busy, "What?"

A crease settled between my eyebrows, "When King Alpha marked me, you came to me talking about how you wanted something from me in a deal."

She paused and turned around towards me, "Yes, I did."

"What was it that you wanted?"

She smiled, giving a small shrug, "You wanted a normal life and I wanted Roxy to love me. So I was going to ask you to give all your magic to me."

I blinked in shock, "What?"

She shrugged, "It seemed reasonable as normal people didn't have magic."

I stared at her for a while, not believing she actually wanted to take away my powers before shaking my head, "how does taking my powers make Roxy fall in love with you?"

She sighed at that and shook her head, "You don't need to know that, Ez."

"You're trying to make a love potion or something?"

She let out a small laugh, "Nah, no one's ever made a love potion in real life," she turned back towards her wardrobe, "that's only in TV."

Before I could ask another question, she turned towards me again with a dark red dress in her hands.

"Found the perfect thing." She beamed before making me stand and ushered me into her washroom to change.

I looked at the small flimsy material in my hand and gulped. I've never worn something this short in my entire life.

Shrugging, I took off my Vintage t-shirt and jeans and put on the dark red dress. It was a strapless mini satin dress that came just above my mid-thigh. Looking at myself in the mirror, I marvelled at the fact that how gorgeous I looked in it.

Thank God, for the training I had otherwise I would have had a round belly by now. Instead, my stomach was flat as a pancake. The dress hugged the curves I had displaying my small hourglass figure.

I walked out of the bathroom, showing Katia my dress.

She gushed about it and for a moment I caught myself imagining that this was Jade, and we were playing dress-up in the middle of the night instead of going to sleep. I shook off her memory and put on the small black leather jacket and heeled combat boots Katia threw at me which made me look fierce and dangerous in a way.

After that, she did my make-up, focusing to make my blue eyes sharper and bigger. Then came my hair. I almost dozed off to sleep with Katia taking her precious time curling my straight hair.

Finally, we were done and looked proudly at myself in the mirror.

"Thanks for this," I said and stood up from the chair.

"No problem." She smiled and watched me walk out the door.

I knocked on Drew's door this time before barging in. A 'come in' sounded from the other side and I opened the door.

Drew's eyes caught mine from the mirror and he smiled, "Looking fabulous, mon ange."

"I know, right," I looked down at myself, "I look so hot. Katia did this all."

"She's a fashionista." He clicked on his watch, before turning towards me, "Ready to go?"

He wore a cream shirt that complimented his brown hair along with black jeans.

"Yup."

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Drew rolled his car into the parking slot while I gazed at the stadium-sized club. A gulp went down my throat. This club could probably fit Jupiter twice. Colourful neon lights decorated the club with the word 'BLOODLUST' written in big bold letters.

"Bloodlust," I mused, "how creative."

He smiled, "This was a spectacular name centuries ago."

"Right."

We both got off Drew's expensive car and walked towards the club. Music could be heard from outside mixed with the voices of people talking. A large bulky man stood at the entrance checking IDs of everyone before letting them in.

I grabbed Drew's arm, looking at him wide-eyed, "Drew, I'm only seventeen. I don't have an ID."

He smiled, unlatching my hand from his arm and placing it in his instead, "No worries, chérie."

Deciding to just go along with Drew, we stood in line. When our turn came, I expected Drew to hit the guy with a metal rod to erase his memory or something. Instead, the guy smirked when his eyes fell on Drew.

"Drew Amoux Arnou, long time no see. How many years has it been?"

"A few decades, ami." Drew replied, smiling back.

He patted Drew's shoulder. Drew pulled me behind him through the doors.

"You knew that guy?" I asked.

"Oui."

We stepped into the club and my first reaction was to suck in a breath. Music blared in my ears until it felt like I was breathing it too. Disco lights roamed everywhere with a huge stage at the front with the DJ. The dance floor was massive with people dancing everywhere. I looked at the females in the room. They all wore heavy makeup and tight dresses looking exactly like characters out of an R-rated movie.

