3. A Handsome Stranger

~ LAYLA ~

“Yes! You can’t do that!” Chloe exclaims as she stumbles and knocks into my back. She grabs hold of my hair as she tries to keep her balance. Pain rips through my head, but I simply place my hand at the back of my head, not reacting until she regains her balance. “Sorry!”

I spin the bar stool slowly, turning to face the three women, unphased. I rest my elbow on my thigh and place my knuckles under my chin.

“Then I’d beware if I were you… The Jade Pack is far stronger than all three of yours combined. You do not want to insult the Luna of it, because in case any of you have forgotten, I am the one who has alpha blood running through my veins.”

My eyes glimmer, and I exude a little of the power that I hold, making all three step back before they turn and hurry off. I raise an eyebrow at the few people who had witnessed the exchange before I swivel my stool back towards the bar and wave my hand.

“Get me some vodka,” I say to the bartender, who nods quickly, hastening to obey. “Make it a bottle.”

He’s quick to place the shot glass and a bottle in front of me, bowing politely.

“A little early to be drinking so much, wouldn’t you agree?” a deep husky voice says as the scent of cedarwood, vanilla and lemon fills my nose.

I turn to see who that sexy voice and enticing scent belong to, and find myself gazing at a man in a well-fitted shirt that emphasises a very muscular chest. And from the way the white fabric stretches over it, I’m sure he has his nipples pierced. I can see tattoos through the few buttons that are left open.

I blush as my gaze goes up and I find myself staring into a pair of hazel-green eyes, his dark hair is brushed back, a single strand falling over his forehead. He has a short beard, a chiselled jaw and he oozes power.

“That would depend on how well one can hold their liquor. Tell me… are you a weak drinker?” I ask, tilting my head and arching a brow.

A smirk curls at the corner of his lips as he takes the seat beside me, “Is that a challenge, beautiful?”

My heart skips a beat and for a second, I go blank, not knowing what to reply.

“I… guess it is,” I say lightly.

“I’ll take a bottle too,” he says and I tilt my head.

“Off to a strong start, I see. I hope you can keep it up, handsome,” I counter, my gaze flicking to Logan, before turning back to the man whose eyes are fixed on me.

I smile gracefully, not wanting him to realise I was looking at Logan.

The bartender is quick to place a second bottle and shot glass down. I pour us both a glass from the bottle I had requested.

His eyes are on me, following my every move. Feeling the intense gaze, my eyes snap up to his, and for a split second I feel as if he was checking me out. But if he was, he was quick enough to look away in time.

“For a moment back there, I thought you might need a little help with the other ladies, but you seem to be able to handle yourself well,” he says as he picks up his shot glass.

“Of course, Alpha Drakon’s daughter has not fallen so low that she can be knocked down by such petty remarks.” I sigh softly.

Our eyes meet and he nods slightly, those piercing deep eyes burning into mine. Without another word we clink our tiny shot glasses, and tilting my head back, I knock it down, making my throat burn as the strong liquid rushes down my throat. We follow with a second round.

He refills the glasses the third time and I glance back to see Logan once again, very infatuated with Sadie.

Does he not care that I’m right here?

“So, you are Layla Blackwell, the daughter of Alpha Drakon. Years ago, I used to hear a lot about you, then you disappeared and now you have mated, chosen an alpha and will marry for the sake of your pack.”

My pack… No one ever called it that…

My stomach flutters with a strange emotion, and I almost smile at him.

“Yes, a ridiculous move on my behalf, but I am still that woman, regardless of what others might think.”

I just need to find myself again.

He nods, taking another shot, and my gaze dips to his neck as he downs it. He drinks like it's plain water…

“I look forward to seeing and hearing about that woman again.”

“My father… You said you knew him?” I ask. I rarely heard from people who knew my father anymore, what with Logan keeping me isolated.

“My parents did. I saw him a couple of times before he died.”

I nod slowly. I wish he was here, wish I could talk to him one last time.

“So, you gave your fiancé your pack and title, yet he clearly doesn’t seem to have any respect for you. You’re here… and he’s over there with another woman. One would think she’s his Luna.” His voice is low, but the hint of mockery makes defiance burn inside of me.

How dare he mock me!

“Respect? You don’t know anything about us,” I reply, turning away.

“I know what’s in plain sight, Luna Layla. As the hostess of this function, would you do me the honour of one dance?”

My eyes widen as I stare at him, not expecting that, but he means it. Taking his last shot he stands up and offers me a hand.

I hesitate, my stomach fluttering and I glance back at Logan, my heart squeezing when I see him whisper something to Sadie, who has her hand on his chest.

Well, if he can spend time with whoever he wants, then so can I.

“Sure, one dance won’t hurt,” I say, placing my small hand into his large one as I slide off the stool, realising he is even taller than I had thought.

I tilt my head back to look up at him, “I didn’t get your name…”

“Quade Steele.”