Claimed

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 

IRIS POV 

It’s around nine when we finally stop in front of the gallery. There is a line of people that reaches around the corner trying to get in. I swallow hard as I start to count them. 

I’ve never had one run-in with a wolf since I went into hiding. My wolf hearing makes the conversations around the car sound as clear as day. I listen to people outside speaking in foreign languages. I realize some of them have travelled from far for this particular event. There were a lot of wolves right across the globe. How I manage to avoid them for so many years is beyond me. I start to count the people again and my eyes focus on each one. Taking in their fancy clothing and drunk laughter. A wolf travelling outside of their country was always alert. These people looked like they were just trying to show off. 

My wolf Calla starts nipping excitingly in the back of my mind making me even more restless. I’ve kept her dormant for so long she was driving me crazy for a run. I was also starving. Again.

“Wow, who would have thought Hilgard would get such a big crowd! How many do you think are out there?” Diane exclaims amazed as she applies another coat of lip gloss.

“Too many,” I whisper, feeling strangely uncomfortable. She clears her throat and I finally look over at her. She gives me a knowing look. 

“Are you uncomfortable?” She asks as she applies a little more mascara. 

“I’m always uncomfortable going to big events like this,” I admit and take a sip of her pink bottle of water. 

“No one will even know we're there! Wait, who am I kidding? We’re the hottest people here!” She jokes and bumps my shoulder with hers.

“You’re being vain Diane!” I say and quickly text Eran that we’re safe. I laugh a little at the strange GIF he sends me of a lama dancing.

“I’m being honest!” 

I roll my eyes and she sticks her tongue out at me.

She hands me some of the lip gloss and I quickly apply some before she bites my head off. One thing she loved was styling and I was usually her test dummy. Part of me was really grateful because the human girls really loved to wear makeup and Diane taught me everything I needed to know to fit in because let’s be honest Eran didn’t know anything about makeup. 

“Remember to put your phone in your side boob like I showed you,”  Diane says and I nod and quickly do it. Phones were amazing and small, but I have lost about five in the last two years. I open my door and she grabs my arm, “Remember your heels Iri!” she gestured to the black heels laying at my feet. I quickly pulled them on not objecting, because I knew I didn’t stand a chance against the terrifying fashionista Diane. I hated heels because I already had ridiculously long legs. I always towered over most guys and heels made me feel like a tower. 

Thank you Alpha genes. 

I quickly jump out and see one of the security guards watching me. I start to lift the keyboard and realize I should act a little more human. I kick myself mentally for what I'm about to do.

 I pretend like I’m struggling with its weight and the security guard quickly comes rushing over. “I got you sugar. I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” He says flirtatiously and mockingly and I try really hard to hide my eye roll. I flop it down into his arms effortlessly. 

“Thanks” I hated human men for their desire to show off and how strange their testosterone smelled. He tries to start small talk and I just shake my head and act like I’m listening. Something was way off. My wolf was really jittery. I smirk when I watch him struggling with the piano at the door. 

I’m waiting for Diane on the sidewalk to finish getting her things in the car when suddenly a sweet smell hits my nose. It smelled like freshly picked mint and something else. I make one-eighty turn trying to figure out where the smell is coming from. I felt like a drug addict looking for more.

My wolf Calla starts to purr and I push her back, cutting her off. No, it couldn’t be. I jump a little when Diane hooks her arm through mine. 

“Are you ready to steal some hearts?” she chirps as she eyes me and I laugh nervously and quickly nod. She gives me a pointed look, “You ok?” 

“Yes, just a little nervous!” I can see she doesn’t believe me but leads us to the entrance anyway. The place was already packed. 

“I guess you two girls are the entertainment for tonight?” The security guard says at the door as he eyes his partner walking with the piano.

“Yes, maybe we can have a little staff meeting later,” Diane gives him a little wave and he suddenly blushes. I slap her hand and glared at her. Eran once told me Diane flirted so much because it was her coping mechanism. I’ve asked her before wondering what exactly happened to my friend, but she usually just starts talking about something else. 

As we walk through the entrance I’m taken back with the artwork that surrounds us and stop dead in my tracks. “Wow,” I say a little breathlessly. I take in each one of the marble statues and feel my heart begin to thunder against my chest. Each statue is so full of emotion. Every curve is so perfect and balanced. I knew right then Lucas Ren must have been a s*x addict or something because the naked women statues looked so real and passionate. I gasp as my eyes fall on the focus piece of tonight. My blood runs cold. It’s a wolf made of white marble. Could he possibly be? No! Focus Iris! I try to motivate myself to move, but the blood in my veins feels like it has turned to ice. 

