Chapter 3

All I could do was stare in disbelief at the person who entered the ladies’ room. I couldn’t help but feel confused by the man who stood only a few feet away in the doorway, staring at me for what felt like forever. I shook my head out of his trance and gathered myself. ''Can I help you?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "You do know this is the lady's room, right?'' I asked, watching his brows raise in amusement.

“Yeah, I know,” he muttered, shrugging his shoulders.

“So why are you here? What if someone was changing?” I asked, motioning to the empty room, but he simply laughed. “What is so funny?” I questioned, unable to hide the frustration in my tone.

He ignored my question with a smirk while he eased his way toward me. “I saw you staring at me with hungry eyes. You can't look at me like that and walk away,” He said charmingly.

My brows creased in frustration as I walked up to him, getting almost close enough to touch. “You seem very confused about how I was looking at you. Don't read too much into it,” I said in a careless tone. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to find my friend,” I declared, flipping my hair over my shoulder as I walked past him without another word.

I went to the dance floor, hoping to find Amelia there. No matter where I looked, I couldn't see her, so I started up the stairs but got stopped by a hand. I turned and it was the man from the bathroom again.

I sighed, frustrated, pulling my hand from his grasp. “Did you not get the hint?” I asked, raising my brows.

He once again ignored my question with a request of his own. “One dance and I will leave you alone,” He promised with a glint in his eyes.

An internal struggle of walking away or giving in crossed my mind, but I fell for the latter. “Fine one dance, but that's it,” I said sternly, earning a smile from him as the man took my hand and led me to the dance floor.

As we made our way through the crowd, I couldn't figure out why all these women were staring at me like I stole their damn cake or something. A blonde woman stuck out of the crowd, and she was watching me as if she wanted to snatch the life out of me. “Do you have a girlfriend or something? That blonde looks pretty pissed,” I asked, wondering whose toes I was stepping on. He glanced back at me with a confused expression. “No girlfriend,” he claimed, then turned ahead.

We stopped on the dance floor, and he wasted no time in wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me in close. Our bodies touched, I gasped as I felt a fire spread inside me. I wasn’t sure what that feeling was, but suddenly the song and moment felt too intimate for strangers to share. I panicked and pulled myself out of his hold. “I should go,” I stuttered, unsure of what was happening to me. I quickly walked off in search of Amelia. I didn’t look back to see his face or even give him a chance to ask questions. All I knew at that moment was that something about him made my body erupt into a frenzy.

Walking through the dining hall, I finally spot Amelia with her parents and Paul. “Hey! Where have you been?” I asked Amelia, trying to mask the worry in my voice.

“Paul was showing us around the packhouse. Where have you been? I tried looking for you. It's like you just disappeared.” Amelia said.

I paused for a moment, questioning whether I should tell my friend the truth. “I'm avoiding some man,'' I whisper so only Amelia can hear.

She looks at me like I have three heads. “All the guys here are hot. Who could be that bad that you needed to avoid them?” She questioned, but I didn't know what to tell her.

“I don't know his name. I never asked,” I answered.

Her expression failed to hide what she was thinking. I’d have to be crazy to not want one of her pack members, but she shrugged it away. “Well, dinner is about to start. You could point him out,” she suggested. I nodded, wondering if I'd even see him in the massive crowd.

We made our way over to the table, taking our seats at a large round table with Amelia’s family. Unfortunately, Paul’s place was at the Alpha's side for dinner, so he kissed Amelia's forehead before walking over to the head table which was a long rectangle at the front of the dining hall.

A soft hum of conversation filled the air as we waited for the Alpha to arrive. I assumed he entered when everyone started cheering and clapping.

I glanced up, seeing the same handsome man I left on the dance floor, walking toward the Alpha’s table. “No. Freaking. Way,” I said astonished under my breath.

Amelia eyed me. “Something the matter?” she whispered.

"That's him,” I replied my eyes glued on him, trying to avoid my jaw from hitting the floor.

Amelia’s eyes grew wide as she followed my gaze. Almost bulging from her eye sockets as she turned to face me again. “You mean to tell me you’ve been avoiding the Alpha?” Amelia asked, confused. “How is that possible? That man has never shown interest in anyone,” she explained.

I give her a deadpanned look. “Hmm,” I tapped my lip thinking it over, and shrugged. “I don't know, but he’s quite persistent,” I told her.

