Chapter 5 – The After-Party Invitation

Lyra

“No.”

The word slipped out sharper than I expected.

Nick blinked, clearly surprised. Mirae’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

“What’s wrong with you?” she hissed, grabbing my arm and yanking me toward a corner just off the path. Her eyes were wide with disbelief, like I’d just slapped the principal. “That’s Nick! As in Nick. The most popular guy in school. You just said no to him?”

I looked at her, trying to stay calm, even though my chest was tightening again. “And so? Did you forget what those police officers said? We’re supposed to be back by eight. It’s already 7:55. The game’s over. We should go.”

She scoffed like I’d lost my mind. “Seriously, Lyra? Come on! It's just three deaths. Nothing’s happened around campus yet. I mean, we’ll be surrounded by people. Nothing will happen. Let’s go! Please.”

I hesitated. My gut told me to head back. But then Mirae leaned closer, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “I’m pretty sure Jay will be there too. Don’t miss your chance.”

I closed my eyes for a second, heartbeat thudding. She was right.

Turning around together, we found Nick still standing there, waiting. His hands were tucked casually into his pockets, but his eyes never left mine.

“So…” he said slowly, his voice smooth and slightly teasing, “what’s the final verdict?”

“We’re coming!” Mirae chirped before I could even think.

Nick’s lips pulled into a crooked smile. “Good choice.” Then, his gaze shifted, right to me. He winked. But this time… this time, he blew a kiss.

Right at me.

My stomach twisted. What the hell was that? Was he pretending not to know about the watch? Or was he just playing some twisted game to mess with my head?

Mirae squealed beside me. “Let’s go now!”

We joined a group of classmates walking toward the bus parked outside campus. The night air was cooler now, brushing against my skin like a warning, but I pushed the thought away.

The ride to the after-party was long. Longer than it should have been. We drove through winding roads, music blasting from someone’s phone, the whole bus buzzing with excitement.

When we got to the venue, some off-campus student lodge that looked more like a mini club—it was already packed. Neon lights danced across the walls. Bass thudded from huge speakers. People were everywhere, drinking, laughing, dancing, making out in corners like this was some music video.

Drinks flowed like water.

Strangers offered me cups. I turned most of them down.

But what caught me off guard was the sudden attention. Guys who’d never said a word to me before were now smiling, stepping closer, offering to dance.

I didn’t say no.

I danced.

Partly to blend in, partly because I needed a distraction, but mostly because I saw Jay. Across the room, leaning against a wall, arms crossed, watching me.

I saw his jaw tighten.

Good.

Still, the more I danced, the more I felt him watching, Nick. His eyes tracked me like a shadow. Every time I looked up, he was somewhere nearby. Silent. Still. Just watching.

What was going on?

Later, someone screamed, “Game time!”

Everyone gathered in a loose circle on the floor, bottles and laughter spilling all around. Someone dimmed the lights and turned the music down just enough.

Rixa walked into the center like she owned the night. She’d changed out of her cheer uniform and now wore a short, tight satin dress, dark green and strapless, hugging her curves like it was painted on.

Of course.

She flashed a wicked smile, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Let’s get this party started!”

Mirae groaned beside me. “Of course she’s the host.”

Rixa held up a clear glass bottle, the kind you'd use for lemonade. “You know the rules,” she purred. “Whoever the bottle lands on plays truth. But if you don’t answer... you kiss the questioner.”

Groans. Cheers. Laughter.

I crossed my arms, suddenly very aware of how tight my crop top was.

Rixa spun the bottle. It clinked as it turned. Everyone leaned in.

My stomach flipped.

The bottle slowed.

And landed.

On me.

Rixa’s smile widened like she’d been hoping for this. “Well, well, well,” she said sweetly, “Lyra. Truth or…”

She didn’t even finish the sentence. The crowd was already roaring.

I sat frozen, all eyes on me. Mirae squeezed my knee under the table.

I swallowed hard. Nick hadn’t looked away.

And neither had Jay.

What now?

Nick was the first to talk. Of course, it had to be him. Again. Why was it always him?

He leaned forward from the circle like he owned the damn room, all eyes on him, like this was his show. His voice was calm,

“So…” he said slowly, like he already knew the answer, “I get to ask the question, right?”

My breath caught.

I felt Mirae shift beside me. She didn’t know what he was doing..

Nick tilted his head, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “What if I want a second time?” he asked, his voice barely above the music, but somehow loud enough to make my whole body freeze. “Would you give me one?”

I nearly choked.

My hands turned clammy. My throat dried up. Mirae turned sharply toward me, her mouth slightly open, confused, suspicious, like she’d just realized something she wasn’t supposed to know.

Second time? God.

I hadn’t told her.

