A/N: Here we are with chapter 29, which is kinda crazy, because that is a lot of chapters.. Anyhoo, I don't know about this one, but it's something to tide you over for the next, maybe more interesting chapter. I've already been working on it, and was actually going to add it on here, but decided against it, seeing as it would have ended up being seriously long. Also, the next chapter probably works better by itself anyway, and may even be smaller than my usual chapters for an attempt of dramatic effect.

Thank you guys for the awesome reviews every chapter. Every response, whether review or add makes me giddy, and I appreciate you all.

Oh, Merry Christmas, if I don't update in four days! Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.


Quinn

Arm dropping to my side, the phone slides from my fingers to the floor, landing with a clatter that I ignore in favor of placing a shaky hand over my racing heart. Did I hear what I think I heard? Did Riley just tell me-

"Quinn?" Wide eyes dart to Mom. She looks taken aback, startled by the expression on my face. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"R-Riley." I manage to choke out her name.

The sound of it sends my heart into overdrive.

Worry contorting her features, Mom moves to stand in front of me, laying her own hand over the one still pressed to my heart. "Is she… Hurt?"

I jerkily shake my head no. "She said I l-love you."

"Oh." Instantly relaxing, Mom lets out a little, relieved chuckle. "But by the look on your face, I'd say that you didn't return the sentiment." She adds when my expression stays the same, smiling sympathetically.

Feeling tears well up; I nod guiltily. "She didn't even give me time, though; she just hung up before I could say anything." I allow her to pull me into a comforting hug, needing it after hearing those three intimate words from Riley's mouth. I love you is not a casual saying, it is a colossal step in a relationship, one not to be taken lightly.

So for her to say them to me like that, for the first time ever in our very new relationship, with cell phones and miles of distance between us...well, I really don't know how to feel about it all.

Did she mean them?

"If she hung up so quickly, it is more than likely because she didn't intend to blurt out I love you. It sounds like she may have scared herself. Think how she must feel right now, she is probably cursing the heavens for saying them to you so soon, not to mention by way of technology." Mom soothes me with her insight and back rubbing, letting me know not to think, say, or do anything rash because of what Riley said.

I know that she is right.

Riley is probably freaking out.

The way she cooed the words out, though, made me think that, if I didn't know any better, she had said them a million times before. Not as an afterthought, but in an 'I will never tire of professing my love for you' way. The thought of her telling me that she loves me every day, as if each time were the first, has me heating up and then melting in a puddle of desire.

"Do you love her, Quinn?" Mom asks me in the silence, pulling back to look me in the eyes.

I breathe in deeply, and then with a slow exhale, the tension leaves my body. "I'm falling for her. Hard."

"Good. I am very happy that you can admit it. However, now that we've got that out of the way, we have errands to attend. Go get ready." Giving me a proud smile, she kisses my forehead.

I laugh, feeling my mood shift, and nudge her out the way.

xXx

Eight o'clock comes faster than I expected. Mom had me out practically all day, only giving me just enough time to get ready in the new outfit she bought me for Britt's party. With the temperature dropping degrees every few days, I stayed clear of the dresses, instead picking out hip hugging Khakis, a black long sleeved button down with a neon pink collar, buttons, and cuffs, and black and pink vans to blend everything in.

Not my usual style, but I am comfortable with what I have on, and if the appraising eyes Mom shot my way is anything to go by, well, I'd say to hell with what everyone else thinks. Riley is all I care about anyway, so as long as she doesn't appear to be horrified by my clothing choice and embarrassed to be seen with me - which I highly doubt - then I'm okay.

Besides, I look hot, and if Mom thinks so, Riley should, too.

Right? Right.

With anxiousness spreading like wildfire, and a third check in the visor mirror, I exit my car to go knock on Rachel's door. Waiting nervously, I start to smooth out already ironed over clothes, and wish I could conjure a floor length mirror to make sure I look perfect, even though I've already checked myself a thousand times before I even left the house.

"Oh." My head snaps up. "You look… Wow." Riley's widened Gray eyes devour me from head to toe to head, and when our eyes meet, she is suddenly inches from my face.

I didn't even hear her open the door.

"This is… Different." She whispers, once again sweeping her gaze over my body, and making it feel like a passionate caress.

"Yeah, it is." I agree with her shyly.

"Different looks good on you." Our eyes lock again, and though I could virtually swim in the lust there, I see a vulnerability holding her back from doing what she wants.

"Thank you."

"I-I didn't think you would come."

Our words overlap, the fear of how I am going to react to her accidental confession bulldozing over any other feeling shining in her orbs.

"Riley, I, I think we should talk, but right now I just want to take my girlfriend to a party and have a good time." My reply seems to reassure her somewhat that I don't intend to fly off the handle or dump her.

The fear recedes in her eyes, replaced with hope as she finally gives in and warmly embraces me. Not caring that my clothes are now most likely becoming wrinkled, I hold her tight against me, taking in my favorite scent, one I missed, and one that has me wanting nothing more than to stay right here. Who in their right mind would pass this up to go to a party?

"You ready?" She pulls back with an adorable, bashful smile quirking her lips up, and I practically melt at her feet.

No is on the tip of my tongue.

"Sure." I say instead, taking her hand.

Minutes later, the radio is our only savior from the ride becoming completely awkward. I do not like the feel of this new, yet familiar tension between us. Can we not ever catch a break? One minute can be totally amazing with her, but one blink and it feels as if we're miles apart; separated by thousands of elephants in the room that go ignored. One day we'll get it right, I mean, this isn't exactly a worse case scenario, this is Riley confessing her love in a newborn relationship, not her cheating and whoring around.

No matter the spark of hope I saw in her eyes earlier, Riley is still scared that I am going to break up with her; the way she is almost curled in on herself, looking out the window despondently, is a dead giveaway. At a red light, stopped behind several cars, I call her name, and when she turns her head, I boldly reach over, hook my hand around the back of her neck, and tug her to meet me in the middle for a kiss full of promise.

