Chapter 2: The Man With No Name

~VALERIE~

I spun toward the stranger with anger already burning and rising through me.

“Don’t be a smart ass,” I snapped.

The words were sharp, defensive and ever so ready to bite but then I really looked at him and my brain… stalled.

He was tall with broad shoulders and dark hair that looked like he didn’t care enough to tame it. His face was unfairly handsome… the kind that didn’t try too hard but still ruined your day. His eyes were warm and almost amused like he’d seen a lot of trouble before and wasn’t scared of them.

Damn it…!

He smiled not smugly and not mockingly. Just… gently and my stomach did a massive flip.

'GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER GIRL!' I scolded myself inwardly. There was no need romancing with this annoyingly hot stranger. My life was already in pieces.

“Fair enough,” he said calmly. “Didn’t mean to offend.”

I opened my mouth to keep yelling but nothing came out because he smelled incredible. He smelled warm, clean and dangerous in a quiet way.

My chest tightened painfully with that pull again… The same pull that dragged me into this stupid bar in the first place.

I swallowed hard.

“You’re staring,” I muttered.

He chuckled softly.

“And you’re yelling. I think we’re even.”

I huffed and turned back to the counter.

“I didn’t ask for help.”

“I know,” he said easily. “That’s usually when people need it most.”

I rolled my eyes. Who did this guy think he was, anyway?

“You wolves are all the same. Think you’re heroes.”

He raised his hands slightly.

“I didn’t say I was a hero.”

The bartender came back with a drink and set it in front of me.

I frowned.

“I didn’t order that.”

“I did,” the stranger said.

I glared at him.

“I don’t want your charity.”

“It’s not charity,” he replied. “It’s alcohol and judging by your night, you deserve it.”

I hesitated but then my skepticism crumbled almost instantly as I reached out and grabbed the glass and drank.

It burned but I welcomed it and he ordered another and another.

He didn’t crowd me and didn’t touch me. Just stayed there, calmly, smiling and listening when I ranted at the bar about nothing and everything.

By the third drink, my tongue felt loose. By the fourth, my chest hurt less and by the fifth, I was laughing.

“I hate my pack!” I blurted suddenly.

He tilted his head.

“Sounds like a rough relationship.”

“They hate me too,” I said bitterly. “I’m an Omega and a useless one with no wolf and no power... just a joke.”

“That’s not useless,” he said quietly.

I snorted. “You don’t know them.”

“Tell me,” he said.

So I did.

I told him about the ceremony... about Chris… about the rejection and about the way everyone laughed while my heart broke in front of them.

My eyes burned. I had never opened up to anyone the way I did with this stranger. Who exactly was he and why was I feeling this attracted and open to him?

“I wanted to die tonight,” I admitted, staring into my glass. “I really did.”

He didn’t flinch and he didn’t panic. He just leaned closer with his voice low and steady.

“I’m glad you didn’t.”

I laughed weakly.

“You don’t even know me.”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said. “You don’t end your story on someone else’s cruelty.”

I blinked at him.

“That was… annoyingly wise,” I muttered.

He smiled wider.

“I have my moments.”

Then he added softly, “And you’re not broken. You’re just in the wrong place.”

My chest tightened again and then he leaned in just a little more.

“Besides,” he said lightly, “anyone who rejects you is an idiot.”

I cringed.

“Okay, no. Don’t flirt. That’s where it gets weird.”

He laughed softly.

“Noted.”

I slid off the stool, wobbling slightly. “I should go.”

He nodded.

“Okay.”

I took two steps towards the door but then stopped.

Why not? I was going to do things my way tonight. Tonight I was going to live my life the way I wanted and there was nothing anyone would say that would make me change my mind.

I turned back.

“You know what? Screw it.”

He raised a brow.

“I’ve had the worst night of my life,” I said. “I don’t want to be alone.”

He studied me for a moment and then he nodded.

“We can leave and go to somewhere quieter.”

“Yeah,” I said quickly. “That.”

Outside, we walked in silence for a short while with the silence stretching slowly between us. The rain had already reduced to a drizzle but was still enough to get you wet.

“I’ve got a hotel nearby,” he said carefully. “We can just hang out and talk there. Let's get out of this rain. You know… nothing you don’t want.”

I hesitated and then shrugged.

“Sure.”

I followed him to his room and the moment we entered, reality hit me all at once.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I whispered.

He smiled softly.

“You don’t have to.”

I turned... and stumbled straight into him and our lips crashed together.

I froze.

“I’m sorry...”

He wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed me back slowly, deeply and carefully.

Everything melted at once. Clothes disappeared, our hands explored and heat soon built.

He was gentle and patient like I mattered... like I wasn’t broken and it really felt good to be wanted by a man... a real man too.

I finally fell asleep tangled in his arms, exhausted and full.

******

The next morning, I woke up to a cold and empty bed and my heart immediately dropped. He left, and I didn't even get to know his name.

I dressed quickly and fled, ignoring the staff laughing behind me.

“Even an Omega got laid,” I heard someone whisper but I ignored and hurried out of the building.

I walked home burning with shame but I wasn’t thinking about dying anymore. With the night gone, I decided it was best I learn to live with my new shame.

I finally got home to find Lady Vivianne in the living room with a man who appeared to have traveled from far.

“Good morning, Mom...”

“Don’t call me that!” She snapped. “Get out, I'm talking with a guest!”

I quietly turned and headed to my room. I opened the door slowly but then froze and let out a gasp…