Rowan's POV:

I should have stayed in for the night.

I eyed the house that my navigation system had led me to hesitantly, the words to the music that blared from inside clear, despite the thickness of my car windows. Girls in short skirts and heels littered the lawn, while guys that wore sly smirks packed the doorways. The sight made my stomach turn.

The place was... the place was packed.

Wide-eyed, I peered through the windshield as Skylar and Hayden emerged from wherever they had parked their car. The former knocked on my window, her brows raised quizzically as she gestured for me to open the door.

Against my better judgment, I did.

"Are you coming, Rowan?"

I glanced back at the house, not sure what my answer to her question was.

With big parties, there was too much that could happen. There was too much of an opportunity for something big to go down, and for me not to be able to recall diddly squat in the morning. That was also the reason why I didn't drink much. Although, I wasn't really sure it could be considered a blackout if there was a chance I wasn't going to remember it, anyway.

"Sky, I thought you said this was a small party," I breathed, breathless for unknown reasons as she pulled open my door. She grabbed my hand before I could hop back in and run away from the crowds of people that littered the lawn.

"Trust me, this is small."

She had a point. I had seen other parties that were bigger. But still...

Hayden wrapped his arm around her, but his eyes searched mine. I saw the moment when he figured out the reason for my hesitance.

"Babe?" Skylar looked up at him. "There are a lot of people here, and well Ro..."

His eyes cut to me, and I shrugged. I understood his hesitancy to talk about my condition. But he didn't have to worry about it. After all, it was true.

"It's just that there is a lot that could happen," I said, sending him a smile so that he knew that it was okay. I shrugged, with a smile before continuing. "And there is too much that I could forget," I finished.

Skylar paused her eyes sparking in realization, followed by an apologetic frown. "I wasn't even thinking Rowan. I'm sorry. Do you want to go back home?"

I glanced back at the house trying to keep a frown off my face, before looking back at her.

"We could always just do something as a group," Hayden offered.

Skylar's head bobbed up and down hurriedly, and she grabbed my hand. She flashed a pretty smile. "I would totally be okay with that Rowan. Besides I like just hanging out with you guys. Parties are overrated anyway."

I was five seconds away from telling her that I did want to go home. That there was no way someone like me could do this, and not spend the next moments being a buzzkill from the absolute terror of what would come tomorrow.

I probably would have told her so, if it wasn't for the fact that she had been so excited to go. Besides I wasn't going to be able to keep avoiding things in the future. I would have to get used to large gatherings if I was going to function normally.

It was only inevitable with possible jobs, and maybe even my own potential family.

"That's okay." I nodded, lifting my head high.

"Are you sure?" Skylar's eyes were lined with hesitance and I nodded.

It was just a party. I could do this.

"I am sure."

I started walking, the loud music being heard from even outside the house. She smiled, falling into step behind me, and reaching for Hayden's hand.

"If you feel uncomfortable at all, let us know, and then we will go," he added, shooting me a glance.

I nodded, taking a deep breath of confidence as we continued down the path we were on.

We entered the wide-open doors, the blaring music just one octave away from blowing the eardrums of any person unlucky enough to get within ten feet of the speakers.

Eyes landed on Skylar, as if involuntary responses, as she walked past.

Who could blame them? She was stunning.

I glanced up at Hayden and smirked, watching him glare at every guy who laid eyes on her. His eyes softened when Skylar looked back with an excited smile. A few people called out a hello to Hayden, who just nodded, before training his eyes back on Skylar.

Oy Vey. I could already tell he would not let her out of his sight.

"Bottoms up," Skylar exclaimed, handing us each a shot. I had no idea how she had managed to get them so fast, in the inconsiderable amount of time that we had been here. I sniffed mine and cringed. Tequila.

The devil's drink.

She downed hers, slamming hers down on a table with a grin. She looked at us both and eyed our still full shots.

"We are driving," I said, motioning between Hayden and me. "And remember last time?"

I sent her a playful glare when she smiled. Apparently, my gag reflex toward tequila was amusing to her. I was just glad that all I had was second-hand embarrassment from the moment I didn't remember.

