Mary couldn't even explain the constant nervousness that was brewing inside of her. Her mind was running a million clumsy, awkward, and humiliating situations that could happen at the event. She was completely out of her element.

Yet...

Underneath all that, it enlivened her with the alternative possibilities in her life. For the first time, she was free to make her choice. There was no worrying about her pack or what they would think of her. It gave some courage. Courage that she needed badly.

The evening gown she had chosen was beyond her imagination. All her old ball gowns were neither revealing nor conservative. She wore enough to show skin, but not enough to allow males to run wild.

Tonight, she had chosen a gown with her eyes closed. Mary didn't care if she looked good in it or if she looked horrible.

Her hands ran gently down the white tulle sheer-lace evening gown. The pattern teasing her palms and rejuvenating the excitement inside of her. She was alone. Ryker left with his enforcers, but he reluctantly allowed Abraham to bring her to the event.

Together, they drove in a rented limousine. Abraham was quiet next to her, and she was thankful for that. Her mind scattered and there was so much going on inside of her she knew she wouldn't be able to speak straight.

Honking outside on the city streets tore her eyes away from her lap. She looked outside onto the busy street. Back at home, it wasn't this busy. There were still so many cars outside. So many people walking, eating, and enjoying the evening.

When the limousine slowed down, she turned to look towards Abraham's window. They were here. People were getting out of their limos or waiting to get out. Their limousine bypassed everyone's and drove straight to the front.

Abraham opened his door before stepping around to open her door. She slid out of the limo with her hands in Abraham's offered hand. The night breeze brushed her exposed shoulder and neck like a pair of lips. She sucked in a breath and her hands shook.

"You okay?" Abraham asked when he felt her hand tightened in his.

Her hair swept into a tight bun and lined with silver pins. Her makeup was light to match her light brown hair and fair skin. The street light glistened the lip gloss on her lips.

"I'm okay. Just nervous," she chuckled.

He smiled down at her and she felt touched at his kindness. Abraham didn't tease her as she expected. It was a relief.

Their limo drove away as soon as Abraham closed the door. He led her to the sidewalk before they took the wide steps to the grand entrance. Many people hung around to have conversation outside the grand entrance. Laughter and soft music tiptoed out of the building.

"I remember my first time coming to these things," Abraham said as they climbed the steps. "I looked about ready to shift and knock everyone over."

The image of Abraham shifting in front of a bunch of humans seemed ridiculous, but it brought a smile to Mary's face.

"You don't believe me?" Abraham questioned as they reached the grand entrance.

"How can I? I've heard stories about you two brothers. You two fought to the top of our chain. Made a name for yourselves. Became the most successful pack out there, both in military combat and wealth," Mary replied. "I can think of every description that can describe both your ambitions and confidence, but anxiety? It never came to my mind."

Abraham laughed loudly. It earned them looks from people who were nearby. Females looked at Abraham with evident interest. It only made sense. He looked both dashing and dangerous in front of everyone. The males that attended this event couldn't compare to his looks.

"Mary," Ryker's voice came from her right.

She looked away from Abraham and found Ryker standing in the main lobby waiting for her. Both their eyes did a slow assessment of their attire. Her skin riddled with goosebumps with each sweep of his eyes.

Mr. Bad Boy transformed into something different. Hair swept back cleanly and a black tuxedo tailored impeccably to fit his body. He looked nothing like this morning. Secretly, Mary was glad when she noticed he kept the stubble growing on his jawline. It made him still look roguishly sexy, even when he dressed to impress.

Finally, her eyes stopped at his lips.

Memories of their first encountered hit her in waves, and she felt the heat crawl up her cheeks instantly.

Ryker started walking towards her. When he reached their side, he opened his palm in front of her. Mary's eyes dropped to his hand before she slowly slid hers into his. Its warmth provided comfort that she didn't realize she needed.

On instinct, she moved closer to him. Somewhere along the line, she has begun to trusted Ryker. It confused her so much that she didn't protest when she felt Ryker put an arm around her waist and guide her further into the building.

They walked past grand doors and into a very large ballroom. Instantly, she noticed how luxurious everyone looked. They looked like they bought closed from the most high-end fashion designers. It was almost daunting to stand in these people's presence until she felt Ryker's finger pressed into her waist.

"Raise your chin, Mary," he whispered gently to her. "You look bewitching tonight. Everyone is looking at you with desire and envy."

