The crisp winter air pricked Isla's cheeks as she stepped out of the old blue Volkswagen that her friend had parked against the curb.
The street was well lit with bright signs adorning the front of the buildings ahead. The muffled sounds of music and chatter by eager clubgoers could be heard even before she opened the car door, and now that she stood outside, she could feel the vibrations from the base rising through her body. She closed her eyes briefly, inhaling the unfamiliar scents of the area, unsure if her instincts were telling her this place was welcoming, or if she should get back in the car and keep driving.
Isla's thoughts were soon interrupted by the loud slamming of the driver side door, and a giggle shortly after. It was Claire.
"Keen for some socialising?" Claire asked sarcastically with a smirk, as she walked around the front of the car to stand next to Isla. She noticed Isla's skeptical gaze at the building ahead and found her uneasiness amusing.
'Yes..' Isla responded unconvincingly while rolling her eyes. Claire leaned against the front passenger door and chuckled at Isla's reaction.
"Well good, because there's nothing to be worried about. It's not like this is your first time going out.." her voice trailed. "You are going to love it, and I can't wait to introduce you to everyone" she said while smiling and moving giddily. Little did Claire know, this was Isla's first time going to a club, and she was apprehensive of what was to come.
Claire was a slender girl, with a tanned complexion, bleached blonde hair that came to her shoulders, and brown eyes. She wore a blue cropped T-shirt that accentuated her small waist, and a black leather mini skirt. Her arms were decorated with small fine line tattoos of flowers and a row of peonies down her shoulder. Claire was an omega in the Flyleaf Pack, and was excited to spend her night off dancing and showing Isla around the place she called home.
She was slightly tired from an afternoon of driving after picking her friend up, and eagerly awaited the boost in energy that she would soon get from the drinks and atmosphere of the Laneway club.
'Are your friends already in there?' Isla asked, still staring straight ahead at the large building with a long line out the front.
"Lucy and James are there already, and there are a few more people that will arrive later that I'd love you to meet" Claire replied with excitement clear in her voice.
Isla looked to her left and smiled at her cheerful friend. It had been a long time since they were together, and she appreciated Claire's excitement to include her in her social group.
Isla looked down at her black ankle boots and light blue denim jeans. She hadn't felt this dressed up in a while, and she couldn't help but feel exposed as the air sharply pressed her skin. Isla's dark brown hair draped gently down her back, stopping just above her waist, and she instinctively pulled strands to the front to cover her exposed declotage. She wore a white satin top. Claire had applied light makeup to Isla's face, using a bronzer to accentuate her hazel eyes and warm skin.
"Stop that. You look good! I would know, I dressed you!" Claire scolded, she could sense Isla's uncertainty and rising insecurity.
Claire nodded her head in the direction of the Laneway club, suggesting that it was time to walk over and Isla obliged. They made small talk while walking across the road to join the growing line leading into the club.
Isla couldn't help but feel her heart thumping in her chest as the mixture of uncertainty and excitement swelled in the pit of her stomach. Was this a mistake? She wanted to lay low and blend in, not put herself in dicey situations with intoxicated werewolves. This was not what she had planned or expected for her first night in this new territory, but she didn't realise that Claire had made plans to introduce her to her friends once she realised Isla would be staying with her.
Before she knew it, they were at the front of the line, and a tall tattooed security guard gazed at her expectantly while holding a stamp. Isla held out her forearm and watched as the red ink showing the word "LANEWAY" pressed into her skin. She looked up at the large figure infront of her and was met with a blank expression, and he turned to gesture toward the entrance, letting her know she was able to enter.
As she walked in behind Claire, the feeling of the base in her body increased and the music became clearer with each step into the dark club. It was a lively space, with a bar stretching along the left side of the room and 4 bar staff busily tending the growing line of customers. At the back, there was a stage with bright lights and a young DJ playing music and putting their hands in the air to excite the crowd. Isla could feel the energy in the room and her senses were feeling overwhelmed.
Before she could finish her train of thought, Claire grabbed Isla's hand excitedly and started to walk swiftly over to a booth on the right side of the room. She waved enthusiastically with her free hand at two of her friends, Lucy and James.
"You made it!" a voice called, coming from a woman that Isla figured was Lucy. Lucy had a black, silky straight hair and olive skin, and she sat across from a male with an unreadable expression on his face. He had dirty blonde hair that was swept away from his face, and his arms were covered in colourful tattoos.
Lucy stood up and shifted out of the booth seats, running over to the two girls walking in their direction. She gave Claire a hug and gazed at the newcomer standing behind her friend with an intrigued expression. When they pulled away, Claire glanced at Isla and pulled her closer to Lucy.
"This is my friend Isla!" Claire exclaimed loudly over the music. Lucy smiled and immediately gave Isla a hug, which caught her by surprise.
"It's so nice to meet you! Claire has been talking about you for days now!" Lucy exclaimed.
"You as well!" Isla yelled in response, and they both chuckled at the sound of them yelling. It was unusual for werewolves to need to yell to hear eachother speak, or to struggle hearing at all, but their voices were fighting to compete with the music coming from the speakers above them.
Lucy turned to face the booth and saw James making his way over. "This is James!" Lucy exclaimed while partially turning back to face Isla and Claire.
James stood next to Lucy and gazed down at the shorter newcomer. He suddenly gave a big grin and a nod, already realising that any attempt at conversation without a mind link would be futile in this loud club.
Isla smiled and nodded back, jolting slightly when she felt Claire's hand grab her shoulder as she exclaimed "Drinks! We need drinks!"
Both Lucy and James nodded in agreement, and Lucy pointed to the booth whilst looking at James. He nodded his head as if he knew exactly what she meant without words being exchanged, and he turned around to walk back to the booth and save the seats both of them had occupied.
Isla felt a hand grab onto her wrist and she was pulled towards the bar, where Claire waved her free hand at one of the bar tenders.
"What will you ladies have?" asked the bar tender. He smiled at the eager blonde leaning over the bar. Claire ordered 3 vodka orange juices and 1 beer for James.
The bar tender nodded with a smile, and got to work on the drinks. The bar area provided subtle lighting and allowed Isla to scan and observe the large crowd that had formed. She noticed many scents, but couldn't get a read on some. Humans.
She hadn't realised that there would also be humans here, but it made sense. Most large towns began to blend with average people eventually, as it becomes progressively more difficult to keep up appearances.
Isla's thoughts were interrupted by a chilled glass being handed to her by Claire, who had not stopped grinning for atleast the last 15 minutes. Noting that they had received their drinks, Isla and Claire turned to face the back wall and started to make their way back to the booth.