Love between a man and a woman is not possible. A man cannot love what is less. A woman will never be able to love someone above her for though she may act submissive, she will always hate those with power over her. She may spend years pretending, being obedient and loving. But she was created by the goddesses. By those who scheme and lie. The relationship between man and woman is not love. It is a transaction. It is ownership. Feelings do not matter as long as everyone knows their place. As long as women worship and sit bellow their husband. As long as they give him a son.

~Sons of the Pure Holy Script.

"Holy shit," I say as Una opens the boxes on my bed. My hand grazes over the soft, rich red coloured material as I pick it up.

"Ola has the best materials," Una grins as she begins to take off her uniform. I nod my head and gulp.

"I've not worn a dress for ages," I gulp as I continue to look wide-eyed at the dress.

"Hurry up and get dressed! We can't be late to our own victory part!" she urges as she throws her uniform on my floor. I had wanted to show Kai my new uniform, but Una had insisted we didn't have time and had to get changed.

"What about our hair?" I ask.

"Definitely keep your warrior braid. This is a celebration of being a champion warrior," she tells me as drop the corset to the floor.

"Is that your mark? I meant to ask earlier." I nod my head and smile.

"Yes," I reply. She smiles too.

"Seems appropriate," she replies. I pull on the dress and my eyes widen. I have never worn anything like this before.

"Fucking hell, Ana! You look..." Una's eyes are wide. "You are getting laid tonight," she jokes. I shake my head.

"Yeah, no. I don't think so," I tell her. She laughs and raises an eyebrow.

"I've seen those looks between you and the Solavar," she smirks. "He is not going to be able to keep his hands off you," she tells me. My heart practically explodes just thinking about it. I smile confidently and I look at myself in the full-length mirror. I let out a breath.

The dress is a rich red in colour and simple. Nothing like the grand designs we had at the palace. Just a beautifully cut red bit of cloth. Thin straps around my shoulders and a neckline that is cut into a low V. Low enough to show quite a lot a cleavage. The material then sits tightly to the rest of my torso, hips and thighs. It falls away slightly at the knee's, leaving a little train on the ground. Then, there is the slit all the way up my right leg. It's beautiful. Una is right, it looks spectacular on me. The tattoos going up my arm only adding to the look. Their complicated designs a spectacular contrast to the dresses simplicity. My smile widens as my confidence grows as I admire the way it hugs my body. The excitement fills my veins as I anticipate Kai's reaction. I turn around and look at my back with a gulp, all that confidence going. The back is exposed. All but the thin straps crossing it in an X shape.

"I can't wear this," I say, feeling my eyes sting as I go and take it off.

"Why?" Una asks and looks at my back. She gasps. We have gotten changed together plenty of times together, but I've not shown her the thick white lines that paint my back. I even kept my top on when I was being measured in the shop. Only changing when I knew they couldn't see. "Ana," she whispers. "We all have scars here," she tells me. "They are nothing to be ashamed of." I gulp, feeling my throat dry as I look away.

"I'm not ashamed of them," I reply. "I just don't want people to see them. Not like this," I gulp. She nods her head.

"Ana," she says and pulls my face up to look into her eyes. "You look spectacular in this dress. Even with the scars. Don't let your past traumas ruin your present," she tells me. "Tonight, we are going to go and celebrate our massive victory looking confident and sexy. We are going to get smashed and we are going to have fun. You have achieved something magnificent and you deserve this. I won't ask what happened to you or who did this. If you want to tell me then you'll tell me. What I will say, is don't let it stop you. Or whoever did this has gotten what they want." I feel my eyes sting with tears and I hug her tightly.

"Okay," I whisper as she hugs me back. We stay like that for a few moments before she steps back and looks in the mirror at our reflections. Her dress is the same as mine and she looks spectacular in it. It hugs her curves perfectly and she has a confident smile on her face.

"Let's party," she grins and takes my hand with a tight squeeze.

