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Ryan, tall and imposing, nods at me. "Nice to see you again, Sarah."
I return the nod, trying not to let my nervousness show. Even though I know Ryan is Jenna's mate and the pack alpha, there's still something intimidating about him.
As we fall into conversation, I can't help but observe the dynamics around me. Everyone seems to defer to Ryan in subtle ways – a tilt of the head, a respectful tone. It's fascinating to watch.
"Sarah?" Lucas's voice pulls me back to the present. "I'd like you to meet Marcus."
A tall man with strong features approaches us. He regards me with polite interest. "Sarah, it's a pleasure. Lucas's told us so much about you."
I shake his hand, noting the strength in his grip. "It's nice to meet you, Marcus. I hope I live up to the hype," I joke, trying to mask my nervousness.
Marcus's lips quirk up in a small smile. "I'm sure you will. Lucas rarely brings dates to these gatherings. You must be special."
His words send a thrill through me. I glance at Lucas, who looks slightly uncomfortable but pleased. "I didn't realize I was such a rarity," I tease him gently.
Lucas's arm slides around my waist, pulling me closer. "You're one of a kind, Sarah," he murmurs, his lips brush my ear, and I hear a low growl rumble in his chest. "You have no idea how much I want you right now," he murmurs, his voice husky. The words send a shiver down my spine.
The moment is broken by the sound of tires on gravel. We all turn to see a sleek sports car pull up, music blaring from its speakers.
"Oh no," Marcus groans beside us. "Liam's here."
The car door opens, and out steps a young man with tousled blonde hair and a cocky grin. But he's not alone. A petite womanwith pale pink hair emerges from the passenger side, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Liam," I hear Lucas mutter under his breath, a note of exasperation in his voice. Beside us, Marcus tenses, his easy demeanor evaporating.
The newcomer - Liam, I presume - saunters over, seemingly oblivious to the sudden tension in the air. "Hey, everyone! Hope you don't mind, I brought a plus one. This is Zoe," he announces, gesturing to the pink-haired woman beside him.
I can practically feel the others' irritation radiating off them in waves. But everyone makes an effort to welcome Zoe warmly, even as their greetings to Liam remain coolly polite.
"Sorry we're late," Liam announces. "Traffic was a bitch. Oh, hey, new face!" His eyes land on me, brightening with interest.
Lucas's arm tightens around me imperceptibly. "Liam, this is Sarah. Sarah, Liam."
I offer a small wave, unsure of how to navigate this new dynamic. "Nice to meet you."
Liam grins, opening his mouth to say something, but Zoe steps forward, effectively cutting him off. "Hi, I'm Zoe," she says, her voice warm and friendly. "I hope it's okay that I came. Liam assured me it would be fine."
The others exchange glances, but it's Ryan who speaks up. "Of course, Zoe. You're more than welcome. Why don't you both grab a drink?"
As Liam and Zoe move away, Lucas leans in close. "I'm sorry about that," he murmurs. "Liam's behavior has been... frustrating lately. But we're trying to keep the peace."
I nod, understanding dawning. Pack dynamics are more complex than I'd realized. "It's okay," I assure him. "I'm just glad to be here with you."
His smile is soft and genuine, making my heart skip a beat. "I'm glad you're here too."
As the evening progresses, I find myself relaxing more and more. The food is delicious, the conversation flows easily, and Lucas's constant, reassuring presence by my side helps keep my nerves at bay.
I'm in the middle of a conversation with Jenna when I feel Lucas's hand on my lower back. He's passing by, heading towards the grill, but he pauses to drop a quick kiss on my temple. The casual intimacy of the gesture takes my breath away.
"You two seem good together," Jenna observes once Lucas's out of earshot.
I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. "We are. He's... he's not what I expected."
Jenna nods knowingly. "Shifters rarely are. But once you get past the initial fear, you realize they're just people. Incredibly loyal, sometimes frustratingly protective people, but people nonetheless."
Her words strike a chord in me. I think about Lucas, about how patient and understanding he's been with my fears. How he makes me feel safe and cherished.
At one point, I catch Lucas watching me from across the yard. His eyes are dark, intense, and filled with unmistakable hunger. When our gazes lock, he doesn't look away, and I feel heat rush through my body at the raw desire in his expression.
