Chapter 3 First meeting

The party was in full swing with groups of wolves gathered in clusters, all indulging in the festive spirit. Maya caught glimpses of her classmates wearing an assortment of colorful outfits and vibrant personalities. Suddenly, the thought of being a wallflower felt less daunting.

Before she could second-guess herself, Delbee pushed Maya into the main living room, where music thumped and bodies swayed. "See? You're already in the heart of it! Look! There's your crush!"

Maya's gaze followed Delbee's finger to a tall figure lounging against the wall, laughing with a group of friends. Tanning in the glow of the neon lights, his tousled hair framed a face that radiated charm. It took everything in her to not let her mouth drop open.

"Why don't you go say hi?" Delbee prompted, nudging her gently. "You can do this!"

Maya opened her mouth to protest, but instead, she found her legs moving. She had no idea what she would say, but her heart raced with potential for this unpredictable night.

The closer she got, the more clearly she could hear their conversation. Just as she was about to say hi, with all the confidence she has summoned to make a move on her crush as encouraged by Delbee.

Her breath hitched as she spotted her sister Meral, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, completely engrossed in a passionate kiss with Jake. The sight of them entwined together, oblivious to the world around them, was like a slap across the face. Maya felt her stomach drop, and a rush of uncontainable emotion surged through her disappointment, anger, and a deep sense of betrayal.

How had this all happened without her knowing? Did Meral really think that she wouldn't notice, especially after she had gushed endlessly about her crush on Jake? Her sister could be so careless sometimes, and it hurt more than anything. Maya had always lifted Meral when she was down, but in this moment, it felt as though her own heart had been trampled.

Unable to show the hurt that was bubbling inside her, she turned away from their embrace and made her way to the bar, thoughts racing. She grabbed the first bottle of vodka in sight, flipping the cap off in a hasty motion before lifting it to her lips. The burn of the alcohol was fierce, but she welcomed the sensation; it was a distraction, an escape from the situation she had just witnessed. She chugged it down, feeling the warmth spread through her body, drowning her sorrow and indignation.

"Cheers to forgetting!" she muttered to herself as she set the bottle down with a thud and reached for another. If she was going to get through this party, she was going to do it just like the adventurous teens who seemed to have the world figured out. She could be carefree and reckless for one night; her sister's betrayal was a heartache she'd deal with later.

As the liquor coursed through her veins, she felt the music pulse around her like an electric current. The laughter, the wild cheers, the clinking of glasses – it all blended into a chaotic melody that beckoned her to let loose. And let loose she did. She surrendered to the rhythm of the songs, swaying her body without a care for the pinched turmoil of jealousy that had consumed her just moments ago.

Before She knew it, a broad smile had spread across her face as she danced among the crowd, feeding off the infectious energy of those around her. With each passing minute and each drink, Maya let the bitterness transform into exhilaration. She felt liberated, as if she could drown out her earlier heartache with every twirl and shimmy.

Nikolas stood rooted to the spot, watching as she disappeared into the throng of partygoers. A mix of emotions washed over him, each battling for dominance. Intrigue, desire, and a creeping sense of responsibility coalesced into something he hadn't felt in a long time. As Alpha of the RedClaw pack, he was accustomed to taking the lead and making decisions for the greater good, but this moment felt different.

His beta, Jaronas, finally caught up to him, his brow furrowed with concern. "Nik, are you okay? You've been standing here like a statue. We have business to handle."

Nikolas shook his head slightly, trying to dispel the feelings swirling within him, but his gaze remained fixed on the crowd. "Did you see her?" he murmured, not entirely focused on Jaronas.

"Who? The girl in red?" Jaronas followed his line of sight with an incredulous look. "Nik, you can't get distracted now. We have a contract to review with the SilverFangs, and they're going to be here soon."

"The SilverFangs are not going anywhere," he replied, his voice firm but distant. "I can't shake this feeling. She's... something else. We can deal with the negotiations in a minute, Jaronas. This could be important."

"Important? You're letting a pretty face get to you! Focus!" Jaronas hissed, exasperated.

But Nikolas couldn't help but feel a tug of curiosity and something deeper for the girl he had just met. There was a fire in her spirit, a boldness that intrigued him. A part of him wanted to push through the crowd, to find her and uncover her story, but responsibility held him back.

