Chapter 1 The gala

**Chapter 1: A Night of Consequences**

The ballroom glittered like a scene from a dream, every corner filled with opulence and grandeur. Chatter buzzed all around Nonna Hathaway, but she felt strangely detached, like an outsider in the very world she had been born into. Her father's gala was always an event of the year, but tonight, she couldn't shake the feeling that it was just another reminder of how hollow her life had become.

Dressed in a sleek black gown that clung to her petite figure, Nonna surveyed the crowd with practiced disinterest. Her heart wasn't in it, not after the brutal end of her last relationship. Her ex had walked away with a few sharp words-telling her she was too bossy, too demanding, that he couldn't handle her anymore. The sting of that breakup still lingered, making her wary of any potential relationships.

"I'm going to go grab a drink," Veronica, her best friend, said with a wink, leaving Nonna at a corner of the room. Nonna had been silently praying for an escape, but Veronica's enthusiastic push to mingle meant she couldn't slip away unnoticed.

Nonna watched her friend weave through the crowd, laughing as she approached a group of businessmen. She sighed and took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, swirling the drink absentmindedly in her fingers. The bright bubbles fizzed to the surface, and she took a sip, letting the alcohol warm her insides.

Her gaze wandered, and that's when she saw him-Williams Vose. The man had a presence that demanded attention. Tall, broad-shouldered, and as enigmatic as a shadow, he stood like a sculpture amidst the partygoers. His sharp jawline, icy blue eyes, and the tension in his posture made it impossible for anyone to ignore him. It wasn't just his looks-it was the cold, unyielding aura that seemed to radiate from him.

Williams was everything Nonna had learned to avoid. A century-old billionaire with a reputation for ruthlessness, an air of detachment that bordered on arrogance, and an intensity that made everyone around him uncomfortable. He had no interest in the shallow flirtations of society women, and from what she'd heard, he didn't even believe in mates or love.

Yet, despite herself, Nonna found her eyes drawn to him.

She wasn't sure why, but something about him-his solitude, his power-fascinated her.

Her reverie was interrupted by Veronica, who returned with a mischievous grin on her face.

"What's with the distant stare?" Veronica teased, leaning in close. "You've been eyeing him all night."

Nonna's face flushed, but she shrugged it off, trying to seem nonchalant. "I'm not interested in playing games with a man like that."

"Oh, come on," Veronica coaxed. "A little flirtation never hurt anyone. He's been watching you too."

Before Nonna could protest, Veronica was already walking toward Williams, her movements confident and flirtatious. Nonna hesitated, her stomach tightening with a mixture of anxiety and curiosity. She had sworn off love after her last heartbreak, but something about tonight felt... different.

Without fully understanding why, Nonna followed, her heels clicking softly on the marble floor.

---

Veronica had already engaged Williams in a conversation when Nonna arrived at his side. The man was looking out over the room, his expression unreadable, but when he turned to face her, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that almost made her take a step back.

Williams Vose didn't smile-he didn't need to. He exuded power with just a look, a command in every movement.

Veronica, sensing the tension, shot Nonna a playful look before stepping away, leaving them alone.

"Ms. Hathaway," Williams greeted, his voice smooth like velvet but laced with a certain coldness. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Nonna nodded, unsure of what to say. Her pulse was racing, and she was suddenly acutely aware of the space between them. "I'm surprised you know my name."

"It's hard not to when your father's name is synonymous with every corner of the business world." He leaned slightly forward, as if he were examining her carefully, the air between them growing thicker. "And you've certainly made a name for yourself among your peers."

Nonna felt a flush creep up her neck, but she refused to let herself be intimidated. "I prefer to keep a low profile. I'm not really interested in the whole 'heiress' thing. It gets tiresome, if I'm being honest."

Williams raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her bluntness. "Interesting. Most people would kill to be in your position."

"I'm not most people," she replied, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.

Williams studied her for a moment, his gaze never leaving her face. "And what, exactly, do you want, Ms. Hathaway?"

Nonna hesitated. For some reason, the question felt too personal. She wasn't sure what she wanted from him, if anything. She just knew that tonight felt different.

"I don't know," she finally said, the words coming out quieter than she intended. "Maybe just... a conversation without the expectation of anything more."

Williams smiled slightly-a rare expression, and yet it somehow managed to make her heart race. "A conversation it is, then."

---

As the night wore on, Nonna found herself slowly drawn into a conversation with him. She had expected him to be cold, distant, and perhaps even dismissive. Instead, Williams surprised her with his sharp wit and thoughtful observations. He had a way of making her feel like she was the only person in the room, even though they were surrounded by guests and socialites.

She laughed more than she had in a long time, her nervousness melting away with each passing moment. She even found herself leaning in closer, drawn to him in a way that was entirely new, yet somehow comforting.

Williams, on the other hand, remained composed-his demeanor unchanged, though his attention never wavered. However, something had changed for him too. As he spoke with Nonna, he couldn't help but notice the faint scent lingering in the air. It was subtle, a delicate perfume mixed with something entirely unfamiliar-something that stirred something deep within him.

He inhaled sharply, his senses sharpening as the faint trace of her scent drifted closer. He hadn't expected it-hadn't even believed in the concept of a mate, given his past-but now, it was undeniable. His wolf reacted, stirring restlessly inside him, and he fought the urge to growl in frustration.

The night continued, and the closer he got to Nonna, the more the scent lingered in his nostrils. A trace of something pure, something untouched. His eyes narrowed slightly. Was it possible? Could she be... his?

No, he couldn't afford such distractions, not when he had spent so many years avoiding connections. But still, that faint trace of her lingered, making his thoughts race with confusion and desire.

---

The night's festivities began to fade into a blur of music, conversation, and the occasional clink of glasses. As the crowd grew livelier, Nonna found herself caught in the rising tension of the evening. The alcohol had loosened her inhibitions, and she felt a strange pull toward Williams. It was the kind of pull she couldn't explain-a magnetic force that urged her closer.

At some point, she stood up, not thinking about what she was doing. The music was louder now, and the crowd began to move toward the dance floor. Without hesitating, Nonna slipped off her heels, her bare feet padding softly across the floor as she walked toward the heart of the crowd.

Williams, who had been watching her with increasing intensity, followed.

"What's this?" he asked, his voice low as he caught up with her. His gaze flicked to her bare feet before lifting to her face, which held a mixture of curiosity and mischief.

"I don't know," she said with a half-smile, "I just feel like doing something different."

Without a word, he reached for her hand, his grip strong but gentle, guiding her to the center of the dance floor. Nonna's heart pounded in her chest, unsure of what was happening, but she couldn't resist the pull. She let herself be swept away by the moment.

---

They danced. It wasn't anything elaborate-just two people moving together to the beat of the music. But there was an undeniable chemistry, an undercurrent of something deeper. Neither of them could deny it.

And somewhere, deep inside, both of them knew that the night was far from over.