Chapter 6

Ronan’s POV

“Hello, beautiful.”

The words left my mouth before I could even think. I had spent the last hour chasing a crying Thalia and dealing with my mother’s cold glares, but my mind was stuck on the girl at the bar.

Vexley turned around slowly. When her eyes met mine, she didn't look afraid or starstruck. She just smiled. It wasn't a wide smile, just a small, knowing curve of her lips. In that second, the air in my lungs disappeared. I literally forgot how to breathe.

I had seen beautiful women my whole life. Thalia was a princess; she was polished and perfect. But this girl, Vexley, was something else.

 Her beauty felt effortless. The kind of beauty that didn’t beg for attention yet commanded it anyway. 

Her eyes carried a quiet warmth that made people linger a little longer. Every movement she made seemed graceful without trying, natural in a way that made her unforgettable. 

She wasn’t merely pretty; she had the sort of presence that stayed in people’s minds long after she had walked away.

Have we met before?" I asked. My voice sounded deeper than usual, even to my own ears. I was searching her face, looking for a reason why my heart was suddenly racing like a panicked rabbit.

She tilted her head, her dark hair catching the light. "I don't think so, my Alpha," she said. Her voice was like silk, smooth and soft.

"Vexley Aleron," she added, introducing herself officially.

"Vexley," I repeated. The name felt strange on my tongue, but I liked the way it sounded.

I leaned against the bar, trying to look like the confident Alpha I was supposed to be.

 "You are... incredible, Vexley. Honestly, you're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

I wasn't just talking about her face. I was thinking about the way she stood up to Thalia. Thalia had been my mate for three years, and I knew her better than anyone. She was arrogant. She was a bully. She used her status to step on anyone she thought was beneath her.

 I had watched her treat students like trash for years, and I had never had the courage to stop her. But this girl—this transfer student with no title—had put Thalia on the floor.

And then, there was my mother. Luna Selena’s wrath was like a forest fire; it consumed everything in its path. No one had ever escaped it. But Vexley had bowed. She had been respectful and humble at exactly the right moment. She had played my mother like a fine instrument.

"I’m courageous? Or just foolish?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.

"Courageous," I said firmly. "And respectful. My mother doesn't usually give out second chances."

But as I looked at her, a strange feeling settled in my gut. I didn't recognize her. I knew I had never seen this face before. And yet, it felt like I had known her all my life. It was a pull, a deep tug in my chest that made me want to reach out and pull her closer.

Then, her scent hit me.

It was captivating. It was a mix of flowers and rain, but underneath that, there was something else. Something ancient. Something that made my wolf, who had been quiet for years, suddenly stand up and howl. 

My wolf was scratching at my insides, desperate to get to her. It had never reacted this way to anyone—not even Thalia.

The only time I had felt this kind of soul-deep connection was with... her. The Omega mate I had lost years ago. The girl who died because of my mistake. But that was impossible. Ravenna was dead. This was Vexley.

My heart seized. The way she said "my Alpha" wasn't like the other girls who said it to flirt. It was melodic. It was a command. I felt like I could sit at this bar and listen to her speak for the rest of my life.

"Can I sit with you?" I asked. I felt like a nervous teenager, not a man who was just crowned to lead a pack.

She nodded. "I’d like that."

I sat down, silence stretched between us for a moment. I was actually nervous. Me, the heir to the Bloodmoon throne, was sweating because a girl was looking at me. 

I signaled the bartender for a bottle of wine. When it arrived, I didn't wait for the server. I took the bottle and filled her glass myself, my fingers trembling slightly.

She took the glass and raised it. "To your coronation, prince Ronan. May your rule be... unforgettable."

She smiled again, and I felt myself relax. The tension in my shoulders melted away. "Thank you," I said, my voice warm. "You really are beautiful, Vexley."

"Thank you, Prince," she replied softly.

We sat there for a while, the noise of the party fading into the background.

 It felt like we were in a bubble. But then, she finished her glass and set it down on the wood with a soft clink. 

"I should go now," she said, standing up. "It’s been a long night."

I felt a pang of disappointment. I didn't want her to leave. I wanted to ask her a thousand questions. I wanted to know where she came from and why she made my wolf act so crazy.

Before I could say anything, she leaned forward. I caught the scent of her skin—warm and sweet. 

She pressed a feather-light kiss to my cheek. Her lips were soft, and for a second, the world stopped turning.

"See you later, my Alpha," she murmured against my ears. 

I was dumbfounded. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. I just sat there like a statue, my heart hammering against my ribs. All I could do was give a small, stiff nod as she pulled away.

I watched her walk away. She moved with a grace that was almost hypnotic, her dark dress flowing around her legs. As she disappeared through the doors, I looked down at myself and realized with a shock that I was hard.

My blood was rushing, and my pants felt uncomfortably tight. I blinked, rubbing my face with my hands. This hadn't happened in years. Since the night in the forest, I had felt cold inside. 

Even with Thalia, I usually had to force myself to feel desire. But with Vexley... one kiss on the cheek and I was aching for her.

"It's a coincidence," I whispered to myself, gripping the edge of the bar. "Just a coincidence. I'm just stressed from the party."

But deep down, my wolf knew better. I tried to tell myself I wasn't that easy, that I couldn't be that hard for a stranger. But the heat in my body told a different story.

I wasn't just interested in Vexley Aleron. I was already losing control.