I do not miss the gasp of surprise, the following soft moan, nor the desperate way she latches on to my cheek. Only when an impatient blow of a car horn forces me from her lips, do I sit back in my seat and continue onward.

Pulling up to Brittany's, I recognize several cars, one being Devon's parked on the side of the house. It's not until now that I realize it wasn't at Rachel's earlier. I coast in behind it and cut the engine. Another familiar, sleek car rolls up and parks in the last free spot behind me. Looking in the rearview mirror, I watch as the doors lift, then as Aris and Devon step out.

Guilt slaps me in the face.

I didn't even think of inviting them, or ask if Brittany already did. Nothing but Riley has been on my mind since our interesting phone call.

"Crap." My eyes avert when Aris smirks at me. "I'm a bad friend." I mumble to Riley, looking at her with a pout.

Unbuckling, she chuckles, and then leans over to kiss my pout away. I smile against her lips, enjoying the change from fearful and depressed to more hopeful and relaxed.

"I put you in an awkward position today, so if anyone is to blame for you not thinking of those two loonies, it's me. Rachel called and made sure they were included, though." She brushes locks of hair behind my ear, but I blush and glance down at being reminded of her confession so openly.

"Then why is she smirking at me?" I peek out the mirror again, narrowing my eyes at Aris as she points the same smirk my way.

"Good question." Riley shrugs, opening the door.

I sigh, and follow suit.

Aris' smirk grows when we walk over to them, as does my confusion. I swear her expression is mischievous. Her eyes rake down my body, making me cross my arms uncomfortably under her scrutinizing gaze.

"Damn, Quinn, I'm surprised Riley let you leave the house." Aris' smirk turns into an approving grin, but I shoot a questioning look at Riley, wondering what Aris meant by that.

"…" Inching noticeably away, Riley mumbles something unintelligible before hightailing it to the front door.

I glare at her back.

"In other words, with you looking like that, we're surprised Riley didn't kidnap and ravish you." Devon explains with an amused twinkle in her eyes, looping her arms through Aris' and mine as my cheeks flush.

I would not have minded being kidnapped and ravished…

I also did not think my outfit was that appealing… It is not as if I'm showing any skin to titillate the imagination or anything.

Maybe I should dress different more often.

When we reach the porch, Brittany has Riley in one of her famous clingy hugs, though to my surprise, she isn't at all awkward, instead, her well muscled arms are returning the hug happily. Brittany sees the rest of us, beams, and then about bowls Riley over to pull us in a group hug.

"Hey, B." I laugh and give her a gentle squeeze.

"Hi! Thanks for coming. The whole gang is here now. Come in!" She pushes off me with a kiss to the cheek, and then ushers us inside.

Once in, we're led to the living room, where everyone is hanging out, talking, and setting up beer pong. Rachel notices us first, pops up from her spot beside Santana, and rushes over to swing her arms around me. I catch her with an oomph; laugh harder than I did with Britt, and hug back with just as much enthusiasm.

"Miss me, did you?" I whisper playfully.

"Of course!" She kisses the same cheek Brittany had, and peers up at me with a dazzling smile.

"What, no love for us?" Aris pouts behind us.

Rachel shakes her head, turns around, and starts to strut off, never once looking at any of the others. A growling blur whizzes by me, and before Rachel has even taken five steps, she is seized, whisked away, and a following squeal of shock and protest can be heard throughout the house.

I try to hold back a chortle as Santana bolts off the couch, alerted and two seconds away from being on a warpath. Riley intersects her with a warm hug, and Santana tensely returns it, her trained eyes focused elsewhere.

Searching for Rachel, no doubt. I snort, amused.

"Your wolf is fine, Santana. Aris will take good care of her." Riley chuckles in her ear, where Devon and I are the only ones who can hear.

A low, unamused growl is her reply.

How adorable.

A calm and collected Aris rejoins us, alone, as if she had never zoomed away with Santana's girl. Noticing the lack of Rachel protectively in Aris' grasp, Santana narrows her eyes threateningly and crosses her arms.

"Where is she?" Glowering, Santana steps up in Aris' space.

Aris blinks at her innocently. "Where's who?"

"Aris!" Dropping her arms, Santana tightens her hands into fists.

She looks really pissed.

Can she not see that Aris is messing with her? Or that Aris would never hurt Rachel and that she is perfectly safe?

Aris barely suppresses a familiar smirk. "I think there's a critter upstairs; I heard something squeaking about up there."

Without a word, Santana shoves past Aris and rushes off in a huff.

"Why is she so mad?" I wonder aloud, honestly confused as to why Santana would lose it over this.

"She is uber protective, Q bear." Riley explains, sidling up to me.

Santana must be more than protective for her to go off the rails like that.

"Hey, Q, bring your fine ass friends over here!" Puck yells from across the room, waving his hand to beckon us all over there.

I roll my eyes, knowing we're in for a hell of a night.

I'm glad it's just us. The glee gang plus Aris, Devon, and Riley. I am so not in the mood for an all out rave. This is more of a get together really, which is good for us, good for Rachel, who never was invited to these things. It gives the group a chance to show her how much they care, and I know they do, especially the way they acted when Rachel was missing in action during her transition into the world of wolves.

"So who's up for a round?" Puck asks eagerly, setting the last cup down, and eyeing the girls in hopes that they will volunteer.

Riley looks to me, silently asking if I am up for it, I nod.

She smiles, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me closer to the table. "We'll play."

Puck grins, satisfied, and then turns a charming smile on Aris and Devon; I roll my eyes, knowing he's about to flirt to get a partner.

"And which one of you sexy ladies wants to partner up with the Puckasaurus?" He smirks at them, expecting at least one of the girls to give in to his so-called 'smoothness.'

He is in for a rude awakening.

"What are you, some new age dinosaur?" Eyebrow arching, Aris questions him, unimpressed by his cocky attitude.

