Page 4 of Don't Howl At Me

Chapter Three

Wolf

A Year Ago

“Attention, guests. Thank you for coming to the bonding celebration of Zander Survolar and Rayne Ramano.” I gained the wedding guests’ attention. “My brother and his mate wanted me to send you all their honest gratitude and inform you they had to leave the celebration early tonight due to a little visitor trying to make a public debut.”

Several GSC members stared back at me, so I clarified. “Baby Survolar started cracking the egg tonight. Rayne and Zander wanted to be alone in their nest during this exciting but private moment.” The crowd cheered.Thank fuck.

“Please continue to enjoy your night. We have delicious food, strong drinks, and loud music. The party won’t stop anytime soon.”

Stepping off the stage and allowing the DJ to spin his records again, I searched the crowd for an omega to warm my bed for the night. I wasn’t usually picky, attracted to males, females, or non-binary individuals. They could be an omega, beta, or another alpha. But my wolf kept growling‘Omega,’so I guessed he wanted an omega for the night. A cute little omega with red hair and green eyes sat alone by the bar, staring back at me with a tilt of his lips. I took that as a sign I was welcome to approach.

Passing a group of GSC shifters, the sweet smell of cherry blossoms and vanilla brought memories of traveling as a family and carefree summer nights. It wrapped me up in a sense of contentment I wished I could hold on to. But the scent faded, and no matter how hard I concentrated, I couldn’t trace the lingering tendrils back to their source.I’ll find that perfume another time. It would smell good in my bedroom.

I refocused my energy on the night’s target and approached the red-haired omega by the bar. “Can I get you a drink?”

“Got one.” He raised his wineglass as he eyed my body. “How about I finish it, and we go to your room?”

“You’ve read my mind.” I’d found my company for the night.

Not him, dumbass.My wolf objected to my choice, but sometimes the man ignored the beast.

***

Something’s wrong.

Waking up the following day with the random omega in my bed bothered me. The redhead lying on my chest didn’t belong there. For the first time in my life, I second-guessed my decision to hook up the night before.

I checked in with my wolf, but his only response was a huff of annoyance.

“Mmm.” My bed partner stretched and gave me a heated look. His hand trailed down my chest and dipped under the covers toward my cock. “I know what I want for breakfast.”

Grabbing his hand before his fingers could close around my girth, I avoided his touch. “I need to get up.”

“Oh, okay. Do you mind if I use your shower?”

I struggled to remember the omega’s name.Fuck.Giving up, I waved toward the en-suite bathroom as I dressed. “Yeah, go right ahead. I’m going to start my day. Do you need a ride after you’re done?”

Tears gathered in the corner of the omega’s eyes before he lowered his gaze to the floor. I couldn’t soothe him, however. I had to figure out how I’d betrayed my beast somehow last night.

“No. I have my car outside.” He lifted his head high and straightened his posture. “Don’t worry. I’ll shower and get out of your way.” The omega slammed the bathroom door, and the shower turned on.

Fuck. I hated being an ass. But I told him the score before we hooked up last night. I always made sure I did that. I’d drunk too much last night because I couldn’t remember much after talking to him at the bar, but I told him it would never be more between us. I was waiting for my fated mate and wouldn’t settle for anyone else. I couldn’t pretend to want something more out of a one-night stand. Especially when I had this unexplainable sense that I fucked up majorly.

I headed out into the hallway just as the door next door was opening. As I passed, the most beautiful scent floated out to me—cherry blossoms and vanilla.

Just like last night, idiot,my wolf huffed.

My eyes were snared by a gorgeous pair of deep-brown eyes, and my heart tripled its beats.

Mate.

His hair was long and raspberry-colored, his skin soft and blemish-free. He was the most beautiful man. A sexy, slow lift of his lips made me immediately hard.

“Hi.” My mate’s voice was soft but confident. “I’m Ollie.”

“I’m Wolf.” I held my hand out so Ollie could grasp it. Teal and raspberry sparks merged and danced at our connection. His eyes widened.

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