After Party Novels & Stories

Forty-eight hours before my wedding, I called the planner and asked her to change the bride’s name. Dante Rinaldi had postponed our wedding nine times for Bianca Valli, the girl he’d grown up with. Now she had chosen the flowers, the music, even the dress I was supposed to wear. He had promised her our first dance, too. “Are you certain?” the planner asked. “Mr. Rinaldi has finally confirmed the date.” On my laptop, beneath my name, a note read: Revise to Bianca’s preferred colors. “Then give her the rest of it.” For years, I had fitted my career around the man who ran the Rinaldi family. My transfer to our magazine’s Paris office was finally approved. This time, I would take it. Dante could

DAN I couldn’t believe I was fucking my daughter’s best friend on her bed. But I couldn’t see myself stopping. For years now, Avery has repeatedly shown interest in me. And it had taken every piece of control in my body not to bend her over my knees and spank her for her behavior. And now… Letting go of her neck, I carefully slid out of the bed. The bed creaked under my body as I stood to my full height, gaze pinned on her.

Claire was known for her strong sense of principle and her strict adherence to rules and punctuality. Everyone knew she never made exceptions for anyone. Yet, when it came to getting married, she had stood Mark up eight separate times. The first time was because her friend from college, Ryan, returned after eight years living abroad, and she had to pick him up at the airport. The second time, Ryan slightly burned his finger while cooking, so she abandoned Mark on their way to the city hall just to check Ryan was all right. The third time, Ryan’s son fell ill, and she rushed over in a panic to drive the kid to the hospital. Now, this was the eighth time. Once again, she was a no-show. All

Chapter 28: In which she tries something new. "My face hurts." "Mine too." Nate whispered in my ear as we bid goodnight to the last of the guests. Nikki, Lyric, Beth, Tina, Roan and Roan's wife Millie were the last ones still remaining to help me clean up. The house was a mess; there were tons of dishes in the sink; the candles had melted and were now stuck to the glasses...need I say more? So, yeah. It was a typical after party disaster, minus the teenage hormones. Which, I was gravely thankful for. At least we didn’t have plastic cups littered around and people passed out at random spots…right?

I have Alice to think about and Katy now, too. “I will come to visit you tomorrow, Johnson. We need to settle this down once and for all. I will fight you for the mother and the fetus, then kill you and reclaim my pack.” We stood staring at each other and didn’t break this silly contest until the infected wolves reached us. We ran away while the other men were fighting with them. It took us a few moments to reach the bunker. ‘What was that Alexandria? You were the one who always asked me to stay low and away from all of this shit, especially packs politics.’

My message read: I hope it is fun! I will be careful and of course no drink and driving! love you! xoxo I hit send on my phone and then put it away quickly. We arrived at the after party and there were tons of cars here and people outside and inside the house. This party was huge. It was like one you would see on a movie at a frat house or something!

"But the afterparty is the highlight of the event! Maybe you can rest a bit and come back in an hour? I'm also gonna tuck in the kids then join the rest in like an hour, tops. Alright?" Just leave her be, Gen. Let me breathe a bit. Eventhough I'm just gonna stay near the bar, keep the drinks coming. I have a feel I'm gonna need more than ten servings of Macallan to forget those two hours of my life. "See you at the ballroom around ten?" She's still coaxing her. I hate how nosy I've become to eavesdrop their conversation while pretending to listen to my cousins' ramblings. I fucking tune out on this new business plan for a girls' conversation about an afterparty.

Damien scoffed and a woman sitting beside stared at him with a frown, but he did not care. Alex signalled his hand to a table at one corner. “There’s a feast tonight. We have jugs of sweetened blood of all groups for you and pies stuffed with blood. Blood beers as well! Courtesy of Dr Lisa working at the Orilon Medical centre and Chef Jake. Be sure to thank them! I hope you have a good time tonight.” He finished with another of his charming, wicked smiles and took a seat in the audience. Nate felt sick and disgusted. He wanted to leave as soon as possible. Pulling his cellphone out from his pocket, he sent a quick text to Eira.

Only time—and probably some therapy, too—would help her forget about him and the horrible breakup. What's worse? Théo might have gotten her pregnant, too. ••• Théo ran his eyes over the venue another time. The front doors, all glass, was still wide open. About 30 people were still busy buzzing around like bees, livening up this after-party. The stereo system had been playing more club music for the last two hours.

It was official. I was finally where I belonged. The Afterparty: A Mysterious Guest The packhouse pulsed with life that night, the air thick with the scent of roasted meats and honeyed wine. Laughter and music filled the halls as we celebrated, and for the first time in years, I felt completely and utterly free. Atlas barely left my side, his arm wrapped around my waist possessively as he led me through dances and drinks. “You’re glowing,” he murmured against my ear. I smirked. “Maybe it’s the wine.”