Lyka
The air carried faint scents I couldn't quite place, but they told me members of his pack were close. Everyone around looked normal, casual even, but there was a quiet energy about them that set them apart. I drew in a breath, reminding myself I had a right to be here too.
"Relax," Parker murmured, catching the way I kept scanning the room. "They're fine. You're safe."
I gave a small nod, letting some of the tension drain out of my shoulders. Just being next to him helped steady me, even when the room felt overwhelming.
He led me to a corner table where a few of his friends were already sitting. They looked human enough, but that same faint pack energy clung to them. I sat down carefully, trying not to get lost in the mix of comfort and unease rising inside me.
"You actually came," one of them said with a grin, waving me over. "Guess Parker wasn't lying—she's cool."
Heat rushed to my face. Parker just smirked, pulling out my chair. His hand brushed lightly against the back of it, and even that small touch sent a shiver through me.
I eased into the seat, and he took the one beside mine—close enough that I felt it, but not pressed in. The pull between us was there, subtle but constant, tightening like a thread I couldn't shake.
"First time here?" he asked, leaning in slightly.
"Yeah," I admitted. "I wasn't sure if I should."
His smirk softened into something gentler. "It's fine. You're with me. Nothing's going to happen."
Our hands brushed again, and this time I didn't pull away. It was just a simple touch, but it made me realize how tense I'd been. I focused on the table and the chatter around us, trying not to stare.
"Don't worry," he murmured, as if reading my mind. "Everyone here knows the rules. No one touches you."
I nodded, letting the reassurance sink in. The warmth of him, the quiet protection, that subtle pull between us—it was addictive. My pulse thumped, my chest felt tight, but I let myself relax a little.
The group laughed and joked easily, casual and natural. Parker stayed alert, scanning the room. His calm posture reminded me he was in charge, and that made my chest tighten in a different way—warm, tense, aware.
I felt it stronger now. Every brush of his leg against mine, every small touch on my arm, made me flush. I wanted to speak or reach out, but the words caught in my throat.
"See?" he said quietly, leaning closer. "Nothing to worry about. Just relax."
"Want a drink?" Parker asked, low and deliberate, his knee brushing mine under the table.
I hesitated. "Uh… sure. Something soft, I guess."
He smirked, hand resting near mine without touching. "Good. I'll make sure it's safe," he said, and warmth crept up my cheeks.
As he stood to get the drinks, I looked around. His friends laughed and joked, but there was a quiet tension in the way they moved. They were his pack—I could feel it—but human enough that no one else would notice. Being his mate made the connection faint but clear, even from across the table.
Parker came back quickly and slid into the seat next to me. I felt his warmth immediately. "Here," he said, handing me the glass. Our fingers brushed for a moment, and a small shock ran through me.
"Thanks," I murmured, holding the glass a little tighter than I realized.
He leaned back, smirk softening, eyes scanning the room like he was silently assuring me everything was fine. "Relax. You're with me. Nobody here will bother you."
I nodded, trying to focus on the chatter instead of the pull of him beside me. When his shoulder brushed mine under the table, I shivered.
"You okay?" he asked quietly, teasing just enough for me to notice.
I nodded again, heart racing. "Yeah… it's just… a lot."
"Everything new feels risky," he said with a small grin. "But you're safe. I won't let anyone near you."
Hearing it from him, feeling it in his presence, made my chest tighten. My fingers itched to touch him, but I kept them on the glass.
As the conversation went on, Parker's friends drew me in. I laughed softly, surprised at how natural it felt to be included. I could still sense the pack around us, those who followed Parker and challenged him, but his calm presence made it manageable.
At one point, Parker shifted, and his leg brushed mine again, closer this time. I froze. "Uh—sorry," I whispered.
"No need," he said, low and teasing. "I like that you notice."
The chatter in the bar continued, but something shifted in the room. A few heads turned, more alert this time. I sensed it before I saw it—more wolves. Parker's pack.
A group walked in together, laughing casually like everything was normal. But the moment their eyes landed on us, I could feel the tension. Their energy was layered—alert, watchful, protective. My chest tightened instinctively.
Parker's hand brushed mine under the table. He leaned slightly closer, voice low. "We should head out. Don't want to draw too much attention."
"Now?" I asked, surprised.
That calm smirk hit my chest like it always did. "Yeah. Come on. Trust me."
Before I could protest, he stood and held out his hand. I placed mine in his, and the warmth hit me immediately. A small smile formed on my lips without thinking. Safe, grounding, and thrilling all at once.
We moved through the tables, his grip firm but gentle. Everyone stepped aside, respectful but aware of him. I kept glancing at our hands—his larger, warm, protective, mine resting lightly against his. The contact made my chest twist in a way I hadn't expected.
"I've got you," he murmured. I nodded, swallowing against the flutter in my throat. I didn't pull away. I let myself feel it—the connection growing stronger with every step.
I noticed his fingers holding mine. Strong, warm, steady. My chest tightened, and a small smile appeared without thinking.
It was his hand that kept me steady. The slight squeeze as we stepped over uneven pavement made my chest skip a beat. I let my hand rest completely in his, feeling the steady warmth.
"Parker…" I said softly, almost without thinking. My voice was quiet, hesitant, but I wanted him to know I felt him, the pull between us.
He glanced down, smirk tugging at his lips. "Hm?" His voice low, calm, just for me.
I shook my head. "Nothing," I murmured, keeping my hand in his. I couldn't stop noticing how strong and steady he was, the way he moved confident without needing words.
We walked a few more steps. I hadn't looked away once. Every little movement held my attention—his arm shifting to stay close, the quiet assurance in him. My heart raced, my breath short, torn between staying calm and giving in to the pull.
"You're staring," Parker said suddenly, teasing but soft.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "I… I'm just noticing," I admitted, small and honest.
He smirked knowingly, leaning slightly closer. The subtle brush of his arm made me shiver. "Noticing what?"
I looked at our hands, then back at him. Words didn't come easily. "You… you're… you," I said quietly, letting it hang.
His smirk softened, almost approving. "Good," he said simply. "Because I don't plan on letting go anytime soon."
"I've never felt like this before," I admitted softly. "Not with anyone… not like this."
He gave a small smile. Being near him was enough.
I nodded, the pull between us stronger than ever. It wasn't just attraction—it was certainty, the way my chest tightened and pulse sped whenever he was close.
He squeezed my hand lightly. "Good. You're mine. I don't plan on letting that change."
A laugh escaped me, soft and shaky. "I… I think I'll survive that," I whispered.
My chest tightened, a strange mix of nerves and something warm I couldn't name. I smiled, not caring if it looked silly. He held my hand with that quiet, steady assurance, and I felt pulled closer—like I belonged here, with him, completely.