Magnus had just stepped away to talk to a group of Alphas about some pack matters, leaving me standing near the table with an array of drinks. I watched him go, feeling a little lost without him by my side. The room felt bigger and louder suddenly, with so many people milling about, dressed in their expensive clothes and casting curious glances my way.
I glanced over at the half-full glass of whatever it was Magnus had been drinking before he left. It looked like something strong, but curiosity got the better of me. I picked it up and took a sip. Immediately, the liquid burned as it slid down my throat, but it wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, it was sweet, with an undertone of something sharp.
"Hmm, not bad," I mumbled to myself, feeling the warmth spread through my chest. Emboldened by the sweetness, I downed the rest of the glass, feeling a little buzz in my head almost instantly. My cheeks felt warmer, and I grinned.
Without thinking, I reached for another glass from the nearby table. This one looked the same but tasted different—stronger, but still sweet. I drank it all in one gulp, the warmth now spreading through my entire body, making my limbs feel heavy but in a strangely pleasant way. I giggled, stumbling a little as I turned to look around the room.
"Whoa," I whispered to myself. Everything felt a little hazy, the edges of the people and objects around me blurring. It was as if I was seeing the world through a soft lens. The lights seemed brighter, the music louder. I swayed slightly, giggling again as I steadied myself.
"Miss, His Majesty is looking for you outside," a voice said suddenly. I blinked, trying to focus on the man who had approached me. He was tall, wearing a suit like everyone else, but I couldn’t make out his features clearly. My vision was starting to blur.
"Magnus?" I asked, my words slurring slightly. "He’s... He's looking for me?"
"Yes, outside," the man said, his voice smooth but there was something off about it. I didn’t notice, though. My head was swimming, and the thought of Magnus waiting for me outside filled me with excitement.