All characters from Divergent belong to Veronica Roth as well as all characters from Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer. I own nothing except my version of events.

A/N: Definitely one of my favorite chapters to write. Enjoy ;)

Chapter 8 Like a Moth to a Flame

I silently watched Tobias' defeated form as he stood by the last open door, gazing out as the train slowly began to speed up its descent.

I wish I could stand beside him and console him in some way, but I knew that even if I could there was nothing I could do to make it any better. I was worried about him, and the helplessness I felt over the situation made it all so much worse.

Yesterday, Tris had been paired up against Peter. He had beat her up so brutally that I had actually watched her unconscious body sympathetically feeling sorry for her for the very first time. It also didn't help watching Tobias trying to keep himself from interfering. Eric had been there to witness her epic failure and had announced Tris would be cut from initiation, not thinking she'd be able to recover from that fight on the scoreboard.

This little trip we were on was the only chance she would get at redemption, but she hadn't been there while we all waited for the train to arrive so I was sure she would be out of Dauntless by tomorrow morning.

I couldn't take my eyes away from my best friend so when I saw the instant shift in his posture I became transfixed. I silently watched as he reached down from the side of the train and then abruptly stood up, pulling a blonde female up with him. He moved out of the way to blend back into the crowd as Tris watched him retreat in confusion. No sooner had he done so her friends moved forward, confused at her sudden appearance and causing a scene. Eric's attention shifted to their little group and made a move towards them.

"Who let you up?" He asked with a piercing glare and for once I witnessed her straighten her spine before confidently responding, "I did."

Eric said nothing for a moment, his eyes wandering as he debated on how to proceed next until he surprised us all when he acquiesced "Ok" and moved back to his previous position at the front as if nothing had happened.

"Woah." Uriah uttered in awe.

The interaction had caught everyone's attention and they were all now trying to recover from Eric's quick acceptance.

"Alright! Everyone gather around!" Eric boomed again, quickly shifting our attention back to why we were here. We all moved towards him to give him our full attention, primed to do as he said since practically day one. "We're taking a little field trip tonight to play capture the flag!" He announced, pulling the rifle he had strapped to his back. "This is our weapon for tonight. It shoots out a stim dart, simulating the effects of a real gunshot wound that lasts for a few minutes." He informed us, no sooner had he done so he pointed it at the closest initiate and dropped them to the floor.

I giggled as I watched Peter whine on the floor of the train. Actually, I wasn't the only one. Everyone looked highly entertained, including our instructors. Eric was such a dick, but sometimes it amused me more than anything.

"Two teams!" He rang out. "Four and I are team captains."

Tobias arched a brow at him but didn't protest as he stood from his reclined position to move next to him.

"Take the first pick." Eric offered.

Tobias looked like he wanted to refuse but chose not to as he caught sight of me. "Bella." He said, firmly.

I kept the smile from showing on my face as I stepped up to move behind him. I also didn't miss the anger in Eric's expression as he watched me happily go. He turned to look over his options, his eyes lingering on Tris longer than he should have and for a second I thought he'd pick her just to be spiteful but he changed his mind at the last minute. "James."

Not wasting the opportunity Tobias chose Tris next.

"The Stiff's?" Eric asked with a humorous note to his voice. I didn't even bother to pay any attention to him knowing he was just trying to get a reaction out of me… and Tobias. "Planning to lose already I see."

Tobias shrugged in indifference, "Something like that."

It went on like this for the rest of the train ride. By the end, Alice and Jared had joined our team and looked extremely happy to be here while Uriah and Felix had ended up on Eric's team with James and Peter. I instantly felt sorry for them.

We all jumped out when reaching our destination. Eric took the time to quickly inform us of the rules of the game and both teams parted ways.

We jogged for a good five minutes before stopping in an open area. We had less than ten minutes to decide which strategy to take as a group, everyone talking all at once while Lauren tried to corral them into making any sense.

While everyone was arguing I moved to the side, standing near Tobias but not close enough to look like we were talking.

"Why aren't you arguing with the others?" He asked with an arched brow.

"What for? They're coming up with the stupidest ideas when clearly what we need to do is find a good vantage point to see if we can spot where the other team is hiding and hope we can see their flag's location. Anyway, I keep winning my fights. I'm already standing out too much and being the leader of this team wouldn't help me any."

He nodded in agreement. "Eric's still watching you."

"I know. I shouldn't have challenged him when I first met him. It was a stupid mistake that keeps biting me in the ass."

