CHAPTER FIVE: THE DANCE
Back in the past…
Well, aren’t we looking extra spiffy, Attorney Ma’Heron Denar? You put extra effort into looking good; it seems. Is it possible you’re planning to break a few hearts tonight? Oh, yes, I forgot. You already have a mate!
M huffed in irritation. His wolf was extra talkative that night, and he knew exactly why. Lyon can be quite expressive when excited, and he hated the fact that his wolf was like this because he knew they would be seeing their mate again.
And he hated it even more that he was feeling the same.
Lyon, will you please get a hold of yourself? We are in the middle of a mission and your emotions are compromising my own. I need to focus on my tasks and if you won’t be of any help, the least you can do is practice a little self-control so we don’t get exposed in the middle of enemy territory even before the show begins!
Dressed in his favorite Kiton tuxedo, personalized to fit his broad and muscular physique, with his black, shiny, wavy hair brushed back from his face and settling beyond his collar, he was quite a sight to behold. The way he carried himself, and the aura of confidence he exuded, added motivation for many of the chic and elegant attendees to give him more attention than he cared to get.
*Quite a large ballroom for a packhouse this size, which is a third the size of ours. One would notice the luxury and costly furnishings and fittings of this space, compared to the very basic housing that I’ve seen while still outside. *
Besides, Ma’Heron was the kind of male specimen that could be completely naked while covered in mud and grime and people would still salivate over him. Good luck with trying to blend in…
My research about the pack already hinted that they prioritized public impression over the welfare and needs of their pack members, but these obvious indications more than prove that. Knowing how economically unstable the Dark Forest pack is, I don’t think it would be an advantageous unification for either pack.
But at this point, after checking if the people who mattered were already on site, he was more intent on finding his mate among the crowd instead of blending in.
There are the elders, huddled together around one of the smaller tables, which is possibly reserved for them. Hmmm… Stephen, Jenna, Marco, Demian, and Melo. Six elders from out of the twenty have accepted the invitation to this event. Still a good number so this occasion is truly special then. Alright, that part of the plan is a positive. But where the heck is she?
He didn’t like some of the instructions that the “pole dancer” gave him, and, because he was unable to clarify those points beforehand - he didn’t know where and how to contact her - he wanted to have a last-minute discussion in the hopes of making changes to what he believed was a flawed plan.
*She made me attend this function, but she herself is not here? What kind of damned irresponsible, unreliable, and disappointing individual am I dealing with? So much for the concept of ‘forever’ with mates! If this is how she really is, I might as well leave and reject her while I’m ahead! *
*Now, now Attorney… This is so unlike you… again. What were her instructions? And why are you so upset about it? *
Look, if you want specifics, Lyon... she never clarified what I’m supposed to use as a reason. And it would need to be strong enough for me to convince the elders to break up this engagement!
She did, right? It was in the printed document. That this wedding doesn’t need to happen, especially since the Alpha’s daughter was coerced to accept the engagement. That the packs can still merge via a challenge, even by proxy. And since the elders are here, this would be the perfect time to make them aware of this.
*Also, the way she words her “instructions” sounds as if I’m her personal assistant. Does she even realize who I am? *
I’m sure she does. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be looking for an authority on both wolf and human law to represent her tonight. Besides, I didn’t ask what part of the instructions hurt your ego…
Lyon, If you’re just going to make fun of me, I’ll ignore you for the rest of the night. And I will still insist on talking to her before I follow any of her instructions. Either that or I abort this mission.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome to our celebration, our beloved and respected Alpha, Abner de Jaager, and his guest of honor, Doctor Alexia Van der Meer! Crescent Moon Pack salutes you both!”
Ma’Heron paused at his sixth full glass of fine and potent wolf wine to look up to the well-known TV show host - he’s not publicly known as a werewolf - who had just made the announcement and was standing at the top of the winding staircase of the ballroom. And within a few more seconds, his irritated and impatient facial expression was slowly replaced with a surprised and shocked one.
The Gamma had now realized that his mate was no “stripper” …
The couple was standing at the top of the stairs for the whole party to see. She was wearing a silky white dress, gripping her curvaceous body like a tight glove, hugging her large breasts and buxom hips. The plunging neckline that squeezed her deep, rounded cleavage to an inch of its life showed off her tanned skin to perfection along with the sparkling diamonds around her neck, and wrist, hanging from her ears and pinned into her thick wavy midnight black hair.
Her face, though truly beautiful with its nude-styled make-up; was expressionless with no smile even in her eyes, and yet Ma’Heron was frozen in place thoroughly enchanted. For almost a minute he was just staring speechless, his mouth open, at possibly the most beautiful female he had ever laid eyes on.
