Chapter 1

Selene

It was few hours until our graduation ceremony, and every student had been busy preparing for the big day

overjoyed and eager. As for me, I didn't have much preparation to do. I just wanted to get school over with and face the next chapter in my life—get into a university and study architecture. My friend Chloe had dragged me to the club after much persuasion. 

Loud music thumped in my ears as I stepped inside the club. The sound was so loud I could feel it vibrating in my chest. Somehow, the thought of turning back and leaving crept in. This isn’t the kind of place I have ever been to. What if something bad happens on my first day here? Maybe I should just leave and go back home.

However, before I could make a move, Chloe dragged me forward, not caring about bumping into people too busy dancing and drinking. Chloe and the rest had probably been here several times. They weren't nervous the way I was. 

My name is Selene, 18-year-old daughter of Alpha Dominic, the respected Alpha of Moonscar Pack—a pack known for peace and unity. My father had recently stepped down and handed the pack affairs to my brother Zayn, who is now the Alpha.

Zayn and I have a good relationship as siblings. He's always there to support me whenever I'm facing anything. Even after being crowned Alpha, he tries his best despite being busy with the pack's affairs.

Before I knew what was happening, I found myself sitting on a stool with glasses of drinks in front of me.

"Give her something light," Chloe said to the young man, who looked to be in his late twenties. She winked at him like they knew each other.

"I don't need anything," I shook my head, but the young man had already placed a glass in front of me.

"Come on, Selene. Stop acting holy. Opportunity comes but once. Why don't you make use of this and enjoy? Just relax and get lost in the moment. We'll leave in half an hour."

If I had known Chloe was only making up an excuse when she said we would leave in half an hour, I wouldn't have tasted the drink. She said something light, but just after downing two glasses, I felt like my head was going in circles.

And then again Chloe was nowhere to be found. Neither were the rest of the girls. I was left alone with an almost pounding headache.

Just as I turned my head toward the quieter end of the club, away from the swirl of lights and noise, my eyes landed on him.

Everything stilled.

He was alone, seated at the VIP section like he’d been carved out of shadow and temptation. One hand wrapped around a glass. The other rested on his thigh. Calm. His eyes lifted to meet mine.

I looked away quickly, pretending to sip my drink.But when I looked again, he was no longer seated.

He was walking toward me. My breath caught, panic and heat flaring in my chest. I turned slightly, heart racing.  He slipped onto the empty stool beside me.

He didn’t speak right away. Just sat. Close enough that the warmth of him seeped into me.

“Hey, You here alone?” he asked, voice deep, rich, slow like honey.

I swallowed and forced myself to nod. “Hi. Yes, with friends,” I added, trying to sound casual.

He hummed, glancing toward the crowd. “Don’t see anyone nearby.”

“They’re dancing,” I said quietly.

His gaze slid back to me. “And you’re not.”

 “Not really into it.” I replied shaking my head. 

His eyes fixated on me. Way too intense “First time at a club?”

I gave a reluctant nod.He smiled. God. That smile wasn’t kind. It was dangerous curved just right, with heat behind it. My stomach flipped.

“You don’t talk much,” he went on again, eyes roaming my face, lingering on my lips.

“No,” I whispered.

“Good,” he murmured. “Talking ruins things like this.”

“Things like what?” I asked my brows creasing. 

His hand brushed my arm just a graze. Barely a touch. But it burned. “This… connection,” he said, leaning a little closer. “You feel it too, don’t you?”

I didn’t answer. The air between us felt tense. Every nerve in my body was tuned to him.

He let the silence stretch before speaking again.

“You ever done something reckless?” 

I didn’t respond. Instead, I glanced away too afraid he’d see everything written on my face. But then his hand reached up, fingers ghosting beneath my jaw, tilting my face back toward his.

I whispered, “No.”

His eyes darkened. “Maybe it’s time. No names,” he said softly. “No expectations. Just tonight.”

And then he stood and held out his hand.

**

The door to the hotel room hadn’t even closed before he pinned me to it.

Our mouths crashed together in a kiss so wild, so full of heat and hunger, I felt my knees buckle. His hands found my waist, pulling me against his solid body, and I gasped as his hips pressed into mine.

He tasted like whiskey and danger. His lips were rough, demanding. I tugged at his shirt, yanking it open as buttons scattered to the floor. My hands roamed over hot skin and hard muscle, my head spinning.

He broke the kiss, breath harsh, his forehead pressed to mine.

“Do I have the permission?” he rasped.

My hand slid to his belt, unbuckling it slowly. “Take what you want,” I whispered breathlessly. I don’t know why I was doing this. Whether it was the effect of the alcohol. But I couldn’t stop. 

His eyes darkened. “That’s the problem,” he muttered. “I want everything.”

Then he lifted me off the floor, my back hitting the wall as his mouth found my neck. My dress slipped down my arms, pooling around my waist when he lay me down on the bed. He growled when he saw the lace beneath, his fingers dragging along my bare skin.

He kissed down my chest, then lower, until he knelt between my legs and pulled my panties down in one slow, torturous motion. And when his tongue touched me, I shattered.

My hands clutched his hair, my moans echoing off the walls. I didn’t even know his name. I didn’t know who this stranger was. I just want him to devour me whole. 

**

My eyes fluttered open, followed by a sharp headache thumping in my skull. I slowly sat up, my eyes going to my side. He was gone. I remembered everything. The way the stranger looked at me, the way he spoke gently, the way he made me feel. I had never felt that kind of pleasure before.

Disappointment shimmered in my chest. Then my eyes caught sight of a ring on the nightstand. It was probably his. I picked it up with the thought of returning it to him when we meet again—that's if we ever see each other again.

For now, I had bigger problems like getting ready for the graduation ceremony and coming up with an explanation to give my brother when I get home. My parents were probably thinking I was curled up in my room.

I got down from the bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. With the hotel towel wrapped around me, I grabbed my jeans and was about to change quickly when a knock sounded on the door.

A man in a suit stepped in without waiting for permission. His expression twisted the moment he saw me, like he’d just stepped in something foul.

The kind of look that said: Gold digger. Hookup girl. Trouble.

“You’re still here, whore?” he sneered.

“Who…are you?” I managed, clutching the towel tighter around myself.

He stepped further into the room in a  slow strides. That was when I noticed the silver name tag clipped to his chest.

Hotel Manager.

“Sir, I’m not—” I tried to explain, but he reached for my wrist, yanked me forward so hard I stumbled out of the room. My knees hit the floor.

“I know your type,” he growled. “Girls like you sneak into expensive suites hoping to seduce rich men. Then you steal whatever you can get your hands on.”

I looked up at him, wide-eyed. “I didn’t steal anything! Please, just listen—”

“Don’t lie to me,” he snapped, throwing my clothes in my face. “If you’re not out of here in the next thirty seconds, I’m calling security.”

He turned on his heel and slammed the door behind him. For a long second, I didn’t move. Shame wrapped itself around me like a second skin. My fingers shook as I gathered the clothes. 

I gripped his ring tightly and held my breath. Then, without looking back, I walked away.