Chapter 8
Lila
Wolfsbane was packed. It was shoulder to shoulder as Jace led the way to the VIP section. We’d just sat down in an almost full circle booth when Dani crooked her finger at Jace. He shook his head, but smirked as he slid out and followed her onto the dance floor. She pointed at me from where they stood—Jace glared at everyone within arm’s reach and they moved back. But there was no way I was going to go out there without a few drinks first.
There were three different platforms and each had people gyrating and swaying to the music. Lights flashed, music pulsed, and stars of different sizes and shapes hung from the ceiling. Covered in mirrors like crystal balls, they reflected the lasers, which stretched and shifted across the club as they moved up and down.
A waiter automatically came to our booth and placed a platter full of drinks in front of us. I didn’t hesitate. There was no doubt Dani would be back soon to drag me out of my seat. Downing the liquid courage I needed, it shot through me causing a shiver to run down my spine. Slamming the glass on the table, I flushed when I found Evander smiling at me.
“I know she’s going to come for me. Holy shit that’s strong,” I choked through the burn.
“You might need to slow down. Our drinks are stronger than what you’d find in the human realm,” Evander warned as he eyed the second glass I was already reaching for. He wore a white tank and an unbuttoned, gray short-sleeve button up. The color contrasted against his beautiful tanned skin. Long curly hair fell down his back and framed his face. Were all men here beautiful?
He laughed and I wondered if he could hear my thoughts. The alcohol was warm in my belly as he leaned forward. I gulped as he put his elbows on the table.
“Most shifters are good looking, yes,” he answered and I realized I’d said it out loud. I groaned.
“How would you know? Do you pass through the veil often?” I asked, ignoring my blunder and his response. He put his hand on top of my glass and held it down.
“A few times.” Evander tilted his head as if I was a puzzle he couldn’t figure out.
“You’re not going to have any?” I asked.
“No. We can’t drink when we’re shadowing her.”
“That kind of sucks.” I scrunched my nose before glancing over to Dani. I laughed as she twerked against Jace. He looks tormented. Like he wants to enjoy all that she is, but can’t help glaring at the men around them. As if daring them to look at her.
“She’s always been the life of the party.” Looking at him, his gaze darts from them dancing to me.
“On campus too. People can’t help it. She’s just… Dani. It’s hard not to love her.”
“Oh, I know. We grew up together,” he laughed.
“Did you just admit to loving my best friend?” I teased.
“Yes, I used to,” he admitted. I blinked. Caught off guard by the honesty.
“Hm. Well, this isn’t my scene. I usually go along to keep an eye on her, but now that I know the truth.” I shook my head. Dani never needed my protection.
“What is?”
I pulled the glass out from under his hand and downed another. He was staring at me intensely and I didn’t know how to handle it. Do I like it? Yes. Do I want to sleep with Evander? Maybe. Dani’s dad, Grayson, flashed to the forefront of my mind. Quickly, I banished the thoughts that threatened to bubble up. That can’t happen. Looking into Evander’s brown eyes, I knew the alcohol was having an effect because I was wondering if he could distract me from my best friend’s dad. It’s a shitty thought.
“What is what?” I asked.
“Your scene.”
“Nothing like this. Nothing remotely including this many people, if any. I prefer a cup of hot tea and a book over this,” I said loudly as the song got louder, jerking my head at the crowd.
“I know what you mean,” he yelled back.
“Oh? Do you?”
“Yeah, but I like using my hands—sculpting,” he said, lifting them as if to demonstrate.
“That’s… really cool,” I admitted, leaning in so he could hear me better. He flashed me a genuine smile and I stared at him openly. Evander wasn’t just handsome—he was hot. Glowing eyes flashed and I compared them without meaning to. Where Evander is sweet, quiet, and caring, Grayson can turn me into a puddle just by looking at me. Grayson’s gaze was intense and dominant. I’d talked to this man more than Grayson and yet he’d had more of an effect on me.
“Does it hurt?” His eyes flashed as he gestured at my still swollen face and I gulped.
“Not anymore. You were right. Your drinks are stronger.” I nod at the glasses in front of us.
“Did you end it with him?” I nodded as Jace appeared and leaned on the booth.
“Bitch! You need to get your ass out there,” Dani squealed as she squeezed in next to me. She isn’t even sweating. How cruel can the gods be? Snatching a glass up, she drank the gin and tonic like water.
I could never.
“I’ve had a couple drinks and I think I’m ready!” I yelled. The rest of my body was hot and I was feeling good. She looked at me and a slow smile spread across her face. Nodding, she got up.
“Let’s show them how it’s done!”
Nodding, I got up and grabbed her hand. We started dancing and then the guys were around us—Jace at her back and Evander’s hand on my waist as he moved behind me. I swallowed the lump in my throat because he reminded me of Parker before he was an asshole. I won’t let him ruin this night.
Fuck. him.
