Chapter 70
Elowen’s POV
The sleek black car glided through the night, carrying us toward The Moonbleed Taproom. I sat in the backseat beside Casper while Cassian drove, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. The city lights cast shifting shadows across our masked faces, adding to the surreal feeling of the evening.
“Text Sarah,” I said suddenly, breaking the tense silence. “Tell her you want to meet for drinks at The Moonbleed Taproom tonight.”
Casper’s head whipped toward me, his amber eyes widening behind his crimson mask. “You want me to what?”
“Text her. She’ll come running.” I kept my voice steady despite the jealousy that still flared at the thought of Sarah anywhere near him.
With a reluctant sigh, Casper pulled out his phone and typed. After sending the message, he shot me a wounded look that was only half-playful. “How could you make your boyfriend text another woman?”
I reached across the leather seat, tracing my fingers over his knuckles. “Because I’m secure in knowing exactly where your heart is.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “With me.”
His expression softened immediately, fingers interlacing with mine. Before he could respond, his phone buzzed.
“‘I’ll be there in twenty,’” Casper read aloud, his tone dripping with disgust. “Jesus, she didn’t even hesitate. Does Drake know his girlfriend’s this much of a—”
“Slut?” I finished, raising an eyebrow.
Casper’s mouth quirked. “I was going to say ‘opportunist,’ but your word works too.”
“They’re quite the perfect pair, don’t you think, Cassian?” I glanced forward, expecting his usual sardonic comment.
Nothing.
Cassian stared straight ahead, his profile sharp and distracted in the dashboard light. He hadn’t been listening at all.
My stomach twisted. Was it because we were heading to his ex’s club? The mysterious Irene who’d walked away from him years ago? I pictured some stunning model-type with perfect features and flawless skin, everything I wasn’t.
Stop it, Juno growled in my mind. He clearly has no interest in her. Look at him—he’s completely elsewhere. And tonight you’re the most beautiful woman in any room. Have you seen that high-slit dress?
I smiled faintly at my wolf’s encouragement, but the anxiety lingered.
“Cassian?” I tried again.
He blinked, coming back to us. “Sorry, what? Oh. Yeah. They’re definitely made for each other.”
I leaned forward between the seats, placing my hand on his arm. “Hey. You okay? You’ve been distant since you came back from your smoke break.”
His ice-blue eyes flickered to mine in the rearview mirror, something unreadable swimming in their depths. “I’m fine, trouble. Just thinking.”
“Need another cigarette?” Casper asked, his tone casual but eyes sharp with concern.
Cassian shook his head. “I’m good.”
I settled back, an uncomfortable tightness in my chest. Cassian felt miles away despite sitting just inches from me. The wall between us was almost tangible. Was it Irene? Was he regretting choosing me when he could have had someone like her?
For fuck’s sake, stop, Juno snapped. This isn’t helpful. You’re about to walk into enemy territory. Focus.
Casper slid closer, his warmth seeping through my silver-blue gown. His fingers brushed mine, and his voice filled my mind: He’s fine, cutie. Sometimes he just gets in his head. That’s Cassian for you.
I squeezed his hand gratefully as we pulled up to the club.
Jake was waiting outside, looking comically uncomfortable surrounded by scantily-clad women who seemed to be part of the entertainment. His face lit with relief when he spotted us approaching, masks already in place.
“Thank God you’re here, boss,” he called, extricating himself from a particularly persistent blonde. “The party’s been going for an hour already.”
His eyes widened as they swept over me, appreciation evident. “Wow, El, you look like a goddess. That dress is absolutely—”
He suddenly froze mid-sentence, face draining of color. “Wait, why do I feel two extremely murderous gazes fixed on me right now? Is it my hair? I knew the shark clips were too much…”
“Shut your mouth, Jake,” Casper growled, stepping closer to me. “Just show us to our table.”
Jake pressed his lips together, making a locking motion. “Right this way, boss.”
The Moonbleed Taproom was nothing like I’d imagined. Where The Red Wolf was warm and inviting with its rich woods and amber lighting, this place was pure calculated opulence. Crystal chandeliers, velvet booths, and staff dressed in what looked like designer uniforms. The DJ was spinning “Sports Car” at a deafening volume while masked figures writhed against each other on the dance floor.
“This place is… a lot,” Jake muttered as he guided us through the crowd. “Give me The Red Wolf any day. This feels like a hotel trying too hard to be edgy.”
“See Drake anywhere?” Cassian asked, scanning the room.
Casper checked his phone. “Sarah says she’s here.”
I nodded, throat dry. “Don’t text back.”
Before we could reach our reserved section, the music suddenly cut. The DJ’s voice boomed across the space.
“Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the owner of The Moonbleed Taproom! Three years ago, she was Thornwood Pack’s hottest dance queen! Now she’s the most successful businesswoman in the county! Give it up for… IRENE WHITE!”
The crowd erupted as the music switched to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Tears.” The bass thumped so hard I felt it in my chest, making me wince. The noise was overwhelming, and my wolf recoiled.
Fuck, this song is completely unfair, Juno complained as the sultry beat filled the room.
Casper and Cassian moved closer, creating a buffer between me and the surging crowd. “You good?” Casper murmured against my ear.
“Yeah,” I managed, though my skin felt too tight.
“Baby, you’re the only hot one in my eyes,” Casper said, his hand settling possessively on my waist.
But my gaze was already searching, desperate for a glimpse of the woman who’d once held Cassian’s heart. When I found her, my breath caught.
She emerged like an ice queen from a fantasy—a shimmering white dress with a plunging neckline that showcased curves so perfect they looked sculpted. Her snow-white hair fell in a flawless curtain to her waist, catching every shard of light. The gown sparkled with thousands of tiny crystals like fresh fallen snow, white fur trimming the edges and framing cleavage that made half the room openly stare.
“Goddess above,” a man nearby whispered, voice thick with awe. “Those curves aren’t even legal.”
Tell me about it, Juno snarled inside my head. One of us is a wolf, and somehow her chest is still bigger than my entire damn body. I want to bite those things off on principle.
I tightened my grip on Cassian’s hand until my knuckles went white. For one heartbeat—just one—his fingers stiffened in mine, the tiniest tremor running through him before he locked it down. That half-second was enough to make my heart plummet.
He leaned down, lips brushing my ear through the mask. “I’m yours. No one is taking me from you.”
But my relief was short-lived. Because Irene wasn’t just walking into the room—she was walking directly toward us. No, not us. Toward Cassian.
Her glossed lips curved into a slow, knowing smile as she stopped in front of him, extending one perfectly manicured hand.
“May I have this dance, sir?” she asked, her voice like honey poured over ice.
And my hand was still locked tight in Cassian’s.