Derek never believed that he would be so grateful to hear Claire's voice anytime in life. Her statement had saved him making a fool of himself in front of his little witch.
".. wouldn't have happened if you had already told her like I asked you to." He heard his wolf say, and sighed. He would explain that part to her, after the party.
"You should explain everything." Maru opined.
"I can't. Not yet." Derek replied, through their link. He still in dread and fear, not knowing how his little witch would react if she knew the truth. He didn't want to lose her.
"When did you guys come?" Claire asked, controlling herself with great difficulty, from tearing Emma's arm which was wrapped around Derek's. She had also noticed that Shane was holding hands with Maya but she ignored it. That wasn't her business. Perhaps it was for good, especially if her twin sees it. He wouldn't be hung up on the blonde again.
"Not long. Some minutes ago." Derek replied.
"Did you come alone?" He asked, as his eyes went behind her, then tro and fro the compound. He was searching for her twin, his beta. He had missed his companionship, even though he couldn't admit it.
"No, she didn't." A guy whom he hadn't seen before said, wrapping his right hand around Claire's waist. The look on her face made him want to laugh. He actually pitied for the human. Knowing Claire, he knew she wouldn't let this slide.
"And who is this?" Shane asked, finding the whole scenario funny.
"Her date?" Maya stated rhetorically with a shrug. She couldn't understand the deal with humans always trying to fawn over them, and brag about it. It was Cassie some minutes ago, now this. She thought, trailing her eyes over the human male whom she thought looked cocky.
"Yeah. My date." Claire said, with a faux smile on her lips, trying to keep her calm. Left alone, she would have slapped Zack hard across the face. He shouldn't have held her waist that way in front of Derek. Now her love, might be thinking that she was a loose female. She thought.
"Oh, nice. He looks good." Emma said, happy that her competition wasn't in competition again; and so mentioned that to quench their rivalry.
"Thanks Emma." Zack said, shining his white teeth at the compliment; having noticed that his date wasn't saying anything. Well he didn't care, the redhead had just complimented him. It really fueled his ego. He couldn't wait to bed her. The thought had him aroused. He needed to get laid. He thought, and tapped Claire. It was time she became really useful.
"Let's go in and dance." He whispered to her ear, bitting her earlobes in the process; negligent of the pitying looks that were given to him by Shane and Derek, and the tightening of Claire's fist.
"Sure." She finally said, before allowing him to take her inside.
"Now what is that?" Maya asked, laughing again. She could tell that Claire wasn't happy with the way the human was acting around her. Well the blonde should suck it up. She thought.
"A display gone wrong." Shane answered, laughing along with her. He was beginning to find his friend's sister beautiful and relatable by the passing minute, and he didn't know whether it was a welcome development since she was Leo's supposed mate. He was also curious about why she had betrayed them those years ago. This little time he had spent with her tonight enlightened him that she was good.
"Aren't we going in?" Emma asked the trio, tired of being outside the happenings in the party. She would love to have a drink; she was thirsty.
" Or Cassie won't let us in?" She added, staring at Derek.
"She will. Let's go." Derek answered, walking off with her arm in his.
*******
The party was exotic and totally in full bloom. Attendees were all over the place, some drinking, some dancing, some talking, and of course, some smooching in darkened places.
Cassie could be seen laughing with her friends while stealing glances at Derek and his three companions who were at the bar area, sipping their drinks and talking.
Only staring at Derek smiling and dropping kisses on the redhead's cheeks got her annoyed and wet at the same time. She wanted him, and must get him. She always got what she wanted, ever since she was little.
Still staring at him, she saw Clem walk up to Derek with a girl who looked like him. She had seen the Blondie earlier, and concluded that they were siblings. She could also see that the blonde was also eyeing the closeness between the redhead and Derek. Such a big competition. She thought. But she will win; she always does.
"Cassie."
Her friend called her, breaking into her thoughts.
" You have been staring at that group for quite some time now. I know they are all looking beautiful, the males included, but is there something else?" Her friend asked.
"Not really Sandy." She replied, not wanting to involve her friend.
"C'mon Cassie. You know you can count on me anytime." Sandy said, crossing her arms across her friend's shoulders. They have been friends since kindergarten.
"I want him." Cassie stated bluntly. "I want him now." She said, wanting to seek relief from whatever was making her hot and bothered.
"The one with the redhead?" Sandy asked.
"Yeah." Cassie replied.
" What about Clem?" Sandy asked, remembering that there was a time that the blonde male had something going on with her friend.
"I don't want him. I want Derek." Cassie answered, throwing a quick glance at Clem, but snorting in response. She thought he didn't have anything on Derek.
It was true that he was good in bed, since they went out few times, more like a fling; she still believed that Derek would be much better. How could he not? Only his deep blue eyes could make her wet. What would his hand accomplish then?
The thought of Derek's hands performing acrobatics on her skin, got her bitting her lips as she tried to hold in a moan.
"Sandy.." She called out to her best friend.
"Yes Cassie. Talk to me." Sandy replied, coming closer.
"I want him. Any ideas?" Cassie asked, still bitting her lips.
"Uhmm…..Wait…. I think I do" Sandy said, a smile appearing on her face as an idea occurred to her.
"Really? Tell me." Cassie said, excitement brewing in her voice.
"Do you trust me?" Sandy asked.
"Always." Cassie replied. She would agree to anything now to have Derek.
"Good. Come closer." Sandy stated.. "I think I have an idea."