He chuckled lightly at that. "I expected nothing less of you, Bell. I'm just thankful you didn't just push him off the ledge altogether." He joked, knowing I had a tendency to let the anger get the best of me. He wasn't wrong either. My anger was unparalleled and once it was out it was almost impossible to control.

"I was tempted." I admitted with a light chuckle.

He turned to look at me then, not being able to help it as we laughed together. Times like these were when I missed our moments alone to talk and joke around with him. I only wished we could do it more often… but maybe once initiation was over we could try to get it back. I looked away from him to find Tris at the back of the group looking at the crowd in thought. Instead of trying to join the argument she turned around, heading straight for the Ferris wheel.

"Guess I'm not the only one with brilliant ideas… which is probably good because she needs all the points she can get." I idly commented, nodding my head towards her.

Tobias looked away from me and into the direction I'd motioned to. He frowned in worry and stood up without a thought.

"Be careful." I said, before he took a step forward. "I'm not the only one Eric has been watching." I warned, letting him know that his interest in Tris had also been noticed by our ruthless leader.

"I can't help it." He said, looking back at me helplessly.

I sighed, knowing no matter what I said it wouldn't change his feelings for her. Still, I couldn't help but to try to save us from future danger. "Then find the little Abnegation left in you. If you keep pursuing her the only one to suffer the consequences would be her, not you. Today was only a test." I said instead, knowing Eric had purposely said she was out to see if she'd try to fight her way back in. Oh how he loved his mind games…

He stiffened at my words. I could see the back of his muscles tighten against his t-shirt from the tension he now carried. "I'll work on it." He somewhat acquiesced while still moving towards her, following quickly after her when she started to kick the first rung on the ladder of the Ferris wheel making sure it wouldn't break under her weight.

I guess she wasn't as dumb as she looked. Still I wasn't happy with how hypnotized Tobias became at the sight of her. What I'd said about Eric watching her wasn't a lie either. He'd caught the interest in Tobias' expression and he was intrigued. I worried over what kind of problems that would cause for us. Having a weakness among a faction that searched for people's weak spots didn't bode well for us. I quietly watched him get closer and she abruptly turned when she heard him approach. They traded words but eventually she turned away from him to start her climb up the ladder. I laughed as he hesitated, taking a deep breath before following after her. He'd been so worried about her that he'd momentarily forgotten his fear of heights. If it wasn't a tree he adamantly refused to climb up anything taller than 15 feet, but I guess it only took a certain blonde to change that pretty quickly. I hoped, only for his sake, that he wouldn't have a panic attack up there. I had no doubt he wouldn't be able to recover from the embarrassment after that.

I shook my head one last time before moving towards my teammates, pretending to have been there the entire time.

"Nothing to add, Bella?" Jared asked quietly, but not quietly enough because apparently he'd caught the attention of half of the team as they all turned to look at me.

I shook my head, "Not anymore. Look." I said, pointing towards Tris' figure as she and Tobias were now high up on the Ferris wheel.

"What the hell is she doing?" Asked Alice.

"Finding a vantage point."

They turned to look at me with raised brows. "That's really high…" Christina drifted off as her gaze returned to the skies, watching their progression in fear.

"They're crazy." Will added.

"But smart." I concluded, some nodding in agreement with me and collaboratively watching them together.

"I guess all the badasses come from Abnegation huh?" Jared quietly teased me with a smirk.

I smiled back at him. "Hater."

He started to chuckle at me but it was abruptly cut short as a grinding noise filled the air. We turned in alarm watching it suddenly move, the wheel turning and causing them to hang on to anything they could find but the wheel kept moving, finally stopping and leaving them both hanging just by their hands.

Fucking idiot, I thought, running toward the Ferris wheel and everyone following close behind in hopes of helping in some way. As I neared I could hear Tris begging Tobias to help her. He was trying to swing his leg over to the side hoping to hook it onto the bar to gain leverage but no matter how long his legs were I could see from here he would never reach. I looked around me, hoping for some sort of divine intervention, something to at least give me a sign as to how to help him. The only thing I could see was the control panel.

I ran to it. Praying to whatever was out there for the wheel to still receive power. I looked for the power button but couldn't find it.

"What are you doing?" Jared asked from behind me, but I dutifully ignored him.

Saving my idiot friend's life, I thought in my head.

