Chapter 9: Under The Harvest Moon

It was strange only having to walk a few yards from my room to enter the penthouse living room and an atmosphere that could rival any club or rave anywhere. I scanned the party, letting my eyes travel over the tight short dresses of the girls and the bulging biceps of the guys.

A DJ was set up in one corner, a light show was on display in another. The music was loud and the air was hot.

I was surprised to see that the glass doors were open and the party spread out onto the rooftop.

Tessa guided me to the breakfast bar, now turned into a full bar. She placed the first drink, fuzzy and fruity, in my hand and I gulped it down nervously scanning over the crowd. It wasn’t until I didn’t see him that I realized that I was looking for Cole.

I didn‘t have time to let the disappointment set in. Tessa pulled me to the center of the dance floor where Cole’s Beta and other roommates were dancing with their shirts off and muscles rippling.

Tessa and I took turns swapping from one shifter to the next and other girls found the courage to join in and do the same.

It wasn’t long before it seemed as if Blake was my partner for dance after dance.

It also seemed as if once I finished with my first drink, my hand was supplied with another and then another. I was having a good time, getting dizzy and high and then I sensed him, even before I saw him.

He was just as topless as his roommates but his frame was at least twice as big, my Alpha.

I gulped as he looked at me, his eyes snapping to the hand that Blake rested on my hip.

Suddenly, Blake removed it as if he had touched something hot.

The partygoers parted as Cole walked towards me extending a hand. His eyes switched between chocolate and golden as if he were calmly holding his wolf at bay. I couldn’t tell if it was because of anger or arousal as his eyes raked over my body, but either way, I couldn’t resist his outstretched hand.

Eyes followed us as he pulled me into his arms and held me close just as the music slowed down. His scent enveloped me and I was finally able to put a name to the mixture of cinnamon and sandalwood.

I rested my head on his chest and listened to the rapid staccato of his heartbeat. All kinds of feelings rushed through me. I was happy and nervous, excited and scared. It felt as if I couldn’t get close enough to him, but there was a part of me telling me to slow down and back away.

I could feel the bodies around us heating up and getting sensual. Tessa’s warning about the party turning into an orgy rang in my ears.

Was I really in his arms for all the world to see? Were all of my wildest dreams coming true?

No, this was just one night and tomorrow, everything would go back to the way it was. I pulled away and his golden eyes remained on fire, looking down into my own.

I don’t know what he saw in them, but the fire cooled and he said, “I think we could use some air.”

Nobody looked at us as he held my hand and led me through the living room, weaving through couples and groups getting hot and heavy and to the front doors that led to the elevators.

He was so close, towering beside me, heat falling off of him like rain and driving me crazy. I wanted to lose all rational sense and climb all over him.

The cold air of the lobby hit me before I worked up the nerve to act on that impulse. It was so much cooler and my senses returned to me full force.

We made it outside and onto the street. I took a deep breath and let it out, relieved that things hadn’t gotten too far. I smiled, feeling a little tipsy but I liked the feeling. The moon was hung high in the distance, tinted a pale red.

The air was perfect and crisp. Only a few people were on the street, but most of them couldn’t help giving extra glances to me in my short dress and the giant shirtless Alpha at my side.

I wondered how many thought we were an odd pair or if any thought we looked right together.

Cole put an arm around me and pulled me into him and I leaned against his shoulder as we walked. We hadn’t been this close since the night I arrived. I had almost begun to believe he lost all interest in me. But the way he molded my body into his let me know that was far from the case.

What had taken him so long to let me know? He led me a few blocks away towards the park. It was closed to the public after hours, but he ignored the sign and pushed open the unlocked gate.

We came to a standstill in the park's garden and it seemed as if the moon fell lower to become the perfect backdrop to this fairytale setting.

I’m not sure how long we stood facing each other before I broke the silence. “I was wondering if you were going to show up at the party,” I said.

“I usually don’t,” he admitted. “Parties are my sister and roommate’s thing. But, tonight I made an exception.”

“Why?” I asked curiously.

“For you,” he said. His voice was low and calm. There was a hint of a smile on his face, but also a sense of sadness.

His eyes locked onto mine as he tucked my hair behind my ear.

“Why me?” I asked breathlessly.

He didn’t answer. He leaned over and I felt his arms tighten around me and then he lowered his head and his mouth claimed mine.

The world seemed to spin under my feet before everything else seemed to disappear.

I felt my body lean further into his but then he pulled away. Uncertainty rained down on me and I gasped, embarrassed and confused.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I just wanted to do that before you left.”

“I’m leaving?” I narrowed my eyes on him.

He nodded.

“Where am I going?"

“Blake told me about your scholarship to the Alpha Academy.”

“I was going to tell you but…”

“I met with the program director earlier today.”

My breath caught in my throat. This statement surprised me and put me on guard.

“What…? I don’t understand. Why..?”

“Your scholarship is for…rogues,” he said as if that explained everything.

“Yeah… Because I am a rogue… You already knew that, Cole. Tessa thought it would be a good thing.” I went on reading something in his tone that meant this information somehow changed everything between us.

He looked deep into my eyes with some regret as if trying to memorize my face in the dimness of the harvest moon. Longing filled my heart as he tucked my hair behind my ear one last time and took a step back from me.

“Soon you will understand why it's best if we part ways now.”

“No…” I breathed feeling panic rise in my chest.

“I wish we’d had more time…” he said and walked away.