CHAPTER ONE: ONE NIGHT STAND

I was suffocating in the confines of my own home, trapped by my mother's relentless pressure to marry the Alpha of our pack—a man three times my age. I tried reasoning with her, pleading for the freedom to choose my own path, but she remained deaf to my words.

"Why can't I have a say in my own future, Mom? Why am I being forced into this?" My voice trembled with a blend of frustration and anxiety.

"Tradition, Zelda. It's what's expected of you as an omega," she snapped back, her words like an iron grip on my spirit.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. All my life, I had been raised to stand up for myself, to speak my mind. But now, it felt like my mother was snuffing out that fire within me. I felt the weight of lost independence and a fading sense of self.

"You know what? I don't care about tradition! I refuse to marry some aging Alpha just because he holds that title!" My outburst echoed through the room, a wave of frustration and anger bursting forth.

My mother's eyes widened in shock, but before she could respond, my father barged into the room. Dread filled my heart, for I knew my father's strict nature and realized I had crossed a line this time.

"You dare speak to your mother like that, girl?" His voice thundered, his face turning a furious shade of red.

Defeated, I tried to apologize, to mend the rift I had created. But it was too late. In one swift motion, my father's hand met my cheek with a resounding slap, knocking my glasses off and sending tears streaming down my face.

"I won't tolerate disrespect in my house, young lady. Apologize to your mother and do as you're told," his voice chilled the air, his words dripping with threat.

I knew I couldn't bear the weight of their oppression any longer. The way they treated me like a submissive creature in my own home had become unbearable. I needed to escape, to find a place where I could be myself, where my decisions were my own.

With tears blurring my vision, I dashed out of the living room and out of the house, not looking back. I didn't know where I was heading or what awaited me, but I knew I couldn't remain there any longer. I needed to forge my own destiny, to find a path that was mine and mine alone.

Lost and alone, I wandered the streets, my thoughts swirling in a chaotic haze. I desperately reached out to my best friend, Tracy, through our telepathic connection, hoping for a lifeline, but there was only silence. I was left to confront the storm within my own mind.

Taking comfort, I found myself drawn into a nearby bar—a haven where I could drown my sorrows and escape the suffocating reality that plagued me. The air was thick with the clamor of voices and the pounding rhythm of music, but I welcomed the distraction. I needed something to divert my attention from the overwhelming weight of my circumstances.

Perched on a barstool, I nursed my drink, my mind consumed by the anguish of my situation. It was then that a male wolf approached, oozing confidence and arrogance, his attempts to win me over made my blood boil.

"Hey, beautiful," his voice purred as he leaned in closer. "What brings a girl like you to a place like this?"

His advances insulted me, and I mustered my strength to push him away. "I'm not interested," I asserted, hoping to fend him off.

But he persisted, his persistence grinding on my frayed nerves. My patience wore thin as his voice dripped with entitlement.

"Come on, baby," he whispered, closing the distance between us. "You know you want it."

Just as I staggered on the edge of losing my temper, my gaze shifted, catching sight of a rebellious figure across the room—a bad boy exuding an aura of intrigue and danger. There was something about him, an inexplicable magnetic pull that stirred my heart and awakened my wolf, Lexa, within me. I couldn't resist the gravitational force compelling me to uncover his story, to unravel the mystery he embodied.

Determined, I began to make my way towards him, my path blocked by two imposing figures. Drunk on the alcohol swirling in my veins, I stumbled, struggling to push past them. But they remained immovable, their presence an impenetrable barrier.

Swiftly, a voice emerged from behind me, commanding the attention of those men. "Stand back, boys. Let her through."

Turning around, I locked eyes with the captivating stranger who had captured my attention throughout the night. He approached, exhaling a cloud of smoke that added an air of mystery to his presence. As he drew nearer, my heart pounded in my chest, resonating with a mix of anxiety and excitement.

"What do you want?" his voice dripped with a seductive allure, holding a promise of secrets and untamed desires.

My voice faltered, the presence of my inner wolf growing stronger with every passing second. "I-I want to meet you," I managed to stammer, my words laced with a mixture of vulnerability and determination.

A smirk played on his lips as he took hold of my hand, leading me out of the pulsating club and into the waiting embrace of a sleek limousine. At that moment, as smoke mingled with desire, I surrendered to the intoxicating unknown, ready to embrace a future where I would carve my own destiny.

***

He drove me to a nearby hotel, and as soon as we were alone in the room, he pulled me close and kissed me roughly. I could taste the alcohol in his mouth, indicating that he was as drunk as I was.

As he undressed me, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and fear. I had never been with a man like him before, and I wasn't sure what to expect.

"If you want this, you're going to have to earn it," he growled, pulling me up against him.

He pushed me onto the bed and began kissing me again, running his hands all over my body. I moaned loudly, wanting to feel more than his lips on mine.

His tongue entered my mouth, making me moan even louder, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, begging him to enter me.

"Please, touch me," I whimpered.

"Oh, I intend to," he growled, ripping off my clothes and laying me down on the bed.

He ripped off his pants and underwear and climbed on top of me, rubbing himself against me. I felt his hardness pressing against my thigh, and I couldn't contain my excitement.

"Yes, please," I cried, pushing my hips into him.

He pulled my skirt up and started licking between my thighs, making me groan loudly. I spread my legs wider open, trying to encourage him to lick me more.

"That's it, sweetie. Give yourself to me," he said, licking harder and faster.