Chapter 136: The Alpha Male

The sound, subtle at first, gradually grew stronger, resonating through his chest before vibrating gently against Blanche's cheek. There was something profoundly soothing about it—a nearly hypnotic frequency that seemed to travel through her entire body, dissolving the last traces of exhaustion one by one.

She smiled without even realizing it.

Honestly...

Drakions had a very particular way of caring for the people they loved.

"I didn't know anyone could make a sound like that..."

"Only an alpha male born as a true dragon purrs when his mate is near. That's why I keep my distance on the other side... I have no desire to have Aaron kill me."

He gave her a playful wink.

"There are far fewer of us than there used to be. True dragons are rarely born anymore. Many, like your grandfather, have lost their mates. So believe me... I'm infinitely grateful that isn't my fate."

He tightened his embrace for a moment, then abruptly released her, as though a sudden shiver had passed through him. Taking several long strides, he walked toward the living room.

Blanche immediately shivered, instinctively wrapping her arms around herself.

The absence of his warmth became unbearable at once.

She already missed him.

The longing for his closeness simmered just beneath the surface.

She had never felt anything like this for anyone.

Not even Kiyan.

Music suddenly filled the house.

An old ballad from the nineties—slow, wistful, sung in a language she didn't recognize.

Saphir waited for her, one hand extended, the other resting behind his back.

Blanche smiled as she recognized the posture.

It was time for her dance lesson.

"Close your eyes."

She sighed...

But obeyed.

"Listen to the music. Forget everything else. Relax."

He waited.

The moment he saw her smile, he moved.

With her eyes closed, she let him guide her.

She trusted him.

Since when?

How?

She had no idea.

When the song ended, he stopped.

She opened her eyes in astonishment.

She had danced.

Really danced.

"Again. This time, keep your eyes open and look at me."

He didn't even give her time to invent another excuse.

She had barely opened her mouth when, with a simple wave of his hand, the melody began anew. The first notes floated effortlessly through the room, light and airy, almost whispered, as he naturally stepped back into position before her.

"Again," he repeated with a peaceful smile.

"Saphir..."

"Again."

He didn't even ask for her opinion.

With patience that seemed inexhaustible, he gently took her hand once more.

His fingers were warm, firm without ever being forceful, guiding hers with infinite precision.

"Don't think."

"Easy for you to say..."

"You're already thinking about what you'll be doing three steps from now."

Blanche blinked.

"...That's true."

"I know."

A quiet laugh colored his voice.

"You fight the same way."

She frowned.

"Was that a compliment?"

"Yes."

He paused briefly before adding with amusement,

"Unfortunately... dancing isn't a duel."

This time, she couldn't suppress a smile.

The music continued flowing around them.

At first, her body stubbornly refused to cooperate.

She stood as stiff as a fence post.

Her shoulders remained locked, her arms couldn't decide whether to follow Saphir or pursue lives of their own, and each foot seemed convinced it had chosen the wrong direction.

The Drakion never commented.

He simply adjusted every movement to hers, slowing almost imperceptibly whenever she hesitated, effortlessly finding the rhythm again the moment her confidence returned.

They started over.

A second time.

Then a third.

And then...

Something changed.

She couldn't have said exactly when.

Perhaps because she'd finally stopped counting the beats.

Or because she'd stopped trying to anticipate every one of his movements.

For the first time...

She simply followed.

She felt.

Her shoulders relaxed.

Her breathing naturally matched the rhythm of the music.

Her steps ceased to be a series of awkwardly executed commands and became one continuous, instinctive motion.

She caught herself...

Actually dancing.

Saphir noticed immediately.

His smile widened, though he wisely chose not to point it out.

He knew that the very second Blanche became self-conscious again, she'd start analyzing everything.

So he simply kept guiding her.

Their footsteps now glided across the wooden floor with surprising fluidity.

The fabric of her dress flowed gracefully with every movement, while the loose strands of fiery red hair escaping her hairstyle swayed gently to the melody.

Blanche had no idea how she looked.

Perhaps her shoulders were still a little too straight.

Perhaps she occasionally forgot to point her toes properly.

Perhaps any professional dancer could have listed a thousand things to correct.

But one thing was certain.

She didn't look ridiculous.

And considering her previous attempts—which had resembled a goblin suffering from severe leg cramps far more than an actual dancer—that alone was an achievement.

A tremendous victory, even.

At last, she looked up at Saphir.

"I think..."

He raised an eyebrow, silently inviting her to continue.

"I think I'm starting to understand."

Her royal Companion tilted his head ever so slightly.

"No."

She blinked.

"No?"

His smile softened into something almost mischievous.

"You're starting to stop trying to understand."

"And that's precisely why you're finally dancing."

Blanche remained silent for several seconds.

Then she laughed.

Of course.

He was right again.

He leaned toward her ear just as the music faded away.

"Your demonic side is graceful, sensual, and alluring. Trust it. Or trust your partner. If he's a good dancer, all you have to do is follow him... just as you would when making love."

Blanche's cheeks instantly flamed at the Drakion's final words.

She wanted to answer.

Probably with a joke.

Or to protest, if only on principle.

With him, she always felt the need to have the last word.

But no sound escaped her lips.