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Chapter 7
publish date:
2020-11-13 02:40:56Chapter 7
As the figure steps into the light, I am surprised to see who it is. “Cynthia?” “Laura? Is that really you?” My model roommate walks over to us. She is clearly drunk. “What are you doing here?” “Laura, thank god! It´s you!” Cynthia trips on her own feet, but Liam catches her- She stares at him, smiling goofily, as he helps her up. “Oh, hello there. Laura, you didn´t tell me you have a hot friend. Had I known; I would have hung out more with you.” I feel a sudden twinge of jealousy as Cynthia hooks her arm into Liam´s for support. “I´m Cynthia Ferguson.” “Liam Cranston.”
They shake hands and Cynthia looks at Liam seductively. “Cynthia, what are you doing here?” “I guess I got lost. There´s a party in another lake house.” She turns east and west but she´s obviously confused. “I don´t even know which way it is. I was making out with this male model I met at the party and he asked me to go skinny dipping. But that jerk disappeared. I was trying to find my way back and I ended up here.” “You´re drunk, Cynthia. Come with us to our lake house. Yous should have coffee or something.” “All right. Pretty boy Liam here can escort me.”
Liam just shrugs as Cynthia continues to hold his arm. I am utterly jealous and I try hard not to let it show. I trudge up toward the lake house, with Liam and Cynthia trailing behind me.
>Brightmoon Lakehouse. Night.<
Everyone is now gathered at the living room. A fire burning in the hearth, keeping the house warm. Although we don´t need it since we´re wolves.
“Everyone, I´d like to introduce you to Cynthia Ferguson, my roommate.” (Lucas) “Cynthia, it´s nice to see you again. Welcome to Brightmoon Lakehouse.” “Lucas, it´s nice to see you too. I´m assuming these beautiful people are all your friends?” “Yes, the old wolf pack.”
Lucas and I exchange glances, as he smiles at me mischievously. (Cynthia) “I thought so.” “That´s Tank and Amelia.” “Nice to meet you all.” Patrick steps up to Cynthia. “This is Dr. Patrick White.” I introduce him. Cynthia looks him up and down and stares at him hungrily like he´s a piece of meat. “Bless my heart, Laura. Finally, a gorgeous coworker. Cynthia Ferguson.” “Nice to meet you, Cynthia.” “Same here. Too bad, Mr. Cranston here is already after my heart. Call me in a few days.” Patrick laughs. “It´s okay, Cynthia.” He puts his arm over my shoulder. “I´m good where I am right now.” “Ooh. You better hold on to your man, Laura. Someone might snatch him from under your nose.” “Patrick is not my man. He´s my boss at the hospital.” “Oh, finally, you traded up from that nerd Robert. Good for you.” “It´s not like--” “All right, listen up, guys! I just came from a party, and this crowd is pretty much dead. So let´s shake thing up a bit.” She turns to Lucas. “You take care of the booze, I´ll take care of the crowd.” Lucas is giddy with excitement. “Now you´re talking!” “Let´s get this party started!”
Lucas and Cynthia whip up a party in no time. In a matter of several minutes, we are all dancing and letting it hang loose, with the exception of Amelia who seems to be missing in action. As Cynthia pulls some dirty dancing moves to Liam I decide to stand to the side and drink some more non-alcoholic beverages. Liam notices and he moves away from Cynthia as Tank cuts in.
Liam pulls me to the side. “Are you not having fun?” Liam asked me over the loud music. “I´m okay.” “You don´t look okay. I can tell that something´s bothering you.” “Why would I be bothered?” Liams smiles his sexy smile. Sometimes I can´t tell if I want to punch him or I want to kiss him. “You´re not jealous of Cynthia, are you?” Why would I be jealous? “We´re not dating exclusively. And I told you you´re free to see other people.” “But I only want you, Laura.” “Werewolves are polyamorous, didn´t you tell me before? How can you tell me that I´m the only one you want?” “I´ll mark you right now just to prove you that all I want is you.” “You don´t have to Liam. Just get back to that party. I´m going out for some fresh air.”
There is sadness in Liam´s eyes but he lets me go.
>Brightmoon Lakehouse. Outdoor Jacuzzi. Night.<
I exit through the backdoor, and discover an outdoor Jacuzzi. Amelia is right there. “Laura. Come. Join me.” “Sure.”
I´ve never tried a Jacuzzi before so I strip down to my undergarments without hesitation. I can´t help but notice that Amelia is staring at me. As I immerse myself in the warm waters, I suddenly feel more relaxed. “Oh, this I snice. How come, you´re not enjoying the party?” “I could ask you the same thing.” We both laugh. “Let those boys be boys. Cynthia can keep them company.” “She´s got her hands full.” “Yes she does.”
