Liam and I stood in the shallow end of the pool, watching as Callum rushed off into the crowd. Finding his mate at a random party—what were the odds? The excited chatter around us grew louder as more people filtered into the backyard.
“Do you think he’ll be okay?” I asked, turning to Liam.
Liam’s eyes softened. “Finding your mate is overwhelming, but it’s the best kind of overwhelming.” His fingers skimd my waist underwater. “Trust on that.”
I felt my cheeks warm. The pool area was packed now, with bodies pressed against each other in every direction. Soone had cranked the music up even louder, making conversation difficult.
“It’s getting crowded,” I pointed out, glancing around at the mass of people. The excitent of winning the chicken fight was wearing off, and a strange queasiness had begun to settle in my stomach.
Liam nodded. “Yeah, word must have spread about the party.” He didn’t seem bothered by the growing crowd, but sothing about all these strangers was making feel claustrophobic.
A wave of nausea hit suddenly. The combination of alcohol, excitent, and being jostled around in the water was taking its toll. I pressed a hand to my stomach, trying to breathe through it.
“I think I need to sit down for a bit,” I said, swimming toward the edge of the pool.
Liam followed closely behind. “Are you okay?”
I pulled myself out of the water, droplets cascading down my body as I made my way to one of the empty lounge chairs.
“Just feeling a little off.” I wrapped a towel around my shoulders, fighting another wave of nausea.
“Off how?” Liam’s brow furrowed with concern as he sat beside . “You’re looking pale.”
“I’m probably not used to drinking,” I admitted. “Plus all that spinning during the chicken fight.”
Liam placed his hand on my forehead. “You don’t feel warm. Probably not a fever,” he muttered to himself. “Let get you so water.”
I nodded gratefully. “Thanks. I’m just going to rest here for a bit.”
I wasn’t sure if I could do anything more. The world was starting to spin, and my head throbbed.
“Are you sure you’re okay if I leave you?” His green eyes searched mine.
“I’m fine, honestly.” I forced a smile. “Go have fun. Levi’s right there if I need anything.”
I pointed to where Levi stood several yards away, engaged in animated conversation with soone I didn’t recognize. He caught my eye briefly and gave a quick wink before turning back to his conversation.
Liam hesitated. His lips were pursed into a thin line. “He’s a little distracted right now.”
“Lucas is here too,” I said, gesturing to the table where Lucas worked. “Don’t worry about .”
“Alright,” Liam finally said with a sigh. Then, he firmly instructed, “I’ll be back with water in a minute. Don’t move.”
As he walked away, I leaned back on the chair and closed my eyes. The music pounded in my ears, doing nothing to help my queasiness. I tried to focus on my breathing, hoping the sensation would pass.
A minute turned into five, and there was still no sign of Liam. I sat up slightly, scanning the crowd.
Lucas remained at his table, now surrounded by several serious-looking wolves I assud were pack mbers. Sophia’s party didn’t just have teens and youths around—there were people who were slightly older as well. Those whom Lucas was speaking to seed like familiar faces from Alpha Henry’s inner circle.
Levi was still chatting away, completely oblivious to my discomfort.
Another wave of nausea hit , stronger this ti. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold it back much longer. Standing on shaky legs, I wrapped the towel tighter around myself and headed toward the house.
The main floor bathroom had a line stretching into the hallway. I bit my lip, desperately looking around for another option. There had to be another bathroom sowhere in this massive house.
Making a split-second decision, I headed for the stairs. My wet feet left damp prints on the wooden steps as I climbed, one hand pressed firmly against my rolling stomach.
The second floor was quieter, with only a few partygoers lingering in the hallway.
I tried the first door I ca to—a bedroom. The second was locked. The third, thankfully, swung open to reveal a bathroom. I rushed inside, barely managing to shut the door before dropping to my knees in front of the toilet.
Everything I’d consud that evening ca up in a violent heave. I clutched the porcelain bowl, my body trembling as I emptied my stomach. When it was finally over, I flushed and leaned back against the cool tiled wall, exhausted.
After a few minutes of recovery, I pulled myself up to the sink. My reflection looked back at —pale, with mascara slightly smudged beneath my eyes.
I splashed water on my face, rinsing away the traces of sickness and trying to compose myself. Thankfully, Sophia’s bathrooms were well-equipped with all sorts of things, including make-up wipes. I quickly wiped the smudge away.
My fingers were still trembling. When I looked down, they were soaked through and wrinkly. For so reason, just the sight of them made my stomach roll in discomfort, and I grabbed onto the edge of the sink for support before giving myself another splash.
For so reason, my body was heating up again. I felt hot and feverish inside.
The cool water felt heavenly against my flushed skin. I grabbed a hand towel from the rack and patted my face dry.
As I lowered the towel, I spotted a movent behind in the mirror. I froze.
There, in the mirror’s reflection, stood a figure just inside the bathroom doorway—a doorway I was certain I had closed.
My heart leapt into my throat as I spun around, my wet hair whipping across my face as I ca face to face with soone I was hoping and praying wouldn’t be here.
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