Wrong Table, Right Alpha | Read Free Preview
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Chapter 1 — Blind Date
Bella's POV:
"Mom, I got it, okay? I'm already outside the café. I'll call you later." I ended the call, feeling a little irritated.
My name was Bella Shane, and I was 28 years old. My job as an andrologist earned me about 300 grand a year. I paid my own bills, lived on my own, and didn't depend on anyone. But in my mom's eyes, I was practically expired goods. In her opinion, I was about to hit the shelf-life limit, so she nagged constantly about marriage. But as I had no time or energy to go meet people, blind dates became the usual.
This one was the 18th blind date.
I already knew how this would go—awkward small talk, no chemistry, another wasted afternoon. Still, I had to go through the motions, even though it was driving me crazy.
"Help! Someone ... please!"
Just as I was about to push open the café's big wooden door, I heard a weak cry nearby. An old lady had collapsed on the street, not far from the entrance. People kept walking by, acting like they didn't notice. These days, folks didn't want to get involved—they were afraid of getting scammed or blamed.
But I couldn't ignore her. Without hesitating, I ran over and helped her up carefully. "Ma'am, are you alright?"
"Oh, I'm okay. Thank you, sweetheart! You're such a kind young lady. You don't see many like you anymore. I need to thank you properly!" She gave me a warm smile.
It was only then that I noticed something about her. Her clothes were plain and a little old-fashioned but clean. Her hands, though, looked soft and well cared for—not what you'd expect from someone who did rough chores. There was something refined about her.
"No need to thank me. It was nothing." Once I saw she was fine, I said goodbye and went into the café.
Inside was dim and kind of maze-like, with small tables spread out everywhere. Mom told me the guy would be at Table 8. I walked in circles for a while, trying to find it. My head was starting to spin when I accidentally wandered into a part of the café that looked way different.
The lighting was softer, and there was this woody, relaxing smell in the air. Everything looked expensive but in a quiet, understated way.
That was when I froze.
There, at a black table with a shiny silver "8" on it, sat a man.
Actually, calling him a man didn't quite fit.
He had this intense vibe that made the air feel heavy. His face looked like it belonged in a museum, carved perfectly like some statue from ancient times. He sat there, relaxed but powerful, drinking something deep red that definitely wasn't coffee. A thick old book sat in front of him, covered in dark gold. I couldn't make out the writing; it wasn't in any language I recognized.
He looked up when I walked in. His eyes were icy blue, like frozen lakes. Cold. His expression had this mix of confusion ... and maybe disgust?
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
My heart started racing like crazy. I'd seen attractive men before—being a doctor kind of ruined the mystery of the male body—but this guy? He made my chest tighten.
Was it the way he carried himself? Or was there something more?
And then I saw it—that big silver "8" on the table.
Wait ... was this the guy I was supposed to meet?
I tried to collect myself. I fixed my hair, straightened my outfit, and walked over, pretending to stay cool. I sat down across from him.
He stared at me like I was some puzzle he couldn't solve. A faint flicker flashed in his cold eyes, and I noticed a glint of gold, though I wasn't sure. The air around him felt even more intense.
Seriously? I just sat down, and he already looked so annoyed?
Whatever. I was used to men acting weird. I'd just power through this like always.
"Hi, I'm Bella Shane, 28. I'm an andrologist and make about 300 grand a year. I'm not in a rush to have kids, but I'm open to starting a family later on."
Saying that to a guy with his kind of presence took guts, but I stayed calm. Maybe it was my job that gave me a confident vibe.
He kept watching me with those blue eyes, and I couldn't read the look in them. After a moment, his lips curved into a small smirk.
"I'm Todd. I'm ... Age doesn't really matter to us. I'm the Alpha of the Thunder Pack. And when it comes to money, well, the forests and mountains of Northlane are mine."
I just stared at him.
What? Pack? Alpha? Northlane's forests?
Was this some elaborate joke? Or was he roleplaying something? Guys on blind dates usually had one or two red flags, but this was next-level strange.
