**TITLE: You Want My Life and Bleed My Wounds**
As I step into the party, a wave of discomfort washes over me, stronger than I’ve ever felt before. The atmosphere is thick with the scent of perfume and laughter, but it’s the sea of women, all dressed in revealing outfits, that makes my skin crawl. Of course, they would be. Even when I’m attempting to blend in—thanks to Millie and my mom’s insistence—I still feel like a sore thumb. It’s as if Millie can sense the storm brewing inside me; she quickly takes my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“You look absolutely stunning, you know that? Whether you’re showing skin or not, you’re a knockout. Never forget that, sugar t**s,” she says, her voice a mix of encouragement and playful teasing.
I can’t help but snort at her last words, a laugh bubbling up despite my anxiety. Her pep talk had started off so well, and then she had to throw that in, didn’t she?
“It’s a good thing I love you,” I reply, my voice laced with affection.
Millie lets out a snort of her own, a sound that’s both infectious and comforting. She then drags me toward the bar, her determination palpable. If there was ever a moment that called for a drink, this was it. It’s as if she read my mind, sensing my need for a little liquid courage.
“Six shots of tequila, my man!” she orders boldly, tossing a flirtatious wink at the bartender as if she owns the place. Her confidence radiates, and I can’t help but admire her. But then again, she has the looks to back it up.
“Millie, what the hell? Are you trying to get me drunk before the party even kicks off?” I exclaim, half-laughing, half-serious.
“Yes,” she grins widely, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She glances around the room, taking in the crowd before adding, “We’re both going to need it tonight. If we have to be here, why not get completely wasted? We could have a blast, just the two of us.”
She makes a valid point. Honestly, it doesn’t matter if I’m drunk or not. I could take on most of these women with my hands tied behind my back—at least, I like to think so. But I know deep down that I can’t let loose like that.
“Bottoms up!” I cheer, clinking my shot glass against hers before tossing it back. The moment the liquid hits my throat, I’m met with an overwhelming wave of disgust. “Motherf… this sh*t is VILE!” I cough, sputtering and earning a hearty laugh from Millie.
“It’s an acquired taste,” she giggles, her eyes glistening with tears from laughing so hard.
“Just like me. But a warning would have been nice! Goddess, this is disgusting. Does all alcohol taste like this?” I retort, grimacing.
“Where’s the fun in that? And no, not all alcohol tastes like this. This just gets the job done a bit quicker. Considering our metabolism is faster than that of humans, we need more to feel tipsy. So… chug it down, baby girl,” she winks, wiggling her eyebrows playfully.
I chuckle at her antics, feeling a competitive spark ignite within me. I down the next shot before she’s even brought hers to her lips. The taste is still horrendous, but perhaps the first shot has dulled my taste buds because it doesn’t seem as potent this time around. By the time she finishes her second shot, I’m already on my third. With my wolf within me, I know I can handle a lot more alcohol than she can.
‘The difference, though, is that Millie has had alcohol before, and you haven’t,’ Ares chimes in, cutting through my thoughts. I can sense her curiosity about my first experience with alcohol, but I still feel perfectly fine. I’m ready for whatever the night holds. The bartender catches my eye, and I decide to take charge this time.
“Ten more of these, please. And keep them coming,” I request confidently.
“Whoa, whoa, Athena, slow down. These are pretty strong, especially since you never drink,” he cautions, a hint of concern in his voice.
“I’ll be fine. Remember, I have my wolf already,” I whisper back, giving him a cheeky wink. His eyebrows smooth out a bit, as if reassured.
“I suppose so. Just be careful. I don’t want your wolf to eat me alive tomorrow because you did something stupid while drunk,” he replies, his tone light yet serious.
“She won’t. If anything, she’ll have my head for it,” I laugh, as the bartender begins filling ten shot glasses.
