I was leaning against a column, unable to trust any of my limbs.
Boneless.
Alone.
My silly smile faltered, slowly dropping off my face like it had been peeled away, leaving behind its sad twin.
I blinked once. Twice.
Logan—the Terminator, my mate—was gone.
Disappeared just as he had appeared.
There was just the heat on my skin, the imprint of his hands, and the harsh thud of my heartbeat in the empty space where he used to be.
A lump formed in my throat.
As the music throbbed around me and the crowd sharpened back into focus, a cold, acute awareness stabbed through my haze.
After all, it was true.He abandons girls.
This time, it just happened to be me.
CHAPTER 24
YVAINE
Iwasn’t in the mood to argue, or worse, give any explanation when I noticed my three friends, all their eyes set on me. I didn’t even know if my tongue would work after the way it had been put to use just a few moments ago.
My heartbeat was pounding in my ears as my feet, with a conscience of their own, dragged me toward my roommates.
“Well, well, well!” Tiziano began, scowl in place. Makena sided with him, both with their arms crossed like two parents ready to scold, hips tilted to one side. “Who was the blond hunk? Huh?”
I moved just in time, because the scoff was so nefarious it sent flecks of spittle flying.
My shoulders sagged with relief. They hadn’t realized that the hunk in question was the Terminator himself.
Although Amaia had a certain glint in her eye.
“I smell Dark Diamond, Yvaine,” Tiziano accused before folding me in his arms. First comfort your friend, then scold them—that was his motto. His face crumpled. “My elephantine memory won’t forget this.”
With his pink shirt lifted halfway to his abs, a few buttons missing, and a tie around his forehead, he looked like a prince who had abdicated his throne to join a wild pack of bandits.
“You rolled with one of the DDs, too. Give her a break, Tizzy,” Makena said, grabbing him in a headlock.
Though she had lipstick smeared around her lips, I couldn’t sense anyone on her. Considering that Gaius was somewhere nearby with my brother, she must have done it on purpose.
“I was drunk, okay? Intoxicated!” Tiziano protested. Both had nearly-empty glasses in their hands and smelled of artificial cherries.
“Werewolves don’t get drunk.” Makena pinched his cheek.
“This werewolf does!” He slammed his hand onto his chest, his glass dropping onto his foot. He kicked it away.
“Just admit that everyone falls for thedarkside once in a while. We all have now.”
“Not me,” Amaia piped in.
“Because you only like the high-quality sausage from the Highlands?—”
