Chapter 1

One

Nick's High School Senior Year

Nick

C hloe Harper is the bane of my existence.

"You're staring," my best friend, and future Alpha of our pack, Ethan, says as he sits next to me on the picnic table where a few of us have gathered for lunch.

Chloe bends over to get into her backpack as she talks and laughs with her friends, giving me a full view of her toned legs and firm, round ass in those tiny little shorts. "I can't help myself."

"She's had it bad for you for the last three years. Why don't you guys just fuck and get it over with already?"

Looking at Ethan with a scowl, I say, "Fuck that. Can you imagine what she'd be like after it was over? All fucking clingy and shit." That's what I have to tell myself as I watch her stand, and her long, blonde hair cascades down her back in perfect, flowing waves. I'll never admit out loud that I'm fucking obsessed with Chloe Harper. "She's a commitment girl. Girls like Chloe Harper are exactly why you and I don't date within the pack."

"Hey, I get that," Ethan says, holding his hands up, "but we're graduating, and you turn eighteen right after graduation."

"What's your point? "

"My point is that you could find your mate really soon, which would get rid of any question of a relationship with Chloe. Even if you don't, we're leaving for college in the fall. She'll still be here for another year of high school. I'm just saying…seems like perfect timing to break your own rules."

It could still be years before I find my mate even if she's here in Pinewood right now. While we're able to find our mates any time after we turn eighteen, it's not always that simple. People go away to school, or sometimes live in human society for a while when they're young. It can be years past your eighteenth birthday by the time you connect with each other. Just to complicate things further, if your mate is younger, even if your own recognition response kicks in, they won't make the connection until they turn eighteen too. "I somehow doubt breaking it off would be that easy with Chloe." Ethan starts cracking up, laughing at himself. "What's so funny?"

"Can you imagine if Chloe ends up being your mate?" he says, cracking up again. "And you've been pushing her away this entire time?"

"Don't even fucking joke about that."

All of our parents are good friends, so we hung out a lot when we were younger. I always knew Chloe had a crush on me, but she really kicked things up a notch once we were both in high school. Following me around with her relentless flirting…she has no idea the amount of willpower I've had to exhibit to stay away from her.

I was nice at first. I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Hell, it was fun in the beginning. In fact, if I wanted to choose a girlfriend at school, I would probably choose Chloe, but dating within the pack is just asking for trouble. Who needs that fucking drama? Not to mention, when I find my mate, I don't want any of the women of my past staring me in the face for the rest of my life.

I hate being a dick, but I've had to start blowing Chloe off and dodging her in the halls. I've made it perfectly clear around school that I don't date within the pack. But, when I look at her…damn. I'm so fucking tempted to let her be the exception to my rule. It would be so much easier to look the other way if she were a self-absorbed bitch. But, of course, she's not. She's outgoing, friendly, and selfless, and just…fuck me. I have to do something to get her out of my system.

"Hey, Chloe." I motion for her to join us when she looks my way, giving me her biggest and brightest smile.

"What are you doing?" Ethan asks.

"Fuck it. I'm taking your advice."

"Hey, guys," Chloe says with a sweet smile as she approaches us. God, she's even prettier up close. Don't even get me started on her crystal blue eyes that look like sparkling fucking gemstones. "What's up?"

"Do you have a date for prom yet?"

Her mouth drops open in surprise, and her cheeks turn hot pink. I can't stop my gaze from traveling down from her full, pink lips, and landing on the most perfect set of perky breasts under a pink tank top that I've ever seen. My eyes meet hers again when she says, "Oh, I uh…um, no. Not yet."

"Do you want to go with me?"

She frowns and says, "You mean, like, as your date?"

I can't help but smile at her reaction, though I can't blame her for questioning me after I've spent the last three years avoiding her. "That is typically what a guy means when he says, would you like to go to prom with me."

"Oh, right." Her nose crinkles a little as she giggles that cute little laugh. God, she's fucking gorgeous when she laughs. "Yes, of course. I'd love to go to prom with you, Nick."

