Page 55 of Fated for Flames

It was simple, a black dress paired with gossamer wings that shimmered with every movement. A glittering headband with antennae completed the look.

“Why a butterfly?” Theo asked.

I shrugged. “Just felt like it was time for me to spread my wings.”

Truth was, I felt like a caterpillar that had been in a cocoon for far too long. After everything that had happened—the sacrifice, the rebirth, the discoveries—I felt like I was finally breaking free from my chrysalis. Like a butterfly, ready to spread its wings and take flight.

“You look…cute,” Adrien said, a faint blush dusting his cheeks.

Felix nodded in agreement, giving me an approving thumbs-up.

Theo rolled his eyes at their reactions but didn’t hide the smile that tugged at his lips. “Cute? She looks stunning.”

The compliment made me blush, but I hid it with a wave of dismissal. “Yeah, yeah, let’s just go.”

With that, we left my dorm room and headed toward the party, eager for a night of fun and freedom.

“Ready to dance the night away?” Adrien asked, extending his arm to me.

I nodded and looped my arm through his. “But just so you know, if this sucks, we’re all crashing the shifter party.”

With that, we headed for the large hall in the main building where the party was being held.

As always, the hall was transformed into a spooky spectacle with floating candles illuminating the darkness, cobwebs draped over the walls, and eerie music filling the air.

We roamed around, laughing at some of the ridiculous costumes. A girl dressed as a mermaid floundered past us followed by a guy who looked like he’d been attacked by a pack of werewolves.

We found an open spot on the dance floor and let loose. Dancing wasn’t my strong suit; I had two left feet and about as much rhythm as a rocking chair. But tonight I didn’t care. I was having fun.

Just when I was beginning to enjoy myself, my eyes landed on Lia across the room. As usual, she was the center of her entourage, looking stunning in her costume as Cleopatra. Beside her, Rick was Julius Caesar, and poor Ruby was a handmaid.

For a moment, our eyes met, and I felt a familiar pang of sadness. Until Theo pulled me back into the dance, and I decided not to let Lia ruin my night.

We danced like nobody was watching, and for once, I felt carefree. The music throbbed through the air, a pulsing beat that matched the adrenaline rushing through my veins. Adrien and Felix were both surprisingly good dancers, effortlessly moving to the rhythm with smiles on their faces. Theo, always the jokester, attempted a few dance moves that had us all bursting into laughter.

* * *

A few hours later, I decided to ask the guys if they wanted to check out the shifter party. When I shared my plans with Adrien and Felix, they were excited to join me. Theo, on the other hand, waved us off and disappeared into the throng of dancers, getting sandwiched between a large pirate and a Rollerblade Barbie. He flashed us a grin and a thumbs-up, clearly having too good of a time to leave.

Minutes later, Adrien, Felix, and I left the hall, weaving through the crowd toward the shifter gathering. We ventured into the woods, guided by the distant sounds of music and laughter from the shifter party. The cabin came into view, its lights spilling out onto the grass, bathing everything in a warm glow. Adrien and Felix glanced at each other and then back at me, their expressions mirroring my own surprise when I’d first discovered this hidden part of campus.

As we approached, shifters turned to greet us. Their reactions were mixed, some friendly, others less so. But Chad was there, bouncing up to meet us with his infectious energy. He grinned at me before eyeing Adrien and Felix skeptically.

Maybe the werewolf costume was offensive?

I was surprised to find that not all shifters had dressed up for Halloween. But Chad…Chad had chosen to dress as a puppy complete with floppy ears and a wagging tail.

The night slipped away in a whirlwind of laughter and dancing. Adrien and Felix seemed to be enjoying themselves too, even more so when they were pulled away by a beautiful shifter dressed like a pixie. I watched as they disappeared into the crowd.

A soft laugh escaped my lips as I watched them go. Good for them. Adrien had looked so heartbroken when he saw Ruby at the party. This was exactly what he needed.

With a light heart, I found my way back to Chad. The shifters had cleared a space for dancing, and Chad was right in the middle of it, moving with the rhythm of the music. I joined him, losing myself in the beat and the movement, forgetting about everything.

For a moment, everything was perfect.

35

Ryker

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