Nick knew exactly what he was doing. He was pulling my private life into the open. Right here. In front of everyone. My heart pounded, fast and uneven. My head spun.

He doesn’t do second times. Everyone knows that.

So what is this?

I avoided eye contact, fighting the urge to crawl out of my own skin. I wanted to disappear. But before I could even think, Nick stood up.

My whole body tensed.

“What are you doing?” I said quickly, scooting back. “Nick—wait—”

He was already moving toward me, one hand reaching out, his expression unreadable.

“It’s the game,” he said simply.

And then, he kissed me.

Right there in front of everyone.

His lips crashed into mine like he didn’t care who was watching. Heat surged through me. The room disappeared. My breath hitched. I felt everything and nothing. And then I found myself kissing him back. My hand moved to the back of his neck, pulling him closer, like I didn’t want to let go. Like I needed more. I hated that I did.

When he finally pulled away, I was shaking.

Why did it feel like something inside me woke up when he kissed me? Why did my body respond like it had been waiting for this?”

My eyes fluttered open, breath unsteady, and that’s when I saw Jay.

He was staring at me. Dazed.

Like he hadn’t expected that.

Like he didn’t know what to do with what he just saw.

And then, Rixa.

She looked like she’d just swallowed fire. Her face twisted with rage. “F**k you, Nick!” she screamed, storming into the center and grabbing the bottle before anyone could speak. Her eyes found Jay instantly.

She spun it.

It landed on her. Of course it did.

She smiled sweetly, fake as hell. “Truth,” she said, then waited half a second before rolling her eyes. “Actually… no. I won’t answer. I’ll just take the kiss.”

She turned to Jay. “If he wants trash, I’ll take treasure,” she spat, before kissing Jay.

It wasn’t just a kiss, it was a show. She practically climbed him, pressing her body to his like she wanted to brand herself on his skin. But I wasn’t watching her. I was watching Nick.

So was she.

That kiss wasn’t about Jay. It was about Nick. She wanted to see his reaction.

But the one getting pissed… was me.

I hated it.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I stood up, pushed past the crowd, and walked, fast, out of the house, through the back gate, into the night.

The cool air hit my face like a slap.

I kept walking. I didn’t want anyone to see me break.

My breathing started to pick up. my sickness.

Not again. Not now.

Pain flared in my chest. A pulsing throb behind my ribs. I grabbed my bag, fingers trembling as I searched for the pills. Found the bottle. Popped two. Swallowed them dry. My throat burned, but I didn’t care.

I leaned back against the fence, trying to pull air into my lungs, trying to stay calm.

What the hell just happened?

Nick… what was that?

A second time?

Was that his twisted way of saying he wanted me again? That what happened between us meant something?

No. Don't be stupid, Lyra.

You’re just a game.

That’s all.

And then, something moved in the shadows.

I froze.

Two glowing blue eyes blinked out at me from the darkness behind the trees.

What the hell is that?

My phone vibrated in my hand. Mirae.

I answered without looking.

“Hello?” I said, breathless.

“Where are you? We’ve been looking for you everywhere!”

“I just went—” My voice cut off.

The creature stepped into the light.

It was huge. Not human. Just the same as what the offices showed us this morning.

Its body was covered in thick gray fur, its mouth open in a snarl. Claws. Fangs. Massive. And it was charging at me.

My phone slipped from my hand, crashing to the ground.

I couldn’t move. My feet wouldn’t work.

It lunged at me.

“Get away from me!” I screamed, stumbling back.

Claws slashed through the air, my eyes closed in terror.

Is this how I'm going to die?

Then, a blinding flash.

Something slammed into the beast, knocking it sideways with inhuman force. It skidded across the dirt with a yelp.

I gasped, my legs frozen.

And then… someone stepped in front of it.

Nick.

Or what looked like him.

But this wasn’t the boy from the party. This Nick was taller, broader, glowing with unnatural energy. His eyes burned electric blue. His veins pulsed. His hands, no, claws, dripped with blood.

I couldn’t breathe. “Nick?” I whispered.

He turned.

His jaw clenched tight. His eyes locked onto mine, and I saw something wild behind them. Pain. Fury. Hunger. Like something inside him had snapped loose.

He didn’t answer.

He charged.

Too fast. Before I could move, pain exploded across my back. I screamed, crashing to my knees. Blood soaked through my shirt. My body shook violently.

“What… what are you doing?!” I cried, choking on the pain.

He crouched beside me, breathing hard. Heat radiated off him. His voice was low and rough.

“You’re not going to die,” he said. “I marked you.”

I froze.

My heart thundered in my ears.

Marked?

He leaned in, his breath brushing my cheek.

“You’re mine now.”