"Okay, cool," I say with a nod. I mean, I need a date for prom anyway. It might as well be someone as hot and sweet as Chloe.

"Perfect," she says with a big smile.

"Good," I say with a nod.

"Great."

She's still standing in front of us. What else am I supposed to say? "So, uh…let me know when you know what color your dress is, I guess."

"Okay," she says with a big smile.

"So, I'll talk to you later then?" I'm not quite sure where else to go with this right now. I know I just asked the girl to prom, but I don't want to give her the wrong idea by appearing too interested.

"Oh, okay…yeah. Sounds good. Bye guys," she says with a wave as she turns to walk back to her friends.

"See ya."

"Bye, Chloe," Ethan says. As soon as she's out of ear shot he says, "What the hell was that?"

"What?"

"For starters, I told you to fuck her, not date her. You went and made the poor girl think you like her."

I shrug. "I do like her."

"No. Now she thinks you…like her…like her. You just asked her to prom."

"You don't just fuck a girl like Chloe. There has to be something leading up to it."

Ethan shakes his head as he laughs. "Okay. I hope you know what you're doing."

"It'll be fine. It's like you said, I'll be leaving." Our prom just happens to be at the very end of the school year. I won't even have to see her again.

Chloe

"Oh, my God. It finally paid off," I say as I walk back to where Mia and Kate are eating lunch.

"What paid off?" Mia asks.

"My persistence. He finally noticed me," I say with a big smile. "Nick just asked me to go to prom with him."

"What? Chloe, that's so exciting!" Mia says with wide eyes .

"It really is. I think my heart might explode," I say with a giggle.

"What else did he say?" Kate asks.

"I mean, nothing really. He asked me to go with him and that was pretty much it. Can you even believe it, though? I didn't think he was interested in me at all, but he just asked me to the most important dance of the year. It's his last dance in high school, and he's taking me. That has to mean something, right?"

"Totally," Mia says. "We all know how much you like him. There's no way he would lead you on by asking you to prom if he wasn't interested too."

"Agreed," Kate says.

"After school, we're shopping for prom dresses."

Nick

All the moms have been fussing over getting the perfect photographs for forty-five minutes now. I look down at Chloe as the photographer Ethan's mom hired arranges our group for what I hope to God is the last photo. I grin at her as she looks up at me with those crystal blue eyes. I'm pretty sure I've never seen anyone else make a blue prom dress look as sexy as she does.

"That's a wrap, kids," the photographer finally announces.

"Thank God," Ethan says, coming to my side and nudging me in the arm. "Here." He discreetly hands me a flask, which I slide into my jacket pocket. "Don't pull it out until we're in the limo. And, here…you'll need this too." He slides a card into my hand. "It's your key for your private room at the pack house for later. Don't tell anyone I got it for you."

"Thanks, man."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ethan asks.

I frown and shake my head. "This was your idea."

"No, mutual fucking was my idea, not taking her on a date. "

"I'm kind of already in the tux, so it's a little late to change my mind now."

"About the date, yeah, but I just want to be sure you understand what you're getting yourself into later. You know how much she likes you."

"She's a big girl, and it's not like I'm going to make her do anything she doesn't want to do."

Ethan shrugs. "Cool. Let's go then."

As "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith plays through the sound system, I take Chloe's hand and pull her against my body, just as I have with all the slow songs this evening. She laces her hands behind my neck, and I rest mine just below her hips, rubbing my thumbs across the beading of her dress. It's been a good night. Hell, it's been a fucking great night. Chloe is gorgeous, fun, smart, witty, and as I dance with her right now, I'm uncomfortable as hell. I'm feeling things I shouldn't be feeling. I don't just want to fuck Chloe because she's hot and it would be a good time. I like her. Fuck. I really like her.

Leaning down, I whisper in her ear, "Come with me." I take her hand and lead her out of the ballroom.

"Where are we going?" she asks as we climb the back stairs to the third floor.

"I have a surprise for you."

"You do?" she asks with a big smile.

