False Expectations - Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Adelina's pov:
We began our night out at a very classy restaurant in the heart of the town. The decor was elegant, with a touch of luxury in every corner. White and wood dominated the space, and the golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling gave the place a sophisticated, opulent feel. The white wooden tables and chairs, accented with metallic gold finishes, added a sleek yet cozy atmosphere. It was clear that this restaurant was a favorite among the city's high society. We spotted several high-ranking members of our pack, as well as a few foreigners and even some humans.
We were seated at a table by the window, offering a beautiful view of the bustling streets. Alex, clearly a regular at this place, was treated like royalty by the staff, especially the waitresses, who seemed eager to cater to his every need. I ordered a plate of pasta with pesto sauce as an appetizer, followed by a seafood medley with shrimp, mussels, and lobster for the main course. Marissa and Alex opted for beef dishes. For dessert, we enjoyed small cheese pies topped with various jams. Every bite was exquisite, and I may have eaten a little too much, but it was all so delicious that I couldn't help myself.
Throughout dinner, we chatted about everything and anything—telling jokes, sharing stories, and gossiping about nearly everyone in the pack. Marissa and Alex had a knack for digging up the juiciest details! The evening was off to a great start, and we hadn't even reached the main event yet.
After finishing our meal, we made our way to the most popular club in town. It was hosting a house party that night, and a long line of people waited outside to get in. But thanks to Alex's connections, we bypassed the wait without hesitation. He was well-known by the club's owners, and before we knew it, we were inside. The club was packed with people, and the energy was electric. The flashing lights and pounding bass nearly overwhelmed our sensitive wolf ears, but the excitement in the air was contagious.
We made our way to the bar and ordered drinks. The bartender, a stunning woman with bright eyes, immediately focused her attention on Alex, not hesitating to flirt with him. Honestly, I was getting used to this by now, but it was still impressive how effortlessly Alex attracted attention.
I ordered a martini, Alex went for scotch on the rocks, and Marissa chose an orange vodka. We raised our glasses in a toast, savoring the moment. Just as we were starting to relax and enjoy ourselves, Alex spotted an old friend in the opposite corner of the club. Without another word, he excused himself and headed off to catch up with him, leaving Marissa and me alone at the bar.
Two very handsome men approached us, their eyes clearly on us the moment we walked in. They had been checking us out from the start, but neither of them made a move while Alex was still around. Now that Alex had disappeared to greet his old friend, the air felt different—charged with the possibility of new attention. Both men were well-built, with dark hair and striking green eyes. They shared a similar look, and from their commanding presence, it was clear they were high-ranking werewolves—probably related. They weren't from our pack, but the aura they gave off suggested they were influential.
After a few moments of eye contact and subtle smiles, they finally spoke up, suggesting we join them on the dance floor. Marisa and I exchanged a look, both feeling the night's energy, and we eagerly accepted their invitation. The music was uplifting and had already drawn a crowd to the dance floor. We began moving to the beat, our bodies swaying with the rhythm. The two men quickly followed us, effortlessly matching our movements.
Before long, the atmosphere grew warmer, the pace of the music picking up, and the dancing becoming more sensual. The air around us seemed to crackle as the dance floor filled with energy. The music was loud—almost deafening—but the rhythm kept us in tune with each other.
As we danced, it became harder to hear anything over the heavy bass and beats. But eventually, the man I was dancing with leaned closer to speak. His voice, though barely audible, carried an undeniable authority.
-"I'm Nicolas," he shouted over the music, his green eyes intense.
I blinked in surprise, recognizing the name immediately. Nicolas was the Alpha of the Winter Woods Pack, a powerful werewolf clan from Canada. His pack controlled vast lands, numerous assets, and had significant influence across several industries. I'd heard of him but had never met him before. The previous Alpha, his father, had been a well-known figure, and I had crossed paths with him in the past. But Nicolas was someone new, someone I hadn't expected to encounter here.
He explained briefly that he had been studying abroad in Northern Europe and had only recently returned. But between the booming music and the constant shifting on the dance floor, conversation was nearly impossible. So, after a moment, Nicolas leaned in, his lips almost brushing my ear.
-"Why don't we step outside for a bit?" he suggested, his tone inviting but commanding. "It'll be easier to talk out there."
I nodded, curious but cautious. Marisa and the other guy continued to dance, lost in the music, as I followed Nicolas outside, away from the thrumming pulse of the club.