I bent down to look underneath the control panel, finding a metal locked box underneath. I turned my gun backwards and hit the lock as hard as I could with the butt of my gun. Thankfully the lock broke the first time and I opened its little door, releasing a relieved breath when I found the power button. I pressed it hard, watching the lights of the Ferris wheel suddenly light up the skies. I thanked whatever higher power was above that my plan had actually worked. I stood back up looking over the controls pressing the button that would move the wheel. With a loud groan, the sound of metal grinding against metal filled the air as it forced itself to move. I watched Tris and Tobias' feet eventually touch the holding underneath them and moved quickly to grasp onto its sides. Slowly the wheel picked up its speed and I worried the wheel would move too fast for them to jump off before it took them with it again.

When they were about 10 feet or so off the ground I yelled, "Jump!"

I waited on baited breath as they both followed my order. Jumping off and landing hard on the ground and rolling away as they fell. I released a large breath while internally swearing I would kick his ass as soon as I was alone with him next. I watched Tobias reach down to pick up Tris and I reached forward, stopping the wheel and turning it off now that they were both safely on the ground.

"Fuck, Bella, that was awesome! You just saved our instructor's life!" Jared whooped, I would've gladly taken the compliment but I was currently too busy glaring holes into Tobias.

He turned to me and flinched at my expression but quickly hid it with an easy smile as he nodded at me, taking on his instructor persona. "Thanks Stiff."

I knew I should say something to play it off as if nothing happened but I couldn't. So I simply looked away, ignoring him before I couldn't control myself and I yelled at him in front of all these people.

Moving the situation away from what had just happened he spoke again. "Alright, we have to move now. The other team now knows our location, not that it really matters, thanks to Tris we know where their flag is."

I scoffed at that, not being able to help my reaction this time. No one noticed except for Jared who side eyed me with a questioning expression, which I dutifully ignored again.

"We still need a plan." Lauren the other trainer reminded.

Tobias turned to look at Tris, waiting for her to give the orders. If he continued to do that I swore I would shoot him right in between the eyes. Feeling my glare he turned to me again, tensing as he took notice of my tense posture and expression. He knew he was in deep shit now.

"We split into two groups. One group acting as a distraction shooting head on so that the second group can sneak through to take their flag up in the bell tower." Tris said, so sure of herself and if I weren't so upset over what had just happened maybe I would've been proud of her too.

She initially wanted me to be in the second group with her but I refused, excusing myself by reminding her that I was a good shot and was needed for the attack. She wanted to insist but Tobias stepped in to take my side. Smart move, with how angry I currently felt I was sure I would shoot him and her, not giving a single fuck whether I sabotaged the game in the process.

"You ok?" Jared asked, sensing the anger simmering inside.

"Fine." I said shortly.

He looked like he wanted to say more but knew when it was best to leave me alone with my thoughts so he quickly nodded and let it go.

We sneaked through the city, climbing up the building to the roof they were hiding in. We quickly figured out the only access to the bell tower was at the roof. We moved as one, the other group hiding behind us and preparing to take the side exit after we'd started the frontal attack. I lifted my hand up, counting down with my fingers until I closed my fist and we all moved out together.

"Light 'em up!" I heard Eric's booming voice as the hellfire broke upon us.

I managed to shoot two of our opponents down before taking cover, my heart racing with the adrenaline of battle instantly making me feel alive. The only thing I could hear was the shooting and grunts of pain as people got hit all around me.

I peeked around the corner shooting and moving to my next hiding spot with Jared sticking close behind. I could hear the crunching of leaves on the other side of us and motioned for him to take the left as I took the right. I managed to shoot one but Jared missed the other, lucky for him I was quick enough to take a double shot and drop the second target too. James immediately dropped groaning in pain and I couldn't help but smile down at him reveling in the look of pain taking over his face. It was a small victory but one that made me feel just a little bit better. I heard shots near our position and harshly pulled Jared behind a corner, pressing my body against his to take cover with him. He smirked down at me and I rolled my eyes, still I smiled at his teasing expression but now was clearly not the time for that.

I motioned for him to peek since I didn't have enough room to flip around and he motioned it was clear. We moved forward again but this time I spotted a tall blonde set of hair in the darkness, I moved quickly, dropping to the floor and rolling away but Jared hadn't been as fast and received a shot on his side.

Of course it had to be Eric.

I realized this was gonna be a hard one. He was ruthless on an everyday basis, so I could only imagine how much worse he'd be in this environment. I crawled around as quietly as I could manage trying to keep my hiding spot a secret.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are." He sang playfully. Had it been anyone else I would have probably laughed but his 'playful' act only worked to annoy me even further.

