Chapter 127 The Mate Dance

Chapter 127 The Mate Dance
Logan POV.

Thirty-two days until Viktor arrives. The pack celebrates tonight. One last moment of joy before the final countdown begins. And tradition demands the Alpha and Luna perform the mate dance.

The great hall blazes with light. Torches line every wall. Their flames reflect off polished stone. Cast dancing shadows. The air is thick with the smell of roasted meat. Fresh bread. Spilled mead.

Long tables groan under the weight of food. Whole boars turning on spits. Platters of vegetables from our winter stores. Barrels of mead and wine that flow freely.

The entire pack has assembled. Warriors still bearing bruises from brutal training sessions. Families with children running between tables. Shrieking with laughter. Elders sitting in positions of honor. Even Kane and a delegation of his rogues. Here to coordinate final battle plans.

I sit at the high table with Rune. Watching our pack celebrate. She's stunning tonight. Silver hair loose around her shoulders. Wearing a deep blue dress that clings to her curves.

"They're happy." Rune observes. Watches a group of young warriors laughing over their mead.

"They're determined. Happy to be alive. Determined to stay that way."

Cassandra approaches with Garrick at her side. As usual since their public kiss during training. They've been inseparable.

"The Elders request the traditional mate dance." Cassandra announces. Though her eyes sparkle.

Rune looks at me. "What dance?"

"Ancient ceremony. Celebrating the mate bond. Displaying the Alpha and Luna's connection to the pack."

"I don't know how to—"

"Just follow me. Trust me."

She takes my hand. I pull her to standing.

The hall quiets immediately as I lead Rune to the center of the cleared space. Musicians position themselves. Five drummers with large ceremonial drums. And a flute player.

An Elder Delta—Mara—stands to explain.

"The mate dance is sacred tradition. Celebrating not just political alliance, but physical bond. The connection that makes mates whole. The Alpha and Luna honor us by displaying their union."

The drums begin. Slow. Deep rhythm that echoes a heartbeat. Primal.

I pull Rune close. One hand on her waist. The other holding hers. "Follow my lead. Don't think. Just feel."

"Logan, I really don't—"

"Trust me."

The dance is ancient. Choreographed intimacy. Explicitly celebrating the physical aspect of mate bonds.

I lead Rune through the opening steps. Circling each other. Bodies close but not touching yet. Predator and prey. Hunter and hunted.

She follows my movements. Her dress swirls around her legs. I catch glimpses of smooth skin.

Then the rhythm changes. Drums faster. More insistent.

I pull her flush against me.

She gasps as our bodies align. I feel every curve of her through the thin dress. She feels exactly how hard I already am. Pressed against her stomach.

"Oh." She breathes. "This kind of dance."

"This kind."

The dance requires close contact now. Specific movements.

My hands grip her hips. Guide her into slow, grinding rhythm against me. Her body follows instinctively. Hips roll in time with the drums.

We're basically fucking with clothes on. In front of the entire pack.

"Everyone's watching." She whispers. Face flushed.

"Let them watch. Let them see how much I want you."

I spin her. Then pull her back against my chest. The position puts her ass directly against my cock. I feel her breath catch. Hear her quiet moan.

My hands slide up her sides. Across her ribs. Stop just below her breasts. The dress is thin enough I can feel her hardened nipples through the fabric.

"Logan." She gasps.

The drums pulse faster. The dance demands we move together. Her hips rock back against me. My hands guide her movements. Both of us grinding in rhythm that leaves nothing to imagination.

I can hear her breathing getting ragged.

"You're going to pay for this." I promise. One hand slides down to her thigh. Grips just below the curve of her ass.

"Counting on it." She gasps back.

The music builds to crescendo. The final movement approaches.

I spin Rune to face me. Then dip her back dramatically. Her back arches. Head falls back. Exposes the long line of her throat. Our bodies align perfectly. My hips between her spread thighs. Her dress rides up. Leaving very little between us.

I hold her there. Suspended. Vulnerable. Absolutely trusting me.

Her eyes lock on mine. Both of us breathing hard. The position is obscene. Suggestive. Deliberately provocative.

"Now." She whispers. Meant only for me. "Need you now."

"Soon."

The pack erupts in cheers and applause.

I pull Rune upright. Steady her. We're both trembling with barely restrained desire. My control is a thread away from snapping.

"We need to leave."

"Now. Right now."