Mr. Stranger.

Rhaella's POV

I pushed through the bar doors of the renowned Draven Royale Hotels & Suites, and went straight to the counter. I didn’t even care that it was an open space where only rich Alphas and Betas came to; and that half the people there were looking at me because they knew who I was. “The disgraced Luna sitting in a five-star bar.” What a headline. I was definitely giving them something new to gossip about.

Jason’s words still echoed somewhere deep in me and it seemed impossible to drown out. I ordered a drink and downed it, hoping the burn in my throat would wash everything else away.

The bartender kept stealing glances at me as he wiped a clean glass. I could hear two others whispering softly behind the counter.

“Imagine, betraying the Alpha only to end up like this,” one muttered.

“Gosh! Lilly..” the other said quietly, bumping her colleague with her shoulder “.... your big mouth is going to get you in trouble one day.” She whispered as they moved off to serve a table.

I turned my face to the counter and tried not to care, because I knew there was no way to possibly convince all of the Stormwolf pack that I really didn't do all I was accused of. I had zero evidence. My hoodie was half-zipped, and my hair was tangled from the number of times I’d raked my hand through it. I probably smelled a lot like stress and vodka too.

“Another,” I muttered, sliding the empty glass forward.

My phone buzzed again. I glanced at the screen and saw Sylvia calling again for the sixth time. I sighed heavily and flipped its face down. “Not now, Syl,” I muttered under my breath.

Then my mindlink buzzed too and her voice echoed faintly in my head, full of concern. “Where the hell are you, Ella? Answer me!”

I blocked it immediately without a reply. I didn't want to talk or explain anything to her right now, I just wanted to be alone.

“A glass of vodka and tequila for the lady,” a deep voice sounded nearby.

I froze, staring at nothing for a second, wondering if the person was trying to make me run mad. I mean, who orders that kind of mix for a lady? Even the bartender lifted his brows slightly, confused on why the man would demand something that strong for me.

I finally looked up as the man pulled out a stool and sat right beside me. He wore a black round-neck shirt that clung to his muscles, showing off the kind of chest you could only get from hours of disciplined training. Everything about him; from his calm confidence to the quiet authority in the way he sat, screamed Alpha.

Even the bartender straightened a little, unconsciously giving off signs that he was an extremely important person. I frowned at the realization of that, because guys like him didn’t have any business sitting beside girls like me. So why… why would a man like that even bother ordering me a drink?

I quickly tore my gaze away as the bartender slid the glass toward me. I took the drink down in one shot, wincing at the bitter mix that burned my throat.

I could feel him watching me; closely and for some reason, that stare made my chest tighten. But, I sat there patiently waiting for the alcohol to do its job and finish numbing my pain.

“You didn’t have to, but… thanks anyway,” I finally spoke, trying to avoid his eyes.

“Not a problem,” he replied calmly. “Just figured you needed that.”

“Right.” I scoffed softly, catching the quiet confidence in his tone; that same Alpha pride that always made my skin crawl. It instantly reminded me of Jason, and I felt sick to my stomach.

I got off the stool, ready to head home, but the alcohol was already getting to me. My legs felt like jelly, and I wasn’t sure I’d even make it to the door in one piece. I was about to walk away when my hoodie snagged at the sharp corner of the counter, pulling me backward. I gasped as I heard a tearing sound, and was headed to the ground. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the fall, but it never came.

Instead, I felt strong hands wrapped around my body; lifting me into the air. I opened my eyes and peeked up at the man who caught me. And for a second, my breath hitched.

“Careful,” he said in a low voice.

“I’m.. sorry,” I murmured quickly, pulling away from his hands as heat rushed to my cheeks. “I didn’t mean to…”

He nodded; smiling down at me and a dimple appeared on his right cheek. Honestly, he was so handsome!

"Seems someone is falling for me." He teased after noticing I was lost in awe of him.

I stared at him for a heartbeat longer before I squinted my eyes at him, seeing what he did there.

"You're quite a funny one, aren't you?"

He grinned. Then he looked at my shirt and immediately frowned.

"Let me take you to my suite upstairs," he said, making my heart skip a bit.

"What?" I said in barely a whisper. “You don't need to worry about me. I can make it home.” I sounded almost defensive, and I hated that I sounded that way.

His eyes met mine and I got lost in their beauty for a moment.

Goddess, his good looks were sinful.

"Your shirt is ripped. I have one you can wear upstairs in my VIP suite," he explained, trying to clear whatever thoughts were rampaging through my head.

I blinked a couple of times and gave a nervous chuckle.

"Oh, true. Thank you,” I managed to sputter.

He turned to the bartender.

"Charge her drinks to my suite," he ordered.

"Yes, sir."

I allowed the man to guide me out of the bar. His arms were wrapped around my shoulders; they felt so warm that I found myself resting my head against his broad chest, breathing in his minty scent. No doubt, the alcohol had gotten a better part of me now and my wolf kept purring in my mind. She'd been quiet for most of the day while she bore the wounds the broken mate bond had caused us. But right now, it was as if she had forgotten she was heartbroken.

"Take off your hoodie," he ordered once we were in his suite. He had released me from his arms and was walking to the closet.

"Excuse me?" I squeaked, my fingers shaking as they caught the hem of my hoodie.

A sharp wave of fear hit me out of nowhere. I was alone in a stranger’s suite.

Half-drunk. Half-undressed.

I didn’t know which terrified me more; what he might do… or the part of me that didn’t immediately say no.