I pulled my leather jacket tight around my body. Thank God for the dress and makeup Katia gave me or I would have felt completely out of place.

You know what else I was feeling? To dance. There were some moments where you listen to music and just can't help but nodding your head or tapping your foot. Right now, I forced myself to not break into a dance no matter how weird that would seem.

I almost jumped out of my skin when Drew's lips brushed my ear.

"Stay close and remember, if you spot King Alpha, hide."

I gave a nod.

He grabbed my hand once again and led me into the club, pulling me in front of the bar.

The Barista came asking what we would take. I couldn't answer as my mouth slightly dropped open. The whole line of his eyebrows were pierced along with his nose. His skin looked sickly pale with dark circled eyes and a red mohawk.

"Martini," Drew answered.

The Barista turned to look at me.

"Is there a milkshake?"

The barista gave me a weird look.

"She'll have water." Drew piped in, trying to keep in his laugh. The barista left.

I realized what I said before face-palming myself, "Right, this is a high club. Not your average party."

The barista came back just as quick with two glasses, sliding them towards us. I picked up my plain ol' water and sipped on it while looking around.

Everyone looked mostly normal. Normal as in normal human beings. Except for a few people where a few features stood out. Like the extremely white skin, unusual and unordinary eyes, some may be too tall, some may be too muscular.

"Just to be clear," I said, "this club has more than humans and vampires right?"

"Oh yes," Drew took a sip of his Martini, "this club is for all. Supernatural and humans."

"So there's a mermaid here too?"

Drew looked around the club at my question, his eyes scanning everyone before looking back at me with a nod, "Oui, found one right there."

I looked in that direction to find a tall and extremely slim girl. She looked none above twenty with her knee-length hair falling graciously in curls behind her back. Her eyes represented a viper, as she looked around, silently sipping a drink.

Her eyes locked with mine and she grinned, showing all sharp teeth. I nervously smiled back before quickly looking away.

"So," I took a sip of my drink, "where is the Head Vampire?"

"He's going to meet King Alpha at 9. So we can't meet him until then otherwise King Alpha will find us. We wait until 10 or so and after King Alpha leaves, I'll take you to him."

I gave a nod and continued looking around, hoping if I could spot a supernatural creature on my own.

My eyes roamed around the mass of people on the dance floor, people on the top floor, peering down from the railing, the pole dancers in the corner on the poles, the people making out, the people drinking, the people chatting, the people that looked exactly like King Alpha and Levi, the people near the fountain-

Hold up.

Backtrack.

My eyes landed on the two guys looking like King Alpha and Levi. My eyes widened and I gasped, grabbing Drew's sleeve, shaking it.

"What happened?" he asked.

I pointed in the direction of King Alpha's and Levi's tall figures who were walking in our direction.

"Merde," Drew cursed, "quick, on the dance floor. They haven't noticed us yet."

We both stood up from our stools and bustled into the dance floor, hoping to mingle with the crowd and blend in. We were soon covered with people and the scent of alcohol, sweat and different perfumes.

"You've gotta dance, chérie," Drew told me, dancing on his own.

I automatically started dancing along with Drew. My hands slid around his neck, feeling the hard muscles of his body. But I didn't allow myself to be affected by that. Instead, I tried peering around Drew to look at King Alpha.

King Alpha seemed overly irritated and rolled his eyes at something Levi said. He sat down on a barstool and ordered a drink. Levi brought his barstool closer towards King Alpha, continuing talking as if he were trying to explain something to him. King Alpha huffed and placed his elbow on the counter with his head in his hands. His eyes darted in my direction as if he sensed me staring.

I quickly hid my head behind Drew with a small squeak.

After a few minutes, I slowly slid my head out again to look at King Alpha. He was already looking at me. Our eyes met. The colour drained from my face. I jerked my head back, slamming it repeatedly on Drew's chest.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid," I cursed.

"He saw you?" Drew sighed with a raised eyebrow.