I decided to take a quick peek over the side but immediately pulled back as he shot at me. Mother fucker.

"Come on, Bellaaaa." He taunted again.

If I moved out from that side I knew he'd shoot me down in an instant My only other option was up, but how was I going to climb that without him hearing me? I analyzed my hiding place more closely and found a crack big enough for my boot to fit and jump off from. I only had one chance. If I failed, he'd know what my only other option was and he'd be watching both from here on out.

I released a calming breath before breathing through my nose and landing my foot perfectly into the crack to catapult myself over the top just enough to aim and shoot.

He groaned in pain and dropped, I climbed the rest of the way up towering over Eric as his eyes shifted up to look at me. I winked down at him in triumph while he glared back. I was tempted to shoot him again just for being an ass but lucky for him I heard a whoop from high above. I looked up to find Tris and her friend Christina waving the other team's flag at us.

We'd won.

I smiled again, jumping off to the side and landing near Eric. "Sorry, lover." I playfully pouted, "You lose."

He growled angrily and made to reach for me but I lightly side stepped over his hand and glided away from him. I knew I was antagonizing him and I was pretty sure he would retaliate at a later time but I didn't care for a second, still riding high on the adrenaline of battle.

I did, however, have the decency to backtrack in order to look for Jared, where I found him still laying on the floor.

"We won!" I informed him happily.

"Woo yay!" He deadpanned, not at all happy while he was still feeling the effects of the shot. His face showed clear signs of pain and he was sweating profusely. In plain terms he looked like shit.

I giggled, reaching down to pull the dart off of his side. "Come on you big baby."

He grunted but took my hand as I helped him up. He was at the tail end effects of the stim dart so he was able to walk fully though still in pain. "Yeah well, I didn't see you getting shot." He threw back at me.

"That's because I'm faster than you."

He threw me an annoyed look and I giggled again.

"Come on, Bella!" I heard the yell of Uriah as we reached ground level. I jogged over to him, Jared following a little further behind.

"Got shot?" He asked Jared.

"No, I just like to look like this for fun." He joked back.

"Where's Alice and Felix?" I asked.

"Right here! And so ready for the celebration!" She said with excitement, so much so that she threw herself onto Uriah's back who in turn caught her easily and continued to carry her as we walked.

"Yes! Let's do it!" Exclaimed Felix close behind her.

"Why are you guys suddenly so excited?" I questioned, "Is it some other Dauntless tradition we don't know about?"

All three nodded in excitement, "Yeah we're going to-" Uriah started to say but Alice's hand moved like lightning to cover his mouth.

"No! It's a surprise!" She exclaimed, completely thrilled with our destination.

We caught up to the rest of our team, finding Tris in the middle surrounded by our teammates as they all congratulated her. I didn't even bother, instead looking around me to see if I could spot Tobias. I found him further ahead talking to Lauren, but sensing my gaze he looked over his shoulder.

"Go." He mouthed from afar.

I frowned in confusion but quickly figured out that wherever we were going Tobias would not be going with us.

My friends guided me and the transfers to a large building, I could see a light right at the top. We all walked inside together, the crowd slowly diminishing as they disappeared up the stairwell.

"That's a lot of floors." Jared grumbled unhappily beside me.

"It's not too bad. Come on, grumpy." I teased, grabbing him by the hand and pulling him behind me. He smiled and finally laughed as we climbed the endless flights of stairs. I was starting to get tired and I thanked my body for not starting to feel the exhaustion until I was only two floors away from the top.

We all burst out onto the rooftop, wind wiping at us with how high we were.

"Holy shit!" I exclaimed looking around me and finding a harness dangling from a thin rope that connected to the roof of the next building.

"We're taking the faster way back." Uriah informed us while Alice grinned happily and yelled "We're Zip lining!"

Oh, no wonder Tobias didn't come with.

Jared's mouth dropped open in shock… and apparent horror, "Uh I don't think I can do this." He muttered out finally.

I pulled him to me, wrapping one arm around his waist. "Sure you can." I encouraged happily, I couldn't wait to go on it myself. "It'll be fun."

He looked down at me and started to smile but we were startled apart when we heard a voice scream out for me.

"Bella!"

I turned to look back towards the edge of the roof where the harnesses were, only to find Zeke standing there frantically waving at me. Eric was standing nearby, his attention riveted as Zeke jumped off the ledge and sprinted towards me. He didn't look particularly happy.

