Tempting fate

(Selene)

I walked into the pack house, my heart still racing from the moment I shared with Alexander.

The place was quiet, which was normal at this time. Most pack members were out training or handling duties, but I wasn't in the mood for any of that. Not when my mind was still spinning. I needed a distraction. Something to shake this feeling off before it consumed me.

I made my way up the stairs, passing a few pack members who gave me polite nods. I wasn't in the mood to talk, so I just kept walking, heading straight for my room. The moment I stepped inside, I shut the door and leaned against it, letting out a slow breath.

I needed to get myself under control.

But how could I when everything about Alexander pulled me in? His voice, his scent, the way he carried himself. He was always so composed, so in control. I wanted to see him lose it. I wanted to be the one who made him lose it.

A knock at my door made me snap out of it.

"Selene, open up!"

I sighed, recognizing the voice immediately. Maya. My best friend.

I pushed off the door and opened it, only to have her push past me. She always did that. Maya was full of energy, never staying still for too long. She had short, dark curls that bounced when she moved and bright green eyes that always looked like they were up to something.

"You could at least wait for me to invite you in," I muttered, shutting the door behind her.

"And you could at least look excited to see me," she shot back, flopping onto my bed. "But you don't. So, what's up? You look all... intense."

I hesitated, then shook my head. "It's nothing."

Maya gave me a look. "Bullshit."

I sighed and walked over, sitting at the edge of the bed. "It's just... Alexander."

Maya sat up so fast I thought she might hurt herself. Her eyes widened. "Wait. No way. You're talking about our Alpha, aren't you?"

I nodded, my stomach twisting at the thought of him.

Maya grinned. "Oh, this is good. This is really good."

I groaned, falling back against the bed. "No, it's not. It's a disaster."

Maya laughed. "Selene, do you hear yourself? You have a thing for the Alpha. That's not a disaster. That's a power move."

I rolled my eyes. "It's not a power move if he doesn't want me back."

Maya scoffed. "Please. He's probably just holding himself back because of the whole professor thing. But you and I both know that doesn't matter here. We're wolves first. Human rules don't change that."

I bit my lip. "Maybe."

Maya nudged me. "Definitely."

I wanted to believe her. Goddess, I did. But Alexander was so good at keeping his walls up, at keeping me at arm's length. He acted like I wasn't getting to him, but I knew I was. I could feel it.

"Anyway," Maya said, stretching her legs out. "I didn't come here to talk about our ridiculously hot, off-limits Alpha. I came here because there's a party tonight, and you're coming with me."

I groaned. "Maya-"

"Nope. Don't even try it," she cut in, pointing a finger at me. "You need this. You're in your head too much. Come out, have fun, let loose."

I sighed. "I don't know..."

Maya huffed. "Come on, Selene. When was the last time you did something fun?"

I didn't answer.

"Exactly," she said. "Which is why you're coming. No excuses."

I sat up, crossing my arms. "What would I even wear?"

Maya's grin widened. "Glad you asked because that's exactly why I came early. We're picking out your outfit together."

I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips. "Of course, we are."

Maya clapped her hands. "Alright, let's see what we're working with."

She jumped off the bed and walked straight to my closet, throwing it open. She started digging through my clothes, making little noises as she pulled out things and tossed them aside.

"Too boring," she muttered, throwing a sweater onto the floor. "Too casual." A pair of jeans joined the sweater. "Too 'I'm going to the grocery store'." Another outfit got tossed.

I watched in amusement as my best friend practically destroyed my closet.

Finally, she turned around, holding up a short black dress. "This. This is the one."

I eyed the dress. It was a little more revealing than what I usually wore, but it wasn't bad.

Maya grinned. "Come on, Selene. You'll look hot. And if a certain Alpha happens to see you in it, well..." She wiggled her eyebrows.

I laughed. "You're impossible."

"And you love me for it."

I shook my head but took the dress from her anyway. "Fine. I'll wear it."

Maya cheered. "Yes! Now, let's talk hair and makeup."

I groaned. "Maya-"

"Shush. I'm making you look amazing."