"Mm hmm. Right in here." I swipe the card through the slot and open the door to our room. The lights are already on when we walk inside and the door closes behind us.

She turns to look at me, shrugging her shoulders as she smiles. "What's the surprise?"

I slowly walk her backward until her back is pressed against the wall and I'm caging her in with my body. "This." Placing my hands on either side of her face, I lean down and bring my lips to hers. She smells fucking incredible…like sweet flowers. Her soft lips feel amazing against mine as we kiss gently at first, but both of us growing hungrier for each other the longer we kiss.

Never allowing my lips to leave hers, I work my way out of my jacket and toss it aside, followed by my tie. As I kiss my way down her neck and onto her shoulder, I reach for the zipper of her dress, but stop temporarily. I look at her as we both breathe heavily. "Is this okay, Chloe? Can I take this off?"

We look at each other for a moment, and she nods. "Yes."

As I unzip her dress, she begins unbuttoning my shirt and untucking it from my pants before shoving it off of my shoulders. I guide her dress down to the floor and then rip my shirt the rest of the way off of my arms. She looks up at me with those big, beautiful, innocent eyes as she takes hold of the button on my pants.

"Can I?" she asks.

"Yeah, if I can next?" I ask, tracing my finger along the lace of her strapless bra.

"Yeah," she says with an enthusiastic nod. Removing her bra, my mouth falls open when I finally see the perfection of her breasts in front of me in the flesh.

"God, you're fucking gorgeous," I say, and then take her in my arms again, kissing her with a heat I've never kissed anyone else with before. Leading her over to the bed, she doesn't hesitate as she joins me, lying next to me. Kissing my way down her neck and onto her chest, my hand rests on top of her lace panties. "Is this still okay?" I find I'm not just asking because it's the responsible thing to do anymore. I care about how she feels right now.

"Yes," she whispers, then kisses me hard.

As I kiss my way down her chest to take her nipple in my mouth, I slide my hand under her panties and into her wet folds. She arches her back and whimpers. "Fuck, baby. You're soaking wet for me." I take her nipple into my mouth again. "Touch me, Chloe," I say before sucking on the other nipple.

I think I might lose my shit right here and now when she reaches under the waistband of my underwear, grasping my dick. I bury my face in her neck as I groan with pleasure. "God, you have no idea how much I want to fuck you right now." Her hand freezes. Shit. I look up into her scared, beautiful eyes. I thought she knew that's where this was headed. "Are you okay?"

"I, uh?—"

I feel like an ass. "I'm sorry. I guess I thought you kind of knew what I had in mind when I brought you up here. If you're not into it?—"

"No!" She takes a couple of deep breaths. "It's just that…well, I mean I've fooled around before and everything, but I was…well, I was saving?—"

"Wait, are you a virgin?" I ask with wide eyes.

"Is that bad?" she asks as her eyes get even wider.

"No, not at all." It's fucking hot, is what it is, but this changes everything.

"I want it to be you," she says, catching me off guard.

"Chloe, we don't have to if?—"

"No. I want to, and I want it to be you," she says as she reaches down and slides her panties off. "It should be you, Nick."

I'm suddenly a swirling mess of what the fuck do I do, as I find myself equal parts horny and caring for this girl. All my dick can think is…yes, Nick…it should be you. And, you know what? He wins. I don't think I've ever wanted a girl as much as I want Chloe right now. It fucking should be me. A girl like Chloe should have her first time with a guy like me who knows what he's doing.

I nod and reach for my pants on the ground, fishing a condom out of the pocket. After removing my underwear, I roll it on, and then kiss her slow and gently as I position myself between her legs. "Are you ready?" I whisper as I look into her eyes.

"Yes," she whispers back as she pulls my mouth to hers again.

Deepening our kiss, I slide into her warmth with a deep moan. God, she feels so fucking good .

Chloe

Gasping at the initial sharp pain when he slides all the way in, I grip his shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asks.

"Yeah, I just feel so…so full." He's far bigger than I ever anticipated.

