Page 2

Azura

T he red and purple lights dance and flash around me, highlighting the bodies of the exotic dancers on the stage. Strippers in expensive lingerie and perfume walk around serving drinks or looking for potential customers. The dark teal booths are half-full, some with men and women enjoying the show, whilst others enjoy a lap dance. A few men in suits are being escorted away by dancers to the private rooms.

is a human strip club in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the country, a place quite far away from my home, and the chance of running into someone I know is unlikely, not to mention I have used an X2 scent disguiser, a formula which will make me smell like a human to other werewolves.

I don’t want Judah to find me here. The fact that he may have been in my town makes my stomach twist, although I keep telling myself he had just guessed what I was wearing.

I need a break from my mind and those messages. The entire day I have been unable to focus on anything. To make matters worse, tonight is the Blood Moon, an occurrence that only happens twice a year.

It’s a night when unmated wolves head to one of the Blood Moon Gatherings to see if they can scout out their fated mates. I don’t want to go. I’m done with men, and I don’t want to be tied down to anyone. After going through a relationship that was a complete failure, I have no expectations of finding my true mate, nor do I think I am mentally up for it. Even though I do want to find my mate, and deep down, I want that love that I see those around me have, I’m not sure he would want me. I don’t need my heart to break again. Although I won’t admit it, I am a little afraid of what he will think of me, how he will hate me when he learns about my past. About the skeletons in my closet. Will my mate accept everything about me, or will he simply despise me? Or worse, reject me?

The tasteful music relaxes me a lot. I am tapping my foot to the beat as I sit in a booth, staring at the sexy woman dancing on the stage. Her body sways sensually to the beat.

I down my glass of whisky, wishing there was something stronger here. The liquid burns my throat, my eyes stinging a little as my mind returns to the messages. There is a strict no-phone policy that is enforced in this club, and if I had my phone with me, I know I would be staring at it constantly, thinking about the messages. I need a break from it – from him. Nothing scares me, nothing rocks me, but something about him gets to me.

I pour myself another glass as a gorgeous brunette comes over, ready to entertain me, but I’m not in the mood.

“No thanks.” I flash the gorgeous brunette a grin and wink.

I glance around, observing that most of those in this club are affluent businessmen. Grabbing my glass, I gulp it down. I close my eyes for a second before refilling my glass once more.

My mind is a storm of emotions.

Judah has too much on me. Things he is using to blackmail me. I know I can just tell someone, and we can deal with this, but all my life, I just cause problems for everyone. There is something about him that just isn’t normal. Something that tells me he is more than just a werewolf…

I have drunk a lot, emptying the last drops of my fourth bottle into my glass. I am beginning to feel it is taking a little effect. This is what I need…

I close my eyes, letting the music envelope my senses. Tonight, I just want a break. I’ll deal with the messages another day…

I open my eyes, looking through my thick lashes at the women on stage. I love dancing, and something about pole dancing just feels empowering and exhilarating. If done right, it truly is an art.

I had actually applied for a job just over a year ago at a club near home, and I got it, too, but I only managed to do one session because my brother found out. I shudder, remembering the rage in Liam’s eyes when he stormed into the club and saw the men with their eyes on me. Although I usually have him wrapped around my finger, on the rare occasions when he does get angry... well, let’s just say, yeah. No. Big no. Do not get Liam angry. I prefer him to stick to being an oversized dense puppy, but he’s still my favourite.

Maybe I should go dance.

I stand up, making my way over to the dance floor, which is off through a pair of double doors, and running my fingers through my hair when I freeze. A familiar smoky smell hits me, and my heart thuds.

He is here.

Fear that I rarely feel envelopes me, and I scan the area wishing I hadn’t worn such high heels.

Keeping my head low, I pray that the scent disguiser works. I need to get out of here. I see the hooded man by the entrance, and a shiver runs down my spine. It’s him. He seems to be searching for something.

For me.

Spotting a pair of doors leading to the VIP area open, a woman in a tiny skirt and revealing blouse steps out with a keycard in her hand, giving me an idea. She struts towards the bar, and I head towards her, accidentally-on-purpose bumping into her. I mumble an apology as I swipe the card from her pocket.

My heart is pounding. The fear that he will find me makes me sick. Why can’t he just let me go?

I scan the card, take a discreet glance around, and slip through the doors that click open. I just need a place to wait around until he leaves. If he had entered our pack, then he must know that is my bike out there.

“Did you hear that?”

I freeze. Werewolves? I can smell them. What on earth is going on? This is a human club, right?

“I don’t recognise that scent. Did someone sneak in?”

Oh, shit.

I look around, frowning. Three corridors lead off from here. Silently, I hurry down the left one and up the flight of steps, thanking the goddess for the carpeted halls to muffle my footsteps. To my relief, I see a pair of glass doors that are standing open. I rush inside, closing them behind me and letting out a breath of relief.

I am in a large room that looks down upon the club. From here, I can see everything. I am sure from down below this is just part of the mirrored design of the ceiling, or what we had thought was the ceiling. I look around the room; the floor is a glittering black marble, with two blue velvet sofas and a glass table at the centre. A bar with drinks stands to the side, but no matter where you look, this room gives us the perfect view of the show put on below, without the smell of sweat or arousal hanging in the air.

Should I wait around here? What should I do? Goddess, what have I gotten myself into? My phone is in the locker, too.

Suddenly the sound of footsteps and talking reaches my ears. They are approaching fast. Looking around, I see the bar, my heart thumping as I quickly hide underneath it. I peep out from the side, spotting several men coming closer. Two men get to the door first, holding them open for the rest. My heart sinks when I realise there are a few werewolves present as well. Each man clearly means business, from their suits and their dangerous appearances, but it is the one in the centre that stands out, pulling my attention to him entirely.

Not only is he an Alpha, but the power and dominance that roll off him are so intense I almost forget to breathe. Everyone else seems to fade away as I stare at the man in the middle. He wears a fitted black shirt, his sleeves rolled up, with black pants and boots. He holds his jacket over his shoulder on one finger, and despite the darkness in the club, he wears a pair of shades. His chocolate-coloured hair is styled sexily. From what I can tell, his entire neck, arms, and hands are covered in tattoos. Then, my heart lurches when the most intoxicating, orgasm-inducing scent hits me; woody and dangerously seductive, with a hint of blood mandarin, warm cinnamon, and patchouli. The scent is coming from none other than the Alpha male in the centre.

He pauses, tensing as he turns his head slightly. He has smelt me.

The restlessness of my wolf and the pounding of my heart is no longer under my control. Every cell in my body is going haywire as I stare at none other than the god before me. My mate.