Goodbye Alpha, I'm Done - Chapter 25: Chapter 25

I felt my heart skip a beat, the realization of what had just happened washing over me. I had just groped the most powerful and influential alpha in the city, and now I was standing before him, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Alpha Ryker," I stammered, my mind racing to find the right words. "I... I didn't realize it was you. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to—"
Ryker raised a hand, his expression unreadable. "No need to apologize." His eyes raked over my body, and I couldn't help but feel a shiver of anticipation run down my spine. "Although, I must say, I'm rather impressed by your boldness. Are you alright?."
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "Yes, I'm fine," I replied, barely hearing my own voice. "I just... lost my footing, that's all."
I couldn't help but take in his powerful, commanding presence. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, his chiseled features and piercing blue eyes exuding an undeniable aura of authority. His dark hair was neatly and perfectly styled. He was wearing a black button down shirt, folded at the elbows with the first two buttons undone and it was over a pair of crisp black pants. So simple, but yet it showed the rugged masculinity that seemed to radiate from him. I could also see his bold dark tattoo on his neck that if I was being honest, looked sexy and powerful.
But it was his scent that truly captivated me – a heady blend of cedar, spice, and something distinctly, irresistibly alpha. It sent a shiver down my spine, making my wolf instincts stir with a crazy need to submit and be claimed.
His piercing blue eyes stared at me intensely as he settled on the bar stool and his deep velvety voice cut through the music playing from the speakers.
"You look oddly familiar. Oh right, weren’t you the woman Kieran left at the altar? Serena Winters?"
I winced, the memory of that mortifying day still fresh in my mind. "Yes, that's me," I admitted, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
His eyebrows contracted in a small frown, and he reached out, gently placing a hand on my arm. "I'm sorry to hear that, Selena," he said, his tone surprisingly soft and sympathetic. "No one deserves to go through something like that."
I shrugged, trying to brush off the pain of the past. "It's in the past now," I said, forcing a smile. "I'm just... trying to move on, you know? That's why I'm here – to unwind and have a little fun for once."
He nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. "Well, in that case, let me buy you a drink," he said, gesturing towards the bar. "You look like you could use it."
I hesitated for a moment, my instincts warning me to be cautious. But the temptation was too strong, and I found myself nodding in agreement. "Sure, why not?" I replied, my voice suddenly more confident than earlier.
I took a seat right beside him and the bartender quickly poured us a pair of exquisite cocktails, the amber liquid sparkling in the dim lights. I took a sip and groaned in satisfaction as I felt some sort of relief coming to my muscles.
"So," I said, turning to face him with a coy smile. "What brings a big, important alpha like you to a place like this?"
Ryker chuckled, taking a sip of his own drink. "Well, to be honest, I'm here to celebrate one of my trusted betas' bachelor party," he admitted. "I didn't check the time properly, and it seems I arrived a bit early. But I figured, why not enjoy a little drink before the rest of the gang shows up?"
I nodded, the alcohol already beginning to loosen me up. "Makes sense," I said, my gaze searching the crowd.
He looked at me all over and asked how I was coping with the whole breakup. I sighed deeply and told him Kieran was one of the reasons or maybe the only major reason I was there right now. It was starting to feel I had someone to talk to about all my messed up feelings.
"What he did to you was quite humiliating. He didn’t have the decency to let you know he wasn’t interested in a wedding in private?," he asked me.
"Tell that to my ex" I groaned into my glass.
Ryker's expression darkened for a moment, and he let out a weary sigh. "I would tell him, but we are not particularly friends. Kieran is just a proud, competitive fool," he said and I could sense the exasperation in his voice. "But no offense, of course."
"None taken," I assured him, raising my glass in a mock toast. "In fact, you can insult him all you want as far as I'm concerned."
His lips curved into a wry smile, and he clinked his glass against mine. "Well, in that case, let me just say that Kieran is a stubborn, arrogant bastard who could use a little humility," he said, his voice low and conspiratorial.
I giggled, the alcohol making my head feel pleasantly fuzzy. "I couldn't agree more," I said, taking another large sip of my drink.
I found myself leaning in closer to him against my will. "Well, at least one thing came out of my misery. I get to spend the evening with a handsome, charming alpha like you."