1. Running

Note; this book contains a healthy amount of mature content. Please put it down if you’re underage or particularly sensitive. Thank you and have a nice read!

Celine

I jump when I hear a sound in the alley, my heart pounding. I catch my lips and increase my pace until I’m nearly running. I shouldn’t have come through the alley, it’s not doing anything for my nerves but it is the fastest route to the club.

The light of the club peeps out in the distance and I am truly running now, abandoning all semblance of shame or pride. I can’t do it again this month, I will lose my mind. The night clings to my skin, offensive and threatening. My head runs away with thoughts of eyes in the darkness, thin hands waiting to grip me, to touch me. My feet pound on the asphalt  as I run harder. Please goddess, if you ever ever listen to my prayers, not this month.

And then I am bursting through the club and gulping lungfuls of air as my jangling nerves start settling. Curse my weakness. No other wolf would be panting so hard from a small run. But I’m not just any wolf. People assume that I’m wolf-less, they are wrong. I’m even more useless than a wolf-less wolf.

“Celine!” Sandra yells and grips my arm. I grin, happy to be held so tightly. This night, I hope she doesn’t let go. “I had my doubts.”

I smirk. “How many times have I ever cancelled on you?”

“Many times!” She says and I laugh.

“Well my friend, I hope you are ready. This night, it’s a no leave, no transfer. Until daybreak!”

“Yayy.” She pumps the air with a fist.

I loop my arm through hers and we head towards the bar area.

“Don’t say, but I think something special is going to happen tonight.”

“What type of something special?” I ask and she shrugs.

“Everyone here is being super secretive and coy about it. I think tonight is a special night for them here.”

“Are you serious?” I yank the first female I see closer and she yelps.

“Let go, you bitch!” She screeches and I let go.

“What’s happening tonight?” I ask her.

Her glare turns into a smirk. “New here? Don’t worry, stay long enough and you’ll see. I bet you’re gonna love it.”

I turn away from her with a grunt.

“Interesting. Guess we’ll have to stay the entire night to find out.” I mutter.

“Told ya! Over there.”

She changes our direction and starts pulling me in another. When I see the male next to the open seats, my eyes narrow at her suspiciously.

“I think I know why you want those seats.” I say and she laughs.

“Of course Celine. Think of what an additional bonus it would be to get laid.”

I say nothing to that. I’m way too nervous for a fuck and I was hoping we would just have a girl’s night out, so I won’t be alone.

“What’s that look?” She asks, poking me in the cheek. “Don’t tell me you only planned to down bottles with me.”

“Doesn’t sound so bad. You should reconsider keeping your lonely friend company.” I say as I slide onto the stool.

“My lonely friend only has to bat an eyelash to have half the men here eating out of her hand, I feel a far cry from guilty.” She says and I groan.

“Fine, go with your hunk. Leave me here all by myself to die a lonely death.”

“So dramatic.” She chuckles.

I would be having sex if I thought it’d be any good. The last time I tried, I disappeared right from underneath my partner’s body and had to come up with ridiculous excuses after. Kinda traumatised me.

“Drinks on me.”

The barman starts mixing our drinks and suddenly my neck prickles. I tense and look around the club with terrified eyes, seeing only happy people singing and dancing to the music. And yet I can feel eyes on me, unknown and creepy because they are faceless.

“Celine, you okay?” Sandra puts a hand on my arm and I force my lips into a grin.

“Of course. Bottoms up.” I says and drain our glass. “Another shot! And keep it coming.”

“So now that we’re here and all, wanna tell me where it is you always disappear to this time of the month?”

If she knew I literally disappear, she would shit a block.

“A girl’s gotta have some secrets.” I say with a wink.

“Right.”

Despite the lightheartedness I try to affect, my heart is pounding again and with her sensitive hearing, I know she is not truly fooled. To my luck, the man she was eyeing sidles close and engages her in conversation and I look around the club again, expecting to see their long faces. I down the next drink and the club presses on me, feeling too tight, like a trap.

The Others are coming, there is no doubt in my mind. This is exactly how I feel right before they take me, like prey.

“Hey babygirl.” A wolf leans one hand on the counter and smirks down at me. “Wanna dance?”

“No.”

He looks shocked, like every woman would usually pull off their panties and throw at him with that line.

“Just a drink then? What’s your name?”

“Get the fuck out of my face. I said no.” I fume. I don’t have time for this.

The corners of his face gets tight, wolves do not handle rejection well.

“She said no.” Sandra is suddenly there. Her father is my father’s beta and the power in her voice is evident. Backed by her hunk, my would-be admirer gives up and slinks back the way he came.

