4. Nikolas: First Meeting

NIKOLAS

I think I might be in hell. I’ve never been one for crowds like this. An alpha’s senses tend to be more sensitive than the average shifters— and while that heightened awareness proves useful in many situations, its times like these that I’m ready to give up those abilities. The reception hall is rife with a nearly overwhelming array of unfamiliar scents and sounds. The room pulses with life as the vibrant colors of celebration cascade through the room.

I navigate the outskirts of the crowded space with Vivian and Ricardo at my side. Those we pass warily eye us, subtly giving us a wide berth as we pass by. I wonder how early is too early to make a graceful exit. I know I’m not the only one wondering that, either. Beside me, Vivian imbibes in her third glass of champagne.

While Vivian and I do our best to pretend like we’re anywhere else but here, Ricardo keeps up an even stream of low chatter, quietly dissecting the subtle alliances and rivalries he’s sensed among those in attendance. Ricardo pauses in his hushed flow of observations, his eyes flickering towards the growing line of people forming to congratulate the bride and groom.

"Are you planning on going through the line, boss?" He asks, his tone casual.

I glance to where James and his new wife stand, barely visible in the growing crowd, "I'll find time to speak with them later.”

Suddenly, my gaze snags on a flash of red hair as it drifts through the crowd. It’s a shade of color I’m quickly becoming familiar with after staring at it throughout the wedding ceremony. Claire. She breaks free from the line and my eyes involuntarily track her movement. There's something magnetic about the way she carries herself, a graceful allure that captivates me. I don’t understand the nearly undeniable draw I feel to go and speak with her, but I resist the urge for now.

Even still, I can’t keep my eyes off of her as she moves around the room. A few tables down from where I stand, she stops to sip from a champagne glass. She engages in conversation with a few friends, and her smile, radiant and genuine, seems to light up the room. I'm caught in a momentary daze, unable to tear my gaze away.

“Nik?” Vivian says a little more loudly than necessary and my gaze snaps back to my betas. They’re staring at me with a mix of concern and exasperation. There’s a distinct impression that it wasn’t the first time they called out to me, trying to get my attention.

“What?” I ask, offhandedly.

“Everything okay?” Ricardo asks with a smirk.

“Yeah. Yeah everything’s great.”

Everything is not great.

Fuck, me. What is wrong with me? I shake off the inexplicable attraction if feel to the woman who’s just promised herself to my brother. Practically my sister at this point. I need to get my emotions in check before I do something unforgivably stupid.

As the guests move to the tables for the prepared meal, I sit near the end of the table as far away from where the wedding party is placed. I force my eyes firmly fixed on the plate in front of me, fighting the urge to constantly look in the direction of the head of the table. The food becomes a mere distraction, my thoughts consumed by fiery red hair and green eyes. My betas remain oblivious to my internal struggle, Ricardo attempting to charm the female on his other side, and Vivian continuing her pursuit of champagne-induced stupor.

Dinner shifts into more celebrating and drunken dancing as music resonates from a corner where musicians have taken their positions. The room transforms into a dance floor, and I’m pulled into conversation with the Alpha of the Swift Wind pack. My attention sharpens when I notice Claire trapped in an uncomfortable dance with one of the pack elders.

I’m torn between amusement and an instinctive need to intervene. Instinct wins out, taking over, and I make my way across the room to rescue her.

Up close, Claire's beauty is staggering.

I have to remind myself how to breathe. And to keep a healthy distance.

Fuck.

“Thanks for that.” She says with a smile aimed up at me. Something flashes through her green eyes as her gaze focuses on me, her breath catching for a moment. Don’t read too much into that.

“Oh, you’re the Alpha of Blood Moon Pack, aren’t you?”

“I am.”

“That means you’re—”

“James’ brother, yes.”

She processes that for a moment. “Well, I suppose that means we’ll probably be seeing each other a lot more after today,” she muses, “I’m Claire, by the way.”

“Nik.”

“Nik.” She repeats, committing it to memory. Shit, I love the way my name sounds coming from her lips. It sends an electric current running up my spine, the skin along the back of my neck tingling like I’ve been shocked. What the hell is wrong with me?

Thankfully, the song ends, giving me an excuse to drop my hold on the soft lines of her waist, and step back.

“I see you two are getting to know each other.”

James stands a few paces away. My brother grins, his eyes flickering back and forth between Claire and me.

“He rescued me from getting my feet trampled by one of the pack elders,” Claire explains. Her eyes move back to me, a small joking smile playing along her lips.

“That does sound like my brother. Always trying to save everyone.” James claps me on the shoulder in thanks, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to steal my bride away from you, brother. There are a few people from the pack who are asking to meet their new Luna—”

“Oh, of course,” she blinks away her surprise, before shooting one last parting glance my way, “It was nice to meet you, Nik.”

My brother leads her away with a hand to the small of her back and I track the movement for a moment before forcing my eyes away. There’s no legitimate reason for the pit I feel forming in my stomach as I watch them go. As I watch my brother lead his new wife further into the crowd. I can’t let thoughts like this continue— can’t let myself feel any sort of way toward the woman who is essentially now my sister.

What I I need to do is put this woman out of my mind. For good.