The double doors open into the ballroom. Already, Lupine are inside partying. They cheer loudly as we enter. Una holds up our hands and lets out a scream. I join her as we are surrounded quickly. Kovan barges through everyone to look at the two of us. His eyes scan over our bodies with a smirk. I had suggested a bit of make-up, but Una told me the night might get messy so she advised against it. The last thing we want is make-up smeared across our face.

"Woah, you two clean up nicely!" he grins. He wears leather trousers and a loose white shirt tucked into it and unbuttoned. He looks very handsome himself. The rest of the Lupine who have joined us wear similar items. The women wearing dresses like ours, but none in red. They look beautiful. The men are similarly dressed as Kovan. It is loud with shouting and I can bearly hear the music being played.

"Not happening, Kovan," Una taunts as she hugs him and kisses him on the cheek. He shakes his head and kisses her on the forehead, his arm snaking around her hips.

"You could at least dance with me, just to soften the blow a bit," he jokes. She laughs and takes a drink from the tray of one of the servants.

"I'm not drunk yet, my standards haven't dropped," she laughs. He shakes his head and steps back.

"You are a cruel woman, Una Maovessa," he grins and she smirks. Una grabs my hand and we walk further into the crowds, being cheered and patted as we go past. I take a drink and quickly drink some, trying to calm my nerves.

"Relax," Una whispers in my ear as we get closer to the music. "Enjoy tonight!" she tells me. I shrug and down the rest of the cup. The taste is strong and sharp. Not really that nice as it burns. I cough a little, my face twisting. Una laughs and we begin to dance together to the music.

"You'll get used to it!" she tells me.

"I don't think I will," I reply. "I think you're lying to me," I tell her. She just laughs and takes my hands. We dance together for a while. Well, dancing isn't what I'd say we were doing. It was a strange mix of jumping and spinning. I don't drink any more, however. Una continues though and soon she is squealing and laughing with the rest of the Lupine. I laugh with her though, finding her antics incredibly funny. She leaves me to dance with some of the Lupine men. It is then where the doors behind the throne open and Kai walks out. His eyes find me and widen slightly. I smile and make my way through the crowd toward the stairs. His eyes don't leave me as I walk along the balcony to where he stands.

"You're late," I begin. "The party started an hour ago." My heart flutters wildly in my chest as his eyes look over my body. Suddenly, I'm glad Una convinced me to wear the dress. I look good. Kai smirks as I look over his body. He wears brown trousers. They aren't the tight leather of Kovan's. There is a belt around his waist and then a white shirt. The shirt is loose and has a little open V. Showing off a little bit of his chest. The sleeves are rolled up to halfway up his forearms. His dark hair is in his usual low bun and the neat layer of facial hair around his lips and angular jaw are in their usual well-groomed state. His golden skin glows in the firelight and makes his greeny-gold eyes shimmer different colours. His Adam's apple bobs as his eyes continue to look over me intensely. This time, it is my turn to smirk. A laugh leaves his mouth and he walks up behind me slowly as I lean against the railing of the balcony.

"Your back," he begins and I pause, my throat drying. "It healed nicely." I nod my head slowly.

"Yes," I whisper and look up at him. He has a soft, gentle smile on his face. He looks down at my chest and I raise an eyebrow.

"Solavar?" I joke, lightening the mood. He laughs.

"Your mark," he says. "It is beautiful," he says. I smile. "I hadn't seen it before the other day," he chuckles. 

"It isn't normally an area that is on display," I tell him as I look down at the wolf.

"It is spectacular," he says and I can't help but graze my fingers over it. I find myself looking at it a lot. The way the shapes curl around so delicately to make the shape of the wolf. The way they continue to twist behind the wolf-like water.

"Thank you," I smile and he takes a step closer.

"You look..." he begins and gulps. I laugh and watch him struggle. His eyes move to my arms. "You've made a few promises," he says, changing the subject, and gestures to my arm. I nod.

"Promises I intend to keep," I tell him.

