I nip gently at the skin there before stepping back. Admiring his wide eyes and flushed cheeks, I feel an odd sense of accomplishment that I’m able to fluster him a little.
He takes my hand and interlocks our fingers, tugging me presumably in the direction of the party. It suddenly occurs to me that aside from during the three weeks I ‘went out’ with Sarah Facer when we were thirteen, I’ve never held someone’s hand before. Not like this. It feels nice, having his rough hand in mine.
When we reach the house that looks to be filled with fifty-plus wolf shifters, I expect him to let go, but he doesn’t. He just squeezes my hand and holds on tighter.
Ethan leads us up some steps to a wraparound porch. The beach house appears to be a large two-story with wooden cladding that’s been painted a pale blue. It’s very… Wisteria Lane.
“Sup Carter,” a few voices shout over to us.
“Carter?” I whisper in Ethan’s ear.
“Ethan Carter, most of my pack call me Carter.” He says hello and waves to them but continues on towards the front door.
Nearby speakers pump outTitaniumby David Guetta as we weave around people to reach the kitchen. I get a few curious glances, but evidently the fact I’m here with Ethan means I get the benefit of the doubt. I’m not sure shifters in my pack would be so easily appeased.
Americansreallylove Halloween. The entire house is covered in some kind of synthetic webbing with various-sized rubber spiders trapped within it. The kitchen island has a pumpkin that’s been carved to look like a wolf; it’s glowing orange eyes are kind of eerie.
“Drink?”
I nod enthusiastically, and he chuckles. Ethan pours us both beer from a keg into red solo cups.
“I didn’t realise you actually drank out of these; I thought it was just something in TV shows and films.”
“What do you drink out of at parties?”
“Our parties are usually bring your own, so we mostly drink from our tinnies,” I explain.
“Tinnies?”
“Beer cans or cans of whatever. Most of the girls usually bring cans of pre-made cocktails or bottles of wine.”
“Well, this house is owned by our Alpha, although he doesn’t live here. And he’s loaded, so it’s usually stocked with drinks and food. It’s become a year-round party spot.
“Come on.” Ethan tugs me deeper into the house and into what appears to be a games room. There’s a pool table and table tennis set up with some sofas in the corner. The music is a lot quieter here, and I can finally hear myself think. “Better?” he asks.
“Much. Thanks.” Ethan smiles at me, and a few seconds later, it registers to me that this guy I’ve only known for a couple of days is able to read me like a book. Does my face make it that obvious that I don’t like crowds and loud music? God, he must think I’m really boring.
“Hey, why do you look sad all of a sudden?” he asks.
“Oh, nothing. Sorry. I’m good.” I plaster a smile on my face, but Ethan doesn’t seem entirely convinced.
“Wanna play ping pong?”
It turns out Ethan is pretty sucky at table tennis. It’s oddly reassuring that he’s not great at everything, and it’s kind of cute how he keeps getting all huffy when he loses.
“Do you play this professionally or something?” he asks after I beat him for the fifth game in a row.
I bark out a laugh. “No. I like playing tennis and badminton, though.”
“—Wow. Ethan Carter at a pack party, to what do we owe the pleasure?” Ethan bristles before turning to face a guy and a girl who’ve just stepped into the room. The guy’s deep, melodic voice doesn’t quite match his appearance. He’s small, around five-foot-six, I’d guess, with short dark hair, dark eyes, and pale skin. The girl—or woman, I should say—stands a good few inches taller than him. She appears to be his opposite in every sense, with dark mahogany skin and a soft, friendly smile compared to his calculating gaze.
Her costume is a red hood with a picnic basket on her arm. I can’t help but appreciate the irony of dressing like Little Red Riding Hood at a wolf shifter Halloween party. He, on the otherhand, has his face painted to look like a skull, which only adds to the menacing stare he has going on.
“Jay.” Ethan nods his head at him. “Hey, Janiyah.” He offers her a warm smile, and she steps forward to give him a quick hug.
“It’s good to see you, Eth,” she says before returning to Jay’s side.
“I didn’t know you’d be here. We can go.” Ethan rakes a hand through his hair.
