"Let's go inside and get drinks." He grabbed my arm and pulled me through a large group of people that were smoking what had to be weed on the front porch.
My lungs burned, so I held my breath until we stepped inside the house.
"There you are." A guy that was a couple of inches taller than me greeted us. His brown eyes were warm, and his chestnut brown hair hung down in his eyes as well. When he got close, I picked up on the musky scent of a male wolf.
He patted my brother on his shoulder and turned to me. "So, this must be Mia, the sister that Max seems to adore."
"Really?" That didn't sound like my brother at all. "Are you bullshitting me?"
"You're right." The guy laughed as he smiled at me. "She's blunt and to the point."
"You always know where you stand with her." Max laughed as he shook his head. "She'll be around here next year, so you'll be seeing more of her."
"Ahh, so you're just a disappointment like all of us." He winked at me and smiled. "You didn't get invited to the prestigious Wolf Moon Academy, unlike my girl over there." He pointed at a girl with hair that was a little lighter than mine, who headed in our direction. "My baby is actually the daughter of one of the council members."
"You keep talking like that, and I'll start thinking that's the only reason why you keep me around." She pushed him on the shoulder, and her crystal blue eyes landed on me. "So, who are you?"
"Oh, I'm Max's sister, Mia." I didn't want her thinking I was after her man or whatever. Wolf shifters got ridiculously possessive over their lovers and especially over their mates if they are lucky enough to find them. "He dragged me to this party to show me what my life will be like next year."
"I’m Bree, and, well, I'm jealous of you." She smiled at me and glanced at her boyfriend. "Nate here thinks I have it made, but you guys get to actually live the way you want to."
"What do you mean?" That didn't make any sense. If you were accepted into Wolf Moon Academy, you were essentially guaranteed a high-level job in our shifter government or a similarly important job. If you attended there, you'd be able to buy anything you wanted.
"It's not all it's cracked up to be." There was a sadness that came into her eyes. "Enough about that." She walked through the crowd that was standing in the hallway and motioned for me to follow her. "Let's go get a drink."
"If any guys hit on you, tell them they'll have to answer to me," Nate growled after us.
I wasn't sure what to do but knew it'd be rude if I didn't follow, so I went after her.
She was making her way into what had to be the kitchen, so I hurried to catch up.
When she heard my footsteps next to her, she turned to me and smiled. "You look about as comfortable being here as me."
"You look right at home." I wished I appeared that calm, cool, and collected when all I actually felt was like a fish out of water. I would almost bet my face was squished like a fish right now; considering how uncomfortable I was in my own skin.
"The secret is to drink." She marched over to a worn island that sat in the middle of the kitchen. The walnut cabinetry was older, but the house had been well kept and in good condition. She grabbed a couple of red Solo cups from the counter before heading over to the refrigerator and pulled out a huge bottle of wine. "And we get to drink the good stuff." She filled both cups up to the halfway point and then replaced the bottle.
I almost complained about being underage, but it'd just make me look stupid. Against my better judgment, I took the offered cup. "Uh, so this makes things better?" I'd never been drunk before.
"Yup, I put in just the right amount of wolfsbane to do the trick." She grinned as she tipped her glass back and downed it.
Hell, I might as well follow suit. "So why are you here? I'm assuming Wolf Moon has their own parties."
"Oh, they do." She snorted and rolled her eyes. "But it's all about who's stronger and what dirty secret someone can find out about you."
Maybe it was a good thing Max didn't get in after all. "Yeah, I didn't bother to apply."
"Besides, my brother and his friends would be there, breathing down my neck the entire time." She sighed as she opened the refrigerator door again and pulled out the bottle. "Hmm ... On second thought, I have a feeling we should just keep it out."
That probably wasn't a bad idea. "Sounds like you have an overprotective brother like I do?" It seemed we might have a few things in common.
"Not overprotective." She laughed hard but then stopped short.
It was an odd combination. Almost as if she found it funny, but not really.
"He's more of my dad's enforcer and makes sure I don't do anything out of line." She began filling her cup and lifted it high in the air. "To friends!"
Without even thinking about it, I found myself tapping my cup against hers. Maybe we could be friends.
The party had been officially swinging for the last couple of hours. The inside of the house got packed, so Max, Nate, Bree, and I headed out to the fire pit. There were only so many smells a wolf could take.
It was strange. Even if we didn't have booze in us, Bree and I would have gotten along just fine.
I was actually enjoying my night and was glad Max had made me come.
That was until a loud, dark, menacing voice filled the air. "Bree, where the fuck are you?"
She had been smiling and laughing a second before, but her face morphed into an expression of pure terror. "Shit, I need to hide."
"What's wrong?" Nate turned so he was looking in the direction of the voice. "Who the hell is talking to you that way? That's not cool." He took a step toward four huge-ass guys who had come up behind a group standing outside.
"No, stop." Bree snagged his arm and pulled him back. "That's my brother and his goons."
It was as if the tallest, broodiest, and sexiest of them all heard her words. His eyes locked on hers, and he marched all the way over. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Liam, stop. You're making a scene." Bree pulled Nate behind her and stood protectively in front of him. "Please, calm down."
The muscle in Liam's neck tensed, and he clenched his hands into fists. I should've been petrified of the guy standing in front of me. Instead, I was more awestruck. His dark hair was the same shade as his sister’s, and his blue eyes were icy. He had to be six inches taller than me, which would make him about six-foot-four inches, and his polo shirt conformed to his muscles in a way that should be illegal. He was hot, sexy, and dangerous.
"Don't tell me what to do." His eyes glowed, and his breathing became hard as the alpha will seeped from him. His three buddies moved into position, flanking him.
The most muscular of the four stepped in my direction. He towered over me, and even though his hands were relaxed at his sides, the muscles still bulged. His short auburn hair was spiked in the front, and his gray eyes reflected white. His skin seemed translucent under the moon, making him appear even scarier.
Then, the other two stepped to the other side of Liam. They were about the same height, but that was where their similarities ended. One had dark olive skin and could pass as a freaking model. His dark eyes looked golden, and his build was more on the athletic side. He was just slightly taller than his friend standing beside him.