Chapter 2

Allison

It took forty-five minutes, half a can of hairspray, and another glass of liquid courage to pour myself into the blue satin dress.

When I finally stood in front of the full-length mirror in Roman’s guest room, my breath hitched. The fabric hugged every single curve like a second skin, dropping low enough in the back to expose the smooth expanse of my spine. The hemline cut dangerously high on my thighs, making my legs look incredibly long in my new strappy heels.

“Allie,” Sarah murmured, leaning against the doorframe. “If Roman doesn’t lose his absolute mind when he sees you, I’m checking him into a hospital.”

“He’s my brother’s best friend,” I reminded her, though my voice sounded small. Thicker.

“He’s a man with eyes,” Alexa chimed in, adjusting the zipper on her backless black dress. “And right now, those blue-green eyes of yours are looking entirely too delicious.”

I stared at my reflection. My long dark hair fell in soft waves past my shoulders, contrasting sharply against the rich blue satin. I looked older. Lethal. Like the kind of girl who belonged in a high-end club downtown, not the girl who used to steal Roman’s oversized hockey hoodies and hide in his room to escape my father’s intense pack lectures.

A sudden, sharp shiver rippled through my chest. The air in the penthouse felt heavier now. The closer the clock ticked to the midnight countdown, the more my wolf seemed to stretch beneath my skin, scratching at the surface, desperate to be let out. It was a restless, clawing sensation that made my pulse race.

“Limo’s downstairs!” Zane’s booming voice echoed from the bottom of the stairs. “Move it, girls! The VIP section is waiting!”

“Let’s go,” Sarah grinned, grabbing her clutch.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I followed them out of the bedroom and down the floating glass staircase. The main level of the penthouse was bathed in the warm, golden glow of the city skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Zane was standing by the door, already wearing a sleek, dark designer jacket over a white shirt. He looked up, his jaw dropping slightly as Alexa stepped onto the landing. I saw the sudden, heavy darkening of my brother’s green eyes, a classic alpha-blood response, before he quickly masked it with a smirk.

“Where’s Roman?” I asked, my eyes scanning the empty living room.

“He went down to the VIP garage a few minutes ago to talk to the security detail,” Zane said, tossing a set of keys onto the counter. “He said he’d meet us by the limo. Come on, before the paparazzi get tipped off.”

We took the private elevator down to the secure underground parking garage. The air down here was cold, smelling of concrete and expensive exhaust. A sprawling, custom black stretch limousine was idling in the center lane, its tinted windows gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights.

And leaning against the rear door, looking like a literal god of sin, was Roman.

He had changed into a fresh black silk shirt, the top three buttons entirely undone, exposing the heavy silver chain resting against his chest. His damp hair from earlier was now perfectly styled, messy but intentional. He was looking down at his phone, his thumb sliding across the screen, a slight scowl darkening his features.

Then, the elevator doors chimed.

Roman’s head snapped up.

The moment his blue eyes locked onto me, his entire body went completely rigid.

The casual, bored expression evaporated from his face, replaced by a sudden, terrifying intensity. His gaze dropped from my face, dragging down the tight blue satin of my dress, lingering on the exposed skin of my collarbones, before tracking all the way down my bare legs. His chest rose and fell in a slow, heavy breath.

My feet froze on the concrete.

The air between us felt like it was suddenly supercharged with electricity. I could feel the raw, primal energy radiating off him—the undeniable weight of his future Alpha aura pressing against me.

“Jesus, Allie,” Zane muttered beside me, entirely missing the tension as he walked past to open the limo door for Sarah and Alexa. “Roman definitely outdid himself with that dress choice. You look like a million bucks.”

Roman didn’t say a word. He didn't even blink. He just stood there, his eyes burning into mine with an intensity that made my inner wolf whimper in absolute submission.

I swallowed hard, forcing my legs to move, walking slowly toward him. The heels made a sharp click-clack echo against the garage floor.

“Do I pass inspection?” I asked, trying for a playful tone but failing miserably when my voice caught in my throat.

Roman finally stepped away from the limo, closing the distance between us until he was standing entirely too close. The heavy scent of cedarwood, expensive cologne, and dark whiskey filled my senses, making my head spin. He tilted his head down, his blue eyes searching mine, searching for something hidden deep beneath the surface.

Slowly, his large hand reached out. His fingers didn't touch my skin, but they hovered just a millimeter away from my bare shoulder, the heat radiating from his palm scorching me through the air.

“You look...” Roman’s voice was lower than usual, a rough, gravelly rumble that vibrated right through my chest. He swallowed, his jaw clenching hard enough for a muscle to tick. “You look dangerous, Al. Unfairly dangerous.”

“You picked it,” I whispered, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm.

“I didn't think you’d look like this in it,” he murmured, his gaze dropping back down to my lips before snapping up to my eyes. For a split second, a flash of bright, predatory silver sparked in the depths of his pupils.

My breath caught. His wolf.

“Hey! Lovebirds! Or whatever the hell you are!” Zane yelled from inside the limo, his face popping out of the open door. “Get your asses in the car! We have a club to burn down!”

The silver vanished from Roman’s eyes as quickly as it had appeared. He blinked, a dark, complicated emotion flitting across his face before he masked it with his signature, lazy smirk. He stepped back, opening the door wider and extending a hand to help me inside.

“After you, birthday girl,” he said softly.

The touch of his hand against mine was like an electric shock. I practically scrambled into the plush leather interior of the limo, trying to catch my breath as Roman climbed in right behind me, sliding into the seat directly next to mine