CHAPTER 7 - STRANGER

Celine’s POV

“I said another,” I repeated, my words slightly slurred as I tapped my fingers impatiently against the polished counter.

The bartender let out a small sigh, his blue eyes filled with concern.

“Ma’am, I really think you’ve had enough for tonight.”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips and I thought.

“Have I had enough humiliation, betrayal or pain?”.

No, not even close.

“Please,” I said again, this time softer and my voice trembling in a way I hated.

“Just one more.”

He hesitated for a moment before finally reaching for another glass, poured the drink slowly and slid it toward me.

I grabbed it without hesitation and emptied it at a gulp. The burn that followed was sharp but I welcomed it, at least it was a pain I could understand.

The music in the club grew louder, the heavy bass vibrating through my chest as the lights flashed across the crowded room. Bodies moved against each other on the dance floor as laughter and desire filled the air making everything around me blurred.

Perfect!

That was exactly what I wanted.

To blur the memory of Rowan’s cold eyes, Ivy’s mocking smile and the sound of his voice rejecting me in front of everyone.

I gripped the edge of the counter as a wave of dizziness washed over me.

The room spun and for a second, I thought I might fall but a steady hand suddenly caught my arm.

“Careful.”

The voice was deep, rich but commanding and something about it sent a rush of waves down my core making me press my legs together.

I slowly lifted my head and froze.

Standing beside me was the most striking man I had ever seen.

He was tall, much taller than Rowan; with broad shoulders that seemed to command the space around him. His white shirt fit him perfectly, outlining a strong, lean frame, while the first two buttons were undone just enough to reveal a glimpse of firm skin beneath.

His hair was dark and neatly brushed back, and his face was…

Moon goddess!!!

His face looked sculpted. He had a sharp jawline, defined cheekbones and piercing icy-blue eyes.

Those eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, it felt like the entire club disappeared.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

His voice was calm, but it made my core tremble intensely.

I blinked several times, trying to focus.

“I’m fine,” I muttered, trying to pull my hand away but my legs betrayed me.

I stumbled and he caught me again but this time, his hand settled firmly around my waist making a strange warmth spread through me at the contact.

“I don’t think you are,” he said quietly.

I should have stepped back or probably thanked him and walked away but I started drooling at him.

There was something strangely familiar about him, even though I knew I had never seen him before.

Maybe it was the way he looked at me with sharp attention as if I mattered and as if he was trying to read every emotion on my face.

I looked away first.

“I’m just having a bad night.”

His gaze darkened.

“A man?”

The question made a bitter smile tug at my lips.

“Something like that.”

He studied me for a moment before speaking again.

“Then he must be a fool.”

I stared at him in surprise.

That was the last thing I expected to hear and a soft laugh escaped me.

The first genuine laugh I had made all day and he noticed.

I could tell by the faint shift in his expression and something softened in his eyes.

“Well,” he said, “would you like to get some air?”

I glanced at the crowded dance floor, the flashing lights and at the bar that had become my temporary escape, then back at him.

I gave a small nod.

“Okay.”

His hand remained at the small of my back as he led me away from the bar.

The touch should have made me uncomfortable but instead, it felt strangely safe.

As we stepped out through the side entrance of the club, the cool night air hit my face.

I breathed deeply and for the first time that night, it felt like I could think.

The city lights glowed in the distance and the muffled music from inside the club faded into the background.

For a while, neither of us spoke.

Then he looked at me.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I laughed softly.

“You really ask a lot of questions for someone who just met me.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“Maybe.”

I turned away, staring at the road ahead.

“My mate rejected me tonight.”

The words felt heavy cause even saying them aloud hurts.

His entire body went still and I noticed.

The change was subtle but it was there.

His jaw tightened and his eyes darkened.

“He rejected you?” he repeated, his voice dangerously calm.

I nodded.

“In front of everyone.”

And there was the kind of silence that carried weight between us.

Then he spoke again.

“He doesn’t deserve you.”

I looked at him sharply.

“You don’t even know me.”

“No,” he said, his gaze fixed on mine, “but I know pain when I see it.”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak.

No one had ever said something like that to me and no one had ever looked at my pain and acknowledged it so simply without pity or judgment.

The alcohol was still coursing through my veins, making every emotion feel sharper.

My heart felt raw and exposed and somehow, standing beside this stranger made it easier to breathe.

“Why are you being nice to me?” I asked quietly.

His eyes held mine.

“Because someone should be.”

Something inside me cracked before I knew what I was doing, I stepped closer.

Close enough to feel the warmth radiating from him and catch the faint scent of cedar and night rain clinging to his skin.

His gaze dropped briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes.

“you’re drunk.” he said, his voice lower now

“Maybe.”

“You should go home.”

I let out a shaky laugh.

“I don’t want to.”

For the first time, something unreadable flickered across his face and his emotions were shifting through conflict, desire and control.

He gently lifted a hand brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face and the tenderness of the gesture nearly undid me.

“I don’t even know you,” I whispered.

“You can.”

His words settled over me like a promise that was dangerous and tempting.

My heart pounded.

And for one reckless moment, I wanted to forget everything; the betrayal, rejection and humiliation.

I wanted one night where I didn’t feel broken, where I wasn’t the wolfless orphan everyone looked down on and where I could just be a woman.

I looked into his eyes and made the most impulsive decision of my life.

“Take me somewhere,” I whispered.

His gaze darkened instantly.

He was silent for a long moment.

Then he asked, carefully, “Are you sure?”

I swallowed.

“No.”, I thought.

I wasn’t sure but I nodded anyway.

“Yes.”

He stared at me for a few seconds more as if giving me one final chance to change my mind before his hand closed around mine. His hands were warm, steady and protective that I wished never to let go.

“Come with me.” He said as he led me toward a sleek black SUV parked a little distance from the club.

The city lights reflected off the car as he opened the passenger door for me.

I paused and a strange feeling swept through me more like anticipation.

As I settled into the seat, he closed the door gently and walked around to the driver’s side.

Moments later, the engine roared to life and the car pulled away from the club.

I turned to look at him.

The glow from the dashboard cast shadows across his sharp features making him look even more dangerous and mysterious.