"I'm whatever you want me to be." He retorts, wiggling his own eyebrows at her, obviously attempting to get a better reaction.

All he gets is a scoff from Aris, and a scowl from Devon.

"Aw, come on, at least one of you play on my team." Puck stalks over to Aris, pouting as he slings an arm around her shoulders.

Devon steps in front of him, a dangerous gleam in her eyes that Puck seems to misinterpret as flirty. She reaches out and lays a hand on his Mohawk, making Puck leer lecherously as she runs her fingers over it, and then down his head to his cheek, where she rests.

"I'll tell you what I want you to be." Devon practically purrs.

"Tell me." He insists, buying her 'seduction' and feeding on it.

"Away from my girlfriend." Growling, her expression contorting to pissed off mate, she takes hold of his ear and jerks him away from Aris.

"Ow, ow, ow!" He yells pathetically as she uses said ear to toss him aside, and glares at her as she walks calmly back over to her girlfriend.

The small group hovering around us laughs at his expense.

Minutes later, Riley and I are playing a sulking Puck, and a glaring Finn, who can't play for shit. We win the first round. Beer pong continues until Devon and Aris beat us on the fourth game, making us lose our winning streak. Tired of playing anyway, we head to the kitchen, where Mercedes, Kurt, Tina, Mike, and Rachel are playing cards.

Poker it looks like.

"Damn, those are some badass poker chips." Teasing the group, Riley moves over to the counter for drinks.

"Well, seeing as we're all broke, what better way to play than with edibles? We get to eat our winnings." Rachel grins at her, popping a few skittles in her mouth to prove her point.

"Hey, you haven't won anything, candy stealer!" Covering the skittles and jellybeans, Tina snaps at her with a warning scowl.

Rachel doesn't even flinch. She stares Tina down, eyes playfully intense, until Tina can't stand it any longer and has to look away. Rachel giggles, enjoying the power, and winks at me. I shake my head, highly amused by this side of her that we never got to see before the change.

I love it.

"You two need to join in. This is much more fun than playing beer pong with Puck and Finn." Rachel gives us her puppy dog eyes, pleading with us to play as Riley hands me an unknown drink.

I cannot argue with that. Anything has to be better than playing games with a constantly flirting Puck and glowering Finn.

Riley pulls me over to the table, sitting me down in between Rachel and Tina, and then settles into a seat beside Mercedes, who smiles warmly at her in greeting. Riley smiles back, and I can tell that she is happy about being instantly accepted into the small group of friends.

xXx

Two games later, and I am already filling tipsy. The losers all have to take shots, and I've been one of them both times. Riley won the first game, while Mike won the second, and now, on the third, it looks as though I might have a high chance of beating them this round. I don't let that show, though, no, I put on my best poker face and eye the rest of the players to see if I can read any of their own expressions.

Riley's face is blank, even her eyes seem glazed over and unreadable, but I can't tell if that is her poker face or if she is as tipsy as I feel. Then again, being a wolf, it is most likely the former. Tina appears to be even more out of it than the rest, her eyes blinking more rapidly than they should be. Mike is almost as blank as Riley is, though his eyes seem to be curious, as if he is doing the same thing I am by reading everyone. Mercedes is staring at her cards, eyes moving over them, while Kurt is tapping the table and gazing around with a bored air.

Oh Rachel, Rachel, Rachel; you have the worst poker face of us all, unless that huge ass eager smile on your face is an act…

Moments go by, and with a heavy sigh, Mercedes folds first, not even pretending to have anything better than the rest of us. Mike pushes some of his jellybeans to the middle of the table, and seeing this, Kurt eyes him critically, before sliding over a bigger pile of jellys and skittles. Tina blinks, folding with a resigned pout. Rachel's smile never falters.

She looks at me, and then at Riley, who blankly pushes most of her candy with the rest. Still, the smile stays on Rachel's face, not even a worried twitch as she does the same, before glancing back at me to see what my move is going to be. I try not show how worried I am about losing again, keeping my expression as stoic as possible. My eyes flicker to my cards, and it is then that I remember why I figured this round would be mine.

I boldly add everything I've got to the pile of colored candy.

Only then do Rachel's eyes crinkle, and her smile waver…

Kurt lays his hand down first.

A straight.

Rachel's face stays the same.

Mike smirks and lays down a full house.

Rachel's eyebrow lifts.

I peer across the table at Riley, whose expression is unmoved, and watch, heart racing in anticipation, as she smoothly lays down her cards.

Four of a kind. Riley is in lead.

Not for long, though, baby.

Rachel, apparently not being able to contain herself, slams her cards down on the table with a triumphant smile.

A straight flush.

Damn, so close, wolf pup.

I almost feel bad, but not bad enough not to win for once. Everyone looks to me, waiting, (Rachel impatiently) for me to end the game.

I grin at them evilly. "Royal flush."

Rachel's sourpuss pout is legendary as I fan the cards out in front of me, and everyone else, well; they're looking half playfully angry and half-proud that I actually won for a change. I have always been bad at poker; no luck of the draw has ever let me win this well. Riley definitely seems happy for me, even though she lost. At least she isn't a sore loser; I'd hate to have one of those for a girlfriend.

"Here, taste the rainbow, bitch." Rachel shoves all the skittles and jellybeans my way, a teasing glare that has me glancing down after only a few seconds. She really knows how to abuse that staring power of hers…

I don't think anyone who stares into her eyes could stay locked on without looking away first. Her intense energy is too strong.

It doesn't make me angry, though, just curious. I used to could do that without any supernatural powers, but now Rachel has me beat hands down on that front. She is getting all these unique wolf perks. Makes me wonder what it would be like if I had them all, too. What it would be like if Riley bit me, and if I tuned furry on the next full moon. What I would look like, how I would act, and if me changing would make Riley and me closer than before, closer than any two humans could ever possibly hope to be.

