Page 16 of The Wolf's Bullied Pregnant Mate
Successfully, I had arranged to completely avoid Zephyr ever since he had almost killed me in the woods—and I truly believe he had wanted to kill me,would have, if Alex had not stepped in to save my life—but tonight there would be a chance at sidestepping him.
When it turned five-thirty, I closed down the store, extinguished the candles with a snap of my fingers, and headed to Harper’s cottage to get ready.
***
The party was being held in the island’s only venue for parties and celebrations. The place had seen countless graduations, birthday parties, weddings, and Harper’s and Alex’s party was in full swing by the time I arrived.
Music spilled through the main rooms, glancing off the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. A bar was set up to the left of the room’s entrance. At the back, a singular door led to a hallway, bathrooms, and a garden area. Sunset oranges and reds poured through the windows, and people packed the room, dancing and talking.
I immediately found Harper and Alex, but my eyes unfortunately found Zephyr in the same sweep of the room. He was by the bar, laughing with Frazer and Johnson, the three of them pouring shots. The triplets were with my grandmother, and while Harper had wanted Greta there, she’d refused, saying she would much rather spend her Saturday with the children.
Making my way over to my best friend, I pointedly glared at Zephyr. My neck still bore bruises from what had happened in the woods last week.
“Congratulations!” I cried, rushing to hug Harper. She was beautiful, her red hair tossed down her back in gorgeous ringlets. She wore a stunning green, figure-hugging cocktail dress, the sleeves flared out to her elbows with black lace patterns along the edges of the neckline, sleeves, and hem. Alex stood next to her in a shirt and smart pants, beaming.
“Thanks, Addie.” Harper’s grin could have lit up the sky. Alex had a hand on her waist, pulling her in. Adoration filled his gaze when he looked at her.
“This woman,” he said, raising his champagne glass. “Is going to make me the happiest damn man alive in a few months.”
Harper giggled, going up on her tiptoes to kiss her cheek. “And you’ll make the happiest woman.”
Alex gazed at her. “I love you so much.”
I heard Harper’s laugh as she returned the words, leaning in to kiss him. They’d fought hard for everything they had—they deserved this and more.
“Wait, but hey,” Harper cried as I went to mingle, leaving them to their moment. “You should go talk to Zephyr.”
“No,” I answered sharply. “No, we’ve tried to be civil, and it isn’t happening.” I met Alex’s eyes. “You saw what happened.”
“I know,” Alex said. “But he won’t hurt you again.”
I snorted. “Okay.” I didn’t believe him.
“We’re serious,” Harper insisted. “He’s honor-bound to not harm you.”
“Honor doesn’t seem like something Zephyr thinks much of.”
Alex lifted his chin. With the shadows of the sunset casting over his face, he was intimidating, and I found I wanted to listen to him, to believe him. “Trust me, Zephyr takes honorveryseriously. He won’t harm you, Adalyn.”
I forced a grin. “So does that mean I can hurt him and win?”
“No,” Harper answered. “Itmeanswe both want you to get along with him. You’re the triplets’ favorite aunt and uncle, and we want you both to be part of their lives as they grow up.”
“Which doesn’t include constant arguments and storming out,” Alex warned.
I wanted to protest further, to claim my innocence, that I had simply been existing when Zephyr decided we were locked in a feud, forcing me to either submit to his anger or fight back. Witches were never taught to back down. Unfortunately, neither were wolves.
“Fine,” I sighed, shoving a hand through my hair. “I will. Just not yet.”
Harper blew me a kiss, and I turned away from them, heading for the bar, which was mercifully empty of Zephyr now.Sweeney and Hector were hanging around there as I sidled up to them, smiling.
The bartender braced thick arms on the bar, smiling at me. “What can I get you tonight?”
Next to me, Sweeney whistled quietly, sniggering. Even Hector looked interested.
“Hey, Adalyn,” Sweeney said.
“Hey, guys,” I answered with a smile, tossing my hair over one shoulder. Then I leaned forward against the bar, looking at the bartender. “I’ll have a rum and coke.”
