Chapter 352

I just grin, a soft breeze swirling up around us, cool and fresh, as I tighten my arms around hirr.

"Booo, lovebirds!" Jesse calls over to us, cupping his hands around his mouth so his voice echoes. I laugh, opening my eyes. "Come on, stop being boring! We're doing shots!" He points to a tray of flaming shots that a very good-looking waitress, who Jesse currently has his arm around, is holding

"Oh my god," I say, my eyes going a little wide at the sight of them.

"Come on!" Luca says, laughing, starting over and pulling me along with him by the hand.

But as we go, I can't stop another yawn from crawling up my throat. Honestly I don't know how Luca's still up - he's had a much more taxing day than me. Must be the adrenaline. When we get to Jesse and his new friend, Luca takes the shots off the tray and hands them round, but when he holds on out to me I wave it away, even though the flames dance prettily and catch my eye. Rafe and Daphne come over too, and I grin to see that she is wearing a littttle less lipstick than she was earlier, but I don't say anything as she and Rafe take shots off the tray.

"Whaaat!" Jesse says, grinning at me a little devilishly. "Princess first to cave!? Honestly, Ari, you're doing the espionage track no credit here."

"Ambassador too," Ben says, likewise refusing the drink and rubbing at his eye. "It might be last warrior standing tonight. Warrior or seamstress." He turns his head to me, raising his eyebrow, cocking his head towards the door, silently asking me if I want to go.

Hope blooms in me because honestly, I'm exhausted, and my bed is calling.

"Ari!" Luca exclaims, and I turn to see him frowning at me, looking devastated. "No, let's stay out! We're having so much fun!"

"I think have to be pathetic," I say, slumping my shoulders and fighting yet another yawn. "I'm sorry."

Luca grimaces, looking at Rafe, Jesse, and Daphne - all still clearly ready to continue the good time. And I can tell immediately that he's torn that he knows he should take me home but he really, really wants to stay out.

"Luca, stay," I say, smiling softly up at him and stepping close, putting my hands on his chest. He sighs and looks down at me, feeling guilty. "It's your big night! You should stay out till dawn! You don't have to turn in just because I'm being a big baby about being tired."

"Ari," he murmurs, running a hand over my hair with a frown-but... can see he's tempted. "If you don't stay out," I whisper, shaking my head up at him with a grin. "Then you lose, and Jesse wins. And we can't have that."

"It's true," Jesse says, nodding seriously, and I grin over at him- glad he gets the game, and that he too wants Luca to stay out and enjoy his big night. "Last man standing is the King. And gets Rafe's crown."

"Hey!" Rafe protests, laughing, but we all ignore him.

Luca fakes a grimace, looking down at me. "Well," he says with a shrug. "I've always wanted a crown."

"Good," I murmur, standing on my toes and begging for a kiss, which he gives me.

When he lets me back down, Luca looks seriously over at Ben. "You're going too? You'll make sure she gets home safe?*

"And face your left hook if I don't?" Ben asks, quirking an eyebrow before dipping into a bow. "You have my word, your highness."

"Hey!" Rafe protests again, as his title has been wantonly claimed now alongside his crown.

I squeeze Luca's hand before moving to Ben's side, linking my arm with his and giving him a nod. There are some brief goodbyes, and a lightning fast half-slurred lecture from Rafe about where to find the car and the million ways Ben will be murdered if I don't get to the palace in one piece, but then we're off.

I doze in the limo, my head resting gently against Ben's shoulder, but he nudges me awake when we arrive in the garages below the palace - a safer entrance, when it's just the two of us. I'm still yawning as we get into the elevator that will take us up to my family's floor.

"You're gonna sleep good tonight," Ben murmurs, leaning hard against the elevator wall.

"Lock who's talking," I say in response, way too tired to say anything truly witty. When we step out of the elevator into the quiet palace, I give Ben a big hug and wave him off towards his room as I turn to my own, thinking fondly of my fluffy duvet and cozy sheets.

But then, as I turn towards my family apartments, a certain scent hits my nose just right...

And my wolf perks up...

And I wonder, suddenly...

If I don't want to make a pitstop on my way to bed.noveldrama