Smoke and Wishes (Best Wishes #1)(73)



“Alright, let’s go find Lucie. I have to talk to her,” Hudson paced a few short steps in each direction before striding out of the room, the rest of us following. Silent determination could be seen on each of our faces. Time to make everything right again.





21





October 26th

Friday Night

Lucienne





Gentle music thrummed from the speakers. A slow song had finally started, and Sadie was dancing with a girl from her Artistic Powers class, although she seemed pretty preoccupied with her cellphone. Austin had made it from Seattle, much to Benji’s excitement. Our introduction was quick, as Benji wanted to get onto the dance floor. Their builds were similar, but Austin was obviously the more energetic and outgoing of the two. They made an adorable couple, and I found myself smiling at their antics. I could see his blush all the way from my spot on the side of the room where I was resting my sore feet.

Glancing around the room, I expected to see at least one of my guys, but I hadn’t seen them or the Bitch Crew for almost an hour. I decided not to focus on it. They had been planning to speak with Hudson tonight, I just didn't think they would do it at the dance. The urge to go find them was strong, but I knew I shouldn’t insert myself just yet. He needed his family, they were a unit, and while they had said that unit included me, I couldn't bring myself to believe it wholeheartedly. They had only known me for two months, how could that compare to a lifetime of friendships?

The direction my thoughts were taking me in was a downward spiral. Tonight had been fun, but I was more than ready to head back to the dorm. Slipping my shoes back on, I made my way over to Sadie, letting her know I was getting tired and heading back to the room. It was nearly midnight, and even after the break I took, I could feel my feet throbbing from the amount of dancing I had done.

I pushed out into the cold night air and tried to walk as quickly as I could in my dress towards the dorm. My arms were curled over my chest, clutch stuffed under them leaving my hands free to attempt to rub some warmth into my chilled skin. I was about halfway there when I turned the corner of the walkway through a couple of trees. Apparently, I wasn’t paying as much attention as I thought because someone stepped out in front of me on the path. Stumbling, I tried not to collide with whoever it was, but I slammed into a solid, tuxedo-clad chest. My dress had gotten caught on one of my heels, and I clung to the stranger in my attempt to stay upright.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Justin’s cruel voice was low in the silence of the quad. “If it isn’t the little genie all alone, with no one to hear her scream.” I stepped back, trying to put any distance between us. My heart thundered in my chest as I grabbed my clutch and uncrossed my arms. I didn’t have a weapon, and while my reality warping had improved, I had no idea what effect it would have on a person.

“Leave me alone, Justin,” I said quietly, surprised that my voice was steady because I was freaking the fuck out.

“No, I don’t think I will. Not only did you make a fool out of me at orientation, but then you went and got me in trouble with the dean, you little bitch. Pretty sure an apology is in order.” I scoffed. That was his own damn fault. “And,” he looked around us with his arms out wide, “I think now would be the perfect time.” I was about to turn to run back towards the dance, back to where there were people, but he struck out and slapped me across the face…

“Lucie baby…”





The flashback faded as a punch landed in my stomach, causing me to keel over with a sharp exhale. I tried to breathe in through my nose, past the tightness in my chest and abdomen from the hit. My face was throbbing, vision blurred with unshed tears. Not again, I will not be a victim again. Steeling myself, I watched as he pulled back his fist and took the opportunity to shoot forward, driving my shoulder into his stomach. We dropped hard to the ground, his head bounced against the cement when we hit. Angry red marks rose on my arms as they scraped the ground roughly.

I hauled myself up while he was still dazed and ran as fast as I could towards the dance. Colors blurred and objects melded into one another as I went, my vision tunneled, adrenaline pumping through me. Just get back to where the people are, I chanted internally pushing my arms harder, my legs strained against the tight fabric of my dress.

Lights shone in the distance, indicating I was almost back to the dining hall when something large and furry slammed into my side. The cold dew dusting the top of the grass soaked into my gown and arms as I fell to the side, making me shiver. I tried to get my feet back under me, but the creature lunged forward. A massive paw landed on my chest, crushing my sternum under tremendous weight. Hot breath bathed my face as I stared up at the snout of a large black wolf. Its mouth was pulled into a snarl, saliva dripping from its teeth. But the eyes, the eyes left me paralyzed.

There was no pupil to be seen, only a bright and glowing yellow, marbleized with black. The white surrounding it was angry and inflamed with red striations. They were terrifying. Big bad wolf… My mind put two and two together, Justin was a wolf shifter. Oh god, please don’t bite me.

I was in a poor position to do anything. After shaking off the effect of the animal’s eyes, I tried to push against his thick fur and thrashed under his paw, but his claws extended piercing my dress and skin. I screamed out at the sharp pain, they were long enough to pierce muscle causing me to stop my attempts to escape. He growled low in his throat, opening his jaw, sharp canines twinkled in the sidewalk lights against the dark of the night. He pulled his head back and shot down towards my neck.

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