I try to make myself comfortable and lean back, savoring the warmth. “This should wash all the stress away.” “Why? What´s stressing you?” “This whole werewolf thing. Those two boys back there.” “Is it the sexual urges?” I´m surprised that Amelia knows. Has she gone through the same thing before? “Yes. It can get really...exhausting.” “I guess it´s different for you. Your first transformation is past the age of 18. The sexual urges can be rather extreme.” “I know.” “You know what can stop the sexual urges?” I raise an eyebrow at this. There´s a way to stop them? Why am I only hearing this now? “What?” “If you mark your chosen mate, then that should stop the urges.” “Oh, I am not ready to mark anyone right now. But out of curiosity, what actually happens when I mark someone who has marked me?” Amelia gets a faraway look on her face. “Then you will truly be one. You´ll be able to link your mind even in human form. And you´ll be able to feel what the other feels. And when you´ve marked each other, that´s the only time that you can produce a baby.” “What happens if I marked the wrong person then?” “Then you will be stuck with them for the rest of your life.” “Have you ever considered marking someone?” “I did. With my former girlfriend, but I didn´t go through with it.”
“Having a girl talk, are we? I´m joining you girls.” Cynthia hastily removes her clothes, leaving only her undergarments. It appears that she has sobered up. She dips right next to me, leaving me in between her and Amelia. “Oh, this is relaxing. So, the boys are drunk and they´re still drinking. Let´s leave them to have their fun.” “I am just amazed at how you managed to get them drunk in such a short span of time while you seem to have sobered up.” “It´s a secret talent, Laura. All those years of partying is good training.” I just shake my head in disbelief, smiling. “This reminds me of the time I made out with one of my female co-workers when I was staring out.” (Amelia) “Interesting.” “I didn´t know you were bisexual.” “Oh, please, Laura. I don´t like to limit myself with these labels. I´m not comfortable being boxed in when it comes to my sexuality.” Cynthia ties up her hair in a bun. “I´m not speaking for everyone. But I believe in trying anything once. Explore. You´ll never know what´s good until you have a taste. And in my world, everything is exquisitely delicious.” Cynthia looks at Amelia. “Amelia, right?” “Yeah.” “You look like a woman who enjoys both worlds. Am I correct?” “As a matter of fact, I do. How did you know?” “Oh, honey, I can smell you like a hound from a mile away. How about we show our uptight friend, Laura, how it´s done.” (Laura) “All right, what is going on?” “Just watch and learn, honey.”
Caught in between, Cynthia and Amelia lean in closer together and press their lips against each other. I watch as their tongues battle it out. I´d be lying if I didn´t say I find it hot. Cynthia then turns to me, and whispers like a little devil on my shoulder. “Now it´s your turn, Laura. Kiss her.” “I´m going to have to refuse your offer. This isn´t my cup of tea.” “Boo!” “It´s just that I´m not ready.” “That´s another term for `I´m boring as hell´. Where´s your sense of adventure. You are no fun, Laura.” “If Laura doesn´t want to then we can´t force her, Cynthia.” I stand up and climb out of the Jacuzzi. “I´m sorry, guys. I´ll see you guys tomorrow.”
Without another word, I leave them and return to my room to retire for the night.
>Brightmoon Lakehouse. Kitchen. Day.<
When I enter the kitchen, everyone looks like shit, with the exception of Amelia. Cynthia is nowhere to be found. “Good morning everyone.” (Lucas) “This is definitely not a good morning. I have the worst hangover in my entire life.” Liam looks like he´s about to hurl. “Lucas, what did you put in our drink?” “Nothing.” (Tank) “That punch certainly got a kick to it.”
Amelia, who is sitting at the counter, bruises herself with her cereal but she can´t help but giggle.
“I think somebody spiked out drink with a little wolfsbane.” Liam stares accusingly to Amelia, who tries ti maintain a portrait of innocence. “What? I didn´t do anything.” But she can´t keep a straight face. Amelia bursts out laughing. “Amelia, what did you do?” “All right, I confess. I haven´t seen you guys get drunk in a long time so I put a little wolfsbane in the punch.” Amelia turns to me, as I notice Lucas leaves the rooms. “You see, since we heal rapidly, we can´t get drunk. But wolfsbane weakens us and dampens our abilities so a tiny amount in our system can make us susceptible to getting intoxicated.” (Liam) “I knew it. The last time you pulled something like that I ended up naked at the train station.” Amelia puts her arms over Liam´s shoulder, laughing at the memory. “We both know you´re used to being naked.” “Not in a public setting.” Patrick throws up in the sink. “Oh, this is not funny, Amelia.” “Don´t worry, Patrick. It should wear off in a few hours.”
Lucas comes back with a pitcher of purple liquid and pours it into four glasses. “All right, guys. Drink up. This should counteract the effect of wolfsbane.”
“What-bane?” Cynthia is standing by the kitchen entryway. Everyone falls silent, surprised at her presence. How much has she heard? “The pain, Cynthia. Lucas made something to counteract the hangover pain.” “That doesn´t make sense. But I´m too sleepy to function. I need coffee.” Cynthia pours herself a cup, as the guys imbibe Lucas´ concoction. (Tank) “That´s it. I´m feeling better already. Lucas you´re really good at this stuff.” “My grandmother taught me. She´s the best.” The doorbell rings.