"And so we meet again, my beloved!" He boomed, sweeping me into his arms and swinging me around. I couldn't help it, I threw my head back and laughed until he finally set me back on my feet. I was a little dizzy from the motion but he kept his arms around my waist as I grasped onto his muscled forearms trying to get a hold of my bearings while he looked down at me with a bright smile. "I was waiting for you to appear on visitation day but you never showed up." He pouted, "I longed for my parents to meet my future wife!"

I laughed again, shaking my head at his absurdity. He was like no one I had ever met and I wondered if he was ever serious. "You don't happen to have an off button, do you?" I teased him playfully.

His smile widened even further as he still held me in his arms and bent down to whisper into my ear. "Yeah, but it's nowhere you can see with my clothes on." He flirted, his breath caressing the baby hairs along my neck.

I threw my head back and laughed again, lightly shoving at his shoulder while he too laughed at my reaction.

"Zeke!" Eric boomed from his position on the ledge.

"Oh, oh. The beast is calling. I better go before he throws me off the ledge without a harness." He joked in pretend fear. "I'll see you later, wifey." He said before releasing me and grasping onto my hand, lightly kissing it and throwing me a mischievous wink before running back to his previous position.

Even from here I could see Eric practically breathing fire, poor Zeke, I really hoped he wouldn't kill him.

"He's so going to kill him." Uriah repeated my thoughts, covering his eyes so he wouldn't be witness to his own brother's death.

I would've giggled if it weren't a possibility but with Eric… anything was possible. I turned away from them, focusing back on my friends and pretending like Eric didn't exist in my world.

"They all look so scared." Alice giggled beside me, her eyes scanning the rest of the initiates.

I had a feeling this would be a form of a test, if we didn't jump I was sure there would be repercussions.

Jared rolled his eyes at her. "Because it's fucking terrifying, Alice." He grumbled out.

I moved to his side again, pulling him to me. I rarely showed physical contact with him in public trying to maintain our relationship a secret but I could tell he was really freaking out right now. I felt the need to comfort him after everything he'd done for me since I met him. He was always understanding when I needed space or cheering me up when I was feeling down, all without me having to ask. He entered a loveless relationship with me knowing it wasn't going anywhere but he did it for me and the least I could do now was to show the same kind of support when he needed it the most.

"Hey." I said lowly, pulling his attention to me and away from the scenery before us. "You can handle it. You've handled everything initiation has thrown at us so far and I know you'll continue to do so until the end. Just think this is the last thing we need to do before we move on to the second phase of initiation. We're almost there, Jared." I encouraged, slipping my hand discreetly under the back of his t-shirt to create a more intimate connection.

His eyes shifted back and between my eyes and I slowly felt his stiff body begin to relax under my touch, soothingly rubbing slow circles on his bare skin.

"Thank you." He whispered down to me with a small smile on his face.

I smiled back, throwing him a playful wink before breaking contact. We both turned to our friends as they all watched us with pleased smiles on their faces as if they had gotten confirmation of their suspicions. I rolled my eyes in response. I already knew they were aware of how 'close' Jared and I were, especially Alice who I think was more just intrigued by the fact that I had almost openly displayed affection towards Jared.

Geeze, it's not like I was that cold. I could be sweet sometimes…

Eric hollered for everyone to line up and we moved quickly to get to the front of the line. It would help Jared have less time to panic. In fact I had pushed him in front of me so that he would be the fourth one to go, Alice, Uriah and Felix going ahead of us. I belatedly realized Tris had taken the spot behind me, I had barely glanced in her direction but it had been enough for her to decide she would take this opportunity to speak to me.

"Bella," she hesitantly started. "I wanted to thank you for... earlier."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as I turned back to look at her. "Not a problem." I said shortly, hoping she'd leave it at that.

Unfortunately she didn't, continuing to speak as if I had just welcomed her rare interaction with me. "No, really, that was amazing what you did. Four and I could have died if it weren't for your quick thinking." She persisted.

I worked hard to produce a smile, I knew there were eyes on us and I didn't want to be a complete bitch and release my anger out on her when she wasn't the one who deserved my wrath. "It's cool, don't worry about it."

She smiled shyly at me and I used the opportunity to turn back around to pay attention up front. Felix was now getting strapped into his harness and Jared would be next. I felt his body tense again and he slightly turned to me. I tugged on his jacket, making him bend down closer to me.

