Chapter 12
Xena’s POV
I felt the bass thumping through my body as we made our way to the dance floor. Ama let out an excited “Hell yeah!” before grabbing Leonard’s hand. Logan and Keira followed close behind, his arm draped possessively around her shoulders.
The moment we hit the dance floor, Samuel’s hands found their way to my hips, his body pressing against mine from behind. The warmth of his chest against my back sent a familiar thrill through me.
Damn, woman. I want to take a bite, his voice echoed through our pack link, low and
seductive.
I couldn’t help but smirk as I pressed back against him, our bodies moving in perfect sync to the pulsing rhythm. Just one bite, I teased back through the link, feeling a rush of heat at the thought. The chemistry between us was electric–but there was always that unspoken understanding hanging over us. We both knew that if we weren’t mates, a relationship would only end in heartbreak.
I rested my head against his chest, letting myself enjoy the moment.
As Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” started playing, Logan groaned dramatically and tugged on Keira’s hand. “That’s our cue to get drinks,” he shouted, Samuel nodding in agreement as they escaped the dance floor.
I continued dancing with Ama, both of us laughing as we moved to the music. That’s when I felt it–eyes on me. I glanced up, scanning the crowd, and found Samuel watching me from the bar, his gaze intense. But he wasn’t the only one. Across the club, leaning against the opposite wall, stood Ryder, his green eyes locked on me like a predator tracking its prey.
“Why is Ryder staring at you like that?” Ama asked, her voice close to my ear as she followed my gaze.
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant despite the heat rising to my cheeks. “No idea.”
“That’s Alpha Benedict’s son, right?” Keira asked, her eyes widening as she turned to get a
better look at him.
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Chapter 12
“Yeah,” I confirmed, taking a sip of my drink. “He came to the shop to get his bike customized.”
Keira’s gaze lingered appreciatively on Ryder’s tall frame and broad shoulders. “If I wasn’t with Logan, I’d go for him,” she admitted with a grin.
Before I could respond, a human guy with too much cologne and even more confidence stepped into our circle. He was flanked by two equally cocky friends, all of them reeking of alcohol.
“Can I buy you ladies a drink?” he asked, his eyes sweeping over us in a way that made my skin crawl. What a total asshole, I thought, biting back the urge to tell him off.
“No, thanks. We’re good,” I said firmly, already shifting to leave.
“Aw, don’t be like that,” he said, reaching out and placing a hand on my shoulder.
The moment he touched me, my whole body tensed. I wanted to deck him right then and there–but this was my club, and the last thing I needed was to cause a scene. I just wanted to get the hell away from this creep.
I smacked his hand off me. “I said no.” Then I grabbed Ama and Keira and pulled them away from the dance floor without looking back.
It seemed like my response set him off. He grabbed my shoulder instantly, his face twisting in anger. “Stuck–up bitch,” he snarled, his alcohol–soaked breath washing over
- me.
A security guard noticed the commotion and rushed over, ready to step in. “Ms. Xena,
everything okay here?” he asked, his eyes flicking between us.
“We’re fine,” I said, waving my hand to signal he didn’t need to get involved. “This gentleman was just about to leave.”
“I wasn’t-” the man started, stepping toward me.
Without hesitation, I drove my knee up into his groin. He doubled over with a strangled
groan.
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