“You okay?” She asks, leaning in. “You are really jumpy. Who have you been looking out for?”

“Don’t mind me.” I say. “My mind is all over the place.”

My mind races. They will come for me, in front of Sandra or away from her. Bile crawls up my throat at the thought that I cannot escape them. My helplessness infuriates me.

She still looks concerned but suddenly bells toll all over the club and a cheer goes up. Then in front of my eyes, males and females rip their clothes and attack each other in fits of passion. My jaw drops open. I’ve never seen an orgy this size before.

Every single wolf in here is into it, the club swelling with moans as breasts are fondled and cocks are sucked. The floor is a mass of writhing bodies.

“Ohh shit. Now I know what the surprise is.” I say.

“No kidding.” Sandra says with a grin. “You coming?” The hot wolf is already naked, kissing his way down her neck.

“Go on.” I tell her, hopping off the stool.

“No? You gonna regret that choice.” She says, finding it hard to keep her eyes open with the stuff her wolf is doing.

“Yeah... not interested.” I say. “Later!”

I navigate the sea of bodies, slapping away groping hands, feeling alone amongst hundreds. I can practically feel them breathing down my neck, hunting.

I get clear of the bodies and stumble towards a door, needing to breathe in fresh air. My hand is on the handle when my neck prickles again

“That area is off-limits.” A voice says behind me and I snatch my hand back.

The voice is deep, harsh and commanding, demanding complete submission. I shiver in fear, this time of being in the presence of a top predator. Even before I turn around, the waves of alpha power rolling off him makes me want to fall to my knees and submit to him.

He is as intimidating as he sounds, towering higher than any other wolf I’ve ever seen, all thick bulging muscles and restrained strength. And goddamn it, is he beautiful. It reminds me of the seductive visage of the devil. His aura is more powerful than any wolf I ever met, with a dark edge to it that makes my spine tingle. When I look into his vivid green eyes, I gasp and it feels like my breath was sucker-punched out of me.

Mate.

I’m not sure which is more shocking, that my wolf woke up in response to him or that I just found my mate.

His eyes narrow on me and his nostrils flare delicately as he scents me. He recognises me too.

“Leave.” He orders the two males behind him.

“Alpha, should we also escort her back?”

“Leave us.” He snarls and I flinch and press myself against the door. Mate? I’m terrified of the male.

His eyes never leaving me, I flinch when he crosses the distance between us and reaches out. He only opens the door.

“Get in.”

“I thought the room was off-limits.” I whisper.

“I don’t like repeating myself, mate.”

I swallow hard and hurry inside and he shuts the door after us. I rub at the goosebumps trailing my arm, feeling trapped. And yet his scent seizes hold of me and opens a well of longing in me. My fingers twitch to grip him to me and I long to trace those hard ridges on his arms with my fingers.

“I’m not sure I want to be locked in here with you.” I blurt out and he cocks a brow and folds his arms.

“Why is that?”

“Because I’m not sure whether you’re going to fuck me or kill me.”

He crosses the distance between us and I stiffen, cricking my neck to maintain eye contact. Man and wolf looks back at me, so dangerous and yet so thrilling. The combination of fear and desire exhilarates me and I lick my lips.

His hand comes up and he traces my face with a finger and my body shivers violently. I lean into his touch, pressing my thighs tight together to ease my aching. He slides the thumb over my lips and fireworks burst beneath my skin. My reaction to him is shockingly intense. The thought of exploring this huge beautiful body steals my breath.

“There are many things I want to do to you, little mate, and none of them involves death.”

I exhale shakily.

“Should I say thank you?” I ask, clenching my fist from the urge to touch him. With every passing minute, my restraint crumbles.

“Silly woman. What is your name?” He asks, his hands leaving me. I want it back immediately.

“Celine Dontellar.” I breathe.

“What were you looking for in this room?”

“I thought it was the exit.” I say. “The orgy was not really my thing.”

“Is that why you nearly ripped the male’s hands off?” He asks, admiration colouring his voice.

“You were watching?” I ask, a little horrified.

“I was one second from yanking out his arm and beating him with it. He is lucky he did not touch you, he would be dead.” The violence in his words make me gasp and I feel a rush of heat on my panties. I swallow hard, clenching my thighs tighter together.

“You sure watched the whole thing.”

“I’ve not been able to look away from you all night, now I know why.”

My restraints are hanging on by a thread.

“Why were you unable to look away from me?” I whisper.

“Because all I could think about was sliding that short dress up and pushing my cock into you.”

I gasp and his fingers run through my hair, gripping my face as his lower towards mine.

“I’ve been waiting all evening to fuck you, mate.”

And then he claims my lips.