Page 2 of Ryder

“Not sure, ten, maybe a few more.”I winced.“Probably double that by now.Word quickly got around.”

“Fuck me.This is going to be a disaster.”

I couldn’t help my smile when she began pacing.“Sloane?”I stood, because it seemed like this talk was over, and put my hand on her shoulder.She stopped pacing.“It’ll be okay, but yeah, maybe…maybe wear something less formal.”I shrugged when she shot me a glare.“You can borrow one of my dresses if you want?”

“No thanks,” she said.

“What?You are coming, aren’t you?I want you to come.I didn’t mean all that stuff I said about us not having every birthday together.If that happens, I want it to be the exception.I hope we share all our birthdays for the rest of our lives.”

Her face softened, and the tension left her shoulders.She drew me in for a hug, and I hugged her back just as tightly.

“I love you, Em,” she said.

“I love you too.”I drew back, smirking.“Now, say you’re coming with me.It’ll be fun.We’ll have a few drinks and come home safe and sound.”

“So you’re not going there for the alphas?”

“Oh, I’m definitely going there for the hot alphas,” I said.“I want to see what one looks like up close and personal—that’s the whole point.”

“Fine,” she said, throwing her hands up.

“Yes!I’m going to get ready.Can I do your makeup?”

“No, you can’t do my bloody makeup.Jesus, I’ll come.That’s about as good as it gets.”

Laughing, I headed for my room.Sloane would probably wear something terrible.Well, not terrible in the literal sense.She had excellent taste and her style was very classy, but not one item in her closet would work for a night out in Desparion, also known as the alpha zone.I’d picked out a pretty sequined dress that clung to my gentle curves, along with high heels as high as I could walk in.I was petite, so I claimed my inches when possible.

On the other hand, Sloane would look like she was going to a dinner party—sensible, without too much skin showing.Which was fine most of the time, but not for a club.

I hopped in the shower, then took my time with my hair and makeup.I was just slipping into my dress when a knock came from the door.

“Come in!”

“Well, look at you.”Wearing a pair of beaten up designer jeans, and a white linen shirt open at the neck, Jude flashed me his signature grin as he swept glossy dark curls back dramatically from his brow like he was overcome by my splendor.

“Don’t be a chump, Jude,” I muttered, grinning.

“Ready to party, birthday girl?”

I shimmied my hips.“What do you think?”

“Girl, you look stunning.Those alphas are going to go wild.”

“I bloody hope so.I spent hours getting ready.”I glanced toward the door before lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper.“What is Sloane wearing?”

He grimaced.“Sensible school teacher meets exec.”

“High heels?”

He nodded.

Phew.

“Jude, are those new?”

He ran his hands down his trim torso.“All primped and ready for action.I still don’t know how I didn’t become an omega.I’d have made an amazing omega.”

I rolled my eyes.“I know.You’ve only told me about fifty times.”

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