As the night unfolded, he caught fleeting glimpses of her, her laughter ringing out like music amidst the boisterous ambiance. She was surrounded by a group of friends, their raucous energy electrifying the atmosphere. He found himself drifting further away from the conversations with Jaronas, losing track of their pacing and their plans with the SilverFangs, who would inevitably arrive soon.

"Remember the last Alpha meeting?" Jaronas pressed, his tone turning serious. "You need to be sharp. If we're going to establish relations with the SilverFangs, you need to focus, Nik."

"You're right," he acknowledged, tearing his gaze away from the lively cluster of people. Reluctantly, he turned back to Jaronas, but his mind was still entangled in the chaos of emotions that the girl in red had stirred within him.

"Let's handle the negotiations first. I'll try to keep my mind on business," Nikolas said, though he could feel a sliver of doubt creeping in. As he and Jaronas maneuvered through the crowd, the chatter and laughter became a distant backdrop to his racing thoughts.

Once they reached a quieter corner of the venue, the atmosphere shifted. The SilverFangs arrived soon after, their presence commanding respect. The leader, a tall, silver-haired woman named Celina, approached with a confident stride. Nikolas took a deep breath, forcing himself to center his thoughts.

"Alpha Nikolas," Celina began, offering a gracious nod. "I appreciate you meeting with us tonight."

"Of course, Celina. I value our partnership and look forward to discussing our future," Nikolas replied, his voice steady despite the whirlwind in his head.

They launched into discussions about territory sharing and resource allocation, but as the dialogue continued, Nikolas found his mind wandering again. He grasped the details here and there, but images of the girl flickered in his peripheral vision like an alluring mirage, pulling him into its depths.

After a few rounds of negotiation, Celina leaned forward, observing him keenly. "Nik, is something bothering you? You seem a bit... distracted."

"Forgive me," he said quickly, straightening. "I've just had a lot on my mind. Let's continue." He redirected the conversation back to business, forcing himself to focus once more, but it became increasingly difficult as the night went on.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the negotiations concluded successfully, with both packs reaching a consensus that would benefit them both. Jaronas clapped Nikolas on the shoulder, "See? You did it! Now we can let loose a little."

"Yeah, maybe," Nikolas replied absentmindedly, his thoughts still lingering on the mystery of the girl in red.

Just as he thought to take a moment and breathe, the laughter erupted nearby, and there she was again. The girl stood within a cluster, her vibrant energy radiating like a beacon. He watched as she danced with abandon, clearly the life of the party.

"I'll be right back," he murmured, not waiting for a response from Jaronas as he pushed through the crowd. Each step felt both exhilarating and nerve-wracking as he made his way toward her.

When he finally approached, the music pulsed around them, and she was laughing, her eyes sparkling with a warmth that felt magnetic. He cleared his throat, feeling a little shy despite his usual confidence.

"Hi there. I couldn't help but notice your dancing. You have quite the energy," he said, trying to sound casual but inwardly cringing at how awkward he felt.

Her smile widened, and she turned to face him fully. "Thank you! I love this song! It's nearly impossible not to dance!" There was a genuine light about her, and for a moment, he felt himself caught up in her enthusiasm.

"I'm Nikolas," he introduced himself, extending a hand.

"Maya," she replied, taking his hand and shaking it warmly. The brief contact sent an unexpected jolt through him, and he instantly regretted not holding her hand just a fraction longer.

"I'm the Alpha of the Redclaw Pack," he replied, surprised at how easy it was to share without feeling the weight of his title.

Her eyes widened slightly. "Oh, wow! I didn't realize I was dancing with such important company!"

He chuckled, "I'm really just a guy trying to make the best decisions for my pack."

Maya tilted her head, studying him. "That sounds like a lot of responsibility. How do you handle the pressure?"

He appreciated her genuine interest. "Honestly? I try to find moments like this," he gestured around at the gathering, "to let loose. It helps me keep my mind clear."

Without hesitation, she stepped in closer. "Then why not dance with me? Sometimes, the best way to de-stress is to just forget everything for a bit."

Nikolas hesitated, but the thrill of spontaneity took hold. "Alright, you convinced me," he said with a grin, and together they stepped onto the dance floor, the pulsating music wrapping around them in a cocoon of joy.

Maya moved gracefully, her energy infectious as she swayed to the rhythm. Nikolas found himself matching her movements, laughing as they twirled and spun under the dim lights. As they danced, the world around them seemed to blur. Maya's laughter mingled with the music, and he couldn't help but feel utterly captivated. Every time their eyes met, he felt a warmth that seeped into his very bones.