“THE NEW GIRL”

CHAPTER 5

“THE NEW GIRL”

LUCCA'S POV: 

             Partying was never a preferred pastime of mine; I was always able to find something more fulfilling for my time. However, supporting my pack members meant everything to me, and I never went back on my word, which is why I found myself in Morgantown, West Virginia tonight. The quiet little Appalachian community was hardly New York City, but the young men of my pack fancied this town and adored this local nightclub despite the fact it was primarily a human hangout. The club was dark, lights strobing and music blaring, fresh and prime for a party and a good time. Women scattered all over the place, dancing, drinking, and scouting out for the next night-time thrill. Short skirts, body con dresses, high heels and tight tops were all the norm, as I felt the probing eyes of another woman burning into me. A hunter, more dangerous than any werewolf, a human female looking for her next seduction. The scantily dressed brunette smiled brightly once she realized she had caught my attention, she raised her glass, and nodded her head enticing me to come over to her. I frowned at her and pointed at the fake wedding ring I always wore when I joined the boys at this watering hole. She sulked and quickly turned away from me, searching for her next target. 

             “Still playing the devoted husband to the non-existent little lady at home huh.” A handsome young blonde joked as he elbowed me playfully. My eyes glinted over to him, his smile contagious. 

             “There is nothing at this establishment that I would want to take home. Better to be inaccessible than give false hope. Besides, the last thing I want for a Luna is a human.” I grumbled, annoyed that I was even here frankly. I was still fighting that eerie uneasy feeling that had began earlier in the day. 

             “Ouch!” the young man voiced sarcastically, then as dauntless as ever he continued his harassment. “And what would you do if you happened to meet your mate here like I met Leslie? And by the way, she’s a human, or had you forgotten?” I couldn’t help but chuckle and gently shake my head at the boldness of the young bachelor’s argument. The prospect of meeting my future Luna in this human meat market was insane, and although his mate was a human, Enzo and I had both agreed long ago we would accept nothing but a wolf.

         The blonde gentleman beside me began carefully scanning the room for an auspicious female. I had to hand it to Chris, he was horribly indomitable when he set his mind to something. He lightly elbowed me in the ribs as he leaned over the railing, scanning the females like a prime steak.

              “Hmm, tell me, what would I get if, by chance, I was able to pick out your mate here tonight?” Chris asked with a playful seriousness, returning his gaze just briefly to me before continuing his scouting. I laughed loudly, tossing my head back. My reaction was extreme enough to catch my Beta’s attention. 

             “And what is so hilarious over here?” he asked as he sauntered over to us and leaned over the railing as well, straining to see whatever Chris was searching for. 

             “Oh, prince charming here thinks he can pick out a woman for me tonight and that she will magically be my mate.” I jest casually. Cohan roared with laughter and slapped Chris on the shoulder. 

             “Now that would be something! I would like to see that.” Chris crumpled his nose in distaste for the harassment and returned his attention back to me. A serious gaze illuminated his face as he stared at me coolly, almost challenging me. The stare was focused enough to make Enzo’s fur raise up on his back. 

             “Easy now boy.” I growled softly, only loud enough for Chris to hear, warning him. His gaze was determined, and he had had just enough alcohol to make him a little more fearless than what was good for him.

             “If I am successful in picking out a girl for you tonight, and she happens to be your mate, what do I get in return?” Chris negotiated seriously, his gaze unfaltering and I heard Enzo growl in the back of my mind angrily.

            “Enzo, we don’t attack drink cocky pups. He means no harm.” I checked him gently. My wolf growled again irritably and laid back down in my mind. I had to admit, if it was any other wolf, time, or place, I would have already sent him through the wall. I raised my eyebrows at the haughty the young wolf was presenting himself, then finally scoffed and turned my attention over to Cohan, whose eyes were gleaming with intrigue. 

           “Okay, fine. You pick a girl here, in this bar, that by some miracle, happens to be my mate, AND is of Alpha blood, then I will build you and Leslie a new house. All expenses paid.” I countered as calmly as I could muster. The young man took a step back in surprise, utterly dumbfounded that I had played along with his challenge, his entire mood changing once again.

           “Okay bet!” he answered gleefully as he steadied himself and returned his attention back to the loaded bar of patrons. 

              “Damn, I’d take that bet.” Cohan smirked obnoxiously. “Why don’t you ever offer something cool like that to me?” I simply shook my head and sighed.

“Remind me when I speak with Leslie about the wedding later this week to tell her to keep Chris away from the booze.” Cohan laughed and scanned the room once again. While I received a sharp jab in the ribs by Chris. 

             “Down there, her.” Chris muttered, slurring his words, bumping me once again in the rib cage. I grunted, however I was too intruigued to see what he had come up with and casually leaned over the railing myself to gaze down into the sea of bodies. My young warrior pointed towards the bar and the moment I caught sight of what Chris was point to, I felt my breath hitch in my throat. The young man was directing our attention to a striking red headed woman sitting quietly alone only a couple of seats from the end of the bar.

“You ever seen hair like that! Wowzah!” Chris commented, reaching back for his beer.

