“We can’t,” he says.
“Why not?”
“Humans are forbidden from attending pack events. Aisha knows that.”
The guards are walking Aisha back toward the door, their hands raised slightly to create a wall. Troy is saying something, half turned to leave. Maybe he’s telling Aisha it isn’t worth it, that they should go before something bad happens. But Aisha is still arguing her point.
Finally, when they’ve been backed up all the way to the entrance, Aisha looks up and over the guard’s meaty, padded shoulder, searching the crowd, looking for a friendly face, anyone to fight in her corner. No one steps forward.
I shake off Jasper’s arm and jump down the steps but I’m met by a thick wall of partygoers all turned to face the commotion. Between heads I catch a glimpse of Aisha throwing up her hands in frustration and defeat. With a huff she turns to go.
Elbows out, I push my way through the crowd, wanting to get to her before she’s back out on the street, before it’s too late. But I reach the doorway and it’s empty, the guards already repositioning themselves on either side. I lunge through the entrance, squinting as I hit the pavement, glancing in either direction. A few yards away, Aisha is sliding into the back of an Uber, closing the door, and before I can reach her, the car pulls away. I don’t even think she sees me as she’s driven past the restaurant.
I run a hand through my hair as I watch the car turn a corner and disappear. What just happened? Why didn’t I move sooner? How could I let those douchey guards treat Aisha that way? How could Jasper?
“Max?”
Behind me, Jasper is standing in the open door.
“She’s gone,” I say.
Jasper comes to stand at my back, placing a hand on my shoulder. “It’s for the best,” he says. “Troy wouldn’t have been welcome. If they’d stayed, things would have gotten uglier and I couldn’t have protected them. It’s better they left, for their own sake.”
I shake my head and bite my lip. “I don’t see how things could get any uglier.”
“Will you come inside?” Jasper asks.
I turn to face him. His eyes are shining with regret, deep with resolute sadness. Is this what being a figurehead for the pack means? Abandoning your real friends to save face. I know Jasper is only doing what he thinks is right for everyone involved. But how could he just stand by and let Aisha be treated that way?
“I need a minute,” I say. “I’ll meet you inside.”
Jasper swallows, nods, and leaves.
The sun is getting low and golden hour is casting Brooklyn in a copper glow. It should be beautiful—the air is warm for this time of year, the sky is clear, I should be excited to spend time with my mate. But after a whole forty minutes at this party, I’m ready to leave.
Behind me the music is thumping through the open door. And the alpha’s words are repeating in my head in time to the beat. It’s integral for the pack that I show up for them, to prove I have what it takes to lead, so the pack can come together and face the external forces who want to destroy our way of life. I can’t run away. But I’m also not sure what sort of leader lets their friends be ejected and does nothing to stop it from happening.
Thinking I’ll take a short walk, clear my head, I wander a little ways down the footpath. Beside the restaurant is a narrow alley, and standing in the alley, leaning against a brick wall in a pearl-colored dress, is Olivia.
She glances up and spots me. “You had enough of the party too?”
As I head into the alley the air becomes a little more chill. I shove my hands in my pockets and take a spot leaning on the wall opposite Olivia.
“It’s been a second,” I say. “How…how are things?”
Olivia’s head hangs low, a strand of brown hair falling over her eyes. “Not great,” she says.
“Mason says Morven’s been keeping Mia pretty busy.”
She huffs a bitter laugh. “More like imprisoned. You know he won’t even let her have her phone anymore? Says she needs to distance herself from negative influences. Meaning me.”
I shake my head. “That’s such bull.”
“You’re telling me. I’ve just about had it with all this old-schoolshit.” Olivia spits that last word. “That whole farce in there. Everyone pretending everything is all right. Drinking their little drinks and eating their tiny little canapés. I only came because my dad made me.”
“How is he about everything…Mia and you?”
“He’s fine mostly. My mom’s the one who’s been looking at me weird. Dad’s probably the only person who thinks it could be good for our packs—sort of like how they were going to mate Jasper off to strengthen the alliance or whatever.”
