One Night Mate

Chapter Four

Alpha Ivan’s POV

“I’m surprised your group even made it to the club in one piece.” Leon says as he hands me a bottle of beer.

I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly.

“Yeah, when I said I was surprised you didn’t have them puking already, I didn’t mean it as some sort of challenge.” Jace adds in amusement as I take a seat at the table.

“Well, they need it. They need to toughen the hell up.”

“Did you knock out a guy's two front teeth? That’s what the instructors are saying?” Leon asks curiously.

“He let his guard down. It was a valid shot.” I answer, lifting my beer to my lips.

“That’s cold man. The pup was heartbroken over the loss of his good looks.” Jace laughs.

“He should be more concerned with his s**t combat skills.” I answer in return, scanning the room with a scowl.

“So was he born with a face like a wet Monday or is that just a new thing?” Jace asks Leon, who chuckles in return.

I shoot him a look and he holds up his hands defensively with that big stupid smile.

“He’s a hard ass. Just like his father Alpha Sergei was. I have to give him credit though, he is an incredible Alpha, just like his dad.”

His words make my insides twist but I don’t let it show.

“I’m going to get another drink if you assholes are going to continue to talk about me like I’m not here.” I tell them, tossing back the rest of my drink and placing the bottle down on the table.

They both laugh before going back to their conversation.

I make my way towards the bar through the crowd of wolves and humans alike.

“Hey cutie, wanna dance?” a woman asks me brightly, standing in front of me to block my path.

“No.” I answer sternly in return, walking around her and causing her to huff in response.

When I reach the bar, I order a drink and lean on the counter whilst I wait.

I can’t be assed heading back to Leon and Jace right now. If truth be told, I’m not the most sociable kind of person. I mean, it’s essential for my job but it’s not me.

Some people might say I’m a sad bastard with no friends but I honestly couldn’t care less.

At that moment, I feel a hand make it’s way into my back pocket and I instinctively spin around and grab the offending wrist tightly in my grasp.

“Ouch!!” the same woman from the dance floor calls out loudly, tears springing to her eyes.

“I’m sorry, I just thought…”

“You thought wrong… now f**k off.” I say to her firmly, dropping her wrist immediately.

She runs off, almost tripping over her high heels as she goes back to her friends who are watching in complete contempt.

“Wow… harsh.” a voice says from behind me.

I turn to see the woman from the academy standing at the other end of the bar.

“Excuse me? Did I ask for your opinion?” I snap back automatically in annoyance as the bartender places my drink down in front of me.

“Sheesh…” she mutters under her breath. “Asshole.”

“Sorry but didn’t you knock a guy out today for touching your ass without your permission?” I ask smugly.

“I sure as hell did.” she answers without hesitation.

“Well I’m sure telling her to f**k off wasn’t quite so extreme. She’ll get over it.” I say, taking a swig of beer.

“Touché. You got me there.” she answers in return as the bartender hands her a glass of wine.

She reaches into her purse to look for her wallet and I can’t help but check her out slyly.

She’s wearing a tight fitted purple dress that clings to her round ass perfectly and a short black leather jacket that hangs over her shoulders.

“It’s on me.” I say quickly, nodding at the barman who takes the cash from me and walks off.

She turns her head to look at me and sighs.

“You didn’t have to do that but thanks anyway.” she says, taking a sip of the wine.

“That was entertaining today, watching you put that pup down on his ass. I guess it deserves a drink. Where did you learn to punch like that?” I ask curiously.

“From my dad.” she answers, shrugging her shoulders. “So what’s your story? Why are you at the academy?”

“I’m not staying long. I leave tomorrow night. Just doing my part.”

She snorts slightly and shakes her head.

“Doing your part? I’ve worked at the academy for eight years and never seen you around. Most established Alphas visit twice a year to help out.”

“Yeah well I’m busy.” I state matter of factly, unable to keep the irritation out of my voice.

“So is everyone.” she says, narrowing her eyes.

“Well I’m busier…” I snap back. “Besides, who wants to spend their time babysitting a bunch of i***t pups anyway?” I say genuinely.

“What a shitty existence that would be. Pathetic.”

She furrows her brows in response.

“You do realise that is my actual career you are talking about?… and you are calling it shitty… to my face.” she answers.

“Well it is.” I answer unapologetically.

She sighs, rolling her eyes as she takes another drink.