"I don't doubt it," he chuckles. "May I?" he asks and holds out his hands. I give him my hand. He gently pulls me closer, his hands going higher up my arm as he looks at the beautiful tattoos. Each section different to represent the different races I've made promises with. Even though the sections are different, they connect and flow as one spectacular peace. I shiver as his eyes scan all the beautiful marking that twirl around my skin. After a few moments, he lets go. Leaving a cold patch where his touch was.

"They're beautiful," he tells me.

"Thank you," I reply and turn back to look over the room partying.

"You should join them, Ana," he tells me. "Drink, dance and have fun. You deserve it." I shrug my shoulders.

"I'm okay," I say. "Plus," I laugh, looking to where Wyatt dances on the table. "Wyatt and I aren't allowed to get drunk together without supervision," I grin.

"Really?" Kai raises an eyebrow. I nod my head. When we partied after freeing the mine with the Knights, Merissa and Stefan had made sure that Wyatt and I didn't go near each other.

"Perhaps," he grins. "I'll just have to supervise you for the night then," he chuckles and holds out his hand. I grin and take it. Together, we walk along the balcony and onto the floor. People don't pay us much attention as we make our way closer to the music. I laugh as Kai pulls me closer, my heart beating wildly in my chest. We both take a drink and down it quickly before the music starts again. His hands fall on my hips and I step even closer toward him as my arms rest gently on his shoulders with my hands behind his neck. I have to go onto my tiptoes to do this comfortable which has Kai chuckling and lifting me up so I can balance on his feet.

"I'm a good dancer," I tell him with a grin as I lean up to whisper in his ear because the music and shouting are too loud. He laughs and leans down to whisper back in my ear.

"I remember the last time we danced," he sighs.

"I wasn't bad!" I tell him. He raises an eyebrow and I laugh again, gently hitting his chest. I step off his toes and take another two drinks from a passing servant. We both down them and Kai laughs at my twisted face.

"You'll get used to it." I shake my head quickly.

"I'm not sure I will," I reply back with a laugh. The music picks up and we dance again. I forget about everyone around us as I move and laugh with Kai. Occasionally stepping on his toes the more I drink, resulting in more laughing. I soak up the warmth of being in his embrace as he holds me close. Forgetting for tonight about all my responsibilities and the image we both must uphold. Though I know we aren't the only ones doing it. There are quite a few Lupine dancing as we are. Not really paying attention to each other. I laugh as Kai spins me around before falling back into him as I start getting happily tipsy. Kai chuckles and holds his arms tightly around me. I know he is feeling the same buzz.

"For a princess," he says as he whispers in my ear. "You are a pretty terrible dancer." I scoff and slap him lightly on the arm.

"Don't be so rude," I scold with a cheeky smile. He twists me around so my back is against him. His hands fall on my waist again and we move to the music.

"That's not how you talk to your Solavar," he tells me off, his lips hovering over my neck and his hot breath tickling my skin. Making me shiver. I laugh and spin again so I'm facing him.

"That's not how you speak to your princess," I tell him back, going onto my tiptoes to whisper in his ear. He grins and his warm hands fall on my bare back. His touch soft and gentle against my skin. He smiles at me and I can't help but smile widely back. "I am afraid," I begin. "That speaking to a royal in such a manner is considered treason," I sigh. He laughs.

"Really?" he asks. He laughs and pulls me into his chest, looking directly into my eyes.

"Yep," I tell him with a nod of my head.

