Page 79 of Red

“You’re back, so don’t worry about it, and in this cohort, you’re a hero now.”

A soft warmth spreads across me.

We sit and chat a bit longer before heading off into the main room, where everyone is sitting except Stark. A few of us hang out in the pit. Hudry, Jocko, and I sit together on one couch, while Nikki sits in one of the chairs, and Kiya, Mitus, and Lirea sit on the other couch.

After a couple hours, Stark comes in, his hair sweaty. Most have gone to bed by now.

“Hey, where’d you go?” Jocko asks.

Stark’s gaze skip over me as he looks around the room. “A run.”

“Come join,” Hudry says.

“We should all have drinks. Aloka got drunk while she was with the humans,” Lirea shares.

Stark’s eyes meet mine, and the veins in his hands travel further up his arms.

Jocko nudges me. “No way. I agree—let’s all have a drink.”

“I’m going to bed. Do what you want.” Stark leaves and heads down the hallway. I think of going after him, but it’s likely just the pressure of today’s meetings.

Nikki stands and heads down the hallway instead, and I remind myself it’s a mate’s job to check on him. I run my nails along my legs, creating thin red lines. There has to be a way to get over this feeling.

“Alpha didn’t shut it down, so I’m getting everyone a drink,” Jocko announces. Alcohol is not the solution, but it may damper it a bit.

“I guess Nikki isn’t joining?” Hudry asks, pulling out glasses.

“Not if it goes her way.” Lirea winks at him.

Jocko turns back around holding a bottle of tequila. “What are you all going on about?”

“Nikki and Stark,” says Hudry.

Jocko opens the bottle and starts to fill each glass. “What about them?”

“Nikki is waiting for her mate dreams to come true,” Kiya cuts in.

I look back at her. Mate dreams? I’m so confused.

“Oh, still?” Jocko says.

Kiya and Mitus share a look.

Hudry waves a glass. “Anyone want ice?”

Everyone puts their hands in the air. I wish they’d go back to the topic of Stark and Nikki. It’s not my place to ask, though.

I lift the glass and let the tequila and soda spill down my throat. It tastes good, like trouble.

“Let’s play a few rounds of Never Have I Ever.” Jocko bounces next to me. He reminds me so much of Pratt. I sigh at the thought; I wonder if they knew each other.

“What? Are we teenagers again? No offense, Hudry,” Kiya says.

Lirea places her half-empty glass on the coffee table. “I’m down.”

“Why not? I’ve got nothing else going on.” I shrug.

“Great. Hudry, you start us off, since you’re the youngest.” Jocko smiles at the room.