Almira’s POV

I stood on the deck of the luxurious cruise ship, watching the frenzied celebration of the wolf packs. The void within me grew deeper. This is the annual Hunt Festival for all werewolves, a highly anticipated event akin to a year-end celebration. This year, it was hosted by the strongest wolf pack in North America. Not only did they provide expensive drinks, but they also gathered werewolves from various packs, greatly increasing our chances of finding mates.

I came here solely to celebrate the festival. I had already chosen my mate, but that became history just ten minutes ago.

My good-for-nothing mate betrayed me, grinning as he told me he had slipped and accidentally inserted his dick into a female wolf's vagina. That’s just as ridiculous as it sounds. Being an omega, he treated me like a fool to be toyed with, believing that I’m nothing without him.

Of course, I had to prove him wrong. So, I slapped him and rejected him. I bet he didn’t see that coming.

As much as I am proud of what I did, I can't lie to myself that I’m okay about what happened. I wanted to get the hell out of here fast, but the cruise ship wouldn't dock until 8 AM tomorrow. That sucks because the lively crowd here would only remind me of my misery.

I decided to head straight for the ship's bar, intending to drown myself in alcohol. "A margarita for the lady?" the bartender said.

I glared at him with burning eyes. "I need an entire bottle. Give me your strongest. I don't care what it is."

He glanced at my face and quickly revised his suggestion. "A bottle of whiskey? We have excellent single malts—"

I nodded briefly. "Whatever you have, remember, I want the strongest."

That cheating bastard thought I would ruin my night crying over his little affair? No… not a chance. I’m going to show him what it’s like to get cheated on to some random stranger.

I took a pained sip of the whiskey, the liquid slicing my throat like tiny knives, immediately making me choke. How did it come to this? Three years of commitment! Wasn't I pretty enough? Smart enough? What was my boyfriend still desperately searching for in other women that I lacked?

Suddenly, an overwhelming presence emanated from behind me. As his dominant alpha scent entered my nostrils, the butterflies in my stomach went wild again. I turned around, admitting my core skipped a beat for him.

He was tall, with sharp blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. I couldn't help but continue staring at him. There were only a few men whom I find attractive, and I would definitely remember them if I saw them again.

This man…looked vaguely familiar.

A strange, irresistible force is pulling me towards him, which might explain why I couldn't take my eyes off him. I watched as he approached me like a bee drawn to its flower.

"Rough night?" he asked with a confident smile. I admitted he was handsome, but I wasn't dizzy enough to randomly hook up with a man.

I know exactly what he’s trying to do, and I’m not going to fall for it. Just because my ex-boyfriend cheated on me doesn't mean I have to go through a hoe phase.

“I’m fine,” I said shortly, turning back to my drink

I ignored him, but he smiled at my empty glass, his velvety, sexy voice ringing out again. “Really? Because drinking whiskey alone at a party like this doesn’t scream ‘fine,’” he said, sliding onto the stool beside me.

“Maybe I just like whiskey,” I shot back.

His lips curved into an easy smile. “Fair enough. But I’m guessing it’s not about the drink. Let me guess—little boyfriend cheated on you?”

I glared at him, but he didn’t flinch. “If I say yes, will you leave me alone?”

“Not a chance,” he said, leaning on the bar

“I’m sure you’re aware that after another whiskey, every asshole eyeing you will try to pick you up—especially looking like that." His gaze left my dress and returned. His blue irises scanned every inch of me, igniting every switch in my body like a torch. “I wouldn't want to lose my place in that line, now would I?”

I unconsciously squeezed my thighs together, intending to leave. But he clearly didn't want to let me go, sitting next to me and blocking my path. "But hey, if you want a quick, dirty revenge fuck, then drink up," he grinned, telling me.

My eyes widened. Revenge fuck? Is he suggesting that I have sex with him?

I mentally rolled my eyes. Why is he sticking his nose to my business anyways? He acts like he cares. How is he different from that womanizing bastard Liam who randomly hooked up with a gamma chick he met at the party?

He’s probably another asshole looking for a girl to fuck. And it seems like I’m this guy’s prey for the night.

I narrowed my eyes, staring directly at him. "First of all, I thought I was already in a bad mood, but you're just adding insult to injury. Secondly, no matter how much I drink or how many men want to hit on me, I'm not the kind of girl who goes for a quick, dirty revenge fuck like what you're suggesting."

He chuckled sexily.

I watched him take a sip of his own drink, clearly amused with me.

“You may not be, but it would do you better than getting drunk on whiskey,” he continued shamelessly.

He’s not really going to stop until he gets what he wants from me, huh?

“Why? You think it'll make me feel better about walking the path of shame tomorrow?”

“What's shameful about it? Sex is meant for feeling good at the moment. Using physical intimacy as a distraction from your problems. It doesn't need some profound, meaningful connection. You feel bad, sex feels good. Why not?"

I pursed my lips. I hate to admit that he has a point. I averted my gaze from him, but seconds later turned back, biting my lower lip.

"You're considering it, aren't you?" he chuckled lightly.

I immediately shake the thoughts off from my mind. Am I actually considering fucking a stranger tonight? This must be the whiskey messing up with my head. But why am I tempted to do it with him?

"I don't know what you're talking about,” I replied firmly.

I really should leave. His scent is like an aphrodisiac, drawing me closer to him. I stared at his chiseled jaw, the bobbing Adam's apple on his neck, his muscular chest, and those large hands that could probably rip my panties off with ease.

God, what was I thinking?! Had I really become a slut?

I pushed him away and stood to leave, but his large hand grabbed my wrist, sending an electric current coursing through my body. What is happening? I looked at him in shock.

As an omega without a wolf, I couldn't recognize my mate. But this feeling is something Liam had never given me.

He leaned in, his voice low and full with desire. “Want to go somewhere more private?”

I should’ve walked away, said something sharp and ended it there. But my body had a mind of its own. My heart was pounding, my hands felt unsteady, and something deep inside me pulled toward him before I could stop it.

Before I knew it, I nodded.

He smirked.

At that moment, I felt completely powerless to the attraction I couldn’t fight, as if I was a moth that’s drawn to its fire.