"You got this, Jared." I encouraged, but he was still looking scared so I chose to go with something that had seemed to motivate him the most in the past. "Just think of the reward you'll get from me when we reach the bottom." I said seductively, slipping the tips of my fingers beneath his waistband.

A broad smile graced his lips and I pushed him forward to take his turn. He moved more confidently this time and I smirked at his retreating form. I guess it worked better than I thought. I heard a light giggle from behind and I turned back around finding Tris trying to struggle to keep it together as she'd witnessed my magic unfold before her eyes. I couldn't help it, I smirked at her pressing my index finger to my lips before I turned back around. I hoped she'd at least learned something from what she'd seen today.

I moved forward after watching Jared's form disappear into the darkness. I smiled broadly, almost jumping with giddy taking Zeke's hand as he helped me climb up to the raised platform to get strapped in next. He reached for the harness first but Eric moved swiftly, intercepting and beating him to it. I resisted the urge to tense again watching as he slipped the harness up my legs, the tips of his fingers barely grazing my pants but enough to make me feel as though he were touching my bare skin. I slipped my arms in next and tried not to moan as he pulled on the strap to tighten it on my front. His smoldering gaze connected with mine before moving to strap them tighter on my shoulders and choosing to speak up then.

"Pull the lever 50 feet before you reach the end." He said lowly, his breath dancing along my ear lobe. I resisted the shiver from leaving my body but I savored the feeling quietly hoping he wouldn't notice.

He lifted me into his strong arms allowing Zeke to strap my harness to the zip line and I hovered off the ground. Now my body became jittery not because of Eric but because of the adrenaline coursing through my blood as the view of the city laid open before me. I couldn't help the broad smile that left my face as I anticipated the drop.

"Have fun." Eric finally said, before I felt his hands pushing me forward and off into the night sky.

The weightlessness was intoxicating and I laughed freely extending my hands out to feel the air as it hit my body. It was exhilarating watching the world flash past me. I greedily took everything in, looking below me at the open city before me. In the past few weeks I'd been in Dauntless I'd already experienced so much more than I had in the past 18 years in Abnegation. I was stifled there, trapped in a world that I didn't belong in, but here… here was where I was supposed to be. Where I grew and thrived more than I could have ever imagined. The euphoria within me grew even as I could see the speck of my friends at the end of the line. It was a feeling I would never forget and hoped I would be able to experience again.

I followed Eric's order and pulled on the brake behind me, breaking my speed and slowing my forward movement until I made it to the bottom.

Jacob and Rosalie stepped forward, Jacob holding my weight while Rosalie unstrapped me trying to get rid of me quickly. Watching my expression Jacob smiled widely, "Liked it?"

I shook my head at the absurdity of the question, "Loved it." I corrected.

"You were born to be Dauntless, Bella." Jacob declared with a bright smile plastered onto his face helping to remove the harness. He was right, I was born to be Dauntless. It was hard being here and going through everything I had already experienced but not a single part of me regretted it. If anything I was proud of all that I had already accomplished even against all odds. Literally everything about initiation was meant to break you, to make you take the easy way out but I refused to let that be me. I may only be done with the first phase of initiation today but I knew I could dominate phase two if I wanted to.

Once I was free I jumped off the platform and to my friends as we all celebrated together. When they released me I grasped onto Jared's t-shirt pulling him down to capture his lips in mine as I slipped my tongue into his mouth. He groaned deep in his throat as I trailed my hands into his hair and tugged at the strands. I only pulled away when I heard Tris' scream as she neared.

He looked down at me with a dazed expression making me laugh and our friends too.

"Damn Bella, can I be next?" Uriah voiced, receiving a smack to the stomach by Alice.

"Idiot." She mumbled, making the rest of us laugh at them this time.

"Damn, is right. How am I the only one not getting any action?" Felix grumbled unhappily.

"Well if you'd get rid of that resting bitch face you've got going on then maybe you'd be able to catch a girl someday." Uriah teased him, earning a glare from Felix. We all shook our heads watching them start to wrestle like children.

Boys.

We were forced to wait until everyone made it to the bottom to move back into the building, moving together heading straight for the pit. We began to hear the pounding music echoing through the halls as we walked and I grew even more excited as we neared. Finally, reaching the pit we were welcomed by a chorus of loud hollers from Dauntless members. I could see Tobias mingling with other members but he stopped to throw me a wide smile as he watched the happiness I was sure was shining on my face. I smiled back but didn't forget I would throttle him at the first chance I got. Later though, right now I followed after the crowd as they passed around drinks for everyone to take.

