Chapter 9 Faye
NINE
Faye
Kady watches me, concern wrinkling her forehead. “Are you sure you’re well enough to come, Faye?”
It’s been a few days since my heat spike. The Stellas have all been really supportive, and since I’m feeling much more myself—especially after increasing my suppressant dosage—I’m determined not to miss out on any college experiences.
To increase my confidence, I even ventured to the library yesterday.
On the way, I bought what ended up being an amazing coffee from Bouncing Bunna.
While in line, I was sandwiched between two alphas.
Although I got subtle hints of their scents, my body didn’t react at all, confirming that my suppressants are working how they should be.
Kady must have been right about my sheltered life being behind my heat spike.
“I’ll be fine,” I dismiss her concerns. “Honestly, I’m looking forward to it.”
Sure, I’m nervous, but I’m also excited.
Sabs is embroiled in the social scene here, and she’s insistent that tonight’s party is a key event on the SVU calendar.
The only other parties I’ve been to were with Gram’s book club—who, after a few bottles of wine, get surprisingly rowdy.
At their last get together, I had to intervene to stop them from yarn bombing a grumpy farmer’s tractor to avoid a town rift.
Delilah dances around. “Who’s ready to see our costumes?”
We’re getting ready in the living room which has been turned into a dressing area for the night. I usually keep my makeup minimal—eyeshadow made from natural pigments and spices as well as homemade lip balms.
“The theme for tonight is inner animal.” Sabs curls her hands and pretends to claw the air. “Corny, I know.”
Kady scoffs while applying a layer of shimmery lip gloss, giving her a subtle yet elegant look to match her symmetrical winged eyeliner. “Alpha’s love any excuse to put on lion markings.”
“Okay, I can’t wait anymore!” Delilah wheels over a rack that’s covered in black fabric. “Here we go!”
Sabs squeals and rushes over, whipping off the cover with a flourish.
She grabs a skintight jumpsuit, complete with a tufty tail on its ass. “I’m going to be a fox. Obviously!” She flicks her fiery-red hair over her shoulder. “With my hair, there’s no other choice.”
“Kady, this is yours.” Delilah hands her a white, slinky, flapper-style dress that’s covered in feathers. “Our graceful swan.”
Larry chooses that moment to slink out from his hiding spot underneath the sofa. He hisses at Kady’s dress like it’s a swooping bird.
“It’s okay, little guy.” Kady bends down to pet him.
Larry doesn’t think so. He seems to shake his head then disappears again in a huff.
“This is mine. I can’t wait to put it on!” Delilah hugs a plain blue dress. “The last one is yours, Faye.”
“We went with a bunny.” Sabs hands me the dress. It’s dusty pink, almost ballerina-esque with a tight-fitting bodice covered in sequins and a tutu skirt with a little, fluffy tail attached. “I wanted to go with a sluttier bunny vibe, but Delilah thought this one was more you.”
“I didn’t think you’d want to go out with half your butt showing,” Delilah explains, making me grateful she was around.
“Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it!” Sabs strips down to her underwear then squeezes herself into the tiny jumpsuit while I admire my dress. It doesn’t look like it’ll fit past her toned thighs, but she manages to shimmy in. “Zip me up before it becomes undone!”
Kady steps in to do the honors.
Sabs lets out the breath she’s been holding. “Someone’s going to have to come to the bathroom with me every time.”
“Here are your ears, Faye.” Delilah hands me a headband with white, floppy ears. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” I say, quickly changing.
Meanwhile, Kady straightens her headdress. It’s like a tiara made up of long, white feathers and pearls. She’s styled her blonde hair into waves, giving her a more relaxed appearance.
Sabs scoops her hair into a high ponytail, clips in two fox ears, then does a little twirl. Her time spent in the gym definitely pays off because her body is insane. She’s like an action figure with an ass so round she could probably squat me!
“What do you think?” Fully ready, Delilah raises her arms up so her sleeves form large wings—almost like a cape—in iridescent blue. “See?” She flaps her wings. “A Morpho butterfly. Pretty neat, right? It’s something the costume maker had in the back.”
“You look amazing, Del,” Kady says.
“Final touches,” Sabs sings, coloring in her nose before beckoning me over. She paints a cute, heart-shaped nose and whiskers on me. “Perfect!” She smiles. “I think we’re ready. To the cart!”
Buzzing with excitement, we head outside. Kady insists on driving because Sabs’s speeding would ruin her hair.
The party is taking place at Club Knotty in the heart of campus. As we drive that way, we pass other omegas who are also leaving. I see a leopard, a black cat, and some more unusual animals, like a koala, octopus and what looks like an armadillo.
