Aiden watches as the evidence of their passion trickles down her thighs, feeling a sense of satisfaction mixed with regret that it's over so soon. Pulling the covers up over them both, he rolls onto his side beside her, drawing her into the curve of his body. "You're safe, now," he reassures her quietly, stroking her hair as he settles beside her. "We can tell him whatever we want, but don't worry about him judging us. I won't let anyone come between us."

"Party?" He repeats incredulously, shaking his head as if clearing away the remnants of their intimate moment. "I forgot all about it." He chuckles softly, pressing another tender kiss against her temple before pulling back slightly.

"I think we've had enough excitement for tonight, don't you? Let's get cleaned up and sneak out discreetly. We wouldn't want anyone to know what really happened behind closed doors."

His voice drops to a whisper, filled with mischief and promise. "Besides, there are plenty more adventures waiting for us outside these walls.

The music pulses through me, each beat an echo of my racing heart. I can't take my eyes off Eveiynn as she laughs and dances with her friends, moving gracefully among the crowd. But then something changes. Three boys move in closer to her, their hands landing possessively on her hips or shoulders, whispering things in her ear that make her blush and giggle.

Rage boils up inside me, hot and sudden as a blown fuse.

I force myself to remain calm, to think clearly. I can't lose my temper here; it would only make things worse for her. So instead, I carefully push away from the wall and begin moving through the crowd toward them. My steps are deliberate, calculated. The closer I get, the more my heart races with a mixture of anger and protectiveness.

When I'm close enough to see their faces clearly, I stop abruptly, forcing myself to calm down further. "Gentlemen," I say in a low, dangerous voice, "