But the moment the lights flared and the sound hit, the nerves began to disappear, replaced by adrenaline and a surprising sense of freedom. My body remembered the moves, my voice found its rhythm.
The stage lights glittered off the decorations, blurring the crowd into motion and noise. And yet, all I really saw was Mark.
Beside me, he sang like he belonged here, smiling whenever our eyes met, instinctively leaning closer during harmonies. Our voices and guitars wove together seamlessly, each note sliding naturally into the next.
Then the final chord hit, and the music ended. Applause crashed over us.
I laughed, breathless, turning toward Mark as he did the same. We were both breathing hard, grinning like idiots.
I stepped up to the mic again, heart pounding, and glanced up at the digital board above the stage. The countdown clock glowed bright against the night.
“You ready?” the MC called, joining us as other performers crowded the stage. “Ten…nine…”
The crowd roared. Mark shifted closer, his hand finding my waist. I leaned in, feeling his warmth.
“…Three, two, one—Happy New Year!”
Confetti cannons burst, streamers flying as fireworks cracked somewhere behind the stage. Mark laughed against my shoulder as the world rang in the new year around us.
Music surged back to life the moment the countdown ended, loud enough that the stage vibrated beneath our boots.
More performers spilled onto the platform, laughing, dancing, singing along, and for a moment it felt like the entire town had converged in one bright, chaotic place.
Mark turned toward me, shifting us just enough that we were angled away from the crowd. He pulled me in close, shielding us from curious eyes.
Then he dipped his head and pressed a kiss to my temple, quick, like a secret.
“Happy New Year,” he murmured, warm breath brushing my skin.
My wolf stirred immediately, pleased and possessive in that quiet, content way it had whenever Mark touched me like that.
I nuzzled into him without thinking, brushing my nose along his cheek, breathing him in.
“Happy New Year to you too,” I said, voice low.
“Zack!” Ethan’s voice cut through the moment as he jogged up, phone held high. A familiar voice crackled from it.
I squinted as Ethan pushed closer. “Hey?”
Noah’s grin filled the display on the phone screen. “I can’t believe I’m not there. I’m missing everything!”
“It’s great,” Ethan said, turning the phone so Noah could see the crowd behind us. “You definitely shouldn’t miss this next year.”
“Yes!” Noah said immediately, far too enthusiastic. “Absolutely. Next year.”
I blinked. “Next year?”
Ethan glanced at me. “Yeah?”
I hesitated, suddenly unsure how to bring it up. My gaze dropped to the stage floor, then flicked back up, searching their faces.
“I just—” I started, then stopped. “I thought maybe… you know.”
Ethan froze for a beat, brow furrowed. “Zack, you’re not thinking of quitting, are you?”
“Quit?” I laughed, shaking my head. “No! I thought you guys were the ones ready to leave.”
Ethan shook his head, grinning. “You’re kidding. You two sounded amazing. Honestly, I half expected you to bail, not us.”
