Chapter 203: Chapter 203 Unmistakable Attraction
Jace Monroe’s POV
When Alpha Draven called inviting me to be his best man, I thought it was quite an honor and understood he was grateful for my help in rescuing the kidnapped children and tracking those criminals threatening the pack.
But when he mentioned I’d be paired with that petite woman, I was more than excited. I immediately packed my bags and caught a flight to Harbor Bay right after my meeting with the Alpha Council’s investigation department on Friday. I’d be staying at Ryan’s place for a few days until I bought a new apartment.Ryan and I had been friends since we were pups.
I’d promised I’d come for Alpha Draven’s bachelor celebration, and it was everything a wolf could want - a night of poker, whiskey. Things were falling into place perfectly, making me excited about establishing myself here. But what really had me unsettled was the thought of seeing Nina again.
I was just finishing getting ready, adjusting the cuffs of my dress shirt, when Ryan knocked on the guest room door and poked his head in.
"Man, you’re looking sharp!" Ryan entered with that carefree swagger he always carried.
"So, do you think I have a chance with Nina?" I asked, turning to him and spreading my arms for assessment.
"Dude, you’re way bigger than her. I don’t know, maybe you’ll scare her wolf." Ryan grinned mischievously.
"I can handle her," I said confidently.
"You’ll need more than that. Her pack sisters have to trust you first, and they’re super protective. Nina’s the baby of their group, and those girls guard her like she’s made of gold. She’s only nineteen, Jace." Ryan’s voice got serious.
"It’s just her age that concerns me. I don’t usually pursue females so young. But there’s something about her..." I replied, grabbing my wallet from the table and securing my pistol in the shoulder holster.
"Do you really think you need that?" Ryan’s eyes narrowed as I secured the weapon.
"Brother, I’m an Alpha Council investigator! My gun is practically an extension of my wolf. I only remove it when I shift." I adjusted my pants over the holster. "Besides, there’s still that fugitive targeting the bride and groom."
"All right. Shall we join the others? The ceremony grounds are in the pack house garden. The females are already there preparing."
I left the room with Ryan, meeting Draven in the main living area looking completely lovestruck, and we headed toward the wedding venue.
I felt a surge of anticipation. At thirty-five, I kept myself in good shape—my black hair cut short and neat, chest defined from regular workouts, dark eyes sharp from years of investigative work, and a well-trimmed beard that highlighted my jawline. Standing at six-foot-five with broad shoulders and the build that came from gym training and martial arts.I was much bigger than most women,especially someone as petite as Nina. But something about her drew me in a way I couldn’t explain.
When we arrived, the females immediately scolded us for being late, and I found it amusing how they commanded my new pack brothers with such ease.The most thoroughly submissive was Ryan,the guy practically rolled over for Ruby.
The girls surrounded me, thanking me effusively for helping rescue Liam and tracking down Howard, which made me visibly embarrassed. Then, they formally introduced me to Nina.
"So, investigator, this is Nina. She’ll be your companion today," Eleanor said, gently nudging Nina closer to me.
"You look beautiful," I said without thinking, feeling my heart race. "It’s great to finally meet you properly, Nina. We didn’t get much chance to talk before." I took her small hand in mine and gently kissed her knuckles.
"Thank you, investigator," Nina stammered, her cheeks flushing pink. Her hands were cold and slightly shaking, showing how nervous she was.
"Just call me Jace," I said with a warm smile, hoping to help her relax.
Nina was stunning.She had long honey-blonde hair with golden highlights that caught the sunlight, bright amber eyes framed by long lashes, perfectly curved lips, and delicate features that made her look almost ethereal. Her petite frame filled out her strapless yellow dress beautifully, and her sun-kissed skin seemed to glow in the light. There was something intoxicating about her scent, like wild berries and fresh rain, that made my pulse quicken.
"Okay, Jace." She smiled at me.
We chatted for a while as Alpha Draven greeted arriving pack members.When the ceremony was about to begin, I offered my arm to Nina while Eleanor organized the procession. As Nina slipped her hand through my arm, Eleanor looked at us and laughed.
"You two look like a giant next to a fairy, Jace!"
"If you want, Elle, Nina can walk with Joesph and I’ll take the handsome investigator instead," Ava offered, making Joesph frown.
