Elianna

"Fuck!" I exclaimed in surprise when someone suddenly grabbed my arm.

“Where do you think you’re going? Oh, wait—why are you wearing something sexy today?” my best friend Selene asked.

“Shut your mouth! Do you want me to get caught?” I quickly covered her mouth.

“Well, you won’t get caught if you are gonna take me with you,” Selene grinned.

“I know you'll say that, so I've prepared what you'll wear, there you go,” I remarked, handing her a paper bag containing a stylish dress.

I planned the escape all day for tonight to go to the bar, and of course, I needed Selene with me. I'm still a minor, but in less than a month, I'll be turning eighteen, and it's not obvious from my appearance especially when I dress up.

I'm a tall, slender beauty with tanned skin, chestnut brown hair, and captivating blue-lavender eyes. Thanks to being born as an alpha female and future Queen status, my unique beauty is guaranteed by my werewolf heritage. However, being born royal doesn't automatically mean I get treated like a queen. 

Werewolves often visited the human world, drawn by power and strict pack rules. Even lower-ranked wolves felt like royalty among humans.

"Real IDs, no fakes allowed," the bouncer said bluntly.

"It's my birthday today, and I'm finally old enough. No need for a fake ID anymore, Mister," I said with a shy but excited tone.

The bouncer looked annoyed but let us in after I flashed my charming smile. Werewolves needed more alcohol to get drunk, and it wore off quicker than in humans.

Sipping my martini and looking around, I noticed a tall guy in a black t-shirt and dark jeans. I couldn't look away, even though I had no intention of being unfaithful to my boyfriend. There was something intriguing about him.

With jet-black hair, a chiseled face, and a body full of muscle, I sensed his alpha presence from afar. He stood nearby, sharing a laugh with another guy who looked similar, maybe a brother, but with blonde hair.

"Are you even listening to me?" Selene interrupted, snapping her fingers in front of my face. I swatted her hand away and continued to check out the man from a distance.

“Shh!”

"What are you even looking at—whoa!" Selene gasps, "Wow, he's freaking hot! I get why you've been ignoring me. Go talk to him!" Selene playfully swatted my rear end, urging me to approach him.

"No, not at all. I have a boyfriend and you know that. That guy is just kinda attractive," I said, trying not to reveal my interest.

"I didn't mean you should hook up with him. I just meant you should chat. You'll turn 18 soon, and then you'll be stuck with that dumbass for the rest of your life."

"Did you just call him a dumbass? I thought you and Kairo were friends."

"No, I can't stand Kairo, and especially his friends, they are all jerks, except Noah. If given the chance to go on a date with him, I really wouldn't pass it up."

"You're quite unique, Selene," I sighed, keeping an eye on the attractive man as he walked away.

"I hit 18 a few years back. Believe me, not having a mate messes with your hormones every single day. I despise our pack rules, but it's tough to rebel when the lunar deity makes women crave mates and offspring so intensely that we constantly long to mate." Selene took a deep breath, then sipped her drink and mine as well. "It's time to find someone to ease the tension." Selene grabbed a stranger's drink and downed that one too.

Wolves had to get a mate before turning 25, or they'd have to enter into a prearranged marriage. A female had to be marked, and a male had to mark a female, or they'd lose their human qualities. This was our tradition because werewolves had strong connections to family and pack ties. Lone wolves were considered unnatural and would eventually become savage beings.

"Sorry, dear. It's the lunar deity's fault for making unmated wolves so... passionate," I chuckled.

"We'll see."

"I've got Kairo, so I understand what you're going through."

"Yeah, we'll see." Selene gave me a look and went up to an attractive guy.

Selene thought Kairo wasn't right for me. She teased that I was copying my dad's choices. She didn't get why I wanted to please my Alpha, who's also my dad.

“Hey, I’d like to explore this bar, catch up later!” I shouted but I didn’t know if she even heard me.

I checked the club map in the elevator. As the doors closed, a tall man rushed in, steadying himself by holding my shoulders. He left me speechless for a moment.

"Oops, my bad. I'm caught up in..." He started apologizing, then glanced up, eyes widening as they met mine.

Shit! He’s the hot guy earlier.

I gasped, almost melting at eye contact, and he grinned mischievously.

