Chapter 4 The Golden Stranger

The music pounded through Aria's chest as she walked around the room, accepting birthday wishes and dodging overly happy aunts who wanted to pinch her cheeks.

The emerald pendant Lexi gave her caught the bright lights, and she'd lost count of how many people had complimented it.

"Smile's getting a bit stiff there, birthday girl," Lexi materialised beside her with two cups of punch.

"My face hurts."

"Thought so. That's what happens when you're being fake-nice for an hour straight." Lexi laughed.

Aria gratefully accepted the drink. "I have to get used to it, it's called diplomacy and it's basically my job."

"It's actually called exhausting." Lexi nudged her shoulder. "When's the last time you actually enjoyed one of these things?"

"I enjoy them."

"Liar. You only like the part where everyone goes home."

Before Aria could argue, she heard excited chatter coming from near the entrance. She turned to see what had everyone's attention, expecting another late arrival from one of the allied packs.

Two wolf men had just walked in, both tall and clearly wolves by the way they carried themselves. The first one was handsome enough with dark hair, nice smile, the type who probably had no trouble getting dates.

But his friend knocked the breath out of her.

He had golden hair that looked effortlessly perfect, shoulders that stretched his suit jacket in all the right ways. He was tall enough that she'd actually have to look up at him, which usually happened because she was 5"11.

"Oh," Lexi breathed. "Oh wow."

"Don't stare at them."

"Too late, half the girls in here just stopped dancing."

The blonde's gaze swept across the room before landing directly on Aria. Even from across the dance floor, she could feel the intensity of his attention like a physical touch.

"He's looking at you," Lexi whispered.

"He's probably just--"

"Nope, it's definitely you. And he's coming over!"

Aria did her best to suppress her nervousness. She forced herself to turn back to Lexi, trying to look casual. "Act normal."

"I am acting normal. You're the one who looks like you're about to run away or something."

The crowd seemed to part as he moved through it, conversations quieting as people registered his presence. He was definitely an Alpha. No one kind of wolf could command that kind of unconscious respect.

"Breathe," Lexi muttered.

"What are you talking about. I'm breathing fine."

"Your heartbeat slowed down, I heard it. You're holding your breath."

That's when the warm and addictive scent of pine and vanilla hit her, cutting through all the smells of perfumes and food and dozens of other wolves. It wrapped around her like smoke, making her head spin till she felt nearly dizzy with desire.

"Holy shit," she whispered.

"What?"

Mate, Mate, Mate. Kestra's voice was barely controlled excitement in her head.

No. Absolutely not. Aria's logical brain rejected the idea even as every instinct told her that her wolf was right. The scent was getting stronger as he got closer, making her feel faint and reckless and completely out of control.

"Aria?" Lexi's voice seemed to come from underwater. "You okay?"

"Fine," she managed, though she definitely wasn't.

He was close enough now that she could see his deep blue eyes, like the ocean right before a storm.

His smile was easy and confident, the kind that suggested he was used to getting everything he wanted, damn the consequences.

Lexi had gone completely quiet, probably sensing the shift in energy radiating off Aria.

He stopped right in front of them, his smile never wavering. Up close, he was even more attractive, so much so that Aria had to look away so she could focus.

"Rafe Southpaw," he said, extending his hand.

His voice was exactly what she'd expected it to sound like. It was deep and smooth with just enough roughness to be interesting, and she knew he could probably talk someone into just about anything.

Aria stared at his offered hand, knowing she should say something polite and normal. Ask which pack he was from, maybe. Definitely do not mention that her heart was trying to beat its way out of her chest.

Instead, she reached out and took his hand. "Aria Blackwood."

The second their skin touched, electricity shot up her arm. His eyes widened as he felt it too; the immediate and undeniable mate bond that crackled between them like lightning.

Tell him, Kestra urged. Now.

But something in Rafe's expression shifted when she said her name. His easy smile fell, replaced by something she couldn't quite read.

"Blackwood." He said her family's name slowly. "As in Alpha Damon Blackwood?"

"That would be my father, yes."

His thumb brushed across her knuckles where their hands were still connected, sending another jolt of electricity through her system.

For a moment, she thought she saw the same want and recognition she had for him within his eyes.

Then his expression went completely blank.

"Well," he said, flinging her hand away like it had burned him. "How unfortunate."