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“Just taking this hottie out for some fresh air.” Ashen tosses his arm around Sumner’s shoulders. “Though it looks like this spot is already taken.” He grins and my jaw tightens.

“It is.” Siena clings to my arm. Not two minutes ago I wanted to use her for my own fucked up purpose of losing myself in her. Or trying to. A fleeting moment that has abruptly passed.

Sumner’s face is annoyed, like she couldn’t be less amused at having my brother’s arm draped over her shoulders. Until she glances to me and finds I’m already looking at her. She perks up, leaning even closer to him. “That’s okay. We’ll just go somewhere else.”

Ashen smiles at her, smug and suggestive as hell. “We could go to my place.”

Fuck that.

I’ve let my brother crush on her. Allowed him to think he could one day have her, because why the hell should I care? This, though, it is not happening.

I step forward, ready to make an entire scene, but Sumner’s talking first. “And they say romance is dead.” She rolls her eyes, pulling away from his hold. It’s the only thing stopping me from murdering him for even suggesting what he did. “We’ll just go to the other side of the building.” Her back is to us, already walking away without another glance in my direction.

Ashen turns his attention to the faerie. “Siena, if he hasn’t told you a hundred times already tonight, you look absolutely stunning.” He holds her gaze for a moment before shifting to me, the corner of his mouth hooking up. “And Rhenn, that suit? You’re my best friend. Stop trying to make me fall in love.” He clutches his chest dramatically, mock swooning.

“Anyway, mustn’t keep a lady waiting. You two get back to it. Apologies for the interruption.” He winks at Siena, then makes his way after Sumner.

I know the reason he’s acting so nice toward her. Why the hell is she playing along? It’s not like she isn’t well aware of what his intentions are. And since when did she even become interested in him?

“You’re still doing it.” Siena’s voice is quiet, wavering. “It wasn’t even me you were thinking of, was it?”

“What are you talking about?” I grumble, done with this fucking night.

She glances to Ashen and Sumner, watching them round the corner. “If you want her so bad, have her. But don’t drag me along.”

“Want her? I despise her.”

“Then why can’t you look away?”

This causes me to pause. There’s only one answer. There’s only ever been one reason. Sumner has dug deeper than a thorn in my side since long before she came here. That’s why I hate her. Why I enjoy seeing her in pain. Pain caused by me. That girl deserves nothing but the misery I bring her.

After all, she’s the reason my dad’s dead.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

SUMNER

Ashen’s arm brushes mine as we make our way along the expansive brick wall. I’d felt too warm inside, needing some quiet and cool air. It was Ashen who suggested we step outside. Maybe he could see the anxiety seeping into my bones the longer the music played.

Crowds are my kryptonite.

All I wanted was to take a moment to breathe. When we pushed through the doors, however, it was the only thing I seemed incapable of doing. I don’t know why seeing them fazes me so much. Why watching him press her into the wall makes my stomach knot up. Gripping her thighs while they wrapped around his waist, burying himself in her neck.

I’m so used to feeling nothing. I should feel nothing. Not for her. Certainly not for him. There’s a hollow sting gnawing in the center of my belly, uncomfortable as it twists inside me. I’m embarrassed by the intensity of it, frustrated at the bitter taste it leaves on my tongue. Why would he come to a ball anyway?

We finally make it to the back of the building, each of us dropping to the top step. My breath fans out in small puffs in front of me. A surprisingly cool night for how hot I feel internally.

I stare down at my heels, wondering how I let the wolves talk me into wearing this ridiculous ensemble. It all seemed so magical when I pictured it in my head. The Centennial. A fairytale dream come to life. I’ve never had dreams, though. Not like this. The shimmery fabric is nothing more than a costume and I’m exactly the same person I was before I put it on.

The music falling faintly through the building, the beautiful creatures inside, it was exciting, despite the high population. After seeing him—them—my social meter has expired, buried deep beneath the stone at my feet. What I want now is to sink back into the security of my little guest house. The one place I’ve found here where I can be truly alone.

I care about and appreciate the wolves more than I can say, taking it upon themselves to bring me here, welcoming me into their already crowded home. It’s all too much though. The pep, the affection, the constant noise, it’s overwhelming. I like simplicity, and I long for the quiet.

Glancing at Ashen, I find him in the same position as me, staring at nothing. Inside, and even when we first exited the building, he was so very close, being extra friendly and treating our proximity as though any space between us was a bad thing. Now, he’s at a respectable distance, trying nothing even though it’s just us.

He turns his attention to me. “Something I can help you with, sweetheart?”

“No. I was just expecting that I’d need to beat you off with a stick once we got back here.” I move my hands to the pavement at my sides, giving a mocking smile. “Am I not good enough anymore?”