A Slayer's Daughter

4

Saturday night was full of surprises. We closed a little early, as I helped Lillian get ready. She kept asking if I would be okay. I kept telling her I would be fine, the couch was waiting for me, with a big bowl of popcorn and so was the TV.

"Alex, there are so many men here..."

"And God knows how old they are, Lillian, I'll be fine." I heard the knock on the door and went to answer.

"Hey, John and..."

"Alex, this is my son Dalton, Dalton, this is Alex."

"It's nice to meet you." said Dalton, extending his hand out to me. I took it firmly. He looked surprised.

"Yeah nice to meet you too, she'll be down..now" Lillian walked down, and I could see John's expression, he was a goner.

"Hey, John, right on time, I see."

"I brought my son along."

"Dad, told me about Alex, and was wondering if she would like to come to the pack house. We're having a party out there?"

"Oh, a party, how fun, but that's for Alex to decide."

I looked at Dalton, like any supernatural, he was hot as all hell, his dark brown hair cut in a fade, and combed back, sharp features. His eyes were brown, but piercing. If I was 5'5 he had to be at least 5'8 5'9 at most and like his father thick with muscle. Any woman would feel lucky to get invited to hang out with this man.

"It's kinda short notice.."

"Alex, it gives you a chance to go out and have some fun!" Lillian gave me a look, like 'if I'm going out so are you' kind of thing. I nodded.

"Sure, um...give me a few minutes, and I'll be down."

I quickly ran up stairs, grabbed a pair of clothes and changed. It was a simple pair of blue denim capri pants and a green halter top, I did some light makeup, and grabbed my DC shoes and headed down stairs again.

"Wow, you look nice." I suddenly became aware that I was completely alone with Dalton. I kept my cool, but he picked up on it.

"Yeah, thank you."

"Alex, are you okay?" he asked, reaching toward me. I took a step back. He stopped. I took a few deep breaths.

"Yeah, I'm fine, um...just got a little ...overwhelmed."

He gave me a look, then I could feel a warm power spread over me, it was so calming and reassuring. Then he slowly gave me a hug, I guess it was the wolf thing, or at least for some.

"Better?" he asked right next to my ear. I had to chuckle, I could fall for this man. Slowly, I pulled away from him, but missed his warmth once I looked up at him.

"Yeah, I'm sorry I...I'm not use to being alone..with men."

He smiled the cheesiest smile, it was cute.

"I should've told them to wait to see us off, but I guess.."

"Thank you for the hug though...I guess not all men are scary."

"Sure, any time." With that, we headed out to his car. Once in the car, I got a little nervous again, which he noticed.

"I'm sorry am I putting you on edge?"

"No, it just makes me wonder."

I knew what I was making him think. Who had hurt me? How bad?

"Short story of it, is that life hasn't been the kindest to me, especially men."

Well, I hope tonight changes that a bit. I don't have a mate, so no chick is going to beat you if you want to stick with me tonight."

"Um...wouldn't that give the wrong idea?"

"What that we're together, so it'll keep others away."

I thought about it as we drove out to the pack house, where the party was already in full blast. He parked the car, got out and came out to my side and opened the door for me.

"Well, what do you think?"

"I'll accept, but only if you remember you're doing this for me as a friend, not a real suitor."

"Ouch, getting friend zoned, but I'm fine with that, like I said I don't have a mate, but as a friend I've got you're back."

With that settled, I took his arm and let him lead me into the storm. It was loud even for them, the music was blasting, lights were whirling, and the dance floor was packed.

"You guys really know how to throw a party!" I said a little loudly, he smiled and led me to the drink table, where there was soda, or their special drink, which, I was sure, had alcohol in it. I took a soda and opened it. I knew how to drink but I wasn't giving anyone a reason to take advantage. There were all types of people here; demons, wolves, and one vampire. Chris and Amanda were there. I rolled my eyes, looked away.

"Hey want to dance?" asked Dalton in my ear. I nodded and he led me out on to the floor. It was weird, but with Dalton I really felt free to let loose. I did a little. The music had the couples getting nice and close to each other. Dalton, held me close but not to the other extreme. They were grinding and more or less letting everyone know how horny you were. With Dalton, I felt safe. We were having fun, until he suddenly pulled me super close to him. He wasn't doing anything, just whispered in my ear.

"What's up with Chris and you?" he asked and I was suddenly very aware of someone's eyes on me.

"Nothing."

"He's staring daggers at me and we're usually pretty cool with each other."

I really had no clue what his problem was. I just shrugged and looked up at Dalton.

"We can go sit down if you want."

"No, that's fine, we're here to have fun." He then kissed my cheek, and a whole whoop erupted. So much for being under the radar.

