"And what if I liked smoking?"

"Everest," William knocked on the door again. I finally mustered all the bravery I had left and opened the door. My eyes landed on his bright ones first before I drag my eyes slowly down his muscled body. So he does have style. Even though it's all black, he makes it work well. "You look pretty," William mumbled with his eyes shamelessly running down my body like I just did. His eyes lingered on my chest for a few seconds more before they swat to my eyes.

"You look hot," I bluntly say and pull him into the room, away from prying eyes. That night after we kissed for the first time, I didn't want to rush into things and give into Alaska's wants so I suggested we go back out. Instead, he suggested we leave which was the better decision so I said goodbye to his family and he drove me home.

A kiss on the forehead.

That lingering kiss on the forehead he gave me as we stood outside the packhouse doors drove me insane. I wanted to fist his shirt and claim his lips which were completely not me. I'm never one to kiss a man if it wasn't leading to sex afterward. William is different. Now it was the next day and as promised, he's here to take me to Enrico's party.

"Nothing compares to you, darling," William mumbled and surprisingly placed his hands on my hips but made no other movements. It's complicated. I wanted to push him on the bed but I couldn't because William is different and I can't treat him like one of my past partners in bed. That will be slipping back into my old life and I've worked hard mentally to be happy here. I like who I am now. Some of it has to do with William and I being okay and not angry at each other but other parts are me forgiving my own sins and moving on from toxicity.

"Should we leave now?" I suggested softly and tried my best to keep my eyes on his. William failed though, his eyes dropped to my red painted lips that I'd love for him to ruin. They only stay for a second before he dropped his hands and flicked his eyes back on mine. "Marvelous idea," he says before we both leave. It was best if we arrived there when everyone was intoxicated. To lessen the attention we would've received if they were sober.

William and I got into the back of a range rover. In the driver's seat was his chauffer that said nothing on the way there. I'm sure he already knew the instructions. When we arrived, William exited first and held his hand out to me in which I gladly accepted as I got out of the vehicle. The man drove off and left us staring at the colorful and vibrating house. "This place is so trashed," William mumbled in disappointment. I shake my head and pulled him along. We walked on the paved pathway on the lawn, few tipsy girls passed us on the way.

It was no surprise red cups and beer bottles were sitting with the neatly cut green grass. William scrunched up his nose when his eyes landed on the group of teenagers smoking on the patio. "Have you ever smoked before, Will?" I wondered even though I already knew the answer. "No, madam I have not," he turns his attention back to me and slipped a hand around my waist so casually.

"And what if I liked smoking?" I asked hypothetically. It all started at a party when I was curious and wanted to try smoking weed with my friends. The result is dangerous. I lost control over my body and had unprotected sex with my brother's best friend but luckily no baby was in my uterus. So after three more scares where I got high and did terrible things, I dropped the smoking. I only stole a cigarette from my father when school and family would piss me off.

"I don't have to agree with everything in order to support you right?" He smugly says and I playfully roll my eyes. "Correct," I confirmed before we walked through the open door. The music. The volume of music that you felt it in your chest, the beat that usually takes you away to the dancefloor. This is perfect, no one cared who was looking, they just moved their bodies as they enjoyed themselves.

"Let's find the birthday boy," I say to William before pulling him throughout the house to find the pair. We entered the next room which was the game room and living room. Bradey and Enrico were all cozy on the single seater couch. Well, that's a good sign. Bradey locks eyes with me first and they both excitedly stand. "Happy birthday, Rico," I congratulated as I pulled him into a hug. William copied but instead shook his hand.

"Let's go into the basement," Bradey basically demanded and dragged us downstairs to the basement where there was a bar at the corner, couches and a TV in the middle, and a mini-fridge in the other corner. "So what's the verdict?" I eagerly asked. By the way, they are operating my guess is leaning to the side that they are mates. "We aren't mates," Enrico bluntly says. My jaw dropped in disbelief. No.

"So...we aren't mates but we've decided to stick with each other and if one of our mates shown up then we'll just deal with it when it happens," Bradey explained further. My heart ached for them because they were truly an amazing pair. I was sure the moon goddess would have paired them together. It's still so unbelievable to know they aren't mates. "Yeah, our feelings for each other are really powerful and strong, I don't think mates could have come between us," Enrico agreed.

"Well...I wish you both the best of luck," William breaks the silence first. "Yeah...I think anything is possible. I'm sad you both didn't get what we all wanted but happy because that didn't stop you from being together," I added on. Bradey hugged me tightly, his eyes glossy when we pulled away and I had the honors of wiping his happy tear away when it slipped down his eyes.

"Thank you, thank you so much Ev," he says. Enrico gives us instructions to let go of the gloom and enjoy the party so that's what we did. Bradey dragged us to the dancefloor to witness his dance with Enrico. It was a laugh to see yet it warmed my heart because it made me believe these two can handle the challenges ahead of them. Now we were standing at the end of the room filled with dancing teenagers. William stood behind me where he claimed he was better at. His fingertips danced up my arm, pulling me away from Bradey and Enrico's show.

I felt his breath on the back of my shoulder as he tilts his head to whisper in my ear. Every inch of him touching me, I felt it. It felt magnifying. I'm not complaining. "I don't like parties," he whispered, making me shudder and I roll my neck back to rest on his shoulder. I already need that. "You need alcohol to enjoy the party," I shakingly say, trying not to make the effects of his touch obvious. "What do you mean?" He wondered, his other hand touched my collarbones before dropping them. Tease.

"There are two types of people. I'm in between both of them. One type needs alcohol in order to have the party experience and there's the other type that doesn't need alcohol to enjoy themselves and have the party experience," the words flew out my lips easily but fuck, it was hard to focus on.

"So I fall in type A?" William collected. "Yes, you do," I confirmed and leaned further into his touch but that's when he stepped to the side. "Hmm well, nothing we can do about that. I'm not gonna get drunk and disappoint my pack," William smirked, proud of what he just did to me. "Fair I guess," I huffed. The nights were off. The only lights were the colorful disco lights that only made his feathers hotter. So when his lips parted at the focus of my lips, I didn't want to hold back yet I tried my best.

"I wanna kiss you," William finally revealed and it felt like all the air was suctioned away from me. "Then kiss me," I say back, craving those familiar sparks from last night. "We're in public," he frowned yet I felt his hands around my waist. "We can leave," I suggested. Sure we've only been here for a half hour most. "Okay," William immediately agreed and slipped his fingers between mine. We were about to leave when the opposite door opened, grabbing a lot of people's attention.

Bradey and Enrico were dancing at our eye level when suddenly, Enrico stopped. His eyes flicked colors, his eyebrows furrowing as he ignored Bradey who was trying to talk to him. "Fucking shit," William gasped beside me. Right then, Zaire walked into the room and immediately locked eyes with Enrico.

"Mate," the word slipped out their lips so easily.

Of course, Bradey had to be in the middle to witness it all.