Chapter Three #2
I park in front of the club, text Heath to say I've arrived, and take a minute to breathe. For years, I had panic attacks when in large groups. I did exposure therapy for a long time to adjust, and usually I don’t have any problems. It doesn’t hurt to prepare, though.
Taking time to choose my clothes and to make myself feel good also helps.
I don’t dress to attract, but to cope. My dress covers me from neck to knees.
The sleeves are long, resting against my palms, and the fabric is tight to my waist. It flares slightly around my hips, and there is a slit that shows off my thigh.
My favorite part is the sparkly blue color.
My hair flows down my back in waves, and my makeup is dark.
I paired it with red lipstick. My heels are high, and the straps wrap around my calf, nearly to my knee.
Instead of bringing a purse, I strapped a wrap around my thigh, hidden beneath my clothing, which holds my identification, phone, and money.
I always like to be prepared for an emergency.
I step out of my car, smooth the fabric, and lock it.
My key slips easily into the band's little pocket. If I were ever to lose it, I can open my door with a code. Most people don’t think about all the scenarios I do when they leave their house.
Doing it makes me feel in control, and as long as the thoughts don’t consume my life, I don’t see a problem with it.
The line to enter the club is long, but thankfully, I don’t have to wait.
Ryker and Bash are vampire friends who own it.
They are powerful. Their mates are beautiful and kind, though I haven’t spent much time with them outside the family.
The guys are gorgeous and could kill you in a second.
Fortunately, they are on our side. I would hate to be on their bad side.
The club is always full, so Ryker reserves a private area for us.
I’ve been here many times with and without the crew.
“Lance, what’s shaking?” I ask as I stop at the front of the line.
“The dance floor,” he says, grinning.
“Sounds right. I’m a little late. Is everyone here?”
“I believe so.” Lance is a lion shifter. He’s been working at the club for a couple of months. Other than staring at my legs a little too long, he is nice and doesn’t cross the line. “It’s packed inside, so be careful through the crowd.”
“I will. Have a good night.” I smile at him, and he opens the door.
“Will do, Rylee,” he says.
This is the worst part. I stop inside the door and exhale slowly.
He wasn’t lying. The room is filled with humans, shifters, and vampires.
Most of them will be on their best behavior, but there are always new people who don’t know how to follow the rules Bash and Ryker set.
I don’t like being touched by strangers unless I give permission, so traveling through the crowd on the dance floor to get to the staircase across the room is a challenge.
I can do it, I just don’t like it, and I will grit my teeth the whole way. I clench my fists and lift my foot.
Before it lands, I see Heath walking toward me, along with Sally and Haven. Bane glares at the crowd, his presence commanding, as he joins them. I swallow hard, trying to stem the tears at their thoughtfulness.
“You’re late,” Heath rumbles once he stops in front of me.
“Give her a break,” Sally says, sliding to my side. “A girl needs time to look as good as she does.”
“Hey, Sally.” I grin, and she winks.
“You look stunning,” Haven says, stopping on the other side of me.
“Talk about stunning.” I motion to her body. Haven is shorter than me with subtle curves and blonde hair. She’s wearing a bright yellow dress, and it works for her.
“Thank you,” she replies.
“Ready?” Heath asks, and I nod.
Haven twines her arm with mine, and Sally does the same.
Bane walks behind us. Heath cuts through the crowd, but stays close.
His form is impressive, but it’s the air of danger and the scowl that make people move out of the way quickly.
I concentrate on the back of Heath’s head as we progress through the room.
I’ve come here by myself a few times, but I stay on the outside of the room, and I don’t have any problems. We came when Haven met her mates, and I was surrounded by the family.
I don’t know why I’m more sensitive than usual tonight.
I’m familiar with the place, but something is different.
My skin feels like it’s vibrating, and if a stranger touches me, I’ll explode.
I dim my senses, hoping it will help. The scents in the room are overwhelming.
“What’s wrong?” Haven whispers.
“I feel…off,” I mumble.
“It’s worse than usual,” Sally guesses.
“Yes, and I don’t know why.”
Sally is dressed in a short jean skirt and a silver top.
Her stomach is slightly round. I think about the baby I’ll be able to hold to distract myself.
She doesn’t know everything about my past, but I’ve shared a little of it.
Rabbit shifters have the gift of premonition, so she may have seen something.
“Hmm…” She narrows her eyes.
Heath stops at the bottom of the stairs and glances at me. I nod, and he moves forward. There are several VIP rooms on the second level. I should feel better when we reach the room, yet I’m not confident about it.
Is this a side effect of the taco incident?
Perhaps, but I don’t believe so.
“The room is crowded,” Sally says.
“I’m good,” I lie.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Uh-huh,” she hums.
Heath rounds the corner and walks down the balcony. We follow him, and the closer we get to the room, the louder my heart beats. My hands start to sweat. The room is steps away, and my legs are heavy. He steps inside the room, and I freeze just before it.
“Rylee?” Haven asks.
I pull my arms away and wrap them around my stomach. Enhancing all my senses, my animal pushes me to walk forward, but the human side is cautious. I take a deep breath and smell something I want.
“I knew it,” Sally whispers.
Bane’s presence is close behind me. I need him to move away.
My mate is in the room. I know it. His scent is wild.
“Step away,” I say, and Sally quickly moves forward. Haven is slower to react, but follows the rabbit. The jaguar at my back won’t budge, so I slowly take a step. I don’t register anyone else in the room as my gaze clashes with a man. A fox. The noise from the club fades into the background.
He unfolds from the couch, his attention focused on my face.
I walk far enough into the space that I can see him, and stop.
Dropping my arms, I lick my lips and watch him move closer.
He’s beautiful. His blonde hair is messy, and his frame is solid.
His muscles stretch his long-sleeved, black shirt, but he’s more wiry than bulky.
The cargo pants he wears are black, slightly baggy, and tucked into combat boots.
As he gets closer, I stare into his yellow eyes.
He moves with confidence, yet as if he is cornering a wild animal.
“No,” Heath hisses, and I blink, glancing at him.
“You can’t stop it,” Juliana says, grabbing his arm.
“Yes, I can,” he continues.
My mate hums, and I look at him. He wants my focus.
“What’s your name, Foxy?” he asks softly.
“Rylee,” I breathe.
“I’m Ezra.” He stops two feet away and tilts his head.
We stare at each other, and I’m at a loss for how to proceed.
My fox is hissing in my head, ready to jump into his arms and never let go.
I didn’t expect to meet my mate today, or ever, really.
I force my body to stay still as he lifts his hand.
He drags his finger down my nose, to my lip, and presses lightly.
“You’re exquisite, Rylee.” He smiles gently and drops his arm.
I shiver and crave the return of his touch.
“I like your hair,” I say, glancing at his head.
His smile widens. “Good.” He looks at my hair briefly.
“This is intense,” Sally whispers.
“I know, right?” Daisy whispers back.
I shake my head and look around the room. Juliana is holding Heath back, whispering in his ear.
“Do you want a drink?” Ezra asks, gaining my attention once more.
“I wouldn’t mind it. Water, please.” As he steps back, I lean forward slightly before standing straight. I watch him walk away, and my body rebels. I’m overwhelmed with the sensations he makes me feel, yet I want to be close.
“Are you alright?” I blink. Heath took Ezra’s place. The noise suddenly comes back into focus.
“I don’t know,” I mumble, rubbing my stomach.
“Is it true?” he asks, his expression hard.
“Yes.” I do not doubt that he is my mate. I have to decide how I feel about it.
“Do you want to go? He can wait,” he grumbles.
“I have to stay.”
“You don’t have to do anything.”