Halting my thoughts, I stuff my mouth full of the rainbow, enjoying all the fruity flavors bursting on my taste buds. The others do their shots, and Riley hands me a double for winning; I grin, and knock it back, wincing as it burns down my throat. Before I can do anything else, she places a full cup of something in my hand, encouraging me to taste and see if I like it okay, and when I do let the liquor pour past my lips, I smile approvingly and give her a thumbs up.

"So, strip poker?" Santana's face appears between Rachel's and mine, her eyebrows wiggling at her suggestively, and much more sexily than Puck.

"Oh, hell no, I am not drunk enough for strip poker!" Mercedes vehemently protests, earning an almost violently agreeing nod from Kurt.

"Fine. Britt and I can take you two prudes' places. Anyone else not up for losing their clothes, I suggest you bail now." Santana rolls her eyes, ushering them away from the table so she can sit down.

Mike and Tina look at each other, conversing silently, throw an awkward apology at us, and then hurry after them.

"You just want to see Rachel naked." Tossing a skittle, it hits dead smack in the middle of Santana's forehead, and bounces on to the table.

An uncharacteristic flush spreads up Santana's chest, cheeks, and to the tips of her ears. She must be blushing hard for me to be able to notice it, seeing as her skin usually hides such embarrassments. I'm sure the alcohol is helping the heat spread more easily.

Wait just a minute, why is she even blushing? Whoa, hold up, she hasn't already seen her… naked… Has she? Have they had-

"San-"

"Ri, you should see if Aris and Devon want to play. I'm sure they wouldn't mind stripping for us." Santana clears her throat, cutting me off.

"You mean you wouldn't mind them stripping for us." Brittany jokes with a wink, nudging Santana's shoulder.

"Are we really playing this?" Rachel questions, eyes narrowed in on Santana, as if to see if Brittany's joke has any truth in it.

Rachel's question is a good one. Are we? Is it a bad thing that I don't care if we really do play strip poker? I think I may be heading past tipsy at this point, if stripping in front of our group doesn't bother me.

Maybe I just want to see Riley naked.

Really, though, there is no maybe about it. I do want to see her naked. I want her to see me naked, and I want us to be naked together.

"It's just us, babe. Besides, we can make a strip only down to our underwear rule. Bra not included, because some of us have less on than others, and we need to make this as much fun as possible." Santana reasons with her, trying to make it sound better to Rachel's ears when I know for a fact that Santana is doing this on purpose.

She knows Rachel has not won any games so far, and that there is a 93% chance that Rachel is going to lose. She only wants Rachel out of her clothes, the perv. Not that I can blame Santana. Wasn't I the one who was thinking the exact same thing about Riley a moment ago?

Yes.

"I don't care about us. I am worried about the guys. I don't want them walking in and seeing someone not their girlfriend topless." Rachel, unconvinced, crosses her arms and looks to the doorway.

Always the respectful one.

Though, I bet it has more to do with being possessive of Santana's body more than having to do with any of us.

"Okay, don't fret. Everyone disperse for ten minutes, go find extra clothes and or accessories to throw on, and then come back. For Rachel, we'll keep on our bras, too. First one down to their underwear loses." Santana, understanding in her eyes, compromises without complaint.

We all look at each other, checking to see if Santana's new rule is acceptable, and finally, Rachel seems to give in by shrugging with a small smile. Taking Santana's advice, Brittany pops up from her seat, waving for us to follow so we can go find something else to wear for our game.

By the time we get back in the kitchen, fifteen minutes later, Devon and Aris have joined us, and there is significantly less alcohol left in the bottles that were left on the counter, courtesy of the guys. Brittany doesn't seem to be concerned, she only giggles and grabs hold of an unopened bottle of tequila from the liquor cabinet.

The good shit as Santana would say.

Things are about to get crazy, even more than I had anticipated now that we have the extra incentive to take our clothes off.

I already dread tomorrow's hangover.

A sudden outburst of laughter has all of our attention turning toward the doorway, where Mercedes seems to be busting a gut as she points at us. I glance down at myself, and then let my eyes drift to the others.

"You bitches be looking ridiculous!" Slapping her thigh, she howls in an uncontrolled fit of laughter.

Mercedes was always a happy, laugh at everything under the sun drunk, and so is Tina come to think of it. They barely leave each other's sides at parties. Speaking of… I wonder where her other half is?

She can't be too far behin-

"Cedes, tell me I am not that drunk? I can't be hallucinating the most popular girls in school wearing…wearing… What. Are. You. Wearing? You all look like peasants from the 80's!" Speak of the devil…

Tina's expression is almost appalled.

I'm sure mine would be, too, if I were her seeing us wearing oversized sweatshirts, sweat pants, our hair pinned up with whatever we could find of Brittany's, and her sister's jelly bracelets lined up our wrists.

Right now, I feel too good to give a damn.

"Don't worry, T, you'll see our hot bods uncovered of these peasant rags just as soon as I kick their ass in strip poker." Santana assures her, smugly, while shuffling the deck.

Mercedes snorts, and with a shake of her head, throws her arm around Tina's waist. "Come on girl, we don't need to see this."

"But if you kick our ass every game, then I-we won't get to see your hot bod, and that just isn't fair." Rachel humphs, crossing her arms dejectedly, as if she has lost already, and I guess in her mind she has lost.

Not seeing Santana's sexy figure must be killing her.

"Oh, Rach, don't you worry, Santana will get her ass kicked plenty. Devon is king at this game, right baby?" Smirking at Santana, Aris sensually caresses Devon's hand with her fingernails.

Devon's eyes flutter shut, and she lets out an aroused hum that turns into an arousing moan when Aris whispers something in her ear.

"Alright, enough four play before strip poker turns into a game of who can make their girl moan the loudest." Santana murmurs while focused on the cards, obviously as affected by the display as I am.

Aris' replying chuckle is raspy and pleased.

