01

SIENNA

"Sorry! Oh shit, you look amazing." I rushed the last part out in quiet awe, whilst trying to steady myself after almost sending an elderly guest to the ground in the middle of the hall. She looked so buttery too, like she would have gotten a concussion if she'd fallen.

The lady only spared me a dirty look in response to my apology and compliment, then strutted off in her six-inch Peter Chu heels. Well, wow. And here I was struggling to walk in my pumps.

I took a deep breath and managed to trudge back to my seat.

Tonight, the Sun Pack's Royal Hall was alive for my mother's wedding reception. Her dreams finally came true; she'd married an Alpha.

Violins strummed a melody so loud, the air too sweet with champagne and regality.

My eyes roamed the crowd, while my fingers clutched my glass like a lifeline. This reaction was all mom's fault. Twenty years of being tucked away by her had taught me one thing — too many bodies in one room made my skin crawl. I kept my glass close, chugging alcohol to help my discomfort.

Every corner of the ballroom glistened from gold chandeliers, silk drapes, lace tablecloths, stack of champagnes, and wolves dressed like royalty.

The scent of wealth and power was thick in the air. Women were clad in corseted gowns, breasts were lifted high above with silk and rich velvet, some wore satin and some lace gloves. Choker jewelry that glistened under the light and chic bangles around their wrists. Each dress oozed of wealth, hand stitched to perfection.

The men were mainly in tuxedos, and in shades that match their partner’s dress. Their three piece tuxedos made highlights to their broad shoulders, well built biceps, and long torso. The pants were no exception.

Again, my eyes danced through the crowd until they landed on mom, perfect in silver and radiant with that smile she shared with a few others and the Alpha. Alpha Darius.

I did a quick work of smiling back when she looked my way, then dropped my gaze before she could see the fakery in it. Mom always sparkled under every spotlight, glowing and sure of herself. I couldn’t even blend into my own dress. I got stares still, like the rest of the guests. Mom called me her ‘golden-haired goddess’… believe me, it was impossible not to stare.

My gaze drifted again, and to him—Damon, the Alpha’s only son. I swallowed.

He stood beside his father, a hand tucked behind his back and the other lazily held onto the champagne glass. His boyish features stood out today, and the first three buttons of his black dress shirt popped open, to spite the rules—just like the time in senior year, when he’d shown up to school in his leather jacket instead of the uniform blazer.

His blue suit jacket clung to him like arrogance itself, the pants flowed down his long legs, and his feet were covered by a black loafer with red bottoms.

He’d long loosened the tie and the chains around his neck made him look out of place.

Our eyes met for the briefest moment and just like that, I’d forgotten how to breathe. It wasn't like this was the first time he was looking, but this was different. He was staring on his own accord, and not on obligation like the time our parents had to introduce us officially, weeks ago.

Damon's lips curled up in a smile, and I suddenly became too tense to give a smile back until he finally looked away. Fuck. I drained the remainder of my glass. Mom was going to be so mad at me tonight.

Holding that thought, I refilled my glass with the last of the alcohol on the table, needing to focus on something else that wasn’t Damon, his devilishly handsome features and the overpowering effect he had on me.

Even with my back to him, I could feel and imagine his pitch black eyes locked on me for some reason. Maybe I was delusional? After my last glass, I stood and made my way over to the bar to really rid myself of the butterflies in my belly and the racing of my heart.

Having a crush on Damon was easier when we weren't… related. Like, I'd have to see him everyday from tonight?

“Whiskey,” I told the bartender.

“Coming right up.” He said, then filled the empty glass with my order, but someone snuck up on me before I could down the drink. Mom's perfume filled my nostrils.

“Don’t drink too much, my cherry.” She cupped my cheeks. “Today is for new beginnings, not old regrets.”

I turned to give her a curt nod, then watched her leave right after. Old regrets?

I kissed my teeth and shook my head, but rather drank away than dwell on any of that.

A glass turned to five more, making my head spin. I tipped my head back to watch the crowd swaying to the strumming of the violins.

Everyone had a partner. The Alpha with his new Luna and Damon with… a girl who wasn’t me.

My teeth sunk into the seam of my full bottom lips, hating how she rested her head against his chest, how perfect they looked together.

Looked like she belonged there. Was she his mate? I was getting so hot just watching them, so I moved away, slipping through the large door that led to the garden. The fairy lights were dimmed, letting the full moon cast a soft glow.

