1: The Dare

Kristen's POV

"How long have you been celibate?" Maddy inquires after downing her tequila.

"Six months, two weeks, and three days," my hand is already on my neck, massaging the back of it. The music is loud and it gives me a headache but I can't complain. My friends literally dragged me down here. Everywhere I turn to, people are either dancing or drinking themselves into a stupor.

The bartender refills our tequila glasses.

"That's too long, I can't do without getting laid for a week," Sapphire frowns a little, referring to what I had said earlier.

"And neither can I get intimate with someone who I don't share mutual feelings with," I point out and stare around the club.

"Might keep having flings with different guys until I find my mate," this from Sapphire.

"You've been loose from day one," I retort with an eye roll.

Maddy pulls my glasses away, places her elbow on the tabletop, and leans closer to me with all seriousness, "You need to get laid."

"No," shaking my head, I dawn my tequila in one gulp before slamming the glass on the tabletop, welcoming the peppery harshness down my throat.

"Stop acting like you gave heads to the wrong person last night, this is your twenty-first birthday," Sapphire pinches my cheeks with her fingers, while I just roll my eyes in their sockets and wait until she withdraws her hand before I speak.

"It just doesn't matter. My mom's getting married tomorrow, to someone I don't even know. He's an Alpha from another pack. I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with that. I've not seen this man before, he's not a picture person and neither did I agree to meet up with him when she wanted," I drum my fingers on the tabletop.

"Awwwn, poor thing seems unsettled," Maddy strokes my hair, "which is one of the reasons you need to get laid," her mouth curves into this stupid sick grin.

"Neh, I cannot have a fling with just anyone," I totally against this silly idea.

"Yes, you can. There's a lot of hot men here tonight, take a look at that one," Sapphire jerks her finger in the direction consisting of a group of men, in different shades of suits. They're in the VIP section with a few strippers surrounding them.

I take a rough gulp as my eyes capture the broad shoulders of a man who has his back to us. He seems to be chuckling at what he's being told and I can feel all the hair rising in my body because out of all the men there, he's the one that captures more of my attention, upon seeing he's alone with no woman seated on his laps or stroking his crotch.

Maddy grabs me by the shoulders and turns me to face her, "You're wild when you're high, so wait for the alcohol to kick in first."

"I'm not sure he'd turn you down, you've got huge bosoms and a pretty face," she pulls her lip ring into her mouth and suckles.

And I just roll my eyes in their sockets because these two are different from me. While I am calm and sort of the collected type, they're wild. They can sleep with any guy of their choice.

"This isn't a good idea, these are men and not boys our age," I interject, I can feel the tequila gaining me a bit of confidence.

"There, the taller one with the buzz cut, he seems to be a bit younger. Around thirty-five or so," Maddy points at that exact guy and I mentally facepalm.

"Gee, he's super hot. Look at those ripped muscles. I'll bet with that thing between his legs, he can make a woman scream like a banshee," Sapphire giggles.

I pause to take one closer look at him and as if sensing being watched, he snaps his head in my direction and catches my gaze.

I'd have been a blushing mess, red like a tomato plucked straight out of the garden if it wasn't for my tipsiness. And neither do I look away from his challenging stare when he raises a brow and his mouth curves upwards.

Raising his curled-up fist to his mouth, his blue eyes darken.

I can feel my throat working at this because it's true as Maddy mentioned, he's hot. With this quiet and powerful mysteriousness backing him up. He seems like a prominent man or something from a different pack because I've never seen him in town before.

"You want to feel him inside of you, don't you?" Sapphire purs in my ear like a cat, stirring up goosebumps in my pores.

Realizing her question requires no response, I slam my fist on the tabletop.

"More tequila,"

"Coming right up," the bartender responds.

We take three more shots and then, I feel all sorts of shyness back away as I fix my gaze on this stranger, who has already turned down two women who've made advances at him.

Thankfully my glasses are being secured by Maddy, so I don't look nerdish.

My two, unruly friends are right. What harm would there be if I hook up with a stranger? He wouldn't know my name and I'm certain we won't meet again because I'm leaving this town and I won't be back until three weeks for my final semester.

Before I know what is happening, my legs are already moving, pulling me away from the high bar stool and heading into the VIP section.

"This place is restricted," the beefy bouncer growls on my face.

Rather than backing away with a scowl, my mouth parts, and laughter rolls from my chest, surprising everyone on this side because it's loud and boisterous. Close enough to surpass the phonk music blasting from the speakers.

I'll take it that it's the alcohol kicking in because I have no control over myself. Maddy and Sapphire are already giving me thumbs up and this makes me valorous.

"Out of the way, I need to speak with that hot guy over there," I point my unsteady finger at blue eyes who is completely frazzled right now.

"Get the hell…" the bouncer is close to shoving me off when he gets interrupted by a deep and distinct voice.

"She's with me," oh..it's blue eyes and he's already on his feet.

Woah, he's so tall, towering my 5'4 with a foot or there about.

The bouncer makes way for me to go forth into the VIP section and I stop right in front of blue eyes who seem to have this daring smirk on his face.

"Want something?" It's the first time he's speaking to me and despite being so knocked down by alcohol, my nostrils fancy his scent. Sandalwood and of meadows as if he's been running in the wild with wolves.

"Hey," his voice lowers as his right arm secures my waist and he steadies me on my feet, upon noticing me slipping. He looks at me with something like amusement and I can't tell if I just imagine it.

Putting my hand on his shoulder, I stand on my toes and lean my mouth close to his ear, with the intention of having just him hear what I have to offer.

"If you find me attractive enough, then use me like it's your last day on this shit hole called Earth."

There, I say at last and I do not even cringe, no.

Blue-eyes has a stupefied expression on his face as he gently turns his head face to me.

And there's two things.

Either he gets pissed off or he's gonna have the bouncer kick me out for sure.

Or both.