Maybe he was delusional? Or he was some kind of performance artist?
Or did he have some secret ailment, perhaps impotence? Or maybe he had some personality disorder.
My mind was all over the place.
He must've seen my reaction because his smirk got wider. His eyes were practically mocking me now.
I got it now. He was trying to weird me out so I'd leave first.
We both went quiet. The air felt weird.
Fine. Whatever this guy's deal was, I'd finish the date and move on. At least I could tell my mom I tried.
I told him, "My salary might not be super impressive, but I'd work hard to give my partner a comfortable life. We'd split the housework equally. I'm also a pretty decent cook. But I expect to be treated with respect, especially around my family.
"If we get married, I'll bring home around 20 grand a month. That's enough to live decently."
I always laid out my expectations upfront.
He looked stunned, like he didn't know what to do with how serious I was.
Then, out of nowhere, he started laughing.
It wasn't just a little chuckle but a real laugh.
I frowned. "What's so funny? I know my situation's not perfect, but I'm being honest here. I'd make a great partner."
He just kept chuckling.
I crossed my arms. "Mr. Todd, are you done? You're being pretty rude."
"Ms. Shane, you're a good person," he said, his smile fading and his voice suddenly going cold again. "But you've got the wrong idea. I'm not here on a blind date."
Wait—what?
My eyes went wide. "This isn't Table 8?"
"Yes, this is Table 8. But it's the VIP section's Table 8." He casually pointed out toward the main hall. "Your Table 8 is to the left when you go back out."
"O-Oh, I'm so sorry! I got the wrong table!"
I wanted to crawl into a hole. No wonder he looked at me like I was nuts. I shot up from my seat and rushed out of there.
What a disaster. I couldn't even find the right guy.
Of course, he laughed. I must've seemed like a total idiot.
Chapter 2 — Follow Your Heart
Todd's POV:
My wolf was howling inside me.
This strange, fierce urge was building up. It was wild and restless, like it wanted to break free and run wild deep inside my soul.
A human woman had just stepped right into my territory, carrying this faint mix of antiseptic and a weird, sweet smell. It was like the fresh dew sparkling in early spring or soft moonlight on a warm summer night. That scent grabbed all my attention and woke up the wolf I'd kept locked away for so long.
"Our destined mate ... " my wolf growled inside my mind, filled with disbelief and a strong sense of possession.
A human? Was the Moon Goddess messing with me?
For centuries, werewolves and humans had lived side by side, though most humans didn't even know we existed or thought we were just myths.
Naturally, bloodlines were mixed sometimes.
Hybrids happened. Some with enough wolf blood could wake up their wolf spirit, becoming Betas or Omegas in our pack.
There were even cases where Betas or Omegas found their destined mates among humans with diluted wolf blood—rare, but it happened.
But an Alpha's destined mate? Never a full human! Especially not someone like Bella. Her wolf scent was almost nonexistent. She was practically pure human.
An Alpha's Luna needed a strong wolf spirit and pure blood. She should be someone who could stand beside me, lead the pack, and have powerful pups.
I was the future leader of the Thunder Pack. How could my mate be such a fragile human?
She looked like any other professional—stiff suit, hair pinned up, tired, and a little annoyed.
But when she looked up, her eyes wide with surprise and panic, something pulled at me like never before.
My Alpha instincts whispered that maybe she was different.
"Hi, I'm Bella Shane, 28. I'm an andrologist and make about 300 grand a year. I'm not in a rush to have kids, but I'm open to starting a family later on."
She actually sat down across from me and seriously laid out her "terms".
Three hundred grand a year? Compared to the Thunder Pack's wealth, that was nothing. Andrologist? With our superhealing powers, that job seemed pointless.
My wolf purred softly at her being close, but I pushed it down hard.
I was Todd, the Alpha of the Thunder Pack and its future leader. How could my Luna be a weak human?
