A Show of Innocence

Nadia sat quietly in the passenger seat as Jaxon drove, his voice filling the silence between them. He talked almost incessantly, and she found herself tuning in and out of the conversation, her mind elsewhere. Something about the day had felt off. Her wolf was restless, pacing relentlessly inside her, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to connect with her. Her wolf kept blocking her out, leaving Nadia frustrated and confused.

She couldn't shake the feeling that something important was coming, but her wolf wasn't giving her any answers. Instead, the restlessness grew, adding weight to her thoughts. Nadia needed to be focused. Tonight wasn't just any night. She was walking into the enemy's domain, and every detail mattered.

She'd made plans: an ambush, information gathering, and, of course, the chance to see her enemies face-to-face. But she had to remain sharp, stay ahead of the game. She couldn't afford distractions, especially not her wolf's strange behavior tonight.

Focus, Nadia, she told herself again, trying to ground herself in the present moment.

When they arrived at the hotel, Jaxon stopped at the grand entrance, helping her out of the car before tossing the keys to the valet. He led her inside, and Nadia played the role of the intrigued guest, pretending it was her first time in such a lavish place. She smiled, batting her eyes innocently, and watched as Jaxon practically melted under her charm.

She'd dressed for the occasion, wearing a sleek black dress that clung to her curves in all the right ways, highlighting her most noticeable assets. She had spent far too long perfecting her appearance for tonight, knowing the impact it would have. It worked like a charm. Jaxon's eyes constantly followed her, and she couldn't ignore the bulge in his pants whenever he thought she wasn't looking. He wanted her, and he wasn't shy about it.

Nadia allowed herself to enjoy the attention for a moment, but she didn't forget the reason she was here. She let Jaxon believe she was interested, leading him on with sweet words and encouraging smiles. But whenever he got too close, she pulled away, reminding herself that this wasn't about her heart.

Her past had taught her well, two broken relationships had scarred her enough to be wary of letting anyone get too close. And knowing Jaxon worked for the brothers made it impossible to consider any emotional attachment. He was attractive, and she could easily sleep with him if she wanted to, but there would be nothing beyond that.

"If I knew you'd look so good, I'd have taken you somewhere more private," Jaxon said, helping her sit at the bar. Nadia glanced around the room, taking mental note of the faces she recognized and the ones she didn't. She observed everything, absorbing the details. But she hadn't seen any of the brothers yet, which was disappointing.

She laughed lightly at Jaxon's comment, trying to hide her growing frustration. He was as chatty as ever, and though it annoyed her, she couldn't deny that the more he talked, the more information she gathered. His enthusiasm was hard to ignore, he was clearly hoping for a night of pleasure. She sipped her drink, careful not to overdo it, keeping her mind sharp for what was to come.

"Anyway," Jaxon continued, "as I said, my boss is throwing this party because I closed an important deal for the company. He's pleased with me this time," he added, his voice tinged with sarcasm.

Nadia asked casually, "What did you say your work was again?" though she already knew the answer.

"Oh, I manage the real estate....." He stopped abruptly, his eyes flicking behind her. His body tensed, and his face went pale. Nadia turned, sensing something was off, but before she could fully process what was happening, she felt it. The unmistakable presence of someone powerful, someone who commanded attention without effort.

Her wolf, still restless, seemed to tighten in response to the energy in the room. Nadia's pulse quickened as she turned around. And there he was.

Enzo Blackwood.

The eldest of the Alpha brothers.

His presence was so overwhelming, so absorbing, that Nadia felt every nerve in her body heighten in response. Her focus immediately zeroed in on him. She could feel his eyes on her, and even from across the room, his gaze seemed to draw her in, almost as if his very essence was calling to hers.

She forgot all about Jaxon, her attention fully consumed by Enzo. Her heart began to race, and her wolf stirred, a howl of recognition vibrating through her. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and she suddenly became hyperaware of everything around her, but it was Enzo who held her captive.

Her breath hitched as he moved closer, his steps swift, his confidence evident in the way he carried himself. Even under his clothes, she could see the way his muscles shifted, the way he moved with the grace and power of a predator. It made her want to tear away every layer between them, to see him fully, to feel him in every way.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and the heat between her legs flared to life as his intoxicating scent reached her. She wanted him. She needed to taste him, to feel his touch.

He stopped beside her, and the space between them seemed to disappear. His presence surrounded her like a force field, and when he spoke, his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

"Hello, mate," he greeted her, his tone full of possession.

Nadia's world tilted, and everything inside her screamed.