"So what are you going to do about it?" he asks, his voice a clear challenge as he uses my own words from all those years ago against me. I raise my eyebrow and take his hand. Our fingers intertwine and I bite my lip as I look up at him. He smiles and looks around. No one pays any attention to us. He pulls me away from the dance area. The other dancing and drunk Lupine don't even notice as we push our way through them. My heart starts racing as we get to the corner of the room where there is a small door. Kai opens it and I step inside. It leads into another corridor and I can already tell that this is one that isn't used very often. His hand tightens around mine as he pulls me down it. The sounds of the shouting and the music fade away and are muffled behind us. We round a few corners, the corridor getting dark and quieter until we can hardly hear anything but our own, fast breathing. We get to the end of the corridor. I had actually seen no other doors built into the stone walls and I wonder what the point of it even is. All there is is a single-window that lets the moonlight stream through. Allowing my eyes to adjust. Though before I can think about why there would be a random, abandoned corridor that seemingly leads nowhere, Kai is pushing me into the wall. I forget all my silly questions as his lips find mine. My body starts to hum as he kisses me with hunger. Our lips devouring each other, breaking months worth of tension that had been building since I arrived here. His hands slide over my body, his touch firm over the thin layer of the dress. My hands bury into his hair and I deepen the kiss. Kai pulls away slightly and we breathe deeply. His hands grip my thighs and he lifts me up. I am thankful for the slits in the dress as it allows me to wrap my legs around his waist. His weight presses against my body as he pins me to the wall, keeping me in place. One of his hands is on my bottom, helping keep me up. The other roams over my torso and I shiver as his warm fingers move beneath the material of the dress at my chest. His lips kiss across my chin and down my neck and I hold him tightly, my hands ripping open his shirt so I can run my fingers over his muscular chest. He removes his hand from my chest and starts running it over my thighs, moving higher. Smiling at me as my breath hitches and I let out a little squeal. My breathing starts to speed up and my fingers dig into his skin as my back arches.

"Shhh," Kai says with a smirk before he kisses my lips again to muffle the sounds of my moans. My body is humming. His touches leave burning trails of heat and pleasure I can't resist. I shiver against him and I hear him undoing his trousers. Moans leave both our mouths as he pushes into me. Our faces remain close, our breaths mixing as we start moving out hips. I look into his eyes, my smile wide. My fingernails scratch his skin, making him moan harder. Kai kisses me again. Little pecks, licks and nibbles against my lips, jaw and down my neck. I bring my hands up to his face, holding his head close to mine as my back arches. My hands slide into his hair, pulling at it. His breathing speeds up more and moans leave both our mouths. Then, we are both gasping at the same time and holding each other as tightly and closely as we can. We don't move for a few moments as we just hold each other, gulping and getting our breaths back. Finally, Kai puts me down, though my legs still wobble a little. We both start laughing as he hugs me tightly.

"Una was right," I say, more to myself.

"Right about what?" he asks, his voice still breathy.

"About what would happen if I wore this dress," I say, looking up at him with a smile. He raises an eyebrow and I kiss him softly again. He pulls back and leans his forehead against mine.

"We need to be getting back to the party before our absence is picked up," he says. I nod my head.

"We also need to go and make ourselves more presentable first and not like we've been doing what we've just been doing," I say. "How do we get out of here without going back through the hall? I didn't see any doors," I state. He laughs.

"You castle had your secret passages, now let you show some of ours," he grins. He pulls up a loose stone in the ground. Except, it isn't stone at all. It is a wooden trap door, decorated to look like another bit of the stone flooring. We drop inside. Within, there is only pitch black as Kai closes the door behind us. I can see nothing. I don't think Kai can either. Though he must know the way off by heart because he takes my hand with one of his and starts walking. His other hand touching the wall. I do the same. The walls are much rougher than the bricks that made up the normal corridors. It is clear this is just a path cut into the stone. After a couple of minutes, Kai comes to a stop and plays with another trap door. He peaks his head out of it and makes sure the coast is clear before giving me a boost up and climbing up after me. Quickly, we sneak through the corridors and go back to his room. As quick as we can, we clean and freshen up.

"You go back first and through the main entrance," he says. "I'll arrive through a different entrance in about ten minutes," he says.

"Okay," I say and smile at him.

"Stop looking at me like that," he warns me. I laugh and give him a quick kiss before leaving his room quickly.

