CHAPTER 2: STAR STRUCK 

TRAVIS

“Can you at least smile?! It is your birthday for goddess sake!”

“I am aware it's my birthday,” I mutter back at Mark. “Which is why I am kind of pissed that you would do this. You know how I feel about parties!”

“Oh, come on!” He retorts. “What kind of future Alpha hates socializing like this?”

“Me. This kind of future Alpha. I can't believe you even planned it in a club. And invited other packs. What the hell, Mark?!”

“You should be grateful,” he mutters as we push into the club through the VIP entrance. “This su an opportunity for you to mix with people without the formalities of the other events. And besides, this is your last birthday before you find your mate. Don't you want to live a little? I mean… you are still a virgin!” He whispers that last bit.

“You say that like it's a bad thing,” I mutter.

“Not a bad thing, just a weird one. You are weird.”

“And you are annoying.”

“The birthday boy is here!!!!” The shout goes out the moment I walk into the place and soon after I am surrounded by different faces, all of them touching and patting me in the back, telling me congratulations and birthday wishes.

It's annoying.

I put on a fake smile as I nod my thanks before making my way to one of the booths.

“Could you be any colder?” Mark asks as he takes a seat beside me

“As a matter of fact, yes, I can.”

“Can you at least try to have fun? Socialize. The guys really put a lot of effort into this.”

I stare at him for a few seconds before I nod.

“Fine. I suppose I can-”

“What? You can what?”

“Who is that?”

“Who is who?” he asks as he strings around to find what had taken my attention.

“The girl with Tammy. Who is she?”

“Oh her,” he says as he leans back. “I think her name is Lisa or something. She tends to hang out with Tammy a lot.”

“She is not in our pack,” I say.

“No, clearly not. Look at the way she is dressed. So… bland. Girls in our pack like to show a lot more skin.”

His words make me take notice of her clothes.

A long oversized sweater that somehow fits her perfectly and baggy jeans to hide all curves.

And from the way she is uncomfortably looking around, this is clearly not her scene either.

“I am going to talk to her,” I say as I get to my feet.

“What?! Why?”

“You are the one who wanted me to socialize, I am going to do that now.”

“With her?!”

“Hmm.”

“Travis… Travis!”

I ignore his calls as I cut a path through the crowd, making my way towards the girl as she tries to get out of Tammy's grip.

“Nah… I am going to-oof!”

She runs straight into me and almost bounces back from the force.

I watch as she looks up at me with an annoyed pout on her lips that just makes me want to bite it and then notice when the shock takes over.

She recognizes me.

Strange.

“Hello,” I greet with a smile.

“Hi,” she gasps and somehow I am able to hear it even in the noise.

“I am Travis.”

“Louisa.”

“Oh, my goddess! It's Travis!”

The exclamation ahs us both looking at Tammy who looks like she has seen a god 

“Hello, Tammy.”

“Oh, my goddess! You know my name! He knows my name, Lou!’ she squeals as she tugs on her friend's arm.

Louisa rolls her eyes at her antics before shrugging her off 

“Of course I know your name. You are part of my pack aren't you?”

“Well, yeah but still … you know my name. Hi!! And uh… happy birthday.”

“Thank you. And thank you too for coming to my party,” I say as I look back at Louisa who just nods with a pretty blush.

“Hmm.”

From the corner of my eyes I see Tammy giving us a strange look before she clears her throat.

“I am going to get some drink,” she calls. “You guys have fun.”

We both watch as she leaves and I give Louisa a side look.

“She is not coming back is she?”

“Nah, she is not,” she replies with a smile.

“Would you like to dance?” I ask as I turn to her.

“Um… no? I am just… clubs aren't really my thing.”

“And yet you came to one.”

“It was Tammy. She is very persistent.”

“Hmm, I understand. I have a friend just like that. Still, what about we go somewhere quiet then?”

“It's your birthday… what would you want to leave?”

“Well, parties are not my scene either. Come on.”

I take her hand and lead her up the stairs to one of the closed and secluded booths in the club.

We would be able to see outside but no one can see in.

“Uh…” I turn to see her standing by the door looking around with an uncomfortable look on her face and I immediately realize how this looks.

“Shit,” I curse under my breath and she looks over at me in question. “I am sorry,” I tell her. “I don't realize how this would look. I don't mean to… I wouldn't… I just…”

“It's fine,” she says with a smile as she walks over and takes a seat. “It's okay.”

“I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable,” I tell her as I take a seat.

“I know,” she responds. “And strangely enough, I am not uncomfortable.”

“Strangely?”

“Yeah. You are surprisingly easy to talk to. To be around with. That's a strange thing for me.”

“Likewise,” I say as I stare Into her hazel eyes -right now, they are the color of a cloudy sky. It is beautiful. “I am never this familiar with strangers.”

“Hmm,” she hums as she stares at me in a daze.

For a long second, we just stay like that, star

ing at each other before a question filters through my mind.

A question I can't stop myself from asking.

“Louisa…”

“Hmm?”

“Can… Can I … kiss you?”