hts shone too brightly, and everyone seemed to be dancing, chatting, and l

s wa

rfectly, she strode through the crowd like a queen. People turned to look, gu

to be heard over the music. "You look fin

searching for a familiar face. Him. She did not want to admit i

. Vanessa grabbed two glasses without hes

ssa said with

like it was a ticking tim

from her own drink. "It is a party, Lydia. You

ia replied, trying to hand the glass bac

. No one's going to trust a wolf who

t said, do not embarrass me right now-left her no choice. She brought the gl

said, grinning. "That w

r the rim of the glass. "I do

ood. A wolf that trust too

oking at every single face, trying to spot that stupidly perfect jaw, those eyes that had been living rent-free in her head since that

ke she'd read Lydia's mind. "Ethan likes to make an ent

ooking for hi

rked. "Sure

tapping her lightly on the shoulder. Lydia recognized him imm

a crooked smile. "Look who

for more already?" She teased, titling her head to the si

ng to a rough whisper that still some

ou are such a bad influence." She turned to Lydia, giving her a

t Vanessa was already disappeari

stared at her drink, swirling it aimlessly as she tried to convince herself that she did not care. It's fine.

Vanessa. No Ethan. Just more

to find Vanessa before heading back to their room. Rule number one of girl c

clicking against the floor. The hal

lled softly, openi

e was lying on his stomach. while the other knelt between his leg

ock, his eyes wide, while the other

head and backing out of the room. The second that door clicked shut behind her,

e door. Inside, a girl was on a guy's lap, her dress pushed up her thigh

down each other's throats, others just knocked out cold on the couches, and stuff she really wis

ay back, she thought bitter

rried back to it. Once inside, she locked herself in the ba

when she heard voi

y's voice growled.

e happening. Wet sounds of

ees," the gu

s. Her hearing picked up every sound-skin slapping against skin, moans, growls. It

Eventually, Lydia gave up and sat down on the to

, finally

softly, hesitant. "I thou

" the guy cut in, his voice co

ice shaky. "What do you mean? D

think you are? Someone special? You are nothing to me. You think sex is enough to change my mind? Ple

he girl she did not even know. No one deserves to be treated like thi

rl started begging.

the guy snapped

sing. Do not do this. Do not beg fo

med shut. Lydia let out a breath, thinking t

ng towards the bathroom, each thud

Shit.

in," she whispered, pressing herself against

jump, and there he stood – Ethan Laurent in all hi

t abs, carved like they were chiseled from marble. A trail of dark hair disappearing into

ith a hint of smoky spice, filled the small space. It was rich and warm like

ou stal

orking. She just stood there, staring at him like a tot

trying to get it

s voice got even lower

to get out, feeling

eyes of his getting all narrow and

could she think clearly when he was staring at her like that? Her mind was raci

voice dropping of

epping into the bathroom and

out finally, taking a step back unti

ght. And you thought she wou

ight shield her from the intensity of his stare. "I

did not get to his eyes. "You always h

blinked

naked in a confined space with someone who clearly did not belong there. "Trouble. You stumble into p

, and she scowled.

sing edge in his voice made her skin prickle. "So,

wanting to pound its way out of her chest