Chapter 19

Isabella

A low growl vibrated through him, so quiet I felt rather than heard it. His hands suddenly gripped my waist tightly, fingers digging into my flesh, holding me firmly in place.

"Be careful, baby," he whispered, his hot breath on my ear, "if you keep responding to me without permission like that, I might not be able to control myself."

His words sent tremors through my entire body, a shiver running from my neck down to my core, pooling as wet heat between my thighs. What the fuck is wrong with me? I just met this man, and I'm already grinding my ass against him like a bitch in heat.

We maintained this position—his chest pressed firmly against my back, his hands steadying my waist—until the performance ended and the other spectators began to disperse. Only then did he step back, creating a small distance between us that somehow felt like a mile.

I turned to face him directly. Up close, he was even more breathtaking—those hazel eyes occasionally flashing gold, that jawline sharp enough to cut glass, sandy waves of hair falling perfectly to his shoulders.

His lips curved into a smile that made my heart skip a beat. His eyes, now definitely gleaming gold in the moonlight, held a depth that seemed to see right through me.

"Hi," I finally managed, my voice embarrassingly breathy.

The corner of his mouth lifted into a smile that made my stomach flip. "Hello, darling."

The endearment should have annoyed me, but instead, it sent another wave of heat through my body. My inner wolf practically purred at his attention.

"Can I buy you a drink?" I asked, surprising myself with my boldness.

"That would be lovely," he answered, his eyes never leaving my face.

As we made our way from the Moonlight Hall toward the bar, he offered me his arm like a gentleman from another era. I hesitated only briefly before slipping my hand into the crook of his elbow, feeling the solid muscle beneath his jacket.

I immediately noticed our height difference—even in my heels, I barely reached his shoulder. His presence made me feel delicate, almost fragile, which was a novel sensation for someone who'd spent her life fiercely asserting her independence.

We passed a werewolf couple, and I couldn't help but stare. The female wolf wore a silver moonlight collar around her neck—the visible symbol of a mate bond. The collar gleamed in the dim light, drawing attention to the red mark on her neck.

"Are you a newly matured wolf?" he asked, noticing my interest in the couple.

"Is it that obvious?" I winced, embarrassed at being so easily read.

"A bit. Your scent is still fresh," he said, then his voice dropped lower. "But that's not how I knew you were new here. If you'd been here before, I would have remembered you."

Something in his tone made my pulse quicken. "So, do you know every wolf who comes here?"

"No," he said simply. "Just that you're too beautiful to forget. Breathtakingly so."

My cheeks heated instantly. "Wow, you're good with words."

His eyes briefly flashed gold. "Just being honest."

My wolf nearly leaped beneath my skin, responding to his compliment with embarrassing eagerness. I fought to maintain my composure, but my body betrayed me—my nipples hardened against the fabric of my dress, and I could feel dampness gathering between my thighs. Damn, why can he make my body react so strongly so easily...

The Moonlight Bar glowed with soft silver-blue lighting, creating an ambiance both intimate and mysterious. As we approached, I noticed the bartender—a stunningly beautiful female werewolf with perfect skin and graceful movements. I remembered what Violet had told me during my first visit: Erotic Paradise only accepted high-tier wolves.

Do I really belong here? Despite Mr. Morgan's personal invitation, doubt still crept in. I was just a low-ranking Omega from the Forest Domain—how could I possibly fit in among these elite wolves?

"What would you like to drink?" he asked as we reached the bar.

"Whiskey on the rocks, please," I replied, wanting something strong to calm my nerves.

He signaled to the bartender, who immediately responded with a respectful nod. Definitely high-ranking.

"How are you finding it here?" he asked once our drinks arrived.

I took a sip, welcoming the burn of alcohol down my throat. "It's good. Everything is new and exciting, but a little scary too. I feel both thrilled and nervous, but in a wonderful way."

He nodded, understanding in his eyes. "That's normal. My advice would be to come to the club regularly. If you leave a week between visits, like you just did, adapting to your adult changes will be more difficult."

I blinked in surprise. "How did you know it's been a week since my first visit?"

He simply smiled, not answering my question. "The coming-of-age phase is easier when you immerse yourself in it, rather than fighting against it."

"Thank you," I said, genuinely appreciating the advice. "I think I'll do that."

He led me to a semi-secluded booth in a corner of the bar that offered privacy while still allowing us to observe other patrons. As I slid into the seat, the leather upholstery felt cool against my bare shoulders.

He followed close behind, sitting near enough that his thigh occasionally brushed against mine. Every time he touches me, I feel like I'm melting down there...

"What did you think of the activity we just watched?" he asked, his eyes studying my reaction.

"It was... intense," I admitted, taking another sip of my whiskey.

"Is that something you would want to experience?" His voice deepened slightly. "Displaying your instincts for other wolves to see? Letting them witness your body's responses?"

The question sent a jolt of heat straight to my core. Fuck, why does this thought make me so wet? "Maybe," I whispered, unable to look directly at him.

He casually swirled the drink in his glass. "What else would you like to know about? I could explain more about the displays, or perhaps other aspects of the club you're curious about."

I bit my lip, considering. "I have many questions, but those are for my future mate to know."

Something shifted in his expression—a subtle cooling that I couldn't quite interpret. "Fair enough."

We continued talking for a while, but his initial enthusiasm seemed to have dimmed. I glanced at my watch, surprised to see how late it had gotten.

"It's getting late," I said, finishing my drink. "I should head home. I have work tomorrow. Thank you for the drink and the company."

"It was a pleasure meeting you..." he trailed off, waiting.

"Isabella," I supplied.

"Isabella," he repeated, my name sounding like music on his tongue.

"And you are?" I asked, realizing I still didn't know his name.

"I'm Michael," he replied, a small smile playing at his lips.

Michael. The name echoed in my mind, matching the man perfectly somehow. As I prepared to leave, my wolf whined inside me, clearly not wanting to part from him.