Jihoon slumped against the cushioned seat of the palace library, rubbing his temples. The dim glow of the chandelier cast a warm light over the massive bookshelves, the scent of parchment and old wood filling the air. Across from him, Wonyoung sat with her legs crossed, flipping through a magazine, while Haesoo absentmindedly twirled a pen between his fingers.
Jake leaned back in his chair, arms folded, watching Jihoon with an amused expression. "You look like hell."
Jihoon shot him a glare. "Thanks, I wasn't aware."
Haesoo snorted. "Well, you do."
"Been a little busy," Jihoon muttered, running a hand through his hair. His mind was a tangled mess—Ryan, the Queen, the demon alpha prophecy, the mysterious box in his locker. It was too much. Every time he tried to relax, something pulled him back in.
Wonyoung sighed dramatically, setting her magazine aside. "That's exactly why you need to come to the party."
Jihoon blinked. "…What party?"
Wonyoung gasped, placing a hand over her chest as if he'd just offended her entire bloodline. "The batch get-together, Jihoon! This Saturday! Don't tell me you forgot."
Jihoon groaned, leaning back. "I did. And I feel like I had a good reason to."
Jake laughed, shaking his head. "You have a death wish, man."
Jihoon rolled his eyes, deciding to steer the conversation back on track. "Anyway, about this party—why is it happening again?"
Haesoo leaned forward. "It's just a casual gathering. No royal politics, no responsibilities, just people hanging out. Honestly, I think we all need it."
Jihoon hesitated. He wasn't sure if stepping into a crowded party was the best idea right now. But at the same time…
Maybe he did need a break.
"A distraction might not be bad," he admitted.
Wonyoung beamed. "Exactly! And you have to come. I already picked an outfit for you."
Jihoon groaned. "Why do I feel like I don't have a choice?"
Jake grinned. "Because you don't."
Jihoon sighed, but for the first time in a while, he felt something lighter settle in his chest. Maybe, just for a night, he could forget about everything else.
***********
The penthouse pulsed with music, the bass thrumming through the marble floors like a heartbeat. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and expensive cologne, mingling with the occasional burn of cigarettes. Dim, neon lights bathed the space in shades of blue and violet, casting dancing shadows over the luxurious furniture.
Laughter, flirtatious whispers, and the occasional moan blended into the music as bodies moved against each other—some on the dance floor, some sprawled out on the velvet couches, and others pressed against the walls, lost in each other.
Jihoon sat on the sleek leather couch, a glass of whiskey in his hand, eyes locked onto Jake. His so-called best friend had an omega in his lap, fingers tangled in their hair as they kissed, completely unbothered by anything else around him. Jihoon scoffed, swirling the drink in his glass before taking a sip.
"I swear, you could at least pretend to have some shame," Jihoon muttered, loud enough for Jake to hear.
Jake barely spared him a glance, pulling away from the omega just enough to smirk. "What's the point of a party if you're not enjoying yourself, Jihoon?"
Jihoon rolled his eyes. He had tried—really tried—to convince Ryan to come. But the prince refused, as expected. He never attended these kinds of events, and honestly, Jihoon couldn't blame him. No one here would be comfortable with his presence anyway.
Still, for some reason, it bothered Jihoon that Ryan wasn't here.
"Brooding doesn't suit you," a familiar voice chimed in.
Jihoon turned his head just as Wonyoung plopped down beside him, two glasses of amber liquid in her hands. She looked effortlessly stunning, her silk dress hugging every curve, her lips curled into a teasing smirk. Without hesitation, she snatched the drink from Jihoon's hand and replaced it with one of her own.
"Hey," Jihoon protested, raising an eyebrow.
"Trust me, this is better," Wonyoung purred, pressing the glass into his hand. "If you want to really enjoy yourself tonight, you need something stronger. What you were drinking is for babies."
Jihoon smirked, amused. "Trying to get me wasted?"
"Obviously," she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Now, be a good boy and drink up."
Jihoon chuckled, lifting the glass to his lips. The moment the liquid slid down his throat, he winced—this was much stronger than he expected. A sharp burn spread through his chest, making his jaw tighten for a second before he let out a small exhale.
Wonyoung watched him with dark amusement, eyes gleaming.
"Good boy," she murmured.
Jihoon didn't notice the way her lips curled into a smirk. He didn't see the way she subtly glanced down at her phone, fingers tapping out a quick message before she leaned back against the couch, completely relaxed.
Jihoon, on the other hand, was beginning to feel strange.
His vision blurred at the edges, his body growing unnaturally warm. A light sheen of sweat formed on his skin, and a slow, unfamiliar heat crawled through his veins. His breath hitched slightly, the room suddenly tilting just a little too much.
Something was wrong.
"I need to—" He cut himself off, pressing a hand to his forehead.
Wonyoung tilted her head, feigning innocence. "What's wrong? Can't handle your drink?"
Jihoon clenched his jaw. "I need to go to the bathroom."
He pushed himself up, staggering slightly before steadying himself. Wonyoung watched him, her smirk widening.
As Jihoon disappeared down the hallway, she pulled out her phone again, sending another message.
It's done. He's heading to the bathroom.
She set her phone down, stretching lazily as she turned back to the party. Across the room, Jake was still tangled up with his omega, completely unaware of what was about to happen.
She chuckled to herself, sipping her drink.
Poor Jihoon.
His life was about to be completely wrecked, and his so-called best friend wouldn't even notice until it was too late.
To be continued.....