"Not happening, Ava. She’s staying with me," I said firmly, feeling protective.
"Wow! Someone’s already getting possessive, Nina!" Eleanor shot Nina a knowing smile.
That made me laugh while Nina’s cheeks turned pink, clearly embarrassed but also intrigued.
"Don’t worry, Eleanor.I know how to handle precious things carefully." I said quickly.
Eleanor’s eyes lit up with understanding, and Nina blushed even deeper.
I stayed by Nina’s side throughout the entire ceremony, enjoying every moment since we’d been paired together. We talked constantly between different parts of the ritual and danced several times during the reception. I could feel her gradually becoming more comfortable with me, so I took my time, showing her attention and respect. As the celebration wound down, I offered to walk her home, letting Ryan off the hook.
I took her small hand and led her to the SUV I’d bought when I arrived in Harbor Bay. I opened the door for her and helped arrange her dress as she got in. Then I reached across to fasten her seat belt, bringing us close together.
"There! Now you’re safe," I said, looking into those gorgeous amber eyes, inhaling her intoxicating scent.
"T-t-tha-thank you!" Nina replied, her pulse quickening at my proximity. My wolf urged me to test her reaction.
"Are you nervous around me, Nina?" She shook her head.
"Then why do you seem so anxious?"
"It’s just... it’s just..." I didn’t wait for her to finish. My patience ran out as I leaned in and kissed her.
I started slow and gentle, just a soft press of lips. Nina gasped in surprise. I deepened the kiss, coaxing her lips apart, making it more intense.She trembled, responding with an innocence that told me she didn’t have much experience.I found this incredibly appealing.
"Relax," I whispered against her lips, then kissed her again, more thoroughly this time.
Nina gradually melted into me, sliding her hands up to my shoulders. I pulled her closer and kissed her with growing hunger, wanting to make her mine. When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard, her lips swollen and her eyes bright with something new.
"You’re breathtaking," I whispered against her ear before trailing kisses down her neck.
I daringly moved my hand to cup one of her breasts through her dress, squeezing gently while nuzzling her. Nina tensed at my touch, clearly startled. I moved my hand to her neck instead and went back to kissing her. She relaxed and responded to the kiss. We stayed like that for several minutes, and she grew more confident with each moment.
"Do you really want me to take you home?" I asked, hoping she might invite me in.
"Yeah, I do," she sighed against my lips, sounding torn between wanting more and feeling uncertain.
"Then let’s go." I pulled away reluctantly and walked around to the driver’s side.
"Show me the way, beautiful," I said as I buckled my seatbelt.
We drove in silence, and I could sense Nina’s nervousness. I was starting to realize that she wasn’t just young but also pretty inexperienced with men. This gave me pause. At thirty-five, I’d had my share of relationships and usually preferred women who knew what they wanted.I generally avoided inexperienced women, not wanting the responsibility of being someone’s first.I preferred intense, passionate sex—unhurried, exciting, wild, and filled with mutual desire.Inexperienced women still wanted romance and gentle men, and that wasn’t my style.
But Nina attracted me in a way I couldn’t explain.When I first met her in Alpha Draven’s pack house, I’d been drawn to her immediately, and I couldn’t get her out of my head since.
"We’re here," I said, stopping outside her apartment building. "Want to invite me up?" I smiled, curious to learn more about this fascinating woman.
"Um... do you want to come up?" Her voice was nervous.
"Only if you’re comfortable with it." I kept my answer honest. Pushing an unwilling woman went against everything I believed.
"You know what, let’s go up." She took a deep breath, like she was giving herself a pep talk.
"Am I nervous? Yes. But you’re so attractive that there’s no reason to be. Yeah, let’s go up."
I got out and walked around to her side. When she stepped out, I gently pressed her against the car door and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"Just so you know, men like me aren’t just ’attractive.’ But like I said, I know how to be gentle with someone who deserves care."
Nina let out a sigh that hit my ear and reverberated in my pants. I grabbed her by the waist and lifted her up, pressing her against the car and making her feel my erection. Her eyes widened even more, and she looked at me in shock.
"Let’s go up. I think we need to get better acquainted," I said, giving her a light kiss before taking her hand and leading her toward the building.