“You can tell me more later. I want all the details,” she gushed, smiling.

Before I could argue, I was struck quiet when the Alpha started speaking. “Thank you all for coming tonight. It’s a pleasure to get to know the new families in our pack and catch up with the others I haven’t had the chance to spend time with in a while. I hope everyone is enjoying themselves so far,” he smiled at the crowd and glanced in my direction, his eyes meet mine. He smirked lifting a brow before he continued speaking.

I rolled my eyes at his failure to take a hint.

“I want to announce that my Beta Paul has found his mate this evening, and they will be planning their wedding soon. Let's give the happy couple congrats,” he whistled, patting Paul on the back.

Everyone cheered, and the sea of people erupted with applause as Paul stood, lifting his glass. “Thank you all,” he smiled brightly ear to ear. “Would my beautiful mate stand as well,” he asked, pointing with his glass at Amelia.

She stood and lifts her glass as well. “Cheers to our future!” she said proudly. The cheers erupted, but through all the commotion, I caught the Alpha staring at me again. Seriously, what's his deal? I thought to myself, trying to make sense of this crazy situation.

I broke away from his gaze and hugged Amelia. “Congratulations!” I squealed at the thought of wedding planning with my best friend. Something we always talked about when we were little.

“Thank you!” She smiled and leaned in so only I could hear. “By the way, the Alpha's name is Malachi,” she informed me, but I brushed it off.

“I don't think it will matter after tonight,” I replied, but I narrowed my eyes when she gave me a mischievous grin.

“Don't be so sure; I think he likes you,” she whispered in my ear, causing me to roll my eyes again.

“Enough about me and this mystery Alpha. Let’s celebrate you,” I declared with a smile.

When the wait staff brought out the food, everyone began to eat, and the crowd fell into another lull of conversation around the tables. While I was looking around, I noticed Paul walking over to our table.

"Excuse me for interrupting your conversation, but the Alpha would like a word with you, Miss,” he said, his eyes trained on me.

“Me?” I asked, pointing to myself then looked around awkwardly.

“Yes, Alpha asked me to bring you to his office,” he glanced at Amelia for some help encouraging me.

Amelia looked over at me with a grin on her face. “Go ahead. I'll be here when you're finished,” she laughed, then proceeded to hump the air while Paul's back was turned as he spoke with Amelia’s parents. Amelia acted like I was going to sleep with her packs Alpha. I smacked her and stifled a laugh. She straightened when Paul cleared his throat after turning back to look at us.

“You are horrible,” I whispered with a smirk then looked back at Paul. “Okay, let's go.”

Paul nodded and led me to a secluded room in the back of the building. “Right through that door, Miss,” he directed, and I suddenly felt nervous.

“You're not coming with me?” I asked, hoping the answer was yes, but that wasn’t my luck tonight.

“No miss, Alpha asked to see you alone,” he exclaimed.

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating my next move. “Um... Okay, see you later,” I waved, my heart was in my throat as Paul walked off down the hall.

I took a deep breath and opened the door, finding the Alpha half seated on his desk. He looked up from the papers he had in his hands. “Come in, please close the door behind you,” he instructed softly. As the door closed, he stood from the desk and walked toward me.

“Wait,” I requested, bringing my hand up to stop him. "Why did you ask me here?'' I pressed, never taking my eyes off him.

“I want to understand why I find myself unable to resist you,” he muttered, eyeing my figure.

“You are the Alpha. How could you possibly not be able to resist a fragile human like me?'' I asked, stifling a laugh. None of this made any sense. My body was sending me through a whirlwind of unfamiliar emotion clouding my judgment.

I kept my eyes locked on his as he came closer, inches away. It was at that moment that I was made very aware of how tall he was. He towered over me and looked into my eyes. “I never in my life wanted someone this much,” He confessed.

His hand brushed against mine, and I felt an electrifying force hum between us. I stepped away, wide-eyed. “What was that?” I asked. He tried to step closer, but I raised my hand, planting it against his chest.

He looked deep into my soul, grabbing my hand from his chest and placing it on his lips. “It's how powerful our connection is,” he declared. I looked at him, disoriented. “I should go,” I stuttered, pulling my hand free and backing away toward the door. Focusing on him a second longer before I hurried out of the room.