002

PAIGE’S POV 

Life after rejection and banishment from the pack was a whirlwind of change. It took me one month to get to where I was then. After I left the pack, I went to the human side of the town to start afresh. I was also able to rent a small one-bedroom apartment with the little money I had with me. And the landlady was very kind to me, given the state I was in. She even gave me some of her daughter's old clothes to use in the meantime.

I found a job at a bar as a bartender, and the pay was okay. It wasn't what I wanted, but it was the only job available, and I had no choice. My colleagues were really friendly, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of belonging. The other bartender, whose name was Caleb, taught me everything I needed to know before I started the job.

The manager, a stern but fair man named Wilfred, showed me around the bar.

That night was busy. Customers were flowing in, and the place was crowded. I had never seen this place so busy since I started working there. I hadn't taken a break since I came to work around 5 pm, and it was already 8:30 pm.

“Two beers and a glass of whisky.” Anne’s voice broke through my thoughts. She was one of the waitresses who worked at the bar.

“Just a sec,” I said as I brought out the beers with a cup of whiskey and handed them to her.

“Thanks, sweetheart.” She winked and walked off with the drinks. I stretched my body, feeling some pain all over it.

“You should take a break, Paige,” Caleb said, placing a small cloth on his shoulder. “You look really tired.”

I sighed. “There are still a lot of customers, and I know you can't attend to them alone.”

“True, but that doesn't mean you should wear yourself out,” he said. 

“Rela-” I was interrupted by two girls who sat on the stool, staring at Caleb before giggling silently.

“I will attend to those ladies while you rest.” He said sternly.

“I've heard you,” I muttered, pushing him away. “Go and serve your customers.”

I looked around the room, seeing everyone busy with one thing or the other. I sighed and returned to work, cleaning glasses and placing the drinks in their rightful place.

Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine. My wolf buzzed uneasily in my head, thought I didn't know why, and I didn't want to make a scene.

“A glass of vodka.” A voice said. The voice was very deep, rich, and husky at the same time, which showed that the owner was accustomed to talking and being heard. Also, it held such dominance and power in its tone. The voice sent tingles all over my body.

I turned around slowly, my heart hammering in my ribcage as I turned to face the person. When I saw him, my jaw dropped a bit.

Sitting before me was the most handsome man I had ever seen in my life. He had the most beautiful pair of hazel eyes, black hair, a sharp jaw, and a tan skin tone, and I could see how tall he was just from where he was sitting. The guy stared at me so intensely that his eyes followed my every movement.

He caught me staring at him and smirked. I quickly poured out his drink and served it. “Here is your drink,” I said, giving it to him. He took it from me, but, during the process, our fingers brushed together, and I saw his eyes flicker to black before turning back to their original colour within a second.

He was a werewolf, but he didn’t smell like one.

“Thanks, love.” He said huskily, and I couldn't help but blush hard. I left and went to serve some customers.

A few hours later, the bar was less busy, and my shift was coming to an end. I couldn't help but turn to my left, and I saw the mysterious guy still sitting at the far end of the bar, not moving an inch. His eyes never left me and weirdly, I liked it. I loved how he didn't look at any other girl apart from me, it made me feel special.

“I'm off, Caleb,” I said after removing the apron from my waist and placing my bag strap across my body.

“Okay. Have a wonderful night,” he said, then he gave me a gift bag. “Take it. You'll need it later.” He winked and left.

I opened the bag and saw a bottle of alcohol inside. I shook my head and laughed. I turned to the strange guy and waved at him.

“Good night,” I said and walked out of the bar. The night was quite chilly, and I didn't bring a jacket with me.

I walked to the nearby park and sat on the bench. I took out the alcohol from the bag and started drinking it. Werewolves could tolerate their alcohol intake, so I drank half of the bottle.

Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me. I turned and saw the mysterious guy, standing there.

“Why are you following me?” I grumbled, looking into his beautiful eyes.

“What is a beautiful she-wolf doing in a human town?” He asked as he sat beside me. I took a deep breath, inhaling his pinewood and maple scent. I felt so fuzzy around him.

“Well, I'm a rogue, so I have every right to be here,” I said sassily.

“You shouldn't be here.” He said.

“Who are you to tell me otherwise? You're not my Alpha.” I said in a sharp tone.

“Wow! Did I strike a nerve, love?” He smirked, and my wolf purred in my head. I could feel the tension increasing between us.

“What if you did?” I dared him. I turned to face him and found our lips were inches apart, and without hesitation, he pressed his lips against mine. I didn't stop him; I felt my heart warm up weirdly, and he swiftly pulled away, taking a breath.

