Page 39 of His Fated Luna

When we reached the entrance, a group of guys loitered outside smoking. They fist-bumped Aiden, one offering him a cigarette.

"You smoke?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

He took one, lighting it and inhaling. "Occasionally."

The half-empty pack was offered to me, but I shook my head jerkily, declining.

"Aiden, dude, where’s Lexia?" A guy with platinum blond spikes asked.

Aiden shrugged. Iknewthey were used to seeing Lexia with him at these parties. I was the anomaly here. The interloper.

Not for the first time, I felt like I didn’t belong.

And yet... I wanted to.

Something inside me wanted to wedge myself into Aiden’s life so completely that there would never be room for Lexia again. But I had to be stronger. I had to remind myself that wasn’t fair.

Greg, the blond guy, eyed me up and down. "Who’s this babe?"

Aiden’s arm wrapped around me in a swift, possessive motion. "Mine," he growled.

Greg and the other guys immediately backed off.

Mine.

That singular word echoed in my brain.

It sent a delicious thrill down my spine.

But what did it mean…totrulybe his?

Chapter 15

“What’s wrong is that every morning and every night, I lie in bed wondering why you’re not beside me.” ? K.A. Tucker, Ten Tiny Breaths

Rose's POV

The smell of alcohol and sweat hit me as soon as we stepped inside. Blue lights bounced off the walls and floor, illuminating the crowd of bodies grinding against each other. A twinge of unease crept into my veins. This wasn’t my scene. Maybe the bookworm really was better off at home, curled up with her novels.

I took a deep breath and let Aiden, his arm draped over my shoulders, guide me toward a clearing where he fist-bumped a guy handing out red cups.

“No. Not tonight, Drake,” Aiden said, waving off the offered drink. “I’m the designated driver. Can’t drink. Gotta take her home safely.”

He inclined his head toward me, pulling me closer against his side. It felt surprisingly good, the warmth of him pressed against me. Drake, Aiden's friend, held the cup out to me next. Aiden shook his head before I could even answer.

Maybe it was his assumption that annoyed me, or maybe it was because I wanted to prove I could fit in here. Either way, before Aiden could open his mouth again, I grabbed the drink.

“Thanks!” I said, taking a large gulp.

I made a face. I never cared much for beer, but this wasn’t beer—it was fruity with a pungent aftertaste.

“It’s my own special batch of jungle juice!” Drake laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction.

“It’s too strong for you,” Aiden snapped, reaching for the cup.

I yanked it back and took another swig.

“It’s…perfect,” I choked out, chugging the rest of it down. My throat burned, but I held the empty cup out for more.