Mia's POV
The party continued to swirl around me in a dizzying blur of lights, music, and laughter, but my mind was elsewhere. Tristan had pulled me aside earlier, finally managing to get me away from the brothers and the chaos they brought with them.
“I’m sorry, Mia,” Tristan said, his eyes searching mine. “I didn’t think the night would turn into this.”
“It’s not your fault,” I replied, trying to ease his guilt.
“It is,” he insisted. “I wanted tonight to be special for you. I wanted it to be about you and me, but…” He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “There are pack issues I can’t ignore. That’s the only reason I haven’t been able to spend as much time with you as I’d planned.”
I studied his face, his genuine frustration and regret clear. “I understand,” I said softly. “Y
