-mature themes-

The atmosphere was electric. The beat of the music thrummed in my chest before we'd even stepped out of her car.

I didn't need Sophia to tell me twice when she asked me to grab my purse and head up the dimply lit porch steps.

It was going to be a good night.

Linked arm in arm with Sophia, the stares from every one as we entered Full Moon didn't go unnoticed.

"What's the issue?" I asked.

She kept her vision ahead, nodding at the other pack members whose faces twisted in confusion and intrigue as they watched me closely.

"They are just curious is all..."

"So just to clarify, no one here is going to rip my throat out?" I had to double check. If I was going to die, I wanted to go out with a bang after all.

She turned to look at me before grabbing me by the shoulders.

"Oh hell no. Trust me Edie, you are off limits. They all know who you are."

I rolled my eyes and smirked, "Yes, a terrifying hybrid something full of piss and vinegar, they are rightly concerned!"

She stifled a giggle before leading me to the bar, before excusing herself to chat with a friend.

Time was in slow motion as I looked around. I wasn't expecting that I'd be hit with sentimentality as I remembered my first night here in this very place.

My eyes focused on the booth where I sat and heard Phelan's voice for the first time. I inhaled deeply, remembering the scent of the wild, the huskiness of his voice, and then his corded arms when he leant against the frame of the bar.

Fuck. Get out of my head already.

I felt myself almost snarl at the thought.

I shifted past a few people and went straight to the bar. I remembered the woman from that first night, her purple hair was gorgeous under the down lights. "One shot of tequila please."

Despite the booming music that reverberated through the place, I felt awkward waiting silently. I couldn't slam it down fast enough when I signaled with a peace sign to hit me with a second shot.

The glass clattered against the bench top as the stinging liquid slid down my throat. I scrunched my face in distaste but felt an instant relief.

The bartender eyed me cautiously, as if she was assessing my choices, but said nothing. I shrugged my shoulders, offering only a coy smile in return. I was determined to get him out of my head, so what else was a girl to do?

I held my fingers up again. Three, and down. Four, and down. I began to sway to the music as I relaxed into the mood.

It was a stupid little kiss.

I wanted to wash away my feelings. I couldn't stand that I wasn't able to articulate or understand what I was feeling and why.

But it didn't matter now. All that mattered was that I felt my mind began to slow, my body begin to relax and my inner chatter begin to cease.

This. This is what I came here for.

I mouthed a thank you to the quirky, cute bartender and threw my denim jacket over a stool before I pushed through the crowd to the dance floor.

Sliding my arms up above my head, I swayed to the rhythm, jumping to the beat as I mused on the fact that this quaint little werewolf town played some banging tunes.

I was buzzing with electricity and never felt so alive. I grabbed the hands of the nearest girl, laughing loudly as we screamed the lyrics together. Laughing with our hands in the air like idiots I let my body go free.

So much left unspoken
Between the two of us
It's so much more exciting
To look when you can touch
You could say I am different
And maybe I'm a freak
But I know how to twist you
To bring you to your knees

Sweat beaded on my forehead, my hair wild as it whipped side to side. I was lost to the moment as I felt the liquor and something else weave through my system.

Phelan.

I swore I could feel his presence. My body took on a life of it's own at the thought of him staring from the shadows.

I thought of his eyes hungrily upon me, tracing every curve of my body as I swayed and swirled.

I could sense he was here.

I knew he was watching. I could feel it. I couldn't explain how I knew, but I did.

I get off on you...
Getting off on me...

I was well and truly fucked up, and loving every minute of it.

When the song was over, I made my way back to the bar, excusing myself past the people on the floor. I scanned the area as I passed, trying to get a view of Sophia or Gunner to no avail.

Of course, I thought. She's bailed on me for a midnight rendezvous...

"Tequila right?"

The unfamiliar voice caught me off guard.

Turning to my left,  my eyes locked with the stranger. My first thought was disappointment that it wasn't Phelan. But even still, I couldn't deny that he was handsome. Although the lighting made it hard to tell, it appeared he had dirty blonde hair, but his emerald green eyes were unmistakable as they pierced right through me.

"I hope you don't mind, I saw you coming and got you one." The handsome stranger winked, extending the drink to my empty hand before continuing, "I'm Wyatt. It's lovely to finally meet the infamous Edie Cohen."

I was taken aback by his words and wasn't sure how to respond, "umm thanks I guess?" I shrugged my shoulders, laughing off his comment as I felt him step closer.

I threw back the shot he gave me, needing a little more liquid courage to get me through the awkwardness of this conversation. To be honest, it was a bit of a buzzkill.

"So, how is it possible that you are alone here tonight? A girl like you..." he trailed, each word seemingly more distant than the last until I wasn't even listening at all.

I began to feel uneasy. Gripping the bench, I tried to focus on on the empty glass I'd placed down in order to stop my sway before his voice jolted me to my core.

"She isn't."

I held my breath as his words rolled out against my ear, his stubble nuzzling against my cheek. I didn't have to see him to know who wrapped himself behind me.

There was no trace of uncertainty in his command.

"Leave."

I turned to face him, placing my hand against his chest, the conversation with whatshisface long forgotten before he apologised profusely to Phelan and turned away.

I shot him a glare as I crashed against the hard wall that was his chest.

"Well aren't you a party pooper, he was just being friendly, you should try it some time."

I poked his chest playfully, my pout showcasing my annoyance.

His expression, as usual, was hard as stone. Did he ever let himself go?

"Wyatt Miller was not being friendly... you don't know what male werewolves are like. Your naivety, among other things, makes you a target."

I seized my opportunity and cocked my eyebrow.

"Are you sure you weren't just being jealous, Phelan? I wouldn't object if you were..."

He surveyed me closely. It was like he was struggling with his own inner dialogue about what he wanted to say to such an extent he didn't say anything at all.

The only action that indicated that he so much as registered what I'd said was his finger tips gently moving my hair from my face as he looked down upon me with an indecipherable expression.

Did he feel the same that I did?

The bar full of people faded to a backdrop of our encounter.

I wanted him and he knew it.

We stood there for what felt like forever as he battled within himself whether to make a move.

But for whatever reason, he wouldn't.

My body ached. I needed him more than I needed anything in my life. His rejection only heightened my desire to claim what I craved.

And what I couldn't understand was that despite knowing it, he was having none of it.

"Why do you have to be... such a big.... meannnnieee?"

"Your eyes are sooooo prettyyyy, did you know that? Howww?"

I was practically rubbing myself against him as he held me upright.

I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tight as I listened to his heartbeat against my ear.

"You're purring... are you sure you aren't a big pussycat?"

He must have realised I was well past the point of no return, "Okay wild one, let's get you home."

He led me through the crowd as I felt all eyes on us.

"Why is everyone quiet?"

He didn't respond to me. He only guided me with his arm wrapped around my waist as I nestled into him closer, clinging to his leather jacket as I did so.

As we weaved through the stunned silence, I didn't fail to notice some of the females stares and hushed whispers.

I didn't care. I just wanted to get back to his place before I crashed into impending oblivion.