Yes! I've been dying to try this for the first time.

We all took congratulatory shots together and I took a beer to drink while we joined the melee of bodies dancing together. I danced with all my friends, mimicking the rhythm from those around me that seemed to know what they were doing. It was easy once you just let the beat of the music flow through your body. Uriah took my empty bottle and replaced it with another shot which I quickly took. Alice grasped onto me then, harshly pulling me to her and making us crash into each other. I laughed at her clumsiness but danced along with her, moving my body seductively with hers. I closed my eyes, letting the alcohol flow through my veins only to release it through my body as Alice gripped my hip. When I opened my eyes again I laughed at Uriah, Jared, and Felix's awed expressions. They weren't the only ones, I could feel Eric's blistering gaze from here.

He was leaning against the stone wall of the pit, leisurely drinking from his beer bottle while Rosalie desperately tried to get his attention along with two other girls. I smiled and couldn't help but to entice him more as I licked my lips seductively. Even from here I could see his hold on his beer tighten so hard I thought the glass would shatter in his hand. I threw my head back and laughed before shifting my attention away from him. I knew I couldn't have him but that didn't stop me from taking joy watching his hard-shell exterior crack before my eyes.

Jared decided to pull me into his arms then and I let him. He wasn't as smooth as Alice had been but I didn't mind, grasping onto his hips to move him with me. It was easy after that, he'd grown so attuned to my body his response was almost automatic at this point. His hands traveled over my body and I was tempted to push them away but taking a quick look around me I realized what we were doing was actually pretty tame. Everyone around us was practically humping each other. Even the initiates were all over each other. I was sure the alcohol had affected everyone immensely, especially those of us who had never tried a drink before tonight.

Before I knew it another pair of arms suddenly pulled me to them and when I looked up I realized it was Zeke, "How dare you cheat on me Bella?" He teased, catching up to my movements but taking the lead, using this opportunity to move me at his will. He was actually a really good dancer.

I belatedly realized I had just left Jared there but when I turned back around I saw him dancing with some other girl I didn't recognize. I could only assume she was a member already but feeling better that he was being entertained I shifted my focus back to Zeke. "I don't see a ring on my finger," I played along, wiggling my empty finger in his face.

He threw his head back and roared with laughter, but it was so loud in here I could barely hear it. "Maybe next time." He whispered in my ear. "I can't let a beautiful girl like you slip through my fingers."

I smiled and shook my head, not bothering to engage him in further conversation. I really didn't know him to say anything else but I did like him a lot. He was so light and carefree, so not like a Dauntless but one I enjoyed being around. I moved with him, letting him guide me this time knowing he knew more than I did. I slid my arms around his neck, he was pretty tall, making me feel rather small. I could feel his hard pectorals and abs through his shirt and even without consciously thinking about it I let myself enjoy the feel of him.

I don't know how long we danced together before I opened my eyes again. I could see Tobias' retreating form as he left the pit. I didn't want to miss out on the fun but I also knew that talking to him now while practically everyone in Dauntless was occupied would be the perfect opportunity. I was still pissed after all.

"I'll be back. Gotta use the restroom." I told Zeke.

He nodded and let me go and I moved out of his grasp and weaved through the mass of bodies trying to keep my direction the same. Finally after what felt like forever I reached the open space of the pit, or at least somewhat because there were still a lot of bodies around. There were two guys wrestling in the middle surrounded by a crowd of people cheering them on. On the sides there were people playing drinking games, while others sat at the tables playing card games. It was absolute chaos in here and I absolutely loved it.

Weaving through until I reached the exit of the pit I stopped to take a fresh breath, I hadn't noticed how humid it had been in there until my body felt the cold air of the rest of the compound. I was slightly disoriented but moved in the direction I thought were the apartments but I barely managed two steps forward before a firm hand grasped onto my arm.

It pulled me to the side, into the darkest part behind a curved wall and then slammed me against the wall.

It didn't hurt but I gasped in surprise watching Eric breathing heavily in front of me. He pressed himself up against me, forcing me to feel every inch of his delicious body. He kept his firm grip on my arm to prevent me from slipping away while his other slid up over my front to grasp onto my neck, his thumb forcefully pushing my chin up to force me to look directly at him.

"You think you can tease me all night and there won't be hell to pay for it?" He threatened angrily, but instead of feeling fear at the deadliness in his voice I felt the complete opposite.

