Chapter 88

VALERIA’S POV “Relax, I’m not going to eat you,” Elijah chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. Easy for him to say. My body was tense, stiff as a board, refusing to move the way it was supposed to. This entire scene—the flashing lights, the overwhelming bass of the music, the press of bodies moving in erratic rhythms—it all felt so foreign. “I know,” I admitted, shifting awkwardly on my feet. “I’m just… not used to this. The crowd, the loud music, the lack of space.” The truth was, I felt like a fish out of water. My wolf, already restless from the suffocating atmosphere, stirred uncomfortably inside me. How did wolves even enjoy a place like this? The noise, the lack of fresh air, the way people brushed up against one another without a care? It made no sense. Before Elijah could respond, someone from the crowd stumbled into me, knocking me forward. A startled gasp left my lips as I lost my balance, my body tilting toward the ground. But before I could fall, strong arms caught me. E