Chapter 21: 21_ Party

The next morning arrived, and I forced myself into my usual routine. I pushed through classes, taking notes and keeping my head down. When lunch rolled around, I looked for Claudia and Molly, hoping to find them sitting at our usual table, but they were nowhere to be found. My chest tightened with worry. Instead, I spotted Dylan at a table with his friends.

I hesitated for a moment before joining them. The tension between us from the day before still lingered like an invisible wall. But I had questions that needed answers, and Dylan was the only person who could help me.

Sliding into the seat beside him, I mustered the courage to ask, “Have you seen or talked to Claudia?”

Dylan looked up from his sandwich, his expression neutral. “I’ve seen her,” he said, pausing, “but I haven’t talked to her yet.”

My stomach sank. “You haven’t? Why not?”

He shrugged. “I haven’t had the chance. Don’t worry, though. I’ll talk to her tonight at the party.”

My eyebrows shot up. “The party is tonight?”

Dylan nodded, taking a sip of his drink. “Yeah. Justin’s party. You knew about this, right?”

I shook my head. “I guess I forgot,” I said. The thought of being in a room full of strangers—especially without Claudia at my side—made my palms sweat. Still, I didn’t press further. If Dylan said he’d talk to her, I’d have to trust him.

\---

Back at the apartment, the hours seemed to stretch endlessly as we prepared for the party. Dylan had disappeared into his room to get ready, leaving me alone to figure out what to wear. Usually, Claudia and I did these things together. She’d laugh as she picked out my outfit, teasing me for being so clueless, and then work her magic with makeup. But now, staring at the unfamiliar contents of my wardrobe, I felt helpless.

I tried on a few dresses, but none of them felt right. Frustrated, I sat on the bed and groaned, burying my face in my hands. A knock at the door interrupted my pity party, and I froze. I stayed put and let Dylan answer the door. My wolf ears perked up instinctively, catching the sound of voices at the front door.

Thw voice was unmistakably Claudia’s.

I bolted upright, my heart racing. What was she doing here? Was she still upset with me? My curiosity won out, and I crept out of my room to find out. She looked stunning, dressed in a glittering black dress that hugged her figure perfectly.

“Hey,” she said, her voice warm but slightly hesitant.

“Hey,” I replied, my voice just as awkward.

Dylan glanced between us and stepped back. “I’ll leave you two to talk,” he said, disappearing into his room.

The silence between us was heavy for a moment before Claudia broke it. “Need a hand?” she asked, gesturing toward my room.

I hesitated but eventually nodded. “Yeah. That’d be great.”

She smiled, and for the first time in days, I felt a sense of relief. As we walked back into my room, I couldn’t help but grin. Two days without her had felt like an eternity.

Claudia wasted no time, rummaging through my closet with the efficiency of someone who had done this a thousand times before. “This one,” she said, pulling out a deep green dress. It was simple yet elegant, with a neckline that wasn’t too revealing but still made a statement.

As I tried it on, she sat me down to do my makeup. “Sorry I’ve been weird lately,” she said, her voice softer now.

I glanced at her through the mirror. “What’s been going on?”

She hesitated, focusing on the eyeliner she was applying. “Just… personal stuff. Nothing to do with you.”

I frowned. “Are you okay?”

She met my eyes in the mirror and smiled. “I’m fine. Better now, actually. Sorry for being such a jerk.”

“It’s okay,” I said immediately. “I’m just glad you’re here.”

Her smile widened, and we fell into an easy rhythm, chatting as she worked her magic. By the time we were done, I hardly recognized myself. The dress fit like a dream, and Claudia had given me a smoky-eyed look that made me feel confident.

When we stepped into the living room, Dylan was already waiting. His hair was neatly styled, and he wore a dark button-up shirt that made him look even more handsome than usual. When his eyes landed on me, they widened slightly, and he gave me a once-over.

“You look amazing,” he said, his voice low and genuine.

Heat rose to my cheeks, and I looked down, pretending to adjust the hem of my dress. “Thanks.”

Dylan cleared his throat and added, “You both look amazing.”

We piled into his car and made our way to Justin’s house. The music was already thumping as we pulled up, and the house was packed with people. Dylan guided us through the crowd, promising to grab drinks for Claudia and me.

When he returned with two red cups, he handed one to me and said, “Don’t worry. It’s not alcohol.”

I took a sip, the fruity taste refreshing. Dylan soon excused himself to find Justin, leaving Claudia and me to mingle. She grabbed my hand and dragged me to the dance floor, where Molly was already swaying to the beat. The three of us danced together, laughing and spinning under the flashing lights.

For a moment, I forgot about everything—Claudia’s odd behavior, Dylan’s words from the day before, and the lingering confusion in my heart. All that mattered was the music and the warmth of my friends around me.

\---

After a while, I started to feel dizzy. The room spun slightly, and the loud music became overwhelming. I stumbled slightly, and Claudia caught my arm.

“Are you okay?” she asked, concern flashing in her eyes.

“Yeah,” I said, trying to steady myself. “Just tired, I think.”

Claudia nodded. “Let’s find somewhere to chill for a bit.”

Molly waved us off, insisting she’d stay and dance, so Claudia and I made our way upstairs. We opened a few doors before finally finding an empty room. “Finally,” Claudia said with a relieved sigh.

I flopped onto the bed face-first, the exhaustion hitting me like a wave. “This is nice,” I mumbled, my voice muffled by the pillow.

Claudia laughed and sat on the edge of the bed. Just as I was starting to relax, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and stood up. “I’ll be right back,” she said, heading for the door.

I nodded weakly, my eyelids growing heavier. The room was quiet now, save for the distant thump of the music downstairs.

A few seconds later, I heard footsteps. Assuming Claudia had returned, I asked, “Are you back already?”

Silence.

A strange scent filled the air, one I didn’t recognize. My instincts kicked in, and I sat up slowly, my heart racing.

Standing by the door was a man I had never seen before. He was tall, with sharp features and a predatory look in his eyes. My stomach churned as he closed the door behind him and locked it with a click.

“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice shaky but firm.

He didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step closer, and my heart thundered in my chest. Something was very, very wrong.