Chapter 2

I walked into the club, the bass pounding so hard it rattled in my chest. I wiped my eyes with the crumpled napkin in my hand, already damp from too much use as I silently cursed Jaden under my breath.

He was the reason I was here. 

God, I hate clubs. The stench of alcohol, the noise, the fake laughter with people rubbing bodies together. Everything just wasn't sitting right with me.

But still, here I was—because of the man I fell in love with.

I never thought I’d end up in a place like this, looking for… I don’t know. Comfort? Distraction? Anything but to escape the mess playing over and over in my head.

My parents, who were hunters, were out, meeting with the Alpha King, so going home and staying alone was going to make the whole pain more unbearable.

I was told about betrayal, but didn't know it could come from the most trusted person. How could Selene do this to me? The thought of it was shattering my heart like a glass under a hammer. 

I felt like a fool, recalling all I had told her about my relationship with Jaden.

I wonder how long they have been doing this behind my back. So sad how I believed every sweet, rehearsed word he said like an idiot. Now look at me—discarded like trash.

A new semester is starting back soon, and I already know I’m going to be the joke of the year. Everyone knew we were dating. He made sure of that when he never loved me. He just wanted to take my virginity and win a bet.

A dare. I was a fucking dare

A fresh wave of hurt washed over me, my eyes filling with tears again. I blinked hard, but my vision blurred anyway. 

I stumbled forward, not really seeing where I was going, until I slammed into something solid.

A chest. A warm, firm chest.

I gasped as red wine splashed and stained the man’s white shirt. The sharp scent of his cologne hit me—clean, expensive, masculine.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” I said quickly, reaching into my bag for another napkin, my hands shaking.

“Are you blind?” His voice was sharp, deep, and not exactly forgiving.

I looked up, already preparing to apologize again, but I froze at the sight of him.

He was gorgeous and intensely handsome with hazel eyes that looked like they could see straight into your soul. Dark hair. Chiseled jaw with the perfect amount of scruff. He looked older—late twenties maybe—but so dashing in a way that made my stomach twist.

"Who the hell is this man?” my wolf breathed, practically purring. “I’m melting…”

“I… I’m really sorry about the shirt,” I finally found my voice and mumbled, ignoring my swooning inner wolf as I tried dabbing at the stain, my fingers brushing his chest.

He caught my wrist—not rough, but firm. “Forget it,” he said, his voice a little softer now. “Use the napkin for those tears instead.”

And just like that, he turned and walked off. He walked away into the shadows like some mystery guy in a bad romance movie.

I stood there, staring after him like a complete idiot.

Something about him—his presence, maybe—made me feel... reckless. Or maybe it was just heartbreak. I hadn’t even touched a drop of alcohol, or I would have blamed it.

Suddenly I wanted to do something I wouldn’t usually do. Something wild.

So I went to the bar, ordered a bottle of vodka, grabbed a tray, and walked over to his table. My heart was pounding, but I didn’t stop. I set the bottle down with a little clink and looked him in the eye.

He raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”

I pulled out the chair across from him and sat. “You alone?”

He looked at me like I’d just asked if he was from Mars. “I am. And I prefer it that way.”

I smiled, ignoring the very clear 'go away' in his voice. "That's good."

I poured myself a shot and downed it in one go. It burned like hell, and I winced as it hit the back of my throat. He watched me closely, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

“You don’t look like someone who drinks.”

“I don’t,” I said, coughing a little. “First time.”

He almost laughed. “First drink and you went straight for vodka?”

I shrugged. "I’m here to forget my pain."

He raised an eyebrow. "To forget your pain?”

“Yeah.” I swirled the glass in my hand. “Like forgetting I caught my boyfriend in bed with my best friend. And the fact that I was a damn joke to both of them.”

I poured another shot and gulped it down. It tasted even worse the second time.

Before I could go for a third, he reached out and caught my wrist again—gently, this time. “Maybe slow down.”

His touch sent a strange little spark down my arm. Like a tingle I didn’t understand. Maybe he felt it too. I think I saw it in his eyes before he let go.

“What’s your name?” he asked, more quietly this time.

“Diane. You?”

“Leo,” he said, sipping his wine.

I looked down at the table, then back up at him. “If I stop drinking… will you help me forget? Even just for a minute?”

He exhaled slowly, leaning back. “I’m not a therapist, Diane. I don’t fix people.”

“Just… help me not feel like shit tonight.”

And then as my eyes wandered, I saw him.

Jaden. 

Standing at the entrance of the club, staring at me like he’d just seen a ghost.

I froze.

Leo followed my gaze. “That him?”

I nodded.

Without thinking, I leaned over and kissed him. Leo’s lips were soft and warm. He hesitated just for a second, then kissed me back. His hand came up, cupping my chin, deepening it just enough to make it real.

Jaden was storming toward us now, his face twisted with confusion, jealousy—and rage.

“Hey!” he barked, slamming his hand on our table.

We pulled apart, and I turned to face him, deadpan.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded. “Someone told me they saw you walk in, but I didn’t believe them and had to come check myself!”

“What I do is none of your business!" I said, arms crossed.

He looked me up and down, his voice lowering. “Either you’re excellent at pretending or you’ve already moved on. We both know the latter can't be possible." 

He reached for my hand. I snatched it back.

“We need to talk—”

“No,” I cut him off. “We don’t.”

“I still love you!” he said desperately. "Selene meant nothing. There was no dare. I lied to her, not you. I swear. You’re the only one I care about. I made a mistake—”

I laughed—actually laughed. “Wow. You’re superb at making yourself sound like the victim.”

“You have to believe me—”

“I don’t.” My voice was flat, cold. “And I don’t care whatever you want to do with your life. It is over between us!"

He tried to grab my wrist again, but Leo stood up this time.

“She said leave her alone,” he said, his voice like thunder and I felt the excitement in my heart hearing him stand up for me.

Jaden glared at him. “Who the hell are you? She’s mine!”

Leo didn’t even blink. “Not anymore." he said too quickly, and I nodded.

Jaden turned back to me, his face red in frustration. “You’d pick this old stranger over me? I’m Beta’s son, for crying out loud, and we have been together for months. Stop acting like we aren't the perfect match!"

“Act like the Beta's son and leave ,” Leo said calmly. “Instead of harassing a woman who clearly wants nothing to do with you.”

"Are you for real, Diane? It is over? Everything?" He murmured, and I felt amused he was acting this way. I could swear he was disappointed he didn't get through my legs after everything and was trying harder this time.

"Jaden, I don't want anything to do with you again." I said coldly, surprised at myself. How I could switch my emotions. How I could easily build this wall around my heart that his sweet words couldn't break through.

The only reason could be the handsome man sitting here with me. His presence alone prevented me from falling for Jaden's lies over again.

"Fine." He gritted his teeth, fists clenched at his sides as he glared at Leo like he wanted to chop his head off.

"Fuck you!" He cursed and stomped out, kicking the table and chairs in front of him.