Music thumps out speakers to bounce into the crowd, making them sway and move to its tempo. Scouring the crowd I can see her sitting in a booth placing a glass to her lips. I watch as she places it back down while a shiver runs through her and I can't keep a grin off my face. I love the way it affects her as it does to me.

Making my way over to the small group they laugh and joke with each other easily. Old friends. The wolf feels cornered in with the crowd, he doesn't like it. Trying to find all the exits and know where the closest one will be. His uneasiness is causing my anxiety to rise. It's getting harder to breathe.

Sophia spots me first before Wayne follows her gaze, waving for me to come over before saying something to her. She doesn't look pleased as she swipes at him while the group laughs.

Wayne chuckles and greets me when I move closer. "Good to see you made it Cage." He says while moving over to make room. Glancing towards Sophia she doesn't seem pleased to have to move. Swallowing down the last of her glass she stands, "what are you drinking Hotshot?" Asking me while taking out a bill from her purse.

I reach up to rub the back of my neck, feeling it tinge with a light heat. "Nothing, I don't drink." Clearing my throat. She stands there giving me a cautious look before saying okay and setting off towards the bar area.

Sitting down Wayne makes the introductions to Sophia's older cousins, Derek and Harry. I greet them like humans with a shake of hands before gazing back towards the bar only to find Sophia is nowhere to be found.

"So you don't drink huh?" Asks the one I believe to be Harry, "why is that friend?" His tone is anything but friendly. "I don't believe in it." Locking eyes, I won't be intimidated by them. His eyes narrow more, "something wrong with it?" He is antsy, feeling judged. Good let him feel like he is under the same microscope I am under. Sophia makes her way back with a glass before sitting next to me. "You know Harry, some people have better things to do with their free time than to get drunk and act like fools." Her voice is cool and calm but I can feel the irritation coming off her, "some people don't enjoy it, and some people are nosey fucks who need to mind their own damn business. Cool?" She smiles showcasing her teeth.

Harry says nothing as he excuses himself from the table. She turns on Derek with a look that can pin you to your seat. Derek shakes his head before putting his beer to his lips.

"Sorry about them, they think we are dating so they have to protect me." She apologizes to me for their behaviour, I can't blame them, I want to protect her too. "It's fine, I understand." Telling her quietly. Rubbing my fingers over my knuckles. She wants to make it clear, this is not a date.

Sitting next to her the hair on my arms stand up and pull towards her with the electricity our close proximity is creating. She follows my fingers movements before dragging her eyes gaze up my arm. I can feel the loss of eye contact on my skin as they roam over my chest, watching the rise and fall. I can't help but watch her. I want those eyes to devour me. I'm hers, all she has to do is say yes.

Finally meeting my eyes she has a slight colour to her cheeks, I'm not sure if it's from the alcohol or being caught by me, either way, she gives me a small smile that I return. "You seem nervous, Hotshot, I figured this would be more your thing." She slides her fingers up her glass catching the drops of condensation as they run down.

It's hard to pull my eyes away and focus on conversing. "What would give you that impression?" Clearing my throat before drinking down the water she brought me but this isn't what I need to quench my thirst.

Now I know her crimson colour is a blush for me and I can't take the smile off my face, she must notice as her eyes narrow at me. "No reason." She answers curtly before putting her glass to her lips. The whiskey runs down her throat like water as I watch her swallow it. "I don't care for this kind of music or crowds, I'm a stay home by the fire kind of guy." Looking her right in the eye she slowly lowers her glass back down to the table. She hums to me in response before her attention is caught by someone in the crowd. I can tell she doesn't like them, the energy she puts off is harsh and unwelcoming even I feel it. It is strange coming from a human.

Two bubbly blondes bounce to the table, their giggles and whispers nothing but drunken slurs. I can see why she doesn't care for the girls. One looks my way winking and twirling her hair, I look back to Sophia whose eyes are already on me, leaning in closer I wink towards her and she laughs hardy.

Goddess, I love the sound of it.

Blonde number one goes back to trying to talk with the brothers and Harry openly welcomes them both telling us all to move over and make room for our unwanted guest. Sophia moves towards me trying to force us over and Harry glares at her but she does not back down and a standoff begins.

In my world, this could go a few ways. Depending on the pack the two could fight. She could challenge the females or depending on rank force them away. The last option, I defend Sophia and most likely I would fight. Here I have no idea what I should do, I'm more for option one, I can tell by looking at Harry he is all bark with no real bite but this is her family, I don't know the situation and I would not interfere. The wolf wants to snap at the girls, stand with his female. When he can't push through the barrier I am trying hard to maintain he lets his strength air under the surface. Nothing to warrant a challenge to the few wolves in the room but enough to make the humans here feel afraid. I can see the fight or flight run through Harry's eyes as he swallows. He doesn't understand why he suddenly feels uncomfortable. Leaning over he whispers to her "please Soph" pleading with his eyes how much he wants this and she reluctantly moves over.