I laughed as did he, but he told everyone to knock it off.

"You seem to be having fun." I heard behind me. Dalton looked at the person, and I turned.

"Well, it's a party, isn't it?"

"You mind?' he asked Dalton, but pulled me to the dance floor, before he could answer.

"Hey, let go of me!"

"What the hell are you doing here?" Chris's eyes were almost white in color, but I wasn't scared.

"I am out having fun with a friend!" I snarled back. He still glared but the color was slowly coming back to his eyes.

Then suddenly he pulled me into his body and before I knew it, in a rush of wind, we were in a room. He locked the door, and turned to look at me.

"I know what you are, and it's really pathetic."

"What?"

"A slayer, getting close to the locals and trying to blend in."

My blood ran cold, and slowly my panic attack crept up.

"I..you really have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, really, you came because of the deaths, right?"

"No."

His eyes were a light blue as he looked at me. He got closer but I stood my ground.

"How much?"

"What?"

"How much money did, Branfield, offer you to come!?"

"Branfield, Amanda's father..."

He suddenly pushed me against the wall, with his hand clenching my throat. I started getting flashbacks and my panic roared to life.

"Let me go!" I said, my voice suddenly very soft, and scared that I didn't recognize it as my own.

"That's better, be scared."

I was suddenly seeing HIS face, and I just begged.

"Please, don't...let me go." I pleaded, tears were now falling from my eyes, and I was shaking from head to toe.

Chris seemed to realize I wasn't afraid of him, but of an unseen being, he let me go, and I slid to the floor.

"Alex..." he tried to come toward me and hit his hands away.

"Don't touch me, just leave me alone!" I finally yelled, and pushed past him,unlocked the door, and ran out of the room. I ran and ran. Not stopping until I was a good distance from the pack house, and I broke down in heaving sobs.

A while later, I heard someone running toward me, and soon Dalton came into view. He looked worried.

"What happened, one minute you were up...did he..?"

"No, I had a panic attack....I f**k!" I cursed hitting the ground with my fist.

He sighed and came to sit next to me, letting me calm down.

"What happened?"

"Nothing, he just...tried to get me to say things...things that weren't true. I panicked and ran out of the room."

"Things like what?"

"I'm not even sure what he was talking about, I just needed to get out of there."

He got to his feet, and offered his hand. I took it and let him help me up.

"You can really run, woman, we're half way to town now. I want me to walk you home, and Dad can give me a ride back or you can see my wolf and I'll run back."

I laughed a little and nodded. I hadn't left anything behind at the party anyway. We walked back to town joking and just making small talk. That was until he came to the real questions.

"You said life hasn't been the kindest. What did you mean?"

"Oh, that...I..I had a very abusive Dad, almost soulless, he wanted us to be strong, the idea of love and caring for another was..weak. Your partner, it didn't matter who he or she was, they were just a means to an end. A baby maker, that's all I was for my dad."

"Geez, and I thought my mom was bad."

"Your mom was pretty mean?"

"Kinda, she and Dad got married a little after she turned nineteen. He didn't tell her what he was, and when she had me she, more or less, just walked out. Funny thing was that she came back a year later, begging him to take her back, got pregnant with my sister, stayed for a year and just disappeared, not a letter or sign of where she could be. Dad tracked her, but I guess he didn't like what he saw, never talked about her again."

"That sucks, but was she his mate?"

"Ah, no, he liked her, his wolf never claimed her as his own, it hurt him to let her go, but he raised us, to be careful."

I smiled, I guess that's the problem with super naturals, they wanted to be of the world but they weren't given the chance.

"So what did John see with my aunt?"

Dalton looked at me, now with seriousness.

"He believes she's the one, his mate, I mean."

"Really, so why so slow?"

"He doesn't want to scare her off."

"Believe me, she knows what he is and she did accept to go out tonight, so it could be a good thing, right?"

"Yeah." He went quiet for a moment.

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Have anyone...in mind?"

I laughed at the sudden switch but shook my head.

"No, I haven't given myself the chance to look for...the one."

"Why not? I doubt you would ever get rejected."

"No, not rejected, just overlooked, I'm a good friend, but not good enough to date."

"Is that why you friend zoned me?"

"Kinda, I just didn't want you to think that I needed pity."

He gave me a stern look, but smiled. Then came to a stop. I looked up and realized we were at Lillian's house already.

"Tonight had been intended to be a date but when I saw your reaction, I knew you weren't ready, and I'm cool just being friends, like I said, I'm also looking for my mate, even if I like you. Friends are a better bet."

"Thank you for being so honest, and I thought the same thing."

"Well, good night, Alex, see ya around."

"Definitely," I said, and he kissed my cheek, and walked back into the darkness.