"I'm Todd." I kept my voice steady, trying to sound like the Alpha I was supposed to be. "I'm ... Age doesn't really matter to us. I'm the Alpha of the Thunder Pack. And when it comes to money, well, the forests and mountains of Northlane are mine."
I caught the shock and confusion on her face. She looked like she was trying to get what I was saying but totally missed the point—and honestly, I found that kind of funny.
She probably thought I was delusional.
She kept going on about marriage duties, dividing chores, managing money—all honest and sincere. Not like the fake, calculating Omegas or Betas I'd dealt with.
Her scent grew stronger—a sweet smell like fine honey wine, tempting my wolf. It paced inside me, aching to mark her, to claim her as mine.
"Ms. Shane, you're a good person!" I finally said, ready to end the game even though my wolf protested. "But you've got the wrong idea. I'm not here on a blind date."
Seeing her flush and look embarrassed made me feel something like sympathy.
"Yes, this is Table 8. But it's the VIP section's Table 8. Your Table 8 is to the left when you go back out."
She basically bolted.
The sweet scent that pulled at my soul faded, and my wolf growled low in disappointment.
"Quiet," I told my wolf. "She's just human."
But was she really "just human"? Why did my heart and wolf react so strongly, then?
Not long after, Grandma appeared at the door of the VIP section. She looked simple, but her eyes were sharp and full of wisdom.
"Todd, how do you feel?" she asked, her voice teasing.
"Grandma, you set this up?" I knew right away. That fake accident outside was probably her doing too.
"Heh, I just wanted to see if there are still kind young people left." Grandma sat down across from me. "Bella's different. Kind, clear-eyed ... and you noticed her scent too, right?"
I said nothing. Yes, I noticed. It had this deep, irresistible pull. The Moon Goddess's guidance was clear as day.
"A human ... but her wolf blood is so faint it's almost gone." My voice cracked. That part was hard to accept.
"So what if she's human? Or has a weak bloodline?" Grandma sipped her tea calmly. "The Moon Goddess doesn't lie. We need a strong Luna, yes, but more than that—a pure heart. Bella might be the gift she sent you."
"She's too weak." My wolf growled with pride and the demand for a strong mate. "She can't even handle my scent, let alone rule with me."
"But her spirit is strong, right?" Grandma smiled gently. "And she doesn't know who you really are. Isn't that a clean start? You're tired of those fake people who only like you for power. This young lady just saw a strange man at Table 8."
Her words struck a chord inside me.
Yeah, I was tired—tired of fake smiles and self-serving closeness. What if someone just wanted me, not the Alpha? What would that feel like?
"She has a special scent that calms my wolf but also excites it," I admitted at last.
"That's proof she's your destined mate." Grandma set down her cup, eyes serious. "Todd, werewolves believe in destined mates. She's here. You can't run from it. Being human might make things hard, but when has the Thunder Pack's Alpha ever backed down from a challenge?"
I looked at my wise and battle-tested Grandma, the pack's most respected elder. I couldn't ignore her words.
"I'll think about it," I said quietly.
"Don't think about it—fight for it." Grandma stood up, still strong for her age. "The Moon Goddess's guidance is clear. Find her, Todd. Follow your heart. Your wolf knows what to do."
Chapter 3 — Buy You a Drink
Bella's POV:
I practically bolted out of that VIP section, my face burning with embarrassment. Walking into the wrong place, then blabbering at some stranger who gave off this intense, scary vibe ... I was beyond mortified! That guy, Todd, had looked at me like I was some clueless clown who didn't know my limits at all.
I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down, and finally found the real Table 8 tucked away in a quiet corner of the main room.
Sure enough, there was a man sitting there, looking pretty annoyed from waiting. He wore a perfectly pressed suit, had his hair neatly styled, and sported an expensive-looking watch. Honestly, he was decent-looking, but his impatience and judging glare totally ruined my first impression of him.
Well, since I was here, I might as well get it over with. I tried to steady myself, smoothed my outfit, and walked over with what I hoped looked like a polite smile.
