Chapter 0002

Kayla

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I said sharply, pulling my face away from Nicholas’s hand. Liam had told me that Nicholas was a ruthless, cunning man. If it weren’t for his deceitful schemes, Liam should have been the Alpha. I wasn’t about to kiss a man like that.

With that, I stood up from the barstool. But I forgot I was wearing a pair of ridiculously high heels. As I took a step, my ankle twisted, and I felt myself pitching forward.

Suddenly, a warm chest caught me before I hit the ground. His arms were strong and steady, holding me against his body.

“Let go of me,” I growled.

“You have a funny way of showing gratitude.”

“I didn’t ask for your help,” I replied, pushing myself upright. But as soon as I stood, I wobbled again.

“Seems like these heels are giving you trouble. Allow me.” Before I could protest, he swept me up into his arms.

“W-What do you think you’re doing?” I exclaimed, my traitorous heart skipping a beat.

“Inviting you to my suite,” he said smoothly. “You need to rest, and clearly, those shoes are a hazard.”

I glared at him, stunned into silence. But as Nicholas held me against his chest, I thought about how Liam had treated me—the betrayal, the lies. His brother certainly didn’t seem like the cruel bastard he made him out to be. In fact, he seemed rather… sweet.

Maybe Liam had been lying about that, too.

“Fine,” I muttered, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Nicholas carried me over to the elevator, ignoring the sidelong glances from the others. The elevator went up to the top floor, and when we arrived, he carried me down a quiet hallway to his suite. Inside, the decor was luxurious—plush furniture, amber lighting, and a panoramic view of the city skyline.

“Nice place,” I admitted as he set me down on a velvet sofa.

“Can I get you anything? Water? More wine for you to chug?”

I flushed a little. “Water would be fine.”

He disappeared into the kitchen area and returned with a glass of water. Handing it to me, he took a seat next to me. He watched me as I sipped, those amber eyes intense and steady. When I was finished, he was still looking at me.

Then, without a word, he reached out and brushed my hair out of my eyes. I felt frozen beneath his tender touch.

“What are you doing?”

“Offering a distraction,” he whispered, leaning close enough so that I could smell the mint on his breath again. His voice was low and husky, and I knew what this was: an invitation.

I knew it was reckless, but after everything with Liam, part of me craved an escape. “Maybe I don’t want a distraction,” I whispered, although my voice sounded small and uncertain.

He leaned in a little more, close enough so that our lips brushed as he murmured, “Are you sure about that?”

I hesitated, my resolve wavering. “I…” I knew I shouldn’t, but his lips were soft and tender, and I didn’t pull away.

My lack of response was all the permission he needed. He closed the gap between us, his mouth moving against mine. The kiss was tentative at first, but when I didn’t pull away, it deepened. His hands cradled my face, and I found myself responding, the world outside fading away.

With a low growl rumbling in his chest, he scooped me up into his arms once more and stood. Our lips never left one another as he carried me to the bedroom, where a large, plush bed sat in the center of the room.

I knew this was stupid as he laid me down on the bed and began to help me out of my ruined wedding dress. He was my ex’s brother, for Goddess’ sake. This was a mistake.

But I couldn’t resist him.

Maybe he was right; maybe I needed a distraction after all. And his lips were so sweet, his arms so warm. If he was the playboy that that lying bastard Liam claimed he was, then it was no wonder. He was good at making women swoon. Good at making me swoon, despite myself.

Gently, he pulled my dress up and over my head. My cheeks reddened as those amber eyes flicked over me, sweeping across the white lace lingerie that I had picked out especially for my wedding night, and his thumb traced the edge of my bra where my breast spilled out a little over the lace.

“This was supposed to be for my husband’s eyes only,” I whispered, my voice trembling ever so slightly. “But now, it’s for you.”

“His loss,” was all Nicholas said with a tiny smirk before unbuttoning his shirt. I couldn’t help but smile a little myself as I sat up on my knees to help him. My hands brushed across his smooth, tanned skin, pulled taut across bulging chest muscles.

