Made in Moonlight

Fifteen

Sneaking out was a great idea.

On Leyla's back, we fly through the forest. It's a whole different experience from when I rode on Blake's back.

Sure, it's still a little unstable, and Leyla is smaller and slower, but the night sky blurs around me. I can't help but look up at the sky, watching the stars as we race between trees.

After a few minutes, she slows. In the distance, I can hear the thumping of music. More than that, I can smell food, drinks, and a lot of people.

Exactly how big is the Lunam Silvam pack?

I slide off Leyla's back and she instantly shifts back into her human form, pulling her sundress over her head.

"No offense, but are we really dressed for a party?" I ask, frowning at our outfits.

She giggles. "You're in for a shock."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, think about it. Most werewolves get here by shifting," she says slowly. "And when they shift back..."

"They're naked," I say with a gasp. "Don't tell me this is a nudist party."

"No!" she exclaims, guffawing. "Just that, a few wolves like to take liberties with their fashion. You'll see."

She leads the way through the woods. It's a winding path and my bare feet sink into the cold grass. I wrap my arms around myself, shivering, though Leyla doesn't seem affected.

Right. Wolves don't get cold. I clench my jaw to stop my teeth from chattering. I need to blend in.

Finally, the trees part and we enter a clearing.

It's like entering a whole new world.

Fairy lights are strung through the trees, illuminating the small field. I haven't seen this many people since—since high school, I guess.

There are people everywhere, drinking, dancing, chatting. A few wolves are scattered throughout the crowd, and...oh.

I see what Leyla was talking about now.

It's obvious who arrived here as a wolf. A few people in the crowd have...questionable outfits. Some men wear nothing but briefs, and even a few women are completely topless.

I blush and look away. Something stirs in my stomach, and I'm suddenly very glad that Blake doesn't attend these parties.

"Let's get a drink," Leyla says, her mouth close to my ear.

I nod and follow her through the crowd. She's clearly done this a lot, because she knows the exact route to the drinks table.

I've never been much of a partier. By the time I was old enough to want to go to parties, Bianca was shoved into my life, and she made certain I never went to any.

As we walk through the party, I gaze around, my eyes wide, trying to take it all in. I almost forget how cold I am.

"Here," Leyla says, lifting two glass bottles and passing me one. "Try it."

I take a sip. It's sweet like sugar water. "What is this?"

"Some werewolf alcohol recipe," Leyla says, taking a swig herself. "They make it all themselves. Some kind of mead, I guess."

"Oh." I take another small sip. The sweetness isn't as overbearing the second time. "What do we do now?"

"What do you think? Dance!" she says, laughing. She grabs my hand and takes a step back, swaying her hips. "Just don't get too close to any of the pack. One wrong word and they'll sniff you out."