"Sorry, I'm late! Traffic was terrible, and I was helping some old lady. I'm Bella Shane, 28, andrologist, and I make about 300 grand a year—"
"Stop."
He cut me off sharply before I could finish. His eyes scanned me with pure contempt.
"Andrologist? Sounds like you're always around men. At your age, you're still stuck in a job like that with no assets. Do you really think any man would want to marry you?"
His words hit me like ice. I never thought my job was shameful, but being insulted like this by a blind date I just met was beyond humiliating.
"And you're late, too?" He frowned harder, his tone turning mean. "Do you think you have the right to waste my time?"
I opened my mouth to explain that I had gotten lost, but looking at his arrogant face, I figured any excuse was pointless.
He sneered, "Hmph, 28 and still single. Now I see why. No sense of time, a shameful job—what man would want a woman who will just hold him back?
"Going on a date with you is just a waste of my time!"
With that, he grabbed a glass and, without hesitation, splashed the ice-cold water right in my face!
Splash!
Cold water ran down my cheeks. I froze, completely caught off guard and deeply humiliated. I could hear a few low whispers and snickers around me, making me want to vanish.
He didn't even bother giving his name. He just threw a last contemptuous look my way, slapped some cash on the table for the drink, grabbed his briefcase, and walked off without a second glance.
I sat there shivering, my face still wet. The water mixed with tears of shame. A wave of anger and helplessness crashed over me, but what could I do? In this harsh world, without money or connections, I was basically left without dignity.
Quietly, I wiped my face and left the café, feeling gloomy and defeated.
As I stepped outside, I noticed a scene nearby. A stylish man with long hair and a reckless air purposely bumped into a sleek, expensive black sedan, then dramatically fell to the ground, screaming.
"Oh, no! Someone got hit!"
"My leg! It's broken! Pay up now!"
As soon as he hit the pavement, three or four tough-looking guys who clearly were his crew surrounded him, yelling at the car's owner. It was obviously a scam.
A young man stepped out of the car. He wore a sharp, dark gray suit, stood tall, and had a handsome face. He looked worried but calm, his eyes sharp and steady.
"What's going on? I was going slow. I couldn't have broken your leg," he said softly.
"Cut the crap! Pay up! Now!"
"Yeah, you hit someone and want to deny it?"
The thugs ignored his words, closing in on him aggressively. One even gave the young man a creepy look and sneered, "Hey, handsome, why don't you come have some fun with us? Forget the money."
How bold of him to say such things right out in the open!
Though a crowd had gathered, no one dared speak up for the young man against these intimidating goons.
The young man frowned, weighing his options, then sighed. "Fine. How much do you want?"
"Ha! Easy. In that case ... " The gang leader was about to demand a huge sum when his eyes greedily swept over the young man's wrist and clothes.
My blood boiled. More bullies were picking on the weak! I'd just been humiliated, and now, watching this was too much for me to bear.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward, placing myself between the young man and the thugs. My voice was cold as I spoke.
"Broken leg, huh? Want compensation?"
My sudden move shocked both the gang members and the young man.
At first, the thugs just sneered at me, but when they met my icy stare, they instinctively took a step back.
The next moment, I kicked the long-haired man, who'd been wailing on the ground, hard in the leg.
"Argh!"
The guy with the supposed broken leg jumped up, hopping in pain.
The crowd gasped and then burst out laughing.
"Huh? Didn't you say your leg was broken? You're hopping pretty well now!" I taunted sharply.
With the truth out, whispers started spreading as people accused them of being scammers.
"Bitch, you're ruthless! We'll get you back!"
Seeing things go south, the thugs cursed and slinked away.
"Thanks for stepping in." The young man finally came over, giving me a gentle smile and a curious look. "I'm Will Macy. Can I buy you a drink?"
His smile was charming, his voice warm. If it were any other day, I might've considered his offer. But after everything I'd been through, I just wanted to get away from it all.
"No, thanks. It's nothing," I said coolly, turning away without hesitation.
Behind me, I could feel Will's surprised, searching gaze linger.
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