Chapter 2. Sets POV

I pushed open the café door, the familiar jingle announcing my arrival, and inhaled the comforting aroma of roasted coffee beans. “Sets! Over here!” Melody called out, waving her hand like a flag. The three of them huddled in the corner, an island of excitement.

I navigated through the scattered tables, dodging the busy waitresses.

I slid into the seat next to Nancy, my excitement bubbling over. The girls greeted me with radiant smiles.

“Did you catch Ace's latest video?” Mercedes asked, her voice filled with excitement. "He was absolutely hilarious! I couldn't stop laughing!”

Her ocean-blue eyes sparkled with delight and her sandy blonde curls bounced, adding to her lively demeanor.

“Oh my god, yes! Those dance moves? Absolutely hilarious!” Melody exclaimed, tossing her long, brown hair aside.

“Funny? He was freakin’ hot!” I countered, unable to suppress my grin.

“I know, right?!” Nancy jumped in, her hands rapidly clapping together. “I could barely pay attention to his jokes with that body on display!”

The banter flowed easily as we leaned in, tossing wild theories around like confetti. It was one of the things I loved about my friends. We could express our opinions freely without the fear of being judged, no matter how extreme it might seem.

“You think he’s a rogue? Maybe he was banished from his pack, and that’s why he wears that mask!” Nancy gasped, chocolate-eyes wide as if she had just uncovered his biggest secret.

“Naah, no way! He’s too charming. I bet he’s just a big, shy sweetheart behind that mask,” I retorted, leaning back with a smirk. “Imagine him at home, playing video games and cracking jokes to his cat.”

The laughter erupted, but the speculation lingered. Mercedes took a sip of her drink, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “Whatever he is, he sure knows how to keep us guessing.”

Almost thirty minutes passed of coming up with wicked stories and possibilities, my phone buzzed incessantly. A chain of texts flooded in from Jay.

Jay: Where you at, man?

Jay:C’mon, you said you’d come!

Jay:I’ll drag you out of bed if I have to!”

I cracked a smile and glanced at the girls, raising an eyebrow. “You guys down for a game of basketball with Jay and the guys?”

They exchanged glances, pretending to ponder the offer. Then, in perfect synchrony, they all shook their heads. “No thanks!”

“Aw, that’s alright. No worries,” I shrugged, trying to hide my disappointment.

I gathered the plastic cups that littered the tabletop, tossing them into the trash as I made my way out. And then texting Jay back letting him know I’d be there soon.

Stepping outside, I was hit by the chaotic energy of the crowded streets. My anxiety kicked in. I hated crowds more than I hated wet socks, especially when I’m on my own. So, I veered off, slipping into an empty parking lot not far from the café. It was a shortcut to the courts where we often played.

A few steps in, an alluring scent caught my attention, enough for me to peel my eyes away from my phone. A musky, manly fragrance mixed with a hint of vanilla. My feet moved instinctively, drawn to the course of that scent, curiosity piquing my interest. The thoughts of having to be at the courts soon vanished, I had to find the source before I left.

I quickened my pace, glancing around. As I closed in on the enticing smell, my body came to a sudden halt. A familiar figure emerged, sending my heart into a frantic dance. My eyes locked onto that black shirt that I’ve seen countless times, hugging his sculpted frame perfectly. I stood there in silent awe, as he slipped his signature white mask off revealing his tousled raven waves.

My gaze refused to turn away, instead, taking in every feature of his face like it was a sacred jewel. It was just as stunning as his physique. A jawline sharp enough to cut glass, his full lips curved slightly at a corner as he concentrated on his phone.

For a second I thought I was invisible, a background character no one ever noticed. Until his head snapped in my direction, his warm smile I’d grown accustomed to faded, replaced by an unsettling chill.

Before I knew it we were staring right into each other's souls. Electric signals surged between us, a sensation unlike anything I’d ever known. A deep craving stirred within me, almost unexplainable.

“Mate!” my inner wolf howled in delight, her excitement palpable. I could almost hear her panting in anticipation. Yet our happiness quickly fell as his normally warm and welcoming eyes, now radiated an icy chill. Holding a coldness that threatened to freeze me solid.

Even though alarms blared in my head, warning against any sudden movements under his chilling glare, Lori urged me to break the silence. Go to him. Embrace him. Anything to soothe the yearning for hew newly found mate. Hesitant, I wiped my clammy hands on my jeans, words bubbling up like a shaken soda.