             I was mesmerized the moment my eyes laid upon her. Her dark rich auburn hair cascaded down her back, rich waves flowing down to her hips. I couldn’t see her face, but those curves, she sat upon that bar stool like she was made for it, rounded luscious hips, oh what a sultry hourglass shape. If her face resembled the back of her, it was likely she was going to get harassed mercilessly tonight. I stared ahead, just as Cohan and Chris did beside me, watching this strange beauty, when suddenly a very faint scent of lavender and heather filtered into my nostrils. It was a strange yet wonderful smell, so very calming, and I felt myself stir uncomfortably. 

            “Is she a wolf?” I whispered in such a low tone that only the two wolves standing beside me could hear. I froze, my nostrils flared anxiously. 

            “Can’t be.” My Beta stiffened beside me. “What on earth would a strange she-wolf be doing here, and alone for that matter?” My Beta was correct, the idea of a strange she-wolf randomly appearing in a human club was highly out of the ordinary, unless she was a rogue or here for another purpose. There were members of my pack here tonight, however there were also a handful of rogues, and even a few members from another neighboring pack. Not to mention the scads of frat boys from the local University, which happen to be the biggest school in the entire state. 

            Enzo began to whine in my head, he was anxious as well and was consistently sniffing the air around him, trying to pinpoint the scent. It was fleeting and I heard him yip as he began to pace in my head. 

           “Mate? She’s here, I swear it, but I can’t settle on it.” I froze when I heard my wolf voice his concerns and I could feel his unease. 

           “Gentleman, join me, we shall go and get another drink from the bar.” I said gruffly as I began to stroll through the crowd of rambunctious party goers. Cohan nodded, he was alert, his senses were at an all-time high as we approached the ravishing redhead from behind, sauntering over to the bar. Chris, caught by surprise, quickly darted to catch up, nearly bumping into me as we reached the corner of the bar, and for the first time giving me a view of the angel sitting just three stools down. 

            “Hey Lucca! Long time no see!” the fresh-faced bartender waved as he strolled over to us, leaning against the bar top lazily. “Awesome to see you man.” He added as he extended his hand for a friendly handshake. I smiled warmly at the barkeep. He was a wolf from a neighboring pack, a Gamma if memory serves correctly. 

          “Rudy, nice to see you again. Since when did you start working over here? And why?” I asked with genuine curiosity. Typically, higher ranking wolves worked within the pack, and never in a club such as this. He smiled brightly and reached for a couple glasses from under the bar top. 

         “Something different. I like it. Gets me out of routine.” He told me, shrugging his shoulders and reaching for a bottle of Johnny Walker. “Scotch neat if I remember right.” He smiled, pouring me a glass, and sliding it over to me. I nodded and turned my attention back over to Cohan and Chris. 

          “Beer?” I asked and both nodded, so I redirected to Rudy and asked for 2 beers for my associates. He was quick; however I changed my attention back to the beautiful redhead sitting only a few seats away from me. 

          “She shoots down every male that comes within arm’s reach of her.” Rudy told me as he handed Chris and Cohan their beverages, as if he was reading my mind. I continued to stare at the lovely woman, contemplating what my next move would be. Going up to strange women was not something I was known for, I preferred to keep to myself and except for my younger years, never picked women up from a bar. 

          “She’s a wolf, isn’t she?” I asked, only loud enough for Rudy to hear me. He glanced back over to me, already working on another drink for someone else. 

          “I believe so.” He answered. Enzo was restless in my head. There was something off about this female but neither of us could definitively put our finger on it. From the opposite end of the bar, another male ambled causally over to her side, attempting to drape his arm over her shoulder. She quickly spun around in her stool and wriggled out of his grasp, tossing her drink squarely in his face. I could see the color rise in his face and without thinking, I walked over to the she-wolf and wrapped my arm around her tightly only to feel sparks explode from every place that my skin contacted her. 

           I felt the young woman freeze, she stiffened under my embrace and continued looking straight ahead, refusing to make eye contact with me, or the other man who was still wiping whiskey off his face. When the young man was finally able to open his eyes, he glowered at the young woman I now held in my arms. Anger seething from him as he puffed out his chest and took a menacing step closer to us. A stupid human frat boy undoubtably, ten foot tall and bullet proof having lost all his senses when he walked into this club and began drinking. 

             “I saw her first.” He snarled at me. I simply smiled and signaled for Chris and Cohan to come up behind me, which they did eagerly. 

             “Perhaps, but she’s my mate.” My eyes flickered wildly; a cast of gold hinted through my black irises as I allowed Enzo to come briefly to the surface. The young human male froze in his tracks upon seeing the unnatural color change of my eyes and he quickly began backing away from me. 

             “Gentleman, would you be so kind in helping this young man out of the club? I believe he was just leaving.” I ordered my two loyal warriors, knowing full well that they were going to enjoy tossing this guy out on his ear. The two burley wolves walked past me from either side of me amused and evil smiles gracing their faces, causing the young man to panic and attempt to flee. However, Chris and Cohan were upon him within a second, grabbing each arm and began packing him like a deer carcass over to the exit. I smirked to myself, then redirected my attention to the woman who was still sending jolts of electricity up my arm. Enzo was howling wildly in my head and although her scent was off and almost unrecognizable as my mate, the sparks never lied.