The grand hall buzzed with excitement, a sea of unfamiliar faces surrounding me. I stood awkwardly by the refreshment table, feeling like a fish out of water. The air was thick with perfume, sweat, and anticipation, making it hard to breathe. I swirled my drink absent-mindedly, the coolness of the glass a stark contrast to the warmth of the crowded room.My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Axel. He had promised to stay by my side, but he was nowhere to be seen. Typical. I sighed, resigned to weathering this storm alone. The faces around me blurred together - wolves from various packs, all dressed to the nines. And here I was, feeling like a reluctant observer in a world I didn't belong to.I picked at the thin sheet cake on my plate, having lost interest in actually eating it. The sweetness in the air mingled with the sharper scent of alcohol, making my head spin. Or maybe that was just the exhaustion setting in. Either way, I was ready for this night to be over."Did it hurt whe
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