"I'll give you some time to adjust," he says as he kisses down my neck and shoulder.

"I'm okay," I say as nerves swirl in my stomach. "You can move now."

He looks at me and nods as he starts to slowly thrust within me. His size stretches me, but the kind of ache he gives me just makes me want more. I start to move with him, and he drops his head to my shoulder with a low growl. Raising his gaze, his eyes lock with mine with a heat that I've never seen from him before. Lowering his lips to mine, he kisses me with such tenderness as he moves within me.

"God, Chloe, you feel fucking amazing," he says as he begins to thrust harder and faster.

I've orgasmed before, so I know how it feels, but what I'm feeling right now is so far beyond that. I find myself moving against him with more urgency as the sensation builds.

"Are you close, baby?" he asks, and I almost lose it right now as he calls me baby.

"I think so, yes."

He seems to know exactly how to position himself and how fast to move to send my body soaring. I throw my head back and cry out, clinging to him as my orgasm overwhelms me. After a few more hard thrusts, he joins me in his release. He searches my eyes in question as he hovers over me, but he seems to shake himself out of whatever it was he was thinking, and then he pulls out and stands to discard the condom in the trash can. Crawling back into bed with me, he opens his arms to me, and I snuggle against him as he wraps his muscular arms around me.

"Get some rest," he says quietly, and then kisses my forehead .

I can't believe I just lost my virginity to Nick Hayes. It was so much better than I ever imagined. He was sweet and attentive, and I'm so glad my first time was with him. I try to stay awake to savor in this moment, but I can't hold my eyes open, so I drift to sleep in the only place I want to be right now… in the warmth of Nick's arms.

Nick

Fuck, fuck, fuck. What did I just do? My heart pounds as Chloe sleeps peacefully on my chest. Ethan was right. I never should have done this. Without even realizing it, feelings I was definitely unprepared for somehow snuck themselves into the equation. I let her get into my fucking head. I was supposed to be thinking with my dick, not my fucking heart. I never think with my fucking heart. I was supposed to be getting her out of my system. Now what do I do?

I still have rules that I believe in for a reason. I just temporarily fucked it up. I can fix this. I can't let Chloe Harper get in the way of my future. This can't go any further. Once I'm certain she's in a deep sleep, I slowly slide out of bed and cover her with the comforter. I quickly dress, and while I should get out of the room as fast as I can, I can't help myself—I kiss her on the forehead one last time, and then I walk out the door.

Chloe

When I wake up, I'm snuggled into the warmth of the comforter, but the strong arms that were once locked around me are no longer there. I look at the clock and see that it's 11:30. Sitting up and looking around the room, my stomach twists when I see his clothes are no longer on the floor next to the bed. I take a deep breath and try to relax. Maybe he's in the bathroom getting dressed. We should both be at the after party downstairs right now .

"Nick?" I get out of bed and walk around the corner to see that the bathroom is completely empty. Talking myself into believing everything is still fine, I tell myself that he probably just went downstairs and didn't want to wake me. Maybe he's waiting for me down there. Like an idiot, I call his cell phone and it goes straight to voicemail…twice. The hopeful side of me tells me he just didn't hear his phone, and he's waiting for me at the party. The smart part of me tells me I've just been played for a fool.

I get dressed and straighten myself up the best I can, and then I go downstairs to where the after party is buzzing with laugher and music. Looking all around the room, I don't see Nick anywhere, but I do see Ethan. Fighting back tears, I walk over to where Ethan is sitting with his date and a bunch of our friends.

"Hey, have you seen Nick?" I ask him.

Ethan's face drops and he shakes his head. "No, I haven't seen him."

I nod as I try to keep it together. "Okay, thanks," I whisper.

Ethan reaches for my arm before I walk away. "Chloe, are you okay?"

I look back into an expression that resembles regret in Ethan's eyes, and I give him a small smile. "Sure. Yeah, I'm fine. See you later."

Ethan nods as he releases my arm. Tears run down my cheeks as I walk out of the ballroom, and out of Nick Hayes's life for good.