And then the gods decided to push their luck.
Ash, Rael, and Milo burst into the speakeasy like drunk wolves who'd lost a bet. Shirt buttons half-undone, cloaks crooked, weapons hanging at questionable angles. All three were grinning like idiots.
"Oh gods," Cael muttered.
Nova and Elle turned just as Ash tripped over something invisible. He stumbled, arms flailing—and fell directly into Nova.
She caught him on reflex, stumbling back under his weight onto a bar behind them. He caught himself on the bar, one arm on each side. But his face landed in the crook of her neck, where he stayed, dramatically inhaling.
They could make out the words through their werewolf hearing.
"Mmm… you smell like stars," he slurred.
Fin stood halfway out of his chair. Cael yanked him back down by his cloak.
Nova gave a polite but pointed pat to Ash's back, trying to straighten him. "Ash. You're drooling."
"Worth it," he mumbled, still not moving.
Rael and Milo howled with laughter.
Ash finally let her help him upright, but his hands stayed on her arms. Firm. Grinning, he wobbled a bit and leaned too close. "Have I ever told you that if the Alpha dies in battle, I will respectfully and immediately volunteer as your next mate?"
"You told me yesterday," Nova said flatly, adjusting his grip off her.
"Did I?" He blinked at her. "And your answer was—"
"Still no."
Rael slapped Ash's shoulder. "Shoot your shot, brother. It's what the gods would want."
Fin's glass shattered in his hand. Again.
Cael didn't even blink. "Bartender knows the drill."
Jax set his drink down hard. "I hate this place."
"What was our plan again? Not go to them?" Fin asked under his breath, fists clenched in his lap.
"I think so." Cael replied, not blinking. "I was hoping they'd finish their drinks, exit like civilized people, and we'd catch them on the walk back. I didn't expect… this." He gestured vaguely at the growing circus of males around them.
And then, because fate clearly hated them, Hadrian Oberon walked in.
One of the most promising up-and-coming warriors in Shadowclaw. Hadrian was tall, lean, fast on his feet, and worse—quick with his mouth. His hair was tousled from sparring, jaw shadowed with stubble, tunic rolled at the sleeves to show off the kind of arms that didn't need to flex.
Jax groaned softly when Hadrian's eyes immediately landed on Nova. Then Elle. Then Nova again.
Cael muttered, "Oh perfect. The charming bastard's here. Just what this tavern needed."
Hadrian strolled toward them with the slow confidence of a man who'd never been told 'no'—or worse, had and liked the sound of it.
"Who the fuck is that?" Fin asked, already glaring.
"Hadrian Oberon. Promising warrior. Zero shame. Moderate intelligence." Cael muttered.
"How are my two favorite wolves doing tonight?" he asked, grinning like a man with no survival instinct.
Elle laughed.
"Hello, Hadrian," Nova said, amused.
"Look at this. The northern stars themselves. What cruel gods let both of you walk into one room and didn't give me a warning?"
Elle snorted. "Still as full of it, I see."
"Absolutely," he said without shame. "But you keep letting me talk, so who's the real enabler here?"
Nova chuckled at that—soft and unexpected.
Hadrian placed a hand over his heart. "Ah, the White Wolf laughs. I can die happy."
"She's taken," Elle reminded him, deadpan.
"So is my left hand and yet I still use it," Hadrian replied without hesitation.
Cael blinked slowly. "He's going to lose his head. Right here. Right now."
Fin had gone completely still. His fists were clenched in his lap, but his jaw was tighter than steel.
Hadrian, oblivious—or pretending to be—leaned closer. "Tell me the truth. Which one of you missed me more?"
Nova shook her head, "I still don't know who you are."
Hadrian placed a hand over his chest again. "And that, my queen, is the cruelest cut of all."
He glanced at their drinks. "Tell me—how many men have tried to impress you tonight with mediocre wine and worse conversation?"
Nova didn't acknowledge the question.
Elle on the other hand answered under her breath. "Too many."
Hadrian grinned at that. He looked back to Nova and spoke. "Your Majesty, I've heard you ruined the war summit, and life of every woman in Varos. They've stopped trying. Men are depressed. Alphas are questioning their life choices. One of them wrote a poem and cried into his stew."
Nova didn't respond. Her flicker of a smile faded, which wasn't missed by Hadrian. His face changed to one of concern for a moment.
Elle noticed as well, stepping forward so he would look at her instead of Nova. She gave him a flat look. "What do you want, Hadrian?"
