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“I need a bit more alcohol before that happens.” I laughed, pointedly taking a long pull of the much less-toxic drink.
“The night is young,” she warned me and I knew at some point, I wouldn’t get away without dancing. Honestly, the thought of dancing at the moment only made me sad. Lance insisted on taking dance classes to prepare for our first dance. Something I wouldn’t get to experience now.
But I refused to let those thoughts have long in my mind tonight. Instead, I took another long drink and embraced the warmth it filled me with. The buzz was growing stronger by the minute and I’d never been more grateful for it.
“Grace promised she’d dance with you,” I said to deflect for now. The lioness glared daggers as I shoved her toward Mackenzie. If her lioness could have bared fangs at me, she would have. I got one last parting look before they disappeared into the crowd, giving me a moment to nurse my drink in peace.
“There you are, Grayson.” I turned, but the newcomer wasn’t talking to me, he was talking to the guy next to me. “Oh, hello there, I’m Stephen.” The new guy gave me an award-winning smile and held out his hand as he turned my way.
“Not today, pretty boy,” I half-slurred, tipping my drink his way.
“At least you think I’m pretty.” He laughed before taking the stool next to the man who I now knew was Grayson.
“Rugged,” I said, pointing to Grayson. “And pretty. Kind of like this bar.” I pointed at the mix of metal, wood, and lights. They both shared a look before cracking up. I didn’t offer any more words of wisdom, I was too busy flagging down another drink despite my horse’s protests. Tonight wasn’t the night to rely on our bond and her wisdom.
“Give us a few appetizers,” Stephen ordered quickly before the bartender could run off. “And a beer.” He pointed at his friend’s bottle.
“Fuck men,” I grumbled to myself as I spotted my phone lying on the bar in front of me where Grace must have left it. The notifications were already piling in, of course, but not once did I see Lance’s name pop up on my screen.
No calls, no texts, just that short note.
That’s how little I meant to him.
“Left at the altar,” I heard Grayson hiss at his friend. A lump rose in my throat. I’d lost my family young enough that grief was a familiar friend. I could feel it creeping up and taking hold and I refused to let it. He didn’t deserve my time or emotion.
“You know he didn’t even want me to go after my dream?” I said to the men next to me. “Said it was undignified.”
“Sounds like a twat,” Stephen said with a shrug. “Now you’ve got nothing holding you back.”
His words hung in the air between us and as I processed them, I felt my chest untighten a fraction.
“You’re right!” I cheered. “Did you hear that…” I trailed off and squinted at the bartender’s name as he approached, “Kyle? I can do what I want!”
“Except order another drink until you’ve had a soda or water,” he countered with a laugh. “I don’t like cleaning up puke.”
“Oh, I’m not a puker,” I promised him but he crossed his arms and glared down at me until I ordered a soda.
“Come on! Dance!” Mackenzie insisted, back again to torment me.
“I have to wait on my soda,” I tried but she was already pulling me. So, I did the only thing I could think of and latched onto Grayson’s wrist, pulling him with me. He stumbled out of his chair and called out to Stephen before following me semi-willingly.
“You’re awfully bossy when you’re drunk,” he rumbled down at me as I pulled him close.
“You like it,” I teased, shutting him up as I turned and started to move to the music, grinding into him. His hands fell to my hips and I smiled to myself.
This night was getting better by the minute. If I played my cards right, I could have two men in my bed before leaving all of this behind.
ChapterTwo
Nyla
One Year Later
Azebra, a horse, and a deer running alongside each other wasn’t exactly a normal sight in nature. Yet, when it came to soul-bonded, it was as natural as breathing.
The afternoon sun beamed down on my horse as we ran through the fields. The outskirts of Willow Grove was reserved for prey soul-bonded animals like us to run and stretch without worrying about predators getting in the way.
It was secure, monitored, and clean. That was more than most of us get anywhere else.
