Chapter 2 Solene's Pov

"Come on," he said, his voice suave but insistent. "Let's get out and find something else to do with ourselves rather than dance in a place like this."

"Wait, what is your name?" I asked him as he herded me towards the door.

"Names kill the mystery," he replied with a sardonic grin.

"I'm Solene," I suggested, although I wasn't even sure why it mattered.

"Solene," he said once more, as though relishing the taste of it on his lips. "What a beautiful name."

I followed him out of the bar, the icy night air slapping against my face like a slap of cold hard truth. "Where are we going?" I said, my voice not quite firm.

"You'll see," he said, sending me a sidelong glance and an enigmatic smile. "You trusted me enough to ask me to dance. Why are you so frightened now?"

I laughed. "Terrified? Do I look terrified to you?"

"Good then. Trust me, and let's go have some fun, little wolf."

Trust. A word that had seemed foreign after tonight. But there was something in his eyes, feral and wild, that dared me to let go, to be wild. And right now, wild seemed just fine.

"Okay," I breathed, letting him sweep me out into the night.

The motel room was tiny, but I barely noticed. My head was spinning, my heart pounding, not just from the drink, but also from the way this stranger appeared to regard me. There was something intense in him, something magnetic that drew me.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked quietly, almost whispering.

I nodded and stepped closer. "I don't want to think about it anymore.".

His gaze softened as he leaned over and gently brushed the tear off my face. "Then let me help you forget."

The space between us melted as we kissed, their mouths blazing with intensity. My hair was bunched in his fists, pulling him in, and his fists on my waist, holding me tight. Emotions swept across the night, of hurting, wanting, and wanting to flee.

As clothes were shed and walls broken down, I lost myself in him, in his touches, his kisses, and the fleeting comfort he offered. For the first time that night, I felt something so different from what I ever did with Wesley.

The dawn light seeped through the light curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. My head pounded from the alcohol as I shifted, my eyes opening to focus. The memories of the night before seeped back into my mind, and my eyes widened.

The stranger.

I leapt out of bed, looking around the room. But the other side of the bed was empty. He had vanished.

My heart sank. "Shit," I moaned, my head throbbing worse. I didn't know what I was wishing for, but waking up alone wasn't it. A piece of paper on the nightstand caught my eye. My hands trembled as I picked it up.

"You really hit good in bed. Hope we cross paths again."

That was all. No phone number. No apology for sleeping with a drunk, helpless girl. Nothing

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "Figures," I whispered to myself.

I quickly got dressed, my head in a whirlwind of feelings. Heartbreak over Wesley's treachery, confusion regarding last night, and an increasing fear of what was to come after I got back to the pack.

Stepping out of the motel, the morning air seemed too sharp, too tangible. One thing was sure, nothing in my life would ever be the same anymore.

I returned to the Hilltop Pack mansion with a pounding head and aching heart, sneaking in through the front door, not wishing for anyone to notice my early morning return. The last thing I could possibly handle was questions, I hadn't even parsed last night myself.

I reached the top of the stairs when familiar laughter halted me in my tracks. Mina.

Looking down the hallway, I saw Wesley and Mina in the living room, whispering and giggling. Anger seethed within me, but I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm.

Not yet, I said to myself. Soon.

Mating ceremony day arrived sooner than I had anticipated. There were flowers and white cloth everywhere in the great hall, wafting the sweet scent of lavender. The pack members buzzed around, preparing for what was supposed to be the happiest moment of my life.

Happiness was the last thing on my mind, however.

Mina approached me with a smug smile. "Nervous, big sis? Wesley will be such a fantastic mate. Oh, but you already know just how fantastic he is, don't you?

My vision blinked out, but I smiled against my will. "Of course I do know. Wesley's the fantasy man for every female in this pack. And bless my luck, I've got him all for myself. Go find someone else to keep those lips occupied, and stop spouting off about my man.".

Her smirk was broken for a moment, but she regained it quickly. "Will do sister, what do you know, I might just get someone just like Wesley." She said, turning away with a evil smirk.

As I got dressed in my white wedding dress, my mind raced. She thinks she has won. But she and Wesley have no idea what is coming their way.

The ceremony began with Wesley standing tall at the altar, his blue eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. He smiled, but I could sense arrogance lurking behind it. He thought he had me where he wanted me.

My Alpha Kayden, my stepfather was between us, ready to finalize the mating bond. Pack members whispered eagerly, unaware of the tempest brewing under my calm exterior.

"Wesley Styles, Alpha of the Red Moon pack, do you take Solene Hathaway as your mate, to love and protect her forever?" my father asked.

Wesley grinned, casting a quick glance at Mina before responding, "I do."

"And Solene Hathaway, do you take Wesley Styles as your mate, to cherish him and be by his side as Luna and mate."

There was silence, I scanned the faces of everyone present to see the ceremony, their expectations about to be crushed, my focus was back on Wesley's gaze, I ignored the smile in his mouth.

"I reject you, Wesley Styles!" My voice rang out in the hall, crisp and distinct.