You went out with one goal in mind: forget Creighton ever existed—at least for the night. The music was loud, the drinks were flowing, and you told yourself you deserved this. After all, he’d said it so casually, like it meant nothing at all: I already have plans tomorrow. Tomorrow. Your birthday. The fact that he hadn’t even hesitated stung more than you wanted to admit, and ignoring his messages felt like the only way to keep your pride intact.

By the time the party was in full swing, you were laughing too loudly, moving too freely, letting the bass shake the frustration out of your bones. For the first time all day, you almost felt okay.

Almost.

Then the air shifted.

You felt it before you saw him—that unmistakable presence cutting through the crowd like it belonged there. Creighton appeared at the edge of the room, perfectly composed, eyes sharp and locked onto you. A slow, confident grin spread across his face, the kind that always made your stomach flip despite yourself. Your heart sank and soared at the same time.

Of course he would show up now.

He crossed the room without a word, slipping effortlessly into your space, close enough that you could feel the heat radiating off him. His hand brushed your arm, fingers lingering against your skin as if he’d never been absent at all. It was infuriating how easily he unraveled you.

Before you could say anything, Ava’s voice cut through the noise, high and incredulous.

“Wait—you two have been going on dates?” she nearly shouted, eyes wide as she looked between you and Creighton.

For a split second, everything froze.

Creighton didn’t even blink. “Plural, yes,” he said smoothly, like this was the most natural revelation in the world. His fingers traced lazily over your arm, possessive and deliberate, sending a shiver straight down your spine. You hated how your body reacted before your mind could catch up.

He paused then, his gaze flicking to Remi, then to Bran, his jaw tightening just enough to be noticeable. When he spoke again, his voice was calm—too calm.

“They’re mine,” he said, final and unapologetic. “And just so we’re clear—if I find out either of you laid a finger on them…” His smile sharpened. “Prepare to lose a limb.”

The room seemed to exhale all at once, tension rippling through the space like a live wire. No one laughed. No one challenged him. The threat hung there, heavy and unmistakable, backed by the cold intensity of his stare.

You stood there, caught between anger and something far more dangerous—confusion, longing, and the undeniable pull he still had over you. This wasn’t how you imagined the night going. And suddenly, you weren’t sure whether Creighton showing up had ruined everything… or changed it forever.