Chapter 2 - The First Introduction

  

 Shirley 

  

 “I promise, Jean,” I say, trying to reassure my best friend as she sits anxiously on my hotel bed. “Nothing bad will happen. I’m not going to do anything drastic. I’m just going to make Ralph reject you.” 

  

 Jean gives a half-hearted laugh. “But that is drastic,” she tries. “And yet you make it sound simple.” 

  

 “That’s because it is,” I state, holding up a dress up to my body as I stare into the mirror. I quickly dislike the option and throw it down before trying another. 

  

 “Also, you’re not really convincing him,” she continues. “It’s temptation. You’re essentially going to make him submit.” I can’t help but notice the slight edge in her voice, as if she’s saddened by my idea to seduce him. That she’s going to witness her husband’s head being turned. 

  

 “Jean,” I begin, a little exasperated. “Are you honestly still in love with him? The man who beat you half to death and cost you the life of your second child?”

  

 “No,” Jean responds softly, keeping her head down. “No…I’m not. I’ll never forgive him for making me lose the baby or what he’s done to me. I mean -”

  

 Jean stops then, clearly trying to fight off tears as she looks away. Feeling a squeeze in my heart, I abandon my dresses and move to sit beside her, pulling her hand into my own.

  

 “Goddess, Shir,” she finally says. “I never understood why you were so resistant to having a mating bond, but…but now I do. You were smart.”

  

 “Oh, Jean,” I say, almost feeling a stab of guilt as I pull her into my arms. “I’m so sorry. I never wanted this for you - for you to have this epiphany.”

  

 Discovering mating bonds weren’t all they’re cracked up to be was something I never wanted anyone to go through. It was far from a happy experience - at least for Jean and myself.

  

 “I’m just scared,” Jean says, her words muffled as she buries her face in my shoulder. “He’s not an easy person to deal with.”

  

 “I know,” I breathe as I pull away from her. “But I’m prepared. You know how amazing I am. I won’t be swayed by anyone.”

  

 Jean nods back before she sniffles. “Just…thank you. Whatever the outcome, I’m so grateful that you’re doing this for me.”

  

 “Always,” I say, trying a smile. However, I soon let it slip away, looking back to the dresses I laid out. “So…where does this big bad wolf usually go all night? I need to know where I’ll be making my grand debut tonight.”

  

 “The Oak Bar,” she replies, wiping away her tears. “He’s been going there a lot lately and only coming home once he’s had too much to drink…”

  

 I feel my stomach drop, but still give a nod as the words Jean’s left unsaid remain between us. 

  

 And then she just sighs.

  

 “Wear the light blue dress…he likes blue.”

  

 ~

  

 I’m wearing the blue dress - just like Jean suggested. But not only because Ralph likes blue, but because the babydoll shape and delicate fabric make me the perfect picture of innocence. Jean said that’s how Ralph likes his women…probably because they appear submissive. 

  

 I’ve also paired the look with modest heels and gentle curls in my hair, only adding to my youthfulness. And of course I’m wearing my beloved glasses, which I adjust on my face as I spot him.

  

 I recognize Ralph from the pictures - his sandy blonde hair and strong nose. He’s sitting alone at the bar, nursing some dark liquid in a small glass. Smiling to myself, I make my way over.

  

 I ignore him completely as I settle onto the stool beside him, making it look like a pure coincidence that I chose this spot. He doesn’t pay me any mind either as he’s now busy fiddling with some app on his phone. So I raise a hand toward the bartender, immediately getting her eye.

  

 “Excuse me,” I say sweetly. “Can I get a Hawaiian Sunrise?” However, my voice doesn’t only catch her attention, but also Ralph’s. I see his head turn, feel his eyes against the side of my face as the bartender nods and hurries away. And only then do I remove my glasses, glancing over to Ralph as I know his gaze still hasn’t left me. 

  

 The moment our eyes meet, I see his fill with fascination - his pupils dilating as if I’m a living goddess and he’s taken with amazement. He can’t look away - falling right into my trap. 

  

 “H-hello,” he stammers out, seeming as though he's completely beside himself. His blubbering state almost makes me forget that this man is some asshole who hits women for fun. 

  

 “Hi,” I say back, placing a shy smile on my lips as I tuck some hair behind my ear.

  

 “Are you…are you alone?” he asks, obviously still trying to gather his wits. Especially as I nod, forcing a blush onto my cheeks as if I’m flattered by his forwardness. 

  

 In reality, I’d love to tear him apart limb by limb.