She practically was the only woman - no, person - that he was seeing right then and there. The applauding crowd simply disappeared from his sight while the man beside his mate no longer existed to him.
In his mind, only she was there with him in that huge ballroom.
Then suddenly, his gaze landed on the tall, pale man beside her, dressed in a more classic-styled tuxedo, complete with ruffled sleeves and shirtfront, and he felt anger rise from his chest. This unfamiliar fury was another emotion he couldn’t explain, so he automatically reasoned out against it…
And blamed the one person who brought him there.
*How dare you hide the truth from me, woman? What kind of game are you playing and how big an idiot do you take me for?! *
Alexia saw him from the top of the stairway as he broke their eye contact and walked to a side table filled with bottles of wine, brandies, whiskeys, and other alcoholic drinks. She couldn’t help but continue to stare at her mate as he was dressed to the nines and looked so handsome even from a distance.
He’s truly magnificent. Dear goddess, he’s such a beautiful man even with that furious and infuriating expression on his face. And yes, I can imagine he must be angry right now at feeling ‘betrayed’ and ‘lied to’ but sorry, not sorry, dearest mate. You didn’t deserve to be told everything after you judged me so harshly at the club.
The Alpha’s daughter shook her head as she watched him walk towards the nearest bottle of wolf wine he could find and drink it straight up, not caring for proper etiquette anymore. It took him around a quarter of a minute to demolish it before he picked up another bottle.
Yes, he is pissed. But he is known for keeping his emotions in control. How come he’s not able to do that now?
“Shall we descend, dearest wife?” asked a hated voice beside her.
“Until we are actually publicly married, you are not allowed to call me that, Abner,” the Alpha’s daughter hissed back in reply, removing her elbow from his grasp.
“Beloved, then?” he sneered as they slowly went down the stairs.
“That is what my father called my mother because they were mates. Since we are not any such thing and cannot be so, you will never use that term of endearment on me.”
“Oh Alexia, you can never tell me what I can and cannot do with you when we are finally married.”
Abner’s ominous reply brought loathsome chills through Alex, but she kept her blank expression, denying him any kind of satisfaction. Her tone remained flat as she spoke to him as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
“Well, since you planned that right after I accepted your engagement proposal, I should be married to you immediately, Abner, I demand to be given the freedom to mingle and dance with the guests before you make the announcement.”
*Ahahahaha! Oh, goddess, help me, I just can’t stop laughing! Ahahahahahaha!!! *
Shut up, Lyon! You are not helping!
I told you I’m not helping you with this. Especially since you are angry at our mate for hiding her true identity from you. I mean really, Ma’Heron? Why on earth should you be furious at her now?
She betrayed my trust! Why did she hide this from me? That she’s actually THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER who I’m supposed to rescue? And she asks me to speak on her behalf as a lawyer? As the representative of my pack? Why didn’t she just ask me as her fucking mate?
*Whoa, whoa… easy on the drinks M! You’re already getting drunk, and so am I. What is going on with you? Are you really that affected by her hiding the truth from you? *
SHE LIED TO ME!
*And that’s supposed to make you angry? You’ve been lied to before, by clients, fellow lawyers, even pack members, and you’re never this affected. Or is it because it was she who lied to you and that’s why you’re overreacting now? *
I’M. NOT. OVERREACTING!
“Hello, may I have this dance?”
The half-drunk and still livid Gamma twirled around at the sound of a female voice behind him. Yes, he did it eagerly but then he remembered that he was supposed to be angry with her so he kept his surly and suspicious expression on his face as he walked towards her with almost unsteady but overly controlled steps.
“A dance? Like the song and dance, you gave me just so I agree to what you wanted? Is that what you mean?”
“Please put the bottle away. I really do want you to be sober when we do this mission.”
\
“Mission? I think I misunderstood. A mission usually requires the participants to know all pertinent details of the said arrangements before they accept. Or you haven’t watched Mission Impossible yet? Perhaps that’s how your pack views missions?” slurred M as he now found himself inches away from the woman.
He towered over her and he realized that the top of her head reached only up to his jaw and without her heels, she would probably be only up to his shoulder. However, the height difference didn’t seem to matter to her as she looked up to him with an expression that made him feel she was as tall as he…
Meanwhile, her voice’s tone made him feel smaller than her, and it infuriated him even more.
“Attorney Denar, I don’t understand… What the hell are you doing?” she asked in a whisper as he plopped the already emptied wine bottle - his third - on the nearest table, startling the few guests sitting there.
