Chapter 58

Hayley POV

Leaving Cooper in that grotto earlier, fully clothed, was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had to jump straight into the water to try to hide how turned on I was from these shifters and their super-sensitive noses.

I want him, more than anything else I've ever wanted before. I know that I'm pushing Cooper, but knowing he would have claimed his mate already if she were a wolf, I'm not willing to accept anything less. As we walk into the ballroom, my nerves disappear as I link my arm with hers. It's some people's worst nightmare, but I know I am good at this. Damn good. Mingling, chatting, and making connections, it's a skill.

The ballroom looks amazing, bathed in soft pink tones and about a million twinkling lights. We snag a couple of flutes of champagne from a passing server and bump into Max, who looks dashing in his tux. His almost black hair is long on top and shaved at the sides, and tonight is slicked back neatly in a man bun. Other