“You’re right about the idiots part though… the recruits get worse every year. That’s why I’m leaving.” she states.

I nod my head and she looks away from me back towards the dance floor.

I could end the conversation here. She’s giving me an out and I can take it if I want to, but I can’t help but attempt to satisfy my curiosity.

“Where are you going?” I ask nonchalantly.

“Why would I tell you? I don’t even know you.” she says, raising an eyebrow in my direction.

“Sorry I f*****g asked. Didn’t realise it was the secret of the century. In any case, I don’t particularly care, just making conversation.”

“Okay fine.” she says shrugging her shoulders again in a way that seems to irritate me.

Our eyes stay connected for another moment and I take a step towards her.

I notice how her breath seems to hitch the closer that I get.

“You’re pretty rude, you know that?” I ask her outright, my eyes travelling over her face.

“I could say the same about you.” she retaliates, with a scowl that could challenge my own.

I take another step towards her, looking into her eyes intensely.

“But I’m not one of those pups… you don’t scare me…” I say antagonistically.

We don’t break eye contact for a second. At that moment in time, I don’t see or register anything else but those rich brown orbs in front of me.

“Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean I can’t hit you anyway. Asshole.” she threatens as I take yet another step closer.

I can’t help it when a large smirk makes its way across my face as I look down at her from above. I’m so close that I can feel her breath hit against my neck as she grits her teeth in anger. I can’t deny that I’m getting pleasure from the sensation, that is sending a slow pulsing feeling all over me.

“I’d like to see you try… honey. The little warrior routine is cute but you're not all that, let’s be clear.”

“‘Little warrior routine’? See that’s the problem with men like you… arrogance but I don’t care if you underestimate me. I’m not particularly worried what you think.”

She snatches up her glass and walks off onto the crowded dance floor.

I stand there and watch as she approaches a table of men and takes a seat beside a large burly man who looks at her with concern.

She nods her head briefly and sets her drink down on the table.

I can’t help but wonder who it is she is sitting with. I think I vaguely recognise them as other workers from the academy but I can’t be sure. I never f*****g bothered to introduce myself to any of them earlier today.

Who the hell does she think she is though?

She definitely has a mouth on her, that’s for sure and a glare that could f*****g cut glass.

It seems that I’ve forgotten that I’m staring right at her as she looks straight back blankly from across the room.

I lift my bottle to her tauntingly and she immediately flips me off before turning back to her male friends.

Cheeky little s**t. She’s an asshole.

But I have to admit… that short conversation with her has left me horny as f**k.

I stride back towards Leon and Jace and take a seat, my eyes still stuck to where she sits, ignoring me completely.

She would be a good f**k. I know that she would. She seems feisty, like a woman who knows exactly what she wants. It’s not what I’m here for but it would be an added bonus.

“What’s with the staring?” Jace cuts through my thoughts, bringing me back to reality.

Fuck.

I shake my head slightly and look back at the two of them as they observe me in amusement.

“What the hell are you on about now?” I say to Jace nonchalantly.

“Is Ivan in love with the pretty instructor?” he answers, raising his eyebrow.

“Is Jace a f*****g twelve year old girl?” I ask in return, scowling at him.

He lets out a loud laugh and punches my arm.

“He doesn’t do love apparently.” Leon smirks as he looks back at me knowingly.

“What why? I’ll tell you, finding my Iris is the best thing that ever happened to me.” Jace says, pulling out his phone eagerly to show me a picture of his wife and daughter.

I’ve met her before. Why would I need to see a photo? I can’t even attempt to seem interested. I just nod in response.

“He doesn’t do kids either.” Leon adds sneakily.

“Why are you so determined to turn me into one of you soppy assholes.” I snap back at him and he chuckles along.

“Nah forget it… he has an attitude only a mother could love.” Jace grins.

He must notice the unimpressed look on my face as his big stupid smile fades away as quickly as it came.

“s**t… she’s dead isn’t she?” he says apologetically.

I don’t answer him but Leon nods slightly in confirmation before expertly changing the subject.

I don’t let my brain wander towards Jace’s words. It’s a waste of my damn time sulking over s**t that I can’t change now.

“Hey looks like the pretty one could use a dance partner.” Leon says, nodding towards the dance floor.

I look over to see that she has removed her leather jacket and is swaying along to the music.

The lights hit off of her face as she smiles and moves her hips in a hypnotising rhyme.

