Bound by fate to the future Alpha.

**Chapter ten: Drama free-Malia's POV**

As we strut up the pathway to this outstanding house, it looks like a mansion made of wood—stunning in its grandeur and seamlessly nestled against the backdrop of the woods. It's the perfect setting for my later shift, and the vibe is electric. My besties and I draw attention as we walk in, and though I'm sure the eyes are mainly on them, I can’t help but smile, basking in the excitement of the night. The party is already lit, pulsating with high-energy laughter and music that vibrates through the floor. Our first stop? The drinks—an essential for warming up the night ahead. We dive into the rhythm, dancing with abandon and letting go of our everyday concerns.

Keira’s competitive spirit shines when she spots the beer pong table. “So who am I destroying tonight?” she quips, laughter bubbling up around us. A group of guys from Valley High accepts her challenge, and we all gather around, rallying behind her as she effortlessly sinks shot after shot. The cheers echo in the room as she defeats one team after another, shaking hands with the losers like the champion she is. But it’s when she briefly touches Danny’s hand—a Valley High student—that something clicks. The spark between them is formed "mate", and for a moment, I can’t help but feel the thrill of what’s unfolding. Aimee and I share glances that mix excitement and disbelief—could this night get any better?

Once again lost in the dance floor’s embrace, Aimee showcases her best moves, only to be interrupted by Jackson. The chemistry is instantaneous, and as they flirt back and forth, I can see the same magic I witnessed with Keira. It’s wild—Jackson is Blake’s beta and his connection to Aimee could complicate things. Still, I hope he treats her right. I decide to sneak away to the bathroom, thinking about how these parties are turning into a matchmaking hub.

Emerging from the bathroom, I see a line of people waiting, so I make my way to the drink table, ready to pour myself something strong. I opt for a giant cup of vodka to kick the night up a notch, chugging it down like it’s water. Before I know it, I find myself at the now transformed beer pong table, where it has somehow morphed into shot pong. A few strangers pull me onto their team; they look like they’re from Valley High too. It’s chaotic but amusing, and as I sink a shot for the team, I feel the night getting even better.

After we finish the game, I hear laughter nearby and head over to a new circle playing "Never Have I Ever." The first few rounds are innocently entertaining—until the question, “Never have I ever been stood up,” hits the air. I raise my cup defiantly and drink. The following question—“Never have I ever slept with someone”—leads to everyone but me taking a sip, burning my cheeks with embarrassment. I stagger to my feet, the world tilting around me. Trying to focus, I realize the girls are lost in their own worlds, so I decide to venture home, thinking it can't be that far. As I step outside, glancing at my phone, I realize it’s only around 10:30 PM. “Wow, I’ve hounded the bar!” I chuckle to myself, making my way down the driveway.

Passing the woods, that eerie feeling returns, but frankly, at this moment, I don't care. "I'm not afraid of you!" I shout into the emptiness, my voice echoing wildly, much to my own amusement. By the bridge, I burst into song, not a care in the world, the alcohol fueling my bravado. I pull out my phone, trying to dial any number, just for the sake of connection – unaware that I’ve accidentally called Blake.

** Blake’s POV**

The party was in full swing, laughter and music blending together in a celebration. My best friend Jackson was in the spotlight, having just found his mate, and I couldn’t have been happier for him. The joy in his eyes told me everything—I could see how much this moment meant. I was feeling the energy of the night radiate through me, and I decided to kick things up a notch with a keg stand. As I balanced myself upside down, a cheer erupted around me, egging me on. I smashed it with a victorious grin, barely registering the few girls who were eyeing me with unabashed interest. Their smiles were inviting, setting the stage for what I felt could be a night of two very enticing conquests.

One of the girls leaned in, her lips crashing onto mine with an eagerness that took me by surprise. Her tongue danced expertly within my mouth, igniting something primal inside me. Without missing a beat, I turned to kiss the other girl, who eagerly met me halfway. This was bliss—pure, unadulterated chaos, and I was reveling in it. But amidst the revelry, a commotion flared up where a game of "Never Have I Ever" was being played, attracting a bit of a crowd. That wasn't my concern, not tonight. Just then, a striking redhead caught my eye, giving me a flirtatious wink and a quick shove toward the stairs. My pulse quickened with the thrill of following her; I desperately needed to release some built-up tension.

Once we reached a dimly lit bedroom, she playfully pushed me onto the bed, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at her boldness. My anticipation heightened as she began to undress me, and instinctively, I leaned in for a kiss. But no sooner had we truly begun to lose ourselves in the moment than my phone blared with a notification. Normally, I’d ignore it, but something compelled me to check. Just as the redhead tried to silence the call, "get out" i frowled at the redhead. I grabbed my phone, my heart racing as I saw Malia’s name flash on the screen. “What the—?” I snapped, hoping for some clarity. I held the phone to my ear, only to be met with a jumble of muffled sounds and what sounded like her terrible attempt at singing. A smile crept onto my face; she was such a dork. “Malia!” I shouted, but the line remained filled with noise until I finally hung up, dismissing the moment as a confusing blip.

Heading downstairs, I joined Jackson and Aimee, still riding the high of the night. “Malia, she’s a bit of a goof, isn’t she?” I joked to Aimee. But her reaction was immediate and fierce; she glared daggers at me and stepped closer, cautioning me with a tense “What did you just say?” Backpedaling, I clarified my intentions, describing what actually went on the other night and explaining my interest in Malia. As Aimee's demeanor softened, I felt relief wash over me. “She’s here, you know,” she said, dropping a bombshell. I couldn’t believe it! I had just inadvertently brushed her off. “Wait, she’s here??” I exclaimed, the urgency bubbling inside me. We decided to track her down, buoyed by the thrill that this night might still hold something unexpected. However, the cheerful search turned into a disappointment when Lilly informed us that Malia had left early, feeling overwhelmed by the game. My heart sank, knowing I might have just let something special slip through my fingers.