Page 10 of Alpha's Hated Mate

I get up and walk over to my dresser. “You know something,” I tell Yarra, “you’re right. I would have more fun if I got out.”

“That’s the spirit. I’ll call Lorelai and tell her you’ll be joining us.”

I glance over my shoulder to see her pulling out her phone, and I scoff. “Don’t bother. You go on and have a blast at the bar.Iam going to the Midterm Bash.”

Yarra’s eyes widen with shock. “Oh . . . oh, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Have you seen some of the Howler House wolves?You’re going to be surrounded by big drunk jocks that donotlike you.”

I grab my leather mini skirt and low-cut, lacey blue blouse. “I’m going to be surrounded by big drunk jocks that are deathly afraid of the ‘red menace’ that is the Scarlet Wolf. I’ll be fine. I’ll be better than fine because I’m about to ruin their night. And all I have to do is show up.”

She watches as I throw off my bathrobe and start shimmying into my skirt. “Let me at least go with you,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do if you got hurt.”

“I’m a big girl, Yarra,” I say. “I can take care of myself.”

Her brow deepens into a frown, and I stop getting dressed to take her by the shoulders. “Look, I’ve been a fighter my entire life. Way before you got to Moonhelm. And I have a lot to fear from a lot of things in this world. But the one thing I will never be afraid of is a dumb jock doing a keg stand at a party. I promise you. I’ve got this.”

She nods, and I rush off to the bathroom to do my hair. She says, “Call me before you go to bed. Just so I know you’re okay.”

I tell her I will, but my mind is made up. I will be damned if I let Nadia fucking Vaultmore get the better of me.

I can hear them howling as I come up the walk, just under the loud music and the sound of laughing and talking. It’s the telltale sound of wolf party in full swing. I wonder what sound they’ll all make when I walk in.

I took a little extra time with my hair, curling the ends and tying it up in a big bouncy ponytail. My dark eyeshadow makes my blue eyes pop, and my blood-red lipstick matches my hair. My blouse is cut low, and my skirt is short. I can’t wait to see the horny and confused faces of those Howler jocks.

Shatterstone is one of the event halls near the center of campus, which really speaks to Nadia’s influence at Moonhelm. This is usually where the year-end graduation parties and high society charity gigs are held. I pause as I look at the hall’s giant stone doors as they buzz with the loud music inside.

They are going to collectively shit their pants.

I take a deep breath and walk up the stairs and through the doors. In the front hallway, there’s a table set up right by the doors leading into the party. Two little blonde things are sitting there with several rows of gift bags in little leather pouches. I walk right up to them and pick one up. They stop talking and stare at me like I’ve grown an extra tit.

“Excuse me,” one of them says. “Those are for guests.”

“Awesome,” I respond. “Thanks.” Then I walk right past them and into the party.

They might be shouting after me, but they’re drowned out by the loud music as soon as I walk in. The sound pulses against me and vibrates the walls behind me. Colored lights shine down on the dance floor as bodies move rhythmically to the beat. Everyone looks like they’re having a great time. Kind of disappointing that the music didn’t cut out as soon as I walked in.

I walk over to the punch bowl on the refreshment table and grab a cup. I bring it to my lips and pause. The alcohol smell isthick. It almost shuts out the odd rain smell hanging in the air . . .

“Exactly what the hell are you doing here?”

I look up, and Aydan Vaultmore is standing next to me. Of course, he’s here.

I down the punch in one swallow and say, “Brain surgery. What are you doing here?”

His jaw stiffens, and he glances around. “I don’t think you were invited. You need to leave.”

I laugh at him and pour myself another drink. “And you need to mind your own business instead of minding your sister’s.”

His blue and green eyes intensify with anger, and a warm vibration rocks through my body. Vaultmore or not, he sure is sexy when he’s mad.

“I’m not about to let you ruin her party,” he growls. “Either get out or I’ll escort you out.”

“You and what army?”

He doesn’t get the chance to answer. Right on cue, his sister stalks up. She’s wearing a cream-colored dress with ruffles at a hemline that comes down to the middle of her skinny chicken legs. She glares at us through her layers of makeup.

“What isshedoing here?” she says, her fists balled up.

“Drinking,” I smirk, “and chatting with your brother. I never noticed how handsome he is. Must be adopted or something.”

---