The Alpha's Abused Mate

Strained

She was careful to apply the makeup perfectly, so that it covered up the bruises. Since Johnathon's apology, things had gone somewhat back to normal and she was going out with Christina tonight, going clubbing and, hopefully, she would be having a good time. Johnathon had agreed to her going out this time, apologizing profusely for coming between her and her friends.

Serena viewed herself in the mirror, smiling in satisfaction. With all the foundation and concealer she had applied, the bruises weren't visible and she looked stunning, if she did say so herself. She had taken the time to curl her long blonde hair, so that it cascaded over her shoulders and stayed loose down her back. She wore a blue halter neck top that made her big blue eyes stand out and she wore a mini black leather skirt with heels. She put her hands on her hips and frowned. Maybe it was too much? Should she get changed? But this is what young women wear to go dancing in. But a small voice inside her head, that sounded exactly like Johnathon's, told her that it was slutty, that he wouldn't be happy if he found her dressed like that.

The doorbell rang and Serena let out a long breath, realizing she didn't have time to change, as she rushed across the room and flung the door open, a beaming Christina standing there. "I can't believe you're here" shrieked Serena, hugging her tight.

Her friend looked stunning with her raven black hair tied up in a sleek ponytail. She wore a dressy black singlet top with rhinestones and, like Serena, she wore a mini skirt. She topped off the look with boots. Serena loved it.

"I'm so happy to see you" laughed Christina, loving the way Serena was dressed and overjoyed to see her friend again. It had been way too long since she had last seen her.

"Well, are you ready to go?" asked Serena eagerly.

They were going to a new club called Diva, which was in the centre of town. She'd told Johnathon where they were going as a way to keep him happy and hoped that he wouldn't constantly check up on her while they were out.

"You bet your ass I'm ready" Christina said quickly, tugging Serena by the hand and almost physically dragging her out of the house. Serena laughed and grabbed her clutch purse on the way, heading out the front door and over to Christina's small, hatchback car. She got to the passenger side as Christina slid into the driver's seat, her eyes sparkling with good humour.

Christina started the car and then they were off. Serena fiddled with the radio and pretty soon the girls were singing along to the Coyote Ugly Can't fight the moonlight song by Leanne Rhymes. The trip to town was rather quick and over way too soon, as the girls pulled into the parking lot and grabbed their bags.

"Let's go" Christina was just as eager as Serena. She'd heard great things about this new club called Diva and was ready to see if it lived up to the hype.

They walked through the entrance and stared around in fascination. The dance floor was packed with gyrating bodies, the music loud and upbeat. There was a bar on the far side of the room and both girls headed straight for it, the room covered in elegant and fashionable colors of white, red and pale pink. Serena instantly liked the club, finding it quiet, while Christina was a little deflated, thinking the pinks and reds reminded her of Valentine's day more than anything else.

"What can I get you?" asked the bartender, a young man in his twenties with a baby-like face.

"I'll have a gin and tonic" said Serena, while Christina ordered a beer.

They both paid for their drinks and then turned, swaying to the music. "Should we go sit down and get a table?" asked Serena and Christina nodded, both girls making their way to the tables and sitting at an empty one, sipping at their drinks.

"So what have you been up to lately?" asked Serena.

Christina gave a reluctant shrug. "Work" she sighed, "and more work. How about you? Thinking of going back to the diner yet?"

Serena gave a sigh. "I don't know, it tends to bring a bit of contention when I bring it up. I mean, I don't need to work" she exhaled, "but I spend all my time cleaning and cooking. I miss the customers and the social interactions, you know?" she explained as Christina nodded in understanding.

Christina frowned. She wished Serena could see how Johnathon was manipulating her into doing whatever he wanted. But she knew if she said something it would upset Serena so she said nothing, instead drinking her drink and looking along the room.

Serena hesitated. Part of her wanted to tell Christina that Johnathon had slapped her the other day, but something held her back. She knew that Christina would get furious on her behalf if she did and she didn't want to get Johnathon into trouble. Besides, the man had apologized and bought her flowers and promised it would never happen again. Christina surveyed Serena's face. She could tell there was something troubling her friend but didn't know what it was.

"Is there something you want to talk about?" asked Christina.

Serena resolutely shook her head. It wasn't worth discussing. She was here to have a good time with her friend and that is what she was going to do.

"Let's go dance" she said firmly and Christina put down her beer bottle, grabbing hold of Serena's hand and dragged her to the dance floor.

The lights were bright as they began to gyrate to the music in the mass of bodies, lost in the rhythm, each of them slowly drifted apart from one another. Serena swayed her hips, enjoying herself immensely, as couples danced nearby, their hands all over one another. A drunken man stumbled into her, almost causing her to fall over and apologized. As she assured him that he hadn't hurt her and waved him off, Serena, for a moment, could have sworn she saw Johnathon's face in the crowd. But when she blinked and looked again, he was gone.