I was close to crying, I'm such a failure, "Yup. I think so. I don't know. His whole face was blank. I don't think he recognizes me."

Before I could try peeking my head again, my back roughly bumped into someone.

I turned around. At the same time, the person behind me turned around too.

"Sorry!" We both said together.

Her green eyes widened, "Ezlynn?"

My blue eyes widened, "Jade?"

Her mouth parted open, "Ezlynn?"

My mouth dropped open, "Jade?"

Jade! Jade! Jade! Jade!

"Oh my god! Jade!" I yelled, throwing my arms around her.

Her body stiffened as I wrapped my hands tighter around her petite figure. Oh my god, where are the fucking tissues? Before I could go on with the hug, Jade grabbed both my hands and jerked them away from her.

I looked at her face in confusion to see her giving me a sad, angry look.

"Seriously, Ezlynn?" She frowned at me.

Before I could mutter out a 'what?' she continued, "you disappear for more than a month and then suddenly you're here with this wrestler looking type guy? So you just disappear one night without telling me anything and now you appear here wearing this hot dress which isn't your type from how much I know you."

"Jade I-"

"Save it, Ez. I went hell-bent looking for you. Your apartment was locked, and no one answered the door when I came to check on you. If you wanted to get rid of me, you should have just told it to my face instead of disappearing and plainly ignoring me."

"But Jade I didn't-"

She held up her hand, "I don't want to hear you're excuses. You can go with your lover boy wherever you want, don't try talking to me now. By the way, Cole and I are dating."

Saying that she turned around and walked away.

I called after her, calling her name again and again. Tears pricked at the brim of my eyes, and I fisted my hands, watching her disappear into the crowd.

A large hand ran up and down my back.

"You'll make it up to her," Drew soothed, "just give it time, I'll drop you to her house myself."

I forced the bile down my throat and nodded, sniffling in the tightness around my throat and nose.

I turned around where King Alpha and Levi were sitting to see the stools empty with no one there. I sucked in a deep breath, eyes widening.

"Where did they go?" I asked Drew.

Drew's eyes landed on the empty stools, and he looked at his watch, "It's close to 9. They must have gone to meet the vampire."

I nodded and let Drew drag me to the bar, seating on the stools. I asked for water again.

My eyes kept flickering back to the crowd, hoping to catch any glimpse of Jade. I wish I could get the chance to explain everything to her. Now that I think of it, she seemed as if the real thing in my previous life apart from the whole life Collin hypnotized for me.

The barista slid my water towards me, and I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice the small paper stuck under the glass until it fell on my lap.

I frowned and picked it up, unfolding the tiny paper.

~ Hot dress, Blondie. Makes me wanna fuck you.

-K.A ;)

The colour drained from my face. My hands trembled as I looked up from the paper and around me, searching if King Alpha was watching me from somewhere.

A drunk guy stumbled towards me and almost fell on top of me until I shoved him away from his shoulder. A piece of paper fell out of his hands and near my boots.

My heart picked up its pace as I bend down to pick up the piece of paper, sitting back on the stool.

~I should actually fuck you. As a punishment.
Cuz you know? You've been really disobedient to me.

Watch out, Gummy. I'm coming to grab you ;)

-K.A

My heart thudded loudly in my chest as I read his note again and again. I looked up from the note finally giving Drew a frantic look.

"He's coming for me!" I yelled panickily, "O.M.G, someone cover me!"

Drew gave me a sorry look, "We can't just leave, Ezlynn. King Alpha will follow us out easily and find you. You've gotta stay here and hide in between all these people."

"Where can I possibly hide?" I hissed, my eyes darting everywhere to spot him.

He shrugged, leaning back and observing his drink, "Now that I think of it, there's no way out. King Alpha found you, the rest left is consequences."

"Geez, great help, Drew!" I crossed my arms.

He grinned, standing up and stretching his arms, "I think I don't need to watch over you anymore. I can already feel King Alpha's eyes on you. Why don't I meet you after he deals with you, oui?" he started moving towards the dance floor.

"No, Drew!" I yelled, "Come back!"

