© Claimed By Him ~ Elektra Orfanos

Traitors. "What were you ladies doing exactly? Why did you not help me?" I snapped.

Marilyn flipped her blonde hair back batting her lashes innocently. "We wanted to. Trust me we did but Satine..."

Satine rebutted. "No it was Marilyn!"

"Don't look at me!" Marilyn exclaimed then pointed her nose at the other villainess. "Valerie."

"Oh quiet down the lot of you and let's go already!" Valerie exclaimed. She spun around her skirt flying around her dramatically but oh this is far from over but for now I will have to spectacularly dance my rage off.

~*~*~

The journey to the 'underworld' is a long painful one. Well that is a tad dramatic, perhaps not painful just more say frightening. My heart was on edge for the entire little adventure because my first time going I was informed last minute that our only transport was walking. I wasn't too disturbed by the walking part until I realised the places we were passing. We passed a graveyard and if that wasn't nerve racking enough we passed the intimidating weeping riverbank where willow trees hanged over gently stroking and causing ripples. It is supposed to be haunted and it most definitely scared me  but I want on. The stars being our guides and guards, Satine had told me to keep me moving and I've gotten so used to the eeriness of these places that when I passed them once again I was full of fortitude. Or, maybe I was just upset about Mr Crowly's accusations. It doesn't matter for either way, the moaning from the dead and weeping from the willows did not deter me. The city was far behind us and we kept walking up the hill with its itchy grass irritating our legs every time it scratched and skinned us alive. The problem with this is the club is so far away at least half of the night is wasted trying to get there and that leaves barely much time to have fun before I have to be back in bed for the household notices.

It's even worse tonight for over half of my night was wasted with a wasted Curtis trying to sweep me off my feet as I struggled to keep him on his. But as much as I complain on the journey in the end once I'm there it's always worth it. I almost feel bad that Curtis would have to miss it. But not that bad.

Wind whistled and the trees whispered to each reminding me of the creepiness of the dark woods where Alpha hides. I feel that he's watching me even now. Could he be? Can the demon wolf morph into other creatures or turn invisible so I cannot see him?

"Girls." I called out as they strolled ahead of me. "Girls..." I called again wrapping the cloak around me.

Valerie scowled assuming I'm complaining again. "We're almost there Luna!"

"I'm not complaining I just have something important to say."

'And what would that be little one?' The raspy voice whispered making me gasp and fall over flat on my face. I pushed my up on my hands and whipped my head around in several directions.

He's here?

No he can't be up here!

That didn't even sound like him it doesn't sound as terrifying.

"Luna!" Marilyn screamed in surprise and all of them bolted in my direction to see if I was alright. They slowed a little when caught laughing a little. I apologise but women look ridiculous running in those dresses! Valerie and Marilyn reached me pulling me up onto my feet. "Is your dress alright?"

"Wow thanks for your concern Mari." I rolled my eyes at her then snapped my neck in different directions again over the hill searching for golden eyes. That voice wasn't just my imagination it was there, it was real! Alpha is here.

"Luna? Luna what's wrong?" Valerie questioned. Satine stood ahead of us concentrating on something lurking in the darkness.

She senses something to... Thank God I'm not the only one that's insane.

"We're being watched Valerie." I whispered. But still somehow Satine heard me and said out loud. "She's right." Her emerald eyes widened in panic and she suddenly screamed. "Run!"

We all panicked and charged our way further up the hill and let me tell you running in a dress is not fun on its own so imagine running in a dress up a steep hill with something chasing after you.

"What did you see?" I shouted catching up with Satine.

"A figure of a man hiding in the trees." She replied confusing me. A man? How can there be a man if it's Alpha? "If he's hiding in the trees he can't be a friend from the club." She added anxiously trying to get away. I happened to glance over my shoulder and I realised Valerie and Marilyn are missing!

I paused and searched around for them screaming out their names until Satine forcefully grabbed my arm pulling me.

"We'll meet them there." She growled.

"Don't be cowardly Satine we have to find them!" I snapped at her.

"They will meet us there Luna! Now duck!" We both ducked down still running to avoid hitting a branch then Satine and I leaped across a river to roll over on the other side and kept running. I'm used to the wild stunts from childhood games and adolescent madness but OH it still hurts and as I looked at Satine I could see how unaffected she was by roll while I must look like: something that woke up from the dead?

We were close to our destination because at the very top of this steep hill a rickety haunted house sits moaning right on top of a cliff. There hides the big underworld secrets.

"Mind if we drop in?" Valerie suddenly was at my side running with me. I smiled over joyed to know she's alive but my eyes can't spot Marilyn. Valerie the all knowing read my mind and pointed up ahead at the old abandoned house. Marilyn had the front door wide open for us and we all leaped inside, Satine and I crashing onto the creaky floor. Valerie and Marilyn slamming it shut and backing away slowly from it. How did they get here so fast? I wanted to ask my lungs needed oxygen and after few breaths I decided it wasn't important.

"Did he follow?" I asked taking deep breaths to blow away the adrenaline.

"If he's smart he would have left. But no time to dwell on him open up the trapdoor." Valerie ordered.

