“Excuse me, but I am no mouse,” I reply.

“Aren't you? You're small in height and can't weigh much,” he says while looking me over. “Your hair is black like some of the pet mice I've seen, and your voice is sweet. Although, not squeaky like a mouse, so maybe there is a slight difference.”

Paige leans in front of me to get in Orion's line of sight and snaps her fingers to get his attention. “She may be short, but she's got plenty of fire in her, unlike an ordinary, timid mouse.” Why does everyone have to keep pointing out how short I am?

He looks past her, his eyes never leaving mine. Cocking his head to the side, he says, “Fire isn't the right word.”

I pull back my arm. “Keep talking about me like that and my fist is going to meet your face.” I'm unsure where this violent streak is coming from. I've never hit anyone before, yet this guy has me all riled up. I've been called much worse than a mouse. In fact, I've been picked on often throughout high school. It was only when the most popular girl moved away last year that I finally got some peace. Her little clan disbanded without their leader.

“Bite,” he adds.

“Huh?” What is he talking about?

“You don't have fire within you, little mouse. It's bite. I bet if I tried to touch you right now, you'd hurt me.”

“Why don’t you find out?”

“Okay, enough,” Lealla laughs from my side. I forgot she was there. “You two sure have some chemistry between you already, but I'm not surprised.” What is she talking about?

I turn to her. “I'm sorry. I'm a little confused.”

“Not to worry, dear. There's plenty of time.”

“Plenty of time for what?” Why were we talking in circles?

Lealla lifts her hand high in the air and waves to someone across the room. “If you'll excuse me. Have fun, but don't go wandering off without Orion.”

“There's no way I'm going anywhere with him.”

She smiles. “So much to learn. This is going to be fun.” Then she's off, walking through the throng of dancers, garnering the attention of everyone she passes.

“What the hell was that about?” I ask Paige and Bray.

“I told you we should have turned back. You two never listen to me,” Bray mutters as his eyes stay focused on Orion. “Hey, what's your problem, man? Quit looking at Ari. She's with us.” He slings his arm across my shoulder.

I'm taken aback. He's never been possessive of me before. Well, except outside of the jerk jocks in school, who tease me every now and then. He always stands up for me. Other than that, I'm mostly invisible to him when Paige is around. Now, if someone were staring at her, he'd probably get in a fight with them. He'd most likely lose, however. Bray isn't the most muscular guy. Okay, he has some muscle in his legs. He's a runner on track at school.

Orion glances over at Bray before those blue eyes of his land back on me. “Is this your boyfriend?”

I try hard not to laugh. “Hardly. He's just a friend.”

“Jeez, Ari, say how you really feel.” Oh, please. Like Bray is truly hurt over me telling the truth.

“Quit it. You and I both know we're only friends. Besides, it's not me you're interested in.” His eyes narrow and his lips form a thin line. The whole world sees how badly he crushes on Paige, yet he tries hard to hide it from her.

“You'll dance with me, then?” Orion asks, his voice pulling me from my conversation with Bray. Orion's arm is extended, his palm facing up, waiting for me to accept his invitation.

For a moment, I can't move. I simply stare at his proffered hand.

“I didn't think it was a difficult question,” he states with a quirk of his lips. Why is he so arrogant?

“Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just a little mouse. I'm not smart enough to answer your question.” I roll my eyes.

He laughs and damn if it doesn't do something to my insides. Those butterflies I felt earlier were tame in comparison to what's going on now. There's a wildness inside me that wants to keep challenging him. Wants to push every button he has, to make him push me in return. I like the challenge.

His hand wraps around mine. Something zips through me at the contact. Like a little jolt of electricity. What’s going on? Orion is smiling like he just won the lottery. Did he feel it, too, or is he just a guy who is trying to win over a girl so she'll dance with him?

Scanning the room, I notice everyone dancing. Even Paige and Bray have stepped into the throng of people. When did that happen? Deserters. Orion and I are the only two not having fun. But why did he ask me? There are drop-dead gorgeous women all over the place. I'm nothing special.

“What's wrong?” he asks. When my eyes land back on him, I notice the way his brow is furrowed. Is he genuinely concerned for me?

I’ve got nothing to lose at this point, so I’m going to ask him what I’m thinking. “Why did you ask me to dance?”

“Why not?”

I shake my head. “I'm serious. There are far more attractive women out on the dance floor. I'm sure you could dance with any of them.”

“Most are with their mates.” Here we go with the mates talk again. Does everyone involved in this book series say that? “The ones who aren't, I don't desire. You're who I want to spend time with.”

“Say what now?” Did he just choose me over all the other women here?

“Let's go, little mouse,” he chuckles as he tugs me into the middle of the crowd. He finds a small spot for us to dance and pulls me close to him, his strong arms wrapping around my waist.

I'm dazed, unable to move. The guy before me looks like he fell from the heavens, and I'm ordinary Ariane. I don't get it.

