CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I cleared my throat when I got to him, my eyes wide with tension.
His eyes widened as he turned, mouth agape as he took in my look.
“You look breathtaking,” he whispered in awe but he suddenly locked his emotions, his face going back to a neutral look. Then he stretched out his hand for me to take.
With a deep sigh, I merged my hand with his and we walked out.
‘I didn't care anyway,’ I told myself. After tonight, none of them would matter.
During the walk to the pack hall, he was being the perfect gentleman even though he was also trying to be unaffected.
“If the heels are hurting, I can carry you?” He asked, his face filled with concern.
“Don't worry, I just didn't notice the stone, that's why I stumbled. But I'm fine.”
He nodded and we continued till we got to the pack hall. I could already hear the music and I realized I'd never really keyed into werewolf music before now. It was a strong mix of bass and the sonorous voice of a female singer.
The doors opened, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. The hall glittered like a dream. Garlands of ivy and golden ribbons spiraled down from the high beams, their edges catching the light of the chandeliers.
But then I looked up and my face fell. All around were banners and paper rolls of drawings of the former Alpha trampling on my father.
“Don't look at it,” I heard Darius's voice but it sounded so far away, “Iris!” He snapped, and I finally got out of the funk I slipped into, “focus on me.”
I nodded, reminding myself that it all ended tonight.
The ushers guided us through the crowd, every eye seemed to follow us, but I couldn't give a damn. They were all gathered here, celebrating the demise of my entire Pack as though it was a good thing. I owed them nothing but pain.
When we finally sat down, Darius brought out his pocket towel and before I could ask why, he dabbed my cheeks. That's when I realized I'd been crying.
So I shook off the feeling and masked my feelings, looking up instead. I looked at the clear division between the white wolves and the rest.
Their tattoos were proudly displayed on their chests, their ego damning the concept of a shirt.
Everyone else either showed their arm and neck or clothes covered it. But it was clear who ruled the werewolf world from the sitting arrangement alone.
I burned with rage at the realization that they'd nearly eradicated all dark wolves as though we weren't part of the goddess's creation. They pedalled lies about us, wrapped our strong powers in tales of dark magic and rallied everyone into hating us.
I rested my head on Darius's shoulder, not because the mate bond was filling my body with ideas (arguably) but because I needed to hide my face. I couldn't risk someone seeing my feelings etched on my face by mistake, it would ruin certain things afterall.
As the party flared on, dancers spun in pairs across the floor, their skirts flared outward as they spun, their boots struck in rhythm with the music. Beyond them, a troupe in painted masks leapt and tumbled, earning shouts of cheer from the crowd.
It reminded me of the stories I’d once overheard from the humans. The harvest festivals in the old kingdoms, where wine flowed like rivers and every man, woman, and child forgot their burdens for a night.
Soon, couples started coming out, dancing at the center of the hall.
“Dance with me,” he whispered, making me realize our hands were still intertwined from the beginning.
I hesitated, my pulse stumbling at the quiet weight in his voice.
“Are you sure? People could –”
“I don't want to think about what the people will say, I think we deserve one night where we forget what is ahead of us and just… exist. So please, dance with me.”
I didn't overthink it, besides he had a point. ‘What's the worst that could happen?’ I thought as I stood up with my hand in his.
The music wrapped around our body, a slow, sensual beat, tempting my senses and whispering sweet promises into my head. Begging me to let go, to accept the wishes of the moon. And even though I was surrounded by my enemies, I gave in. I relaxed. I danced with my fated mate.
His palm settled at my waist, steady and possessive, and the warmth of his touch bled straight through the fabric of my dress.
I hated how much I noticed it. How much I loved it. How much I wanted more.
I hated how his scent coiled around me until I wanted to lean closer, to rest my head against his chest just to see if the world would feel steadier there.
He moved with a surprising grace, every step measured, as though he’d been born to command even the rhythm of music.
He bent closer, murmuring low, “You're a natural. Graceful,” he complimented me.
I let his words wash over me, letting the music sweep through me as we moved together across the floor. I didn’t notice the hours or the world passing. I was lost in the rhythm, in the warmth of his hand against mine, in the way he guided me with steady ease.
When the music finally ended, it felt as if the spell broke too quickly. The crowd erupted in cheers, clapping and stamping, and I realized we had danced through the entire song without thinking.
I lowered my gaze, only to meet the sharp, narrowed eyes of a woman. Her lips were pressed tight, and her glare was fixed squarely on Darius. Jealousy clung to her, obvious in the tilt of her chin and the way her hands fisted the edge of her chair.
Before I could dwell on her, the presenter’s voice boomed over the hall. “Let’s welcome the Alpha and his future Luna!!”
Every head turned toward the dais. The clamor quieted, and all eyes followed the announcement.
I looked at the woman Mia, and I quickly looked away as jealousy wrapped its vice grip around me. I refused to let it have its way, he's the loser here not me.
With that thought, I looked back again and this time, our eyes met.
While mine held a knowing smirk, he was filled with the intense cloud of jealousy.
“First mission accomplished.”