28. Arabella

Chapter 28

Arabella

" R eady to tell us what that was all about earlier with Rhys?" Harper asks before taking another sip of her margarita. We've been at Phantom's Pub for the past hour and were already on our third round of drinks. All of us are definitely going to be feeling it by the end of the night.

"He was being his usual jackass self." Rolling my eyes, I reach for my straw and begin playing with it, swirling my drink before me. "He wanted to show me how my outfit would give someone easy access to me."

"Wait, hold on," Isis sputters around her straw. "What do you mean to show you?"

"Caught that, huh?" I question with a small chuckle. "When he shut the door in your face. I yelled at him, and then when I walked past him to open the door, he spun me around and pinned me against it, shoving his knee between my legs as he whispered in my ear."

"Okay, if he wasn't such a damn asshole, that would be hot as hell," Isis moans. "Why are you getting all the damn action?"

"You can take it," I retort. "I'm so over all the attention. I planned to come here, do what I needed to do, and get myself back to Aeris to live my life. The last thing I wanted was all this damn shit going on around me."

"Are we just going to glaze of him whispering to her?" Harper turns to look at Isis. When she gets a pointed look, she faces me once more. "What the hell did he say to you?"

"He told me this is what happens when you go out and give guys easy access, and then he told me to grind against his leg like he knew I wanted to." I drop my head into my hands, trying to hide my shame. I hated how I reacted to him at that moment. I hated that my body wanted him when I shouldn't. I have two mates. I don't need to hook up with the asshole and make my life even more complicated.

"Girl!!!!!" Isis giggles. "You got it bad!"

"Do you think he's your mate?" Harper softly inquires, reaching across the table to pull my hands away from my face.

"I highly doubt that," I chuckle darkly. "I have two mates, or well, three if you count the dickhead who rejected me. That is plenty enough for me. Especially considering the tension between me and the Warrick right now."

"I think tension is stating that nicely. You're barely speaking to either of your mates right now. Are you going to try to fix that any time soon?" Isis joins back in my serious now.

"I plan to talk to Phoenix tomorrow about everything. The things with Warrick and wait until next week. Now, can we please stop talking about them? I thought we were here to party?" I really need the topic to change. Like I told the girls, all of it can wait. I plan to spend tonight ignoring everything and anything to do with mates and just getting drunk as fuck, pretending that the world isn't out to get me or anything.

"Let's drink!" Harper shouts! Raising her glass to clink it against ours.

Raising my own to meet hers, we wait for Isis to join us and then tap them together. The three of us finish off our drinks at the same time a server brings another round to us. A few minutes before, we had ordered these Tooty Fruity drinks that were on the menu and advertised as tasting like a Jolly Rancher. I couldn't wait to try them.

Two more drinks later, we were about six drinks in and giggling nonstop in our seats as we watched the crowd around us. Since we had gotten here early, we managed to snag a booth on the edge of the dance floor so we could rest and people-watch. Now, the dance floor was getting crowded, and the lights had lowered, making it a more intimate setting. Most of the music being played was upbeat pop music that is topping the charts currently. Personally, I couldn't wait for them to start playing some of the early 2000's hits. That was when I really could bring it on the dance floor.

"Dancing time?" Isis asks, watching me as I watch the floor longingly. With alcohol flowing through my veins, I was ready to go. I needed to burn some of this alcohol off before I could have another drink, or I wouldn't be able to walk straight later.

"Devine, yes," I groan, pushing myself out of the booth. Across from me, Isis does the same, and Harper slides out behind me. Together, we head down onto the floor with me in the lead. Pushing my way through the crowd, I carve us out a spot in the middle of the dance floor and begin to let the music flow through me, shaking my hips to the beat of the music.

