The
party is at one of the biggest frat houses in our school. The estate itself is almost as big as my family’s. It was donated to the school by one of the original families of Artume City. The Ruiz family. They relocated to Mexico after the attack that cost them three sons and their youngest daughter, who were at that game where we all lost too much.
The house is decorated with lights and colorful tissue strings, making it look as if someone TP’d it. There are guys playing beer pong up front. Neon lights flash in all the windows of all three stories. The smell of recreational wolfsbane and liquor are thick in the air.
“This looks insane,” Ivar smirks. “You up for it?”
“I invited you,” I remind him.
“When is the last time you went to a party?” he asks. I turn away, not wanting to answer. “No,” he laughs. “You’ve never been to a party? Why the fuck not?”
“Luna Romano didn’t allow it. She would remind me of Santiago’s reputation all the time,” I shrug.
“So, on top of being hateful bigots, they controlled every aspect of your life? How you spend your money, how you dress, where you go? Did you never see anything wrong with that?”
“Your father controls every aspect of your life,” I remind him. “You are always wearing a suit. You majored in economics when you clearly wanted to major in digital design, and you don’t want to be a beta, but here you are.”
“I’m twenty–three, and I own a significant portion of his company. It’s a choice as a businessman and as a prince. Also, hot older babes love the suit,” he shrugs. “It’s different for me. I am being groomed to be the second–in–line to the throne. In my race, my brother and I are still considered juveniles. We live longer than Werewolves. Like waaaay longer,” he sings. “Not to minimize the title, but being a Luna doesn’t take much.
“Had you stuck to the combat course, you would have probably ended up a glorified Beta until you had pups. It sounds wrong, but it’s the truth. Look at Fatima Romano. She used to be an outstanding lawyer before she met Lucas. Once they were mated and she had Santiago, it was over for her. She’s now a dictating mother holding the leash to the collar around her pathetic son’s neck.”
A part of me wants to get defensive because that really sounds sexist as hell, but he isn’t wrong. Luna Romano was a very good lawyer. My mom loved having her at her firm, but once she became the Luna of the City, it all changed for her. I never thought about it that way, and he’s right. It would have sucked to have to let go of all my hard work like that. Also, fuck her.
The two of us make our way inside. We turn a lot of heads as I text Lieza that I am here. She immediately responds that she is in the back by the pool.
“Try not to get anyone pregnant tonight. I wouldn’t be able to face my grandma or your brother if that happened,” I say.
“Scream if you need me,” he pats my head.
I watch him move through the crowded kitchen. He doesn’t have to be known to stand out. Lycans are like that. They glow even when they’re trying to hide. I make my way to the back of the house to locate the pool area.
“Sophia!” Lieza shouts across the yard. Everyone turns to look at me. Some of my classmates from my study group cheer, raising their bottles in my honor. “I can’t believe you’re here,”
“Hey, guys,” I greet them, going around giving each of them a hug.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Yadira, one of the upperclassmen, asks me. She’s one of the most decorated students in our field, and she is completely plastered.
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56 pm
Chapter 13
I can’t. Omega,” I remind her.
EX $5 vouchers
“How about a little wolfsbane?” She takes a joint from one of the guys. He looks at her like she’s lost her mind.
“Live a little,” Ivar comes out of nowhere with a group of girls trailing behind him. He’s got a bottle in one hand and a shot glass in the other. “Omega. Omega. Omega!”
He starts chanting, and the others join him. It’s not the first time I’ve smoked, and by the looks of my life, it’s not going to be
the last time.
“Fuck it,” I agree, reaching for the joint.
“Let’s go, Sophie!” he laughs. I put the joint to my lips and take a couple of hits before handing it back to Yadira. “Who’s got
next?”
“Who is this guy?” Yadira laughs.
“Oh, shit. I forgot. Guys, this is Ivar Axel–the second Lycan Prince. He’s here to help me with some stuff my grandma left behind, I introduce him. “Ivar, this is everyone.”
“You’re a Lycan?” Yadira asks, stepping closer to him.
“I am,” he smirks.
“Holy moonlight, you are crazy hot,” she squeaks. He looks my way with a grin and points at me.
“I want to play. You have to be my partner,” he points at the beer pong table.
“Are you drinking for me?”
“You fucking know I am,” he waves me over. “Is that cool? Can we play?”
The guys all agree without hesitation. He explains the game to me as he bounces one of the ping pong balls off the table. This is the first time I’ve played this, but I’ve seen Lieza play this on her PicScratch story plenty of times. She comes over to me excitedly.
The dull ache in my head fades, and the stress I’ve been under all week slips away. I genuinely smile back at her and take the ping–pong ball she hands me. Everyone starts chanting omega, omega all over again as I line up my shot. I throw it with a quick flick of my wrist, and it lands in the red solo cup.
“Let’s go!” Lieza and Ivar shout. I laugh as he takes his turn and makes it as well.
Ivar waves them back as the guys across from us drink what’s in the cups.
sanitary?” I ask, looking up at him.
2/2
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