“I’m following orders; since it seems that is all I am good for when it comes to you. A pawn that’s required to follow your instructions, right? Well then, let’s start with your request now…”
Ma’Heron’s arms swiftly moved to grab hold of her right hand and waist, then expertly swayed in time to the slow tango that was now being played by the string quartet and pianist who were nestled in one corner of the large venue. He felt her squirm a bit as he pulled her to him, her soft, curvy body pressing tight against his hard brawny torso. And that’s when he realized how much she can really affect him…
So soft… so smooth… so fragrant…
Which made him even angrier with himself… and with her…
“So, I guess you’re so used to people following your orders just because you’re the Alpha’s daughter, right Alexia? That is your name right, which is another thing you kept from me,” he gritted as he moved her towards the open space of the ballroom that’s meant for dancing.
“I can hear the fury in your voice, Denar, and I don’t understand how you can be so angry at me for keeping my secret for later. You were going to learn on your own eventually when you do speak out for me.”
He steeled himself against the emotional and physical rush that he felt as his left hand landed on the bare skin of her back, realizing too late that her dress had a backless design. Meanwhile, his other hand couldn’t help but feel out how soft her palm was and how her dainty fingers seemed to fit so well into his long shapely ones. And her scent…
“Well, that is my problem. I didn’t know that my mate and the bride-to-be were the same person, and I’m offended that you kept that from me. Not telling your lawyer any essential details about the case can cause an unsatisfactory outcome!”
“And what would be telling you about my true identity benefit you or me? Would you have believed me if I had introduced myself as the Alpha’s daughter? You didn’t even believe me when I told you I’m a psychiatrist!”
“Well, you were the one who started to dance in a skimpy outfit in front of all those leering men at the bar! How on earth was I supposed to have a good impression of you when you do that?” he snarled as he executed a perfect back Corte with her supple body leaning into his, realizing too late - again - that their midsections and groin were now pressed tightly against each other.
Ma’Heron swallowed hard as his already pulsing manhood pressed painfully into his pants. Meanwhile, the woman, who was also expertly following his lead; could hardly hide the fury in her blue-violet eyes, especially since she felt his arousal through her dress.
“Keep your voice down! Nobody here knows about that. This is exactly why I asked you to meet me there! Because I’m assured that none of my father’s people or Abner’s pack would be there, so we could talk without fear of being seen! Now stop this! You’re acting like a reckless drunk instead of the logical lawyer that you’re reputed to be!”
“You are too quick to judge me!”
“Says the man who saw only a stripper on stage when I finally showed my face to him, completely forgetting that I kicked his ass when we first met!”
“And you still talk to me as if I’m an underling,” he snapped at her, as he expertly twirled her around.
“Just because I’m angry at what you’re doing doesn’t mean I’m belittling you! That’s all in your head! And you’re basing it on your impression of me instead of finally realizing that you shouldn’t be judging people based only on your perceived ideas!” she snapped back in the middle of a perfect set of
Boleo moves, showing him how good a dancer she was.
He pressed into her even more as he felt her long scarlet fingernails now painfully digging into his hand, “And you don’t do that yourself? Oh, I’M SORRY, I completely forgot. It’s a therapist’s job TO DO THAT, RIGHT?”
“Thank you for FINALLY giving credit to my career choice! I was thinking you would need ANOTHER SLAP to get you to realize how much of a PROUD AND NARROW-MINDED ASS you are! DO YOU WANT ONE NOW?!”
*I would… *
SHUT UP, LYON!
I think you should be saying that to yourself, Ma’Heron…
As usual, his wolf was right since M had been noticing nearby dancers already looking at them with either curiosity or concern. Some even had a mix of both. But he just can’t help himself anymore as the threat of being publicly humiliated with another slap bore through his now fragile ego and his wine-addled brain.
“THAT’S IT! I’ve had ENOUGH of you BOSSING ME AROUND! We are doing things MY WAY FROM HERE ON AFTER!” Ma’Heron bellowed as he dragged her with him while stomping towards the elders’ table.
“WHAT? WAIT! STOP! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!” the livid doctor screamed while almost toppling into M since it was hard to keep up with him with her slinky dress and five-inch-high heels.
The six elders and the two Alphas’ discussion was cut short by the commotion and were now staring in disbelief at this tall, good-looking, and broad-shouldered god of a man bounding towards them with a dark and almost dangerous expression, and with the bride-to-be in tow.
“What is the meaning of this Alexia? Who is this man?” smoothly asked Alpha Abner as he stood up to face the approaching lawyer who stopped a couple of feet in front of him.
M moved Alexia to his side and pulled himself up, as straight and proud as any half-drunk Gamma can muster…
“I am Atty, Ma’Heron Denar, Gamma of the Silvercrest Pack and I am CHALLENGING you, Alpha Abner, for this woman! She is MY MATE and you have NO RIGHT TO MARRY HER!”