~*~*~

I must admit when they brought me here the first time I was not impressed. They're lucky I even came because no one ever comes near this area and the reason for that is particularly this house.

There are bad stories behind this ghost attracting hell-hole. But they assured me the only spooky thing that crawls within these walls are cockroaches.

"This is the secret society?" There's no one even in here, well no one living as far as I'm concerned. They promised me music and food.

I see dust and cracks, walls peeling and cobwebs... Then there's that awful smell of old people.

Not meaning to offend.

"No this is the disguise for paradise." Valerie had said. She walked over to a dirty rug and pulled open a trapdoor stuck to it in the middle of the parlour. "This is the secret society."

~*~*~

As soon as Marilyn and I pulled open the trap door it was like a bomb of laughter and music exploded from beneath our feet.

Vibrant red light shined out from the door and we smiled at each other knowingly.

"Let's go." I said bravely walking down the steps first with a bounce in my step. Our moods changed immediately strangely enough and we were giddy with excitement. The stooges come here all the time, this is only my third time and I'm still not used to the craziness overpowering the place.

We came to flat ground -the laughing and music getting louder- into the same blood red hallway filled with paintings of the owners. They're all female which gives me some internal joy and pride for our gender.

At the end stood the quiet man who we call 'no face'. It's not that he has no face it's just that it is always hidden behind a white mask that covers everything and there aren't even any holes for the eyes. I don't know how he sees us but I assume he just has really good hearing, what's even more mysterious is he doesn't speak either he just stands at the booth in a black suit and a white hat I can only guess is pirate hat.

Yes I don't understand it either but he's the Cerberus to the underworld. Choosing who goes in and who is allowed out.

"Hey no face." I didn't say just smiled politely at the mask's unfriendly smile. He tilted his head to nod politely at me then reached behind him at the shelves full of other multicoloured masks that we're entitled to wear before entering. How can he see the masks?

"Can I have the red one to match my dress?" I asked as he pulled out a gold one with a mix of yellow and white feathers. He nodded again placing it back and passed me a red one with little red gems and glitter scattered over it. "Thank you." Marilyn tied it on for me asking for a green one to match her dress and the others did the same.

"Must love and appreciate colour coordination." Satine commented tying up her own black feathered mask. "Are you going to be dancing tonight?" She asked him smiling flirtatiously.

He stayed motionless. Arms crossed, a very defensive stance.

"Maybe I should save the last dance for you." Marilyn puffed up her chest and winked at him.

Nothing.

"Well poop." I muttered in defeat.

He never gives in.

~*~*~

The dark green curtains pulled open on their own revealing the hidden paradise. Every person in here is wearing a mask and the reason for that is no one wants to be caught and recognised in this place or risk the danger of getting arrested for association with 'witches and demons'. The masks make us all feel better and apparently no one else can recognise each other.

I don't see how that's possible because it's obvious to me they might as well not be wearing them but it's all part of the fun. Everyone's true colours are shown when they're disguised.

I excitedly shivered and bit my lip while the others already rushed through the dancing crowd. My eyes wandered curiously as they walked to the back of the room in front of another set of green curtains. Guarded by a big well-built man dressed in just a buttoned up black vest and black pants showing off scary dragon tattoos on his large fit arms that could hold up an elephant without struggle. He did it once as a party trick and he never wears a mask for it doesn't matter whether he does because no one knows who he is. Everyone or anyone are probably to afraid to mess with such a beats of a man. Valerie told me that he always stands there motionless at that archway.

Unfortunately even in this secret club there is a private sections or important people right down beneath our feet.

I've never gotten past him but the others go back there every time as soon as we get here for at least five minutes before they come out and party with me. They won't tell me what they do back there but I know they're meeting someone. Satine once went in with a package and came out empty handed. Someone had to have taken it and I feel excluded as childish as that sounds it's true because they're keeping me in the dark and this is going to sound mean and completely rude but what's so special about them that they're allowed to be down there?

I undid my hair from it's bun and shook it out earning a wolf-whistle from somewhere and then someone grabbed my hand dragging me with the other dancers. I squealed then laughed as they pulled me along and made me join the dancing circle that's happening in the middle of the room. The place is hot as in sweating in a desert hot and there's a distinct smell of something sweet in the air. Tables are lined around the dance floor and up on the ceiling a rainbow chandelier and flashing lights coming from somewhere.

Then there are the acrobats hanging down from ropes or balancing on the long planks of wood holding this place up and the almost nude waiters running around in glitter, loincloths and crop tops for the girls with their skins painted every colour you can imagine.

Eventually Val, Satine and Mari came back out and forced me away from my dance partner and swayed with me. I danced around with the them for what felt like minutes but was well and truly an hour then somehow out of nowhere we were watching Marilyn get chased by some man wearing a peacock mask and had grabby hands,

Oh I would help but they didn't save me from the wrath of Evan Crowly and besides this is just too amusing to interrupt.

I felt eyes watching me again as I linked my arm to Satine's. I wish I could ignore the feeling but even the hairs at the back of my neck are standing cautiously.

What if the chaser is in the club?

~*~*~

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~MeowForNow