CHAPTER 31
ALL HALLOWS EVE

WARNING: MATURE SCENES AHEAD

CORALINE could hardly get an angry word out as soon as she saw Michael that night. He grabbed her by the waist the second she entered the room, pressing her against the wall and allowing his tongue to invade her mouth. This was what she had been waiting for since dinner time, but that didn't mean she wasn't still furious at his actions in the first place. Mallory was suddenly on their tail, and luckily, she was the only one. The last thing Coraline needed was people finding out she was the one leaving stains on the Cooperative leader's pants. They all might kill her as a group if they were to find out.

As Michael hiked up her long skirt, Coraline felt the fury coaxed through her veins. However, the words fell dead on her lips when she felt one of his hands yank down her stockings and slip inside of her, while the other dug into her hips. Coraline rocked against his fingers, feeling the threads wrap around them like a butterfly's cocoon. She wrapped her legs around his, and he allowed her to lift herself up more, pressing her spine against the wall hard. She kissed him roughly, mouth lingering across his cheeks. Coraline's thighs wrapped around his torso as he fucked her with his fingers, trying to make her forget about his actions at dinner. But she couldn't forget. She wouldn't forget.

"You ..." She sucked in a loud breath, pushing her hips forward. Coraline was unraveling, and as much as she wanted to slap him for almost revealing their secret relationship, what she wanted more was to feel him deeper inside of her. "You did a bad thing."

Michael smirked, watching her mouth open wide in pleasure. "Did I?" He asked in a joking tone, like he knew exactly why she was mad. His fingers curled and hit the spot that only he knew about. He could almost hear the bond whispering in his ear – or was it his Father? – telling him her exact spots, the places that made her weak in the knees. It would always be him who knew her like no one else.

Coraline bit her bottom lip to suppress a moan, but it ended up releasing the second she opened her mouth to reply, "You shouldn't have done that." She swallowed hard, smothering her body onto his. She felt his finger drive deeper into her as he entered a third. Her breath hitched suddenly. "You – you could've fucked everything up."

"But I didn't."

"But you did," Coraline replied quickly, grinding her teeth together. She pushed forward, rocking herself back forth, thighs slick. His fingers circled inside of her, causing the most unholiest of moans to fall from her lips. It was like music to his ears, just to know that he was the cause of those sounds.

He didn't even flinch when she breathed, "Mallory is suspicious."

"Is she?" Michael inquired, leaning his head into her neck and biting. His voice wasn't angry, nor was it suspicious. He enjoyed the sight of her angry while he pleasured her. Coraline almost moaned his name – almost, not yet. Michael's fingers curled again, and he finally got that name call.

"Yes," Coraline said, reaching her climax. She was ready to combust, and she knew he would lick his fingers clean, which would make her want to start all over again. "I swear to God, Michael, if you fuck this up –" Another moan as he bit underneath her chin. "If – fuck, if they all find out, they'll kill –"

She could practically feel the grin on his face as he quipped, "Then, they won't find out." He lifted his head, meeting her eyes and pausing his fingers for a short moment. Coraline's core was going to implode any second now. "This could be the most exciting game we've ever played, Coraline Rose."

•••

When Ms. Venable called an emergency an emergency meeting, Coraline knew it couldn't be good. The survivors hastily gathered into the library, along with a few Greys. Coraline stood behind Gallant and took notice to the way Timothy and Emily were openly holding each other. They must've been caught fornicating recently, but were let off easy. Coraline bit the edge of her fingernail. Why were they let off the hook and Gallant wasn't?

She looked towards her friend. Coraline caught Gallant's eye for a moment and watched him turn away. He rolled his eyes, spinning to face Venable and Ms. Mead once they walked into the room, dressed in all black. Coraline noticed over the past couple of days that Gallant had been giving her the cold shoulder. She thought it might've been due to Evie's death, but now she wasn't so sure. If he had some kind of problem, then he could always just tell her. They were friends after all. But she hadn't done anything, in particular, to upset him lately, so his attitude didn't add up.

"These past several months have been difficult for all of us," Venable began, shaking Coraline out of her trance. "And ... perhaps, in my efforts to keep us safe, punitive measures have been taken too far. I believe now what we need is a moment of celebration."

Coraline's back straightened. Her expression twisted as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Which is why this weekend, as a gesture of goodwill," Venable's lips curled manically, "we will have a Halloween soiree. In the style of a Victorian masquerade ball. Attendance is mandatory."

Now, that definitely made her suspicious. Coraline thought she had gotten to know Venable quite well over the years she'd been at the Outpost. Ms. Venable wouldn't be holding a celebration if there wasn't something in it for her, and Coraline didn't even think this had to do with getting into the Sanctuary anymore.

