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His eyes narrowed to slits, rage inflating his chest to the point I was sure he’d pop like a bubble. But with a flicker of his gaze, he seemed to remember his precious audience, and he straightened.

“Clearly, species loyalty means nothing to you, but it means everything to the mer,” Kendall declared. “Arya’s no exception. I’m sure she’ll pick the better man.”

I sneered at him, my lips curving into a wicked smile. “Yes, I’m sure she will.”

He glared at me for several more seconds before turning on his heel and strutting back into the party like a boy band celebrity, pretending to be unphased by the fact that I’d gotten the last word.

I cracked my knuckles, which were still itching to hit something. I couldn’t go back inside, not yet. I needed to cool off first.

I hadn’t meant to challenge him over Arya, but it was dragon nature to rise when provoked. I didn’t want her. Or at least, I didn’twantto want her.

I hated how much it bothered me to see her dancing with Kendall. I hated how angry I’d gotten when I saw her crying next to him and thought he’d hurt her. But more and more, itseemed I was helpless to control my reactions where she was involved. And more and more, I was pushing her away, when it was my duty—and secret desire—to get closer.

What the hell was I doing?

When the steam had stopped puffing out of my nostrils, I ventured back inside. I located Niko and Brett in the game room. It was clearly theitplace to be, and while I usually avoided the limelight at parties because everyone expected me to shine, I decided to step in and let loose. I needed it.

At least Kendall wasn’t in here. Probably off licking his wounds.

Jackson, the host of this shifter soiree, handed me a cue stick—without prompting—and reset the pool table, though it looked like they hadn’t finished their game. Two other guys who’d been playing handed their cues to Niko and Brett, and though Niko waved a hand to decline, the ursa insisted he was done anyway and leaned against the wall to watch.

I hated when I—and my friends by default—were treated this way. I didn’t want the special treatment, and I certainly didn’t want these guys to end their game for my sake when I hadn’t shown any interest in playing. But I decided to just roll with it and chalked the end of my stick before getting into break position.

The room was quiet at first, but when the observers settled into the fact thatTobias Draculhad come out of his shell to mingle, the chatter picked up again, with side conversations and the occasional tip about the best way to get the ball in a pocket. It was obvious by the lack of whispering and sideways glances that no one in this room had heard about the incident outside.

“What happened out there?” Niko asked in a low voice when the majority of the crowd’s attention had strayed from us.

I shrugged, then smacked the cue ball, knocking the three into the side pocket.

“Yeah, didn’t the new girl comewith you?” Brett asked. His volume wasn’t as subtle, and a few of the girls in the corner stopped their conversation to eavesdrop.

“Her name is Arya,” I corrected with irritation.

Brett had met her—several times. There was no reason he couldn’t refer to her by name.

“Why was she dancing with Ken Doll?” Brett continued, right as Niko scratched.

Brett walked around to fetch the cue ball, lining it up to get the nine-ball into the corner pocket closest to me.

I shrugged. “She didn’t comewithme. I invited her to be nice, and she’s free to dance with whoever she wants.”

Brett made his shot and leaned against the table, eyeing me in a way that called bullshit.

I was done with this conversation. And this party. I gripped my stick and took aim.

“Loser buys nachos at The Hub before we head back to The Dome,” I declared, right before the four-ball dropped into the pocket.

Niko hung his head in defeat. “Fine.”

Brett clapped his hands loudly. “Sweet!”

I set my stick back on the table, eager to get out of here, but when I looked up, there she was—walking right toward me.

“Hey,” she called as she approached, and as much as I wanted to deny it, the heated anger in her gaze made me feel about two inches tall. “Can I talk to you for a sec?”

I looked at Niko and Brett, but they both just shrugged and walked away with sheepish grimaces on their faces. Assholes.

I crossed my arms over my chest as I looked down at her, completely ignoring the blood that was rushing southward at the fire in her gaze. Why did she look so alluring when she was angry?