Chapter 1

• Emilia’s POV
• In a seven-star pub in Auroville, a party was in full swing. Blaring music, flowing vodka, beers, and the choicest dishes livened the atmosphere.
• I had booked the entire pub for Astia's pre-birthday party; inviting only werewolves. Even the bartenders were volunteers from the Mystical Pack. So, we could let ourselves loose without care. My toes curled with excitement. My party would be a hot, popular topic for a long time. Now, I just had to come up with a sizzling game to raise the spirits.
• I strutted into the pub flanked by Astia and Jenny. My steps faltered slightly as I caught a glimpse of myself on the glass cabinet. The blue dress hugged me in the right places, cascading down from my waist like a waterfall. My lips lifted in a proud smile; glad that the blue highlights enhanced my eyes just the way I wanted. The look was perfect as usual; classy with a bit of sass.
• My eyes went to Astia who was seated on the barstool with Jenny. She looked gorgeous in her long black gown but I don’t think she could ever match up to me with her ordinary looks. A sweeping glance across the room confirmed this fact. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on me even though it was Astia's birthday party.
• With a toss of my head, I walked over to the bar and whispered to the bartender, “Get me a bottle of the finest Vodka you have.”
• My eyes lit up when I saw the bottle in the ice bucket; Diva Celeste. It was one of the most expensive drinks in the world. I took the chilled bottle from him and raised it into the air saying, "Let us play a game girls. Astia will kiss the boy who walks in through that door exactly after two minutes. If she can't, she will have to drink."
• Astia's face flushed and she looked at Emilia with a horrified expression, "I can't do that. If my father finds out he will kill me."
• Jenny patted her back and drawled, "Don't be such a spoilsport, Astia. Once you turn eighteen you might find your mate. You will never find such a wonderful opportunity again."
• Astia lowered her eyes and chewed her lips; still unsure.
• "Jenny is right, Astia. This is the last day of your freedom and you should celebrate it," I encouraged, reaching over to grasp her hand. She kept fidgeting with her other hand and for a moment I thought she would reject my suggestion. Dang! If that happens we would have to settle for an ordinary game. No! I couldn’t allow that. My party had to be unique in all aspects.”
• “Fine but you both have to play along with me...,” She finally spoke up; causing everyone to cheer, hoot, and whistle.
• Jenny’s banged the table and said in an enthusiastic voice, “I would have taken part in this game even if you didn’t offer.”
• Their eyes turned towards me making my heart skip a beat. I had forgotten to consider that I might have to take part in the game too. I cleared my throat and tried to say in a neutral voice, "I don't know if I like this idea..."
• "No!!!" The crowd gathered around me started hollering even before I could complete my sentence.
• "Please don't break our hearts, Emilia," Aaron said, placing his hand on his chest in a dramatic gesture.
• "You have to play along," another boy with messy hair added in support.
• "Yeah... we have never seen you kiss anyone... you are always so choosy..."
• "So, what if she is choosy. She can't go about kissing fools like you," a girl standing next to Aaron countered.
• "Hey! Whom did you call a fool?" Aaron said, giving the girl a death glare. The girl’s boyfriend stepped up and grabbed Aaron by his collar.
• Damn! Why did these boys have to fight at the smallest opportunity they got? Letting out a frustrated sigh, I just agreed to take part in the game. This drew their attention away from the quarrel and my party was salvaged.
• "First, it is the birthday girl's turn," Aaron said, setting the timer. A hush fell over the pub when the timer beeped, even the music was stopped. All our eyes were glued to the door in anticipation. A few long moments later, the door swung open and the dean of our college walked in.
• F***! Who invited him? That man just walked up to the bar and picked up a glass of champagne before settling comfortably. Drawing deep breaths to control my anger, I forced myself to turn my attention to my friends.
• Astia's jaws were hung open and her face had turned a deep shade of red. She didn't even say anything. She poured out a large glass of vodka and drank it up in a single draught. I felt a surge of sympathy for Astia but I couldn’t do anything; rules were rules.
• We got a bit conscious but continued with the game. We couldn’t let our dean ruin everything.
• Aaron half-heartedly put the timer again. Jenny could barely contain her excitement. She paced up and down keeping her eyes fixed on the entrance. With the beeping of the timer, a cute girl in a short red dress walked in.
• Everyone jeered in disappointment. Maybe this game was jinxed right from the start. To everyone’s surprise, Jenny remained unfazed. She walked up to the girl with confident steps. She lowered her face and whispered something into her ears. Then, she cupped her face and kissed her on her lips without any warning. The kiss lasted only for a few moments but it was enough to put everyone in a daze.
• I shook my head and took a sip from the glass in my hand. Jenny! Jenny! She could do anything in the name of a challenge.
• The cute girl was so flustered by this that retreated to a corner and hid her face. Jenny followed her and sat beside her. A Few minutes later, they were having drinks together.
• “Now, It is Emilia’s turn!” Aaron announced resetting the timer. The hoots and cheers that followed were so loud that I had to cover my ears. I pretended to get irritated but deep down, I felt elated.
• I drank up the rest of the contents in the glass as I watched the timer tick. I didn’t mind kissing someone. I just hoped that the person was good-looking and someone of my rank.
• Two minutes later the timer beeped but no one entered. The wait was becoming excruciating. So, Aaron said, "If no one enters the pub in one minute, you can choose anyone inside the pub." He pointed a finger at himself and added with a dreamy expression, "Anyone..."
• I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to the door. I didn't want to make a choice. No one in the pub was good enough for me to kiss. I wished someone would walk in through the door; that way I could just pretend to play along.
• Loud chatter erupted in the pub as the boys and girls speculated on whom I would choose. Now, only five seconds were remaining. Aaron closed in on me and said in a husky voice, "Have you made your choice yet, honey?"
• I cringed at his statement and pushed him away. He could be so annoying. I had opened her mouth to chastise him when the door creaked open. My eyes moved to the door landing on the tall and muscular man. His overgrown beard and unkempt hair filled me with disgust. He looked like a beggar dressed in rags.
• Eww! I could never even touch someone like him. I was about to refuse him he stumbled and bumped into a stool. He grasped the wall and fumbled around, trying to feel his way around.
• “F***! That dude is blind! I think Emilia is going to lose this challenge,” Aaron’s voice pierced through the gasps and chatters.
• My hands balled into tight fists and my eyes narrowed. No! That was not possible. I had never lost a challenge in my life. Taking deep breaths, I forced myself to walk toward him. I tried my best but I just couldn’t. When I was a few steps away from him, I scowled and snapped, "I would drink up the entire bar rather than kiss this man."
• I braced myself for the crowd’s reaction but they were focused on the blind man. They started jeering and making fun of him. The man's expression darkened and before I could understand what was happening, he grabbed my arm and pressed his lips against mine.
• I squirmed and tried to move away but his firm grip held me in place. His kiss was smoldering and it set every pore of my body on fire. My mind turned fuzzy and I lost track of my thoughts. I lost control of my body and started responding with a fierceness of my own. The kiss was unhindered, a kind that exhibited raw passion; it consumed me turning me into a puddle.
• The door of the pub creaked open and a voice sounded, "Nivaan, are you here?"
• The man released me abruptly and walked out of the pub without even sparing me a second glance. I stood there like a statue as my brain tried to register what had happened. My hands flew to my lips when the realization hit me like an asteroid.
• That man… he, he just kissed me and I let him walk away just like that. What in the burning hell was wrong with me? A sudden surge of anger filled my veins. I had to find him and make him pay for what he had done. Without another thought, I trotted out of the pub; intending to track him using his scent.