But he was already on the dance floor.

I facepalmed myself. Why did I actually think Drew would seriously help me in this situation?

I sat with my arms wrapped around myself. Just as well sit here and wait for the impending to come.

I blankly stared at the dancing crowd while the bartender kept re-filling my glass of water. Ugh, I'm gonna turn into a water balloon. Just when I thought I was gonna die of boredom sitting in one place and doing nothing, a guy pulled up a stool next to me.

"Want some company?" He asked.

I didn't look up at him and was about to respond with a 'no' but thought against it and shrugged. He might as well save me from boredom.

I turned to look at him, but my mouth closed back at his extremely pale skin, lustrous silky hair and dark lava-type eyes.

"Wow, you have some great silky hair," I commented.

He smirked, "Why thank you. You have some great eyes."

"Let me guess," I sighed, "you're not human?"

His eyes widened in surprise and amusement, "Smart girl."

I placed my head on my hands, looking away from him and back at staring at the crowd, "Well then you can go away."

"And I thought we were making a conversation over here."

"Not really, dude."

"Oh come on, you're lonely, I'm lonely. We should hang out."

I remained silent and ignored him.

"What's your name?" he asked after realizing I'm not paying attention to him.

I still didn't respond.

"Really? You think ignoring people is gonna drive them away?"

I finally looked up and frowned at him, "Listen, I don't want to talk to you, okay? I don't want to talk to anyone, and I don't wanna even be here with this stupid hot dress. I just wanna go home and have a normal life and if you can bring me back my normal pathetic life and please do it right now. Cos then I won't even hang out with you, but I'll also worship you, okay?"

He blinked at me, clearly not expecting that outburst, "I'm not sure I got any 'yes' or 'no' from that answer."

I sighed, "Dude, just go away. you might as well have a merry conversation with a pumpkin than me."

"I hate pumpkins."

"Just get lost."

"But you didn't even tell me your name."

"It's Dalia."

"Finally," he grinned, "I'm Maxwell."

The bartender re-filled my water again but I wasn't too focused on him as my eyes were trying to glare hard and cold at "Maxwell". Maxwell looked around nineteen, but I knew never to underestimate a supernatural's age. He was being quite clingy right now.

"So where are you from?"

I gave him a weird look, "Do you seriously not get the memo? I am not interested, Maxwell."

He shrugged, "I'm just trying my best."

Before I could answer, another voice beat me to it.

"She doesn't want to fucking talk to you, so why don't you just fuck off?" The bartender suggested. Wait, he never left after pouring me water...

My eyes snapped up and a gasp tore through my mouth. I was seconds away from jumping up and running the hell out of here.

King Alpha tilted his head at Maxwell. His strong arms crossed against his chest.

"Do you know this guy?" Maxwell frowned at me, pointing towards King Alpha.

"Do you not know this guy?" I asked back, wide-eyed.

King Alpha smirked, "Why don't I give you two seconds to piss off from here?" he spoke to Maxwell.

I expected Maxwell to finally give up but he frowned at King Alpha clearly not getting the death threat behind King Alpha's calm façade.

"Why don't you piss off first?" Maxwell stood up, trying to size King Alpha up.

I was seconds away from facepalming again. Who the hell gave birth to this guy?

Amusement shone in King Alpha's eyes as he stood calmly behind the counter. Clearly, he saw Maxwell as a small kid trying to act brave.

King Alpha smirked, "Pretty brave vampire, aren't you? You don't know me meaning you're a new one."

"How'd you know I'm a vampire?" Maxwell crossed his arms.

King Alpha shrugged, "I didn't even need to look at you. Now, you're new to the world and don't know shit so this time I forgive you for trying to fuck my fiancée. Now, take your peacock hair and get out of my face."

"Fiancée?" Maxwell and I both dropped our mouths in disbelief.

"You're his fiancée?" Maxwell asked me.

"I'm your fiancée?" I asked King Alpha.

I mean I knew we were something like that. But I didn't know we were officially like that.