I manage to sneak back into the hall without anyone noticing. Especially when I casually join Una as she dances. After ten minutes, Kai appears through a different entrance into the hall. We pass little knowing glances before he starts talking to some other Lupine whilst I take some more drinks. Una pulls me into her arms and we start giggling and dancing again. Drinking more and more. After about half an hour, Kai approaches me again and I leave Una's side to dance with him. It isn't as intimate as last time. We just spend our time laughing and giggling at each other as I drunkenly stumble over his toes.

"ANA!" I hear Wyatt shout as he stumbles into the dance floor and reaches out for me. My eyes widen and I step away from Kai.

"Wyatt!" I scream, going to rush over to him. Kai grabs my arm with a deep chuckle.

"You told me you aren't allowed to drink with Wyatt," he says. I scoff and flick my hand.

"I was being way overdramatic," I tell him. Kovan and Karn come over then. Grabbing Kai by the shoulders and shaking him roughly before passing him a drink. Karn's eyes rake over me and I blush slightly. This is the first time I've seen him tonight.

"Karn, Kovan!" I grin. "Why did you two put the flag somewhere so hard?" I ask, sulking. Una stumbles over as well, leaning heavily on my shoulders.

"Yeah!" she agrees.

"Did you know what I had to do to get it?" I ask, my speech slightly slurred. "She had to hang me over a cliff. By my ankles. What if she dropped me?" I ask.

"Yeah!" she agrees again. "You almost made me kill the princess," she nods. I nod in agreement.

"Well, if it was easy, it wouldn't be a challenge!" Kovan grins and I slap him.

"You're so mean!" I growl as Wyatt takes my hand.

"Wait," Kai begins as Kovan hands him another drink.

"Sorry to interrupt all your sexy dancing, my friend," Kovan tells him. "But we have not seen you all night and you need to join in with the rest of us! I think you can give the princess up for just a little bit," he smirks. "Especially as I saw you both sneak off..." I giggle and Kai sighs and looks at his friend. 

"Fine, I will join in drinking," he says. Kovan lets out an excited shout.

"I would like a dance with the princess first," Karn smiles and holds out his hand. I laugh and take it.

"What! Ana, you can't ditch me!" Wyatt shouts. I laugh and poke my tongue out.

"I promise I'll spend the rest of the night with you after," I grin to Wyatt who lets out a disappointed huff.

"Solavar, you can't let him take her from me," Wyatt pleads. I see Kai sigh as he looks at Wyatt.

"Why don't you chat with me for a while, friend?" he asks and leads Wyatt away. Not before looking between me and Karn with a small frown on his face. I shrug it off and allow the monster of a man to lead me to the crowd of dancing. I laugh as he spins me around and I stumble over his feet a few times.

"How were you able to get the flag again?" he asks as I tread on his toes.

"By being awesome," I tell him as he spins me again. He laughs and I stumble onto his chest. I laugh too and hold his hands tightly so I don't fall over.

"You look beautiful tonight," he tells me, his voice soft.

"Thank you," I reply with a grin. "You don't look bad yourself," I grin and nudge him jokingly. "Looks like Mina has her eyes on you," I chuckle, gesturing to a woman who is looking over at us.

"Or you," he shrugs and he starts spinning me around.

"You should dance with her later," I continue.

"I'm not interested," he replies.

"Oh, that's a shame," I say and look up at him with a grin. "There must be someone you're interested in," I say to him. He nods his head.

"There is," he replies and spins me around. I gasp.

"Who is it?" I ask.

"I can't say," he tells me.

"It sucks," I sigh, "not being allowed to be with the person you want," I say to him. "Doesn't it?" He nods his head. "The man I love," I begin, "Well, all his people want him to marry some spiteful bitch. And all my people want me to marry a cruel lord who has on multiple occasions beaten me to a pulp and even tried to rape me to get me pregnant so I would be motivated to win the trial," I grumble. Karn's eyes widen. "But oh well," I say, trying to stop the tears from falling as a lump forms in my throat.  "We'll just enjoy the time we have together now," I say happily. "I mean," I continue, looking over to where Kai stands in the corner of the room, laughing and joking with Kovan and Aaliyah, "I am already lucky I have this extra time. I didn't think I was ever going to see him again when he left me at the castle," I explain. Then, I look up at Karn. "Sorry, I didn't mean to talk at you about all that shit..." I say, laughing nervously.