Venable encouraged everyone to use their imaginations and create exquisite costumes, but Coraline didn't have a seamstress bone in her body. She went with a dark purple dress already within her closet, except she ripped the black sheer fabric off the waist and decided to use it as a mask. The only way she'd be able to truly dress up herself was with her hair, even though it was shorter than most.

Regardless of Gallant's hidden spite towards her, he still agreed to style Coraline's hair. He practically had a whole hairdressing studio in his room, but he had to make do with what he had at the Outpost. With careful hands, he rubbed a few products into her dark brown strands, making them appear curlier than usual. He pulled the hair upward, creating a wave at the top of her head. She was so used to wearing her hair down that seeing it so high up was a shock. Turning her head from side to side, she grinned gratefully.

"Don't move too much," Gallant chastised, standing in front of her and pulling out a few curls to frame her face.

Coraline stuck out her tongue, but still smiled. "Thanks, Gallant. You didn't have to –"

"Mhmm," the blonde-haired male muttered, plucking out a piece of hair by accident.

She immediately yelped. "Ow! What the fuck –"

Gallant shrugged, moving to the back of her head again. "Oops," he sighed, "sorry."

Coraline watched his face contort into annoyance. She raised a brow. "Why are you acting like that?" She asked, tone seeping with malice. "Do you think I don't notice you rolling your eyes at me? You've been so snippy lately –"

"Oh, c'mon, Coraline, don't play dumb," he replied, fiddling with a few loose strands. "I can smell him off of you."

Coraline's whole body froze, but just for a second – a split second. This couldn't be happening. Not now. She swallowed hard, "I don't understand –"

Gallant's eyes finally met her own in the mirror, and his hands fell to his sides. "Yes, you do." His tone was defeated. He knew that despite his anger towards her, he couldn't do anything about it. "You smell like roses now."

"It's a common scent."

"I've seen you go to his suite a lot lately. It's right near mine."

She shrugged, even though she knew how guilty she looked. "He wanted to interview me."

"The walls aren't soundproof, Coraline." He raised his hands, almost trying to tear his hair out. "You're so goddamn loud. You should be lucky I'm the only one who has heard this shit. I don't think I'll be able to use the word, 'sir,' again without cringing." Gallant huffed dramatically. "You're not slick, Coraline. You're not. I see the way he looked at you during dinner. It was all clear then."

Coraline clamped her teeth down on her bottom lip, biting hard. She didn't know how to respond. Was there anything she could really say?

Gallant walked in front of her again, arching his back to get on her level. His brow was raised, as if he was expecting something from her. "You stole my soulmate. That's against the friend code."

Coraline's mouth dropped. "Are you kidding me? I've known him way ­–" She stopped herself, causing Gallant's brow to furrow. Coraline quickly cleared her throat. "I didn't steal anyone. How was he even your soulmate anyways? You told me the guy in the rubber suit that you fucked wasn't even Langdon."

"Doesn't matter, Cora!" He exclaimed, lifting his hands in the air. "You broke the friend code."

Coraline exhaled, "I did not –"

Gallant wagged a finger in her face. "Do you want to get into the Sanctuary that bad? Is that what this is about?"

"No, I ..." She played with her fingers, turning to look at herself in the mirror. Her lips still looked swollen from the night before, when Michael roamed her mouth like it had a rare taste. "What if he just likes me?"

Her eyes met Gallant's again, and noticed that his anger went away. In fact, he looked amused. A snort emerged from his mouth, which turned into a fit of chuckles. "Seriously?" He laughed, making Coraline's stare narrow. Eventually, his giggles ceased, and he held a hand to his chest. "Oh, honey, you are serious."

"Obviously," Coraline quipped.

Gallant knelt down, frowning in her direction. He patted her leg. "Coraline, dear Coraline," he shook his head, like he was a parent reprimanding her. "I think you better get your head out of the clouds with this one –"

"GUYS!"

The room was suddenly filled with Coco's shrill voice. Coraline closed her eyes for a moment, trying to bask in the moment where Coco's presence hadn't been there, and finally turned to face her in the doorway of Gallant's room. The hairdresser stood up with his hands on his hips and asked, "Why are you back? Shouldn't you be getting ready?"

"Forget about that. I have a theory," Coco giggled, tapping her fingers together in a villainous way. "I've finally figured out why Venable has such a hard-on for this big Halloween celebration."

Gallant and Coraline shared a look.

Coco continued with a huge grin, "What if Halloween is an excuse?" She raised her brow inquisitively. "They're using the party to announce who's going to the Sanctuary!"

