Amber’s POV“Man, that’s really crazy,” Jay said with a laugh, tipping his head back before taking another sip of wine.“I know, right?” I replied with a playful smile. I reached across, refilling his cup and topping mine as well.One glass had turned into two. Then three. And before I knew it, he was waving at me to grab the whole bottle.Jackpot.“You know,” he muttered, swirling the rim of his glass, “you’re not so bad when you’re not trying to get me to fuck you.”I chuckled softly and lifted my glass toward his. “Cheers to that.”He raised his own and took a long gulp, his throat working as he swallowed deeply. He didn’t even notice the sly smirk tugging at the corner of my lips.The hall was still buzzing with music and laughter, but many guests had already retired to their rooms. The night was thinning out.And my husband? The Goddess herself only knew where he had gone. Right now, I didn’t care.All that mattered was the man in front of me—Alpha Jay. All I wanted was to get hi
Jay POV “Come on, baby. We’re almost there,” I murmured, keeping a steady arm around River as I guided her down the hall.She whimpered and stumbled, pressing herself against the wall. Her body trembled, sweat sliding down her temple, her chest rising and falling like she’d just run for miles. The scent of her arousal was so sharp, so intoxicating, I was sure every wolf within fifty feet could smell it. And if I was being honest, it was driving me mad too.I swallowed hard, forcing my thoughts to stay clear. I didn’t have time to lose myself now. I had to get back to the damn hall in less than twenty minutes. If I let myself give in, I wouldn’t be leaving that room until dawn.“Come on, baby,” I urged softly, trying to coax her away from the wall. “Our room is just around the corner.”The mistake I made was brushing my hand over her waist.She moaned, her knees almost buckling. Her eyes burned with a wild, desperate hunger before she growled low in her throat. “You know what? Fuck it
River’s POV“Don’t try that!” Charlotte snapped, her voice sharp enough to turn a few heads in our direction. Her eyes burned with irritation, locked on me. “It’s not your damn drink!”“It’s just a drink, Charlotte,” Jay growled beside me, his tone edged with warning. “I can get another one whenever I want to.”“But I got that one especially for you!” she shot back, her voice rising with frustration. Her gaze darted back to me, hard and accusing. “She had no right. Put it down. Now.”I met her glare head-on, refusing to flinch. And then, without breaking eye contact, I tilted the glass back and drained every last drop.Her expression faltered, fear flashing across her face before she abruptly pushed her chair back and stood.My brow furrowed. Why the hell did she look scared? What had she done to that drink?A love potion?Goddess, it better not be. The very thought made my stomach twist. If I woke up tomorrow suddenly obsessed with that two-faced, scheming bitch, I’d put a silver bla
River’s POV“Don’t try that!” Charlotte snapped, her voice sharp enough to turn a few heads in our direction. Her eyes burned with irritation, locked on me. “It’s not your damn drink!”“It’s just a drink, Charlotte,” Jay growled beside me, his tone edged with warning. “I can get another one whenever I want to.”“But I got that one especially for you!” she shot back, her voice rising with frustration. Her gaze darted back to me, hard and accusing. “She had no right. Put it down. Now.”I met her glare head-on, refusing to flinch. And then, without breaking eye contact, I tilted the glass back and drained every last drop.Her expression faltered, fear flashing across her face before she abruptly pushed her chair back and stood.My brow furrowed. Why the hell did she look scared? What had she done to that drink?A love potion?Goddess, it better not be. The very thought made my stomach twist. If I woke up tomorrow suddenly obsessed with that two-faced, scheming bitch, I’d put a silver bla
River POVAs soon as we got to our table, the first thing I noticed was the arrangement. The Crescent Moon pack and the Meadows pack were placed together at one table. Great. Just my luck.By the time we arrived, only three seats were left in the middle. I wasn’t about to sit beside Charlotte—absolutely not—so when Jay offered to take that seat, I silently thanked the Goddess. Still, there was a strange uneasiness lingering from earlier, but I pushed it aside.I slipped into the seat beside him. Amber was on the other side, leaving one chair between us, and I almost kissed the floor in relief that they hadn’t placed us directly together. My only prayer now was that I didn’t run into Zed the whole evening.“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” Jay leaned close, his breath trickling my earlobe.I chuckled softly. “Only about a million times.”“Well then,” he kissed the back of my hand, his lips brushing my skin lightly, “let’s make it a million and one. You look incredible.”I smile
Jay’s POVThe hotel room door clicked open, and River stepped in first. She gave a quick glance around, her lips curving. “Huh, not bad,” she murmured.I followed behind, rolling our boxes across the polished floor. The moment I stepped in, I scanned the place too. “It’s quite spacious,” I admitted.Alpha Regan had gone all out. Since his birthday was supposed to be an all-nighter, he’d booked out the entire hotel for his guests. The party would take place in the grand hall downstairs, but every guest was given a room. Ours had soft cream walls, a huge king-sized bed draped in offwhite bedsheets, and a chandelier above that cast a yellowing glow over the room. A sitting area by the window overlooked the city lights. It was luxury without being overwhelming.I pushed the boxes to the side and dropped onto the cushioned chair with a sigh. “Finally.”“Oh my, I’m so tired,” River groaned dramatically as she flopped onto the bed, spreading her arms wide as though the mattress was swallowin