"No, it's okay," he says softly. "I will always be here if you need anything or to talk to. I promise that whatever you say to me will not go past me," he explains.

"Thank you," I say. He nods his head.

"So, Kai makes you happy?" he asks. I giggle and nod my head. Turning to see Kai again, his eyes are on us and he smiles widely at me. I smile back and look at Karn. He has a softer smile on his face.

"You deserve to be happy, princess," he says, "both of you," he continues.

"Thank you, Karn," I beam at him. Then, he spins me around and I quickly forget all my sad thoughts. I laugh and dance for a little longer. I stop after a bit though, seeing Wyatt running back through the crowd toward me, being chased by Kai. It is a very funny sight.

"Wyatt!" I shout again as he scoops me into a hug. Karn frowns as Wyatt throws me over his shoulder and I scream.

"It's my turn now," Wyatt shouts as he walks with me away.

"Put me down!" I laugh before he slides me to the floor. Kai has his eyes narrowed at us.

"Be careful," he frowns and Wyatt and I look at him mischievously. Kovan nudges Kai.

"They'll be alright," he grins. "Come on," he says as he shakes his Malakai's shoulders. "It's been ages since we've drunk together," he tells Kai. Kai rolls his eyes and both Kai and Karn allow Kovan to drag them away.

"Wait wait wait wait WAIT!" Evon shouts, stumbling over her words and shaking her hands. "Explain the game again. I'm lost!" I let out a groan and Wyatt sighs dramatically. We are all sat around a table with about sixteen other warriors.

"It is a game that Ana and I used to play!" he shouts exasperated.

"I am not sure I like the sound of this game," Zoran frowns. Boring and sober.

"Shhhhh," Wyatt replies, putting his finger on Zoran's lips and I poke my tongue out at him.

"It's easy!" I shout at the table. "You work in teams of two!" I start. "You take it in turns to challenge your partner to see who can be the bravest," I tell them.

"What do the challenges include?" she asks. I look at her sarcastically.

"Anything you want to see your partner do..." Wyatt replies as though it's obvious.

"Illyana and I always win this game. We are always the last pair standing. Cos if something is too far..." he stops to hiccup. "Then you can pull out but that means you lose." I nod my head.

"Yeah!" I agree. "So pick a partner who is brave." Wyatt grabs my hand and we look at the rest of them expectantly.

"I thought you were my partner," Una sighs.

"NO!" Wyatt shouts, holding out his hand. "Ana and I are always partners in this game. Our game. Our rules!" he shouts. She sulks and crosses her arm before grabbing Zoran.

"I am just supervising."

"No. You're my partner because Wyatt stole Ana." He closes his eyes and sighs dramatically.

"Okay!" I shout once everyone has gotten into their partners. "First round. Start off easy and it will get harder!" I tell them.

When it comes to us, Wyatt grins at me.

"Something easy for the first round!" I tell him. He nods his head.

"Duh!" he growls back. "Okay. Your challenge is to do a handstand on the table." He raises an eyebrow and I sigh.

"Fine, but you have to keep my dress from falling down," I tell him. He nods his head and I wobble my way up onto the table.

"Ready?" I ask. He nods. I tip forward onto my hands and lift up my feet. Wyatt catches my dress and stops it from slipping down my legs.

"Wyatt!" I shout, feeling my boobs slipping out.

"Don't worry, I will save your dignity," he proclaims. I can't help but giggle and think it is a bit too late for that after what I did with Kai. Still, Wyatt does as he promises and tries to push my boobs back behind the material before they fall out the dress completely. Doing this with one hand whilst the other hand keeps the skirt up. I laugh at the surprised expressions on everyone's faces. I lose balance, however, and role over landing on top of Wyatt.