Coraline's eyes went wide. For the first time in a while, Coco might've had a point, and that alone was the scariest part. Coraline hoped vomit and bloody apples weren't in their cards for tonight, but she knew that wishing for a miracle was useless. If Coco was right, this soiree wasn't going to end well at all.

•••

Gallant still wasn't speaking to Coraline come the time of the festivities. She couldn't blame him, honestly. Maybe she had broken the friend code, but it wasn't like she had a choice in this fate. Yes, Gallant had told her that he was into Michael. He made it very clear. But Michael made the bonding ceremony even clearer, and since then, things became ... different. Rules didn't cross her mind anymore, not even the friend code.

She wondered if Michael was going to be at the party. Coraline hadn't given herself a moment to ask him before the celebration started. If he did end up arriving, Coraline knew he'd have a few tricks up his sleeve. No doubt that he would try torturing her the entire night, trying to make her squirm in front of everyone. Mallory was already suspicious, and Gallant knew exactly what was going on. Luckily, those two knew how to keep their mouths shut. At least, she hoped they did. She couldn't risk anyone else finding out.

Coraline rolled her eyes once Coco made her grand entrance into the library, where the celebration was to be held. She even had Mallory introduce her to the crowd, and then she descended the stairs gracefully. Coraline hadn't let her eyes roll to the back of her head though, because as she adjusted her mask made of black lace, she noticed Ms. Mead entering the library with a cart. The burning fire highlighted each wrinkle on the old woman's face, and Coraline watched her lips curl in a devilish way.

Carefully stepping forward, Coraline peered over Andre's shoulder to see the basin that Ms. Mead was placing in the middle of the room. He tried picking up an object from the water as Dinah appeared at his side. Ms. Mead smacked his hand away and snickered, "No treats until the time comes."

Coraline's eyes went wide when she realized what was in the bowl.

Apples. All red delicious apples.

Her head snapped up, and she caught Gallant's stare from across the room. He didn't look angry anymore. In fact, he shared the same confused expression Coraline did. Dinah went on about how they should thank the universe for bringing them fresh fruit, but Coraline didn't hear her. Memories of half-eaten apples and blood danced across her eyes. This can't be it, she thought to herself, not before Michael hasn't announced who's going to the Sanctuary. Why couldn't fate wait?

Coraline's thoughts were interrupted once Venable's cane echoed down the hall. She stood at the entrance of the library, a huge grin plastered on her face. "Tonight is All Hallows Eve," she announced, "which marks the beginning of the dark half of the year. When the boundary of this world and the other thins, and lost souls pierce the firmament, desperate to find their way home. It is a night to remember the dead, and there have been far too many to mourn."

She frowned for a moment, and then her dark lips coiled again. "But also to celebrate that we have left to join them." Stepping forward, Venable began to circle the bookcases lining the library. "We delight in the small things that were once taken for granted – to eat, to drink, music, dance. Everyone – and I mean, everyone – should savor this night as if it were their last."

With a light flip of the switch, Venable turned on the stereo, allowing Baby I'm-A Want You by Bread to play. Coraline's red flags were going off the charts. She met Ms. Mead's stare from across the room, and she instantly wound her arms around her bare shoulders.

Everyone else had someone to dance with, except for her. Coraline watched Timothy hold Emily close as they swayed, and a part of her wished she had that with Michael. But he wouldn't dance with her anymore. She wasn't even sure if he had feelings for her. (He had to, right?) Something swelled in her chest, and Coraline was afraid to ask herself what it was.

One thing was for sure, she needed to get out of the library and find Michael. Coraline decided it was best for him to be there, in case something awful happened. Or maybe she just wanted to ask if he would dance with her in his suite before they went downstairs. It would be nice – feeling his arms around her again, but not out of lust. That was probably just wishful thinking.

The perfect opportunity arose once Venable and Ms. Mead turned their backs to instruct a few Greys. With precision, Coraline stepped out of the library and sprinted down the hall. She paused at the staircase, lifting her skirt and running up each creaky step. Coraline didn't take a moment to hesitate before she was banging her fist on Michael's door, shoving herself through.

He was sitting at his desk, typing away on the laptop that still perplexed her. Upon hearing her slam the door shut, he stood, as if he were expecting her, and grinned big. Coraline tore off her makeshift mask as he strode over. "Michael," she said, almost breathless, "you need to come downstairs –"

His lips engulfed hers instantly, pulling her close by the small of her waist. Michael ran his hands through her hair, completely messing up the styling that Gallant did. He towered over her as their mouths devoured each other, tongues tangling in a heated mess. Coraline forgot why she came up there for a moment. Time seemed to still. All she wanted was to stay there in that moment, feeling his hands rub circles into her back and allowing their electric bond to melt them together – but now was not that time.