  

 But I push that thought aside as he nods at the drink the bartender sets down in front of me.

  

 “This ones on me,” he says. “I’m Ralph, by the way.”

  

 Once more, I smile. 

  

 Jackpot. 

  

 ~

  

 Bored. I’m so undeniably bored as I listen to Ralph ramble on and on - trying to fake interest in what he says and what he doesn’t.

  

 But I’m doing it well. I’m laughing when I should laugh and offering one-word replies when necessary. I quickly learn that Ralph loves to talk about himself and it’s all so overwhelmingly dull. All conversations with men are like that - without exception.

  

 It’s one of the reasons why my wolf, Cicy, and I decided to give up on finding our mate from a very young age. After we realized all men are basically the same, we mutually agreed that they weren’t worth our time or tears - even causing us to cut off attraction to the scent of any werewolf. However, Cicy eventually developed an ability that acted as the complete opposite. 

  

 As fate would have it, Cicy’s ability allows us to mimic the scent that each individual werewolf prefers. All I have to do is make eye contact with someone - without my glasses - and then Cicy takes over. She sniffs them out, searching for information until I can give off the perfect scent to make them obsessed with me. They think they’re in love and will do anything I ask of them. 

  

 However, we’re not always successful. It all depends on the duration of the stare, overall feelings, trust, and the difficulty of the request. The shorter the gaze time - the lower chances of goodwill and trust. And the harder the request - the less likely the charm will work. 

  

 But there’s also one other factor at play tonight. I’ve never used my charm on someone who already has a mate. It’s easy to get a person to buy your drink or humor you with a conversation - just like Ralph had done. But getting him to give up his mate…

  

 That may be a whole other story. 

  

 ~

  

 Nearly an hour later, I’m still laughing and joking with Ralph at the bar - laying it on thick as I’m a giggling mess. He likes it too, his smile only growing as I pretend to be enthused with his stories and comments. 

  

 However, both of us fall quiet as I notice an arm suddenly wrapping around his shoulder. 

  

 “Keith,” Ralph says then, and I witness his expression and voice turn colder. “Is something wrong?” 

  

 Glancing over at our new companion, I almost fall out of my stool as my eyes land on the man. 

  

 Dark hair…that delicious stubble. 

  

 It’s the man from yesterday - the one who I saw on the street. And now as I see him up close, I can confirm he’s even more handsome. I don’t even know how that’s possible. And his scent…a mix of pine and mint. It’s mouthwatering. 

  

 Swiftly, I reach for my glasses, thankful that Keith wasn’t staring at me as I press them over my nose. Once the glasses are settled, I finally dare to look back at him. 

  

 “Am I interrupting something?” Keith asks. Still, he doesn’t look in my direction, which is a blessing as I nearly sigh from his magnetic voice. 

  

 Something about it…about Keith…I don’t know. He was good looking, but there was something odd about him. I couldn’t help the feeling as I studied his smoothed expression. But the oddest thing of all was that I really didn’t want him to get the wrong idea that there was something between Ralph and me - even if there definitely was. The realization made my head spin, causing me to finally stand. 

  

 “I should probably go,” I say as I grab my purse, somehow keeping my voice calm. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”

  

 I don’t wait for them to respond. I just turn away - feeling two heated gazes on my back as I hurry out of the bar…already texting Jean along the way. 

  

 ~

  

 Once again, Jean and I are back in my hotel room. Only this time, she’s the one standing - or rather pacing - as I sit on the bed. I’ve just finished giving her the details of my night, making sure to mention the handsome man who slipped in right at the end. 

  

 “Keith?” she says as she keeps moving. “Oh goddess. That’s our Alpha. And you’re right…he is handsome.” 

  

 “Alpha?” I ask, my eyes widening.

  

 “Yes,” Jean replies, finally stopping as she stares at me. “Keith is Lock Heart’s Alpha.”

  

 I don’t believe it. 

  

 At some point a smile manages to fall on my lips, causing Jean to mirror my expression as I notice the sudden coy look she gives me. 

  

 “What?” I ask. 

  

 “Does someone have a little crush?” she asks, raising a brow. “You know…he’s single. He hasn’t found his mate yet.” 

  

 “Oh, please.” I wave her off. “He’s hot, but that doesn’t mean anything. Hotness loses its effect over time.”

  

 And yet, as Jean goes to pace again and I begin to remove my shoes…I can’t stop thinking about his scent…his chiseled features. I practically blush with shame. 

  

 Hormones, I tell myself. It’s just hormones…