My hand ran over my pale lilac satin dress threaded with silver embroidery, hugging my hips so much, the ribs to the corset dug into my skin, making me wince at the slightest inconvenience. Didn’t help that my tits were pushing up to my chin, literally.

I held the bottle to my lips, one I had stolen when the bartender wasn’t looking. The sour taste hit the back of my throat, but it kept me calm for the time being. Not enough to make me forget about Damon, and the girl he was dancing with though. I was jealous, even if I knew I had no reason to be.

From here, I could tell they were all having a good time. Their laughter echoed as the Alpha made a toast and everyone’s cheer and the clinking of glass came right after.

I raised my bottle and let a small smile curl on my lips as I downed more than a swig. I was so happy for mom, I couldn't wait to join in her crying session after this. Yes, we were both 'sob-a-holics'.

"Running from the party, hmm?" I heard a very familiar baritone ask from behind me and suddenly, the air was heavy with musk and saffron.

I turned around, smiling hard at Damon, "Why would I?"

"What I'm trying to find out." He was matching my smile, but his eyes were struggling to look away from my cleavage. I was used to being looked at like that by other men and while usually it would disgust me, with Damon, I felt like he wasn't seeing enough.

This was the very first time I was having a conversation with him, and the first time we stood so close to each other. His suit jacket was gone, and so was the tie. The buttons were popped down to five now, showcasing his skin which was a canvas of detailed ink.

The sleeves were rolled up, showing his bronze skin and the veins on his forearms stood out, a display of strength that shouldn’t have been attractive as it was. What was it that he'd said again?

"Well, what's going on in there has nothing to do with me."

"But it does. Our parents are getting married. We should show support." He took my bottle away from me then, taking a swig. My lips had just been on that… Heat rose up to my neck at the silly thought, and I cleared my throat to answer,

"Then why are you here? You should be inside the hall, 'showing support'." I took the bottle from him, knowing I'd sounded sassy as hell and waiting for his reaction.

His eyes lit up with a smile.

"I should. Only, you've been staring all night."

Oh, bullocks.

I managed to hold his gaze still, as he went on, "And then I saw you leave the party. Needed to make sure my… stepsister felt alright."

Damon's eyes dropped to my chest at the same time mine dropped to his perfectly shaped lips.

'I really want to kiss him right now.' I blinked. Who said that?

He laughed. "You. I really want to kiss you too."

I slapped a hand over my mouth in shock and trepidation. I had said that out loud?!

Damon slowly nodded. "And this, too."

I pressed my eyes shut, hoping he'd disappear when I opened them. I peeled them open seconds later and he waved gingerly. I huffed out a breath.

He moved closer, donning a dangerous smirk. "You're drunk."

"You are, too." I accused.

"Fairs."

"I am. But you're shaking as well, Sienna, and it's not from the drinks, or the weather."

I squirmed on hearing my name roll off his tongue, my nipples puckering in my dress. My gaze dropped to his lips again, and then his hand was on my cheek.

My heart raced in my chest when our lips were just inches away from a kiss. "We can't… we can't do this."

"But we can." And then his palm left my cheek, pulling my chin instead for a deep, riveting kiss.

It was a clash of everything at once. Hungry, defiant, fierce, yet passionate. A part of me tried to end this, but it felt too good to break off.

First, I felt guilt, but the more he fondled my lower lips, all of that morphed into a fire that burnt me whole. I didn’t deepen the kiss as much I craved to, just let out small moans and tried to meet his passionate strokes.

It just felt too right. In that moment, I’d forgotten how forbidden this felt, I’d forgotten mom’s vows to the Alpha, the pack laws, and what the world would say.

It was just us.

“Shit.” Damon ran his slender fingers through his dark hair, finally pulling away.

We stared at each other, breathless… But I was more satisfied than confused.

I wanted more. I had to shove that thought to the side, saying instead, "We shouldn’t have done that." My voice came out shaky.

"Then you should have pushed me off, ran away, something else rather than kissing me back, fucking moaning while I can smell your arousal, Sienna."

My throat ran dry because he was right. Also because of how raw he sounded.

"We really have no business being here. Come with me, baby." Damon’s eyes glowed, from pitch black to dark blue, so wolf-like.

"I…" I paused, biting down on my lower lips and then stared down at my feet. It was my last chance to go back on the words at the tip of my tongue.

But then the bottle slipped from my hand and before I could blink, my feet were off the ground—my body slung over his shoulder.

Was I getting railed by my stepbrother tonight?