Chapter 002: Hot Stranger

BLAIR’S POV

“Another glass, please.”

I slammed the glass cup on the bar top, sniffling as tears dropped to my clothes. The bartender gave me a pitiful look before pouring me another shot of vodka.

I shouldn’t be crying in a bar but it was the only place I could drown my sorrows.

I couldn’t go back to my room, not yet. It would be too suffocating and I didn’t want to be that girl. The one who curled up in bed and cried while the ones who betrayed me carried on like nothing happened.

I caught them. They were the ones who should be miserable. Not me.

The alcohol burned its way down as I gulped it, but it wasn’t enough. It didn’t drown out the betrayal, didn’t erase the image of Jaxon and Harper together, with his body pressed against hers as he thrust into her.

I could still see them and hear their moans. Maybe if I kept drinking, it would finally stop.

I slammed my empty glass down on the counter and signaled the bartender. “Another.”

He hesitated, giving me that look, the one that said ‘maybe you’ve had enough.’

But I hadn’t.

Not even close.

“Please,” I said again and the bartender just sighed before pouring another drink.

“You should take it easy, miss.” He said, then turned away.

I wiped my tears quickly, not wanting anyone else to see them, then grabbed the glass and downed it in one gulp.

I tried to focus on the slow music playing but I couldn’t get my mind off the image of them fucking.

Four years!

I loved Jaxon for four years, thinking he was the perfect mate. But he betrayed me and not with just anyone but with my best friend!

Harper and I had grown up together. I could still remember how we met, how we became close and how we stayed friends for so many years.

But now… this. How could she lie to me for eight months? Had she always liked Jaxon? Was she jealous of me?

I just couldn’t wrap my head around why she would hurt me this badly.

My phone started to ring, buzzing against the sticky bar counter. I didn’t even need to check the screen to know who it was. Jaxon.

It was the twelfth time he was calling.

I scoffed, grabbing my drink and finishing what was left. I didn’t want to talk to him. There was nothing to talk about.

After some minutes, my phone started to ring again. I picked it up to turn it off, only to see the name.

Mum.

I sighed.

There was no way I could answer the call. She was probably calling to remind me of our schedule and to ask me to come with Jaxon tomorrow.

How would I tell her that Jaxon and I had broken up? That our family was no longer connected to the Alpha of the pack? And her daughter has denied her father’s greatest wish?

How?

Taking another sip, I ignored my phone and fixed my eyes on all the bottles staring at me and slowly nodded.

“You’re going to get drums,” my wolf warned. “It’ll weaken you.”

I ignored her because that was the point.

Tonight, I was done being the naive, good girl.

If Jaxon thought I was a prude, I was going to prove him wrong. I was going to lose my virginity tonight—to a complete stranger, to someone hot, someone who’d make me forget we were ever mates.

I raised my empty glass for the umpteenth time. “Another one, please.”

Before the bartender could respond, a deep voice came from behind me. “Rough night?”

I scoffed, already assuming it was another guy trying to hit on me. I had lost count of how many had tried tonight. They were all drunk desperate men looking for a one-night stand.

But none of them were good enough for me to lose my virginity.

I turned, fully prepared to tell whoever it was to go away, but then froze when I saw him, unable to say even a word.

The guy standing in front of me wasn’t just hot. He was breathtaking.

My wolf stirred and growled.

His pair of beautiful blue eyes were staring back at me, making my heart race.

He had the perfect jawline, his dark hair was messy and his shoulders… they were broad, making him effortlessly confident.

He was a Lycan and I could tell from his features and aura. His eyes zeroed on me and goosebumps masked my skin.

I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how dry my throat felt. “Yeah,” I murmured. “Bad night.”

He casually slid onto the stool beside me. “That makes two of us,” he said and ordered a shot.

I let out a soft chuckle, my voice sounding different and a little funny.

Shit. I was already drunk.

He tilted his head slightly as he continued to stare at me. “What happened?”

I grabbed my drink and took a long sip before answering. “I got cheated on,” I answered, trying not to sound bitter. “With my best friend.”

He exhaled sharply. “That’s rough.”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “What about you?”

He hesitated, like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to tell me. But then he sighed, rubbing his jaw. “My dad’s making me move in with my step-sister. Apparently, it’s my job to babysit her so we had a big fight about it.”

His tone was filled with irritation, and I found myself smiling.

“Sounds like you’re really about to have fun.” I leaned in slightly, my pulse kicking up. “Don’t worry, I totally get you.”

His lips curled up in a smirk as he picked up his drink, taking it in one go. “Oh, trust me. You don’t.”

I didn’t know whether it was the alcohol, the heartbreak, or the fact that this guy was dangerously hot in the best way possible but suddenly, I didn’t want to think.

I just wanted to feel.

And I was pretty sure this stranger could make me forget everything.

Shaking my head and pushing away the thought, I let out a heavy sigh, looking down at my own glass. “Still better than being called a prude.”

His gaze sharpened. “He called you a prude?”

I nodded, a bitter laugh escaping me. “Yeah. That’s why I’m here. To get drunk and—” I hesitated for half a second before deciding I didn’t care anymore. “—lose my virginity.”

His brows lifted slightly, but he didn’t look surprised. Just… curious.

“Do you think it’ll be worth it?” he asked.

I lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “As long as it’s with a hot guy.” Then I pointed right at him. “Someone like you.”

His expression didn’t change, but I noticed the way his eyes slowly raked over me, assessing, perhaps considering.

Then he leaned in, his face just inches from mine. I quickly became aware of his sharp masculine scent and I bit down on my lips to stop myself from reacting.

“I don’t fuck virgins,” he murmured.

I didn’t pull away. Instead, I leaned closer, resting a hand on the sharp line of his jaw. His skin was warm and his eyes darkened from the touch.

“Not even a heartbroken virgin?” I whispered.

His answer came without hesitation. “No.”

My heart pounded. The rejection should have stung, but instead, my lips parted, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “Kiss me.”

He instantly narrowed his eyes at me, his gaze quickly shifting to my lips.

Goddess. Why did I say that?

I tried to backtrack, but my mouth was moving faster than my brain at this point. “Just… kiss—”

His lips crashed against mine before I could finish.

It felt like I was suddenly swept off my feet.

He kissed me slowly and gently, and it felt nothing like what I used to have with Jaxon. It sent shivers through my nerves, shivers that made my whole body tremble. He tasted like Brandy with a hint of sweetness and I pulled him closer, needing more of him.

But then, he pulled away, leaving me breathless and dizzy.

He slowly searched for my face and I flushed, my chest rising and falling. “Is that enough to make you feel better?” he asked in a low, teasing voice.

I ran my fingers through my hair, exhaled and shook my head.

For years, I thought something was wrong with me. I never felt anything when Jaxon kissed me. No spark, no excitement.

But this guy? He had ignited something inside me.

Something dangerous.

I didn’t care if it was the alcohol but I wanted more. “Not enough.” I whispered.

Immediately I responded, he growled and cupped my face, his fingers sliding into my hair. Then he kissed me again.

And this time, I kissed him back with all the desire inside me.