Chapter 3 Friday Night Escape

The moment Kieran hung up the call with his mother, he felt a wave of exhaustion settle over him. He didn't want to think about the conversation he had just had, or the fact that his future as Alpha loomed closer than ever before. For years, he'd managed to escape the inevitable by immersing himself in the corporate world he had built for himself. But with each passing day, his parents' insistence that he come back to fulfill his duties to the pack grew harder to ignore.

The knock on his office door came as a welcome distraction.

"Kieran, you in there?" A familiar voice called out before the door opened. Ben, his closest friend and confidant, sauntered into the room without waiting for an invitation.

Kieran leaned back in his chair, managing a weak smile. "Ben, you've got a habit of showing up unannounced."

Ben grinned, plopping down onto one of the plush chairs across from Kieran's desk. "That's what I'm here for-to save you from yourself. I'm guessing you just got off the phone with your mom?"

Kieran groaned, rubbing his temples. "How did you know?"

Ben shrugged, his playful demeanor softening slightly. "You've got that look on your face, like you're ready to jump out of the nearest window just to get away from it all."

Kieran sighed deeply, pushing away from his desk. "You're not far off. She's still on about me coming home to 'find a mate.'"

Ben leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Ah, the dreaded mate conversation. I could hear it in my sleep at this point. It's been years since you left home? It's about time the pack starts breathing down your neck."

"They've been breathing down my neck since the day I left," Kieran muttered. "But it's getting worse. They've started talking to other families about 'potential candidates.' Like I'm some prize to be won."

Ben raised an eyebrow. "To be fair, you are the future Alpha. That makes you quite the catch."

Kieran shot him a look. "Don't start with that. I already get enough of it from my parents."

Ben chuckled, leaning back in the chair. "Alright, alright. But seriously, Kieran, you've been hiding out in this skyscraper for too long. You've got the weight of the world on your shoulders, and I know the last thing you want to do is face all that pack nonsense. But you can't run from it forever."

"I know," Kieran admitted, his voice weary. "But I'm not ready to go back. Not yet."

Ben studied him for a moment, then stood up suddenly, clapping his hands together. "Well, lucky for you, I have the perfect solution to your current predicament."

Kieran raised an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know?"

Ben smirked, walking over to the large windows that overlooked the city below. "It's Friday night, Kieran. And you, my friend, need a break from all this stress. So, here's what we're going to do. We're going to hit the club, grab a few drinks, and remind you that life isn't all about responsibilities and mate selection."

Kieran laughed, though there was a hint of hesitation in his voice. "I don't know, Ben. I've got a lot on my plate right now."

"Exactly why you need this," Ben insisted, turning to face him with an expectant grin. "Come on, when's the last time you went out and actually had fun? You've been cooped up in this office for weeks. Maybe months. You're drowning in work, and you're letting the pack stuff get to your head. Trust me, one night out will do wonders for your mood."

Kieran hesitated, glancing around his office. The paperwork piled on his desk seemed never-ending, and his mind was still racing with thoughts of home. But Ben was right. He couldn't remember the last time he had let himself relax, even for a single evening.

"Alright," Kieran said finally, standing up from his desk. "But just for a few hours. I have to get back early tomorrow."

Ben's grin widened. "That's the spirit. A few hours is all we need."

As they left the office and headed down to the street, Kieran felt a small weight lift from his shoulders. He hadn't realized just how much he needed a break until now. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped outside, and for the first time in a long time, Kieran felt the faint stirrings of excitement.

They arrived at one of the city's trendiest clubs within minutes, the neon lights flashing brightly outside. A line of people stretched around the corner, but Ben, ever the charmer, managed to get them inside without any trouble. The moment they stepped through the doors, the heavy bass of the music washed over them, and Kieran felt his mood lighten.

The club was packed, the dance floor alive with bodies moving to the beat. The air was thick with the scent of perfume, sweat, and the faint hint of alcohol. It was chaotic, loud, and exactly what Kieran needed.

They made their way to the bar, where Ben immediately ordered drinks. "Two shots of whiskey," he told the bartender, flashing a grin.

Kieran leaned against the bar, glancing around the room. "I'm not sure how you convinced me to do this."

"Because deep down, you know I'm right," Ben replied with a wink, handing Kieran one of the shots. "To a night of freedom, my friend."

Kieran raised his glass, clinking it against Ben's before downing the shot. The warmth of the whiskey spread through him, dulling the edges of the stress that had been gnawing at him all day.

For the next hour, Kieran allowed himself to get lost in the energy of the night. Ben, ever the social butterfly, dragged him onto the dance floor, introduced him to random groups of people, and made sure their drinks were never empty.

At some point, they found themselves seated at a table in the VIP section, away from the crush of the crowd. Kieran leaned back, feeling more relaxed than he had in weeks. The music pulsed around them, and the city outside seemed like a distant memory.

And then it hit him, the most powerful scent-

Kieran freezes