Chapter 149
JACE
She was pretty, but not as pretty as my Hannah. She had red curls styled up intricately on the top of her head. I gave the girl a questioning look when she brushed past me like she didn't seem to notice. Hannah's face lit up when she saw her, but I was sure I had never seen her before. But then I guessed I didn't know all of Hannah's friends.
"Mia," Hannah cried, leaning forward to hug the girl. When she noticed my brothers and I staring, she quickly made the introductions. "This is Mia. Mia meet my mates- Cade, Chase and Jace."
Oh, Id' heard about Mia. Just hadn't seen her.
Mia told us that while we had probably not noticed her, she already knew who we were.
"The party is even better than I expected," She said after she and Hannah had gushed over each other's dresses. "Oh wait." She took two glasses from a passing waiter, gave Hannah one and held on to the other. "The champagne here is supposed to be the best."
"Oh, it is," Cade said. "I've had a couple of glasses myself."
"Some of the girls from school came," Mia said. "Let's go say hi to them."
I watched Mia leave, arm in arm with her friend, and followed. They were headed for a group of girls at the far end of the room. It was quite a task to get to them considering the number of people that wanted to say a word or two to Hannah.
Hannah started to raise the glass of champagne to her lips. I got to her before she could drink it and took the glass. Surprised, she turned around.
"The party is just starting," I told her with a grin. "It's too soon to start getting drunk."
"Oh no, don't drink that." Mia reached for the glass at the same time that I downed its contents. Her dark eyes looked troubled.
"Is there a problem?" I asked.
"No. It's nothing." Mia's laugh sounded a little forced. Or was that my imagination? "I wanted to return it since Hannah couldn't drink. You were right about it being too early to start drinking."
I tipped her a wink. "Don't worry. I can handle my liquor."
I let the girls go on their way. Cade and Chase were still standing together, talking. I joined them. Cade, who had extensive knowledge of the guests since he had compiled the list, pointed out this Alpha and that Luna.
My father was speaking with them, but soon he would leave. One of his jobs was to host the Alphas privately for a few days.
"Everything is going well so far," Cade said finally.
Chase nodded. "Yeah. We might make a success of this ball yet."
He said something else. I didn't catch it because of the sudden rushing sound in my ears. I heard my name.
I shook my head. Or tried to. My movements were slow. The room and everything in it began to spin slowly. I staggered and grabbed Cade's shirt to keep my balance.
What the hell was wrong with me? I felt as drunk as a skunk, my legs weakening and all the alcohol I had all evening was just one small glass of wine!
The wine!
I felt my breath leave me in a gasp.
Cade shook me. "Hey, man. What's wrong?"
My lips were numb and weakening by the second, but I managed to say, "Find Hannah. I drank her wine."
*********
HANNAH
"I have to use the bathroom," I said, finally deciding to stop ignoring the pressure on my bladder.
"I'll come with you," Mia said. She smacked her lips. "Got to apply some more lipstick anyway."
I thought her makeup was still fresh, but I didn't say so. I was glad of the company anyway. Most of the guests here made me feel like I was under a microscope.
I was washing my hands in the restroom when Mia asked about Willa.
"She's still unconscious," I said sadly. "And she was looking forward to this ball."
Mia lightly squeezed my shoulder. "Don't look so sad. It's a good thing Willa isn't dead."
"That's true," I agreed.
She moved to the sink and flashed a smile at me, "After all, Moonshade poisoning isn't fatal. She'll be fine soon."
Moonshade poisoning.
A chill snaked up my spine, and my eyes widened. I had told Mia that Willa was poisoned, but I hadn't told her what poison was used.
Mia's eyes met mine in the mirror. The smile she gave me was chilling. She exhaled and shook the water off her hands.
"You didn't tell me it was Moonshade, did you?" she said, sounding almost bored.
I took a horrified step backwards, as all the implications of what she had said hit me. "So it was—it was you! How could you? What did you do to Willa?"
Again that chilling smile. "It wasn't part of the plan, but what else could I do when she just wouldn't let me be?"
A door creaked open somewhere behind me. I turned quickly just as something was painfully jabbed into my shoulder. Warmth spread immediately from the point of contact. A mist swam before my eyes.
By gripping the sink, I managed to turn in time to see Asher removing a mask with a smile on his face.
And then everything went black.
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