I can't help but think Santana would win that game. Rachel must be just as vocal in bed - if not more - as she is with singing.

What would Riley sound like in bed?

Would she hit the high notes, or be all soft sighs and moans? Does she talk dirty, curse like a sailor? Is she a demanding lover, controlling, and rough? Ardent, gentle, playful? Jesus, the possibilities are endless, and most all of them underwear ruining, save for the thought of her becoming controlling and commanding, like some sort of dominatrix.

That is just a little too much.

I don't need or want pain to get off, and I don't want to feel like some sort of slave, or lower than her and treated in a demeaning way for sexual pleasure. Not that I am judging others for their desires and fantasies, I understand people need certain things, even if those things seem taboo and unconventional to other close minded bastards. Besides, I think I could be down with some kink, we will just need to explore with each other to see what we like in the bedroom.

Exploring is something I definitely want to do, starting with her body, head to toe, until I learn every spot that makes her moan, squirm, whimper, laugh, arch, and cry out my name.

"I think Q wants to play both."

"Yeah, except she wants a game of one on one."

"Homegirl is already playing one on one with Riley in her head."

"Wonder whose winning?"

"I'm sure they're both winners, Britt."

A sudden touch on my knee startles me so bad that my leg jerks up into the table, making me hiss and rub over the undoubtedly growing bruise. The same touch replaces my hand, gently soothing the pain, and I feel the heat explode up my face as everyone at the table stares at me with laughing eyes and unhidden smirks. Stroking the hand on my knee in appreciation, I narrow my own eyes at the rest of the group.

"Are we ready to play, Q, or do you need more time to… strategize possible outcomes in your head?" Santana's smirk is the largest as she teases me.

I launch another skittle; it pops her square in the left eye, before landing in the cup of her sex on the beach. "Now I'm ready."

"Great, because as hot as it was to watch you seconds away from raping Riley, it would be even hotter if she were half naked." Ignoring the now, sunken red skittle, she starts to deal out the cards.

I don't know how I am supposed to survive this game.

xXx

"Seriously?! I swear you are using some kind of damn wolf powers to cheat." All eyes turn on Santana as she grumpily tosses her hoodie at Devon's face, leaving her in only what clothes she came in.

My eyesight may be a little fuzzy by now, but I am pretty sure she is losing, even over Rachel, who seems to have gotten a stroke of luck from out of nowhere. While Devon is majorly dominating us, Rachel has won at least twice so far, and Santana only once. Santana is adorable with her grouchy and pouting mood over the fact that Rachel has not lost nearly enough of her clothing yet, but everyone else can see that Rachel is enjoying the slow revealing of Santana's body every time she loses.

The losers take their shots.

"Quinn?" I lift my unfocused gaze from the cards in my hand.

When the hell did those even get there?

"Your turn to lay down." I blink at Riley, confused.

Lie down where? Is it time for bed already?

"Only if you lay with me." I tell her seriously.

She laughs, a throaty sound that smells of strawberries and alcohol, and I feel it throughout my whole body. I shiver, suddenly wanting nothing more than to taste the flavor emanating from her breath.

"Your cards, baby." Grinning, she taps them.

Oh.

I don't even know what I have; they're just a bunch of numbers and letters to me. With a shrug, I listen to Riley and lay them down. A groan follows, making me look over at who made the interesting noise, just in time to catch Santana face planting the table. Rachel giggles and starts petting her hair in what appears to be for comfort, though through my haze comfort is looking a lot like caressing and desire. Santana visibly trembles.

Rachel's eyes flame golden orange.

The memory of familiar orbs sends me back to my last dream, where glowing, celestial white eyes were the last thing I saw before sharp fangs sunk into my neck. "I dreamed of you."

Those bright, orange eyes flicker over to me. "Me?"

"Yes." I nod, but my gaze is on Santana.

She was there with me.

"San, too." I whisper, the dream playing out clearly in my head. Clearly except for the dark outlines of two beasts trapping us.

Santana's head lifts from the table, her face adorably scrunchy as she glances at Rachel, and then at me. "Were-

"No, we were not having a threesome, S." Chuckling, I cut her off.

"Well, as much as that sucks… not what I was gunna ask. Though, uh, were you naked by any chance?" Naked? Why would she ask that?

Especially because I was naked. We both were.

How did she know?

"We were both naked as a jaybird." I wink, smirking.

Or what I think is my famous smirk. Right now I could be wearing the expression of a crazed maniac and I would be none the wiser with the way I'm feeling. I take another shot to make sure that feeling stays. Santana downs a double, though she doesn't seem to feel the same as me, in fact, she's looking pretty unnerved. Rachel shoots me a curious eyebrow, now concerned with Santana's sudden mood shift.

"What else?" Santana's eyes lock on mine.

"There were two animals chasing us through the jungle. We found a cave, but they followed us in there. I was scared, yet-"

"You felt resigned to your fate, the only thing on your mind your best friend going through the same thing, and not being able to protect her like you promised yourself. The last thing I heard was your breath roughly exhaling, then after that teeth were piercing my neck." Santana recalls her thought process of what happened in my dream.

No, somehow our dream.

"I was positive we were about to die, so I made sure that you knew I loved you, but you wouldn't say it back because you were sure we would get out of there alive. Do you know the last thing I heard?" I remember what I heard as if it just happened, and I remember that I let go because of it.

The release I had felt was so intense that I shot up in bed, sweating and wet, and wanting Riley more than ever before.

Santana shakes her head no.

"'I love you, too.'" I answer fondly.

Hearing my best friend's last words before what we were so sure was our demise made the situation all the more bearable. Dying with someone you love, and who loves you in return is the way I want to die in real life.

Of course, not anytime soon, I hope. Santana had better stay alive until I am already 6 feet under. Thinking of her dying for real makes me sick. Maybe we should just find a vampire who can turn us into immortals? No, as fun as that sounds, I'd rather Riley be the only one who turns me into a supernatural creature. Her teeth are the only ones I want inside my flesh.