“Do you trust me?” He asked breathlessly, and I nodded without knowing. “Come with me.” I nodded, holding his hands as we left the park.

A black SUV was waiting for us, and we climbed inside. His hands went to my waist, and he looked back at me. I nodded, and he began to trace my body. His hands unbuttoned my jeans and slipped into my trousers, and I felt my face flushed.

“Already wet for me, huh?” He said as the car drove away. 

Minutes later, we came to a stop and exited the car with me still in his arms.

“You can put me down,” I said, feeling shy from the stares I was receiving, but he didn't listen. We got into the elevator, and he placed me down. Once the door was closed, I was pushed against the silver-accented walls. His lips met mine like some kind of drug I couldn't get enough of, and as I ran out of breath, he pulled back and lifted me. He cupped my ass as I straddled him. I tilted my head back as he placed soft kisses along my neck, lightly sucking my mark spot.

His hazel eyes were captivating, and his grins were devilish; this man could make any woman blush hard.

“What's your name, love?” He asked, biting his lips while waiting for my answer.

“Why don't you tell me yours first?” I whispered back. He chuckled softly at my reply.

“Azriel King.” He said, and I whispered his name slowly, which made him growl.

“I will call you Az,” I stated. Weaving my fingers through his black, soft hair, his eyes remained on me.

“No one calls me Az.” I trailed my lips down his jawline, meeting him below his ear.

“Well, I do now, Az,” I mumbled. I pulled away from his ear, and his lips locked into mine, taking all the oxygen away from me.

“I'm Paige,” I said breathlessly as the door opened. I tucked my head into the crook of his neck, closing my eyes as he carried me through wherever we were. I was suddenly feeling adventurous because I had never done this with anyone else apart from Victor. He was the one I gave my virginity to, hoping we would be together forever.

He opened a door, placed me on the bed, and removed my clothes in a flash, leaving me in my laced black bra and thong. I quickly used my hands to cover my chest, feeling shy all of a sudden.

“Don't cover what's mine.” He growled as he leaned down, removing my hands and pinning them upwards. “You're beautiful. Never cover yourself up in front of me.” His lips met my neck again as I lay on the black duvet. He leaned down on me slightly, and as I closed my eyes, I felt his fingers trail down my stomach. He stopped at my underwear line, and I felt his presence move away from my face. His nose moved to my stomach, causing me to be tense. His hands were also unhooking my bra, and then I felt him remove my panties with his teeth.

“Are you sure you want this?” I opened my eyes as he asked for confirmation. I nodded in response and sat up to fiddle with his belt.

“Paige,” he called me, and I looked at him. “We can stop if you want.”

“I want this, Az.” I swallowed the lump in my throat, and he dropped his pants, leaving him in only his blue briefs. I brought my shaky hands up, tracing his abs and the bands of his briefs.

“I don't think I'll last long if you continue to touch me like that.” He slowly growled, pulled me closer, and his lips met mine again. He pushed me further into the bed as he devoured my lips.

“Azriel.” I moaned as he pressed his length into my clit, and my back arched with our lips still intertwined. He explored my body in such a sensual way. His eyes showed so much love and affection in them.

“Your scent is driving me crazy.” He placed kisses all over my neck.

“Oh good—” I was breathless, and I came within a second, but that didn't stop him from continuing to thrust into me.

“Mine.” He growled and held me tighter. He grunted, and his thrusts grew slower.

He removed himself as I was out of breath, and within minutes, I found myself on the brink of sleep.

*******************

It'd been five days since I had sex with a complete werewolf stranger, and it was really unlike me. For the past two days, I had been sick, and I did know why, because werewolves rarely got sick.

I felt nauseous whenever I smelt certain food. My breast felt swollen, my stomach felt bloated, and I've noticed I've added some weight too.

I exited the shower and dried myself off with a towel, gently dabbing it around my chest because it hurt. I grabbed a blue shirt with black shorts and took my bag.

As I entered the kitchen, a wave hit me. “Oh fuck—” I immediately turned away, rushing straight to the bathroom.

“What's wrong with me, Nora?” I asked my wolf. She'd been quiet since our wild encounter with the stranger.

“I think we're pregnant, Paige.” She said after a while of complete silence.

PREGNANT!! “That's impossible!” I shouted.

“I cannot get pregnant after five days of having sex,” I exclaimed, feeling confused.

Nora's next words shocked me. “It's not Azriel’s baby… It's Victor’s.” She blurted out.

My world crashed around me.”Oh! fuck!”

No! No!

I couldn’t be pregnant for my ex.

*****