There was seriously something wrong with me.

"I'm not the virgin you want Eric." I reminded him.

"I don't care what you are, Bella. I want you." He growled out through clenched teeth.

"Eric–" I started but he cut me off as he ground his erection into me producing an unwanted moan out of me.

"I've been watching you all night, Bella." He whispered seductively, his hand sliding down to my chest without making contact with my aching nipples. "I've watched your tight little body move like fire… I crave it more than I've ever craved anything. Those boys are nothing compared to me." He bit out.

I tried to fight it, really I did but his words wound through my brain so tantalizing, promising me the pleasure I've craved from him in what felt like forever and I don't know if it was the alcohol or the after effects of all that adrenaline my body had pumped all night but all my worries evaporated at this precise moment. I didn't care if it was wrong, I didn't care if I would regret it tomorrow but today… fuck, today I would enjoy it all.

I grasped onto the back of his head and savagely pulled him to me. Our mouths clashing together in a war I thrived in. He roughly slipped his tongue into my mouth and moaned so deep in his throat I felt the echoes of it run through my body. I dug my nails into his skin and he hissed in pain but not for a second did it stop him from devouring my mouth like it were the life force keeping him alive. His hand on my chest slid up and grasped onto my neck again to keep me in place. His other hand released his hold on my arm and glided down my side squeezing my hip while diving his own hips into me, I released his mouth in a gasp.

"I want you, Bella." He growled out, watching me and devouring the blissful look on my face. His hand on my hip slipped down to my butt and squeezed, continuing its trajectory to lift my leg up onto his hip.

I moaned lasciviously as he dipped even lower to make his erection hit me right on my tight bundle of nerves. His breath was coming in pants, his chest heaving against my own. He was hitting me in the perfect spot, just where I needed him the most and I realized it was everything I had dreamed it would be. He maneuvered my body at his will, taking pleasure from my reactions and cataloging them into his mind to save for later. He watched me utterly bewitched and moaned into my mouth as if my pleasure were his own.

I pulled away from his mouth just to scream to the high heavens, "Oh God."

"Let me hear you, baby." He growled into my ear.

I did as I was told, my moans sounding even louder than the music still blaring from the pit. I was past the point of resisting, not that it had even crossed my mind once. This was like nothing I had ever experienced… and we were both still fully clothed. Dear god, what was I getting myself into?

I moaned loudly as he trailed rough kisses down my neck, licking my neck back up only to suck just behind my ear. "You feel so damned good against me." He moaned, but continued to tempt with his words. "Do you feel me, baby? Do you feel how good we feel together?", taking a playful bite on my neck and spurring me on even more.

I dragged my hands down his chest and slipped them under his shirt, feeling his abs flexing underneath my fingertips as he continued to grind into me. I was close, so very close that it took a monumental amount of mental strength to resist the urge to give in and release here and now but if I was going to come I would make sure to drag him down with me. "Imagine how much better I would feel without our clothes in the way."

His eyes shut tightly at my words and I took the opportunity to rake my fingernails down his chest as I dove my hips into his. He groaned loudly in response, his entire body stiffening against me. Smiling in triumph I let go of my own orgasm continuing to move my body against his as we both rode the waves of our orgasms.

We were panting together, practically breathing each other's breaths into our bodies. Our eyes drifted open connecting to one another so intensely I was afraid he would be able to read my thoughts. He looked utterly shocked but with a hint of awe mixed into his expression. "So fucking good, baby… Think about it, Bella." He panted out of breath, his hands drifting along my front over my clothes. "Think about how good it would be if you just gave in to me." He tempted dangerously.

I shivered in excitement, feeling his own body shiver along with me but the cloud of pleasure was quickly evaporating and allowing for my sanity to slowly return to me. I dropped my leg from around his waist and pushed away from the wall. "This is a game only I would lose in, Oh fearless leader." I warned with my words.

He looked down at me, blinking away the fog of lust we'd fallen into. He grasped my face again and tilted it up to him, his lips just a breath away from my own. "I'll make it worth your while, baby, this was barely a taste." He said seductively, smirking devilishly and making me want to tear his clothes off and fuck him right here and now, but before I gave in completely I pushed away from him completely before his lips took away the last wisps of my sanity. Regaining my common sense I moved out of his grasp and left him behind me. I could hear his dark chuckle drift towards me as I walked away but I ignored it as best as I could, resisting the urge to fall back into his arms for just one more taste.

Yeah… I was in real deep shit now.