Chapter 2

I went to Tidehaven Bay.

My best friend Freya Douglas married there last year.

She said it wasn't cold, with warm sea breezes always blowing.

I figured I'd visit her to clear my mind, like a vacation.

When I stepped off the plane, a warm breeze carried the salty scent of the sea.

It felt much better than the cold winds of the clan.

Freya waited at the airport, let go of her werewolf husband, and hugged me tightly. "My darling, I finally got you here!"

The next day, Freya invited me shopping and for afternoon coffee.

After I told her about Ethan, she cursed him as a jerk.

She lectured me. "Female werewolves shouldn't be too love-struck. Old ones go, new ones come! I'll find you someone better right away."

I laughed and cried at her words but didn't say no.

That evening, a small gathering happened with old classmates, friends, and Freya's new acquaintances from the area.

As the party wound down, someone pushed open the door.

Several female werewolves cheered, and male werewolves stood to greet him.

"Alpha Victor! It's Victor!"

"Alpha rarely joins our gatherings. Why's he here today?"

Victor scanned the room, his gaze lingering somewhere before he spoke. "I was at a business meeting nearby, heard old friends were here, and thought I'd stop by."

He sat down not far from me. "Hope I'm not intruding?"

"No way, Alpha. I'm thrilled you're here," someone said.

Another offered him a drink. "Care for a glass?"

Freya whispered to me, winking. "Sylvie, is he here for you?"

I was a bit tipsy and only then looked up at Victor.

He spoke to someone beside him, his profile sharp, throat moving as he sipped his drink.

Taller than Ethan, he wore a black overcoat over a matching suit, tie knotted neatly.

His features were striking, his build impressive, his legs impossibly long.

Just standing there, he drew every eye.

In short, a perfect specimen.

"Well? Staring much? Handsome, right?" Freya nudged me playfully.

Her teasing grin snapped me out of it. I'd been gawking at a man and quickly looked away.

I didn't notice Victor's gaze shift to me as I lowered my head.

"Uh, yeah, he's handsome," I mumbled, touching my nose awkwardly. "But he's definitely not here for me. We haven't talked since I graduated and returned to the clan."

Freya gave me a look full of "you'll see."

"Alpha, could you give Sylvie a ride later?" she suddenly called out before I could stop her. "We're all a bit drunk, and I don't trust anyone else to take her."

I froze, trying to pull Freya back down to hush her.

She ignored me, winking again.

Victor's gaze crossed the curious crowd of werewolves and landed on my face.

I grew nervous, unsure if he'd agree.

After a few seconds, he nodded. "Sure."

"Thanks, Alpha! Here's a toast to you!" Freya said, beaming, then leaned to whisper to me.

"Sylvie, seven years with one man. Isn't that a waste? Ethan moves on to one girl after another. Can't you do the same? You're already broken up. The best way to forget a man is to find the next one. A better one. You were staring at Victor. A guy like that, don't you want to give it a shot?"

I whispered back, "How do you know he'd be interested? Maybe he doesn't care for me."

"Please, darling. Be confident! He looks at you like he's hunting, practically undressing you with his eyes. Trust me, love. I've dated twenty-eight guys. I know more than you."

As the party ended, a cool night breeze felt pleasantly tipsy.

Victor walked beside me, draping his black overcoat over my shoulders.

He towered over me, and the streetlights stretched our shadows long.

"My car's up ahead." He stopped, pointing to a black sedan nearby.

Its unlit headlights gleamed steadily in the dark, like him.

At the hotel, I unbuckled my seatbelt.

I thanked him. "Thanks for driving me back tonight."

Victor turned to me. "You're welcome."

As I opened the car door to leave, Ethan's words from that day flashed in my mind. "Seven years, who wouldn't get bored? Anyone who wants her, go for it."

His flippant, mocking tone sparked anger and impulse in me. "Want to come up for a drink?"

Victor's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his deep-sea gaze pulling me in.

After a moment, he nodded. "Sure."

In the hotel elevator, as the doors closed, Victor pressed me against the wall.

His hand braced beside my ear, his cedar-scented breath washing over me.

A second later, his warm lips met mine.