Chapter 51

Chapter 51
HARLEY

The party was already in full swing by the time Shane and I arrived.

Laughter spilled out from the wide-open doors of Aaron’s house, along with pulsing music and the hum of chatter. Multicolored lights danced across the driveway, where students mingled in groups, red cups in hand, half of them already tipsy.

Shane’s hand was firm but gentle on the small of my back as we stepped in together. The warmth of his touch steadied me. I was still shaken from the earlier attack, still hearing the echo of that rogue wolf’s growl in my head. But Shane hadn’t left my side since. And that alone gave me strength I didn’t know I needed.

“You okay?” he leaned close, voice soft in my ear.

I nodded quickly, managing a small smile. “Yeah. Just… trying to act normal.”

His eyes scanned the crowd before returning to mine. “You don’t need to pretend around me. If it gets to be too much, we’ll leave.”

I squeezed his hand. “No. I want to be here. With you.”

He smiled, and I swore I saw the faintest flicker of gold in his eyes. Caspian, his wolf, was stirring again. Every time we connected, every time we touched, Shane seemed a little more alive. A little more like the Alpha I knew he was meant to be.

We made our way through the house, past the living room where couples danced too closely, and into the kitchen. I spotted Jessica at the counter pouring soda into a cup and waved her over.

“Harley!” she beamed, throwing her arms around me. “You look so good tonight!”

I laughed and hugged her back. “You too! This party’s wild.”

“Right? Wait till they bring out the karaoke.”

As we chatted, I caught movement from the corner of my eye—and then I saw her.

Juliet.

Descending the stairs like a queen on a runway.

Her red dress clung to her like it was painted on, and her heels clicked confidently as she made her entrance. Her curls bounced with every step. But what really caught my attention was the man walking behind her.

Tall.

Dark hair.

Sharp features.

He was… magnetic. The kind of handsome that didn’t feel safe.

He leaned close to her as they entered the room together, and I saw her laugh at something he said, flipping her hair over her shoulder as if she were in some slow-motion movie scene.

My stomach dropped.

Shane tensed beside me. I felt the shift instantly—his body stiffening, his breath stilling.

“Shane?” I whispered.

His eyes were locked on the man. “That’s Roy.”

The name hit me like a slap. I followed Shane’s gaze and watched as Roy’s eyes slowly turned—finding us.

Finding me.

He smiled.

It wasn’t friendly.

My hand instinctively tightened around Shane’s. “He’s not supposed to be here.”

“No,” Shane muttered, jaw clenched. “He isn’t.”

Juliet spotted us next. Her eyes flicked between me and Shane, then widened slightly—as if she’d just realized she was walking into a lion’s den.

I saw something shift in her eyes. Not surprise… not exactly. More like… calculation.

She whispered something to Roy, then tugged his hand and led him toward us. The music suddenly felt too loud. My heartbeat thudded in my ears.

“Harley!” Juliet beamed as if nothing was wrong. “Look at you! Cute dress.”

I blinked at her. “Uh… thanks.”

She turned to Shane and gave him an exaggerated once-over. “And of course, you’re glued to her side now. You two are so… intense lately.”

Shane didn’t respond. His eyes were on Roy, cold and sharp.

Juliet turned toward her companion. “Oh, by the way, this is Roy. He’s Shane’s… what did you say? Best friend?”

Roy smiled, stepping forward, and for a second, his eyes flickered—not gold like Shane’s—but dark red.

“I’ve heard so much about you,” he said, his voice velvet-smooth and full of false warmth. “It’s good to finally meet the mysterious Harley.”

My blood ran cold. Every instinct inside me screamed to run.

But I held my ground.

“Wish I could say the same,” I replied, forcing my voice not to shake.

His smile widened like a wolf baring its teeth. “I’m sure we’ll get to know each other very soon.”

Beside me, Shane took a step forward, body coiled tight. “Stay away from her, Roy.”

“Come on,” Roy said, laughing. “Can’t I just say hello to your mate?”

Shane’s eyes flashed gold. “No.”

Roy chuckled and turned toward Juliet. “I think we’ve made our entrance. Let’s grab a drink.”

Juliet looked between us, obviously sensing something deeper than what had just transpired. She gave me a tight smile—one that didn’t reach her eyes—then looped her arm through Roy’s and sauntered off like nothing was wrong.

But everything was wrong.

Shane leaned into me, voice low and serious. “He’s not here for a party. He came for you.”

I nodded slowly, my eyes following Roy’s figure as he disappeared into the crowd. “I know.”

“What do you want to do?” he asked.

I didn’t answer right away.

Because for the first time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to run… or face him.

But one thing was certain: the party had just turned into a war zone—and I was right in the center of it.