Beating Temptation

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Liam turned the wheel slowly as we followed another car down the narrow dirt path cutting into the woods.  The headlights cast eerie shadows that danced like nightmares between the tall thin trees and I wondered who's idea it was to have a party in such a creepy location. 

My eyes were drawn to Liam while he focused on following the car into a clearing where other vehicles had already parked along the edge.  The ambient light stroked glowing fingers across the hard ridge of his jaw, and I couldn't help but appreciate his profile.  My fingers played with the soft cotton hem of my borrowed skirt.  I felt nervous and hoped no one scrutinized our presence too closely. 

The car came to a stop and Liam confidently put it in park and extracted the keys.  He caught my gaze and wiggled his eyebrows at me before getting out.  I grabbed for my door, but Emmie had already beaten me to it and wrenched the door open to bring in the scent of damp earth and fire.  I climbed out and Emmie looked down disapprovingly at my dirty sneakers.  I had changed into them secretly during the ride. 

"Ava,"  Emmie chastised with her hands  "It ruins the look."  I blew her a cheeky kiss as she shut the door for me.  I was just glad my feet would be safe from the grass and more than willing to sacrifice fashion. 

Dakota came around to join us and as a pack we moved out to merge into the milling crowd of teens in the clearing.  There was a large fire providing a fair bit of light in the middle and I was surprised at the amount of people who were there.  I could see some teens dancing to the beat of unheard music and realized that there were wireless stereos we could sync our pulse braclets to so that we could feel the beat and dance.  Emmie, Dakota, and Liam were already connecting to the music with their phones.  I grabbed my phone and paired, immediately feeling the slow steady thrum of a popular song tingling up my arm.  I smiled at my friends feeling a little more open to a fun night.

Emmie grabbed my hand and tugged me over to a card table someone had set up with alcohol.  A kid with hair so short he looked bald stood pouring drinks into red solo cups.  He had several lip rings and one of his eyebrows was completely gone.  He caught sight of us and offered up the cup he had just finished making.  Liam grabbed it with a nod and took a sip. 

I picked up a jug of fruit punch and poured myself a clean drink, not sure if I wanted to drink anything more risky just yet.  Emmie tapped me in quick succession and I looked back at her to find she was taking a long pull from her own cup.

"Let's do a call!"  Emmie mouthed after coming up for air, the cup leaving the corners of her mouth glistening in the dim light.

I cringed invisibly, but lined up with both Dakota and Emmie as we tipped our heads back and let loose.  I pretended to make a long drawn out call like my friends, but what came out of me was nothing more than a breath of air.  I had no desire to find my mate and hadn't made a true call in years.  Emmie looked around curiously and waited.  I couldn't help but feel Liam's gaze on me as I acted like I was looking for my mate.  He took a slow drink from his cup his eyes never leaving me.  It made my skin feel tight. 

When nothing happened Emmie pouted comically and both Dakota and I locked eyes over her braided bun.  Dakota casually turned away and surveyed the crowd with her drink in hand, the earrings she had borrowed from Emmie catching the light in their metallic surface.  Neither of us had an interest in mates and I felt a camaraderie towards her even if she didn't realize I felt the same.  Perking back up Emmie took a long drag from her cup and dropped it in a conveniently provided trash bag tied to the leg of the table. 

Emmie pointed at the guy making drinks and made the sign for "dance."  The guy grinned in response and nodded his head.  Having secured a partner Emmie and the drink guy headed for the swarm of dancers.  Feeling awkward I looked to Dakota to realize with a jolt that she was gone.  I saw her over by the fire striking up a conversation with a group of people.  I was amazed at how social my friends were and infinitely glad Liam had stayed by me.  I knew he was quick at making friends and thanked his loyalty that he had chosen to hang out with me.

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