Hadley's POV

I looked myself over once more in the mirror. The green dress clung to me in the most flattering way. The slit accentuating my toned legs. The color made my eyes appear more green than grey tonight. I had kept my hair straight and sleek. Opting for bronzy makeup with a blood red lip. I figured Nolan would appreciate the color being the sinister psychopath he was.

I let my face show a mask of the doe eyed girl I knew Nolan wanted to see. New to the world of wolves. Innocent. Pure. Easy for the taking.

We arrived in Fenris Moon Pack territory rather quickly. Passing through my old town to get there. Past the store where I had first met Tate. Tate and West were both decked out in equally formal apparel. West wore a navy form fitting suit. Tie and all shockingly. Tate opted for a burgundy suit with a black shirt underneath, no tie. I forced myself to focus on the passing houses to hide the fact that I was practically drooling over how handsome he looked. Tonight he would play his part of the full alpha wolf everyone would expect him to be. Stone faced, intimidating, and powerful.

We walked through the doors of Nolan's pack house. House was an understatement. The home put most mansions to shame. The Atlas pack house was large no doubt but it always felt warm and welcoming. This place was cold, covered in granite.

West eyed Braxton across the room and made his way to him. Leaving Tate and I. As if Nolan had sensed our presence in a matter of moments he was standing before us.

"Hadley that dress on you looks divine," Nolan said, scanning me over with his black eyes.

"You have impeccable taste Nolan. The house only furthers my opinion," I did giving him my most sultry smile.

"Alpha Tate," He nodded.

"Nolan," Tate replied. Intentionally leaving out the formal title. Clearly making Nolan frustrated.

Nolan's nose flared as he turned his head back at me with a slight glare. He followed that scent till his eyes hit West across the room. I kept my face calm, pleasant, and innocent. As though I did not in fact know exactly what Nolan was scenting right now. The fact that my dress was covered in the scent of another male wolf. Totally diminishing Nolan's claim on me. That claim now insinuated West.

I watched Nolan piece it together and noticed his grip on his glass grow harder. My inner self was smirking at the sight.

I reached my hand out touching his arm, I noticed how his grip on the glass loosened "I really don't know anyone here other than you and Blood Bane Pack. Can you introduce me?" I asked using my sweetest voice.

"Of course. Don't worry Tate I'll see to it she is returned to your beta," Nolan said, sending another glare towards West who was completely absorbed in his conversation with Braxton.

I let Nolan lead me around the party introducing me to the other leaders of the various packs, and his own pack members. Despite the scent on me not belonging to him he still paraded me around as though I was his. We finally made our way over back to West.

"Ah there's my favorite girl," West said putting his arm around me and pulling me to his side. I could tell Nolan was fuming next to me at the display.

"What have you boys been up to?" I asked West and Braxton.

"Braxton here was just telling me how Jillian will be staying with him for a while up in Blood Bane," West said.

I half listened nodding my head and smiling at Braxton as he talked about Jillian. My real focus was on Nolan who was still standing like a wall behind me.

"West would you grab me a drink please?" I asked nodding towards the bar.

"Anything for you gorgeous," He left winking at me. I gave him my most dazzling smile. Braxton followed him claiming he needed another drink. Leaving Nolan and I alone.

"I didn't realize you and the beta were so close," Nolan snarled.

I played coy willing a blush to rise to my cheeks, lowering my eyes and tucking the strand of hair behind my ear. "Oh that. I don't know. He flirts with everyone. I'm nothing special," I said shyly.

"You're the daughter of a former powerful alpha you could have your pick of the pack. Not to mention how lovely you are," he said leaning in whispering the words into my ear. I didn't have to fake the goosebumps that rose on my arm.

I forced my eyes to meet his black ones. "How will I ever choose? What if I want them all?" I said, my voice toying with him. He snarled into a grin.

"I love how sassy you can be. Most people wouldn't dare to speak to an alpha as powerful as me the way you do. You and I could have so much fun together," he whispered in my ear.

West and Braxton made their way back over handing Nolan and I each a drink.

"To having fun," I cheersed the group. Nolan's smile grew as we tipped back our drinks taking a large swig. West winked at me as he downed his.

West had returned his arm around me. I could tell it was sending Nolan into full on territorial rage. I smiled sweetly at him "Nolan I heard you have a whole gallery of paintings,".

"You're interested in art?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Art history was my minor in college. I would love to see them," I said removing myself from West's arm.

"Right this way then," Nolan grabbed onto my waist, his hands claiming me. West didn't hide his disgust as Nolan smirked at him. His glare daring West to speak up. He remained quiet.

"All of our paintings are from our pack's history. Done by a collective of various artists," Nolan said. He led us to the private gallery shutting the doors behind us.

Normally the paintings on the wall would have gathered my full intention. But I had more important things to focus on. I eyed at an oil painting of the pack's territory. Painted from the view of the mountain so that you could see almost all of the land.

"Your territory is so large. I can't believe you get this view from the mountains," I willed my voice to sound in awe as I boosted Nolan's ego. He was almost too easy to play.

"It could all be yours," Nolan said.

I acted confused as I turned my body to face him. "You want me to join your pack?" I asked innocently.

"I want you to be the pack," Nolan said, making his way towards me grabbing my waist. I internally cringed where my body touched his. "By my side of course," .

"What about your mate?" I whispered.

"I haven't found my mate and to be honest I don't really care too. I believe as alpha I have a greater responsibility on my plate than waiting around for a mate who may not even meet the expectations I have set in a partner," his face was mere inches from mine.

"You think I meet those expectations?" I asked, biting my lip.

"With you by my side we could have the largest and strongest pack in the northern continent. A pack that sticks to traditions. The way it should be," he snarled pulling me in closer so that my whole body was pressed against his. Nolan was still staring into my eyes when something like confusion crossed his. His mouth parted as though he was going to speak but couldn't get the words out.

I gazed into his eyes letting the worry shine through on mine.

"What is it Nolan? Are you feeling ok?" I asked sweetly.

His mouth moved but no words were able to make their way out as he stared at me. His body was still pressed to mine as the weight of him leaned more and more into me. I lowered him to the ground. His black eyes still staring into mine.

"I'm going to go get help Nolan. Just relax. Everything is going to be fine," I said leaning over him. I ran out of the doors closing them behind me.

I took a deep breath straightening my dress pulling myself together. I eyed West and Tate in the crowd and walked over to them slowly. The wolfish grin on my face. I grabbed the glass of champagne from West's hands taking a sip. They both eagerly eyed me.

"You're scary, you know that?" West said with a playful smile.

"Nolan should be more careful when he plays in the dark, he might just find a real monster," I raised the glass to my mouth again.