"It isn't our fault that you can't hold your drink," Hayden chuckled.

He stopped as soon as he caught my glare, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Fine don't drink it then," Skylar sighed happily. She took the drink from my hands and downed it without a second glance, flashing pearly teeth when she finished without so much as a wince. "More for me."

"I am in the right mind to cut you off already," Hayden grumbled, to which Skylar narrowed her eyes. But the light that shone in her eyes and the excitement practically vibrating off of her told me that she wasn't really mad. This was her scene. It would be a shame if she didn't get to enjoy it.

"Don't worry I am not trying to get plastered."

The sentence barely left her mouth before she pivoted on her heels, pulling me behind her as we tried to get through masses of sweaty dancing people. Hayden wrapped an arm around Skylar as we passed by a group of guys that were all surrounding a pool table.

"Hey, Hayden, want to catch the next round?" A tall guy with short and cropped blond hair shouted when he saw us approach. His piercing blue eyes shifted to me and he scoured me with a grin. "You can join in too, Rowan."

I wasn't sure if it was the fact that I had no idea who he was, or that he was looking at me as if I was prey, that caused my skin to prickle. It was also unnerving that he knew my name when I had no idea who he was.

"Mathews, keep your damn eyes to yourself," Hayden practically growled before I could give my own response.

I bumped him with my hip and sent him a look telling him I was okay. I appreciated him for looking out for me, but I could hold my own. Skylar on the other hand shot Hayden an appreciative look that he drank up, his mouth forming a smirk.

"You tell him, baby," she whispered, before grabbing my hand.

I just chuckled, as she flounced away, with me in tow. We stopped to talk to some people nearby, and I didn't protest, grateful to move away from the guy's stare. But my relief was fleeting, finding its doom when I glanced behind my shoulder and saw that he was still watching.

I shouldn't have been surprised though. Most guys here took a liking to anything that had two legs and flashed a pretty smile. Even if it was off-putting.

Hayden ended up joining in the game, and Skylar and I stayed near, talking to a few people that we knew, but not going far. I looked up when cheering broke out behind us, as one of the guys made a successful shot. I then glanced around the room aimlessly as Skylar chatted with a group of people I didn't know.

"Elijah didn't even budge when I told him I was ready to get out of here."

It was like I had lost control of my body, my head swiveling at the mention of the familiar name. My gaze landed on a short blonde, clad in nothing but a skimpy satin top and jean shorts that left nothing to the imagination. I couldn't blame her, if I had a body that amazing it would be hard not to flaunt it off too.

I trained my focus on the tall raven-haired girl beside her. She was dressed more modestly with a gaze that kept flitting towards the door as if waiting for something. Or perhaps she was considering making an escape. If so, I didn't blame her. The girl next to her was just as gorgeous, her height envy-worthy and curly red hair a definite attention grabber. The color was natural, lightened strands making the river of fire flowing around her shoulders more mesmerizing in the light.

Her mouth was pressed into an unamused line, but as soon as the other girls began talking to her, she flashed a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Maybe he just wasn't interested in a hookup," the girl with Raven hair said to the blonde, who now sported a dejected look on her face. I turned away from them, tuning out of their conversation and into my thoughts.

I hadn't known Elijah was here.

I wished I didn't feel jealous that I was hearing about his appearance from another girl. It wasn't like we had talked about the party, or he had to. We weren't even close like that anyway. I shook my head telling myself that he was just another guy that I had no business feeling any type of way over. We were friends.

And I wasn't even sure about that.

I came out of my head, when Skylar faced me, bouncing up and down with an excited smile on her face.

"Let's dance!"

She grabbed my hands before I could respond, leading me into the mass of dancing people. Fortunately, we were more off to the side, so it wasn't too uncomfortable or crowded. Skylar started jumping up and down like a crazed person, and I laughed bouncing on my toes to make up for my lack of rhythm.

Even though the music was deafeningly loud and consisted of generic hits, as time passed, I found myself relaxing. With ease, I gave into the mellow beats, willingly shedding the tension that consumed most of my days. I had to admit that I needed the chance to let go and for once just not think bout everything I would need to worry about when the morning came.