"Quinn?" I start, eyes widening at an appearing out of thin air, silently crying Santana standing beside me.

When did she get so close?

I never saw her leave the chair.

Before I can say anything, she turns me around, pulls me up from my seat, and embraces me snuggly. I do not hesitate to hug her back, but oh, how I had forgotten how drunk Santana bursts into tears at the drop of a hat; it is both amusing and a little sad at how blubbery she can become while intoxicated. Smiling, I hold her tighter.

A warm body presses into my back. My eyes pop open, only for them to come face to face with Rachel. Winking at me, she brushes Santana's hair aside, unveiling a smooth, tan neck. Lips descend, gently kissing the revealed skin. "Let's dance."

Santana is frozen in my arms.

Rachel moves first, hips swaying to the pumping bass coming from the subwoofers in the living room. Entrapped, with nowhere else to go, I follow her lead, letting my own hips swing to the music. A sound akin to a dazed laugh spills from Santana's mouth, though it's cut abruptly off with Rachel's gyrating gaining momentum. Riley's heat pushes impossibly closer, causing me to swallow heavily and lean my head back.

Gasping, Santana finally unfreezes, and her grip on me contracts.

The music overtaking us, everything else fades, and then we're all flushed, bare skin, and heavy breaths. I am high; the drunken haze, intoxicating scent of fruity alcohol, and the feel of heated, grinding bodies thrusting my senses into a hypnotic state. A trance I never want to get out of.

Nails scrape along my neck as fingers sweep my hair back, and then the soft press of lips makes my already humming skin jump in pleasure.

"You are so dangerous." The same lips skim my ear as Riley slows the roll of our hips with the change of music.

"How?" I ask with a shaky breath.

"Because when I am with you, I have never felt so out of control. You make me want to lose myself. Because the dream you and Santana shared means everything. If we were alone, I would show you just how dangerous you are to me." Riley's breathy answer and the unsubtle pressure against my ass has my knees quivering in response.

"What does it mean?" The question comes from Rachel, who by now, with the lower, sensual tempo, has Santana rocking against me.

"I think that is a conversation better left for when these two are sober. For now, I think Quinn and me could use some air…" I'm gently plucked from Santana's clenched fists, and then helped back into my wrinkled clothes.

My eyes linger on Santana and Rachel as we exit the kitchen; there is a perfectly placed bite mark on Santana's exposed neck that I hadn't noticed until this very moment. Rachel meets my shocked, wide-eyed gaping with a smirk, before placing her lips over the bite for a possessive, yet loving kiss. Whimpering at the contact, Santana's head lolls to the side.

The room is saturated with sexual tension.

Cold air instantly surrounds us once we're outside. It does nothing except cool my heated skin. I still feel dizzy with alcohol and overwhelming arousal, and not even the cool fall breeze can quell my desire.

"I really want to kiss you." I admit to Riley's back.

Hand in mine, she stops and turns around. "Really?"

I give her what I think is a 'duh' face. As if she can't smell me? She has to know how much I want her right now. How much I need her.

"Really." I say anyway, because really, I do, and if she needs extra reassurance, then I will give it to her.

"Now?" She asks nervously, glancing toward the house.

I grin and nod. "Yes. Now would be good."

She worries her bottom lip. "Are you sure?"

An exasperated puff of breath fogs the air. "Riley, I'm sure. I may be intoxicated, but I know what I want, and that is to kiss you."

A bashful smile works itself onto her face as she runs a hand through her raven hair. "Okay."

"Okay." I echo. "But you have to catch me first." Hand pulling from her warmth, my feet dash away from her before she can respond.

"What? Quinn!" I laugh at her squawking protest as I pass our cars to curve around to the side of the house.

The thud of her boots crunch on dead leaves as she catches up, and I know that I do not have long before she captures me. Within seconds, I am yelping as she lifts me in her arms bridal style. I didn't even make it past the porch steps. Somehow, I know she let me get a head start, she could have caught me way before now. Laughing, I wrap my arms around her neck and let her carry me over to the tree house.

When she sets me down, I turn her around and gingerly push her against the tree. Riley's eyes shimmer to a brighter Gray, no, to liquid silver. Her eyes are gorgeous; I could stand here and stare into them forever.

She cups my cheeks with hands that should be cold from the air, but are instead unnaturally warm on my skin. "Kiss me." She whispers inches from my lips, her silver orbs zoned in on them.

Sharing breaths, the scent of the last fruity cocktail she had sends my nostrils flaring, and I can essentially taste her on my lips. It reminds me of earlier, when I smelled the first hint of Riley mixed with what I now think was a fuzzy navel, only, this time I will allow myself the luxury of tasting her. Palming her neck with cold hands, I close the mere inch between us.

The first touch is electrifying and sends shockwaves all the way down to my toes and back up, instantly setting my body aflame. Letting out a sigh, Riley fists my sweatshirt, and kisses me back so ravenously that I can't stop the disturbingly high-pitched whimper, or the canting of my hips straight into her thigh. A low growl is released, followed by strong hands keeping me flush against her. I pull from her mouth, panting, and so painfully aroused that I desperately rock into her in hopes that it will help the building ache between my legs.

The friction feels good, yet it isn't enough; there are too many clothes preventing the skin on skin contact that I so badly need. I mash my lips to hers with a pleading whine, the all-consuming desire to devour her, and to be taken completely driving me to act impulsively. The feeling of sharp fangs poking at my bottom lip has me reaching for the button of her pants, popping it open with ease. Riley gasps, clamping a hand down over my own, and effectively stopping me from going any further.

"Quinn, I, you're drunk." She weakly protests with a pained expression, her mind obviously torn between the pros and cons of giving in.

Her eyes are no longer silver, they are pure white against the darkness of night, and when they lock onto mine, it only makes me crave her more, and my clit throb so much that I know it wouldn't take long for her to send me over the edge. If only she would just touch me.

