Party

ALLIE

“We need to celebrate,” Danielle shouts, as soon as we get home and I tell her the good news about my job. “We haven’t had a party in ages.”

“The last one was three weeks ago,” Jason points out.

Danielle waves her hand at him dismissively and continues, “We’re in college. Going three weeks without a party is unnatural. Besides, Allie hasn’t met any of our friends.”

She turns to Adam. “You call everyone and invite them to the party. Toby, you go shopping to restock on alcohol.”

“And what are you going to be doing while I’m buying the drinks?” Toby asks.

“Allie and I need to make ourselves beautiful for the party.” She grabs my arm and leads me upstairs.

***

Two hours later, Danielle and I are standing in the hall welcoming our guests. Adam has invited most of the lone wolves in Linton to the party, along with a few human students.

This is the first party I’ve ever been to, and I’m looking forward to it.

Unlike Danielle, I have no party clothes. I’m usually a jeans girl. But she loaned me a short blue dress with a plunging neckline and tightly fitted bodice, and she did my hair and makeup.

According to Danielle, I look hot, but all I feel is uncomfortable.

As wolves walk in, I notice the males checking out Danielle, and surprisingly, some of them are staring appreciatively at me.

It feels weird—I’m not used to attracting male attention. I’ve always been too busy studying and working to find time for boys.

Besides, how do you explain to someone that you’re only going to be around for a few months? That someday soon you’re going to pack your bags and run with no notice.

Relationships would have just complicated things.

I did go on a few dates with human guys, but it never felt right. Maybe now that I’m surrounded by my own kind, things might change.

There must be thirty wolves here, but three-quarters of them are men, and I feel them watching me, checking me out. It’s a bit overwhelming.

Danielle notices that I’m uncomfortable. “Most loners are male. The females are less likely to leave or be thrown out of a pack. That means the guys give us a lot more attention.

“No one here will force you to do anything you don’t want to do, but if you feel anyone is coming on too strong, let me know and I’ll sort them out.”

I smile at her. I know she will. I can look after myself, but it’s nice to know she has my back.

“Okay. Let me introduce you to our most eligible bachelors. Let’s start with Alexander, our brightest and richest loner.”

She stops and reconsiders. “He isn’t strictly a loner—his family is aligned with all the packs but not members of any of them. They do legal work and offer other services that make them valuable.”

“Unlike us, he’s welcome everywhere, but he still chooses to spend time with us,” she adds proudly.

She makes her way toward a tall man with sleek long brown hair and piercing blue eyes. He’s standing alone, observing the partygoers with a small smile on his face.

She calls out to him, and he turns toward her and smiles warmly.

“Danielle.” He gently takes her hand and presses it to his lips.

It’s such an old-fashioned gesture, but it doesn’t feel fake or forced. It suits him, and Danielle obviously likes the attention because her smile widens.

“Let me introduce you to my new friend and housemate Allie,” she says.

He turns his attention to me, and his eyes are appraising as he looks me up and down.

“I’m delighted to meet you, Allie. Are you attending Linton University?”

“Yes. This is my first week.”

“And another lone wolf, no pack?”

“No, no pack.”

“What are you studying?”

“Medicine.”

“That’s an unusual choice for a wolf,” he says quizzically. “Human Medicine isn’t as effective on werewolves.”

“It’s better than nothing, and most loners have nothing. I want to help them. If I have some medical training, and if I’m lucky, I might be able to figure out the rest.”

Alexander’s expression changes, and he looks at me seriously for a moment. The old-world charm that I now realize was just a mask has disappeared, and he stares at me with genuine appreciation.

“That’s a noble reason for studying. I hope you succeed and are able to help those wolves who are denied care for no other reason than they don’t have a pack.”

My cheeks flush at his words. I feel pleased and proud.

“Allie is a special wolf, and we are lucky to have her here,” Danielle says quietly.

“She is indeed.”

She smiles brightly at him. “Well, as much as we would love to stay and chat, I have at least another five wolves that she must meet.”

“Of course. Unfortunately, I can’t stay much longer. I have to visit the new alpha of the Red Moon Pack. He’s asked for my advice.”

“New alpha? But we saw the old alpha only a month ago and he seemed well. What has happened? Why has he been replaced?

“A smooth takeover is probably the best way to describe it. Now, I need to leave, but I look forward to having a longer talk with you soon, Allie.”

I smile at him as he walks away.

“New alpha, what does he mean new alpha?” Danielle starts to panic.

“Is that bad?”

“It depends on who’s taken over, but a lot of wolves hate how welcoming Alpha Alistair has been to loners like us. They think he should throw us all out of Linton.”

She looks grim. “If the new alpha thinks like them, if he classes us as rogues, then we’re in trouble.”