?


    that would gobble him up and spit him back out.


    The pool party was heaving, to the point that it was hard to move in the water.


    I hate to admit it, but Maya did good, this ce was awesome. I was letting my body unwind, letting my hips flow to the loud music as the DJ mixed song after song.


    The countless of cocktails aiding in my body''s awakening to living for the here and now.


    Yet I can''t shake that feeling of being watched.


    Dad promised not to send guards, but my wolf knows when we are being watched. She keeps pleading with me toy off the alcohol, but I was just having too much fun.


    We must have been here for hours, the hot afternoon sun had now turned into the starry night time sky.


    In the distance I could see yachts in the tranquil sea waters, and if I really pinpoint my hearing over the music of the DJ I could just make out the sound of gentle waves crashing against the beach.


    "Looks who''s back...oh and he brought a friend." Maya calls out to me over the music as our cute waiter makes his way over to us.


    He stops at our sunbed, removing his work polo-shirt... revealing his toned torso as he winks for catching me staring.


    He whispers to his male friend before they both make their way into the water, four little shot sses in his hand as he swerves through the pool crowd.


    "Here, I''ve finished my shift, now the real party can start."


    I can feel myself starting to back away. How it was all fun when he had to get back to work, but now this felt very real, his forwardness all day suddenly making me apprehensive as he stood in front of me topless.


    Push through your boundaries Cleo, it''s the only way anything is going to change.


    That sense of being watched intensifies, to the point that I actually look around...try to find Red Thorn guards in disguise.


    My eyes scan the crowd, nothing but party goers...nobody stood out of ce.


    I take the shot, downing it in one go. If I was being watched by Dad''s guards then they would have already reported my location and what I was getting up to.


    I might as well sin properly if I was going to have to beg for his forgiveness. What do they say, don''t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness. "Yes girl!" Maya cheers next to me as she downs her own shot.


    "Shall we move on to another club?" The male waiter leans in, his hand snaking around my waist.


    "Another club?"


    "Sure, we can head back to your hotel room first and get changed."


    "I''m game, Cleo?"


    "Sure.." I override my wolf''s hesitation, pushing her back down. She can sense what is being said between the lines, but screw it. I was here to have fun, to finally lose my virginity.


    I don''t even know his name.


    He pulls me out of the pool, my legs slightly wobbly as I climb the metal steps. I''m regretting my drinking marathon now, I''ve clearly had too much to drink, my own legs starting to punish me.


    I reach for my towel, but in doing so I idently misjudge my angle, my arm touching his chest. I look up to find him looking down at me, thinking it was some kind of y for his attention.


    His hands snake around my back as he pulls me into him, his mouth opening slightly as his eyes take on a seductive look.


    I''ve never even kissed a guy before.


    I was here, I was young, I was meant to make mistakes...learn from experiences.


    This was it, I needed to remain calm and just get it over with.


    I lean in myself, my mouth opening slightly in anticipation...I would have hoped my heart would be pounding with my excitement, not filled with dread. But I can''t ever think of losing my virginity when I haven''t even kissed someone yet.


    I had been waiting, waiting for the one person I thought would be mine...but he was long gone. His coldst words to me still ring out in my ears at times.


    My lips are almost touching the waiter''s, dryness suddenly burning at the back of my throat. I close my eyes only for them to snap back open as he is violently pushed into the pool. It was super crowded here...


    "Huh, are you okay?" I call out to him, as he emerges from the water, gasping for air.


    I reach down, extending my hand out to help him when I freeze.


    An unmistakable growl erupting from behind me.


    "Touch him and I''ll kill him."


    "Jace?" I gasp out.