Page 17 of Whisper Woods

Is it bad that him noticing soothes something inside me? To be seen?

He laughs again, like a thought has just occurred to him. Seldon’s laugh is as loud and dramatic as the rest of him. On anyone else it would seem fake or an act, but it’s just who he is. A pang of something hits me, that we had never, ever been attracted to each other, despite both being hot as fuck. I mean, it’s good because he is an awesome friend and I’d hate to screw that shit up. But it would be convenient.

“Or maybe you’ll find the love of your life, your little wolf mate on the dance floor of Slash tonight.”

I smile again, a real smile this time, scratching absently at my stomach through my tee shirt. Slash isn’t really the place for true love. Hot and dirty blow jobs in the toilets sure. But not true love.

“Yeah, sure Selly. And then maybe I’ll be elected Queen of Loqueaur City and unite the Secret Realms.”

Seldon stands, and in a move reminiscent of Alex, pats himself down to check he has everything.

“Well, you never know. Stranger things have happened.”

I snort, because tell me about it right? Things have been crazy lately. I stand too, gathering my things from the table and tidying the mess I’ve made so the workers don't have to clean up after us.

Seldon wraps his arm around my shoulders, only having to reach up a little bit with his height. “And anyway, I’ve been torturing Roan all week with what I’m dressing Theo up in tonight. I purposely started dropping hints about nipple pasties. Man’s going out of his mind. Tonight’s going to be amazing.”

Thank the Gods Theo and Roan seem to be getting their shit together. Especially after the bonfire at Caelan and Tor’s last week where they had to come clean after I dropped them in it.

Gods, I’m looking forward to going out with my friends tonight. And dancing. But after the absolute disaster of an attempt at a date today and this awful feeling sitting in my solar plexus and my fresh new plan of flying solo for a while, the idea of being in the middle of a meat market like Slash doesn’t exactly fill mewith the warm fuzzies.

Either way, I’m not going to bail on my friends, especially not because of my own crap, so I wrap my arm around Seldon, and let him lead me through the tables to the door.

“Yeah, you’re right.” I sound determined, because I am. I’m gonna forget all this shit and just have fun with my bros, and that’s final. “It’s going to be amazing.

***

Yes! This is it. The freedom. The vibe.

The chastity.

Shit.

Walking into Slash is almost enough to make me forget my new vows of abstinence. But I’m determined. Especially because the guys have given me shit for it. And for the absolute clusterfuck of a date earlier today with Alex.

Becauseof course nowI remember his name—how could I not after Seldon’s dramatic play-by-play of the whole thing when he was doing Theo’s make up earlier?

Still, I’ll take all their friendly teasing if it means being here, with them. Nothing but freedom, fun, and maybe some flirting.

Completely by chance I happen to notice a thickly built guy, with lots of delicious, furry chest hair peeking out of his shirt and a big soft belly, giving me the once over by the front bar as we enter.

Surely flirting’s not a problem, right? I give the guy a subtle up-nod and return his lingering stare as I throw an arm around Seldon and Theo, Roan firmly on his other side, directing them to a group of chairs on the balcony overlooking the dance pit.

On our way I watch the guy in one of the mirrored pillars, the way he greedily eyes my ass like a lion eyeing a juicy steak. He catches me spying on him and locks his eyes onto mine, licking his lower lip.

Shit. Maybe Mum was right about “that kid at the candy bar” thing. Wehaven’t even gotten our drinks and already I’m toeing the line of my promise.

“Who wants a drink?” Seldon asks as we claim our seats. “That guy's buying.” He nods his head in a different direction to the buff bear I’d spotted, to a group at the other end of the bar. We rattle off our orders and watch him prance off to work his magic.

“So, you’re really here and not going to hook up?” Theo is half in Roan’s lap, their hands finding their way under each other's clothes, almost unconsciously. His upturned nose is scrunched in disbelief as he stares pointedly over my shoulder.

I suck at my teeth, lifting my cap to run a hand through my hair. “I mean, yeah, that’s the plan.”

Gold-flecked eyes narrow at me, and I can feel the heat of my blush flushing my skin. Theo really needs to stop hanging out with Edith and Mauvy. They are teaching him their ways.

“I don’t believe it.”

I chuckle, rolling my eyes and scratching my shoulder. “You make it sound like I’m constantly hooking up. I’m notthatbad.”

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