2: Austin Riven

CASSIE

It’s been over an hour since Zoren left, and yet the party isn’t close to ending. The night is growing late. Emilia is half-drunk and still partying, social and easy-going as ever.

I don’t blame her. Her parents would never let her drink. For us wolves, our alcohol tolerance is high, so our parents aren’t that strict about it. Still, they tell us to be careful about being caught. We have to follow the law after all.

The bonfire is still burning, but many more people have left. I stand in the same spot Zoren left me, enjoying the night view of the ocean.

Austin appears beside me as I slip my phone back into my purse. And I try to mask my disappointment at the lack of calls or messages from Zoren. Did he get home safely?

“What did I miss?” he asks, slipping his hands into the pockets of his tailored pants. “And you smell good.”

“Thanks.”

He inhales softly. “Very good.”

“Really?” I mutter. He nods. I lift my wrist to my nose. I smell the same as always. Unless it’s Katherine’s perfume clinging to my skin. She mentioned using a new perfume, and she’d hugged me before they left. “Thank you.”

“No worries.”

Austin’s hand reaches out to mess up my hair, but I duck. He might be older by nearly two years, but I’m not a kid.

“You seem awfully cheerful for someone whose biggest rival just won the largest contract in company history,” I tease, thankful for a distraction. Austin laughs, the sound low and effortless. I can’t help smiling at him. “You’re late.”

Austin Riven belongs to the Riven Pack, the second most powerful werewolf pack after the Arlowe Pack. In the human world, his family’s company has been Lunara Corp’s greatest competitor for decades.

We are rivals in business and among the packs. According to our elders, we should never be anything more than polite acquaintances. Unfortunately for them, attending the same elite high schools has made that impossible.

Over the years, Austin has somehow become part of our small circle of friends. He probably has a lot to handle. A win for our company is a loss for theirs. He must have waited until he could sneak away before showing up here.

“What about Zoren and Katherine?” he asks, glancing around as if expecting them to appear.

“They left early.”

His brows draw together. “Already? What happened?”

“There was an emergency.”

“What kind of emergency?” he presses.

I lift my shoulders in a small shrug. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t?” He looks at me knowingly, one brow raised. “Or you can’t tell me because I’m from another pack?”

A smile curls my lips, and he chuckles.

“Fair enough. I wouldn’t expect the Beta’s daughter to reveal Arlowe Pack secrets to one of her greatest rivals.”

His tone is playful rather than serious, and the tension dissolves almost immediately.

“I’m happy for you,” he mutters.

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard. His gaze holds mine a little longer than necessary, warm and steady in a way that feels different from the usual easy friendship. He steps a little closer, the salt air and dying firelight making the space between us feel smaller than it should.

“Cassie,” he breathes, his voice lower than before. I stiffen. “Whatever that is on you… it’s driving me a little crazy.”

“Well, I—”

Austin leans in, slow enough that I could stop him, close enough that his breath brushes my cheek. His eyes flutter shut, and his hand lifts, fingertips grazing my jaw as if he’s about to cup my face and close the distance.

I step back immediately, and the sand shifts under my heels. The almost-kïss breaks like a snapped string.

Austin’s eyes open fully. For a second he just looks at me, something unreadable flickering there before he smooths it away with a low, self-deprecating chuckle.

“Cassie,” he says quietly, dropping his hand. “I’m sorry.”

The silence stretches for a heartbeat. Zoren will be pissed. I force a small, apologetic smile and look back out at the dark water, pulse still a little too fast.

“What’s wrong with you tonight?” I whisper.

His face falls. “I… I don’t know. It won’t happen again.” He shoves his hands back into his pockets, the easy charm returning like a well-practiced mask. “Don’t tell Zoren.”

The air between us feels different now. Charged, careful, and a fraction colder than it was a moment ago. Before I can respond, Emilia runs toward us with a glass of wine.

“I’m celebrating!” she declares proudly.

“Emilia.” I reach across and catch her wrist before she can take another sip. “No. You’ve already had enough.”

She pouts. “It’s a celebration.”

“It’s your fourth glass,” I remind her.

“So?”

Since she’s not a she-wolf, she’ll suffer serious headaches.

“So tomorrow you’ll complain that your head feels like it’s been run over by a truck.”

Austin laughs. She grins and takes another sip anyway.

“We should get out of here,” he suggests.

His eyes meet mine, uncertainty and guilt written across his face. I gulp and nod slowly. The kïss didn’t happen, so I don’t have to mention it to Zoren. Plus, I really believe it’s a mistake. He’s never been touchy toward me.

Wait. What if… I came in contact with his mate tonight? He’s near the age of meeting his fated mate, and I hugged a lot of people today. It must be why he thinks I smell good. With that thought, the nerves in my shoulders dissolve.

“I know you’ve had enough of shaking hands and smiling at people,” he mutters. I laugh, the sound genuine. “Right?”

He isn’t wrong. I drag Emilia with me to find my parents inside while he waits. Mom and Dad are at a back table, having a private moment. It’s not surprising. They always sneak off during occasions like two newly mated pairs.

“Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad,” I mutter. Emilia waves shyly, and Mom chuckles. “I’ll be back home late. We’re going out.”

“By this time? It’s already late. Past ten,” Mom says with a frown. “The Marlowe’s have gone. We should get going soon.”

“Come on, my Silver Moon,” Dad interjects. “Let her enjoy herself. She will be with her friends. It’s a great night, and it means more alone time for the two of us.”

Mom blushes, and I roll my eyes. “Ew, Dad.”

Dad winks, and my cheeks flush. Mom is supportive but overly protective. Dad is more understanding. He always seems to know what I need just by looking at me. Before she can argue, he kïsses her. They are so shameless.

Elaris growls softly inside me. The sight of them reminds me of the earlier dare, and I wonder what it would have felt like to kïss Zoren’s lips instead of his cheek.