Chapter 1 Seducing Him

Cayden's POV

At the drinking table, it was nothing more than casual conversation and clinking glasses. A few drinks went down, and amid the laughter and chatter, only the drinker could truly know the taste hidden within.

When I finally stepped away from the table, the sky had grown dark. Today, I felt inexplicably annoyed.

The faces around the table were a mix of familiar acquaintances and strangers. In the haze of smoke, their features blurred, becoming grotesque.

On most days, I enjoyed observing the desperate expressions of those trying to win my favor. But tonight, I had no interest. Draining the last sip of wine from my glass, I rose to my feet.

"Leaving already, Alpha?" my Beta, Jace, asked, his voice laced with caution.

I cast him a glance, taking the suit jacket he offered. After slipping it on, I strode out.

Of course, one of the sycophantic businessmen quickly opened the private room door for me.

As I marched across the grand hall, the others scrambled to grab their coats and trailed behind me like obedient shadows.

The club's security guards straightened their backs, shoulders squared as I passed. If any of them had dared to check their phones on duty, their pack's Alpha would be groveling at my feet by now.

We were in the Moonlit Howl Pack's exclusive club, a massive establishment offering everything from dining to fitness facilities, a one-stop destination for work and play.

Herron, the Alpha of Moonlit Howl Pack, had arranged the presidential suite to host me and my Beta. Yet, the conditions he proposed at dinner weren't enough to secure my help.

As I exited the private room, my steps came to an abrupt halt. Standing in the dimly lit corridor was a girl, and she caught my eye like a bolt of lightning.

The lighting was poor, so I couldn't clearly see her face. Her gaze was cast downward, revealing long, delicate lashes that fluttered against her pale cheeks.

Her nose, like her angelic face, was petite yet perfectly sculpted, an exquisite feature that demanded admiration.

A wild thought crept into my mind: I wanted to submerge her in water, strip away her defenses, and uncover the secrets she hid beneath. Beneath the surface, my wolf stirred restlessly.

I could handle my liquor. Clearly, this unsettling pull wasn't from the alcohol.

The scent of oranges filled the air, sweet and intoxicating, making my fangs ache with an urge to bite. It was her scent, the mysterious girl's.

The aroma wrapped around me so vividly that I imagined her stepping out of a grove, clad in a tight dress and heels, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she swayed toward me.

As I approached, her breath quickened. This was entirely inappropriate. I shouldn't touch her. But my wolf growled in defiance, craving the scent that clung to her.

Her head remained bowed, her delicate hands twisting nervously. Sensing my unwavering gaze, she slowly raised her head.

When our eyes met, she panicked. Her soft, pink lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out.

She was so fascinating that her vulnerability made me want to kiss those enticing lips.

It had been far too long since I'd encountered such an intriguing prey. Yet, one thought lingered in my mind. I hoped she wasn't underage. I had strict boundaries, and I never pursued minors.

My sudden pause drew the attention of those trailing behind me. Curious murmurs filled the air as they craned their necks to see what had caught my interest.

Mark Herron peeked out from behind the group, his eyes darting between the girl and me. His expression shifted instantly, lighting up with uncontained glee.

Mark boldly pushed his way through the crowd, reaching the young woman in just a few strides. Grinning from ear to ear, he grabbed her hand and said, "Why are you still standing here like that? Come on, and meet Alpha!"

Without giving her a chance to resist, Mark tugged her forward, practically shoving her in front of me.

The girl was visibly overwhelmed. Her unease showed in the trembling of her delicate frame. Mark gave her a firm push, causing her to stumble.

"Ah!" she gasped softly.

Before I could catch her, she regained her balance, though not without awkwardly pressing her hands against my chest in a frantic attempt to steady herself. She immediately began apologizing in a panic, her voice soft and hurried. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

As she spoke, her scent washed over me again, a tantalizing, sweet fragrance that was utterly intoxicating.

Mark hastily tried to smooth things over. "Alpha, I'm sorry! My daughter's always been like this, shy to the point of nervousness around strangers. Please don't take it personally."

I turned to her, my voice low and steady. "What's your name?"

She kept her head bowed, exposing a small section of her slender neck. "I'm Tori, Alpha," she replied timidly.

I offered Mark a faint smile. "Your daughter is very polite. I wouldn't fault her for being shy," I said, deliberately keeping my tone calm to avoid frightening her further.

I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Somehow, this girl, who had practically fallen into my arms, had lightened my mood.

Tori suddenly looked up, her wide, dewy eyes locking onto mine. Her expression was one of surprise, her lips trembling faintly as if she were holding back tears.

She stood so close that I could see every detail of her delicate face.

The closer she got to me, the more my senses were overwhelmed by her scent. It was intoxicating, making me want to make my move.