"Yes, girl. I knew you secretly knew how to move." I laughed as Skylar shimmied around me, not caring that her funky dance moves were no doubt drawing attention. Now and then Skylar would look over toward Hayden and send him a cute little wave. I made a funny face each time. "I told you you would enjoy getting out of the house."

I just grinned as she grabbed my hand and twirled. I was so absorbed in laughing at her dancing antics, that I hadn't noticed a shadow fall over me until I felt someone grab my waist. My heart jumped as I flinched, Skylar's eyes widening when her gaze trained behind me.

I whirled around, irritation setting in when I turned to see the guy who had practically undressed me with his eyes earlier. He smiled down at me, his grip on me uncomfortably firm. My eyes widened when I stepped forward, but his hold didn't let up.

"Where are you trying to run off to?"

His words came as a whisper in my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine. There was something about the way he spoke that caused my blood to chill, the dangerous drag to his voice jumping out at me. It was when he didn't move, his hand smoothing over the fabric of my dress and traveling further downward than it should have, that I spurred into action.

"Please let go."

I moved again, only to be pulled flat against him, my heart beginning to beat wildly. I flinched when his fingers sank deeper into my skin and he whirled me around.

"What's the matter? I'm just asking for one dance."

Swallowing I took in the glazed-over haze in his eyes. His pupils were slightly dilated even though his breath didn't smell of any alcohol. It was obvious that whatever he was on wasn't a high most people my age were usually on.

Determined to get him off of me without making a scene, I pushed against his chest. "Let go of me," I repeated firmly. I caught Skylar's wide eyes when his grip didn't let up.

"It's okay. Stop fighting," he breathed his head lowering. Nausea ran through me when he pressed up against me, his face way too close to mine. My skin prickled, a million invisible ants crawling over me as my mind went into panic mode. I reached for his hands, trying to remove them from my waist.

"Did you not hear what she said? Get your damn hands off of her."

Skylar moved before I could stop her, reaching for me. Horror fell upon me when his hand lashed out and he shoved her aside. She stumbled, and anger, as I had never known before, surged through me.

"I said let go," I glowered, lifting my foot as I tried to hook it between his legs hoping to catch him off guard. But the move was more difficult than it looked in the countless self-defense videos I had watched on a whim.

I cried out when he wrenched my body to the side suddenly, trying to stop my movement. Sharp pain pulsed through my body in wake of the unnatural movement, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. It didn't help that because my hip had been fractured in the accident and had never healed properly I had always been sensitive in that region.

This wasn't happening.

My chest heaved as I tried to regain my focus, my vision blurring. All the terrible outcomes flitted from my mind as I stilled, tears brimming from the discomfort.

Then just like that, he was gone.

With my heart pounding and the music around us still blaring I sucked in a deep breath, as my vision focused enough for me to see what was going on. I stilled, taking in the familiar slope of broad shoulders that covered my view of the guy who had been grabbing me.

There was no denying who they belonged to.

I took a breath when Elijah turned.

It was his eyes that caused my heart to skip a beat, anger replacing calmness. He took a step when our eyes met, the dangerous clouds in his eyes clearing immediately.

Three quick strides brought him over to me. I inhaled when a large hand slid over the curve of my neck, and his head lowered. My throat constricted as his eyes washed over mine, concern, and hints of anger hoisted in his gaze.

"Breathe, sweetheart." I did slowly, but the frown on his face remained. My breath caught when his thumb smoothed over my skin, causing my pulse to jump as he tugged me toward him slightly. "You okay?"

I gripped his wrists, finding support in his hold and closing my eyes against the waves of adrenaline still surging through me.

"Yes. I'm okay."

I said it for my own assurance rather than Elijah's. For a moment I was able to forget. I was so affected by the way his fingers played with the small strands of hair at the nape of my neck, creating a sensation that calmed my heartbeat one moment but spurred it on the next, that I almost forgot where we were.

Almost.

When I opened them his eyes were hot, tension pooling off of him in waves.

"Man, what was that for?"