"Hey there, gorgeous. I'm Dwayne. What's your name?" He wrapped his arm around my waist and played with my purple hair.

"Um... Selene," I stumbled, accidentally blurting out my best friend's name.

The elevator dinged, and I hurriedly stepped back, going down a dimly lit hallway. I accidentally walked into a set-up floor meant to trap club-goers. Turning a corner, I almost bumped into a guy.

"What the fuck? Noah?" I said, surprised.

"Do you know me, beautiful?" Noah inquired, drawing me nearer. He didn't recognize me because of my disguise, and my scent was covered with perfume and power.

"I'm not exactly sure. But, I think I know you. You're the upcoming Beta of the Scarlet Moon, aren't you?" I acted chill, not revealing who I really am. I put my hands on his shoulders, giving a light squeeze.

I leaned in and whispered to him, but then I heard familiar laughter nearby. I moved away from Noah and peeked around the corner to see Kairo against a wall, with a woman between his arms.

“Kairo?” I mumbled through my mind.

What the fuck is he doing here?! He’s even hugging another woman!

Jealousy and hurt flooded me, emotions I'd never experienced. Though I couldn't hear them, the woman seemed amused, and Kairo, fucking allowed her to touch him. To make it worse, he whispered in her ear for what felt like forever before kissing her cheek. It felt like time stood still as I observed.

My mind was all over the place. Was he planning to be with her? Did he come here often? Had he been cheating on me all along? How could he do this to me?!

Suddenly, Noah put his arm around my waist, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up at him with disgust. He knew about this and never told me. I thought he’s my best friend.

I got really mad and threw a punch, hitting his throat. 

“What the fuck is wrong with you, woman?!”

He fell to the floor, holding his neck. Without thinking, I turned and rushed back to the elevator, my eyes filling with tears, but I stumbled with Dwayne again. I looked down, I didn't want anyone to see me cry.

"Selene, right—hey! Wait!" Dwayne shouted, but I was too angry to respond. I kept running to the elevator, my anger now slowly turning into determined revenge.

In my mind, Eleanor, my wolf side, angrily said, "How can he treat us like this?! We're the wolf princess. We'll be their Queen one day. How could that jerk betrayed us—"

"Damn it! Your eyes," Dwayne approached, whispering. He cupped my cheek, and I was aware that my eyes displayed a swirling mix of blue and purple with streaks of dark silver – a sight no one had seen before.

My anger made me overlook that I was now in the elevator, standing next to this hot guy. I blinked a few times to get my eyes back to their normal look. 

"I'll go away for a bit, but he'd be a good way to stop thinking about that jerk Kairo," Eleanor said, fading into my subconscious after planting a few tempting images of how Dwayne could help me forget the pain.

I immediately bit my lip as I felt a sudden rush of warmth through my body. I stepped closer to Dwayne and pressed my finger against his reddening lips.

Fuck! His lips are so soft!

Dwayne laughed at my sudden boldness, annoying me even more. I wasn't behaving like the proper, innocent princess anymore, at least not tonight. I seized the back of his neck, drew him close, and kissed him deeply, catching him off guard.

"Monster kisser..." he muttered, panting.

He held me close, exploring my body. We shared passionate kisses, leaving me lost in pleasure. His touch was intense, matching the rhythm of his tongue. 

"Ugh," I groaned. He pressed me against the elevator doors, I wrapped my legs around him. 

“More…” Moaning, I encouraged him to continue. His skilled hand moved over my panty, and a weird pleasure swept over me. 

I never wanted this feeling to stop.

I knew he desired to undress me and be intimate right by the elevator doors, moving passionately until we both reached an amazing peak. That was until the bell rang, and the elevator doors opened, bringing him back to reality.

"Fuck!" he muttered softly as he reluctantly moved away from me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

I glanced at him, scared and realizing how close I came to giving in to his wishes. Tears welled up in my eyes, making him uncomfortable. 

"Hey... Don't cry. I didn't mean to frighten you or anything..." he said, trying to make me stop crying. He kept on talking but I couldn't understand anything he was saying anymore, my mind was too foggy.

At that moment, I felt mixed up and hurt. My feelings were all over the place, and I didn't know what to do. It was clear I needed to stay away from this attractive guy. His tempting look and touch could make me do something I'd regret.

This is not me. What is going on?