'Moon Goddess, is my dick reacting?' I wondered.

"Alpha, it's your first time here at the Moonlit Howl Pack. Let Tori accompany you for a while. She's very familiar with this place..." Mark seized the moment, pushing Tori closer to me.

Tori stumbled again, this time into my chest. I could feel her quivering against me, her soft lips trembling like petals caught in the wind. The sight tempted me to punish her for this unwarranted effect she had on me, perhaps to bend her over a table and spank her as she moaned.

Of course, I didn't act on such thoughts.

Mark leaned in conspiratorially, his smile dripping with sycophantic glee. "Alpha, I've heard you're searching for a woman to bear your heir," he whispered. "I'm more than willing to offer Tori to you."

He paused, lowering his voice further. "And as long as you can help my company tonight, you can do whatever you want with her."

My group was picking a market to develop, and Mark, the builder, had just suggested at the dinner table that he wanted to profit from it.

So that was his game. Mark wanted to use his daughter as a breeder to secure a lucrative deal with my corporation.

Turning to Tori, I asked, "How old are you?"

Tori hesitated, nervously licking her lips before whispering, "I'm nineteen."

Good. At least she was of legal age. I exhaled quietly, relieved.

"Your daughter is lovely," I told Mark.

Mark's face lit up with satisfaction as he flashed another ingratiating smile.

With that, I strode out the door, leaving them behind.

Tori's POV

I stood there, staring after the tall figure as he left the room. My father gave me a hasty push. I was stunned, not knowing what to do.

"What are you waiting for? Alpha Cayden's already gone. Go after him!" he barked and pointed in the direction Cayden had gone.

Startled, I let out a small sound of protest but quickly realized there was no room for hesitation.

I gathered my composure and hurried after the Alpha, my heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. The sound drew the attention of several onlookers, their curious gazes making my cheeks burn.

I wasn't used to wearing heels, but I'd chosen them, and a tight dress, deliberately to catch Cayden's attention.

Panting, I ran out of the hall. Outside the club, I finally spotted Cayden. He stood not far away, speaking with someone.

The dim streetlight cast shadows across his chiseled features, lending him an air of mystery. His eyes glinted with an intensity that reminded me of a predator ready to pounce.

When his gaze flicked toward me, my breath caught. His piercing blue eyes seemed to see straight through me as if he could read my every thought.

Thump. Thump. Thump. My heartbeat drummed in my ears. How could anyone be so dangerous yet so captivating? Why was I so drawn to him?

The person he'd been talking to left, and I realized I was holding my breath. Slowly, I started toward him, knowing what this meant.

Before I could reach him, a sleek black car pulled up beside him. The driver stepped out, opening the door for him. Without hesitation, Cayden slid into the car and closed the door behind him.

I froze, panic rising. Was he leaving?

If I missed this chance to connect with Cayden, my father would kill me.

Just as despair began to creep in, the car window rolled down. His gaze locked on me again, sharp and predatory, like a hawk eyeing its prey.

I was that prey. My entire body trembled under his scrutiny, unsure of the next moment he would swoop down and grab me, either taking me straight into the cloud-shrouded sky or hurling me against the crag.

Trembling, I almost forgot how to breathe. The pounding in my ears drowned out every other sound. Slowly, hesitantly, I stepped toward the car.

In the car, Alpha sat casually, not looking at me at all.

Just his side profile alone was shockingly handsome. It was not the kind of handsomeness that appeared on the surface, but one that came from the inside out, extremely mature and imposing.

Was this Alpha Cayden my father was talking about, someone I was going to sleep with?

He was so handsome that it surprised me and exceeded my imagination. I never expected the legendary Alpha of the Black Shadow pack to be so young.

He looked like he was not even thirty years old. His deep and charming eyes and good-looking thin lips could not brush away the uneasiness in my heart.

I was scared, and I wanted to escape. But my father...

Hesitating and uneasy, I approached him, so close that I was no more than 2 feet away. The car door was opening for me, but Alpha still didn't turn to look at me.

He stared ahead as if he was looking at something, but also as if he was not looking at anything. His high nose bridge made him look a little reserved and cold.

He was like a king who ruled over everything. He didn't even look at the female slaves sent by others. It was as if he didn't care at all.

He seemed to be giving me a choice, but in reality, I had no choice. I couldn't disobey my father's orders.

I bit my lip and sighed softly. I bent down and got into the luxurious car.

I sat down. Before I could even retract my other foot outside the car, he pulled me hard. In the short moment of dizziness, I was inexplicably pressed under him.

"Once you're in my car, there's no way out!" His eyes were deep, heavy, and bright. There was no need to hide the desire in them anymore.