Mary found it hard to believe. Who would look at her? She has gone to many ballrooms with hundreds of males were present. No one glanced her way. Even so, her eyes swept the lively room and found that they were the center of everyone's attention.

Ryker stopped and turned her body slightly to face him. With one hand under her chin, he lifted her chin higher to look at him. His thumb swept across her chin and touched her lips.

"I believe they are looking at you, not me, Alpha Ryker."

"Call me Ryker, Mary."

Mary realized her mistake. They were in a room filled with hundreds of humans. They would think they were crazy if she had used his title.

"Ryker," she whispered.

His eyes darkened passionately that her insides twisted in response, but then he blinked and that look disappeared. Mary almost thought she was hallucinating, but the imprints of his hand on her waist said otherwise.

For the first time, Mary lifted her chin, and she continued to do so throughout that evening. They talked to hundreds of people. She couldn't even remember everyone's name. Everything was a blur.

Soon it became too hot. There were too many bodies and everyone was fighting for a chance to speak to Ryker. She needed to step away.

Mary placed a hand on Ryker's hand was on her waist. Not once did he let her go throughout the evening. He kept her by his side. Many people asked about her. Males looked at her with clear interest, but she smelt something on them. Something that revolted her. They reeked of sexual hormones that she knew Ryker would for sure notice too. Each time a male approached her, he would move her closer to his side.

"I need to step away," she whispered close to his ears.

He heard her even without looking at her. Cutting his conversation short with a businessman, he turned his attention back to Mary.

Together, they walked away from the ballroom. Abraham and the enforcers not too far from them. They talked and held conversations, but everyone's trained their eyes on Ryker and Mary.

Ryker led Mary out into the main lobby and to the grand entrance. Once they were outside, the fresh breeze blew against her perspiring skin. She sighed in relief, basking in the breeze, and not paying attention at all to where Ryker was leading them.

When she paid attention, they were far from everyone. Hidden underneath a large willow tree with the moon was their company.

Ryker's hand dropped from her waist for the first time that evening. She moved and leaned against the tree. Lifting her chin, she closed her eyes while fanning her neck.

"How are you?" he asked nearby.

Without opening her eyes, she laughed.

"I don't know how you guys do it. It's crazy in there. So many people," she replied.

"My first time—everyone had to stay at least six feet away from me. My enforcers had to build a wall around me," Ryker said.

Her eyes popped open, and she regarded him with a tilt of her head.

"So, this is normal then?" she said with a lopsided grin.

He smirked back. "Definitely normal. Socializing has never been an issue for us. It's the greed and hungry vibes that reek from these people that effects our instincts. They wire us to not trust and to fight back."

Ryker moved to stand in front of her. What he said made sense to her because she felt that way around these people.

"How long have you been doing this?" Mary questioned.

"Six years. My first two years, I was a nobody to everyone in there."

"And then you became rich..."

"And then I became rich and people noticed me."

"That's not what I noticed when I first met you," she blurted, knowing she must sound like an idiot because why would he believe her?

"Yeah?" Ryker raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah..." she replied.

When she was searching for a male to kiss that night. She had noticed Ryker. The only reason she didn't choose him was that he was an Alpha. He was way out of her league. Someone like her could never snag herself an Alpha. More than likely she'll shame herself in front of him.

But oh, she noticed him.

She was extremely attracted to him, even more so than she was with Abraham that night at the Mating Ball, but her rational mind told her that Abraham was the right choice.

There was something about Ryker that pulled her in. Those hazel eyes were her weakness. They bore pain and heartache. Loneliness. Something she knew so well.

Pushing off the tree, they stood mere inches from each other.

That night... she kissed the wrong guy...but tonight...

She would not make the same mistake.

Call it a leap of faith.

She cradled one side of his jaw and brought his lips to hers. He didn't fight her. Just like that night, he didn't respond. He waited for her to kiss him. Gently, she sucked on his bottom lip. Her hand was on his jaw slid to the back of his head—deepening the kiss.

Mary thrust her tongue in unskillfully at first. Until she felt his hands on her hips. Then she slid her tongue against his.

Instantly, he growled and pinned her up against the wall. He kissed her hungrily as if he wanted to this entire evening but was holding it all back until now. It drove her insane. Her heart and stomach fluttered in maddening beat.

Just like that, Mary knew that she was in big trouble. She went out to snag the Beta but ended up kissing his brother. Now, her heart was in jeopardy of falling for someone she knew may break her heart in the end.