Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Blind Man's Buff and a Startling Catch

"This is not what Caleb meant by a 'small gathering'," I muttered as Vivienne pulled her sleek car into the driveway of the Monroe mansion.

The sprawling property was lit up like a nightclub. Cars lined both sides of the long, curved driveway, and the muffled thump of bass could be felt before we even opened the car doors.

"Don't be such a worrier," Vivienne said, checking her makeup in the rearview mirror. She turned to look at me and frowned. "I still can't believe you refused to change out of those baggy clothes."

I tugged at the hem of my oversized sweater. "I'm comfortable this way."

Vivienne sighed dramatically. "At least take this." She reached into the backseat and pulled out a long black coat. "It's stylish and still lets you hide."

I took it reluctantly and slipped it on. The material was soft and expensive-feeling against my skin.

"You look better already," Vivienne nodded approvingly. "Now, let's go have some fun!"

My stomach clenched as we approached Caleb's guesthouse. Each step felt like walking toward my own execution.

The guesthouse turned out to be more like a small mansion itself. The wide-open space had been transformed into something resembling a nightclub, complete with dimmed lights, a makeshift bar, and music so loud I could feel it vibrating in my chest.

"Isn't this amazing?" Vivienne shouted over the music, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

Amazing wasn't the word I'd use. Terrifying, overwhelming, suffocating – those felt more accurate.

The place was packed with bodies – dancing, drinking, laughing. Smoke from cigarettes and who knows what else hung in a hazy cloud near the ceiling. The scent of sweat, alcohol, and perfume mingled in the air, making my sensitive werewolf nose twitch uncomfortably.

"Vivienne! Aria! You made it!"

Debra, a girl from our literature class, appeared through the crowd, red solo cup in hand and cheeks flushed.

"Great party, right?" she shouted, swaying slightly to the beat.

Vivienne nodded enthusiastically. "Have you seen Caleb?"

"By the pool, I think!" Debra pointed toward the back of the house.

Vivienne grabbed my hand and started pulling me through the crowd. I kept my head down, trying to make myself as small as possible as we squeezed between dancing bodies.

"Loosen up!" Vivienne called back to me, her blonde hair swinging as she moved to the rhythm. "It's a party!"

We pushed through a set of French doors into the slightly less crowded pool area. The night air was cool against my skin, a welcome relief from the stuffiness inside.

"I see Isabelle!" Vivienne pointed toward the far side of the pool where our friend was chatting with a group of girls.

Before we could reach her, something caught my attention – a circle of people gathered near the shallow end of the pool, laughing and cheering. In the center stood a familiar figure that made my heart skip a beat.

Lucian Monroe.

He stood tall and confident, a black blindfold covering his eyes. His muscular chest was bare beneath an open sleeveless leather jacket, revealing intricate tattoos that snaked across his skin. His dark jeans hung low on his hips, and his hair was tousled to perfection.

"Blind man's buff," Vivienne explained, following my gaze. "Though I doubt any girl minds getting caught by him."

As if to prove her point, Lucian reached out and grabbed a giggling blonde. He pulled her close, running his hands over her face and hair before correctly guessing her identity and releasing her with a playful push.

"Next victim!" someone shouted, and another girl stepped forward, taunting Lucian by dancing just out of his reach.

My mouth went dry. This was exactly the kind of attention-drawing situation I avoided at all costs.

"Come on, let's find Caleb," I whispered, tugging Vivienne's arm.

But Vivienne had spotted someone she knew and was already heading in their direction, leaving me standing alone at the edge of the circle.

I took a step back, ready to retreat to some quiet corner, when Lucian suddenly turned in my direction. Even blindfolded, he moved with preternatural grace, like a predator sensing prey.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I needed to move, to get away before—

Too late. His hand shot out and caught my wrist in a firm grip.

"Got you," he said, his voice deep and triumphant.

I froze, panic coursing through me as he pulled me against his chest. The heat of his bare skin seeped through my clothes, and the scent of him – pine, leather, and something uniquely male – overwhelmed my senses.

The crowd had gone suddenly silent. Even the music seemed to fade away as everyone watched the school's "ugly nerd" in the grasp of the most desired guy in the pack.

Lucian's hands moved up my arms to my shoulders, his touch surprisingly gentle as he began the process of identifying his catch.

"Let's see who we have here," he murmured, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

His fingers traced the outline of my face, skimming over my cheekbones, my glasses, my nose. My breath caught in my throat as his thumb brushed across my lower lip.

I should pull away. I should run. But my body refused to obey, transfixed by his touch.

A small crease appeared between his brows as confusion crossed his face. His hands moved to my hair, feeling the simple ponytail I always wore.

"I'm not sure..." he said, sounding genuinely puzzled.

Someone in the crowd snickered. "Come on, Lucian. Even blindfolded, you should recognize the school nerd."