The girls slide in and blonde number two leans into him, bringing her hand up and running it through his hair. They continue to talk and flirt in front of us while Sophia turns her head and fakes a gag to the scene.

Only a short time later more friends come in through the door and walk over to the table. With no room Blonde two climbs over Harry to settle into Derek's lap, while his face looks annoyed his hand rests on her hip rubbing circles into her exposed flesh with his thumb. Blonde one sits on Harry's lap but the girls look to us to move more.

They want us to leave but Sophia refuses, waving for another Whiskey that is brought by the waitress quickly along with another glass for myself. After a sip over her glass she whispers to Wayne, who until now had been too focused on his phone, she proceeds to climb into my lap while he climbs out of our booth over the seat and mingles through the crowd.

Sophia motions to the empty seat before turning away from the group to focus on the dance floor.

I, for the most part, am trying to maintain myself and not do anything stupid. Having her settle into me like this is too much too soon if she doesn't want me to take her. The wolf relishes in the feel of her. I'm trying not to shiver from the feeling she is causing me. Leaning into me she brings her lips to my ear and I can't stop the hitch in my breath.

Fuck.

"Does this bother you? I can move." She asks me before pulling away. I tell her no, she's fine. I'm the one not fine. I'm losing it.

She drinks more before sighing and swaying slightly to the music. The feel of the amber is starting to take its toll on her body and mind. The way she is moving is causing me both pleasure and discomfort. While I don't want to stop her, I can't risk her to continue.

Fuck.

Looking over the crowd the music is starting to slow down as drunk bodies sweat over each other in a tangled mess.

"Dance with me" whispering into her ear she hesitates. "please." Her resolve melts with the plead and she gets up from my lap allowing me to escort her to the dance floor. I can't hear her heart over the music but I can feel it pulsing fast against my finger as I take her hand.

Turning to her I bring our joined hands up and glide my other over her hip, pulling her closer before settling on the small of her back. My eyes close and I release the shaky breath I didn't realize I was holding when she runs her hand up my shoulder. I can do this.

Opening my eyes she has an easy smile on her lips as she just watches me; if I just lean down I could kiss them. I need to reel in, do this slowly. Baby steps.

Finding the beat to move with the rhythm she easily follows my lead. Swaying slow, smooth, it's an easy flow.

Sophia gives me a questioning look, "what's wrong?" She asks while rubbing her thumb back and forth on my neck. She has no idea the pleasure she is causing with a simple touch, gazing at Sophia it is like a trance. Her eyes, lips, neck. My teeth are aching, she's so close. Clearing my throat is harder than it should be, I'm suffocating on the bond. "I have never danced before."

Truth.Excuse.

She doesn't believe me, she giggles like a small chiming bell ringing quietly. Delightful. Sophia suddenly stops when I don't laugh along, choosing to look away instead. I can feel my neck heating.

"You're serious? You haven't danced with a girl before?" She sounds amazed.

"Not like this, no." I don't know whether to be proud or embarrassed.

Stepping in closer to me her eyes catch mine. "You move well." Is all she says before resting her head lightly against my chest. My fingers dig into her back, gripping her to me. My heart is about to explode in my chest and I have to try and swallow down again.

I can hear her lightly sigh and hum to the music, I have to lean down to hear her melodic voice. It's soft and soothing. I never truly understood what the wolves tried to tell me when explaining the bond. Now I do. How it can force your emotions into different directions. Where Sophia makes me nervous and anxious she is also the one to calm me.

I wish we could stay like this but the music changes to a more upbeat tone, as hard as I try to make her stay Sophia wants to go back to the table.

Two glasses of water sit in our place, her whiskey removed. The group that occupied it has grown to overtake it, there is no point in going back. "Damn" she states before dragging me towards to bar area. I willingly follow still dazed from the amount of contact and attention I have gotten from her in the last hour. It is surreal.

She leans into the bar to speak with the bartender. He gives her an odd look asking if she is sure and she nods. Walking out the door the cold air hits us hard compared to the heat inside and Sophia shivers from it. Not having a jacket of her own I offer her mine. "What about you?" She hesitates. Holding the jacket up to help her put it on I let my fingers touch her exposed skin and her body responds. "I'm fine." Whispering into her ear. She smiles at me.

"You heading home?" I want to know her plans, I'm not ready for the night to be over we didn't spend much time together.

Her body sways slightly from her buzz. "Hmm I was supposed to meet Wayne back at his place actually but now I'm not sure I want to. He has company." She smirks.

"Would you like a ride?" Looking me over she can't hide her desires like she normally tries to do. She nods her head and hums.

Opening the passenger side door I help her into the seat before closing the door and coming around to my own side. Starting the truck up it doesn't take long for her to start playing with the radio singing along to the songs, she doesn't lower her voice this time. The way her voice rings you can hear how she feels the rhythm and words to the song. She sways with it. It not just a song but a feeling. Her smile never leaves her lips.

"Are you going to stay?" She looks to me.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"Yes." She whispers. Her fingers dance across my hand before moving up my arm.