His skin felt like silk beneath my touch. I wanted to taste it, feel it on my tongue.

But just as I was leaning forward to kiss his body, a sharp buzz rang through my head. I sat back abruptly, pressing my hand to my temple.

“Kayla, please come home as soon as possible,” my father’s Beta’s voice echoed in my mind.

“What’s wrong, Henry? Is everything okay?” But the Beta didn’t respond. There was just static, and then the link was cut off.

Something was definitely wrong.

“I have to go,” I said urgently, reaching for my dress.

“Don’t get distracted,” Nicholas said, his eyes narrowing. “Stay.”

“I can’t,” I insisted as I pulled my dress back on. “I just received a Mindlink. My pack needs me.”

He frowned. “Are you the Alpha?”

I paused, then decided that there was no point in hiding it now. “I’m Kayla Sterling. My fiancé, Liam, was the one who cheated on me.”

Nicholas froze at the sound of his brother’s name. It seemed he finally realized who I was. I half expected him to be insulted or even angry, but instead, a wicked little smile stretched across his lips. “What’s it like kissing your fiancé’s older brother?” he purred, taking a step closer to me. He leaned over me, and the smell of wine on his breath was almost enough to make my legs tremble.

But now, with my clarity having returned, I knew that I had dodged a bullet. He was still a Reynolds, which meant only one thing: he was a bastard.

“You two are equally skilled at kissing,” I hissed, baring my teeth at him.

He chuckled darkly and shook his head. “Careful, Kayla. You’re playing a dangerous game.”

“I’m not playing any games,” I retorted, trying to sidestep him.

He moved to block me again. “No? Then stay. Surely your pack can wait just a little while longer.”

I glared at him. “I’m already disgusted by the idea of submitting to any man from the Reynolds family. This was going to be a mistake, anyway.”

I went to walk around him again, but I was too slow. In a swift motion, he pinned me against the wall, his hands on either side of my head. “Angering me won’t be good for you,” he warned.

For a moment, we stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills. His eyes searched mine, a storm brewing inside of their amber depths. But I knew what this was, and I refused to be intimidated. “Oh, really?” I hissed. “Then let me see what you’ll do.”

With that, I pushed both of my hands into his chest, ignoring the feeling of his smooth skin beneath my palms, and shoved him back. He stumbled away, shocked, and then I was out the door without another word.

When the elevator reached the lobby, I stepped out and made a beeline for the exit. Just as I pushed through the revolving doors, I collided with someone.

I looked up to see Liam scowling at me. He had changed into the suit I had picked out for him for our honeymoon—an expensive navy blue that only served to remind me of his deceit.

“There you are,” he said, clearly irritated when he had no right to be. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

I rolled my eyes and went to move past him. He wasn’t looking for me out of regret or concern; he was just pissed that he wouldn’t be getting Bluemoon pack now that I’d called the wedding off.

“Leave me alone, Liam.”

He grabbed my arm tightly and began dragging me toward the car. “Stop being ridiculous. I’ll take you home.”

“Let go of me!” I demanded, trying to tank my arm free.

“You’re causing a scene,” he hissed. “People are staring.”

“Let them stare,” I shot back. “I’m not going anywhere with you, you cheating prick!”

He clenched his jaw and whipped around to face me, his face mere inches from mine. There was no love in those eyes. “You need me, Kayla. Without me, you can’t lead the pack. A Luna needs an Alpha, and vice versa.”

I laughed bitterly. “There are plenty of men who would marry me. I don’t need you.”

He narrowed his eyes and yanked me closer, hissing in my ear, “No one is stronger than me, Kayla. And no one dares to oppose me.”

I froze, looking up at him. His last sentence was a blatant threat, and it sent a chill down my spine.

At that moment, the doors of the hotel swung open behind me. I sensed a shift in the atmosphere and turned slightly.

Nicholas walked out of the bar, his tall figure exuding authority. His sharp gaze locked onto me, then to the spot where Liam’s hand was clenched tightly around my arm.