Lucas and I look at each other. I can smell the familiar scent from here. Lucas nods.
“I´ll get it.” I walk to the front door. When I open it, Robert is standing there. My heart jumps a little upon seeing his handsome face. “Laura.” “Robert, what are you doing here?” “You haven´t called me in days. You know how I get worried about you.” “I´m so sorry Robert. But something came up.” “Yeah, I can tell. Holiday with your new friends.” “It´s not like that. How did you even know I was here?” “Aren´t you going to let me in?” “Sorry, please come in.”
I bring him to the living room where we sit on the couch. “Cynthia texted me. She sent me the address.” Why would Cynthia do that? “I´ve been trying to contact you. You don´t text, you don´t call. You´re in on indefinite leave at the hospital. What is going on with you?” “There´s nothing going on.” “I know something´s going on, Laura. You just don´t want to tell me.” But I can´t tell him. I don´t want him to get involved in this part of my life. I need him to stay as Robert. He´s the only connection I have left with my old life. “Trust me, Robert. If I could tell you, I would. But this isn´t the right time.” Robert puts a hand over mine. “I just want to make sure that you´re okay.” “I´m fine, Robert. Believe me.” He smiles at me, seemingly satisfied with my answer. Perhaps he could tell that I´m telling the truth. “I´m disappointed that you can´t share this new part of your life with me. But I understand.” Robert laces his fingers with mine. “All in due time, Robert. Just be patient with me.” “So, have you heard about the fire at Nexus Lab?” My instincts tell me that I shouldn´t tell him the truth. “No. Why? What happened?” “Apparently, there´s been a machine malfunction at one of the sub-level labs.” “You mean the secret lab where they´ve been experimenting on humans and wolves?” “That´s the thing, Laura. The investigation didn´t turn up any evidence that there´s been some kind of animal or human testing at that level.” “That´s strange. Could there be some kind of cover-up?” “Who knows?” “Robert, I don´t like you working at that research lab anymore.” “To tell you the truth, Laura. After the incident, they promoted me to Head of Research.” “Seriously?” “Yes. So I can´t just quit my job. This is what I´ve been waiting for all my career, Laura.” I don´t know whether to be happy for him or afraid for him. There´s clearly something shady going on at this research lab.
“Just be careful, Robert.” “Don´t worry about me, Laura.” I stare into Robert´s eyes behind those glasses. Now that he´s right beside me, I realize how much I´ve missed him. I put my arms about Robert and he hugs me back. I can feel his warm body against mine. For a moment, I try to find solace in his embrace. But it´s not for long. We hear a low buzz and Robert takes out his phone from his pocket. “That´s mine. It´s a text message from work. They need me at the lab right now. 911. I should go.” “All right, I´ll send you a message when I get back.” “I´ll see you again soon.”
Robert leaves and I find myself longing for his embrace.
>Brightmoon Lakehouse. Living room. Night.<
The better part of the day was spent swimming at Brightmoon Lake that day. Cynthia was perplexed at how we can stand the cold waters. Thanks to our werewolf nature, the cold doesn´t affect us.
Since Cynthia wasn´t able to join the fun, she asked to have another drinking party as it´s going to be our last night here at Brightmoon Lake. After a scrumptious dinner, the drinking party starts and eventually the pack begins to dance to the loud music. The boys let out a howl.
(Laura) “Did someone spike the drinks again?” (Liam) “That´s a potion they´re drinking. Well, a variant of a potion that makes you lose your inhibitions. It´s not harmful to wolf or human, but it will sure replicate the feeling of getting inebriated. Lucas made it.” “He sure has a talent for these concoctions.” I take a swig of the potion. “Wait a minute. Why aren´t you drunk?” “I don´t know.” “That´s odd. Maybe you have a strong resistance to some of the ingredients.” “Maybe. Why aren´t you drunk?” I watch the pack as they have a good time, and I notice that Cynthia is missing. “I haven't even started drinking yet. I wanted to talk to you.”
Suddenly I smell an unfamiliar scent mingling with Cynthia´s. With the expression on Lima´s face, I know he smells it too. He shakes his head. “I´m so sorry about this.”
Liam takes my hand and we follow the direction of the scent.
>Brightmoon Lakehouse. Outdoor Jacuzzi. Night.<
We step outside the outdoor Jacuzzi area to find Cynthia making out with an unknown man. As Cynthia turns to look at us, I get a good view of the guy she´s lip locking with. He´s a beautiful man with chiseled features. He looks to be about our age. He is dressed in a finely tailored suite. But underneath all that layers of fabric, I can tell that he has a muscular build. His pale face almost shines against the light. Everything about him looks inviting.
The man looks past me and onto Liam. Suddenly, the man´s eyes turn red and sharp fangs protrude from his mouth. He´s a vampire!
(Laurence) “Hello, Liam.”
