Having made no female friends at this new pack, I could only rely on mom to do my make-up for me after I had styled my long hair in ringlets. When I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my usually dull brown eyes looked almost like deep molten chocolate.
I was wearing comfortable golden sandals. As per my agreement with mom, I would not be forced into high heels just for a damned irrelevant ball. The dress, though I hated to admit it, was exquisite. The upper half of it looked much like a corset, creme in color, and it had the knack to make my breasts look bigger than they really were. From the waist down to my ankles, the dress flowed into beautiful cascades of gold.
In my opinion, I truly looked seductive. And I couldn’t help but wonder how alpha dearest would react. Just the thought of him drove me wild with need. I was beyond desperate for a touch. It had been too long.
But I shall fight this chemistry I had with the alpha. I was sure I was nothing special to him. I should therefore steer clear of him, lest I ended up with a broken heart.
I had seen the alpha in formal attire a handful of times, but somehow when my eyes found him down in the yard, where the ball was held, he took my breath away.
He looked especially dashing, his black tailored business suit making him hard to miss.
My eyes met his and I saw the desire burning in the depths of his green orbs, making me almost whimper.
Don’t waver, Jade. He’s trouble, I told myself as I flashed him a faint smile and then turned to mingle.
I was virtually forced to seek out either Eli or Tyler, seeing as the female population was not exactly fond of me. I didn’t need to be particularly smart to know that there were many rumors circulating around, regarding me.
No matter the whispers or the hushed giggles, I held my head high and made my way through the masses.
To my relief, I did find Tyler easily. He was talking to a pack warrior I had seen around but never had the chance to interact with.
“Hey Ty,” I greeted him amiably.
“Hey,” he looked at me, a smile gracing his face, “You look stunning tonight.”
I smiled even as an unvoluntary blush made its way on my face. “Thank you. You clean up good as well.”
“I honestly hate these functions,” he said in a strained voice.
“I hear you,” I giggled.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend, Tyler?” The twenty-looking warrior exclaimed in a mock hurt tone.
Tyler merely rolled his eyes before saying, “Jade, meet Parker. Parker, Jade.”
“Oh the Jade?” Parker let out in an astonished tone as his eyes bulged. “No wonder the alpha took a fancy to her. She’s a looker.”
Although the remark was muttered, we could hear him loud and clear. And I honestly didn’t like being talked about as if I wasn’t there.
“Parker,” Tyler let out in a warning tone.
“Shoot! Sorry. I was merely thinking out loud.” Parker sported a sheepish look on his face, and I believed him for he did sound apologetic.
“It’s okay,” I said with a tight smile.
We were discussing the peace among the packs when the music started.
“To further apologize, Jade, let me have this dance,” Parker offered amiably. “I’m a good dancer if I say so myself.”
Tyler just rolled his eyes at him. Apparently, Parker was a womanizer, and this was not an unusual occurrence.
I followed him to the makeshift dancefloor and we began to dance. Two songs later, and I had relaxed enough in his presence, and started to enjoy myself.
The third song was about to end, and I was about to excuse myself, when I felt him before I saw him Alex.
“A dance, Jade?” His deep voice made me flustered at once.
No matter how much I wanted to escape his presence, I couldn’t make a scene and deny the alpha a dance.
“Sure,” I said as I plastered on a fake smile.
To my utter and complete mortification, the song wasn’t upbeat like the first ones. And that meant we were going to dance in an intimate manner, and I would have Alex’s hand on my waist. Seeing as even the slightest touch from the man drove me crazy, I could only hope I would not make a fool of myself.
As we started dancing, I could feel many eyes boring into us, and didn’t dare to bring my body too close to his. 30 seconds into the song, and he smushed our bodies together. I gasped and looked up into his face, ready to protest and voice out my concerns, when he said darkly, “Don’t you dare move, Jade. I am barely keeping myself together. You don’t know how close I am to losing it and taking you right here, right now.”
His words made me throb and I could only thank the heavens that we were in the open, thus making my arousal less prominent.
I worried my bottom lip and then dampened my lips before asking meekly, “What’s wrong?”
“You waltzed in here, dressed to seduce, and your focus was not on me. Should I say more?”
“AAlex,” I breathed out his name, stuttering in the process for his words affected me in ways that should be illegal.
“What?” He challenged darkly. “How many times will I have to tell you that I don’t fucking share? Or are you looking forward to another punishment, love?”
I bit my bottom lip again and then told him pleadingly, “Alex, please…”
“Please what?” He chuckled humorlessly. “You can’t even claim that Parker is your friend since this is the first time you have interacted. Why should I sit by and watch as he lusts after what’s mine?”
I whimpered in response but didn’t dare to say anything.
Alex was furious with me. I could feel his anger crashing into me in waves.
We danced to two more songs before I told him feebly that I was tired.
He nodded curtly at me and was just about to escort me out of the dancefloor when Myra appeared. “Care for a less clingy dance partner, Xander?”
I opened my mouth to fire back a retort at the spiteful barely clad she-wolf, but Alex beat me to it. “A, I like my clingy partner very much. B, didn’t I already tell you to call me alpha? Are you challenging me?”
She was taken aback and was left at a loss for words.
Alex merely linked our arms together and then led me out of the dancefloor and to the sidelines where other alphas and their mates were loitering around.
Needless to say that although I felt awkward under the scrutiny, I didn’t dare to voice out my protests. I remained mostly silent by his side until the ball came to an end.
No matter how desperate I was to try to make a hasty retreat, I couldn’t, seeing as I had not been excused, and I wasn’t optimistic enough to think I would be easily.
I spaced out until only he and I were left in the yard.
“Alex,” I began when I noticed that everyone had left.
“Shh,” he let out softly, before his deep green eyes bore into mine. “Did you even think of me when you picked this provocative dress?”
“There were many she-wolves who were dressed scantily tonight…”
My protest died on my lips when he glared at me. “And I should care about them because?”
“Alex…” I began again, only for him to put a finger on my lips, thus effectively shushing me again.
“Don’t you realize that the moment you walked in here, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. And then I saw you smile at him, and then even dance with him… am I a joke to you, Jade?”
How did it escalate to this? I thought to myself as my eyes began to sting with unshed tears for some reason that was beyond me.
“I believe I promised to take you over my knee, and give you the spanking of a lifetime if you were to act so cozy with another man, didn’t I?”
The man had good memory and was only taunting me, I knew that.
He made me look into his eyes which softened upon seeing the tears in mine apparently.
“Why are you crying?” He asked on a sigh.
“I didn’t mean to upset you so much,” I told him, choking on the words. “I mean I know you said you didn’t share but that was only passion talk as far as I am concerned.”
“Passion talk, Jade? You think you’re so smart, huh?” He raised an eyebrow at me, and I shook my head negatively as I felt like I had angered him some more. “I never cared who my hook-ups did in their spare time, never mind what they dressed like…” he trailed off, letting his words sink in.
“I…”
“Think wisely before you speak, love. My patience is running thin.”
“I’m sorry,” I hiccupped before carrying on, “I was just so upset by what Myra said earlier. And knowing that this affair we have isn’t going to last, I wanted to distance myself from you, in an attempt to shield my heart. You might not feel anything more than lust for me, but I am falling for you, Alex…”
“And I for you, Jade,” he told me in a dark whisper. He didn’t give me the time to digest his words, his unexpected confession before adding, “Now, enough nonsense and enough crying. Follow me.”