Chapter 5

CHARLOTTE

I screamed as water filled my ears and nose while sinking deeper into the pool. The sound of water splashing like a cry out to the lingering guests standing by the poolside.

"Oh my gosh!" One of them cackled, as I flopped flailingly into the water, struggling to breathe. I thrashed in the pool, nervousness clouding my brain, and in my shock, I forgot to swim.

They laughed, seeing my struggles, the obnoxious sound, reaching my brain even as I flopped around helplessly.

Among them, I recognized Avaria’s sneer, "Is she dumb? The pool isn't deep."

"What do you expect from a low-ranker? I bet she’s never been to a pool before." Chortles filled the air, as I struggled to keep afloat, feeling the pool floor under my feet, my lungs aching, and a faint irritation building up as my brain finally registered the fact that I could, infact, swim.

Embarrassment clouded my face as I quickly pushed myself out of the water, gasping as I held on to the railing. I coughed, staring around the pool, with the water just below my chest. I scanned the crowd with red eyes.

"Did you have a nice swim, Harlot?" Sarah said with a smirk, inciting the others, but I ignored them.

Clinging to the wall of the pool—I barely had a hold on—my hands slipped as I pulled myself out of the pool.

Their jabs stung me, but all the more, I was furious.

I knew I didn't belong, but if I could switch the tables, I would make sure they paid.

Especially Taide.

I wasn't expecting him to push me into the pool, but who was I kidding? A devil was always a devil.

The shuttering of cameras, and a blinding flashlight, had me covering my eyes, and looking for the source. My face twisted with faint irritation, one of my hands hovering over my eyes, and I dragged my wet body a few meters away from the pool. My clothes stuck to my drenched body, like a second skin which irked me.

I glanced at the crowd once more, ignoring their jabs, only to spot Taide, at the left side of the pool, with his phone, taking a video of me.

An ever-so-rich smirk danced at the corner of his lips, and I almost gave him a middle finger. Bastard think this is funny? I threw a glare at him, but he returned it with an even wider smirk, taking more pictures of my embarrassed state.

My face burned, but I refused to let him see it, throwing him the harshest look I could muster at the moment, but I knew how much of a clown I looked.

Suddenly, a whistle cut through the air, drawing most of the attention from me.

Walking in with unsteady steps was Reigh. Hands in his pockets, and an unbuttoned white shirt on. He looked dressed for an indoor party, which didn't fit the occasion, but somehow, he rocked it.

Heads snapped, bodies moving to make way, as he practically buckled into his brother."Dang! What did I miss?" He placed an arm around Taide, watching the video replay. "Damn! That's nasty," he said, shaking his head, and throwing me his signature smile.

His actions almost tipped them both over, causing him to stop, placing his full weight on Taide, and balancing himself.

"Dude, are you drunk?" Taide chuckled, letting him rest on himself, throwing another look my way, as I pulled myself from the floor, water dripping to form a puddle beneath me.

It wouldn’t come as a surprise if he was.

Reigh was like a mystery even to me. Among his brothers, he was the most different, with his carefree attitude.

But physically? If it weren't for his shoulder length hair, and those tattoos on his arms, I wouldn't be able to tell.

Reigh shook his head, a teasing glint in his eyes, "Nah, bro. I can hold my liquor well, but it's funny to see you messing with Charlotte. The poor thing is pitiful, never taking a break."

"Don't push it all on me, Reigh," Taide let out an irritated scowl at his falling brother. "We all have a hand in this."

The nerve of these two, to talk like I wasn't in front of them.

What am I even doing standing here?

It was a mistake coming here. I should have never let Madeline force me into coming. Angry, I turned to walk away, but due to my wet shoes, I slipped, hitting my knees on the floor.

Pain shot through my body, as I covered the aching joint. Ouch! Their laughter increased, and it added to the pain I was currently feeling. I tried to stand up, and I winced as I felt the ache hit me the second time.

"Here, let me give you a helping hand." Reigh suddenly appeared in front of me, holding out his hand, but I smacked I smacked it away.

"I don't need your help," I said, pushing myself off the ground.

He laughed, his hands going in the air. "Suit yourself."

From the way he talked, I couldn't tell if he really was drunk, but as I made to leave, I felt him stumble away in my peripheral.

Taide had gone silent at one point, only snickering could be heard all around me.

My hair stuck to my face, and irritably, I flung the sticky strand away, limping as I walked, making my way back to the main house. My gait was awkward as I marched, well, limped into the house.

Just then, Madeline's figure caught my eyes. Amidst a group of horny teenagers who veered to get her attention, Madeline stood in the middle, a dashing smile on her lips, and holding onto two red plastic cups.

I was assuming those were the drinks she went to get.

A slight feeling of awe washed through me as I eyed Madeline, standing like a fairy to be admired by all. How she withstood this much pressure, intrigued me at times.

You and her are not the same, I reminded myself. This is Madeline’s world. I’m just a visitor.

Walking closer, Madeline spotted me, smiling and raising the cups so I could see. "Hey girl—"

She stopped, noticing how messed up I was, but I didn't stop walking.

