LYDIA'S POV

　　As I entered the banquet hall, the air was thick with anticipation. Conversations faltered as all eyes turned to me, their gazes weighing heavily on my shoulders. It was a peculiar sensation, being the center of attention in such a grand gathering.

　　I could feel the weight of their expectations, their curiosity palpable in the air. They knew of my triumph in the witch's alley, of my shared royal Lycan lineage. It was as if the entire room held its breath, waiting for me to make my next move.

　　For the first time, I found myself at a loss for words, unsure of how to navigate the sea of scrutiny that surrounded me. It was a daunting prospect, being thrust into the spotlight in such a manner.

　　Despite the warmth of the festivities, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. This newfound attention was both exhilarating and intimidating, a stark reminder of the weight of responsibility that now rested upon my shoulders.

　　But amidst the sea of expectant faces, I found solace in the presence of Evan and Branden by my side.

　　As the evening progressed, I forced myself to push aside my apprehensions and embrace the moment.

　　"Lydia come on and join us for this round of drinks," one of my teammates asked me.

　　"I…I can't. I don't really drink." I resisted.

　　I have never drink before, I have only experienced the worse in people who drink, as if it changes a person into an evil being.

　　"Oh come on! Just one beer never hurt anyone," The other one said.

　　Desperately seeking an escape, I scanned the room for Evan and Brandon, hoping they would come to my rescue. But they were engrossed in conversation with others, leaving me to fend for myself in this unfamiliar territory and I couldn't depend on them for this too.

　　"Um….maybe, but-" I was interrupted by another person and Before I could voice my objections further, one of my newfound friends took matters into her own hands, dragging me towards the bar and ordering shots for all of us.

　　"I believe you are nervous because you have never tried these but trust me, this booze is the only thing that can help you forget things and can help you to let loose." She spoke and I listened intently.

　　Maybe I can try it once, and I did.

　　With a sense of trepidation, I took a shot, the burning sensation igniting a fire within me that I had never experienced before. And as the night wore on and the drinks continued to flow, I found myself succumbing to the allure of intoxication, swaying among my teammates in a haze of euphoria.

　　In that moment, I realized that perhaps I had been too quick to judge alcohol and its effects. For in the midst of laughter and camaraderie, I discovered a newfound sense of freedom and liberation that I had never known before.

　　As the night wore on and the drinks continued to flow, I found myself immersed in the revelry, the music pulsing through the air as laughter and conversation filled the room. Despite my initial reservations about drinking, I couldn't deny the exhilarating feeling coursing through me as I let go of my inhibitions and surrendered to the moment.

　　Lost in the whirlwind of the festivities, I hardly noticed when Evan and Brandon approached me, concern etched on their faces as they tried to get my attention. But their attempts were futile, my senses dulled by the alcohol as I laughed and danced with abandon.

　　It wasn't until they gently tapped my shoulder, their voices barely audible above the din of the crowd, that I finally acknowledged their presence. "Lydia, maybe it's time to call it a night," Evan suggested, his concern evident in his tone.

　　But I waved off their concerns, insisting that I was fine and that I wanted to stay a little longer. However, Evan and Brandon exchanged a worried glance, silently communicating their shared concern for my well-being.

　　Realizing that I wasn't going to budge, they made a decision, speaking in hushed tones as they gestured towards the door. "I think it's best if we head back to your room, Lydia," Brandon suggested gently, his voice laced with concern.

　　At first, I resisted, protesting that I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself. But as the night wore on and the effects of the alcohol began to take their toll, I found myself growing increasingly unsteady on my feet.

　　Sensing my reluctance, Evan and Brandon stepped in, gently guiding me towards the exit as they discreetly ushered the other guests out of the room. With a sense of resignation, I allowed myself to be led away, the events of the evening fading into a hazy blur as I succumbed to the overwhelming fatigue that washed over me.