“I-I’m sorry for the interruption, I didn’t expect anyone to be here at this time of the night. Really! I was just trying to take a shortcut home and I thought I smelt something then one thing led to the next…”

My words spilled out, clumsy and uncontrolled, my mouth moving without my brain’s permission Idiot, just be quiet! You’re embarrassing yourself. My internal thoughts hissed.

Though, he didn’t even flinch at my rambling. His gaze only lingered for a second before he shifted his attention back to his phone, gathering his things with a dismissive flick of his hand.

“I’m a really big fan!” My tongue began to betray me even further. “My friends and I always brag about your videos. Oh! But don’t worry, I promise to not tell anyone what your face looks like or that I’ve even seen you!”

“Do you always talk this much?” Seriously, shut up.”

His voice cut through the quiet parking lot, sharp and biting. Each word felt like ice spears, leaving a sting that echoed in my chest. Blood rushed to my ears at his nonchalant attitude, but Lori insisted that I pressed on, desperate for a connection.

Alright, maybe he’s just embarrassed about a fan catching him filming his video. Hell, I used to get embarrassed by my brother buying me my pads for the first time.

The Ace I admired online was always warm and approachable, a beacon of kindness to his followers. That thought alone was enough to make one final attempt to try to smooth things out, in case I’m just misunderstanding something here.

“I’m sorry if my sudden intrusion made you feel a bit embarrassed—”

“Embarrassed?” He scoffed, not even sparing me a glance. “By someone that looks like you? Just keep it moving.”

Lori whined at his indifference, igniting a firestorm of emotions within me. Seriously, who does he think he is? Well, I know who he is, but to act like such a jerk? With how hard I frowned, I swear my eyebrows connected at one point.

“I said sorry,” I snapped, my voice edged with irritation. “Maybe I just got a bit nervous about meeting you—someone I admire a lot. But it doesn’t give you a free pass to be such an ass.” Anger bubbled inside me, hot and relentless, unable to suppress it.

I watched as his jaw clenched for a brief moment, a flicker of tension before it relaxed again. Still, his eyes were glued to his bag as he zipped it up.

“If that’s all you have to say, get lost. Your scent is like inhaling vomit,” he shot back.

I crossed my arms tightly, my frustration boiling over. “I doubt it smells like vomit.”

Everyone always said your mate’s scent was intoxicating, overwhelming your senses. Which seemed to be true, because right now he was driving me wild. My mind was a chaotic storm, drowning in the turmoil of his scent. If he hadn’t hurt Lori’s feelings or wasn’t being a jerk, I would be lost in that aroma instead of this anger.

“Especially since that so-called vomit smell you’re inhaling happens to be the scent of your m-”

“Don’t say it.” He interjected, his blue eyes narrowed on mine, a fierce fire igniting laced with an unknown darkness.

“What, mate? That you’re my mate?” I teased, raising an eyebrow while a smirk played on my lips.

His jaw clenched again, that fire in his eyes grew bigger as the underlying darkness darkened even further. With a few of his strides, he easily closed the distance between us, now towering over me. His scent grew even stronger, almost taking complete control of my mind.

Though I was determined to not break eye contact, a chill ran down my spine. Why was I provoking him? He did tell me to leave multiple times, but I was being stubborn. The thought of rejection loomed over me like a dark cloud. What if he rejected me as his mate out of anger?

I had heard rumors floating around in our pack since I was a pup. Tales of rejection that cut deeper than any physical wound, pain so intense it could sever the bond with your inner wolf, sometimes even leading to death. Fear clawed at my insides, tightening its grip as my mind raced.

“I said don’t f***ing say it.” He growled, his voice low and dangerous. I could feel his hot breath travel down my face, sending shockwaves through my entire body.

His eyes bore into me, sharp and unyielding. All of a sudden, I felt small, like a prey cornered by a predator, ready to pounce. This wasn’t how I envisioned our meeting. The warmth, the laughter, the gentle personality I had dreamt of now felt like nothing but a pup's whimsical fantasy.

Lori howled in distress, her cries echoing my own fears and her anxiety merging with mine. I stood torn between the urge to lash out at him for hurting her and the paralyzing fear of his rejection.

I inhaled deeply, forcing the air to calm my racing heart.

“Sorry,” I said, my voice steadying despite the tremor beneath. “I didn’t know you were going to get all shitty about it. I’ll just leave.” I stepped to the side, moving forward as if propelled by sheer will. At least I could claim the last word, a small victory. As my feet drove me further from him, I sent a text to Jay telling him I felt sick.