I realize Diane left me there gawking alone at the statues as she finished setting up in one of the corners. She gestures for me to hurry and I quickly walk over. I see Hilgard is talking to her. “You girls better impress the man! This is really a big chance I’m taking!” he tells her as I come to a halt next to her. He licks his lips as he looks us up and down. Something about Hilgard’s scent and appearance has always seemed off, but I ignore my gut feeling as Diane gives me a warning glare that says play nice. Hilgard was a short, bald Italian man that couldn’t keep his disgusting man hormones to himself. I gag as I smell the testosterone. 

“Hi Hilgard,” I quickly greeted awkwardly trying to escape but he took my hand and kissed it with his disgusting wet lips. Diane tries to stifle her laugh as I pull a face. 

Then I hear it. 

A growl. 

I just heard someone growl.  

I feel goosebumps run over my skin. Diane meets my gaze for a second and her piercing gaze makes me snap out of the shock.

 I decided to ignore it.

“Please start in one minute!” Hilgard urges us and I’m surprised when I see his face switch to excitement as his eyes flicker somewhere towards the crowd. 

I hastily turn on my heels before he can say anything else and dart toward the keyboard. Diane starts to turn her keyboard on as I bend down to retrieve my microphone. I take a whiff and smell it. Oh no. Two wolves. 

I feel my heart pick up speed as I realize one of them smelled really good. Too good. 

 I stand up and close my eyes.

They can’t smell you remember, I tell myself trying to stop the panic attack I felt coming on. I needed to stay calm and do this like we had a million times before. 

I turn around but still keep my eyes closed. I needed to concentrate. I decided to take slow deep breaths.

I think about my mother singing to me and feel all my senses awaken. I needed to stay calm and act human. 

I knew everyone was already watching us as Diane’s angelic voice filled my ears. I open my eyes on my cue, “I’ll go wherever you will go.. take my heart..” I loved this cover from the Calling. I stayed calm and put on the best show I could because I knew how much this meant to Diane. I walked around the keyboard as Diane showed me a million times before. 

The delicious smell hits me as I sing. I stop and slowly turn my head looking, “I will go wherever you will go..” I sing as my eyes meet the ones that make me feel like I am coming home. It feels like a heatwave running over every cell in my body setting me on fire. My heartbeat is suddenly all I can hear as everything slows around me and all I can see is him.

“MATE!” Calla shouts in my head and I feel every nerve in my body jump in union. 

 He is breathtaking. Midnight black hair that brushed his shoulders with dark blue eyes that screamed dominance. High cheekbones and full lips framed with a beautiful short beard. He was tall, almost a full head taller than me in these heels. Broad shoulders and golden sun-kissed skin. My eyes flickered to his beautiful slender fingers as his hand twitched and he clenched his jaw.

The most horrifying thought hits me.

I wanted him right now. Wanted him in a way that I have only ever wanted one person.

The way that the all-black suit he was wearing hugged him in all the right places made it even worse. I watch him not once leaving his gaze. I saw his eyes flicker with confusion and desire. I knew he wanted me to give in under the pressure of his gaze and look away. 

Every male wolf had the desire to intimidate anyone with their gaze, but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. I wasn’t just a female wolf, I was a female Alpha and I wouldn’t let any mutt intimidate me. I could hear my fathers voice telling me the rules of dominance as we watched each other.

Even if he was my mate. Suddenly I hear Diane’s confused voice singing behind me and realize I have missed my cue. I just act like nothing happened and hold his gaze as I start to sing again. He c***s his head to the side and holds my gaze. He softly starts to grin at me and I try to act like it doesn’t affect me. He was so beautiful. Holy s**t. I stay calm as I try to finish the song. 

He takes a step towards me and my heart jumps. Suddenly he gets pulled back by a man with silky blond hair standing behind him. He breaks eye contact first and I quickly rush to Diane. I give her an apologetic smile for missing my cue. She just winks at me and begins with the next song. She was a performer and nothing else mattered except putting on a good show. 

After a moment I realize she is also staring at the two men, maybe even more intensely. She gives me a type of look that makes me fall back to reality. This couldn’t happen now. He could be a rogue.

I then decide to ignore my mate for the next couple of songs. I was proud of myself for not once glancing at him. Calla was growling in my head and I couldn’t understand what her problem was. After an hour I realize he is still standing in the same spot, still watching me. As the last song of our set begins I finally make a decision. I had to act like a human. I couldn’t ignore the fact that he could sense me even though I had used the herbs tonight. I needed him to believe I was human. I needed to stay protected. I couldn’t trust him even if he was my mate. 

I go stand in front of him and watch him as I sing. His eyes are closed as he listens to the song. He senses me watching him and opens his eyes slowly. They’re darker. Filled with want. Holy hell take me now.

 I decided to flirt with him like any young woman would if a man as beautiful as this was watching her. I had to perform. I wink and smile at him. He c***s his head again and raises both of his eyebrows. It gives me a confidence boost. 

I turn around and give him my most seductive gaze as I bite my bottom lip. His mouth twitches and his eyes run up my body. He wanted me too. 

 I smirk and walk toward Diane as she plays the last chord.