"Fuck!" he shouts as I laugh. He pushes me off him and sits up.

"As nice as your bum is, Ana, I don't want it in my face," he says and slaps it.

"You've already groped my boobs," I shriek and slap him back. I hear Zoran sigh behind me and turn to see him shaking his head. I laugh and look at Wyatt who getting ready to hit me back. "Fuck off," I laugh and shove him. "For your first challenge. You also have to be on the table and do a flip," I say, crossing my arms smugly. He grins and comes to a wobbling stand. We all watch patiently. He jumps up and attempts to flip but lands on his front before clattering to the floor. I tip my head back and laugh so hard my stomach hurts and tears start falling from my eyes. Wyatt stands up quickly.

"Challenge complete," he grins and sits down. I shake my head. The game goes on, the challenges getting harder. Zoran pulls out early, bored of the game, much to Una's disgust. So, she sulks off to dance with some other Lupine. Some others pull out too as it gets further on and we have gathered an audience around us.

"Okay!" Evon shouts at her partner. "I challenge you to..." she frowns, downs her drink and lets out a grunt. "Go over to the wall and climb up is as high as you can!" she says. Her partner groans and we all watch as he goes to the wall. He puts his hands on it and then his feet. Scrambling into the little cracks. His hand moves up and then a foot. It slips however and he slips. Landing on his bum. 

"What! That was rubbish!"

"Fail!" Wyatt shouts.

"No way!" Evon groans as he pushes her out of the competing circle. The challenges get more stupid as time goes on until there is two of us remaining. The others either having pulled out because there was no way there were going to do what they were challenged. Or because they injured themselves too much to continue and had to drop out.

"Wyatt," I say. "I challenge you to stand against that wall with a red potato on your head and let me throw a knife at it!" I say. Everyone around us gasp and widen their eyes as Wyatt grabs the food item and walks over to the wall. He puts it on his head and I grab the knife. By now, the room is swaying. My tongue pokes out as I concentrate, trying to aim for the fruit.

"Hurry up!" Wyatt shouts.

"I'm concentrating!" I shout back before throwing the knife. Everyone lets out nervous gasps as it leaves my hands. Then they are a mixture of shocked gasps and screams as the knife plunges into his upper arm. Wyatt looks down at his arm and lets out a massive high pitched scream that has my knees going weak and my body collapsing onto the ground in fits of laughter.

"If this is how far the game is going, we're out!" the last team say as I continue to laugh.

"You bitch!" Wyatt shouts and walks over to me, knife still embedded into his arm and now bleeding.

"You stabbed me. You fucking stabbed me with a knife!" he slurs. I stand up and go over to him, pulling it out. He screams again and slaps me.

"We won!" I say. Though there aren't many celebrating. A lot of people have passed out or are dancing.

"You have to do a final challenge," Wyatt tells me. "After your terrible aim."

"Go on then. Do your worst." He grins.

"I challenge you to go outside and balance on the railing of the balcony. Then, you have to walk ten steps." I put my hands on my hips and smile.

"Challenge accepted," I slur and the two of us stumble our way out to the outside balcony. 

"Wyatt, help me up onto it," I say as I lean over and swing my leg up. He gives my body a little push until I am lying on my font on the balcony. Looking to my right is the massive drop into the city below. Of course, with the alcohol running through me, that fear doesn't compute.

"I'm so gonna beat you," I tell him and wobbly come up onto my knees.

"No, you're fucking not. You're scared of heights dumbass. Una told me the story of how you got the flag," he tells me smugly.

"Yeah," I slur as I slowly stand up, the world spinning around me. "But I wasn't drunk then," I grumble as I stand completely.

"You still have to do ten steps," he grumbles, still holding his arm.

"Just you watch," I slur. "In ten steps time, everyone is going to see that I am the champion."