The main street has a different energy at night.
While the daytime stores are closed, food trucks have pulled in, serving lots of tempting dishes.
With the smell of sugary donuts and cotton candy hanging in the air, we pass by people with piles of pita bread and mouth-watering looking burgers I’d struggle to wrap my hands around.
After we park, we amble toward the massive line that has formed outside Club Knotty, bassy music coming from inside.
“Come on!” Sabs grabs my hand and pulls me straight to the front of the line. Delilah and Kady follow, having a debate over whether buttery popcorn is better than caramel corn. “I know the doorman.”
The guy guarding the door is gigantic. He’s easily 6′5′′ and covered in tattoos. His moody expression instantly changes when he sees Sabs, a small smile tugging on his lips. To my surprise, he’s a beta, which is unusual as betas don’t tend to be so hulking in stature.
The man grins at her. “Nice costume, Sabs.”
“Drax!” Sabs greets him with the warm familiarity of an old friend. “We’re on the VIP list, right?”
“Sabrina Maverick.” Dax checks his clipboard, moving his finger down the names in alphabetical order. I glance over the sheet and notice that we’re definitely not on there.
She bats her thick eyelashes at him. “Plus three guests.”
He sighs. “You know this is the busiest night of the year, don’t you?”
“Come on, it’s me.” She pouts. “You know you want to.”
With a pout like that, she has him wrapped around her little finger. He shakes his head as he slips his hands into his pockets, handing us all VIP wristbands. “Go straight through.”
“You’re the best!” She jumps into his arms, wrapping her toned ones around his massive torso. “I owe you!”
Drax’s cheeks flush pink, clearing his throat as she clambers off him. Sabs is oblivious to the effect she’s having on him.
“I’ll see you around, then,” he says.
“Uh-huh,” she replies noncommittally, too preoccupied with marching me into the flashing lights. “This way, Stellas!”
“How do you know that giant?” I have to shout, it’s so loud inside.
“Giant?” Is she out of her mind? “Oh, you mean Drax?”
“I don’t see any other guys as tall as him around,” Kady mutters sarcastically.
“Oh, we went to school together,” Sabs says. “Small world, huh? He was one of the shortest in our year too, believe it or not.”
“He’s hot and is totally into you, if you didn’t notice,” Delilah points out. “Isn’t he your type? You usually dig the bad boys.”
“Me and Drax? No way.” Sabs laughs. “We’re just friends.”
Kady shakes her head. “Poor guy.”
Inside Club Knotty, the disco lights sparkle across the purple, glittery floor.
The place has a retro cool vibe with the bar on our right.
Students occupy all the barstools while others mill around, chatting over tall tables.
There are also booths with plush, navy, velvet seating where groups gather.
“The dance floor is in the basement.” Sabs points downstairs. “And there’s an omega safe spot upstairs.” She gestures to a silver staircase where there’s another security guard. “If you need a few minutes, that’s the place to go.”
The club is being pumped with a scent neutralizer that gives it an almost pine freshness. It feels at odds with the environment, and it doesn’t fully mask the different scents, making me a little uneasy.
“Let’s get drinks.” Delilah drags us over to the bar. “They always have great themed cocktails for party nights.”
After Kady swipes a menu, I opt for a, “Sparkling Squirrel,” which sounds like a safer choice than the, “Cobra Venom” Sabs orders.
“You two find us a table,” Sabs tells me and Delilah. “Kady and I will bring the drinks over.”
As we look for an empty booth, we pass a group of alphas. Their eyes rake over us hungrily, like we could be their next meal. Instantly, my body tenses.
Delilah takes my hand gently. “Are you okay?” Her touch makes my shoulders relax slightly. “It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? I remember my first party at SVU. There’s nowhere like this where I’m from, and I wasn’t used to alphas strutting around like they own the place.”
“How long did it take you to get used to it?” I ask as we slip into the safety of the booth.
She bites her berry-painted lip, pondering my question. “A few months, maybe? Kady, Sabs, and Bree were there to help. Bree moved out last year. She was a real mama bear.”
“Did she graduate?”
“No, she found a pack and left with her alphas.”
Dropout rates are highest among omegas. I can’t imagine finding a pack and having to uproot my entire life. I wouldn’t want to give up on my dreams for an alpha’s whims.
“Bree didn’t really like studying anyway,” Delilah continues. “She’s super smart, but her life goal was always to have loads of babies. Her alphas are good guys, though. They wanted her to graduate, but she didn’t want to wait.”