Evander was solid behind me, his body swaying against mine as the song changed to a faster beat. Dani grabbed my hands and lifted them up in the air. We jumped and laughed, shaking our heads left and right. Evander groaned behind me and as fingers slid down my thighs I understood why—my dress had ridden half up my ass. I didn’t question it, I didn’t think too much into it, I didn’t wonder what Parker would think if he saw me. I just danced with my best friend. For once in a really long time, I didn’t worry about anything. We danced until we couldn’t dance anymore.
***
We stumbled into the pack house a little after 2 am. Jace cradled Dani in his arms like she was the most important person in the world. He doesn’t say much, but I can tell he’s so far gone for her. I was holding onto Evander’s arm to keep me from falling. Looking around, I was disappointed when Grayson was nowhere to be seen. And I wondered if he was somewhere with that blonde again.
“I’m going to put her to bed,” Jace murmured, Dani nuzzled up against his chest, her arms around his neck. He turned from us and headed up the stairs quickly, yet careful not to wake her. And then I was left standing in the lobby with Evander.
“He’s not going to let her anywhere out of his sight,” he chuckled.
“Why not?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“The Blood Moon. It’s almost here. It only comes every 18 months.”
“Why would that make him so protective?”
“We can find our mates during the Blood Moon. This is also the only time pairs can take a chosen mate.” Confusion pulled my brows together.
“Mate?”
“We worship the Moon Goddess. When we’re born, she picks someone for us. The couple, or throuple, is made just for the other in the pairing. A chosen mate is not your Goddess given mate, but one you choose to bond with and spend the rest of your lives together with.” There was a longing in his voice that matched the look in his eyes. And I remembered all those times Dani spoke of a soulmate—someone made just for you. I laughed bitterly.
It all makes sense now.
“What happens if you don’t find your mate during the Blood Moon?”
“You have to wait until the next one and Dani’s of age now. It’s up to her if she’ll have him. He’s always loved her. She just realized it recently.”
“There’s so much I didn’t know about her. The situation that brought me here is shitty, but I’m happy it turned out this way.” He tensed at the reminder before releasing me.
“I don’t want to go to bed just yet,” I whispered. He froze. His eyes widened and his mouth parted. Then I realized how that came across. Waving my hands in front of me, I shook my head.
“Wait, that’s not it. I meant like… do you want to grab a snack with me?”
“That sounds good.”
We walked to the kitchen in silence and I felt like an idiot for making it awkward. When we walked in, the lights flickered on. I didn’t get a good look yesterday, but it was as beautiful as the rest of the house. High vaulted ceilings, a large island I’d seen unsanitary things happen on, large windows that I knew would give an amazing view during the day. A dinner table that had to be as long as the ones in Harry Potter. There was a fireplace at the far end and I sighed.
“Dani was lucky to grow up in such a beautiful place,” I murmured as I made my way over to the fridge.
“What sounds good?” Evander asked.
“Cereal,” I groaned. Pulling it open, I grab the milk. When I looked at my partner in crime, he was grabbing bowls from the floating cabinets. I know I shouldn’t eat after how much I drank, hell, I should just go to bed, but I’m not doing that. And I need to sober up. He grabbed a few boxes from the massive double-glass door marked ‘pantry’. He dropped them on the island and I squealed when I saw Honey Bunches of Oats in the mix. I jumped onto the island and laughed when I didn’t make it. I was pressed against the cold counter, as Evander walked over and I froze when his hand circled my waist and lifted me up. He flipped me over effortlessly, and I tensed at the show of strength. Parker did a number on me, but Evander was bigger than him. I hated that fear that curled my stomach as he placed me on the counter.
“You okay there?” Evander laughed.
“Yes, I just underestimated it,” I said, determination lacing my tone. He smirked as he handed me my bowl and grabbed the Coco Puffs, while I grabbed the better cereal pouring it into mine. He did the same, and I filled them both with milk. I picked my bowl up and held it to him.
“You gonna lift me up like Simba next?”
He snorted. “You want the theme song with that?”
“Only if you sing it dramatically,” I said, grinning wide. I clanked our bowls together.
“Cheers!” I said happily before grabbing a spoon and digging in.
“Cheers,” he chuckled, spooning cereal into his mouth.
The door opened, our heads turned, and I almost dropped my bowl. Because in walked a man I had no business being that excited to see. I don’t know how it’s possible, but he’s even more tense than when I saw him earlier. Power rolled off him and I avoided his gaze as he neared. Ignoring the way I want to run my fingers along his forearms.
Fuck.
I’m not sober enough for this.
Thankfully, I’m not alone with him.
Evander cleared his throat and I turned in time to see his eyes go from a silvery white to brown. He bowed his head before glancing at me. I was about to ask him to help me down when he headed out the way Grayson came. My jaw dropped as I watched him disappear, leaving me alone with Dani’s dad.
What the fuck just happened?