The moment I can, I escape. I mumble an excuse about needing some air, smile at whoever’s in my path, and weave through the crowd until I reach the large glass doors leading out to the terrace.
The night air hits my skin like cool water. I inhale sharply, trying to steady myself. My palm still tingles where his hand had been. My wolf’s tiny reaction won’t stop echoing in my chest.
I don’t like it. I don’t like any of it.
I step outside, heels tapping on stone, and focus on the sky. Breathe in, breathe out. Count. One. pinch. Two. pinch. Three. pinch. If I don’t anchor myself, the mix of relief and panic will swallow me whole.
I’m so focused on breathing that I don’t notice the small figure near the edge of the terrace until he speaks.
“…Nini?”
My heart stutters. I turn.
Owen is sta