“Cheers, bestie!” I exclaim, clinking my glass with Millie’s before downing the contents. Surprisingly, the taste isn’t nearly as bad as before. Not that I’m suddenly a fan of it, but it’s definitely less potent. At some point, I can hardly taste it at all during our rounds.
“Yo! Bartender! Keep them coming!” I shout, waving at the empty glasses in front of us.
He leans over the bar, studying me for a moment. “Are you sure, Athena? You don’t seem like a drinker, and you’ve had enough to put down a rhino already.”
Huh. How does he know my name?
The confusion must be evident on my face because he chuckles before continuing, “You don’t know who I am, do you? It’s alright; I’m quite a bit older than you. My name is Ethan. I see you running laps and working out when I’m on patrol sometimes.”
“I thought nobody knew about that,” I mumble, more to myself than to him, but he catches it.
“Nobody else does. I’m the only one who goes that far into unclaimed lands. By the way, I’ve been meaning to tell you this, but you don’t seem very approachable during those runs. You shouldn’t get so close to the border; it’s dangerous.”
Ethan. The name rings a bell, but I can’t quite place him. I’m surprised I don’t remember a boy with those striking blue eyes. Wait—if I don’t remember him, does that mean he never bullied me? Haha, who am I kidding? Of course, he has. He’s just being nice now because… well, who knows? Who cares, as long as he keeps pouring us shots?
‘The shots, you mean,’ Ares snickers, but I don’t quite get the joke.
“I’m not approachable because you all are a bunch of d***s. Now, can you please refill?” I say, a playful edge to my voice.
Millie stares at me, her mouth agape as she processes my words. To my surprise, Ethan chuckles. Why is he laughing? And why does it feel like time is moving in slow motion?
“Ouch. Glad I have thick skin. I don’t recall you being this blunt and straightforward. Quite the opposite, actually,” he replies, a bemused smile on his face.
“No, I’m thick. That’s why you all bully me, and why you’re a bag of d***s. Now, less chatting and more pouring, Ethan,” I demand, my tone light yet firm.
“Yes, my lady. But just so you know, I would never bully you,” he responds, his expression a mix of amusement and sincerity. I can’t decipher it, but honestly, I don’t care. I’m more focused on the drinks he’s filling.
“Ath, maybe we should take it easy,” Millie suggests, her tone laced with concern.
Easy? “Pedal to the metal, babe. Go hard or go home!” I declare, my spirit soaring.
I hear a chuckle from somewhere in the crowd. Huh. Whatever. Shots! Shots! Shots!
Millie shakes her head but grabs a glass anyway. “One more for me, and the rest are yours. I advise you not to, though. I’m already piss drunk, and the party hasn’t even started.”
“Is it? If you ask me, the party has already begun,” I laugh, a wide grin plastered on my face. I feel a rush of happiness. Nobody likes a quitter, Mills-de-Milllller. I’ll chug yours so our boy Ethan can’t complain about spilling his alcohol.
“Our boy who?” she asks, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. This woman is adorable, a fiery little firecracker. Did I mention fiery yet? Right now, she’s sweet as sugar, all smiles. And I’m starting to feel giddy, my face stuck in an uncharacteristic grin.
“Athena, sweetheart! You made it!” a voice calls out, cutting through the noise. I turn to see a familiar figure rushing towards me, wrapping me in a tight embrace before pulling back.
“Ohhh, hi Luna!” I beam, my heart lifting at her presence.
“I’m so glad you could come, sweetheart,” she says warmly.
“To be honest, Luna, I’m not so sure. I love you, but your boys don’t even look like your boys. If you know what I mean? Bless the soul that gets stuck with them,” I reply, half-joking.
She smiles at me, but I can’t quite read the sincerity behind it. Oh well, a smile is still a smile, right?
“The line between hate and love is a thin one, my dear. I’m sure they’ll regret whatever it is they did to you one day. Maybe even sooner rather than later,” she assures me, her tone thoughtful.
As the night unfolds, I can’t shake the feeling that this party might just be the wild adventure I didn’t know I needed.
