I took a deep breath, hoping to calm my nerves, which was promptly ruined when the most delicious scent I’d ever inhaled filled my senses.My Goddess. What is that? It’s likefresh-brewed French vanilla coffee and natural musk. It’s intoxicating.
The tension in my shoulders eased as the aroma washed over me. It was strangely comforting, like a warm embrace. I glanced around, searching the crowd for the source as the she-wolf in front of me curtsied and stepped away.
The scent would have to wait. There was no going back now. It was just me and Alpha Caelan.
Then There Were Five
SHADE
I kept my gaze low as I extended my wrist, baring my neck as I curtsied. My only solace lay in the fact that once this part was over, this whole charade would soon come to an end.
A low growl came from the alpha, making my knees quake slightly.
Uh-oh. He’s displeased. He’s probably wondering how a wolf like me even got included in this. I hope he doesn’t think I intended to insult him.~It was a dangerous thing to upset an alpha. A lesson I had learned all too well.
A rough hand abruptly grabbed my chin and lifted it, putting a stop to my display of submission.. A strange electrifying sensation danced across my skin from where he touched me, igniting something within me like a dormant spark erupting tolife. I had never felt anything like this before as I tried to make heads or tails of it.
All my senses went into overdrive. His energy wrapped around me like a cocoon, commanding every ounce of my attention. I struggled to keep my eyes down, the desire to look up overwhelming. But decorum overrode instinct in this instance.
“Name?” he questioned, his deep voice sending a shiver through me.
“Sh-Shade,” I stammered, feeling his heated stare on me, but still I fought the urge to meet his gaze.
“Pack?” he asked, his voice growing rougher.
“Thunder Moon Pack.” I replied. “Omega.”
His grip dropped as he reached for my wrist, pulling it rather harshly toward him. He lifted it to his nose and inhaled my scent deeply. Much deeper than seemed necessary. After what seemed like an eternity, he turned my palm over and placed a long, slow kiss across my knuckles.
Did he take this long with the other females? Did he kiss them like this? I can’t remember. I was too busy trying to figure out how to get out of this.~
I wracked my brain for anything that could distract me from the way he was making me feel. I shouldn’t be feeling this way, especially not with an alpha. It was wrong. Simply wrong.
“Nice to meet you, Shade.” he whispered as his lips brushed across my skin again, sending a bolt of electricity straight to my soul. “I’m Caelan.”
I could hardly comprehend his words as his thumb passed over my knuckles, making me practically melt beneath his touch. I was falling deeper every second his skin was in contact with mine. I shook my head, gently trying to pull my hand back but the alpha held me firm.
“The pleasure is all mine, Alpha C-Caelan,” I assured, struggling to put together a sentence.
What is wrong with me? I’ve never been this affected by any wolf before. Is it his alpha aura? He’s just so powerful that he’s overwhelmed me. That has to be it, right?~Seemed as good an excuse as any.
He chuckled as he finally released me, and I quickly retreated. Rather rude, I know. But I needed to find a corner to hide in before this got any worse. And before Sunny could turn her rage on me. If she felt even the tiniest hint of a threat, I was sure to pay the price.
But before I could reach my intended destination Beta Taffy hooked her arm through mine and pulled me toward the drinks table.
“That went well! What did you think?” she whispered excitedly.
“Of the alpha?” I replied hesitantly. “He seems nice, but I think he might have been bothered by my presence. He seemed a little tense.”
“Oh, he was bothered all right,” Dillon teased with a smile as he joined us. “But I don’t think it was in the way you’re thinking.”
He shot me a friendly wink, a mischievous gleam in his eyes as Alpha Caelan cleared his throat. The attention fell to him again, causing me to sigh with relief. Being the center of attention had never been a good thing for me.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” he announced, his velvety baritone causing me to inwardly swoon.
Goddess, I have got to get a grip on myself.~If all goes according to plan, he could be Sunny’s future mate. I had to nip this in the bud here and now.
“And a special thanks to all the lovely females who agreed to participate in the choosing. For those of you who traveled here from other packs, even if you’re not chosen, please know that you’re welcome to stay for a few days as guests of our pack. We are indebted to you and your packs for taking the time to participate in the choosing. However, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve narrowed it down to five candidates,” he continued.
