Later, I find myself sitting at a round table with Alexia and the girl , Amber. They're laughing together, teasing each other about something, and I can't help but notice the spark between them. Alexia's always been a flirt, and everyone knows it, but Amber seems more than capable of keeping up with her.
I just sit back, quietly watching the two of them.
People have always called me boring, too serious, too plain-looking to be interesting. I don't mind, but right now I'm starting to wonder why I even came tonight. Maybe it's the pressure that finally got to me.
My parents have been hinting more and more that it's time for me to settle down, to find a mate.
When I was younger, I could avoid these kinds of events easily enough. I'd claim I was busy with work or focused on building my career, and they'd leave me alone. But now that I'm running a successful IT company, that excuse doesn't work anymore.
My parents are expecting more, and my pack is too. They're restless, watching me, waiting for me to finally step up and claim my position as Alpha officially.
The problem is, I can't do that without a mate.
Stupid rules. No mate means no heir, and that means I'm failing as an Alpha in their eyes. Not that it matters much to me. The truth is, I'm not interested in lying with a woman just to produce an heir. That's never been me. And two men can't create a child together, no matter how strong the bond. So here I am again, stuck between what I want and what's expected of me.
Someone taps my arm, pulling me out of my thoughts. I look up to see Alexia grinning at me.
"Maybe you should go outside for a bit," she suggests. "Talk to people. Be nice. Pretend to be social."
I follow her gaze toward the back of the hall. Two large glass doors open to the garden beyond, where colorful lights are strung through the trees.
"In the spirit of tradition," she adds, "they've set up old-fashioned games and carnival stuff out there. Even a lover's maze."
I roll my eyes but stand up anyway. "Fine, fine. But if I'm not back in three hours, please come find my body."
Alexia laughs, waving a hand at me. "Drama queen. Go enjoy yourself."
I make my way toward the back of the hall, greeting a few familiar faces as I pass. Most people are already paired off, deep in conversation or wrapped up in whatever game they're playing. I step outside and stop just past the doors, letting the cool air wash over me.
The garden is lit up beautifully, small golden lights hanging from branches, laughter echoing from the stalls scattered across the lawn. Couples are trying their luck at the games , ring toss, darts, fortune booths. Some win, some lose, but all of them seem to be enjoying themselves.
I take a deep breath and let the crisp air fill my lungs. For the first time tonight, I actually feel like I can breathe. Maybe coming out here wasn't such a bad idea after all.
I wander past the stalls, keeping my hands in my pockets, nodding to a few people I recognize. After a while, I turn down a narrow path that curves away from the main garden. The noise fades, replaced by the quiet rustle of leaves and the distant hum of music from the hall.
Finally, peace.
I keep walking until I reach a small clearing where a bench sits under a low-hanging tree. I'm about to keep going when the hair on the back of my neck stands up. My wolf stirs, instantly alert.
Someone's here.
Ahead of me, a young man sits on the bench, completely at ease. He looks around lazily, as if the world doesn't bother him at all. But then his gaze finds mine, and the air between us shifts.
That strange prickling sensation runs down my neck again, stronger this time. My instincts sharpen, curiosity rising in my chest.
Interesting.
I start walking toward him but pass right by instead. The man's human. My brows pull together. That's strange. Why would my wolf react to a human like that , unless he's a threat?
But it doesn't feel like fear or anger tightening my chest. It feels like curiosity. Something in me just wants to look again.
I turn down another path and lean against the wall, trying to make sense of it. My wolf isn't easily stirred by strangers, especially not humans. Yet that same prickling awareness hasn't faded. It's almost… pulling me.
I glance around the corner. He's still there, sitting on the bench, phone in hand, posture lazy with boredom. For a second, I almost laugh. Yeah, I guess being human at a werewolf event like this must be dull , knowing you're only here as entertainment.
Well, if that's his job, maybe I should make sure he's doing it properly.
I walk up behind him and lay a hand on his shoulder.
He stiffens instantly, his phone slipping from his grip. I catch it before it hits the ground and straighten up beside him. Fear flickers across his face , good. Better that than boredom.
"Aren't you supposed to be inside?" I ask, standing tall enough to cast a shadow over him.
He doesn't flinch. "Don't care. Not my party, obviously." His voice is steady, his expression calm again, as if I hadn't startled him at all.
I blink, taking in his face , the deep tan of his skin, ice-blue eyes, the sharp contrast of dark lips. His black hair sticks up in deliberate disarray, like he just rolled out of bed… or like he'd just been in one.
"Then why are you here?" I ask.
"Money." He snatches his phone back from my hand and goes right back to scrolling, like I'm not worth his time.
I can't decide if his bluntness annoys me or impresses me. "You'll have a hard time making money sitting out here alone."
"So?" He shrugs without looking up. "I'm done anyway. This whole thing's one big elitist mess."
That earns a small grin from me. At least someone else sees it. "That so?"
"Yeah," he sighs, finally glancing up. "You can't even talk to anyone important unless you already know half their friends , or slept with them. It's ridiculous." He shakes his head, the frustration slipping into his voice. "I thought it'd be fun, you know? One night to see what it's like to mingle with royalty , or close enough. Maybe meet someone. But it's just drama and power games. I could've gone to a regular club for that."
Okay, maybe he's not so bad after all. I take a seat beside him. "I don't want to admit it, but you're right. The organizers pretend it's all civilized, but it's mostly politics and showing off."
He looks at me sideways. "So… why are you here? Are you one of the wolves they invited , like, to be chosen by an Alpha or something?"
I almost choke trying not to laugh. Me?
Chosen by an Alpha? That's a first.
He frowns, confused. "What? Did I say something wrong? That's how it works, right?"
"Sure," I manage between quiet laughs.
"That's exactly how it works." His unimpressed expression only makes me laugh harder.
"Then what's so funny?" he presses.
"I'm not here to be chosen," I say finally, meeting his gaze. "I am an Alpha."
That shuts him up. His body goes still, his posture shifting, eyes a little wider now that he realizes who he's talking to.
"But…" he starts, then stops himself.
"But what?" I tilt my head.
"You just don't look like, " He hesitates, eyes darting away. "You know. Like an Alpha."
"Not sexy and ripped enough?" I ask with a half-smile.
He nods before he can stop himself, then quickly looks away again.
"I know," I say lightly. "We don't all look like the Hulk." I reach out and tilt his chin up with a finger, forcing his gaze back to mine.
He swallows hard. "I didn't mean to offend you."
"It's fine. It's not you." I lower my voice, leaning in just slightly. "It's this place. I'm not exactly in my element here."
His breath hitches as I move closer. For a moment, his eyes flick down to my mouth.
Then he jerks back, breaking the moment.
"I'm not attracted to men," he says quickly, standing up. "Sorry. Have a good night."
He walks away fast, his movements sharp and awkward.
Not attracted to men, maybe. But his scent tells another story. I caught it the moment I touched him , the pulse of desire beneath his skin. His body might deny it, but I know what I smelled.
He wanted me.
Even if he doesn't know it yet.