I rest my forehead on hers. "Please?" My fingers easily escape her hold, and I use the chance to work my zipper down. "We don't have to go all the way, I just, God, I need you to touch me." I plead, as my chest rises and falls in extreme arousal and anticipation.

"Baby." She groans. "Are you sure?" Her hand hovers over mine, neither stopping nor moving me, and I have to refrain from shouting yes and shoving her hand down my pants for relief.

"Please." I plead again, on the verge of tears.

"Promise me you won't regret this in the morning." Smoothing her cheek along mine to whisper in my ear, she moves my hand out of the way and frees the button on my Khakis.

"I-I Promise." I nod frantically, begging with my eyes for her to do it, to go past the last barrier keeping me from experiencing bliss.

Forehead settling back against mine, glowing white orbs meet my own hooded ones, before peering down to where her now trembling fingers are snaking down my pants, and under my panties. They graze tortuously slow along my landing strip, making me grit my teeth, and then a fingertip is sliding wetly over my clit. Jaw dropping, I unleash a strangled moan, and clutch onto her forearm in pleasant shock. Peering back up at me, she hesitates, but I shake my head and squeeze for her to continue.

I would die if she stopped now.

Or ever.

Fleetingly, she dips lower, drawing an abundant amount of wetness back up to where I need her most, and nimbly circles the pulsing nub. I cry out, the sensation and rapid pace simultaneously unexpected and almost too overwhelming. Burrowing in the crook of her neck, I curve my arm around her back, and firmly hold on to keep from collapsing to the ground.

"Quinn, fuck, you are so wet and swollen. I can picture you pink and glistening, and so ready for me to be inside you." My knees buckle; the sensual lilt of her erotic words nearly powerful enough to make me come.

Moaning at my reaction, Riley embraces me securely, and fervently, yet exquisitely abuses my hypersensitive clit with supernatural speed.

"Oh, God." My face contorts; I am so close that I can taste it.

"Rachel!"

I jump, and Riley stills, jerking her head up to look behind us for who called out. Heart racing, I let out a displeased whine at the loss of delicious friction. "Don't stop." Tears of desperation spring to my eyes.

"I am so sorry, Q, but Rachel has-"

A huge, golden brown blur darts past us with a growl, interrupting what Riley was going to tell me, though I guess it doesn't matter now, because the problem just whipped by us and gave me a pretty decent idea of what she was going to say. Before I can ask Riley what is happening, a half naked Santana runs in pursuit of a wolfed out Rachel.

What the hell is going on?

"Santana, don't run after her!" Eyes wide, Riley removes her hand and gently pushes me aside to go after them.

The urge to slump to the ground in defeat and frustration is strong, but I shake the feeling off, and sulkingly follow my friends.


Rachel, half an hour ago.

I didn't ever think it was possible to be so turned on from another person, yet just being in Santana presence is enough to drive me crazy with a carnal need I've never felt with anyone, and I am absolutely sure that kissing and touching her could, at some point, soon, make me orgasm.

My teeth play along her bite, gently scraping over the punctures until she shudders in my arms at the obviously pleasurable sensation for the hundredth time; I cannot get enough. My underwear is already ruined from how damn sexy she is, and her responses from the stimulation only has me dripping more, my arousal slowly making its way down my inner thighs.

"Rach…" Breathing my name, her hand comes around to the back of my head, both holding me in place and affectionately scratching my scalp.

"I want you to know that I am a split second away from gathering you in my arms and sneaking back out to the tree house." I splay my hands out on her belly, languidly trailing them lower.

"And I want you to know that if you're fuckin' with me, I am going to take it out on the closest person, then not talk to you for the rest of the night, because I am a split second away from coming, and I really fucking need you." The dead seriousness, mixed with unveiled, wonton need in her voice has me twisting her in my arms and crushing our lips together.

I have no intention to neglect that need.

"What the hell, Santana! Get your slutty mouth off her!" Santana's body is suddenly ripped away from mine, and carelessly tossed behind Finn's hulking frame.

My face flames red in absolute fury.

Snarling, I charge Finn like a bull, slamming into him with a force that should not be able to come from such a tiny form. He flies backward, and crashes hard into the table, easily breaking it in half like a rotten branch.

Red swarms my vision; I am livid.

Breath out of control, I stalk over to my prey, ready to claw his throat out for daring to touch my mate. He yanked her away from me, putting his dirty hands on her perfect body; he hurt her. He has to pay; Finn cannot get away with throwing Santana around as if she were nothing, not when she is everything to me. I growl as the sight of him comes into view; his eyes are shut, and his body listless. The land knocked him out cold.

"Rachel, baby, leave him. Let one of the guys take care of it." The soft drag of Santana's fingers down my back keeps me steady.

Keeps me from lashing out and tearing Finn's face off.

A pained groan escapes past his parted mouth.

My insides start to ache, and the familiar feeling of bones tightening sets alarm bells off in my head. I need to get somewhere safe where I can change without the chance of any of the others seeing me. Without Finn seeing me, because the thought of his eyes on me as I transition to something I hold sacred, makes my skin crawl.

"Hey, what's going on, I heard a loud thud, sounded like it came from in- whoa, how'd that-"

"San, I need to get out." I turn and rush by her, ignoring Puck's rant as he stares at a motionless Finn.

My bones start snapping as I run toward the back door, and I can't hold in the resulting cry of agony. The pain is so intense that I almost plummet out the door, yet I somehow manage to make it to the yard without falling. Santana yells for me, and I want so bad to stop and crumple in her arms, but the change takes me over halfway to the tree house. I barely register Quinn and Riley up against the large tree as I land on all fours.

The smell of them is instant, the wind whirling their arousal straight to my nose as I run past them.

"Santana, don't run after her!" Riley goes into panic mode, not understanding what's going on; Santana doesn't listen.

