Jealous Zane

CLAIRE'S POV

"What does this even mean?" I muttered to myself, rereading father's text.

My fingers tightened around my phone as I let out a shaky sigh, pushing my messy hair back.

Finish what he started? Begin with Zane?

What was he trying to tell me?

I shook my head. No. Father wouldn't ask me to hurt anyone. That wasn't who he was. He had to be talking about the peace treaty. Maybe he wanted me to make peace with Zane.

But is that what he started? And why did the text sound so dark?

I groaned, thinking I should call him to ask for an explanation.

But then I hesitated, remembering that I couldn't call him. The ongoing investigations meant all his communication was being monitored. And he had warned me that text messages would be watched too.

So why send this?

Was it really from him? Or was someone trying to set me up? Or worse—was this a test from the Werewolf Council? Were they watching me, waiting to see how I would react?

I swallowed hard, looking around like I was being watched. I wouldn't respond until I spoke to father directly.

With a frustrated sigh, I tossed my phone on my bed and flopped down beside it. My mind was spinning, but I needed to stop thinking about everything.

I needed a distraction. Something to take my mind off everything. "Something like…." My mind drifted to Lorien. "A party," I mumbled.

I stared at my phone for a moment before jolting up, grabbing it without a second thought.

I typed quickly: "Hey, it's Claire. I'm in for the party."

I bit at my fingernail as I hit send. Almost immediately, my screen lit up with a reply.

"Cool. I'll send a dress and come get you by 7."

I grinned and blinked at his text, surprised. He was really sending me a dress?

A small smile crept up my lips as I thought about how kind Lorien had been to me so far. At least he was nothing like Zane.

And just like he said, an hour later, a package was waiting at my door. I picked it up and carefully opened it, revealing a gorgeous green dress and a pair of green contact lenses.

Was that the theme of the party? I wasn't sure, but I didn't care. Someone actually cared about me in this place, and that was enough.

When 7 PM rolled around, I was ready. The dress fit perfectly, hugging my body in all the right places, and the green contacts made my eyes look… different. Mysterious, almost.

I stepped outside to find Lorien waiting for me. He was dressed in a black turtleneck, dark jeans, and boots, making him look effortlessly stylish. But what really caught my attention was the Porsche parked behind him.

He brought a car? To school?

His eyes ran over my body, and for a second, he didn't say anything. Then, his lips curled into a slow smile.

"You look very…" He trailed off, taking another glance at me. "Beautiful."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Thank you."

He stepped back and opened the car door for me.

"Ho-how did you get a car into school?" I asked as I slid into the passenger seat, still surprised. "I thought everyone lived in the dorms?"

Lorien chuckled as he shut the door and walked around to the driver's side. "Royalties are allowed to bring whatever they want to Carnemore. I brought in a car, like most people in my position, but we usually leave them in the underground garage."

"Royalties?" I glanced at him curiously and Lorien nodded, keeping his eyes on the road.

"My father is the King of Crystal Court," He said.

My mouth fell open when I heard that. "You're a prince?"

He smirked. "Technically, yes."

Wow. I wouldn't have guessed. He wasn't arrogant like—well, some people. Maybe I just meant Zane. But Lorien was by far the nicest person I'd met in Carnemore since I started here.

The rest of the ride passed in silence, but my mind raced the whole way. What kind of party was this? And would our plan work? I really hoped it would especially now that Skylar revealed there was a bet on me.

When we finally pulled up to the party, I could already hear the loud music from the parking lot. And just seeing the number of cars parked outside told me this wasn't some small get-together.

Lorien stepped out, and I quickly followed, walking up beside him. The moment we entered, his arm slid around my waist, guiding me through the crowd.

People were staring.

Some whispered. Others just watched while I fiddled with my dress.

My stomach twisted with nerves, but I kept my chin up. If things went the way I hoped, tonight could change everything.

Lorien led me straight to the bar and ordered a drink. The bartender slid a glass toward me, and I picked it up, bringing it to my lips.

The second the liquid hit my throat, I coughed violently, my eyes watering. "What is this?"

Lorien threw his head back, laughing. "Don't tell me you've never had vodka before?"

I wiped my mouth, shaking my head while recovering from the burn.

He smirked and ordered another and I drank it anyway. Then another. And another.

Twenty minutes later, I'd downed five shots.

The room was already feeling lighter and I no longer cared about the whispers. Also, I… I wasn't thinking about my worries anymore.

My thoughts were a bit slow and I focused my gaze on the floor, trying to get a grip.

"Let's dance," Lorien said, extending his hand to me. I took it, staggering slightly as I stood. I was already drunk, but I managed to hide it with a laugh.

Lorien led me to the dance floor, wrapping his arms around my waist as we began to sway slowly. I smiled, feeling completely free and light, lost in the moment.

But then my eyes fell on him—Zane. He was standing at the opposite end of the room, a drink in one hand, his dark eyes on me. They blazed with anger and something I couldn't quite place.

Right beside him was Skylar. She probably hadn't noticed me yet and she was whispering in his ear, but he obviously wasn't paying any attention to her.

He was staring at me with such intensity that I could almost feel the heat from across the room.

"This night is all about forgetting my problems," I reminded myself, forcing my focus back to Lorien.

He drew me closer, and I chuckled, letting him lead in the dance. Then, he slowly shifted my hair to the side, leaning in closer.

"Your eyes are so beautiful," he whispered and I giggled.

"I'm wearing the contacts you sent," I said a little loudly.

A dizzy wave rushed over me as we danced, making the room blur. My body leaned forward involuntarily, like some invisible force was pulling me toward Lorien.

"Look at me," he said, drawing me closer and staring into my eyes.

As I looked into his eyes, a sudden wave of weakness washed over me, and my hands dropped from his embrace.

My heart raced, and I leaned in, my eyes widening in confusion. I didn't understand what was happening. But I felt like if I stopped looking at him, I could die. I didn't know what this feeling was, but it was overwhelming.

And deep inside, a voice whispered that I belonged to him.

"I belong…" I began to say, but before I could say more, someone yanked Lorien away from me.

I blinked when I lost focus on his eyes. I was disoriented for a while until I heard the sound of glass shatter somewhere in the room.

I finally moved, staggering back and blinking rapidly as I exhaled deeply, my chest rising and falling frantically.

What just happened?

I turned to see Lorien on the floor, struggling to stand, while Zane stood a few meters away, glaring at Lorien with a fierce intensity.

The music had stopped, and the crowd around us had gone silent, all eyes now watching the scene.

What did Zane do?

I rushed toward Lorien, desperate to help him up. But Zane was quicker, holding me back in a tight grip.

"Leave me alone!" I yelled, my voice rising in frustration.

Zane growled, dragging me away from Lorien despite my protests. My drunk feet felt too heavy to fight him off, and I continued to scream, "Leave me! Stay away from me."

In a burst of anger, I punched his arm, but it barely affected him.

He didn't stop pulling me until we were outside in the parking lot. "What do you think you're doing?" Zane yelled, finally letting go of my arm.

"Me?" I shot back, staggering and nearly tripping over my own feet. "I should ask you that! You just harassed the only person who actually cares about me here!"

I was yelling too, and the words tumbled out before I could stop them. "Why do you always have to ruin everything?"

Zane let out a harsh scoff. "You must be really desperate for my attention," he said in a mocking voice. His eyes then ran over me. "Are you trying to make me jealous? Because that won't work."

I scoffed, trying to stand up straight.

"Jealous…?" My head felt foggy and my thoughts sluggish. "I didn't—I wasn't—"

The world suddenly tilted and I felt myself falling into darkness.