"Sophia. Why do you want me to stay?" I want her to want me because she wants this, wants more. Not because she is drunk and losing control over what her body and mind want.

She ignores the question continuing to move up my shoulder. "Why, tell me why?' Looking from the road to glance to her she watches my eyes before sighing. "Didn't you want this? To get to know each other better. Easier to do that when it's just the two of us. No outside influence." She moves over my neck and I have to grab her hand to stop her. I'm losing control over myself. She is teasing the wolf and has no idea she is even doing it.

Kissing the back of her hand I tangle our fingers together before placing our arms back on the armrest. She doesn't pull away from me, instead, she moves closer her smile is shy but flirtatious.

If she would just let go of her fears I know we could be happy.

Entering the house the animals all greet her. The orange cat stands in the front wanting all the attention first. She tells me all their names as she picks them up one by one. Fin, Figaro, and Juniper. Keno rests near the couch too tired to get up but he still growls low to me. "Stop that. What is your problem?" She sinks to her knees in front of him, petting his head and scratching behind his ear. This only reminds me I need to tell her the truth about me, but I can't tell her now, not while she is like this.

Getting up she motions for me to sit on the couch while she takes off my jacket to hang on a hook. She takes a seat next to me never taking her eyes off me like I am a puzzle to piece together. Sitting back to watch her neither of us saying a word.

Sophia is the first to break the silence. "Tell me more about this soulmate thing." She turns her body more towards me giving me her full attention.

"What do you want to know."

"Everything" she whispers. "Is this how it feels?" The question is more for herself than me. Running her hand up my forearm she stops on my upper arm before pulling away. "Is this how it's been the whole time?"

"Yes." Time for the truth, maybe not all of it but most of it. "Every shiver, ever spark. The constant buzzing of energy you feel between us when we are close. I feel it just like you do. Maybe even more."

"Why?" She looks mesmerized.

Shrugging, "it's just how we know our soulmates from anyone else. We are meant to get closer. That is what the bond does, it pulls you towards each other so that every feeling feels so much more than it would with anyone else."

"Does that come from your religion. You said 'Goddess' the other day." I can see her mind turning as her nose scrunches tight. Her eyes flicker with light from the dull overcast of whiskey goggles. Her mind is pushing her to focus and concentrate while the toxins slowly leave her system.

"In a sense yes. It is more of a way of life than a religion."

She leans in closer unable to help herself. The bond and her body are betraying her mind. "Can't you choose someone else? Why me?"

The same question she asked the other day, she just can't understand why she would be chosen over anyone else. "I don't know why it is you and I honestly don't care to know." I lean in closer. I can't help myself either.

'Why not?" Sophia's question is a whisper, her eyes dart from my eyes to my lips. I can smell her desire swirling around me like tentacles grasping me in a hold to pull towards her.

"I love what I was lucky enough to get, I wouldn't choose someone else even if I could."

Only inches separate us. Her eyes flutter close as she closes the distance and her lips land on mine. I can't help but pull her closer. Her mouth opens for me without needing to be prompt and she moans out for me to swallow down. Deepening the kiss she moves to straddle my lap, pulling my shirt she wants it off. She is moving quickly, too quickly. I came to talk. As much as I want to enjoy this it's the alcohol allowing her to lose her senses and control to the bond.

Breaking the kiss is hard and she doesn't want to stop, I have to take her hands off me and restrain them from roaming. Fuck, I can do this. "Sophia, stop." I try to tell her but she tells me no. Looking in her eyes I can still see the glossy look. This isn't right.

Pulling her off me and sitting her on the couch I have to stand. The pressure in my pants is causing me discomfort but I have to do this properly. "Sophia I need to go. We can't be doing this, you have had too much to drink and you aren't thinking straight."

"I thought you wanted me." She accuses me.

"Not like this. You have to want me and more than just sex. That's not good enough for me. I want more than just your body its called soulmates for a reason. Mind, body and soul. All of it."

"I told you I can't give you that." Her bite is bitter. I guess she was hoping I would just fall into her and not fight it.

"You told me you would give me a chance. This isn't it. I want to spend time with you when you are actually in control of yourself not losing your mind to a short-lived buzz. I'm not going to wake up tomorrow to have you look at me with regret over this. If you need to take time and figure that out or get over these fears you have then fine, I am a patient male I can wait for you. But I won't take advantage." My turn for bitter words. Grabbing my jacket I need to leave, everything that is happening here is wrong. I want to stay, enjoy her while she enjoys me but I can't and it's killing me. I can't lose everything for a night of fun.

"I'm sorry Sophia. Please call me in the morning." Walking out the front door she doesn't try and stop me. Hopefully what I said sinks in for her.

Going home I need to take a long shower to ease the build-up of tension. It doesn't take long with her on my mind. The feel of her fingers touching each dip on my skin, her lips pressed against mine, her taste and smell sweet like honey. Even with the taste of whiskey on her breath, I couldn't help myself.

Laying in bed my mind tries to wander but my body is too exhausted to stop the darkness my lids create. The last thing I see is my phone light up before I drift off to sleep