"I am too," Roe says and sips their water.
At that moment, the conversation, which frankly already felt like it was on life support, sputters and dies. You stand by the table in silence. Or as close to silent as things can get with kids playing nearby. Eventually, perhaps picking up on some cue you missed, Minjo leans forward in her seat and speaks to you in a low, gentle voice.
"Go, Gideon Mercer. Enjoy the party. We can talk more later."
The Alphas are both watching you.
You back off a step. "Eh... sure. We'll talk later."
The Alpha nods and turns back to Roe.
Minjo smiles at you. And, in that moment, you're struck by how comfortable she looks, a human, in a room stuffed full of werewolves. For a split second you wonder — if you'd had a choice, would you have chosen this life?
It's a strange thought. You push it aside and make a loop around the party. Eventually you find yourself in a conversation. You listen to a few jokes told at your expense, tell a few yourself, and then take a brief turn on the dance floor when that one song you remember dancing to as a kid comes on.
It's nice in a weird, familiar sort of way.
Things are getting a little more rowdy. People are laughing, arguing, cheering, and snarling, aka a typical wolf meet up.
Someone bumps into you.
"Hey!"
"Shit. I'm sorr—"
You turn. It's a man. A stocky, middle-aged man with hazel eyes and short silver hair. He's looking at you. No, actually, he's staring at you. He looks like he's seen a ghost.
"Are you okay?" you ask, even though he is the one that crashed into you.
"I... eh..."
"Yeah... um... I'm just going to..." You make your escape.
Jeez, it's not even that late. Some people are hitting the drinks hard tonight.