Dark Lies (Magic Side: Wolf Bound 3)

“Same.” She motioned for another round. “I visited my dad in prison today. Parents are shit.”

“Damn, I’m sorry.” The fourth shot went down easier than the first three had. “What’d he do?”

“Oh, you know, summoned a demon army and tried to take down the world. And he was the well-adjusted parent.” She grabbed my wrist and towed me into the crowd. “Come on, fuck today. Let’s dance.”

Well, at least I wasn’t the only one with a totally fucked life.

Clutching my whiskey, I followed her to what I presumed was the dancefloor. The crush of bodies and thrum of the bass dulled my senses, and before I knew it, I’d lost myself in the music.

I’m sure it has nothing to do with the tequila, my wolf quipped.

Touché.Though ever since my wolf had been released, it had been much harder to get drunk.

This was what I needed: a moment to forget all the shit that had unfolded. And I had to, because tomorrow, there’d be bigger problems to face. Like figuring out what Dragan was up to.

My aunt and parents were assholes for what they did, but Dragan was the fucking root of it all. I could feel it in my bones. Once I killed him—or whatever that equated to when you were already dead—I could try to put the pieces of my life back together. If Casey or my aunt would ever speak to me again. If I could bring myself speak to her.

Just dance.

After another round of shots, I was blissfully unaware of my troubles.

I let my body move me and soon found myself grinding up against a guy who I was pretty sure was a demon—but not the ugly, bloodsucking kind. He had hot horns, silver and black hair, and an open shirt that displayed his muscles. All in all, he was pretty attractive, though not my type. I apparently only liked dangerous, possessive alpha holes.

Plus, the demon was getting a little handsy.

I shoved him off and wound through the crowd. My thoughts began returning to Laurel’s words—we bound your wolf—which only meant one thing: I needed more tequila.

I ordered another shot and checked my phone. In addition to the barrage from Casey, I had three missed calls from Jaxson, two from Sam, and a slew of messages. I opened the first of Jaxson’s:

Your cousin called, blaming me for turning you into a wolf. Where are you?

The image of Casey’s shocked face bombarded my mind, and I fought back a sob. He’d never forgive me for what I was or for what I’d done to his mother.

I’d just lost my best friend.

I downed the tequila and disappeared back into the crowd, unable to face any more reality than that.

Head spinning, I stumbled a little. Hands gripped my waist and pulled me in. The demon I’d been dancing with slipped his hands around my ass and began grinding against me. Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes, but I went with it until he nuzzled his face in my neck, and his hot tongue traced my skin. “What do you say we get out of here?”

Rage tore through me, and I stomped my boot down hard on his foot. “Not interested. Now get your hands off me!”

If I’d wanted a booty call, I knew just the wolf to hit up. But for one moment, I didn’t want to be a wolf or a sorcerer or a nice piece of ass. I just wanted to exist in a space where none of what had happened was real—to dance and forget everything.

Unfortunately, the creeper didn’t appreciate my reaction, and he shoved me back. “Bitch!”

Before I could react, a blonde woman stepped up and slammed him to the ground.

“Sam?” I yelped as I lost my balance and landed on my ass.

She gripped the demon’s neck and leaned close to his shocked face. “If you ever touch her again, you’ll be a dead man.”

What the hell was Sam doing here?

The room spun, and I had to blink to focus on her. She was frowning, but she looked hot, and—oh, my God, I’m going to puke.

My head buzzed.

Did I say that out loud?

Sam and Zara scooped me up and pushed through the crowd. The next thing I knew, I was doubled over and retching on the sidewalk. Once I’d emptied my stomach, Sam handed me a travel-sized bottle of mouthwash.

“Thanks.” I swished my mouth out and spat it on the street. The minty flavor stung my cheeks.

Sam opened the passenger door of Tony’s Jeep. “Get in.”

Drunk though I was, I knew better than to argue.

“How’d you find me?” I asked after a few silent blocks.

“Zara called. Said you were on a bender and that she couldn’t reach your cousin.” She glanced over at me, the oncoming lights of a car highlighting the irritation on her face. “You’re lucky that I was the one she called and not Jaxson. Fuck, Savy, what the hell happened?”

God, this wasn’t how I’d wanted this night to end. I tried to dry my eyes with the back of my wrist. “The truth caught up with me, and I made a mess of everything.”

Before she could speak, Sam’s phone rang, and she picked up. “I’ve got her. I’ll bring her right over.”

Even drunk out of my mind, I recognized the voice on the other end of the line. Jaxson.

I put my face in my hands. It seemed my evening parade of humiliation wasn’t over.