HER DOMINEERING ALPHA

Chapter two

Tori

The next day, I stumbled through my morning classes absentmindedly, unable to stop thinking about Blake. I tried to think about important things, like how to sort out my new life here, take part time jobs and my brother's health, but my thoughts kept straying back to him. Those piercing green eyes and his cocky grin floated through my mind, no matter how hard I tried to banish the images.

At lunch, I picked at my food, only half listening as Ella chatted about her drama club audition. I kept glancing across the cafeteria at Blake, surrounded as usual by his entourage and fangirls. Sensing my gaze, he looked up and met my eyes. I quickly dropped my stare, cursing myself. Get it together, Tori.

"Earth to Tori!" Ella waved her hand in front of my face. "Where did you go just now?"

I shook my head. "Sorry, just distracted I guess."

Ella gave me a knowing look. "Distracted by a certain alpha hottie maybe?"

I felt my cheeks flush. "What? No, of course not," I stammered unconvincingly.

"Don't try to deny it, I see the way you look at Blake when you think no one notices." She grinned. "Can't say I blame you though. He is pretty gorgeous."

I groaned internally. Was I being that obvious?

Caleb sat down next to Ella and greeted us with his usual easy smile. I was grateful for the interruption.

"So," said Ella, turning to Caleb excitedly. "Are you going to Hunter's party tonight?"

Caleb shrugged. "I wasn't planning on it."

"Party?" I asked curiously.

"Oh, right, you wouldn't have heard yet!" Ella explained, "Hunter is on the basketball team with Blake and the guys. His parents are out of town this weekend so he's throwing a huge party at his house tonight."

"It's not exactly an authorized party," Caleb clarified. "His parents don't know about it. But word spreads fast about these kinds of things."

I absorbed this new information. Back home, parties were rare, quiet bonfires in the woods. The concept of a huge illegal house party was foreign.

Ella turned back to me eagerly. "You have to come with me tonight, Tori! It'll be the perfect way for you to get to know people here."

The thought made me nervous. I was still adjusting to this world. But Ella had a point—it seemed like an opportunity to immerse myself in the social scene. And if I was being totally honest with myself, part of me hoped Blake would be there.

"I guess I could go for a little while," I conceded slowly.

Ella squealed and clapped her hands. "Yay! Don't worry about what to wear, you can borrow something of mine. This is going to be so much fun!"

I smiled weakly, wondering if I'd live to regret this decision.

After school, I followed Ella back to her place. She showed me to her closet and began pulling out various tops and dresses for me to try on. I felt awkward playing dress-up. Back home, celebrations meant wearing your nicest hide trousers and fur-lined jacket.

Finally, Ella decided on a short black dress that hugged my slim figure. She convinced me to let her apply smoky eye makeup and arrange my long hair in loose curls.

When she finally let me look in the mirror, I was shocked. The sophisticated, sexy teenager staring back at me was nearly unrecognizable.

"Well, what do you think?" Ella asked eagerly.

"It's very...different," I managed. "Are you sure this looks okay?"

She laughed. "Tori, you look hot! Trust me, heads will turn tonight."

I wasn't sure how I felt about that, but I smiled weakly. I still wasn't used to drawing attention to my looks. In the pack, it was your skills and temperament that mattered.

Too soon, it was time to head to the party. As we pulled up to the large house already overflowing with people, my nerves kicked into high gear. Ella hooked her arm through mine confidently.

"Just stick with me, you'll be fine! This is gonna be fun."

Inside, the house was packed with writhing bodies illuminated by pulsating colored lights. The stench of alcohol and sweat permeated the air. Scantily clad girls ground on guys to the blasting music.

This was definitely out of my comfort zone. I wrinkled my nose, but Ella didn't seem bothered. She grabbed drinks for us from a crowded table and pulled me into the throng. I sipped my drink anxiously. It tasted terrible but offered some liquid courage.

Soon Caleb found us, looking casual in jeans and a button-down. We attempted to talk over the deafening music. I glanced around, taking in the strange scene. Being surrounded by so many provocatively dressed, intoxicated teens set my nerves on edge.

"I'm gonna run to the bathroom," Ella half-shouted. "Be right back!" She darted off into the crowd.

Caleb stood closer so we could hear each other. "How's your first house party?" he asked wryly.

I made a face. "Honestly? Kind of overwhelming."

He laughed understandingly. We chatted for a bit, slowly relaxing into each other's company. Caleb was easy to talk to.

After a while, Ella appeared looking disheveled. "There you are! Come dance with me," she said breathlessly, grabbing Caleb's arm. He shot me an apologetic look as Ella dragged him into the mass of grinding bodies.