"What happened to you?!" She ran to me, shoving the two cups into the arms of a boy, a worried look on her face.

Trying my best to pass her a reassuring answer, I offered her a shaky smile. “It’s fine.”

"Which of my brothers did this?" She grabbed my arm, immediately putting two and two together. "Was it Taide?"

"Madeline, just leave it alone. I want to go home." I also didn't want to be the cause of a sibling rivalry.

"Char, this is wrong. They shouldn't be bullying you like this." Madeline's voice sounded sad. "You’re my friend and I hate that it feels like I can't do anything about this."

"You can, and that's by taking us home." I deadpanned, feeling slightly numb with all the eyes on my skin. She was holding onto my hands so tight, I couldn't pull out. At least, not with the weak ass strength I had.

Being a powerless wolf or ‘wolfless human’ could be frustrating sometimes. Most times.

But I guess the term ‘wolfless’ didn’t apply anymore. Given the fact that she finally awoke within me for the sole purpose of claiming her mates. Maybe if she’d been around a little earlier, then she wouldn’t have been so thrilled to name those devils as her one true loves.

Ugh.

Studying my face, she agreed. "Okay," Madeline let go of her grip, a worried look still on her face, as she followed me out. The smell of sweat and booze-filled my senses as I dove through the crowd, guiding my injured knee.

As we passed through the people, someone suddenly whistled. "Nice look Harlot, it suits you." Ethaniel, a member of the deviltree, jabbed, standing in front of me with a sly smirk on his face.

His friend who I didn't recognize, chuckled along with him. "Didn't know Harlot had the gall to walk around naked."

What the hell did he mean by that? I glared at them. Was he blind? My clothes were on me, even if they still stuck irritably to my skin.

"Can't you do a day without irking me?" I asked with a frown.

"Ohhhh, look, she talks back. What's in it today, Harlot? Did you drink too much booze tonight?" Ethaniel’s idiot companion took it upon himself to shove his face into mine, almost closing the distance between us, but I stepped back.

"Ever heard of personal space?" I bit out. "Out of my way Ethaniel." I shoved him aside—attempted to—but he didn't budge.

"Calm down Harlot,"

"What do you want?" I pressed angrily.

"Nothing, just admiring you. Didn't know you had a nice body. Your little red bikini makes you pop." He winked at me, but I paled. My dress was soaked, and underneath it, I wore a red bikini set. And right then, they were on full display.

Shit!

My face went bright red, I lowered my head to look at my still dripping dress, hearing the snickers that left their lips.

"Char, don't listen to them, let's go." Madeline came to my rescue, dragging me from their midst. "Ignore them."

"Boo, don't take her away Madeline!"

"Come on Harlot, show us some more!"

Madeline glared at them, and pulled me past them, my limp already forgotten due to my embarrassment. She was leading us out through the other way, which was longer, but anything that could get us out of here, I would take it.

We were about to round a corner when we bumped straight into the last person I wanted to see.

Emmaline.

Her eyes narrowed the moment we locked gazes “What are you doing here?” She sneered.

I was geared to meet her with a response of my own, but the person coming up behind her almost immediately had my throat closing up.

Caeson stepped through the corner with an intensity that could burn. His expression carefully blank as always. My mind immediately shifted to the last time I saw him.

When he was screwing the lights out of Emma.

And the aura emanating from him right now gave none of it away. The ease with which he held my gaze sizzled something within me.

Not too long, he was deep in her, and now, he’s standing in front of me.

Knowing that I’d witnessed it.

Watching me like he couldn’t care less.

I gritted my teeth as I remembered it all. He was the crudest asshole of them all, and he was so shameless about it.

Why did I care?

I didn’t

But I won’t lie that all of this confused the hell out of me. I wasn’t jealous of him and Emma, I just fucking wasn’t.

But…

My gaze lifted to his. A breath caught in my throat as I found his gaze already pinned on me. Despite the fact that Emma was wrapped around his torso. Despite the fact that he had a mechanically placed hand in her hair—his eyes were on me.

"Come on Harlot, let's see the full view!"

"Yeah, man. You’re keeping us in suspense!"

"Come on Harlot!"

Frustrated with everything around me, their chants turned into noise in my ears, and I couldn't think anymore. Without a single care in the world, I growled out, “Fine.”

They wanted a view, then I'd show them one.

I peeled off my dress in one smooth move.

"Happy, assholes? If you want a full view, I could do a princess twirl for you bastards!" I stamped my foot, parking a hand on my hips.

The cheers turned animalistic.

The hoots and cheers increased as Madeline reached out for me, laughter blossoming out of her. "Let's get the fuck out of here." She sounded amused, but all the more, impressed. She grabbed me, dragging me past Caeson, and my eyes went back to him, maintaining the eye contact that we lost before.

As we passed, I slammed my wet dress to his chest, watching as those darkened orbs gleamed with something faint before it vanished into thin air. Madeline had released my hand, and it gave me an edge.

I stood on tippy toes, whispering into his ear, "Don't wipe me off too hard this time, or it might bruise."

With that, I swayed out, leaving Madeline to catch up with me.