I couldn't tell you how long we were out there before I began to feel the sweat running down the side of my face. Bodies were pressed together as more people continued pushing their way onto the floor. I could barely move, but for the most part, people kept their hands to themselves. Singling to the girls that I was returning to the table, I pushed through the crowd. I needed water and then more alcohol, in that order exactly. Knowing I could never be too careful, I made sure nothing looked amiss at our booth before I chugged one of the glasses of water we had sitting waiting for us and reached for my next drink. I could feel the alcohol swimming in my head but knew I was still good for a few more. I was feeling good, and that was what I needed right now. After finishing my drink, I also flag down the waiter so he could top off our drinks once more. With that done, I went back in search of my friends, finding them exactly where I had left them. This time, they each had a guy dancing with them. I have no idea who Isis's partner is, but Harper is dancing with Stark. That makes me fumble a couple of steps as I reach them. Both girls smile at me as they continue to dance. Closing my eyes, I let the music take hold of me and begin to dance once again.

One by one, I watch as each of the girls gives me a small wave and points to the table, letting me know they are taking a break. Each of them follows them as well, leaving me alone on the dance floor. I don't mind, especially when my favorite song begins to play. I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston begins over the speakers right as I feel a set of hands grasp my hips and pull me back against a hard body. Even though I know I should pull away, I don't; instead, I settle in and grind back against them. The two of us get into a good rhythm and just enjoy the music. I bring my arm up and hook my hand behind my partner's neck, pulling him closer against me. His hands move toward my stomach, his fingers sliding along the top of my skirt. Goosebumps break out along my skin where his fingers touch before he flattens his palm against my stomach and holds me tightly against him with one hand. His other reaches down to skim along the hem of my skirt. Should I reach down and push him away? Probably, but it feels good, and the last thing I want is for him to stop. I can feel how hard my partner is as he pushes himself against me, his dick settling against my ass. It's turning me on, and I'm very tempted to turn around and drag him to a dark corner to get myself off.

I've never been that girl. Or at least I never thought I was that type of girl, but I'm starting to see the advantages of a hook-up. No feelings involved, just pleasure. It's starting to sound like a very good idea after all the guy drama I've been dealing with. When my partner dips his fingers into the waistband of my skirt, I moan and drop my head back against their shoulder, closing my eyes. I can feel how wet I'm getting, and I'm hoping they just lift their hand up under my skirt and get me off quickly. There are so many people on the dance floor no one would know, and no one would hear us over the music as it is.

The second I moan, I feel my partner freeze up slightly and pause before he resumes grinding against me. With my neck exposed next to him, he turns his head to bite the same exact spot that Rhys had bit earlier when he had me pinned against the door. The move made me putty in his arms to the point I grasped his wrist that was sitting against my leg, and dragged his hand higher until he was touching exactly where I wanted him to be, the apex of my legs.

Tomorrow, I would examine why I was letting some unknown male get me off. Tonight, I was just going to enjoy the feeling while my brain was muddled with alcohol. Tonight, I wasn't going to be myself. I was going to be a different version of myself who had no care in the world and could just enjoy life. That included hooking up with someone in the middle of the dance floor.

My partner slowly ran his fingers over the fabric of my thong, applying just enough pressure around my clit before moving further down. When I tried to move his wrist to where I wanted him, he held still and bit my neck instead to distract me. The bite wasn't hard, but instead of letting go, he turned the bite into a sucking motion. I was definitely going to have a hickey there tomorrow from the move. Getting the point, I let go of his wrist and let him explore at his leisure, instead letting myself get lost in the pleasure he was bringing me. It wouldn't take me long to come with how turned on I was.

"Arabella!" a familiar voice calls out from behind me, sounding too close for comfort. The last person I wanted to see tonight was him.

My partner jumps at the voice, pulling their hand out from under my skirt and moving away. I don't get a good look at their face before they disappear into the crowd, leaving me standing in the middle of the dance floor, all hot and bothered. Turning around, I see Guard Noah pushing his way through the last little bit of the crowd until he reaches me. Fuck. There went my buzz and how turned on I was.

"Arabella, what are you doing?" he snarls when he reaches me, pulling against his side. "Are you okay? It looked like that guy was trying to grope you."

Grope me? Sure. Nope, he was just getting me off, but you had to come along and ruin my fun. I don't say any of that to him, though. It's none of his damn business what I was in the middle of. Plus, whoever my partner is, they are long gone by now. "I'm fine. I was just dancing. What can I do for you?" I shout over the music. I want to keep my distance from him, so shouting is going to have to do. I refuse to get close enough that he could try to touch me in any sort of way.

