Love, After Dark

Chapter 44

BRICE

I knew the second Wynter saw me looking at Siri. Her eyes met mine across the room, and whatever warmth had been there before turned to ice. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. She just spun on her heel and stormed toward the patio doors. “Wynter—wait!” I pushed through the crowd after her. The cool night air hit my face as I stepped outside. She was halfway down the steps when I caught her wrist gently.

“Let go of me,” she snapped, yanking her arm free. “It’s not what you think.” “Oh really?” She laughed, sharp and humorless. “Because from where I was standing, it looked exactly like you were drooling over her.” “I wasn’t drooling,” I said through clenched teeth. “I just looked.” “You’ve been looking a lot lately.” I ran a hand through my hair. “It’s nothing. I swear. You’re blowing this out of proportion.” “Blowing it out of proportion?” she repeated, her voice rising. “You ignored me all night. You barely even touched me. And then you stare at her like I don’t even exist.” “I said I’m sorry,” I insisted. “It didn’t mean anything.” She stepped closer, eyes glossy but furious. “You made me look stupid.” “That was never my intention.” “Well, congratulations,” she shot back. “Because that’s exactly what you did.”

I reached for her again, softer this time. “Wynter, please. Just calm down.” Her expression hardened. “Don’t tell me to calm down. If you want to look at other girls, just say that.” “It’s not like that!” “Then what is it, Brice?” I opened my mouth. And nothing came out. Because I didn’t have an answer I could say out loud. She stared at me for a long moment, searching my face. Whatever she saw there made her flinch. “Leave me alone,” she whispered, before turning and storming off across the lawn. Whitney and Courtney hurried after her.

“Wynter!” I started after her again. A body slammed into my chest. I staggered back. Luke. “I don’t have time for this right now,” I muttered, trying to step around him. Chris shoved me harder this time. I stumbled again. “What the f**k is your problem?!” I barked, anger flaring. “No, what’s your problem?” Luke shot back. “You lied to us,” Chris said coldly. The words hit harder than the shove. Guilt crawled up my spine. “You didn’t reject her at all,” Luke accused. “It’s not that simple,” I snapped. “You’ve been moping all day looking for pity,” Chris continued, “and you didn’t even go through with it.” “You don’t understand,” I said, lowering my voice. “It’s not that easy.” Luke stared at me like he didn’t recognize me. “Not that easy? You were supposed to shut it down.” “I tried.” “No, you didn’t,” Luke said flatly. “You hesitated.” My jaw tightened.

“You’re really going to jeopardize your relationship—your entire future—over some human girl?” The way he said it. Human girl. Like she was beneath us. My fists clenched at my sides. “I’m getting really tired of you talking about her like that.” Luke’s lip curled. “Oh, what? You’re going to fight me? Your best friend? Over her?” “Watch yourself,” I growled. He scoffed. “You’re acting like she’s worth throwing everything away for. Like she’s worth embarrassing your girlfriend. Like she’s worth lying to us.”

“That’s not—” “You think she’d even survive in our world?” he cut in, voice dripping with disdain. “Or are you just addicted to the idea of something fragile and forbidden?” The words burned. Because part of me feared he was right. “You don’t get to judge me,” I said quietly. Luke stepped back, disgust clear on his face. “I don’t even know you right now.” Then he turned and walked away.

Chris followed a few steps before pausing. He looked at me differently—less angry, more disappointed. “I get how hard it must be,” he said, voice calmer. “Rejecting someone like that. Your goddess-given mate.” His eyes searched mine. “But lying to us? Letting two girls get caught in the middle of it?” I swallowed. “That’s messed up, Brice. I thought you were better than that.” Then he walked off after Luke. I stood there alone. I tried reaching inward. Are you going to say anything? Silence. My wolf, usually loud and opinionated, gave me nothing. No reassurance. No defense. Just cold distance.

A commotion erupted from inside the house. Laughter. Gasps. Someone saying, “Oh my God.” My head snapped toward the patio doors. I pushed inside. And froze. Siri stood in the middle of the kitchen. Red liquid dripped from her hair, staining her blouse, sliding down her face and neck. Punch pooled at her feet. Wynter stood in front of her, breathing hard. Whitney smirked beside her. Courtney held the empty bowl. My stomach dropped. Siri slowly lifted her gaze. Our eyes met. Shock. Humiliation. Pain.

And I just… stood there. Move. Say something. Do something. But my feet felt cemented to the floor. Seconds stretched. Then she ran. Right past me. The front door slammed. The sound snapped me back to life. I lunged toward the entrance. I was two steps away when Chris grabbed my arm. “Don’t,” he said. “Move,” I growled. “Let her go.” Luke stood behind him, arms crossed, daring me to push past. I exhaled sharply, chest heaving. Through the window, I saw her disappear down the driveway Guilt flooded every inch of me. I had been making bad decisions lately. And now two girls were hurting because of me. And I hadn’t protected either of them.