Chapter 7

~Natalie’s POV~

“So where do we head to Ev’s?” Not knowing if we should eat first or shop first to build up a bigger appetite. 

“Let’s go to the Outlet, I wanna go to our favorite sportswear store and grab a couple of sporty outfits!” Evie says, grinning big. She knows me so well.

“You're speaking my language, babes!” I say laughing as we fist pump each other.

As we approached the parking lot, I noticed guys staring at us. I roll my eyes. I always park further away from people because some jerks don’t know how to open doors without slamming it into someone else’s door.

We head towards the entrance and stop by a coffee shop to get some ice coffee. Afterwards, we headed to our favorite store. After a couple of minutes, I found myself checking out the new leggings that arrived when I felt a presence behind me. 

Whoever it was, his scent is intoxicating, light but there and then in the most seductive, deep and husky voice I have ever heard, he says, “Hey Natalie.”

I quickly turn around, and my eyes meet the most vivid light green eyes I have ever seen… Ivan Carter. My breath hitched, and for the first time in my life, I felt speechless.

I just stared at him, and then suddenly, he cocked his head to one side. Oh crap, I think I just came! “It’s nice to bump into you, Natalie.” Damn, the way my name rolled out from those delicious pink puffy lips. Wait…he actually knows my name?!

I am drawing blanks, and my heart is beating rapidly. I am so sure he can hear it.

“Babes, look, I found these sports bras on sale–” Evie says until I hear her words get cut off.

From my peripheral vision, I can see Evie is sporting a huge grin, and in slow motion, I see her aiming my side with her elbow.

“Hey Ivan, or is it Alpha Ivan?” Smooth Ev’s, smooth. 

He quickly glances at Evie to acknowledge her and then places his sight back on me. “Yeah, Ivan Carter. You can call me Ivan…it is Evie, right?” I’m still quiet and in shock. Hell, even Zoe is in shock. She would probably be touching herself if she had hands.

‘Yes, yes I would, but licking will do! Say something Nat…I won’t forgive you if you don’t answer!’ She roared those last words.

Zoe’s yell got me out of whatever trance I was in because I responded for Evie instead.

“Yes, her name is Evie. Hello Alpha Ivan. I thought only certain people could call you by your given name.” I said emotionless. I, too, know how to mask my emotions. Nicely done, Nat.

“Well technically, my pack members have to show that respect, and I'm not officially Alpha yet, I will be in a couple of months, though. So…you can call me Ivan.” He said with a sexy side smirk, and damn his dimple was cute. 

His voice sounds so sexy and masculine. Fuuu*k, he is also bloody gorgeous. Should we shag here or shag later…keep it in your pants, Nat!

“Oh okay. Well you can call me Nat for short and to answer your question, yes, it’s been a while even though we have never spoken.” Giving him a smile.

“True. I apologize for that. However, that will change this year. Are you ready for school? I know I am. Hopefully, we have some classes together this year.” 

What the actual f…! Did he just say he actually hopes to have classes together!?

“Hey Ivan, you ready…oh hey girls…what a pleasant surprise!” His Beta, Axel says. 

I then noticed Axel Miller and Jerry Scott are here with him. I didn’t see Camila, and I relaxed. Jerry then came out from behind.

“Hello there!” Jerry says, looking at us both, but then I noticed the way he looked at Evie. When Jerry pulled out his hand to shake Evie’s hand, I noticed the gasp they let out. They both quickly released each other, and they looked away.

What the heck was that?! Evie looked at me, and I knew something was going on in that head of hers. I could hear her heart beating rapidly.

I then turned my head to look at Ivan, and to my surprise, he never took his sight off me.

“Hello guys…yeah I’m looking forward to it. It would be nice to have you in a class or two.” I said calmly. “Well we are gonna head out, I’m famished,” rubbing my tummy. Even though we had just barely gotten there, it was time to leave. Being in the same room with him did things to my body.

Ivan sees the action and grins widely, oh those dimples. “Well we were gonna go eat too. You gals wanna join us?” He licks his lips and runs a hand through his beautiful inky black hair. It looked a bit longer than usual. If anything, it made him look sexier.

“No, it’s okay, Evie and I still have to stop at other stores before we eat. How ‘bout a raincheck?” I said, trying not to sound nervous. I don’t think I’ll even eat with his presence around me, and your girl loves to eat.

With a slight disappointment and then quickly masking it, he reached for my hand, and I felt light tingles go shooting up my arm, and I gasped, but he doesn’t release. His hand was so warm, and then he did the unexpected…he kissed the back of my hand, and now, for sure, I know my underwear is wet.

If any other guy would have tried grabbing my hand, I probably would have snatched it away quickly, but I was frozen by his touch and I couldn’t get my body to react because of those strange tingles. They made me feel alive and wanted more than just a gentle touch. 

He released my hand, and I felt disappointed.

“Bummer, I would have loved to sit and chat with you, but I understand. We can meet up one of these days and hang out.” He pulls out his phone and unlocks it. 

“Can I have your number so we can agree on a date?” I almost choked. Ivan just asked for my number. ‘Hurry up, woman, what are you waiting for? Give it to him before he changes his mind! Zoe said anxiously.

I looked at him for a second, “Sure, let me see your phone…” I calmly said. I stretched out my hand, and to my surprise, he handed it to me. I quickly keyed in my number and handed it back to him. He looked down and had this boyish smile.

‘I can not believe I just did that!’ 

‘You sure did, girl!’ Zoe giggled. 

‘Zo what happened to not getting close to him, remember!? He’s an Alpha!’ I yelled internally. 

He looked up slowly, and I swear I could see a gleam in his eyes. I may not have shown it, but I was a nervous wreck inside. I didn’t want this conversation to end, and by the looks of it, as confused as I was, it looked like he felt the same way.

“So…I guess we’ll see each other at school then,” I said, not trying to sound too eager. 

He grabbed the back of his neck with one hand and the other in his pocket, “Yes definitely Nat. Don’t be a stranger. It was really nice to see you, and I’m glad I finally got to speak to you.” 

I’m so confused right now. I’m in utter shock by his words. Why didn’t he ever make the attempt to talk to me before? I want to ask him so badly, but this being our first conversation, I didn’t want to sound desperate. What is he trying to say? What is he feeling, like does he feel something for me? My mind is going crazy because when a person says something like that, it must mean that they like you, right!?

“It was nice, Ivan. I umm…well gotta go. Goodbye, and it was nice seeing you both.” Looking at him and then acknowledging his friends as they nod. I didn't miss how they both grinned at Ivan as I was about to turn around.

I quickly grabbed Evie’s hand. She glanced one last time at them and said goodbye, but looking at Jerry in such a way I couldn’t explain. She definitely has to explain what the heck was that back there.

“Ev’s let's get out of here now, please.” I’m so anxious to get away and talk with my friend. I need to know what is going through her mind and I definitely have to vent, because for the first time I was in front of Ivan and had a conversation with the guy that makes my emotions go whack.