47.
Before we even saw the house overlooking the valley, we heard the trumping of loud electro music. Genni threw me a smile over her shoulder. No wonder she was ecstatic with Jared sitting next to her, maneuvring the car up the hill, bordered by heavy vegetation on either side.
I kept my eyes on the dark shadows clinging under the tall pine trees. There was something strange about them like eyes stalking me. I shuddered to get rid of the unsettling sensation. Maybe it was the lack of Jacob's presence in the vicinity that made me feel unsafe lately. Sometimes our connection was so silent I could barely notice it.
"We are here," called Jared from the front. I turned to the looming two stories house illuminating the gathering tall trees. There were a dozen cars parked in disarray on the gravel in front of it. People were dancing on the porch, waving their beers as we got out.
"New girl!" called a male voice from the entrance. A blond guy wearing a blue basketball jacket pushed his way to meet us. He grinned at Genni then resting dirty blue eyes on me. "Hi, I'm Jeff," he shifted his beer to his left hand and extended his right one for a handshake.
"Hi," I gave him a tight smile. I didn't want to touch him, my mate link made it terribly uncomfortable to touch another man. I felt a shiver as a low growl rose from the back of my mind. Jacob, he was spying on me. I shut him out shielding my mind away from him. I took the guy's hand ignoring the sound. He was the one who took the decision and walked away. Ok, he was doing it for my own grown. But I was still pissed that he didn't consult me first. I gave the guy a good handshake. He peeked at me with large eyes.
"Girl, you have some strength in those tiny arms," I grinned at him with a challenge.
"Don't judge people on size," a burst of laughter followed and Jeff nervously ran his hand in her short blond hair. He nodded at his friends gathered around and whistling.
"I like her, witty," said a tall guy with dark skin and beautiful gray eyes. A couple of girls stepped in to check on the new entertainment. They were dressed in colorful crop tops and tiny skirts. The leader, a curvy blond with wavy hair extended a well-manicured hand to me. Genni shoved her way in and took her hand.
"Marisa, I'm a fan," she practically drooled all over her. I blinked at the scene. Did I just miss an episode? I don't remember that Marisa's character from school. Marisa quickly retrieved her hand with a disgusted face. She turned her green eyes back at me.
"I didn't know new girl was a friend of Mason," Jared placed a hand on my shoulder. It was so unexpected it made me flinch. I didn't like the touch. I think Jacob won't approve either.
"I was the one who invited her—and Genni," Marisa's lips twisted as Jared glared at her. Genni stepped closer to Jared facing her and her minions. Marisa quickly regained her composure and flashed her cutest smile.
"Jared, darling, I didn't see you there. How are you doing? Of course, you can invite your shabby friends to your cousin's birthday. You are family after all," she threw her head back and laughed. A couple of girls standing next to her joined in. Did she just call us shabby? That bitch. I could twist her chicken neck and make her eat her latest flashy phone covered with large fake gems. I just gazed at her. Maybe I'm too old for petty games. She definitely wasn't worth it.
"Let's get something to drink," Jared steered us away from the hostile crowd to a couple of steps that led to the house. Why was I here again? As we entered the house a shiver ran over me. I peeked over my shoulder at the dark trees surrounding the house. I felt it again. That evil aura like something was lurking in the shadows. "Everything's ok?" Jared's hand was still on my shoulder. I quickly nodded and shrugged his hand away. I couldn't get rid of that nagging feeling.