The Party

Macy’s POV

The party was in full swing, buzzing with music, laughter, and the clinking of champagne flutes. The grand chandelier above cast glittering light across the marble floors, reflecting off the sequins and jewels worn by the who’s who of the high-class world—though I didn’t know that last part, not yet.

I glanced around, quietly stunned by the luxury. High ceilings, polished mahogany, crystal vases brimming with fresh roses… The Torres estate was beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Just how wealthy was Derick’s family?

“Now, aren’t you the most gorgeous woman under this roof?”

Derick’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, low and warm against my ear. He appeared beside me, dressed in an all-black tux that made him look like something out of a magazine.

I turned toward him, a smile blooming on my lips. “Thanks, babe.”

He held out his hand with a grin. “Come dance with me.”

We moved to the dance floor, where couples swayed to a slow, sultry rhythm. Derick’s hand slid around my waist, and I let myself melt into the moment—just the two of us, the music, the crowd fading into a blur.

But not entirely.

I caught glimpses—fleeting, burning stares from women dressed in silk and velvet. They watched Derick like he belonged to them, their eyes sliding to me with something colder. Possessiveness? Jealousy? Like I was wearing a crown I hadn’t earned.

I tilted my chin higher, pretending not to notice, and focused on the warmth of Derick’s touch and the steady beat of the music. He only had eyes for me, and that was what mattered.

After a few songs, I leaned up and whispered, “Be right back. Nature calls.”

Derick kissed my temple. “Don’t take too long.”

I made my way through the throng and slipped into the lavish powder room. By the time I returned, the party seemed louder, more crowded—and different. Like the air had shifted.

That’s when I felt it.

A strange tingling crept up my spine, like the brush of unseen fingers. My gaze swept the room instinctively, searching for… what? I didn’t know. But someone—somewhere—was watching me.

A quiet thrill curled in my stomach. The sensation was magnetic. I felt drawn.

“Macy,” Derick called, reappearing with that boyish grin that always melted me. I walked to him, grateful to see a familiar face, and he pulled me into a quick kiss. “Come on, I want you to meet someone.”

He took my hand, his expression softening with excitement, and led me through the crowd. I followed his gaze to a tall man across the room, standing motionless like he owned the space. Black tux. Broad shoulders. Hands tucked into his pockets. And eyes—dark, stormy eyes—locked straight on me.

My steps slowed.

As we drew closer, the man didn’t blink. He didn’t smile. He just… watched. Something about him sent a shiver down my spine. My throat went dry.

“Liam! Bro, I missed you. How have you been?” Derick greeted him cheerfully.

The man didn’t answer right away. His eyes didn’t leave mine. My pulse stuttered under the weight of his stare.

Finally, he spoke. “I’ve been good, brother.” His voice was low, strained. He gave Derick a glance, but it was brief. And then he was back to looking at me—no, into me.

Derick turned to me with a proud smile and laced our fingers together. “I want you to meet someone special. This is my girlfriend, Macy.”

I swallowed hard and offered my hand with a polite smile. “Nice to meet you.”

Liam’s eyes flicked down to my hand… and stayed there. He didn’t take it. He didn’t speak.

Instead, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Silence. Embarrassment. Cold confusion.

I stood frozen, my hand still awkwardly outstretched.

“What the hell?” I whispered under my breath.

Derick’s brows furrowed. “I’m so sorry about that, babe. I think he got distracted.”

“Distracted?” I snapped, the hurt sharper than I expected. “You’ve been talking about your brother for months, and that’s how he greets me?”

“He’s usually not like this. I swear, something’s off,” Derick said, glancing over his shoulder as if trying to make sense of it.

“I don’t think he likes me, Derick,” I said softly.

He cupped my face, his expression gentle. “Don’t think like that. Liam’s been away a long time. He probably just needs a minute to adjust. Come on—let’s not let him ruin tonight.”

But deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had just shifted. And not in a good way.

***

Liam’s POV

The moment I turned away, I knew I’d shattered something.

I stormed out of the pack house, lungs burning, heart cracking with every step. The cold night air did nothing to cool the heat in my veins.

“*Mate!*” Rage howled inside me, frantic. Wild.

I could still smell her on the air—sweet, pure, intoxicating. The bond had locked in place the moment our eyes met, and my world had tilted on its axis. Macy. My brother’s girlfriend. *My mate.*

It was a cruel joke. A cosmic slap in the face.

I ran.

My wolf surged forward, and I let the shift take me. My skin ripped, fur exploded along my limbs, and Rage took control.

We sprinted through the woods behind the house, trees blurring past, the scent of earth and pine grounding us as best it could. But it wasn’t enough. Not when her scent clung to my every breath.

I don’t know how long we ran. Hours, maybe. My mind retreated, letting Rage scream into the night. When exhaustion finally caught up, I shifted back and pulled on the emergency clothes hidden in a hollow tree trunk.

I trudged back toward the house through the back entrance and climbed the stairs to my room. A hot shower dulled the ache in my chest, but it couldn’t silence the bond.

A knock sounded.

“Come in, Mom,” I said without turning around.

She entered, her heels clicking softly on the hardwood. “Where have you been? You missed everything.”

“I had something to take care of,” I muttered, still toweling my hair.

She studied me, eyes sharp. “You don’t look okay.”

“I’m fine, Mom. Just tired.”

“Well join us down for dinner. Everyone’s waiting.”

I nodded, kissed her forehead, and waited until she was gone before letting out a slow, bitter breath.

Dinner. Great.

When I stepped into the dining room, the scent hit me before I even saw her. My body tensed.

She was still here.

Macy sat at the table like she belonged there, laughing softly with Mom and Derick. Her dress shimmered under the warm lights. Her scent filled my lungs, igniting everything I’d tried to bury.

“Son, are you okay?” Dad asked.

Every head turned toward me—including hers.

I swallowed, hard. “Yeah. I’m good.”

Liar.

My eyes met hers, and for a second, the noise around us faded. Those ocean-blue eyes locked on mine, wide with curiosity and… something else. Recognition? A flicker of something deeper?

Rage stirred again. I smirked, masking the storm within. Her gaze dropped, flustered.

“All right, let’s eat before the food gets cold,” Mom said, thankfully breaking the silence.

But nothing could silence the war that had begun inside me.

My mate was here. And she belonged to my brother.