"Nah," Wyatt says, looking at the door back into the ballroom. "The lightweights have all passed out!" he tells me. I shrug. Before we started the challenge, Wyatt and I had already challenged Kovan and Karn to a drinking game whilst Kai had to chat to some other Lupine. We had won. Outdrinking both of them. They were now passed out on their tables. Since then, we both have had a lot more.

"Pfft," I say. "They're rubbish. But you always know that I beat you..." I tell him and take my first wobbling step. I lean to the right and left a few times before straightening out. Ish.

"I'm not catching you if you fall, You fucked my arm over," he grumbles. I shrug.

"I won't need you to," I shrug. "Plus you moved, that's why I missed." I take another step.

"WHAT!" he shouts. "I didn't!"

"Then, you screamed like a little bitch," I laugh and take another step. Leaning toward the drop again. My arms swing frantically as I force myself back to the centre.

"Five! Six! Seven!" I count as I take more slow steps.

"Holy fuck!" I turn to see Zoran who is staring wide-eyed at the two of us, Kai just behind him. His eyes are wide and the two rush toward me.

"Eight! Nine! Ten!" I rush quickly before they can get to me. Though on the tenth, I wobble and begin to fall. Luckily, it's onto the balcony side and straight over Kai's shoulder.

"Ha! I win!" I shout as Wyatt.

"Fuck off," he grumbles as Zoran swings Wyatt's arm over his shoulder with a shake of his head.

"I'm the winner, Kai," I grumble. "You can put me down now," I say.

"Nope, you're going back to your room," he slurs slightly. I look at Wyatt with wide eyes.

"WYATT!" I call as Zoran begins to lead him away.

"Hey!" he struggles in Zoran's arms. "Let go, he's stealing my best friend! We weren't finished playing!"

I slump loosely over Kai as he carries me out of the hall which is a mess of unconcious Lupine and those still just managing to hold on. The corridor is quiet and empty. Kai stumbles and falls into the wall. Almost dropping me.

"Don't drop me," I giggle. He laughs and pushes himself back upright. He holds my legs tightly with my arms as I  hang over his shoulder, feeling tired. A few steps later, her sways again.

"Kai," I laugh. "You're going to drop me, put me down. I can definitely walk. I think."

"I don't know how," he replies, his voice a slurred giggle. I shake my head and we laugh and giggle as he stumbles and almost drops me all the way to my room. It takes him a few attempts to open the door and barge his way in but eventually, he gets it. As we walk inside, he slams it shut with his foot and then locks it. He then walks me over to my bed and throws me off his shoulder into it.

"You were getting heavy," he says. I laugh and lean back, feeling my eyes getting heavy as the room spins. The bed bounces as Kai collapses onto it. I giggle.

"Kai, you are so drunk," I say to him. He groans and twists over to look at me. He sits up.

"No," he hiccups. "No, I'm not," he states, looking at me with a grin. Then, he wobbles forward and practically falls on top of me. I laugh as his face lands on my chest. He starts laughing, which tickles my skin and makes me giggle. He lifts his head and moves further up my body, crossing his arms over my upper chest and leaning his chin on them. Though he doesn't move from practically lying on me. He smiles goofily at me and I can't help but smile back. Even if I am seeing three of him.

"What?" I ask him softly. My hand reaches for his head and I start stroking his hair softly.

"Nothing..." he replies as he continues to smile that silly goofy smile. His eyes close and he lets out a long happy breath as I continue to stroke his hair.

"My Kai," I say softly. He hums in agreement and moves his arms so he is hugging me. His head tilting to the side as it leans against my upper chest, his ear resting near my heart.

"I am so glad you are here," he whispers. "I was so scared, just waiting to hear the Canon and see your colours. Now you are in my arms again and I don't want anyone to take that away again," he gulps. I go quiet as I listen to him. He doesn't say anything else as he holds me tighter and listens to my heartbeat. I close my eyes and let out a long sigh, continuing to stroke his soft hair gently as he falls asleep on top of me. I smile softly and lean down, kissing the top of his head before my own eyes grow heavy.