I froze, my eyes tearing away from Elijah's. The guy on the floor groaned, and my stomach twisted when he brought his hand to his nose. A vicious curse left his mouth when he saw the crimson droplets on his fingers. He glared at Elijah's back before his gaze flitted to me.

The way his eyes roamed my face without shame, assured me that this wasn't the first time he had used his strength to overpower a woman. He held not a hint of remorse, and a shiver ran up my spine in response to the coldness in his eyes.

"Rowan, Love, look at me," I heard Elijah murmur, at the same time that a cruel mouth opened to speak.

My eyes stayed glued where they were, my side throbbing as my breathing quickened.

I was sure that whatever the guy had been about to say would have been just as vile as his touch if the words had left his mouth.

But they never did.

Before the guy could speak, Elijah spun around, coldness showering over me in absence of his touch. My eyes widened as I watched his fist tangle in the guy's collar, feeling naked now that his body was no longer shielding me from the eyes of bystanders. I drew my arms around me, trying to remedy the discomfort that washed over me as I watched in shock.

"If I were you I wouldn't speak," Elijah gritted lowly, the muscles of his arms rippling from the sheer force of his grip. His eyes were dark and serious, making the air even tenser than it had been before. "I heard her say get off. Hell, I could tell how uncomfortable she was from fifty feet away. So tell me, Blake, were her words not clear enough?"

His words were firm, despite how calmly he spoke. I'd never seen anyone look more dangerous than he did now, his eyes granite, and his posture rigid.

"Look I didn't know she was your broad. Maybe you should keep her on a tighter leash."

I stiffened, disgust rising through me. Elijah gave a slight shake of his head, the storm in his eyes intensifying. Everything about him screamed lethality. From the height of his stature to the fire in his eyes.

"You are going to apologize to her for that," Elijah's voice was thick, his accent, even more prominent. He flexed his hand, his gaze on Blake. "Scratch that. If I ever see you so much as glance at Rowan again, I will make you wish you didn't," he finished darkly.

I was pretty sure that Blake lacked the brain cells the rest of us had because he lifted his head, eyes narrowed in anger.

"You threatening me, Scott?"

I was pretty sure I stopped breathing when Elijah's features darkened. Coupled with the smoke in his eyes it made him look nothing short of devilish. The power he held in the simple curve of his lips and the narrowing of his eyes was intoxicating.

"A threat wouldn't do justice for how much I meant those words."

I swallowed at the same time that Blake did, his mouth curling. For a moment I thought he was going to say something else but if he did I didn't hear it, my attention was diverted by the sound of my name.

"Rowan!"

I dragged my gaze toward the sound of my name, spotting Hayden's deep frown. Skylar was right behind him, her eyes wide and slightly misty. He looked me over, his gaze lingering on my arm. I winced when his expression darkened.

I swear that sick-"

"I'm fine," I cut in, knowing that if I didn't think quick he was going to make good on the threat that was sitting on the tip of his tongue. He didn't need to finish his sentence, I saw it in his eyes. Hayden grimaced, taking a breath as his eyes hard. inhaled slowly when he didn't turn around and snatch blake up, turning to Skylar. "Are you okay?"

She nodded hastily, and Hayden's eyes cut to her.

"What do you mean you are okay?" Skylar's eyes widened, and I pressed my mouth shut, realizing that I might have just fueled a fire that I hadn't meant to. Hayden turned to me, and I glanced down. "Skylar I swear if you don't tell me-"

"It's nothing Hayden."

"Like hell, it isn't."

Hayden turned to me again, his eyebrows furrowed. I knew he wasn't going to let it go.

"He shoved me when I was trying to get to Rowan, that is all." Skylar beat me to the punch.

I had never seen anyone become as still as Hayden did at that moment. For a moment his expression went blank. But then as if shedding a mask his expression changed, concern mixing with anger as his eyes went black. He nodded his head once, a chuckle sharp enough to shatter a blade falling out of his mouth.

"So he touched you?" He leaned down, cupping her face gingerly. Embers sparked in his eyes. "No, he didn't just touch you. He shoved you."

"Hayden-"

"I'm going to kill him."