After a few minutes of weaving through the crowded club, we finally managed to step outside into the cool night air. It was a beautiful night. A light breeze swept in from the west, carrying the scent of the city and the distant ocean. The sky above us was a blanket of stars, each one shimmering brightly, untouched by the city lights. I always loved the night sky, tracing constellations and watching the satellites that passed by with uncanny precision. As a child, I used to do this with my father. He would point out the different constellations, and we'd watch the stars together for hours. It was one of the many lessons he taught me, and even now, the memory of those quiet nights with him warmed my heart.
It's strange how nostalgia can hit so suddenly. It comes out of nowhere, like a sudden wave, pulling you back to the past. Nostalgia, the word itself comes from the Greek "nostos," meaning "return home." I never thought of it before, but that's exactly what it felt like. I had been away from home for so long now, and despite everything—my job, my friends, this life I had built—it never quite felt like home. Not yet.
The quiet was broken when Nicolas took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. The smell of tobacco filled the air, and the wisps of smoke dissipated into the night, pulling me back from my thoughts. He offered me one, but I politely declined, preferring the fresh air over smoke.
-"So, you're Jake's sister," he said with a thoughtful look, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Who would have known? I'm really glad to meet you, Adelina. Your brother and I recently made a very promising financial deal. He has some good ideas for the financial recovery of his pack."
His words made me smile, a sense of pride swelling within me. Jake had always been a sharp thinker, and I was happy to hear that his ideas were making a difference.
-"I'm glad to hear it," I said, my voice warm. "I know he's been working on a lot of strategies, and it's nice to see them paying off."
Nicolas nodded, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he studied me for a moment. "And what exactly are you doing here?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
-"I live here," I replied simply, though it felt like an incomplete answer. There was more to my story, but I wasn't sure how much I wanted to share with him.
-"Oh, I see..." Nicolas's tone shifted slightly, his eyes scanning me in a way that felt like he was trying to piece together something. "Did you find your mate?"
The question caught me off guard. I hesitated, the mention of my mate making my stomach tighten in a way I wasn't expecting. Maximus. The thought of him—of everything that had happened between us—was like a weight pressing down on my chest. I could feel my heart beat faster, the memories of our recent conversations flooding back.
-"No," I said softly, the word heavier than I meant it to be. "I haven't found him yet."
Nicolas gave a slight nod, as if my answer wasn't quite what he was expecting but still made sense in some way. He didn't push further, which I appreciated. Instead, he turned his gaze to the sky, flicking the ash off his cigarette.
-"Well, I think you're better off waiting for someone who deserves you, not just anyone who comes along," he said with a small grin.
I looked at him, surprised by his sudden shift in tone. There was something sincere in his words, and I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to him than the confident, somewhat arrogant Alpha that first approached me on the dance floor.
The conversation shifted once again, and I found myself drawn into it, despite the unease still lingering in the back of my mind. Nicolas was not only good-looking and confident, but he also had a sharp mind, one that seemed to dissect every moment, every gesture.
-"What do you do for a living?" he asked after several minutes of comfortable silence.
I paused, unsure of how much to share with him. "Hmmm... well, no, I haven't found what I'm really looking for yet. I'm here as a financial advisor to the new hospital's manager. It was an offer I couldn't turn down, although, honestly, I'm having second thoughts at the moment," I replied, trying to be as sincere as possible.
Nicolas raised an eyebrow at my hesitation. "Do you have problems with the manager?" he asked, his tone calm yet probing.
-I sighed, shifting uncomfortably. "Not exactly with the manager. I'd say it's more with the pack's Alpha."
At my words, his expression flickered with understanding. "Ah, I see. Alpha Maximu is very notorious for his bad temper and how he treats people." He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his jacket and started searching through the pockets, as if looking for something specific. I watched him, curiosity piqued. What was he looking for?
He didn't keep me waiting for long. "Here," he said, pulling out a business card and handing it to me. "Take my card. If you ever need any help, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd be happy to assist you."
I took the card from him, surprised by the offer. "I guess I will... Thank you," I responded politely, sliding it into my purse. His generosity seemed genuine, though I still wasn't sure where he was coming from.
Nicolas observed my actions closely, a small smirk playing on his lips. "That's very professional of you," he commented.
I frowned, confused. "Sorry? What? What do you mean?"
He leaned back slightly, watching me with a more analytical gaze. "You took the card and put it in your purse without hesitation. That shows professionalism, reliability. You don't take it and toss it aside like it's meaningless. That gesture tells me a lot about you."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "That's interesting! How is it possible to profile someone just from a small gesture?"