It had to be a mistake, she concluded. Her imagination was going into overdrive. Christina made her way back to her friend, hollering and waving her arms around her. "Listen" she shouted to Serena, who had to cup her hands to her ears as she attempted to listen, "I have to go to the bathroom, but I'll be right back" she told Serena, who nodded, still dancing along to the music. Christina disappeared into the crowd and Serena turned around, to see the drunken man was back again.

"You're so beautiful" he slurred, his hands gripping her arms as she glanced up at him in horror? "Do you know that" he hiccuped. He gave her a long, slow, lingering smile, his grip tight as she tried to wrestle away from him. "Would you dance with me?" he asked and Serena sighed. He let go of her and shuffled his feet and she realized that he didn't pose a potential threat at all. He waited for her response.

"Sure" she said slowly, dancing with him to the beat of the music and hoping he might go away once she was finished. The music was beating so fast and she swayed her hips as the drunken man staggered along, dancing in a jerky fashion. When the song was finished, she tensed but he waved at her quite cheerfully and then disappeared back into the crowd, no doubt looking for some other poor unfortunate girl to dance with.

Christina took her time in the bathroom, refreshing herself and reapplying her makeup. She didn't know whether she wanted to tell Serena or not, but she could have sworn that while they were dancing, she had seen Johnathon's face in the crowd, watching both of them. But when she had looked again, distracted for a moment by the crowd, he had disappeared and she couldn't see him anymore. Maybe she had imagined it, thought Christina thoughtfully. After all, it was no secret that she didn't like Johnathon, so maybe her mind had made up on seeing him when in reality he wasn't there. It could happen. But truthfully, it had freaked her out some, to think that Johnathon might have followed them to the club and could be watching them. For Christina, it killed the mood, and she forced a smile on her face before coming out of the bathroom and going in search of Serena. She decided not to say anything, in case it had been her imagination.

Serena saw Christina in the crowd and gave a sigh of relief. Her feet were beginning to kill her in her heels and she slipped them off, dancing barefoot on the dance floor, waving her arms around and singing along to the music.

"How are you feeling" shouted Christina.

"Brilliant" Serena shouted back, "but you'll never believe what happened." She moved closer and took Christina's arm, leading her away from the dance floor and telling her all about the drunken man she had felt forced to dance with. By the time she was finished, Christina's eyes were blazing.

"I wish I'd been there" she snapped "I would have given him a what for" she exclaimed as Serena flagged down some drinks from a waitress.

Serena shrugged. "It wasn't too bad. He was drunk, so I guess he didn't know his own strength. Besides, he's gone now" she pointed out, "so there's not much you could do."

They spent the next few hours dancing and drinking, talking and laughing with each other. Serena hadn't had such a good time like this in ages. It was with great reluctance that Christina dropped Serena off at her place.

"Do you want me to go in with you?" Christina checked, seeing that the lights were all off. Johnathon must not be home yet, or he was asleep, she thought to herself.

Serena wriggled on the seat and laughed, a little tipsy from all the drinking. "No" she slurred "I'll be fine, Johnathon will be home soon probably," she added, undoing her seatbelt.

This reminded Christina of seeing Johnathon in the club. "Serena", she asked quietly, "how are things between you and Johnathon?"

Serena stared at Christina, feeling slightly panicked. She couldn't possibly know about Johanthon slapping her, could she? She put a trembling hand to her cheek, for a moment, fearful that her makeup had smeared and the bruises could be seen. But when she glanced in the rearview mirror, she could see that her makeup was still flawless. She heaved a sigh of relief.

"Things between me and Johnathon are great, really good" babbled Serena, lying to her friend.

Please god, let her believe me, thought Serena. Christina was really good at reading friends and she knew that Serena was keeping something from her, but she didn't know what it was.

"Are you sure?" asked Christina softly.

"Positive" Serena said with a forced smile.

Christina didn't believe her one bit, but she knew that Serena would also go to her if she needed help or was in trouble so she decided that maybe, just maybe, Serena was telling the truth.

"Alright then, have a good night" she told Serena softly, as Serena climbed out of the car, awkwardly, clutching her heels and her handbag in one hand. Serena staggered to the front door and rifled through her purse, grabbing hold of her keys and turning it in the lock. Christina stayed in the car the whole time, making sure her friend was safely inside, before honking the horn and taking off.

Serena giggled to herself as she turned on the kitchen light. She was just pouring herself some juice when she heard the loud thudding footsteps that indicated that Johnathon was home.

"Johnathon" she said, slurring her words, "what a surprise."

Then again, it was early morning, so it wasn't too much of a surprise. She glanced at his face and swallowed hard. He looked angry and his hands were clenched into fists. She braced herself.