Coraline leaned away, rubbing at her mouth. Michael smiled at the sight of her swollen lips. "Why aren't you at the celebration?" She asked as his arms slipped away from hers. "You should be down there. I think –"

"I didn't want to go," he replied. His eyes never left her own as he lowered himself to his knees. Michael's arms slid down from her waist, all the way to her knees, where he gripped the fabric of her dress vigorously. He watched her eyes darken as he leaned into her stomach and dug his hands into her hips. "You should stay here. With me. There's no reason for you to be down there."

Coraline's stomach churned as he kissed the fabric covering her waistline. His mouth was so close to diving in between her legs, and she desperately wanted to pull her skirt up and let him kiss her there. But again – not the time.

"I was actually busy making my selections," he said in between kisses, "but I think I could put in some time to run the bath –"

"No."

The reply was shocking even to Coraline. She paused, unsure if that had really been her voice. Looking down, she watched Michael's head lift. He was stunned for a moment, hardly moving from his spot.

"I didn't mean for it to come out that way," Coraline continued, rubbing a hand over her eyes. She moved her stare away from his, afraid that his eyes might distract her. "I ... I need to know something."

Michael quickly brought himself to his feet. When he noticed that Coraline still refused to meet his eyes, he reached out and moved her chin towards him. He watched her lips purse.

"Are we ..." She gestured with her hands, pointing from him to her, and then she paused. Her hands fell to her hips. "Are you suggesting that we have sex all the time because of the bond, or ..." She swallowed hard. "Or do you actually have feelings for me?"

He didn't answer. Michael simply tilted his head to the side, eyeing her with confusion, or was it suspicion? She couldn't decide which. Whatever it was, his gaze was making her throat close up. She was afraid she said too much; she was afraid that maybe it had been wrong to ask that. There were more important things to worry about, after all. Like the massacre being planned downstairs.

"Well," she continued, malice laced in her tone, "are you going to answer me?"

Michael took one step forward, causing her back to hit the wall once again. Blue bore into grey as he narrowed his stare. "What are you really trying to ask, Coraline?"

She frowned, sighing heavily through her nostrils. "I just asked you what I wanted to know. Now, can you answer to save me from the –"

"Wait," he interrupted with a shake of his head. "The question you're truly asking is if I'm in love with you again, isn't it?"

Coraline's hands bunched around the fabric of her skirt and they shook uncontrollably. She froze for a split second, penetrated by his gaze. His words repeated over and over again in her head.

He had been in love with her when they were younger.

Michael lifted a brow, waiting for an answer, but it took her a moment to finally repeat, "Again?"

He licked his bottom lip, eyes traveling down her face, remembering when his younger self used to like to count the freckles on her cheeks. Michael liked to believe that that part of himself was gone now. It vanished after he accepted his official title years ago, after he left her. Was the Antichrist allowed to save the people he cared about from their fate? Was he even allowed to care for other people, or was that against his Father's judgment? Each time Coraline looked at him, each time his hands caressed her skin – Michael believed that maybe he could care, that a part of his soul really wasn't lost.

"Young boys fall quickly," he finally replied, resuming his icy expression. "But fall out even quicker when they're abandoned."

Coraline didn't want to cry. Not now, not in front of him. But tears were forming below her lash line, and her heart was breaking as soon as he said those words. She sucked in a sob, trying her best to hide her guilt, but it was so obvious. Michael lifted his chin and watched her face soften. They both usually held such cold demeanors; it was odd to see one of them finally break. Michael had to fight the urge to rub the tear that glided down her cheek, but now wasn't the time for this kind of talk. After his selections, he would talk with her. He would bear that lost part of his soul to her finally.

Michael carefully stepped away, causing Coraline's arm to shoot out. Her skin burned against his as she said, "Michael, wait –"

Whatever she had planned to say vanished instantly. The door to his suite was opening, and two figures with cruel expressions emerged from the dark hall.

•••

A/N: We are approaching,,,,,,,,,,,The End

But do not fret!!!!! Like I said before, no Range Rovers, no bullshit. Lowkey, the ending is ambiguous, but one I'm really happy with, especially for Coraline's character development. I have a feeling you guys will be happy with it!!! (At least I hope so lol)

Next chapter is definitely up there in my favorites!!! Mayhaps,,,,,,,,,,,,#2 on that list 👀

THE RUBBER MAN HAD A DAD BOD???? WHY DID GALLANT THINK THAT WAS MICHAEL LMAOOOOO