-Ember-
I sit in our private booth with Oaklynn, watching the club pulse with energy around us. The Friday night crowd is in full swing—bodies moving on the dance floor, drinks flowing, laughter and shouts competing with the heavy bass of the music. The lights flash in blues and purples across the sea of people, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
This place is packed tonight, Ivy observes. So many scents, so many wolves... and humans.
I know, I respond internally. It's a bit overwhelming.
I'm having fun, but there's a nagging awareness in the back of my mind—the clock is ticking. Soon, the familiar pain from Tanner's evening activities will start, and I'll have to fight to keep my composure. For now, though, I'm determined to enjoy myself.
Ainslee and Stella disappeared to the restroom nearly an hour ago, leaving me and Oaklynn to people-watch.
"What about those guys?" Oaklynn points to some men being loud in a corner booth, their laughter booming over the music as they clink shot glasses together.
I shrug, then grimace as a twinge of discomfort passes through me. "Some of them are cute... but a lot of them have mating marks."
"Oops," Oaklynn winces, taking a sip of her cocktail. "Didn't look that closely."
You'd think she'd check for that first, Ivy comments dryly.
I look down at my drink, swirling the ice absently. A shadow suddenly falls over the table, and I look up. A human man stands there, wearing enough cologne to make my sensitive wolf nose burn.
"Can I buy you a drink?" he slurs, swaying slightly on his feet, alcohol seeping from his pores.
I scrunch my face in distaste. "I already have a drink... but thank you."
Goddess, he reeks, Ivy complains. Why do humans think bathing in scent is attractive?
The man leans closer, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. He lifts a finger and runs it down my neck, leaving a trail of revulsion in its wake. "Come on, baby... one drink. I promise I'm worth it."
I slide away from him, my wolf bristling at the unwanted contact. "No thank you. I'm good." I glance over at Oaklynn, who has her hand covering her mouth, shoulders shaking with barely contained laughter.
If he touches you again, I say we bite his finger off, Ivy growls.
The man notices Oaklynn and his bleary eyes light up. "Mmhmm," he says, giving her a slow once-over that makes both our skin crawl. "What about you, baby? You look thirsty..."
Oaklynn shakes her head firmly. "All good here. Actually, we were just leaving."
The man's face falls dramatically, bottom lip jutting out. "Noooooo!" Then, as quickly as his disappointment appeared, it transforms into a goofy, drunk grin. "The party is just starting... and I'm it!" He pounds on his chest like Tarzan, nearly losing his balance in the process.
Oaklynn and I break out in belly laughs at the ridiculous display.
"Bye," Oaklynn says decisively, standing and grabbing my hand.
"Damn! You girls are no fun!!" he shouts after us as we make our way to the bar to pay the tab, his voice lost in the thumping music.
"Good Goddess!" I exclaim once we're out of earshot. "And that is why I'm never going human. They can't hold their alcohol, and they have no concept of personal space."
Or hygiene, Ivy adds.
"I never said to fuck the inebriated ones," Oaklynn laughs as we reach the counter. "Just find a sober one with skills and no expectations."
"There you are!" Stella's voice cuts through the noise as she approaches from behind.
I spin around to face my friend. "Took you long enough. We thought you fell into the toilet."
"Your tab has already been paid," the bartender says to Oaklynn, but I hear him and turn around in surprise.
The four of us exchange confused glances.
"Well, if you see the person again, tell them thank you," Ainslee says, looking at us then back at the bartender.
The bartender nods, and we make our way out of the club and into the slightly quieter hotel corridor.
"What should we do now?" I ask, relieved to be away from the overwhelming sensory assault of the club.
Stella exchanges a look with Ainslee, her lips twitching with a barely contained secret. "I think we should take you to your suite."
My brows furrow in confusion. "My suite?"
Stella and Ainslee exchange another meaningful look that doesn't go unnoticed.
"What have you two been up to?" Oaklynn demands, clearly catching on that the other two are sharing a secret.
Ainslee grabs my arm in hers and guides me toward the elevators. "Let's talk on the way upstairs."
"I am beyond confused right now," I say, suspicion growing with every step.
I don't like this, Ivy warns.
"Just trust us," Stella says, coming up on my other side and hooking arms with me. "You'll thank us tomorrow."
"For what exactly?" I look from left to right between my friends.
Oaklynn runs up behind us, not wanting to be left out. "Helloooo!!! I would like in on this little surprise too..."
"We know!" Ainslee says over her shoulder. "But we'll tell you after we get Ember to her suite."
What are they up to? Ivy asks, her mental voice tense with concern.
I have no idea... I'm worried, I respond internally.
I'm sure it'll be fine, Ivy says, though she doesn't sound convinced. They're your friends.
"I am seriously confused right now," I say aloud. "Maybe we should call it a night... hmm?"
"Absolutely not!" Stella's smirk is downright devious. "We have BIG plans for you."
"I hate it when you two do this kind of stuff," Oaklynn complains, practically pouting.
"Do what?" Ainslee asks innocently.
"Leave me out!"
"Hello, I'm not in the knowledge zone either," I remind them, clearing my throat.
We reach the elevator and hit the up button. When the doors slide open, we all pile in, and Ainslee produces a key card, sliding it into a slot. I eye it suspiciously.
"Um, aren't we on floor six?" I ask, noticing the illuminated button for the twentieth floor.
Stella points to herself, Oaklynn, and Ainslee. "We are on floor six." Then she points to me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You are on floor 20 for the night."
My stomach does nervous flips. "What are you talking about?"
"Stella, Ainslee," Oaklynn demands, "what is going on?"
The elevator dings and opens. Stella and Ainslee grab my hands, practically dragging me out and down the hallway to room 2013. They stop, and the two conspirators exchange excited smiles before tapping the room key to the door.