-"It's not so hard," he replied with a cool smile. "If you know how to read body language, you can make many assumptions about someone. I find it fascinating to study people's behaviors." His eyes sparkled with an almost mischievous gleam. "I always rely on these cues when building relationships, whether personal or professional. I suggest you start doing the same. It can save you from a lot of trouble."
His words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was right. I'd never paid attention to such small details before, but perhaps I should start. There was a lot I still had to learn, and being in the presence of someone like Nicolas made me realize how much I was still missing.
-"Well, I can't say I've ever thought about it that way," I said, considering his advice. "But I suppose I'll keep that in mind."
Nicolas's smile widened, clearly pleased with himself. "You'll thank me later" he commented smuggly.
I found myself lost in thought. Maximus had always made me feel like there was more to him than I understood. But now, here was someone else, someone who read people like an open book, someone who seemed to see right through me. It was strange—perhaps I wasn't as in control of things as I thought.
Nicolas's words lingered in the air between us as he spoke with casual confidence. "You know, I'll be here for at least a week. I have several issues to solve with your new Alpha. I would like to see you again if possible."
I turned to face him fully, the unexpectedness of his request catching me off guard. He was charming, assertive, and undeniably interesting. But there was something in the way he spoke, something that made me pause. Was he genuinely interested, or was this just part of his natural demeanor, a way of getting what he wanted?
-"I... I'm not sure," I replied, the words coming out more hesitant than I had intended. "I'm here for work, not for... personal things."
Nicolas chuckled softly, his expression not at all dissuaded by my response. "I understand, Adelina. But sometimes, the best things come unexpectedly, don't you think? Besides, I'm sure your work can wait for a few moments of fun."
I felt a flutter of uncertainty in my chest, unsure of how to respond. My mind was still clouded with thoughts of Maximus, his aloofness, and the confusing emotions he had left me with. How could I even entertain the idea of another connection, another possible complication?
It was then that I heard Marissa's voice from afar, calling me to come back inside. According to her, Alex wanted me to meet some of his friends.
-"It's time for me to return. It was nice meeting you," I told him, offering my hand for a handshake. Nicolas reciprocated the gesture with a smile. His handshake was warm and steady, and for a moment, I felt a slight sense of comfort from the connection.
I pulled my hand away and started heading toward the club's entrance.
-"Hey... wait. You forgot something," he said, his posture suddenly shifting to something more serious.
I stopped and turned to face him, a confused look on my face. "Oh... I'm sorry, did I accidentally take something of yours?" I asked, quickly searching myself to make sure I hadn't made any mistake.
He smiled again, but there was a slight glint in his eyes as he responded, "You owe me an answer to my request."
I paused, the weight of his words sinking in. My mind raced as I considered my response. Nicolas was a nice guy—pleasant, kind, handsome, with a great sense of humor—but I didn't know him well. I had only just met him. And more importantly, I already had a mate.
I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind. This wasn't as simple as it seemed.
-"What exactly do you want me to say?" I asked, my voice steady despite the flutter of uncertainty in my chest.
-"You can say yes, or yes," Nicolas said playfully, making me smile but also leaving me with a lot to think about. What should I do? I couldn't just say yes. I had already found my mate, and despite everything that had happened, I couldn't fool around with another just like that. It didn't feel right, and deep down, I knew it. Maximus's rejection stung, but I couldn't let it push me into something I wasn't sure about. There was a bond between us, something deep that I couldn't ignore. Even if he wasn't giving me the attention I deserved, that didn't mean I could give in so easily to someone else.
-"A mate who ignores you all the time," my wolf commented in my head, her tone almost teasing. "Don't think about it any more... just say yes!" My wolf was right. I couldn't push away every male who approached me. I had to accept that life goes on. I couldn't wait forever for Maximus to change his mind.
-"I'd love to," I finally answered, surprising myself with how easy the words came out.
-"You'd love to answer me, or you'd love to meet me again?" he asked with a playful smile.
-"Both," I replied with a toothy grin, which he gladly reciprocated. He was incredibly handsome and seemed like a genuinely nice guy. He behaved like a true gentleman, managing in those few minutes to make a great impression on me.
I stepped into the club, immediately hit by the loudness of the music. The dance floor was packed with people, some dancing while others enjoyed their drinks and conversed. I scanned the area, looking for Alex or Marisa. When we entered the club, I had lost Marisa in the blink of an eye. I spent a few minutes searching for her until, finally, I spotted Alex across the room. He stood at the bar surrounded by other men and women I didn't recognize, but I could tell they were definitely werewolves.
I made my way over to him, planning to greet them and introduce myself to the others, when suddenly a hand grabbed my arm from behind, accompanied by a low, menacing growl.