"Idiots." King Alpha muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes, "Yes, she's my fiancée."

"But she doesn't have a ring and neither do you." Maxwell pointed.

"We don't need rings, brainless sucker. She's my mate that enough declares that."

Maxwell widened his eyes, "You're a werewolf?"

King Alpha gave a nod, smirking.

"You too?" Maxwell turned towards me.

"Ew no," I said.

King Alpha shot a frown in my direction.

"Okay, what is going on right now?" Maxwell asked seeming as if his brain stopped working.

"Just get the hell away from here, kid." King Alpha snapped then turned his eyes towards me.

"And as for you," a mischievous smirk lined his lips as his eyes raked up and down my body, he leaned in towards my ear making the hair of my skin stand up, "I have so many things planned for you."

A squeak left my mouth as I stared at him wide-eyed as he leaned away with his smirk. His eyes held a dark lustrous look. My face turned warm and the jacket I wore suddenly felt too hot for me.

"You know um," I stood up, my face flushed, "I'm just gonna go find Drew. Yeah, I'm gonna do that." I said and started moving towards the dance floor feeling eyes on my back.

"I'm gonna count till ten." King Alpha called after me.

I whirled around, confused, "Ten?"

"Ten seconds for you to start running before I catch you." He smirked.

My eyes, widened, "What?"

"Didn't you read my note?"

My heart jumped fast and hard in my chest, "You won't actually do that."

His smirk widened, "I'm true to my word, Blondie."

Panic rose in my chest.

"Her hair is black..." Maxwell muttered confusedly.

King Alpha frowned at him, "You're still here?"

"Are you gonna force her into sex with you?" Maxwell widened his eyes, picking up on King Alpha and me.

"Get lost, Matilda."

"My name is Maxwell." He glared at King Alpha.

"Does it look like I care?" King Alpha shot an irritated look towards him before looking back at me, smirk returning, "One."

My heart picked up its rate again.

"Dude, you can't do that to her," Maxwell said.

"Two."

I didn't wait and ran into the crowd faintly hearing him call out a 'three'.

Coming here was definitely a bad idea. Oh my god, what do I do now? Where the fuck is Drew?! I searched around for him while also trying to keep in mind to stay hidden.

Where the hell is the fucking exit to this stadium club?!

I bumped into someone.

"Sorry." We both said together.

"Jade?"

"Ezlynn?"

Her face lined into a glare but seeing the panic on my face, her expression dropped a bit. Otherwise, I knew for sure that she would have flipped around and walked away right this instant.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

Before I could answer, a scream cut through the air. All heads turned up at the scream. A body- hold up, I know that body- was flying in the air from one corner of the club to another corner.

Brainless Maxwell.

He was in the air for a few moments before crashing into the wall so high up. His body then came tumbling down the wall as he thumped to the ground.

Everyone stopped and stared. Even the DJ cut off the music until there were only gasps and surprised sounds remaining. A few people cut off from their places and rushed towards Maxwell. They all looked somewhat like Maxwell with their postures and pale skin. Oh god, they're vampires.

My heart ran hundred beats per second. Please don't tell me King Alpha fucking flung Maxwell into the air.

"Ezzy, where are you?" a voice sang far from the crowd, "I've counted till ten."

The colour from my face drained.

"Was that for you?" Jade asked, wide-eyed.

I forgot she was here.

"I gotta run," I said, turning around.

"Wait," she grabbed my arm, looking worried and confused, "what's going on?"

"I'll explain everything but now I seriously gotta run."

She opened her mouth but cut herself off and left my hand. The DJ started up the music again and people slowly drifted back to their business.

I turned around and proceeded to run but let out an 'oomph' when my face collided with a chest. I stepped back and peered up at the five tall figures standing in front of me, wearing all leather and black. Pale skins glowed in the dim lights with perfect and sharp features. Their eyes shone sort of amber looking almost like molten lava in the darkness.

The guy at the front was the first one to speak.

"You're coming with us."

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Date: 27 August 2021