Snippet #2270690

"My my my. Hell hath no fury," Brandon commented, his eyes drifting over Natalie and stopping behind her where the other Alpha’s were approaching.

"I mean, yes of course but it's not like we're going to--" Sophie attempted to protest, but she was cut off.

Karma had fallen obediently into position behind Natalie, much to her approval. "Really. You have to be careful around stray Dogs. Did you know that dogs are more manageable when they're fixed? Snip snip." The young Asian girl interrupted, making a cutting motion and Natalie smirked coldly.

The blonde felt a light, friendly brush on her cheek as her younger sister gave her an air kiss, indicating Annie’s arrival too. Then, she positioned herself just behind Natalie in the perfect formation. Annie really was the ideal Alpha.

"I guess the gang's all here." Karma pointed out offhandedly.

"You wound me, love. Surely, you wouldn't deny you girls a good time," Brandon said dramatically. "I was just inviting Ae-Jin to a party this evening. I just told her how all of you were invited as well."

Brandon touched Natalie’s cheek. He’s got some fucking nerve, Natalie thought to herself, anger bubbling in her veins. If she hadn’t been in a public place and an Alpha, expected to exercise perfect decorum at all times, she would’ve slapped him. How dare he touch her without her permission?!

“Get that off me!” Natalie snapped, reaching to wrench Brandon’s hand from her face, but he moved quickly. “I don’t even want to think about where it’s been…”

"I meant no real harm. It is the beginning of the new school year. Why not start it off with a bang?" He turned to Karma, commenting on her dog threat, "You are familiar with the concept to which you named, yes? Perhaps you keep that in mind." He looked back at Natalie. "So, will you be attending? I'm not asking to sleep with you or Ae-Jin. Just a simple invitation to celebrate of the start of the New Year. I may even invite some Rushers."

Natalie looked at him for a couple of seconds, allowing the tension to linger in the silence. She wanted him to be afraid of her.

"Look, Natalie. We were not doing anything. We were just talking," Sophie said, breaking through Natalie’s silence.

Natalie glared at Sophie. "Sophie, we were just looking out for you. Because we're your sisters.” Annie told her sweetly.

Natalie gave Annie a sugary smile, then turned back to Sophie. The saccharine sweet smile remained on her lips, but the sparkle that had been in her eyes when she looked at Annie, that sparkle that marked the smile as genuine, died. “Exactly. I wouldn’t want you humiliating yourself, and not to mention, us, by accidentally falling into bed with this… Ugh.” Natalie shuddered dramatically. “We all know how little self-control you have when it comes to your… Personal life, Sophie. I’m simply protecting you.”

There were so many little digs and personal attacks hidden within Natalie’s words that she knew Sophie would pick up on. Yet she wouldn’t dare say anything back. Natalie’s face was icy cold; her expression said it all. Anyone who attempted to challenge Natalie right now would be made to wish they’d never even been born.

“Brandon…” Natalie turned her attention back to the boy. In truth… She did want to go to the party. Natalie loved to party, despite how she berated the other Alpha’s for any show of wild behaviour. And after the stress of today, she was going to need the alcohol and the easy pleasure of being complimented, flirting and eventually sleeping with some guy who she would regret the next morning. Besides, she had to hand it to the boy, Brandon threw good parties. Due to Natalie’s obsession over control, she had to know everything about everyone, and so she was aware Brandon’s father owned plenty of clubs in the area. So, he could have an expensive party with great entertainment and fantastic drinks organised at the drop of a hat. But, she couldn’t show weakness after her short tirade by accepting his invite. “…Throw your party. But don’t expect it to be our first priority.”

Of course, Natalie had every intention of going. But no one else knew that, and she was planning on keeping it that way. She had to maintain the façade that she couldn’t care a less about his party and he should be kissing her heels in thanks at the fact that she even bothered showed up.

“Come on, Sophie. We have better places to be.” Natalie glared at the Asian girl, beckoning her with a slight flutter of her pretty little fingers.

With that, Natalie began walking towards the auditorium. She didn’t look back to check the other girls were following her, she just expected them to. And any who didn’t obediently follow their leader wouldn’t even want to consider the trouble they’d be in.

---

Out of the corner of his eye, Bradley saw Imogen arrive, looking slightly worse for wear. At the sight of her, memories from the night before flooded back to Bradley. He would have to go over and tease her. The moment would be too priceless to pass up. She smirked at him, blowing him a friendly kiss.

As Jane left, Finn turned towards Bradley. "How do you- I mean-"

"Talent," Bradley told him simply. "Give me a minute," Bradley said quickly, leaving Finn and crossing the auditorium to where Imogen sat with some of her Zeta friends.

"How's the head, Imo? After that drink I made you..." Bradley chuckled at her, giving her a cheeky grin.

The drink had been an interesting mixture, to say the least. Bradley couldn't quite recall precisely what was in it and what bet she'd lost to end up drinking the concoction, but he didn't remember any of it being particularly pleasant for her. But for him, that had been another story. Bradley recalled finding the whole experience hilarious, although that had probably just been the alcohol. The events following the drink had also been quite funny. For starters, Bradley had been pretty impressed she'd actually kept the drink down. She then proceeded to spend most of the night stumbling round in a drunken daze before tumbling into the bed of a Sigma. Although neither of them remembered the finer details of the night.

He paused for a second, but spoke again before she could answer him. "Actually... How's the foot, after the tattoo you had to get when you lost a bet to me? And how's was going pantieless for the whole summer as a result of the bet you lost, again. And come to think of it, you really do smell, after not being allowed to wear deodorant for a week after, oh yes, another bet you lost to me?" Bradley teased. "You know, considering your track record, you might just want to end it now and admit you will never ever beat me," he told her smugly, a smirk playing on his lips.