Chapter ~ 5

"Best club ever!" Ayra yelled as she finished chugging down a bottle of beer.

The club reeked of sweat and sex but she loved it anyway. It was her first party outside Grey Woods and Devin wasn't there to lecture her about rolling with 'bad influences'. She had finished her first dance with a random guy and wanted to take a breather before going back to the dance floor.

"Uhm... Ayra?" Selene tapped her but she was too engrossed in the pop music that was blasting from the loudspeakers.

"Your brother is here..." Her voice was low and seeing Devin's scowl, she trembled a bit.

"That's a lie. And I've told you he's not my brother. He's just an arrogant, pompous, undeserving brat who feels the world should bow at his feet because he's the Beta. What an annoying bunch of shit!" She spat bitterly and wanted to finish her remaining beer but a hand grabbed the bottle from her and spun her around at the same moment.

She came face to face with Devin who wasn't looking very happy.

"Oh, good thing you're here to hear what I said. I felt bad for saying that behind your back." She smiled and tried grabbing her beer from him but he smashed the bottle with his hand.

"You're drunk." He narrowed his eyes and glared at Selene who just shyly looked away.

"Why did you allow her to drink this much?"

"Hey, pick on someone your own size." Ayra hit his chest severally times but they just felt like a massage to him. Her hands were as soft as marshmallows. He grabbed Ayra's waist and threw her over his shoulder.

"Let me go!" He hit his back but he didn't mind.

"Let's not see each other again, Selene. We're done." He announced and before she could object, he left with Ayra who was struggling to get out of his arms.

"Hold still or I'm going to spank your arse." He smirked.

"Really? I'd love to see you try."

She was daring him but he knew better than to fall for it, not with this intense pull gradually growing within him.

.

.

A sharp headache immediately hit Ayra as she woke up from her short sleep.

"Fuck!" She growled, her head felt like it was being hit with a thousand hammers. And it felt hot in her room. Staggering to the window, she opened it and sighed deeply as the evening breeze hit her face.

"I am never drinking again." She whined. That was the thirteenth time she was promising herself that but she ended up going back on her promises when the going got tough.

She was about to go downstairs for a glass of water when she saw something that aroused her interest. Devin was walking in through the short gate and Selene was chasing after him. Devin stopped and eventually spoke to her but she couldn't hear what they were saying.

Ignoring them, she went down for a glass of water and luckily, didn't run into Devin or her mother.

It was mid-afternoon the next day when Ayra woke up. Her body ached from all the dancing last night. She was tired and sore but it was all worth it.

Remembering the angry look on Devin's face, Ayra smiled satisfactorily at herself.

"Best night ever..." She sang as she raced downstairs, the familiar scent of sweet potatoes hitting her nose.

She knew her mother would be in the kitchen but she still went anyway. They glanced at each other for a bit before Ayra turned away and headed for the fridge.

Helen smiled bitterly and turned back to what she was cooking.

"I'm sorry, Ayra, for not reaching out all those years."

Ayra sighed, remembering how her mother never spoke to her for four years. She had grown to think her mother was dead to her.

"You got what you wanted, right? A nice husband, a warm family, the job of your dreams. I'm happy for you but please, leave me out of your life like you've always had."

"I did what I had to do. For your safety. Your father---"

"Save it for who cares to listen. I'm not interested in whatever excuse you have to say. And don't think sorry will be enough to fix anything between us."

Ayra walked away, her tears falling freely as she leaned behind her closed door. She loved her mother and wished she had just called but no, she chose her husband and family over her.

That was reason enough to hate her for the rest of her life.

She ended up staying in her room all day, skipping breakfast and lunch. It was already dark when a knock came to her door.

It was Helen. And she held a tray of food in her hand.

"I'm not hungry," Ayra said and wanted to shut the door but Helen blocked it with one of her legs.

"Selene is downstairs waiting for you. The anniversary of the Alpha and his Luna is tonight. You need to eat and get prepared." Helen calmly said, walked inside her room, and dropped the tray before leaving. Ayra's stomach grumbled when the scent of the food hit her.

As she ate, Selene knocked before opening the door.

"You're not dressed yet?" She squealed.

"The wardrobe is there. Knock yourself out." Ayra replied with her mouth full.

Selene only shook her head as she headed to the wardrobe.

"What's the big deal with this party anyway?"

"It's the Alpha we're talking about."

"And so?"

Selene walked over to her with a black short dress in her hand.

"Yes, that's definitely what I wanted to wear. How did you know?"

"Easy. You love causing trouble. Figured that out today." Selene smirked. After eating, Ayra had a bath and wore the dress. It was a mini dress that stopped above her mid-thighs, showing off her thick flesh. The front showed much cleavage as her breasts were big but the back was open.

"See? Major distraction." Selene complimented her before helping her fix her makeup.

"By the way, what's up between you and Devin?"

Selene halted, tensed. She didn't want Ayra to find out about their relationship. It might ruin their friendship.

"He was just mad at me because I took you to town and let you drink too much." She nervously replied while Ayra just shrugged. But deep down, she knew there was something more.

"All done," Selene announced. Ayra looked breathtaking in her outfit, even Selene couldn't compete with her in terms of beauty.

"Well, everybody should hold their men because Ayra is about to spice up the party." She hyped as they headed downstairs. Helen was seated in the dining area, going through some files.

"Doctor Helen, are you not going to the party?" Selene asked while Ayra went outside to wait for her.

"I've got many things to do. Please, enjoy yourselves and watch Ayra for me, okay?"

"Alright. Goodnight."

"Your mom seemed worried about you, Ayra. Why don't you speak to her at least?" Selene asked frantically.

"Wait, how did you...? That's not important." She quickly rephrased.

"I'd love it if you stayed away from my personal life. I don't want to talk to anyone or about anyone, okay?"

Selene just shrugged.