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I push open the door to the bathroom, my breath coming in short, uneven bursts as I step inside. The cool air hits me, a stark contrast to the heat that’s been building inside me ever since my encounter with Shadow. My hands grip the edge of the sink, trying to steady myself, trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart. But it’s no use. The adrenaline, the arousal—it’s all too much, swirling together in a way that makes it impossible to think straight.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, my face flushed, my eyes wide behind the silver mask. It’s not just the mask that’s making me hot—it’s everything. The anticipation, the danger, the way Shadow had cornered me, his words still echoing in my mind. Are you turned on yet? God, I am, more than I’ve been in a long time, and that thought only makes my pulse race faster.

I take a deep breath, then another, trying to cool the fire that’s threatening to consume me. But it’s no use. I’m too far gone, too caught up in the thrill of what’s happening, what’s still to come. I splash a bit of water on my wrists, hoping it will help, but as I step back into the party, the heat is still there, lingering just beneath the surface.

The music is louder now, the pulse of it matching the beat of my heart as I move through the crowd. I scan the room, trying to get my bearings, but my eyes are immediately drawn to the bar. Shadow is there, leaning casually against the counter, talking to Raven. But it’s the way he’s watching me, his eyes tracking my every move, that sends another shiver down my spine.

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way my body reacts to his gaze, trying to focus on something else. But then I see him—across the room, standing just beyond the edge of the dance floor. The man in the silver wolf mask. He’s tall, commanding, the mask covering most of his face, but I know who he is without a doubt.

Blade.

My breath catches as our eyes lock, even from across the room. There’s a sense of inevitability, a magnetic pull that I can’t resist. He’s been watching me, waiting for this moment, and now it’s time. I take a step forward, then another, my movements cautious, almost hesitant, but I can’t stop myself.

The crowd seems to part around me as I make my way toward him, the people dancing and writhing in front of me nothing more than a blur. My focus is entirely on him, on the way he stands so still, so confident, as if he already knows how this night will end.

My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of fear and excitement building with every step. I’m walking straight into the lion’s den, and I know it. But there’s no turning back now. I’m drawn to him, to the promise in his gaze, to the danger and the thrill that comes with it.

As I get closer, the noise of the party fades, replaced by the deafening sound of my own heartbeat. This is it—the moment I’ve been waiting for, the moment I’ve been both dreading and craving. I take a final, steadying breath and close the distance between us, ready to face whatever comes next.