Chapter 7
1042 Words
"Are they as good-looking as you?"
The question popped out before I could even think about it. Maybe it was the bass thumping in my chest or the way his leather jacket felt like a warm hug on my shoulders, I wanted to flirt. I wanted to be the kind of girl who could hold her own with a guy like him, even if my heart was screaming at me to disengage mission.
Caspian didn't answer right away. He just leaned back, a slow, troublemaking smirk spreading across his face. Those honey-colored eyes of his practically sparkled in the dim light of the booth.
"You’ll have to see that for yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you—they are a lot to handle."
He reached for his drink on the table and pushed it toward me. It was filled with something clear and glowing. I didn't hesitate. I picked it up and downed it in one go.
For a second, I thought I’d swallowed actual fire. It was hot and sharp, racing down my throat and leaving a trail of heat that settled right in my stomach.
I gasped, my eyes watering a little. Caspian was watching me like I was the most interesting thing he’d seen all year.
"You like it?"
I nodded once I got my breath back.
The drink made everything feel a little softer, a little more okay it wasn't just plain acohol it was added something stronger because werewolves don't easily get drunk with plain alcohol.
I could feel the giant knot of stress in my neck finally started to loosen up.
"It’s... a lot. But yeah, it’s good."
He poured me another one, his movements smooth and effortless.
"Take it easy. You’re a little thing, and that stuff has a kick. I’d hate to have to carry you out of here before the night even gets started."
"I'm not that little," I huffed, though standing at 5'4" next to him, I would look like a literal doll.
"You’re tiny," he countered. "And you’re incredibly pretty. I have been staring here thinking about how perfect your lips are."
I almost choked. Me? Pretty? I was used to being called a late-shifter and a defect, I saw myself as the girl with the messy gold curls and green eyes that were too big for her face.
Back home, I was a failure. Here, with Caspian looking at me like I was a literal prize, I felt like I was glowing, there was just something about him.
"Thank you," I whispered, feeling a massive blush creep up my neck. I had to look away because my heart was beating so fast I thought it might actually jump out of my chest.
Suddenly, the VIP booth felt way too hot. Between the shots, the music, and the way Caspian was staring at me, I needed a break. I needed to breathe.
"I need the bathroom," I announced, standing up.
The floor tilted just a tiny bit, and Sofia was on her feet before I could even take a step.
"I’ll show her! Cas—we’ll be right back."
Caspian just nodded, but his eyes followed me until we disappeared around the corner.
The noise of the club died down. It was quiet in the restroom, but the air felt heavy. Sofia didn't even make it to the mirrors before she stopped in her tracks. Her nose wrinkled in total disgust, and she actually made a gagging sound.
"Ugh, gross! The bathrooms here are the worst. It reeks of humans and s*x. Seriously, they need to put bigger windows for more ventilation."
I stood there, To me, the air was just... air. There was no smell. No stench. Just that same, terrifying nothingness that had been there since the rejection.
"Really?" I tried to sound like I was agreeing. "I... I guess I didn't notice it yet."
Sofia turned around, her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. She dropped her hand from her nose, her expression shifting from disgusted to confused. "What do you mean you didn't notice? Jas, it’s a physical wall of stink. How are you not wanting to puke right now?"
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine. My brain started racing for an excuse.
"Yeah, you’re right. I think the shots just hit me harder than I thought.
Sofia didn't move. She tilted her head, studying me.
Just then, a girl in a bright pink dress pushed past us to leave. Sofia’s eyes followed the girl for a second, then snapped right back to me.
"Okay, That girl who just walked out? What did her perfume smell like?"
I froze. I looked at the door, then back at Sofia
She was waiting for my response, her arms crossed, with eyes digging into mine. She may be starting to realize I was lying.
"It was... fruity? Like lemon?"
Sofia just stared at me for a long, painful moment. The silence in that bathroom now felt louder than the music outside.
"Jasmine. Are you... are you smell-blind?"
"I’m not!"
The words flew out of my mouth way too fast. My voice was pitched a little too high, a dead giveaway that I was panicking.
I looked away, pretending to be fascinated by the faucet of the sink, but my hands were shaking so hard I had to grip the counter.
Sofia didn't buy it for a second. "No, you definitely are, We’re werewolves, Jasmine. Scent isn't something we guess at. It’s like seeing the color of the sky. You either know, or you don't."
I bit my lip, For a split second, I actually thought about insulting her—saying something mean just to get her to back off and stop asking questions.
But the thought died as soon as it was born. Sofia was the only person besides Freya who had treated me like a human being since I got to the city.
She was my friend. If I pushed her away, I’d be truly alone in a world that already wanted to eat me alive.
I let out a long, shaky breath, the fight draining out of me. I slumped against the sink, looking at my own reflection.
"I’m smell-blind," I whispered.
- Writer