"I saw you out here and wanted to make sure you were okay. You've had a lot to drink tonight," he hedges closer, reaching out to touch my arm. It's a miracle I can dodge him, but it means running into someone behind me who, in retaliation, shoves me forward, and I end up falling into Noah. "Woah there, I got you," he calls out, wrapping his arms around my shoulders to hold me still.

"I'm good," I answer coldly, trying to pull out of his hold. He doesn't move, instead tightening his arms around me so I can't get away. Fuck! I try again, but this time, I have even less room to move. I'm not sure if he thinks I was trying to start something or what, but he flips me around in his hold, wrapping one arm around my stomach and the other around my chest to hold me in place against him as he grinds himself against me. It's absolutely disgusting.

Looking around, I try to spot my friends and wave for them to come save me, but there are too many people on the dance floor, and I can't even see them in the booth. Shit! This is not how I expected my night to go. With as much alcohol as I've had it's hard to fight against him and get out of his hold like I normally would be able to do. Every attempt to pry his arms off of me gets me nowhere.

"Stop trying to get away, Baby," he moans in my ear, pulling me tighter against him. "You know you're enjoying this. I bet if I reach up under that skirt, you would be wet for me."

Gag! Oh my god. This guy is completely fucking crazy. The last thing I want is him touching me in any shape or form. At his words, I try to fight even harder against him. If he even touches me under my skirt I think I'm going to vomit. Sure, I'm wet still, but it sure as fuck isn't from him. Every twist and turn I make does me no good. If anything, it feels like he is getting harder against my low back where his dick is pressing against me. Even digging my nails into his arms as I'm trying to pry out of his hold isn't getting me anywhere.

"Arabella!" I hear Isis call out through the crowd.

"Be a good girl," Noah leans down to whisper in my ear as he gives my side a hard squeeze in warning.

Asshole.

"Over here!" I shout, hoping that she can hear me. At my words, both her and Harper turn in my direction and begin to approach us. I thought the move would make Noah let me go, but he doesn't. When my friends reach us, they give me a questioning look of concern, and I give them a panicked look right back. There is no way that I'm getting away from Noah without their help. Isis keeps her focus on me and begins to dance, trying not to give away that something is wrong, while Harper turns to wrap her arms around Stark's neck and pulls him into her so it looks like they are just dancing very closely. I can't hear what Harper tells him, but his eyes flash in anger when he looks to where Noah is holding me before his eyes meet mine.

He lets go of Harper and moves closer to me, wrapping one of my wrists in his hand as he comes up right against me. If it wasn't for the fact that I want to be as far away from Noah as possible, I would be freaked out by how he is touching me and how close we are. "Care if I cut in?" he shouts over the music to Noah. At the same time, he pulls me into him, creating just enough room that he can slide a hand around my back. If he needed to, he could try to yank me right out of Noah's hold, and even though it'll hurt, I'll take it if it means getting him off of me.

"Actually, I do. We were dancing. Right, Arabella?" he retorts, squeezing my waist again.

Fuck, this dude. I'm not going to let him win. He's already ruining my night . "Actually, we were done," I answer, wrapping my free hand around Stark's shoulders. Never would I have thought that my rejected mate's best friend would be saving my ass right now, if ever. It's a wonder how things change when you're away from Aeris.

Noah releases his hold on me, realizing he has no leg to stand on anymore. I made it clear that I was done and didn't want to dance with him anymore. If he were to fight me on it and try to keep me with him, it would just cause a scene, which is exactly what I think he wants to avoid. With me free from his hold, I plaster myself against Stark as he turns me around, placing his back to Noah so he is between the two of us. Harper grasps me and pulls me back into her before Stark lets me go. Once he sees that I'm safe with Harper, he turns back around to face Noah, who is still standing there staring me down. He's pissed. His jaw is ticking as he watches me, and out of the corner of my eye, I can see him clenching his fists against his side. He's going to be an issue and an even bigger one than he has been. After tonight, I know I'm going to need to make sure he never catches me alone again. I should probably also let Talia know what has been going on, and maybe she can do something about it, even if he is a wolf.