I sighed but let her do her thing. There was no arguing with Maya when she set her mind on something.

As she fussed over my hair, I let my thoughts drift back to Alexander.

Would he be there tonight?

Would he see me?

Would he finally stop pretending he didn't feel this pull between us?

I didn't know.

But I was going to find out.

After we were done, we made our way to the party. I was planning on getting drunk so that I could stop thinking about Alexander for at least one night.

~~~~~~

The party was already in full swing by the time we arrived at the club. Music pounded through the air, the bass vibrating under my feet.

Maya grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. “Come on, let’s get drinks first.”

I let her drag me through the crowd, dodging couples pressed against each other and half-drunk people laughing over some inside joke. The energy in the club was contagious, and I felt myself relaxing just a little. Maybe this wasn’t a bad idea.

Maya ordered the drinks, a shot of something strong. She handed me one, raising hers in a toast. “To get out of your head for one damn night.”

I smirked. “To that.”

We downed the shots together, the alcohol burning its way down my throat. I winced, but it did the trick. A warm buzz settled in my chest, dulling the tension I’d been carrying all day.

Maya grinned. “See? This is what you need. Now, let’s dance.”

I shook my head. “Maya, I—”

“Nope.” She grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward the dance floor. “No arguments. You’re having fun tonight whether you like it or not.”

I laughed despite myself, letting her drag me into the sea of moving bodies. The music pulsed through me, the alcohol making it easier to let go. Maya swayed to the beat, throwing me a look that said, loosen up.

So I did.

I moved to the music, letting it take over, letting it drown out all the thoughts in my mind. Maya whooped, twirling me around, and for the first time in a while, I wasn’t thinking about Alexander.

Until I felt him.

A shiver ran down my spine, Ember perked up as a familiar scent filled my lungs.

Cedarwood and power.

I froze mid-movement, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Maya must have noticed because she leaned in. “What’s wrong?”

I swallowed hard. “He’s here.”

Her eyes widened. “Alpha Alexander?”

I didn’t have to answer. She already knew.

I turned my head, scanning the crowd, and then I saw him.

Standing near the bar, watching me.

He wasn’t smiling. He wasn’t drinking. He wasn’t even pretending to be interested in anything other than me.

His gaze locked onto mine, dark and unreadable, but I knew that look.

I felt it.

Desire. Frustration. Restraint.

The same things I felt every time I was near him.

Maya grabbed my arm, leaning in. “Holy s**t, he is here. And he’s staring at you like he wants to devour you.”

I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

Because she was right.

Alexander didn’t just look at me.

He claimed me with that gaze.

Ember whined, desperate to go to him, to close the distance, but I stayed where I was. I didn’t look away. Didn’t break the connection.

He was waiting.

Testing me.

Daring me.

Maya nudged me. “Selene… do something.”

I took a slow breath, forcing my body to move again. If he wanted me to back down, he was going to be disappointed.

I turned back to Maya and smirked. “Let’s dance.”

Her eyes widened. “Wait, what?”

I didn’t answer. I just moved, swaying to the music, my body shifting with the rhythm. If Alexander wanted to stand there and stare, I’d give him something to look at.

Maya caught on quickly, laughing as she moved with me. “Oh, I like this game.”

I didn’t look at Alexander.

Not at first.

But I felt him.

Watching. Waiting.

And when I finally let my eyes find his again, my breath caught.

His jaw was clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides.

Oh, he was struggling.

Good.

Maya leaned in. “He looks like he’s about five seconds away from dragging you out of here.”

I shivered. “Let’s see if he does.”

Maya grinned. “Now this is fun.”

I moved closer to her, running my hands up my sides, letting my fingers trail over my neck and my hair. I wasn’t even doing it for anyone else. Just for him.

A warning.

A challenge.

And then—

He moved.

My stomach flipped as Alexander stepped forward, his eyes locked on me like a predator finally giving in to the hunt.

Maya whispered, “Oh, shit.”

He didn’t stop.

Didn’t hesitate.

And I knew.

I’d won.

But I had no idea what I was about to unleash.