Hadrian regained his composure.
"To bask. To bask and maybe get disrespected by two beautiful women who could kill me with a look. Really puts a shine on my week." He said with a serious face.
"You are ridiculous Hadrian." Elle said, mouth twitching.
He replied with a wink. "But, I'm not here to flirt. I'm here to worship from a respectable distance and cause minor emotional damage. I've matured."
Elle shook her head.
"That's dangerous. The cocky ones who claim maturity."
"Claiming is boring." His eyes drifted to Nova. "I prefer demonstration. I'm a demonstration-based learner."
That earned another laugh out of Elle. Nova's eyes flickered back to him, but she didn't laugh.
Nova arched a brow, "A demonstration? Is that what you're offering now?"
Hadrian leaned in just enough to be felt, not enough to be inappropriate. "Only if the queen commands it."
Nova mused, "And what would that entail? You dancing shirtless in the moonlight again while Elle throws coins at you?"
"That was one time," he said, deadpan. "And I made good coin."
"She still has nightmares," Nova said, turning her head to face him.
Hadrian grinned, taking a slow sip of his drink. "I'll do it again but only if you promise to grade me after."
Elle made a choking noise around her wine. Nova didn't react right away. But she didn't look away from Hadrian either. He had won more attention from her.
He leaned forward, grabbing a drink from the bartender, eyes not leaving Nova, eyes bright with challenge.
He continued, "On a scale of pleasure to performance. Or shock value, if you're into theatrics."
Elle dropped her drink this time. Nova didn't move. The bartender handed Elle a new glass, who was already biting back a grin.
From the back table, Fin's grip on his whiskey glass was now visibly trembling. Cael looked over and muttered, "Do not shatter another one. I'm cutting you off."
Fin didn't even blink. "He's flirting with my mate."
"Yes. Boldly." Cael said.
Elle raised a brow. "Big words for someone who used to pass out after two drinks."
He smirked. "Growth, darling. These days I can disappoint a woman for hours instead of minutes."
This time, Nova choked on her drink. She shook her head, laughing despite herself. "You're still the same reckless idiot."
Hadrian grinned. "Ah, there it is. I live for that sound."
"And incorrect. I'm older, cockier, and better at pretending I have self-control." He added winking.
"You're exhausting," Elle muttered.
"But memorable," he shot back, eyes still on Nova. "And you two haven't stopped looking since I got here."
Nova replied back in a tone dry. "I'm trying to figure out if you're drunk, delusional, or just deeply committed to the bit."
Hadrian leaned in, that lazy grin never slipping. "Why not all three? You always did like a challenge."
Fin's knuckles cracked.
Jax stayed silent. If Nova were his mate, he would have laid this man out without hesitation. And truthfully, mate or not, he was seconds from doing it regardless.
He grinned at Nova holding her gaze. "You hate how much you're enjoying this."
"This? This is the face of patience. I should get a medal." She said.
Elle, Ash, Rael, and Milo laughed at that. All listening to their back and forth.
He leaned in a fraction. "Want me to pin it on you personally?"
Nova laughed—soft, quick, but real. It caught everyone's attention.
Fin was still holding his shattered whiskey glass from a minute ago, not noticing. His entire body shaking.
Hadrian leaned back with mock satisfaction. "There it is. That laugh should come with a warning label."
"A warning label for low standards and high entertainment?" Nova said.
There was a short moment of silence and a subtle shift in Hadrian's body language. He studied her, tone dropping just enough to be sincere. "I always knew you were beautiful to look at… but I didn't know you had wit sharp enough to leave a mark."
Elle laughed now, "Next time, she might even blink twice."
He raised a brow, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Next time? Careful. I might take that as an invitation."
Nova shook her head. "Then next time, try earning one."
"So you admit, there will be a next time." He said grinning.
"One miracle doesn't guarantee a sequel." Nova said dryly but she couldn't help but laugh.
"Darling, I don't do sequels. I do sagas." Hadrian said leaning in ever so slightly more, grinning.
"Bold of you to assume you're the main character." Nova said flatly.
"I don't need to be the main character. I just need one scene to make you forget the rest of the story." He said back to her grinning.
Elle lost it at this point, laughing. Nova choked on her drink.
Cael groaned. "Oh, fuck me."
Fin, across the room, stood from his seat knocking his chair over. He stormed across the speakeasy, unable to contain his alpha aura.