Chapter Three

NORA 

As the song ends, Theo pulls away, a sad smile on his face. “Unfortunately, Nora darling, I have ignored my duties as Beta for too long. This must be our last dance.”

With a flourish, he grabs my hand, bringing it to his lips, as his eyes flick to the bar in a silent challenge, before returning to mine, a dashing smile covering his face.

Standing upright once again, “I hope to see you again, Nora Jones. Enjoy your night.” Sauntering away from me with a devil may care attitude, leaving me completely stunned. Regaining my composure, I head toward the table where our drinks sit, the opposite direction Theo walked.

Along the way, I pass the face of a demon I wasn’t expecting to see: Nia, Hazel’s cousin and the inspiration behind one of Macbeth’s witches.

“Crash any cars lately?” She sneers, the pettiness oozing like a deadly venom, “or are you too busy trying to steal other people’s mates?”

“Why? Are yours available?” I remark with a serious look, enjoying her scoff of derision. “I can take both if you’d like,” I comment nonchalantly, with a glance at the mate mark on her neck.

“Don’t worry,” she hisses, invading my space, “you’ll get yours, bitch.” She moves on quickly. Ignoring her baseless threats, I continue on my journey. Picking my glass up from the table, I wander aimlessly around the room.

The prickle of being watched tickles my skin once again. Allowing my senses to take control, I follow my instincts between the tables and guests on a mini adventure of my own.

Ignoring the delicious smell of the food, and that I haven’t eaten yet, approaching the patio with a sense that whatever I am looking for is there. I think Viola can sense it too, every ounce of her begging to be let free.

As I approach the doors, I hear a whispered argument that’s slowly becoming heated. A gruff, but slightly drunk voice I don’t recognize. “What’s going on between you two?”

"That’s none of your business, Drew!” Theo growls, his anger apparent while I wrongfully eavesdrop on their private conversation. I cannot control my werewolf hearing and their volume is increasing by the second.

Before I can stop myself, I am stepping onto the patio, taking a sip from the drink in my hand. “Nora,” Theo coughs, shoving his hands in his pockets while glancing at the man standing across from him.

I instantly recognize as the broody brunette from the bar earlier. I thought it was strange that he glared the entire time Theo and I danced together.

Before I have the chance to prepare myself, the man I am assuming is Drew spins around, a deadly glare on his face. As he sways slightly on his feet, “this is a private conversation. No one invited you, Nora.” The way he says my name makes it sound like the most disgusting word in the English language.

“Drew!” Theo scolds while I chug my drink, trying to distract myself enough to bite my tongue. “Stop being an idiot and go sleep it off!”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” I say, glancing between the two men. One whose warm honey eyes hold the most sincere apologies. The other’s crisp blue eyes holding mine hostage with a burning and absolute hatred. I don’t even know this man, but Goddess, he is cursing my existence.

“Then go away,” Drew remarks, his voice dry, his eyes narrowing as he sizes me up.

“No, Drew,” I say, finding my voice, returning his stare and squaring my shoulders in defiance. “You’re having a drunken argument in the middle of the new Alpha couple’s reception.”

My words cut like knives offending him, as his demeanor darkens, his eyes pitch black. Without Theo realizing it, Drew steps forward, his face in mine, his fury nearly burning my skin.

“First off, it’s Andrew to you,” he snarls, while Theo tries to restrain him, while I take a timid step backwards. “Second, I am the Beta of New Moon. Don’t tell me what’s fucking best for my Alpha’s.”

Returning his attention to Theo, he growls a hint of sadness buried within. “If you’re going to like someone, at least pick someone with half a brain.”

His parting words shocking Theo, as Andrew heads back into the ballroom. As he passes by, his shoulder slams into me with a force that’ll definitely leave a bruise.

Theo watches Andrew storm off before turning his attention to me a looking me over with concern. “I am sorry about his behavior tonight. He’s usually much calmer. Are you okay?” Theo asks, tipping my chin upward so that I look him in the eye.

My back burning with the stare of a stranger in the woods, Viola whimpering to go on the hunt, but I ignore her desires, returning my gaze to the man standing in front of me.

“I am okay,” I respond, calming the waiver in my voice. “Are you?” I ask, touching his arm sympathetically.

“I’ll be fine,” he whispers, glancing behind his shoulder, a sad look on his face. Despite their current situation, I can tell they used to be friends.

Returning his attention to me, he tucks his hair behind my ear, giving me a sweet smile. I swear I hear the faint rumble of a growl in the distance, my heat racing with the sound. Theo doesn’t react, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek.

“I am sorry to leave you this way, Nora,” he whispers, his hand caressing my cheek, “but as the Beta of Silver Run, I need to make sure Drew isn’t acting drunk and stupid right now.”

The revelation of his identity has me stunned for the second time tonight. Of all the pack members Marcus warned me against, I had to get caught in the middle of two’s drama.

“Of course,” I cough, knowing I should feel timid in his presence, but I don’t. A hidden part of me knowing he would never hurt me, no matter how much my brother warns me away.

Kissing my cheek gently, Theo turns away from me in search of the drunk and angry Beta. However, the sensation of being watched intensifies a scent in the air I can’t quite explain.

Attempting to ignore it, I take another sip of the drink, but my curiosity gets the better of me. Viola no help, her whimpering becoming more intense.

My restraint getting weaker by the minute, every cell within my body aching for me to go on the search. Although logic tells me going into the woods where a stranger is creepily watching from a far is ridiculously stupid, my feet can’t help it.

Setting the glass along the railing of the raised patio, my eyes devour the forest, trying to find the mystery stalker. As if my eyes have magical abilities, I swear a shadow in the woods belongs to a person. Possibly whoever has been watching me since I stepped foot into this territory.

I can no longer feel the stranger’s presence. I don’t know why I am so desperate to seek it out, but a gut instinct I can’t calm demands I find it. Taking my last sip, I place the glass on the railing, finding the steps leading me to the lower levels of the raised patio.

The further I walk away from the party, the heavier my head gets. The world spins a little faster as I cross into the tree line. Lifting my nose to the air, I try to pick up any scent I can, but it’s like my senses are dulling by the second.

I try to call forth Viola, but it’s like she is no longer with in the depths of my mind, almost like she is hidden from me. I have been drunk many times, but this is…different. It’s my goal to keep from stumbling, but I remain unsuccessful as my unstable feet propel me forward.

My arms are outstretched as they look to balance against anything that I can find. A darkness closing around me while I use the last of my energy to fend it off.

A twig snaps to my right, pulling my attention in that direction, as a man hides in the shadows, just out of sight. His voice as smooth as silk, and husky in the way I imagine a bear would sound rings out through the air.

“Why are you out here, Wildflower?” the man asks, his voice sending a shiver down my spine while my knees turn to jelly. I attempt to answer, but the words fail me as the darkness wins.

“Shit, what happened to you?” the voice sounds panicked, as my world dims into pitch black darkness before my body avalanches to the forest floor with a thud.