I hear them both chasing after me now, and then Quinn a second later. I slow down, there is nowhere else to go; Santana catches up with me first and I have just enough time to face her before she is throwing herself at my slightly sore wolf body. Arms curling around my neck, she buries her head in my fur, and immediately all I can smell is her intoxicating scent.

"Damn it, Santana, the things you get yourself into." Riley groans.

I pay them no mind, the only girl mattering right now is hanging onto me willingly, unafraid to be so close after what happened last time.

"Yeah, well, remember that stunt Sue pulled when Rae and I were hugged up in the hallway? Finn just did the same thing, except Rachel went all Hulk on his ass and knocked him the fuck out." Infuriated, Santana practically spits out an explanation.

Nuzzling her neck, I lick over her rapidly thumping pulse point to help calm her down. Shuddering, her hold loosens, and her hands spread out over my thick mane, before sliding up to my ears, where she scratches behind them fondly. I nudge a cool nose against her warming throat, loving the feeling of her attentive caresses.

"Have Brittany get a room ready, it doesn't matter which one, then distract the hell out of everyone so we can come inside." Santana tilts her head to look at Riley and Quinn, her tone leaving no room to argue.

"Ana, I don't think you should be left-"

"I don't care what you think, just do it!" Santana shoots up to her feet and whips around to glare at her.

I growl lowly, afraid she will stray too far away from me. Now that my mate has been physically threatened, I do not want her anywhere near the barbarian still residing inside Brittany's home. I pad over to her side, head butting her palm for attention. Fingertips tickle over my head.

"Santana…" Wary eyes squint at her through the dark, and with a hesitant footstep forward, Quinn edges ever so tentatively towards us.

"Quinn, not a good idea. They're both in defensive, protector mode, and if either of us make the wrong move, Rachel might lunge." Riley reaches out, grabbing Quinn's hand to stop her slow movements.

Quinn scowls. "Rachel wouldn't hurt me." She jerks away from Riley's grasp, and continues towards us, brushing off the warning.

Hurt flashes across Riley's face, but it's gone and replaced with worry in an instant, as I move to stand guard in front of Santana. Quinn pauses, looking taken aback, but her scowl deepens, and she strides over with purpose until we are standing toe to toe. She peers down at me, fearless, and extends her arm out; I lift my snout, grazing her palm and fingers with my nose. A huge grin takes over her face, and she turns that grin on Santana as I lick between her fingers.

Quinn is right, wolf or not, I would never hurt her. She is good to Santana, good to me, and harming her isn't even on the list. Quinn deserves to be accepted into our pack as if she were one of us. I hope that one day she will be; I would love for Santana to have a playmate, and who better than the best friend she shares dreams with?

"I've got your back, S. Finn will become an outcast to everyone in school come Monday." Quinn ruffles my fur, turns on her heel, interlocks hands with Riley, and then leads them back to the house.

'Hang out by the back door, no one is there. When all is clear inside, one of will come get you.' Riley's voice enters my head.

'Thank you.' I reply, tail whacking against Santana's belly.

She giggles; an unusual, yet endearing sound. I lie down, stretching out on my stomach, and then scooting backward until she has no choice but to spread her legs to fit me between them.

"What are you doing?" Another giggle, this time when I lift up and she loses her balance, making her plop on top of me.

"Are you giving me a ride?" Chuckling, she fists my fur so she does not fall, and I stand to my full height, preparing to trot away.

I send her a mental 'hold on tight,' before taking off. A resulting shriek pierces the night, and she wraps around me in a vice grip.

The run is exhilarating, even more so because my mate is riding me. She laughs all the way to the back porch, and by the time we get there, Riley is already waiting for us with the door open, an amused smile on her face.

'Think Quinn would freak out if I asked her to ride me?' Riley chuckles in my head, seemingly in a better mood.

'First, she would flush severely, and then attempt to stutter out a response, before giving up and going silent in embarrassment.' I know Quinn, and that is definitely what she would do if Riley asked her that question.

'I know. Quinn is too adorable for words. Come on, Brittany's in her room, eagerly awaiting to tuck you both in bed.' Riley snorts as she stealthily creeps her way up the stairs.

Santana clings to me as I follow, apparently unwilling to let go even for the small walk to Brittany's room. Not that I am complaining, I love having her on top of me like this. She feels exceptionally good.

"Shit."

"No way." We all whirl around at the new voice, Riley having predicted the presence before a word was uttered.

I was too preoccupied with Santana to feel him there.

Crouching, I bare my teeth.

"She looks almost like one of the wolves at the camp sight. How did you catch one of them without getting eaten?" Sam's eyes are wide, and his large lips opened in shock, making his mouth appear colossal.

"Crap. Okay, you weren't supposed to see her, but now that you have, you cannot, under any circumstances, tell the others." Riley is virtually pouting behind us, frustrated that we were caught so close to the room.

"Right, a secret wolf. It makes sense." Sam nods, dazed.

Turning back around, I leave them in the hallway. Brittany is sitting on the bed, bouncing in her spot as she anticipates our arrival.

"Rachie!" Spotting us, she bolts off the bed, hugging first me, then Santana with her long arms.

"Thanks, Britt. I did not want Finn to see her. The thought of him laying his eyes on her wolf form makes my skin crawl." Santana shudders unpleasantly as she shakily transfers to the bed.

I imagine her thighs are a little sore now…

The fact that she has the same thought as I do concerning him seeing me makes me feel all the more closer to her.

"I'm your protector, remember? I won't let anything bad happen to either of you. Now, hop on and get some rest. I'll take care of everything downstairs." A burst of affection sweeps me at Brittany's words, she really is one of a kind, and I have no idea what we would do without her.

I hope we never find out.

Jumping on the Queen sized bed; I curl up beside Santana and rest my head on her thighs. She immediately starts stroking my ears, and my eyes close in contentment as I let the murmur of Brittany and Santana's conversation lull me to sleep.