I feel the familiar feeling of need creep up on me once again as I try to tear my eyes away.

Just then I see one of the other instructors come up behind her and place his hands on her waist.

She turns to look at him and pulls away from his hold subtly, dancing opposite him instead.

“Ivan…. Hey Ivan?” Jace interrupts, trying to gain my attention again.

“What?” I ask him irritably.

“I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye but trust me… I can wingman the s**t out of this situation right now.” he says with a smile.

I look at him in confusion.

“f*****g hell… just be ready.” he states, getting up from his chair with his beer and making his way across the dance floor.

I see him greet the instructors before he singles the guy out, talking animatedly and miming out some combat moves.

Clearly he’s asking the guy questions in an effort to distract his attention and it works.

Shit, is this what I do now? f**k me.

I get up from the seat walking across the dance floor towards her.

She notices me coming and faces away, swaying her hips again gently to the music.

I come up behind her and see her shoulders tense slightly. I hook her pony tail around my finger, slinging it over her shoulder gently.

I lean down to whisper in her ear.

“It’s good to see you dance better than you fight.”

She chuckles slightly, the sound immediately getting me excited.

I should take it as a hint and f**k off but for some reason I can’t move. I’m stuck to the spot. Our bodies like magnets drawing each other in.

“Do I need to smack your ass to get your attention?” I ask her lowly from behind.

She turns her head to look up at me, her eyes sultry but full of fire.

“Try it and see where it gets you, Alpha.” she teases, backing up into me a little more.

As soon as her body grazes against mine, I know that I need to f**k her. I need to f**k her tonight.

I let my hands rest on her waist, my fingers griping the silky material of her dress.

We are both in this now, I can feel her desire growing with my own the longer that we stay like this.

I lower my head to the crook of her neck and she tilts her head to the side, giving me the permission that I need.

I let my lips graze the soft skin gently.

Immediately a strong electric current shoots through me. Sparks travel over my skin, causing the hairs on my arms to stand on end and my breath to catch in my throat.

I take a step back quickly and she slaps her hand over her neck, spinning around like a shot. I look back at her in shock and the look in her deep brown eyes mirrors my own.

“No way. No way in hell.” she says, shaking her head frantically.

“You’re right about that.” I mutter in response as we continue to stare at each other in mutual disbelief.

I’m not sure how many seconds pass by as we stand there staring at each other. The music blares on, assholes bump into me and cross between us but I don’t notice any of it.

I’m still staring at her alone.

I decide to be the first to move, turning my head and walking back towards my table.

I can sense her following behind me.

“Don’t you think we should talk about this?” she calls out loudly.

I ignore her, trying to formulate a response in my head.

“Damn you are a real prick!!” she snaps in anger.

I turn to her and she stops in her tracks.

“Look… I don’t know your opinion on this mate bond thing but-“

“I don’t want one.” she answers plainly with conviction.

“You don’t? Thank f**k for that. I don’t either.” I answer in return. “I’m quite happy with my life, I don’t want a wife, I don’t want kids. I’m not interested in a relationship.”

“Me either. I’m just starting a new chapter in my life and ‘playing house’ is not on my agenda, trust me.”

“Good.”

“Good.”

“So it’s agreed. We don’t follow this s**t through? It’s not like we need to? Plenty of wolves go their whole lives without finding their true mate and they do just fine.” I say firmly.

“I couldn’t agree more.” she answers immediately, nodding her head and staring back into my eyes.

There are a couple of moments of silence as my eyes begin to trail over her face suspiciously.

“Are you sure about this? I know you women are into this true love s**t. I don’t want to agree to leave this alone only for you to track me down later.”

“Excuse me? ‘You women’. That’s such a f*****g sweeping statement, don’t you think? Also… track you down? Are you for real? You think a lot of yourself, don’t you?” she retorts in annoyance.

“Just speaking from experience… honey.” I snap back.

“Ha! Yes I bet you are.” she snorts, shaking her head.

I watch as she wanders over to the bar, taking a seat on one of the large stools and placing her head in her hands.

I’m not entirely surprised by her reaction. I feel the same damn way.

I walk over to her and put my hand down on the counter.

“Listen, I don’t know about you but I need a serious drink.” I say, dropping down onto the seat next to her.

“Urggg!! okay yes, hit me with it.” she says adamantly.

I signal to the bartender.

“Eight shots… make it quick!” I order him loudly.