Just moments ago I had been talking and drinking with my two closest friends, but now I had isolated myself in the one bathroom that was furthest away from the main room of the party. 

I felt sick.

I splashed some water on my face, leaning over the sink trying to keep the sickness down in my body. It started as soon as I finished my first drink, making me believe that it had nothing to do with the alcohol. I turned the water on, swallowing a few sips in hope that it would help.

I got my phone up, sending a message over to the girls, letting them know that I was gonna get out of here and head home.

I took the red hood in my arms as I braced myself before unlocking the door and making my way through the penthouse. I passed by some drunken people in the corridor on the way, some of them giving me a look over before returning to their conversion. Ignoring my surroundings I  headed down the glass clear stairs, the music was getting louder the closer I got to the main room. As I was about to pass the kitchen I couldn’t help but hear a warm ringing laughter, piercing through the loud noises from the party like a sharp knife. I looked over towards the sound only to see a wolf disguised as Prince charming. People flocked around him like they were in heat, trying their best to impress him. Something I could never understand why they were so desperate to achieve. As I had stopped in my tracks, observing the poor overwhelming Shawn trying to maintain calm and normal, he finally met my eyes, making us both realize I’d been watching him.

He gave me a small smile before looking away, his cheeks were slightly tinted in a rosey color. Cute. He seemed much less intimidating in this moment, with rosy cheeks, small smiles and glassy unfocused eyes.

I couldn’t help but return a gentle smirk towards him, almost forgetting my nauseousness from earlier, and the growing feeling of discomfort in my throat. However it didn’t take long before it snuck it’s way back, making me remember why I was heading towards the entrance in the first place. Evelynn and Aria were probably already waiting for me as well. I turned away from the kitchen, about to get moving but was stopped by a gentle hand that had found its way around my arm. There was a pause between us before Shawn realized he had automatically reached out for me, quickly retreating his hand to his own neck. This wasn’t the first time he had done something like this, I would usually either slap away his hand or tense up from his touch, unconsciously feeling threatened by his alpha’s presence.

But this time it felt different, I didn’t react, it almost felt natural in a way. 

- Sorry, didn’t mean to grab you, but you don’t look too good.

- Really? I thought you said I looked hot?

- Oh no, I- that’s not what I meant. Obviously you look hot, but like. Uh you seem off, you feeling ok?

- Is it that obvious?

- Yeah, it’s hard not to notice. Do you need any help? Water?

- No I’m good thanks. I’m meeting up with the girls to get home.

- Oh well I could walk you out, or to them, I guess. It’d be nice to be able to say goodbye to you all.

- Normally I wouldn’t take any help from an alpha, but knowing that it’s you I wouldn’t mind the company.

- I’m flattered, but just so you know-

He looked me straight in the eyes, his gaze warm and almost searching for any signs within my own two eyes before he finished his sentence.

- I’m more than an alpha, I hope you know that.

With that, he began taking a few steps in the general direction of the hallway, making me quickly keep up with his long steps, walking next to him through the apartment.

It didn’t take long before we were at the entrance where a few other people were hanging out, including a hedgehog in a pastel deer costume. As we walked up to her I got a bit confused as Aria was nowhere to be seen, but before I got the chance to say anything Evelynn had already taken the red hood from my arms and thrown her warm jacket over me.

- Are you feeling okay to walk or should we take a taxi?

- I-I’m okay with walking. Some fresh air doesn’t sound too bad right now.

She had always had this big sister trait, always making sure both me and Aria were okay. I turned to face Shawn once more, wanting to say a proper goodbye to him before we headed our separate ways for the night.

I gave him a soft smile, not bothering to hide it from anyone.

- Thank you for keeping me company, I’ll see you in school?

- Yeah. Of course. Take care Eli, see you later.

Before we could part though, I watched in mixed horror and confusion as a raging Caspar came power walking at an almost inhuman speed right towards us. I was about to say something when Caspar rushed up, inches away from Shawn who calmly looked at Caspar. They held their staring contest for a few heavy seconds, filled in complete silence between the two, and us observing their odd behavior. Suddenly Shawn gave Caspar a gentle pat on his shoulder, mumbling something along the lines of "I understand" before looking back at me.

- Seems like we're leaving too. I have to go tell Simon first though-

- Oh Aria is with Simon, he seemed like he wasn't feeling well.

- Oh ok, I'll send him a text then that we're leaving early.

Shawn looked away from Evelynn, only to let his eyes rest on me, before looking towards Caspar, who was just as mute and secretive of his emotions as per usual. As I wasn’t feeling too good I decided to stay quiet as well for the most part, only speaking if I had to as we made our way down to the entrance.

Before heading our separate ways we said goodbye for the night once more, me and Evelynn going by foot and Shawn and Caspar getting into a car before driving off.

The fresh air made the nausea bearable at least but it didn’t cure it exactly. Not much happened after that, I managed to get home and head to bed as early as I could. Falling asleep not too long after I did.