One Night

Chapter 36

Audrey

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying to decide if the red crop top I was wearing was too much or not quite enough. Behind me, Avis and Tina were already halfway through their second round of tequila shots, giggling as they chatted animatedly about. the upcoming party.

“Does this lipstick shade go with my eyeshadow?” Avis asked, turning this way and that in the vanity mirror.

Tina pursed her lips. “I’d go with the other shade, but that’s just me…”

“No, no, you’re right,” Avis said, grabbing the other lipstick. “The purple is much better.”

As Avis touched up her makeup, Tina turned to me. “Are you almost ready? You’ve been staring at that shirt for five minutes straight now.”

“I guess…” I tugged self-consciously at the tight fabric stretching across my midriff. “You really don’t think this is too revealing?”

Avis snorted, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “You do realize we’re going to a party, right? Not church?”

Flashing her a withering look, I moved away from the mirror and nodded, turning my attention to my hair. “I just… don’t want any unnecessary attention,” I muttered, shivering.

Tina and Avis exchanged apologetic looks. “Because of the video that was circulating last night?”

I froze, my stomach twisting into knots. The memory of that massive tarantula falling on me was still so visceral, it made me want to vomit. “That’s part of it,” I grumbled.

“Yeah, well, it got taken down anyway,” Avis huffed, just as angry as I was. “A bunch of people reported it as harassment.”

Tina nodded, giving my arm a squeeze. “Linda’s friends’ TikTok accounts got taken down, too.”

I let out a shaky breath, trying to push the whole mortifying incident from my mind. At least that was a reassurance; Linda and her friends thought that their sick ‘prank’ would

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Chapter 36

have turned me into a laughing stock, but it just infuriated our peers.

“Speaking of last night,” Tina added, lowering her voice, “what happened with you and Professor Brooks last night?”

“Yeah,” Avis said, turning in her chair. “You said you had to go and grade papers, and you did

answer your phone all night.”

My face immediately heated up and I quickly looked away, busying myself with applying a fresh coat of lip gloss. “We just… graded papers. That’s all.”

Tina and Avis exchanged disbelieving looks. “Is that really all?” Tina prodded. “Just grading?”

I let out a sigh. “And he ordered us a pizza. There, are you happy?”

Avis huffed. “No, not really. You two clearly have a lot of tension.”

“It would be hot, too,” Tina added.

I sputtered indignantly at that, finally having to laugh at their shamelessness. “Goddess, you two are out of control!” I chided. “Nothing else happened!”

That was a lie, of course; so much more had happened, and yet so little at the same time.

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to recall the way Edwin’s gray eyes had met mine from across the desk-the sound of his voice when he caught on to my prodding, the tiniest smirk crossing my lips when I had asked for ‘pointers…

I had gone too far, of course. Even now, I regretted accepting that whiskey from him. I had embarrassed myself.

But I quickly brushed it off, shaking my head at my friends as I pulled my hair up into a messy bun. “Seriously, guys. He’s my professor. And he’s way too old for me anyway.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Avis murmured, biting her lower lip and squirming in her chair. “Some men just get better with age, you know? Like a fine wine.”

Tina and I exchanged incredulous looks at the rare display of heat from the mousey Avis.

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Chapter 36

The instant we walked up to the lavish mansion on the edge of town, I could feel the heavy bass thumping against my chest. Colored lights flashed through the house, bodies writhing and silhouettes stumbling in and out. We hadn’t even made it inside yet. and already the energy was electric.

“Seems like the whole school is here,” I mused.

“That’s because it is.” Tina grinned and looped one arm through mine and another through Avis’s as we headed up to the house.

Tina was right; as we rounded the corner of the house toward the backyard, I could already see that dozens of people were milling around a massive bonfire, red plastic cups in hand and plumes of smoke drifting up towards the night sky.

Out here, the air was thick with the sharp t**g of beer and weed, laughter and shouts echoing across the patio amidst the pounding bass music.

“I think I’m gonna need another shot before we get into that madness,” Avis laughed, gesturing toward a table where a group of rowdy frat boys were doing body shots off of a tall blonde sorority girl.

aware of just how

I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach watching them, but I had never so

inexperienced I really was. I’d had plenty of alcohol before, sure-but I had never so much as seen anyone smoke weed in person until now.

My apprehension must have shown on my face, because Tina leaned in close so I could hear her over the music. “Are you nervous or something, Thatcher?”

I plastered on a brave smile and shook my head, allowing her to lead me over toward the bonfire. Despite the heat of the c**g flames, I felt a shiver run down my spine as we stepped into the chaos.

“Hey! I like your outfit!”

An unfamiliar voice made me whip around-and immediately, I was met by a chorus of enthusiastic greetings and smiles. A group of girls and guys stood by the fire, one girl in particular at the front-a beautiful brunette with freckles across her nose, wearing a simple black mini dress.

“Oh, um… Thanks,” I said, glancing down at my own outfit-the red crop top from before, a mini skirt, tights and go-go boots. Honestly, I felt a little overdressed for a party like this.

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Chapter 36

The girl grinned and strode up to us. “You’re Audrey, right?” she asked. “And Tina, and Avis?”

The three of us nodded in unison. One of the other people in the group said something that I couldn’t hear over the music, although whatever it was made the girl in the black dress laugh good-naturedly.

“You’re not looking for any new team members, are you?” she asked. “Your team is making quite the splash.”

Tina, Avis and I exchanged glances. “Actually,” I said, “that’s sort of the reason why we came to this party-part of the reason, at least. We’re looking for a new team member.” “Oh!” The girl blinked in surprise. “Well, I’d like to apply, if that’s possible.”

“Here’s my number!” Tina shouted over the music, writing her phone number down on a napkin and handing it to the girl. “We’d love to talk more!”

The girl grinned and pocketed the number. “That would be awesome. Thanks!” She paused before walking away, glancing at me one last time. “You have great style, by the way!”

My cheeks burned, suddenly aware of all the eyes on me-but I couldn’t deny the thrill that shot through me, too. It was nice to be appreciated, to not always feel like the unattractive wallflower, despite being the only human amongst werewolves.

More laughter and voices swelled up around us then as Tina handed me a drink. I took a sip, then another-letting the alcohol’s warmth seep through me and dull my nerves. This was going to be a night to remember, that was for sure.

“Audrey?”

The familiar voice instantly cut through the rowdy din around the bonfire. My stomach did a little flip as I turned toward the sound.

There stood Max, holding a drink of his own and watching me intently from a few feet

away.

“Can we talk?” he asked.