I took a deep breath as I approached the venue, trying to calm the anxious flutter in my chest. The faint hum of the pack’s network buzzed around me, but I blocked it out. Tonight, I wanted to feel free, even if only for a moment.
Just as I was about to enter the lounge, a firm body collided with mine, knocking me off balance. I gasped, but before I could fall, a pair of strong hands caught me, steadying me effortlessly.
My heart skipped a beat as I looked up, expecting to meet Aldric’s sharp, cold gaze. But instead, I found myself staring into the eyes of a stranger. His scent wrapped around me like a warm blanket—rich, earthy, and strangely comforting. It was unlike anything I had ever encountered, calming my frayed nerves in an instant.
“I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. But before I could say more, the stranger stepped back, his expression unreadable.
“It’s alright,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. His eyes lingered on mine for a split second, as if he was searching for something, before he nodded and disappeared into the crowd.