"Is there a reason you're still here?" another male voice questions from behind Noah. I recognize this voice as well, but I can't see him. Warrick now came to join the party. Great, just what I needed. How in the hell did a girl's night out turn into this? Shaking my head, I settle into Harper's side and just watch the drama unfold. Stark already handled the problem, but it seems Warrick is completely ready to let it go. He better not start a fight here on the dance floor. That is the last thing any of us need to end the night.

"Just making sure that Arabella is good," Noah responds, never once taking his eyes off of me.

"I'm good," I answer quickly, just wanting him to walk away. With a nod, he takes one last good look at me with a glare and turns around to push his way through the crowd, leaving our small group standing there.

"You okay?" Warrick inquires as he gets closer to our group. He keeps just enough distance from me thanks to Stark still standing in front of Harper and me.

"I'm okay," I mumble, nodding and reaching forward to tap Stark on the shoulders so he can stand down. Warrick won't hurt me. Not physically.

"Do you want me to take you home?" he asks, stepping closer now that Stark stepped to the side and gathered Harper into his arms. I'm going to need to remember to ask her about him next week. Tonight, I'm done. I'm definitely ready to get home and just crawl under the covers to be done with this night. The high I was feeling enjoying myself is now long gone.

"Please," I beg, stepping into his side and taking the offered hand. I turn to look at Harper and Isis, who are standing watching our exchange. "I'm going to head back with Warrick. You two stay and have fun, okay?"

Isis steps forward to wrap me in a hug and whispers in my ear. "Take care of yourself and text me when you get home." Harper steps up as soon as Isis lets go and says the same.

With a promise to text them, Warrick guides me to the booth where my jacket is sitting with my phone. Grabbing it, I turn to make my way to the bar so I can close my tab. Of course, with the place so packed, there is a decent crowd, and I can't even reach the bar top at first. Thanks to Warrick, he manages to make an opening by pushing his way forward and flagging down one of the bartenders. I can't hear what he says to him since he leans over the bar to talk, but I don't miss the way he slides the bartender his credit card. Damnit, of course, he would pay my tab for me. Usually, I wouldn't be that bothered by the move. When we were back home, most nights, he would pay for all my drinks. Not because I couldn't pay for them myself, I could, but because he said it was his way of taking care of me. I thought it was sweet then and made me feel special. I never caught him buying anyone else's drinks while we were out, just mine. I guess some things never change, though tonight I wish he would have asked me instead of reverting back to our normal ways. We are way past that stage now.

"All right, the tab is paid for," he states when he leans down to place his mouth next to my ear. "Let's get you home." He straightens and places his hand against my lower back to guide me forward. I appreciate that he lets me choose the path through the crowd and doesn't force me to follow him. This way, with him behind me, I know that no one is going to be able to come up behind me and try to pull me away. After the events with Noah, I wouldn't put it past him to try something again. I swear I can still feel his eyes on me, watching me walk out of the bar. It's freaking me out.

The second we step outside, Warrick steps up beside me and wraps his arm around my shoulders. It's still warm enough out that I don't need my coat on. It's probably thanks to still sweating from being inside. If I were to be standing out here waiting for a taxi, then I would probably change my mind and put it on. Since Warrick is here, I know I won't need to do that. Instead, he guides me to the back of the parking lot, and when we get close enough, I see his car parked right under the lamp post. Unlocking the doors, he comes to a stop next to the passenger door and holds it open for me. He waits until I get in and strap my seatbelt before gently shutting the door and walking to his side to get in.

"Am I taking you back to your dorm, or do you want to get food first?" he asks as he turns over the engine, starting the car.

"Food, please food," I beg, leaning against the cool window. He knows I always want food after a night out of drinking. I need the grease to help soak up some of the alcohol, especially tonight, with how many drinks I had. I'm almost positive I drank more than I ever have, though without seeing the tab, I can't be positive. I definitely lost count of the drinks.

"Food it is," he chuckles, backing out of the parking spot and heading toward the main road.

Closing my eyes, I settle in, trusting him to choose somewhere good. I'm sure it will be a short drive, but now that all the adrenaline is wearing off, I'm starting to get extremely tired. I need food and then a bed. Also, maybe a shower before bed to get all the sweat off from the night, but that's a big maybe if I have the energy.