I shifted uncomfortably, alone again amid the pulsating noise and heat. I scanned the room, considering making an exit. But just then, I caught sight of Blake by the drinks. As usual, he was surrounded by a crowd, holding court with his cocky charm. I couldn't tear my gaze away. Sensing eyes on him, he looked straight at me. Caught staring, I blushed furiously.

To my surprise, Blake said something to his companions and began heading over. My breath caught. Before I could react, he was standing right in front of me.

"Well hello there," he drawled, eyes roaming over me brazenly. "You're the new girl, right? Tori?"

I swallowed hard and lifted my chin. "That's right."

His grin was calculating. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Blake."

"I know who you are."

He arched an eyebrow arrogantly. Close up, his tall muscular frame and predatory green eyes were even more imposing. And attractive. I silently cursed the animal magnetism I seemed helpless against.

"In that case, mind if I steal you for a dance?" He boldly placed a hand on my lower back.

My inner voice screamed at me to say no, walk away, listen to Caleb's warning. Instead I heard myself say, "Sure, why not?"

That cocky grin again. "Great." Blake's hand pressed firmly against me, guiding me toward the makeshift dance area. My skin tingled everywhere we touched.

Finding a bit of space, Blake turned to face me. His hands gripped my hips, pulling me against him. My heartbeat quickened as we began to move together.

Being close enough to smell his pine and musk scent made my head swim. The rest of the party faded away, my senses consumed by Blake. His thigh pressed between my legs as our bodies found the rhythm. His fingertips grazed the exposed skin of my back, raising goosebumps.

Our gazes locked, green eyes boring into blue. The speed of the music increased, bodies pressed tight as our hips rocked in sync. My skin felt feverish, hyper-aware of every place we connected.

The song changed to something slower. Blake's arms encircled my waist, holding our bodies flush. My own hands reached up to grip his muscular shoulders. We swayed together intimately.

"You're different than the other girls here," Blake murmured in my ear. His lips grazed my neck as he spoke. "Untamed. I like it."

My breath caught at the sensation. Tilting my head back, Blake took advantage and trailed hungry kisses down the sensitive skin of my throat. My knees went weak, body melting against him. A soft moan escaped my lips.

Suddenly we were moving, Blake guiding us away from the crowd. In my dazed state I let him lead me down a hallway into an empty room. The door had barely closed behind us before his mouth captured mine in a blistering kiss.

My control snapped like a taut wire cut loose. I responded fiercely, tongue dancing with his, fingers twisting in his silky hair. We devoured each other hungrily.

With a growl, Blake lifted me and pinned me to the wall. My legs wrapped around his lean waist. We moved together urgently, all groping hands and gasps between feverish kisses. His arousal was unmistakable as he rocked against me.

"Do you want me, Tori?" Blake rasped in my ear.

"Yes," I breathed without hesitation. My body sang at his touch, all rational thought drowned out by pure desire.

Blake pulled back to look at me, desire and something darker swirling in his hooded eyes. "Then say it," he demanded. "Tell me what you want."

My cheeks flushed, but my gaze didn't waver. "I want you, Blake."

With a satisfied smirk, he kissed me hard. I lost myself in the blissful feel of his strong body pressed against mine. In this moment, nothing else mattered but his lips on my skin, his hands roaming possessively.

I have no idea how much time passed. Eventually Blake slowed, pulling away to catch his breath. Dazed, I looked up at him. The haze of lust receded slightly, allowing room for other emotions. I reached up to stroke his handsome face gently.

"I think I'm falling for you, Blake," I whispered.

He froze, eyes flashing with something unreadable. Fear, anger, regret? Then his seductive mask slipped back into place. He stepped back, leaving me cold.

"Don't go falling in love with me, girl," he said with a cruel smirk. "I'm not the relationship type."

His abrupt dismissal felt like a slap. The rejection shot pain through my chest. I stared at him, speechless.

With an arrogant shrug, Blake turned and sauntered to the door. "See you around, sweetheart," he tossed over his shoulder. Then he was gone.

I sagged back against the wall, breathing shaky. My lips still tingled from his kiss, but the euphoria had vanished. Confusion and hurt roiled inside me. What had I been thinking, baring my feelings to him? Ella had tried to warn me—Blake was dangerous, selfish, incapable of caring about anyone but himself.

And yet some naive part of me had hoped there might be more to him, that what we'd shared meant something. I'd allowed myself to imagine penetrating his suave, tough facade to the real person underneath. But he'd made it painfully clear the only thing he wanted from me was physical.

I swiped at a tear that escaped down my cheek. "Get it together, Tori," I told myself angrily. "You're stronger than this."

So what if he got scared and tried to push me away? I just have to make him see the connection between us.