When he starts swaying his hips in time with the music, all coherent thought leaves my head. And then I'm moving with him in perfect synchronization. How? I don't know. I've never been a good dancer. Not like Paige. Yet, with Orion, I'm graceful. I don't step on his toes or stumble. We flow as one.

He leans in close, his breath caressing my cheek. “There's no one else I could move like this with.”

“I don't understand.” I'm not sure what he's saying. He's an amazing dancer. Why can't he dance this way with someone else?

“Don't think. Only feel.” So I do.

Song after song plays as I stay in his arms, the most relaxed and content I've ever been in my life. I'm not sure how long we dance. Paige taps me on the shoulder, saying it's late and we should probably head back. She yawns. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone and see it's three in the morning. How long was I dancing with Orion?

The light lands on Orion. For a moment, his eyes flash to a brilliant emerald green. But as soon as it’s there, it’s gone again—back to their normal crystal blue. I pull back from him and the trance breaks. I study him, trying to figure out if I’m seeing things again or if his eyes did change colors. No green remains now. Only that gorgeous blue.

“I should go. I didn't realize how late it was.” Orion nods stiffly.

The crowd has thinned significantly. The people who are left dancing look like they are about to do a lot more than sway to the music and don't seem to care who is around to watch.

Ducking my head, I walk toward the doorway. Orion's hand finds mine and I'm zapped again at the initial touch. Once his fingers thread through mine, it dulls but doesn't disappear completely. It's a low flow of energy, like it was while we were dancing. If only I knew what was causing it or what it means. I peer up at him to ask, but he shakes his head and smiles. This evening has left me with so many questions.

He leads us through the mansion until the four of us are standing outside. His hand tightens on mine as Paige’s car pulls up. I step forward, but Orion doesn't move or release me. Paige lifts an eyebrow then ushers Bray to the car where they wait for me.

“I don't want you to leave,” Orion softly says.

“This night… I've never had one like it or met anyone like you.” I need to ask if he feels what I do when we touch. I think he does, but if he says no, then I'll know it's all in my head. I lift our joined hands. “Do you feel something when you touch me?”

“How much do you know about the Avynwood shifters?” Why are we talking about Lealla's books?

“I've read each book in the series, some twice. Why?”

His thumb gently rubs the back of my hand. “I want you to read Aries' book again. Think about everything you felt tonight while you read it.”

“I'm not sure what that has to do with anything. I asked you a question and you start talking about books instead.”

“Take my advice, little mouse. Read it again.”

I stiffen. “If you call me little mouse one more time...”

He steps closer, only a breath away. I notice the rise and fall of his chest. “What, Ariane? What will you do about the name I've given you?”

Shaking his hand free, I turn toward the car. Orion catches my elbow. That zip is back, racing up my arm, causing the hair on it to stand on end. I freeze.

He steps around me and cups my face in his hands. “Don't leave angry. I didn't mean it as a negative thing. Every animal in our world has a purpose and does something extraordinary. Mice, they’re sensible and resourceful. They’re fast and agile. They’re able to slip from a room with no one noticing they’re gone. Though,” he continues as he leans down, his lips mere inches from mine, “I'll always know where you are.”

My eyes flutter closed, waiting for him to kiss me. When he doesn't, I open them and find him standing straight again, no longer so close. My cheeks quickly warm. That's not embarrassing at all. I must look like a complete fool.

“Ari, let's go!” Bray yells out the open window of Paige's car.

“I should go. I guess I'll see you never.” I offer a small smile and open the door to the car.

“Never say never, little mouse.”

I take one last look at him and climb inside. Paige wastes no time pulling away from the mansion.

“What was that, Ari?” Bray asks. “You don't even know him. You spent all night dancing with a complete stranger.”

I spin in my seat. “What's your problem, anyway? I'm surprised you even noticed where I was.”

“Oh, right. Like I didn't see where my best friend spent her night. Or how every time I looked in your direction, you had this stupid look on your face. It was like he drugged you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I huff and cross my arms, facing forward again.

“Come on,” Paige cuts in. “Orion is hot as sin, and he didn't care about anyone else in that room but you. If I were you, I would’ve stayed wrapped up in him all night, too. I couldn't get any guy in there to pay attention to me. They were all paired up. What kind of party has no single men?”

“It's like I'm not even here,” Bray mumbles from the back seat.

“I saw you,” Paige states. “We danced. However, I was looking for some action, and we're only friends. I love you like a brother, Bray, and that's not a line I'm going to cross with you.”

He leans forward between the front seats. “One day, P, you're going to realize what’s right in front of you, and it's going to be too late.”

She pats him on the cheek while one hand remains on the steering wheel. “You're so cute.”

“Cute. I don't want to be cute!”

I'm unsure if the day will ever come when Paige sees him differently. I do wish Bray would move on, though. He deserves to be with someone who sees how wonderful he is and only has eyes for him. He won't find that in this car, however.