Recognition dawned on Lucian's face, his mouth tightening into a hard line. He yanked off the blindfold, his dark eyes meeting mine with surprise and something that looked like annoyance.

"Aria Calloway," he said flatly.

The crowd erupted into laughter. My cheeks burned with humiliation as I tried to step back, but Lucian's grip on my wrist remained firm.

"I... I'm sorry," I stammered. "I was just passing by."

His eyes narrowed as he studied my face with an intensity that made me want to disappear. "You're not supposed to be here."

"I was invited," I said defensively, finding a small spark of courage. "By Caleb."

Something flashed in Lucian's eyes – anger? Jealousy? It was gone before I could identify it.

"Monroe strikes out!" someone called from the crowd, earning more laughter.

Lucian's jaw clenched. In one swift movement, he released my wrist and stepped back, addressing the crowd with a forced smile.

"Game over," he announced. "Time for drinks."

The circle dissolved as people moved toward the bar, many still casting curious glances in my direction. I stood rooted to the spot, my wrist tingling where Lucian had gripped it.

"Are you okay?" Vivienne appeared at my side, her eyes wide with concern.

I nodded automatically, though I felt far from okay.

"That was... intense," Vivienne whispered. "The way he touched your face..."

"It was just the game," I said quickly, desperate to change the subject. "Where's Caleb? I want to say hello and then leave."

"Aria, you just got here—"

"Please, Viv. I can't stay after that."

Vivienne sighed but didn't argue. "Last I heard, he was by the hot tub."

We made our way around the pool, carefully avoiding the area where Lucian now stood surrounded by his usual admirers. I could feel his gaze following me, burning into my back.

We found Caleb near the hot tub, deep in conversation with some teammates. His face lit up when he saw me.

"Aria! You came!" He broke away from the group and approached, giving me a warm hug.

"I said I would," I replied with a small smile, relaxing slightly in his familiar presence.

"Are you having fun?" he asked, his eyes searching my face.

Before I could answer, a commotion broke out near the pool. We turned to see Lucian pushing through the crowd in our direction, his expression thunderous.

"Monroe," Caleb acknowledged, his body tensing.

"Monroe," Lucian replied mockingly, stopping just feet away from us. His eyes flicked to me before settling back on Caleb. "Interesting guest list you've got."

"Everyone's welcome here," Caleb said firmly.

Lucian's lips curved into a cold smile. "Even omegas who hide behind fake glasses?"

I flinched at his words, my hand automatically reaching to adjust my glasses.

Caleb took a protective step in front of me. "Back off, Lucian. She's my friend."

"Friend?" Lucian repeated, his voice dripping with skepticism. "Is that what we're calling it?"

The tension between the two boys crackled like electricity. Around us, people were starting to notice, conversations dying as they turned to watch.

"It doesn't matter what you call it," Caleb said evenly. "Aria's here because I want her here."

Lucian's eyes darkened. "Always the knight in shining armor, aren't you, Monroe?"

"What's your problem, Thorne?" Caleb challenged.

Lucian took a step closer, his height advantage obvious as he towered over both of us. "No problem. Just wondering why you'd invite someone so... beneath your level."

The casual cruelty of his words hit me like a physical blow. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from showing how much it hurt.

"That's enough," Caleb growled, his hands clenching into fists.

"Caleb, don't," I whispered, tugging at his arm. "It's not worth it."

Lucian's gaze shifted to me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, something almost like regret flashed across his features, but it was quickly replaced by his usual arrogance.

"Listen to your little omega," he said to Caleb. "She knows her place, at least."

With that, he turned and stalked away, the crowd parting before him like the Red Sea.

"I'm so sorry," Caleb said once Lucian was out of earshot. "He's such an ass."

I shook my head, fighting back tears. "It's fine. I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't have to be," he replied fiercely.

The party continued around us, but the joy had been sucked out of the night. After a few more minutes of strained conversation, I made my excuses to Caleb and went looking for Vivienne.

I found her by the bar, chatting with Isabelle and a group of girls.

"I need to leave," I said quietly when she noticed me.

One look at my face told her everything she needed to know. She nodded, making quick goodbyes to her friends.

As we headed toward the exit, I couldn't help glancing back toward the pool. Lucian stood at the edge, his back to me, surrounded by adoring girls. Yet somehow, I could have sworn he knew exactly when I looked at him, his body tensing ever so slightly.

"Don't let him get to you," Vivienne said as we climbed into her car. "Lucian Thorne is hot, but he's not worth your tears."

I nodded, though my wrist still tingled where he had grabbed me, and my skin still burned where his fingers had traced my face. For just a moment, before he'd known who I was, his touch had been... gentle. Almost tender.

But that was just a game, and reality was harsh. In reality, I was just the omega nerd, and Lucian Thorne was so far above me he might as well be a different species altogether.

As Vivienne's car pulled away from Caleb's mansion, I pressed my forehead against the cool window, willing my heart to stop racing.

I had no idea then how that brief encounter would change everything.