Chapter 4 – I Need You!

Elara

His hand waited in front of me, strong and inviting. My heart pounded so hard I was sure everyone could hear it. Me, dance with the Alpha's son? The same man who'd saved me twice tonight?

"Yes," I whispered, placing my trembling hand in his.

The moment our skin touched, a spark seemed to run through my entire body. His large hand wrapped around mine so gently, like I was something precious. Those amber eyes held mine as he led me back into the grand ballroom.

The other girls stared and whispered as we passed. I caught fragments of their words - "wolfless", "nobody", "how dare she." But for once, their cruel words couldn't touch me. Not with Blayze's warm hand holding mine.

The ballroom took my breath away all over again. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting rainbow lights across the marble floor. The orchestra played a soft, romantic melody that made my heart flutter.

"I should warn you," I said nervously as Blayze turned to face me, "I'm not very good at dancing."

A small smile touched his lips. "Just follow my lead."

His hand settled on my waist, careful to avoid my injured arm. My good hand rested on his shoulder, feeling the solid muscle beneath his shirt. He held me at a proper distance, but even this close contact made my skin tingle.

We started moving, and I quickly discovered that Blayze danced like he fought - with perfect grace and control. He guided me so smoothly that my lack of experience hardly mattered.

"You're doing fine," he murmured, seeing my worried expression.

"Easy for you to say," I replied. "You probably learned to dance before you could walk."

He actually chuckled at that, the sound rich and warm. "Something like that. Though I prefer fighting to dancing usually."

"I noticed." I glanced at my bandaged arm. "Thank you, by the way. For saving me from the dire wolf in the woods."

His expression darkened slightly. "I should have made sure you got home safely. When I saw you here..." He trailed off, jaw tightening.

"You tried to send me away," I finished for him.

"To protect you." His grip on my waist tightened fractionally. "But you seem determined to throw yourself into danger."

I lifted my chin. "I'm stronger than I look."

"Yes," he agreed softly. "You are."

The music swelled around us as we turned. I was lost in his eyes, in the way he held me like I might break but looked at me like I was unbreakable. For the first time in years, I felt... seen.

Too soon, the song ended. But Blayze didn't let go of my hand.

The Alpha King's voice rang out across the ballroom. "The time has come! The Goddess will now choose mates among those gathered here!"

My stomach clenched with nerves. This was it - the real reason for the ball. Everyone knew the Goddess blessed true mates with a magical glow when they touched. I'd dreamed of this moment, even though I never truly believed I'd be here.

One by one, unmated wolves approached each other. Some pairs glowed with the blessed light, their joy lighting up the room. Others moved on, disappointed but hopeful.

Then it was Blayze's turn. Everyone held their breath as the most eligible females lined up to touch his hand. But pair after pair, nothing happened. No glow, no blessing.

I watched from the side, my heart aching strangely. Beautiful, powerful she-wolves offered to dance with him after each failed matching. But Blayze declined them all.

"I'll only dance with her," he said firmly, looking straight at me.

Gasps and jealous murmurs filled the air. The Alpha King raised his eyebrows but didn't object as Blayze walked back to me.

"Your arm needs proper treatment," he said quietly. "Come with me?"

I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. He led me away from the whispers and stares, through quiet corridors until we reached what looked like a private study.

"Sit," he ordered gently, gathering medical supplies.

I perched on a soft leather chair, watching as he carefully unwrapped my makeshift bandage. His touch was so tender it made my eyes sting with tears.

"I'm sorry," he said suddenly.

"For what?"

"For how I treated you in the woods. And tonight." He cleaned my wound with careful movements. "I never thought you're invited to the ball. I just saw you in danger and..."

"Tried to protect me?" I finished. A small laugh escaped me. "I should be thanking you. You saved my life twice tonight."

"And you risked yours to save mine." His eyes met mine, full of emotion. "No one's ever done that before."

The air between us felt charged, like during the thunderstorms I used to watch from my window. Blayze's hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear I hadn't realized had fallen.

"Everyone was so disappointed," I whispered. "That the Goddess didn't choose your mate."

"Were you?"

"I..." My voice faltered as he leaned closer.

"Because I'm not," he murmured.

His lips met mine, soft and sweet and perfect. My good hand curled into his shirt, pulling him closer. His kiss was gentle but held a hint of the power I'd seen when he fought - carefully controlled passion that made me dizzy.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard. His forehead rested against mine, his amber eyes dark with emotion.

"I don't need the Goddess to tell me what I feel," he whispered.

"But I'm wolfless," I had to say it, even though it broke my heart. "I'm nobody."

"You're the bravest person I've ever met." His hands framed my face. "You fought a dire wolf for me. You stood up to my father. You've survived years of cruelty without letting it break you. That's not nobody, Elara. That's everything."

Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks, but these were different from any I'd cried before. These were tears of joy, of hope, of finally being valued for who I was.

Blayze kissed me again, and I melted into him. Maybe we didn't have the Goddess's blessing yet. Maybe the whole pack would oppose us. But in this moment, with his arms around me and his heart beating against mine, none of that mattered.

For the first time in my life, I was exactly where I belonged.

When we broke apart from the kiss, I noticed something was wrong. Blayze's skin felt too hot against mine, and sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cool evening air.

"Are you alright?" I touched his cheek, alarmed by the burning heat. "You're burning up."

He blinked, seeming confused. "I don't..." His hand shook as he loosened his collar. "Must have been something in my drink."

"We should get help," I said, starting to rise. But his grip on my hand tightened.

"No," he growled softly. His amber eyes had turned dark, almost black. "Just... stay. Please."

A shiver ran down my spine - not from fear, but from the intensity in his gaze. "Blayze, something's wrong. You're not yourself."

He pressed his forehead against mine, breathing heavily. "I don't know what's happening," he whispered. "I just know I need you. Only you."

My heart raced. This wasn't natural - the heat radiating from his skin, the trembling in his powerful hands, the desperate edge to his voice. Someone must have slipped something into his drink at the ba

ll.

But who would dare drug the Alpha's son?

And more importantly... what would it do to him? Can I really help him?