Friday was surprisingly sunny. Sending the children to school and to the college, Lana in high spirits went to a cafe. Today she planned to try a new recipe, which she found on the Internet. There was no Internet in Bennin, the city was almost cut out from the outside world. Therefore, over the past month, Lana has discovered for herself such a vast amount of the benefits of civilization. That felt like she was transferred into the future.
Of course, when she was a child, she lived in entirely different conditions. Her mother pack was young enough, but at the same time formed around a wealthy and influential family in the human world. Her father was a prominent entrepreneur, so they could even boast of their own privet jet. To her father's great regret, the shifters, for the most part, disregarded such close integration of the pack into human society. Many accused her father of selling his wolfskin and freedom for the opportunity to go into the higher human society. That made him furious. But the culmination was the rejection of membership of the Council of Elders, motivated by the following words: "The Council is attended by respected members of the werewolf society, who care about the well-being of their kind. Not human slaves ready to serve for handouts." After that, getting an invitation to the Council became his primary goal in life, and for this, he was ready to sacrifice anything, even his own daughter.
Lana sighed, driving away the sad memories and, sticking to her face a fake smile, entered the cafe. Marge, the owner of the cafe, was not yet present and Lana started preparing for the opening herself. Scrolls with maple syrup and pecans turned out just a fab, and the restaurant filled a warm and cozy smell of baking goods. As it became her routine, Lana made coffee for herself and for the homeless, Mr. Blair, who every morning could be found lounging around. After taking a few scrolls and coffee, she went outside looking for him. Lana didn't need to search for long. Noticing her, old man immediately smiled, exposing his total of five yellow crooked teeth.
- Lana, girl! As you appeared here, spring came at once, " - he said, and, as usual, began to recite:
Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
Lana smiled. She really liked this strange old man. Conversations with him gave her excellent food for thought and he often as now surprised her with lines from beautiful poems. After providing the treats and listening to the poetry till the end, she thanked the man and went back to the cafe.
Thus, charged with positive energy since the morning, the day for Lana passed quickly and at ease. Closer to the evening, picking up kids from school and college, she cooked dinner and prepared for the night shift. On Friday, usually, all the waitresses were making a small show for visitors. She was a little worried since this was the first time she would take part in it. But at the same time, she was excited to try.
Carefully dressed and styled her hair, Lana decided to go out a little early to avoid meeting Joseph-Skull. For some reason, the prospect of his company today was not at all pleasing. She got to the club by car. It was the same car that she rented near the ill-fated airport and which Daniel kindly bought out for her when they left the city.
All the way she was accompanied by a soft spring evening. The club was already basting with excitement like every Friday. Today, Kiki put on the VIP zone four waitresses-shifters. Unlike yesterday, the decorations for the party were already set. The ceiling was decorated with a cloth of rich colors from the burgundy to the golden, which descended along the walls and created the feeling of the tent. On the couches lay embroidered pillows with tassels, and on the tables - elegant lamps that convey the warm atmosphere of the mysterious East. The air was filled with the smells of spices and rose oil.
As soon as the doors to the club opened, the lower hall was already flooded with visitors. From the speakers poured rhythmic, rousing music, that beckoned to shake your hips. Lana slipped between the tables, enjoying the fabulous atmosphere. The VIP floor was already filled in the first two hours, and the dance floor was buzzing with the number of moving bodies. The time for their small performance was approaching, and Lana's whole body began to vibrate with pleasant excitement and impatience.
And then Kiki made her and the other girls a sign. They completed the last orders, put down the trays and stood, each in the middle of their part of the hall. The music changed dramatically. It was a strong and passionate rhythm, initially slow as if bewitching, and then accelerating. Lana at first followed the learned movements, but the music entrained her. With each move, it seemed to draw curves and waves, giving way to something forgotten, hidden in every woman's soul. She felt how her wolf joined the dance, but it was not a shift, something else, almost primitive. The rhythm grew, and she was coiling, like flames, free and all-consuming. She felt that the culmination was already close and Lana abruptly took off from her spot like other girls. They circled, slipping between tables, playing with colorful fabrics and their bodies. Lana felt complete freedom and a strange longing, a secret desire. The last tact and the girls froze in their places in graceful poses.
Lana closed her eyes, everything was boiling inside, the dance seemed to kindle a fire inside, which demanded an exit. At last, she caught her breath and opened her eyes again, and Greg stood before her.