Page 3 of Shattered Soulmates

Bachelor Party

I'm sitting at a supernatural bar with my buddies, feeling no pain.I really shouldn't have let them talk me into this. No good ever comes from getting intoxicated.Human liquor doesn't affect wolves; our metabolism is too fast, and it burns off too quickly. But here they serve alcohol laced with special additives that are strong enough to get a wolf drunk. For a while, anyway.

We’re all gathered around the table, a drink in everyone’s hand. The night’s going fine. They’re swapping stories about our old high jinks with females, but my mind drifts to Paisley and what she might be up to.My wolf hums with pleasure at the thought of her.He’s curled up in the corner of my mind, nearly passed out from the drinks I’ve indulged in.

I pull myself back to the present just in time to hear Roger bring up Marissa.

"...then Marissa walks in, and Mr. Cool here turns into a puddle and tucks his tail between his legs."

A roar erupts around the table as Roger slaps it with his hand, howling loudly. The laughter is infectious.

"Never saw Miles back down so fast," he teases, wiping his eyes and trying to catch his breath.

A cloud of melancholy settles over me at the mention of Marissa. I remember the day he’s talking about. She always had that effect on me; I melted at the mere touch of her.

Not a day has gone by that I don't miss her.She was part of my life for over ten years, always so strong and loving when she was around. If she could’ve settled down, she would’ve made me a good mate.

Nyko, my wolf, weakly raises his head at my words and growls."Marissa couldn't settle down with us because she never loved us. If she had, she wouldn’t have mistreated us. You shouldn’t even be thinking about her. We have a loving mate waiting at home. Let's go to her."

"You're right, Nyko. I love our little mate. She’s a treasure."Nyko nods, then collapses in a heap, out cold.

I drain my glass and stand, rocking unsteadily on my feet. "Think I'm heading home, dudes. I’ve had enough and I’m missing my girl."

"You can't go home yet, Miles," Roger slurs. "You don't get to see Miss Priss until your bonding ceremonytomorrow night anyway." He laughs, wiggling his eyebrows. "Besides, I got a little bachelor party gift coming for you." He leers suggestively and chuckles. The others just look confused.

I’m angry at the insulting name he calls Paisley. She's not prissy, just shy and soft-spoken. I open my mouth to call him out, but then I sensehervoice.Marissa!

"Miles,” she says, breathy and coaxing, the same voice she always uses to get her way. That soft, “I’m sorry, please forgive me” tone, the one that never fails to break down my defenses, makes my heart ache. I can't look at her, but feel her hands slide under my shirt and run up my back. Her magical touch sends electric currents dancing across my bare skin. I surrender to the moment.

Paisley

Bachelorette Party

The evening has flown by, and we’re all having a great time, when I start to feel a wave of nausea. I walk over to the drink bar and pour myself an iced ginger ale. Moving to a nearby chair, I lean back, sipping the soda, and taking deep breaths.

As the nausea rises, my friend Syn glances over at me and touches my arm. “Are you okay, honey?”

“I’m fine. I must’ve eaten something that didn’t agree with me,” I groan, pressing a hand to my stomach.

She reaches up and feels my forehead. “Geez, you’re clammy, but no fever. Should I get Rach?”

Our resident medical tech, Rach, is with us at the party.

“No,” I choke out, shaking my head. "Oh goddess."

I jump up and bolt to the bathroom, barely making it before I throw up.

Miles

Bachelor Party

"Miles. Why won't you look at me?" Marissa huskily whispers in my ear.

Even though her hot breath on my skin sends chills down my spine, that question fills me with outrage. I stumble drunkenly, struggling to pull away from her touch.

"Why won't I look at you?" I sneer. "You ran out on me a year ago. What are you doing here now?" I turn, stare into her jewel green eyes, and am lost again. That old familiar yearning twists in my stomach, and I lose my breath. It’s always been her, my first love, just out ofreach, like a star in the sky. The one thing I could never hold on to.

"I'm baaaack." She smiles broadly, flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder, and throwing her arms out like she’s making a grand entrance. "And, I’m not going anywhere ever again."

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