Alexei The ballroom gets too loud all of a sudden. Or maybe it’s not the sound. Maybe it’s the way my wolf keeps pacing inside me, claws out, teeth bared, like he’s seconds away from snapping. I don’t wait. I slip past the other guests, through one of the open side doors and into the cool night. The air hits me like a splash of cold water. I drag in a breath and let it fill my lungs, slow and deep. Better. But not enough. I move a little further, past the edge of the courtyard, into the shadows where I don’t feel eyes on me. Where I don’t have to pretend like I’m fine. Because I’m not. My wolf is restless. Not just jittery, not just excited from the moon. It’s deeper than that. Rawer. Like something’s missing and he can’t bear it anymore. Like if I don’t shift and run, he’ll tear his way out just to breathe. I press my palm to my chest. He wants his mate. He wants Stella. And the worst part? So do I. I press my eyes shut. It’s stupid. It’s been a while. I should’ve learned
AlexeiAs if she feels my gaze, she suddenly looks up... right at me.It’s not slow or shy. It’s instant. Like she knew exactly where to look.Our eyes meet for just a breath, maybe two. She blinks, once. Then I see it, her eyes narrow a little. Not angry. Not confused either. More like… she’s trying to figure who I am.Klaus is saying something to her, standing close, clearly talking about something serious, but before he notices where her attention has gone, she turns away from me and looks back at him.Just like that, it’s over.A split-second stare between two strangers in a room full of wolves.It should feel awkward. Should make me look away in embarrassment for getting caught staring like a clueless teen. But it doesn’t. I don’t feel awkward. I don’t feel weird. I don’t even look away.I just feel… intrigued.That one look didn’t answer anything, it only pulled me deeper into the question. Who the hell is she? Why did that brief eye contact feel more solid than half the convers
AlexeiGold accents catch the light from a massive chandelier that looks like it belongs in a royal palace. Tables are set up around the edges with crystal glasses and too many forks. The floor gleams, polished so bright it almost reflects your thoughts, while the soft music drifts through the room.The suit I’d originally picked out? Yeah, it wouldn’t have cut it.Not that I really care about impressing anyone, but being Beta means more than just standing behind my Alpha. I carry our pack’s image on my shoulders too. Eyes are always on us when we’re off our land. Every move, every word, every damn wrinkle in my jacket, people take it all in.Sophia knew that. That’s probably why she showed up with that tux, smug as hell like she’d seen this moment coming before I even thought about it.And fine. I’ll admit it. I’m glad I wore it.However, this whole Full Moon Ball thing still feels a little strange to me. Because sooner or later, we’ll shift and go for a run in the woods like the wild
AlexeiI’m half-dressed and standing in front of the mirror, towel hanging from my neck, shirt unbuttoned, hair still damp from the shower. The bathroom’s steamed up, so I crack the window to let some of the heat out while I run a hand through my hair to push it back.There’s a black shirt and dark slacks lying on the bed. Nothing fancy, but clean and sharp. It’s comfortable, and I don’t feel like putting more effort into tonight than I already have. It’s just another event, another pack, another bunch of strangers I’ll probably never see again.Still, I’m not rushing. My wolf’s a little twitchy, pacing in the back of my mind like he doesn’t know what he wants. I try to ignore him, focusing instead on rolling my sleeves just right when I hear the knock at the door.Not loud. Just a soft, familiar rhythm.I know it’s her before I even reach for the handle.When I open the door, Sophia stands there holding a garment bag, her lips pulled into a tight, knowing smile.I lean against the fra
Alexei I sit on the couch in Mikhail and Sophia’s room, one ankle resting on my knee, arms stretched along the backrest. Mikhail’s in the shower while Sophia’s checking in with the pups. I look around th room and take in everything. The place is nice. Big windows, elegant furniture, too many pillows on the bed. My own room isn’t anything less than this. If you ask me, it’s far too big for one person, but I guess all the guest rooms are designed the same way. Big, luxurious, clean. But still… there’s a kind of warmth in it. You can feel it in the colors, in the little details, like someone actually cared enough to turn this into more than just a guest space. Like someone tried to make sure it feels like home. However, my mind is not on these things... it is on something else. Everything here looks perfect. Feels polished. Everyone we met was kind, welcoming. Nothing out of place. Except one thing. That empty chair at the dinner table. I lean forward, elbows on my knees, fing
AlexeiAs soon as we cross into Adolphus Pack territory, I notice the difference.The land isn’t marked by gates or fences, but everything about it feels intentional. I sit up a little straighter in my seat. Mikhail glances at me, but says nothing. We both know that look. We're in someone else's territory now. Doesn't matter how friendly things are... we still stay alert. My wolf pushes closer to the surface. Not aggressive. Just alert.He doesn’t like the fact that we’re somewhere unfamiliar with our Luna sitting in the backseat. This isn’t our land. It isn’t our people.I feel the low hum of him just beneath my skin, pacing, ears perked.The borders are clean, patrols are present but relaxed, and even the forest looks... well, taken care of. Like someone actually trims the wild here. The roads leading in are paved and smooth, not something you see often in pack lands.They’ve only been here a short while, but it’s obvious that they’ve got money. And they know how to use it without