I want you.

Natasha's POV 

I watched Matt walk away and sank back to my seat, feeling weak and lightheaded.  I closed my eyes, trying to keep myself at bay before I would strangle my best friend. No, not my best friend. The betrayal. 

"Natasha, look, I-I can explain—" 

“—Save it, Emily," I snapped.  "I don't want to hear whatever pathetic excuse you have to offer." 

"Good." She scoffed, rising to her feet.  "I'd just like to point out how stupid you are to let a man like that go.  He'll be all mine now, thank you very much.  I hear his uncle doesn't take kindly to traitors." 

I hadn't met Matt's uncle, Alan —the Alpha of Nightwolves pack. He was such a workaholic that the last time he made a public appearance was three years ago.  

But he had a strong reputation for being a kind and fair leader. And I was banking on that reputation.  

"I'm not the traitor," I hissed at her. “You and Matt are.  You two played me for a fool and the proof is right here." 

Emily turned up her nose and gave me a smirk.  "We'll see." 

When she left, I slumped in my seat, exhausted.  Sofia slid beside me and pulled me in for a hug. The tears I’d held back finally broke free, and I sobbed into her shoulders. I had wasted a year of my life with that unfaithful bastard. 

"Hey it's okay, it'll be fine," Sofia soothed.  

"What if it isn't?" I sniffed.  "Our divorce has to be approved by the Alpha. And the Alpha is Matt’s uncle.  Every divorce means one partner is expelled from the pack. With the Alpha being his uncle, that person might be me. What if I have to start over?"

"Then you can always come over to my pack," Sofia shrugged. "You'll love it there, I promise.  Zephyr's the kindest, sweetest soul, and I’m sure he'll take you in." 

I frowned through my tears. "Who's Zephyr?" 

"Our Alpha." 

"You call your Alpha by his first name?" 

Sofia blushed, and despite my tears, I grinned at her embarrassment.  

"Someone has a crush on their Alpha," I teased, wiping my tears—only to get smacked on the shoulder.  

"I do not!" She grumbled, making us both laugh.  

"You know what, you're right. Starting over doesn't sound bad. At least I won't have to see Matt's stupid face anymore." 

"Cheers to that," Sofia giggled.  "Tonight, we'll drink to your freedom, girl!" 

"Hear, hear," I laughed, ignoring the twinge of pain in my chest.   

That night, we hit a quiet bar uptown. Jazz played softly in the background as Sofia and I slid into a booth and a bartender took our order.  

"Will you have to quit your job at the research lab then?" Sofia asked as we sipped our drinks.  

"Yeah," I said solemnly. "I'll do that tomorrow after leaving the registry.  I got a call from the registrar this afternoon.  The Alpha's in town and the divorce will be finalized at the registry tomorrow." 

"Ah crap," Sofia muttered. "We'll need more drinks." 

When she left to get our drinks, the hairs on my neck rose. Goosebumps prickled my skin. 

I glanced around, scanning the room, but found no one staring. 

The eerie feeling stayed even when Sofia came back, but I shrugged it off and drained my drink. 

We talked until she had to leave.

“Are you sure you’ll be fine on your own?” She asked, guilt in her eyes.

“Of course,” I chuckled. “I’ve only had three drinks. It’ll take a dozen more to get me wasted.”

“Perks of having a wolf,” She laughed, kissing my forehead. “Take care, okay? Go home the minute you feel fuzzy.”

Sofia was wolfless—a human who had somehow carved out a place in this cold, dangerous world. If she could survive, then I could too.

I would.

“Okay,” I whispered, hugging her tightly. Without her, I would’ve shattered into pieces.

I didn’t even realize when the fuzziness hit. It wasn’t gradual like normal alcohol—it came in a rush, sudden and overwhelming. My head grew heavy, my eyelids heavier, the whole room spinning.

Four drinks. Just four tiny martinis. There was no way I was drunk.

What the hell?

I tried to stand, but stumbled hard. I ended up tumbling and almost smashing my face into the floor when a hand grabbed my waist.  

"Easy there." 

The voice was raspy. Rough. Sexy. 

I blinked, rapidly, trying to focus my eyes on the owner of the sexy raspy voice that had just intruded on my thoughts.  

Oh. My. God.  

Huge.  

He was huge. He towered over me, a concerned look in his intense brown eyes. They looked like liquid magma, burning and glowing hot. I gasped when he pulled me closer against him. My stomach fluttered and for some reason, I felt out of breath.  

Mate, my wolf yipped, prancing in excitement in my head. Mate! 

His gaze darkened, making his already handsome face look even more gorgeous. That nose. Those perfect lips.  His clenched jaw. Sweet goddess, who was the fine mystery man?  

He leaned in close and sniffed, his thumb brushing across my lips. Instinctively, they parted. His eyes widened when my tongue flicked against his thumb.

Oh no.

What was wrong with me? I didn’t lick strangers’ thumbs!

"S-Sorry," I stammered, stepping away from him. I had to get out of here. Heat pooled through me, making me restless, needy. I stumbled toward the door, but the world tilted harder, making the street look warped. 

A familiar heat followed. He was behind me.

“You can’t go home like this,” he said, his voice deep and commanding. “I’ll drive you.”

I shuddered at the hot raspy sound and nodded. He was a stranger, I knew that, but I felt safe with him. So safe that when I stepped into his car, I fell asleep immediately.  

When I woke, I was being carried into a bedroom. His scent—rich and intoxicating—wrapped around me, and my body came alive.

For him.  

"You're awake," He rumbled as he lowered me to the bed, hot liquid brown eyes, burning holes into me. "You should get some rest." 

I grabbed his arm as he tried to pull away. His face twisted as if in pain.

“I have to go, sweetheart,” he murmured.

“No, please,” I whispered, tugging him closer.

He groaned, his breath hot against my skin. “Your arousal fills this room. It drives me mad. I need to leave before I lose control.”

I kissed him.

He pulled away. “I’m not sure I can control myself any longer.” He warned, inching away. 

I gripped him before he could. My lips settled on his once more. 

The world exploded when his lips crushed mine. His hand tangled in my hair as he devoured me, his tongue stealing every ounce of breath I had.

When he finally pulled away, I was panting, dazed, desperate.

“Don’t,” I whispered. “Don’t hold back.”