and open my eyes to see just how many people are actually paying attention to us. I meet Alistair’s gaze first, and he smiles mischievously. I can’t help smiling back. I’m not sexually or romantically interested in my best friend at all, but it might be kind of fun to share a guy between the two of us. Just this once.
I gasp when Rian’s teeth graze my skin where my neck meets my shoulder, and he pulls away with a deep chuckle. My eyes roam around the library, taking in all the guests lingering nearby. There are plenty of supernaturals watching us enviously, and even more watching us for their own entertainment. I see a few groups and couples hooking up throughout the room, and more than one male with his hand down his pants while he watches the display between me, Alistair, and Rian.
“I know you’re both very young,” Rian purrs. “But I’m assuming you’re aware some supernaturals have soul mates?”
Before I can turn back around to face him, curious as to why he would bring up soul mates at a time like this, I catch sight of the one person I’ve been dreading running into all night.
Bryson is standing only a few yards away from us with Amelia—his chosen mate.
My entire body tenses, and suddenly all I can focus on is the newly mated couple. Bryson and I dated for over a year, and I naively assumed someday he would choose me to be his mate. Unlike other supernaturals, like fae or witches, it’s much more common for shifters to form mating bonds simply because they get to choose who they pair with.
I loved Bryson so much, and I thought we were happy together. I was completely blindsided when he broke up with me a couple of months ago, and absolutely fucking devastated when he chose Amelia to be his lifelong mate just a few short weeks later. I can’t even blame Amelia, as much as I’d like to. She could be the nicest person for all I know, but to her and the rest of the shifter community, I’m just another dumb human trying to fit into a world where I don’t belong.
Bryson and Amelia are making out heavily, and he has her pinned against a bookcase. Rian says something to me, but my ears are fucking ringing. Bryson would never have touched me like that in public, and I finally realize it’s because he was ashamed of me. Why is he even here? This apartment is fucking huge, and there’s no way Bryson didn’t see me when he walked into the room.
I cry out when there’s a sudden, sharp pain in my hand, and I look down in shock to find that my champagne glass has shattered into several pieces.
“Are you okay, love?” Rian’s voice is full of concern, and he cradles my hand in his while he waves over one of his servants.
Someone rushes over to pick up the pieces of glass that have fallen to the floor, and I realize I’m bleeding all over Rian. Tears of shame and embarrassment prick at my eyes. I can’t bring myself to speak or look up at him.
Alistair gently takes my hand from Rian and touches his fingertip to my injury. Through blurry eyes, I watch him bring his finger to his lips where he licks a drop of my blood. Just a few moments later, I feel Alistair’s magic embrace me while the cuts on my hand heal.
“He’s so not worth it, Isla. And god, you’re so much hotter than she is,” Alistair whispers.
“I know,” I tell him, even though I’m not sure how much I believe him right now. I force myself to meet Rian’s eyes, and my heart clenches when I see the distraught expression on his face. “I’m sorry for ruining the moment. I just need to excuse myself for a bit, if you don’t mind.”
Rian doesn’t protest when I climb off of his lap. I keep my head high and my expression composed as I walk out of the library, and I even manage to keep myself from glancing at Bryson and Amelia.
Chapter Three
Isla
The apartment is absolute madness. There’s magic, mischief, and debauchery everywhere I turn while I look for somewhere quiet to hide. I just need a few minutes alone to brood and compose myself after seeing Bryson and Amelia together.
I come across a balcony door and peer around cautiously. The curtains are shredded in some places, and they’re partially torn