Chapter 107: Party Virgin
Lorali Pov
I keep walking, each step heavier than the last. My body betrays me, I’ve really lost my touch. I used to walk miles as Pack Spade’s servant, but now I can’t even manage a couple of meters without feeling like I’m collapsing. Astrid drives beside me for another few seconds before sighing dramatically. "Get in."
"No."
"Get in."
"No."
"Lorali."
I stop, glaring at her. Astrid smiles, sensing victory. "Your bags are heavy. Your feet hurt. You’re tired. And I’m offering you a free ride." I narrow my eyes, placing a hand on my waist. "You are not going to give up?"
"Yep."
"That isn’t reassuring." I groan, rolling my as much to her satisfaction. "Come on. I promise I won’t kidnap you."
"That is exactly what someone planning to kidnap me would say."
"Fair point."
I stare at the convertible. Then at the road. Then back at Astrid. I don’t hate her enough not to get in that car. It will get me home sooner. If I can put up with Spade, I can put up with her, and she’s not half as bad as all the members of Spade combined.
With a reluctant sigh, I open the passenger door. "Fine," I mutter, my tone sharp with defeat.
Astrid grins triumphantly, her voice lilting with satisfaction. "I knew you’d come around. You’re just like my mother, you even look like her, she says no, but you can wear her down. You two are really alike."
"Don’t make me regret it," I warn, my words clipped. The truth is, I already do.
"I won’t," Astrid replies lightly as she climbs out. She grabs my bags without hesitation, tossing them into the trunk with a casual thud. I watch her, my brows furrowing. "You didn’t have to do that," I say, my voice low, almost suspicious about why she’s being kind.
"I know," she answers simply.
She slams the trunk shut, her tone playful. "That’s why I did it." She smirks before sliding back behind the wheel. I settle into the passenger seat, the cool leather pressing against my legs, the afternoon air brushing against my face.
Astrid pulls onto the road, and in seconds she’s speeding. My stomach lurches. I’ve been in a convertible once before, with Arabella, but never like this. Arabella drives safe. Astrid drives wild.
My eyes widen. "Whoa!" I shout, my voice rising in alarm as I tug at my seat belt to make sure it’s secure.
"What?" Astrid laughs, her tone carefree, clearly unfazed by the speed.
"Slow down!" I bark, my voice sharp, catching a bunch of wind in my mouth.
"I’m barely driving!" she says, her tone mocking.
"You’re doing ninety!" I snap, disbelief dripping from every word. "That’s not fast," she replies, dismissive, her voice airy. "It is when you’re sitting next to someone who apparently has a death wish!" I yell, gripping the edge of my seat.
Astrid only laughs harder, her voice ringing out over the roar of the wind.
Despite myself, a tiny smile creeps across my lips. The wind whips through my hair, the city lights blur past, and for the first time all day, I’m not thinking about the hospital, the penthouse, or the weight of everything waiting for me when I return. My mind is blank, free, suspended in this reckless ride.
Astrid glances at me, her eyes glinting with mischief. "So..." she shouts, her tone deliberately drawn out.
I immediately become suspicious. "So?" I repeat, lifting my brow, my voice wary.
"Are you and Erin together?" she asks, her tone sly, probing.
My smile vanishes. "No," I say firmly, my voice flat.
"That’s a very quick answer," she replies, her tone skeptical. "Because the answer is simple," I shoot back. "Uh‑huh," she utters, unconvinced, raising an eyebrow. "You’re telling me there’s nothing going on between you two?"
"There isn’t," I say.
"Girl," she says, dragging the word out, her voice teasing.
"Astrid," I reply, trying to copy her tone. "I’m just saying, that man looks at you like you’re the last drink on earth," she says, her voice sounding like a gushing teen.
I roll my eyes. "Erin is my friend. And I have a pack, remember? You live right beneath us,"
"Dump the pack and date him," she says casually, as though it’s the simplest thing in the world.
I turn toward her, incredulous. "Excuse me?" My voice spikes.
"You heard me," she says, her tone smug.
"I can’t just dump my pack," I argue. "Why not?" she asks, her tone challenging. This is ridiculous.
"Because that’s not how it works," I snap.
Astrid shrugs, unconcerned. "Then change how it works." I stare at her, speechless. Does she not have a brain? What I wouldn’t give to be a beta, they’re so free.
She grins, relentless. "Erin is the real deal."
"Again. He’s my friend."
"Your loss," she says, her tone dismissive.
I shake my head. "You’re impossible," I mutter.
"And you’re stubborn," she counters, her voice amused. "You must be talking about yourself," I snap back. She just laughs, her voice light, refusing to argue further. We continue driving in silence, the kind that feels strangely comfortable.
"Have you ever been to a party?" Astrid suddenly asks, her tone curious for some reason. I look at her as though she’s asked whether I’ve ever been to the moon. "No," I say flatly..
Astrid nearly swerves. "What?" she exclaims, her voice sharp with shock.
"No," I repeat with a sigh. "Like... ever ever?" she asks and I shake my head sighing. "I went to boarding school," I explained.
Astrid stares at me, waiting for more. "And?" She lift a brow not getting it. "And how exactly would I have gone to parties?
"No way," she says, her tone filled with disbelief..
"Ain’t no friend of mine that’s a party virgin," she declares, her tone playful, teasing me like it’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard.
I look up at the sky. That’s because I’m not your friend. The words hover on the edge of my tongue, but I swallow them back, keeping them to myself.