Maya found that her eyes usually retraced its steps back to Leo and Zoe even after she had commanded them to stay where she wanted them to be. They seemed to love watching the couple dance even if it was hurting her. Her heart broke for continuous watching.
“Are you okay?” She heard a voice ask, and turned aside, making sure to keep her face free from unwanted emotions.
A small faux smile plastered on her lips when she saw Freya staring at her with eyes filled with worry. She looked so much like Emma. Maya thought sadly, noting the uncanny resemblance. They could pass for twins. They could be twins. She wasn’t going to rule out that possibility even if the others seem to have. Or was it because of the ongoing party? Perhaps. It was just like her uncle had said. Tonight was for Derek. All other discussions would be shifted till after it.
“Yes, I am okay.” She replied, almost scoffing when she saw the professor, Aiden, standing right behind the girl. Won’t he give her some breathing space? It was not like any werewolf would be brave enough to approach a vampire for a dance, even if, according to her, she was a mixed breed.
Since the party had begun in earnest, he had never left the girl’s side, never allowed her to socialize with the others, except with the other vampire.
And even now that the girl had taken the initiative to speak to her, he had still come with her. Can’t he stay alone?
“Are you sure?” Freya queried, shushing Aiden away through the mindpath for she had seen the look of irritation that had crossed Maya’s face for a second when she had noticed Aiden behind her. The werewolf must be feeling frustrated about something. She concluded. Aiden thought the same too. He actually believed that it was because of a couple dancing, or rather a-girl-coaxing-the-guy-dancing couple; the guy didn’t look like he was enjoying the show. Then why had he agreed?
“Yeah.” Maya replied, relieved when she saw Aiden walking away from them. He was now standing with the other vampire, though his eyes were still on Freya. So possessive! She thought, unlike some idiot she knows. Her eyes strayed at that moment to land on Leo and Zoe again.
“Do you like the guy?” She heard Freya ask, and immediately turned away from the sight to look at her with furrowed eyebrows.
“What guy?” She asked, attempting innocence.
“The guy you were just staring at. Do you like him? Do you guys have any history?” Freya questioned, and Maya mused. The vampire must have caught her staring. But what business is it to her?
“You know, you can just tell me. I might be of help to you.” Freya stated, casting a glimpse at the offending couple, before looking at Maya once again. The latter was staring at her with mixed emotions. She could tell that she was contemplating on whether to trust her with this piece of information or not.
“You can trust me. Don’t worry, I won’t tell my lifemate if you want.” she promised, ignoring Aiden who was already asking what sort of promise that was. Rather, she rebuked him out of her mind, whilst making sure to enact her mind barriers once again. He wouldn’t dare hurt her, by breaking down her defenses for such a simple reason.
“Well…” Maya started, feeling that it was better for her emotional health if she unburdened her feelings to another. She would feel better. She thought, not believing though that the vampire might have a solution to her problem.
And so, she told Freya about the panjyo potion, its effects, and her father’s wickedness. She told her about her connection with Leo, and the fact that he could not recognize her. She also told her that he knows about this, but had chosen to be with Zoe at every point in time, not missing to also tell her about what her brother ad relayed to the boys when they had been in Derek’s room.
“Wow, I see…” Freya said, smiling, even as she threw another glance to the offending couple. Her smile grew wider as she caught Leo staring at Maya. she knew just the right thing to do.
Quickly, she returned her attention back to Maya, who was looking so sullen.
“Cheer up. I have an idea. Do you want to get him back?” She asked, her eyes twinkling with mischievousness. She couldn’t remember when last she had felt this elated talking with another girl.
Maya, sensing Freya’s cheerful spirit, took her lips in, wondering what idea the vampire was talking about.
“What’s the idea about?” She asked, very curious about what the vampire must have thought.
Freya smiled widely, then stepped closer to Maya, before whispering into her ears.
“Do you think it will work?” Maya asked, biting her lips, imagining scenarios upon scenarios on what would happen from that singular action the vampire was suggesting.
“Yeah. I’m sure. I think he likes you too, or rather, feels something for you. He just needs a little push. So, should I go ahead?” Freya asked, waggling her eyebrows, excitement brewing in her veins. She couldn’t wait to see the drama unfold.
“Yeah.” Maya obliged, since she had nothing to lose.
**
Yodah groaned as he heard Freya’s request in his mind.
What the hell was his best friend up to now? She wanted him to dance with the wolf girl?
“What did she ask you to do this time around?” Aiden asked him, amusement dancing in his eyes as he heard the fledgling cuss. He knew that it was the handiwork of his lifemate.
“She wants me to dance with the wolf girl beside her. Seems they are aiming at making someone jealous. Does she think that we are in a highschool prom or what? I’m not a good dancer either. And won’t my dancing with the wolf girl attract unnecessary attention?” He whined, hoping that Aiden would convince Freya out of this mad idea, but the latter just shrugged, not wanting to be on his lifemate’s bad side.
“Whipped.” Yodah muttered, before walking briskly in the direction of Maya and Freya.
“Do this well… though I trust that you can pull this off” He heard Freya say to him, immediately he had gotten to their stop. He heaved in deeply, already plotting ways to get back at his best friend. How could she set him up this way? Although he had to admit that this particular wolf girl was very beautiful upfront. The wolf boy who was the target must be foolish to neglect such a beauty. He thought as he stretched out his hand towards a nervous Maya.
“Can I have this dance milady?” he asked, and she nodded, before placing her hand in his. Soft. he thought. Her hands were soft and smooth. Perhaps, he would enjoy this tirade more than he had envisioned.
**
Letting the male vampire whom she didn’t even know his name lead her to the dance floor, Maya inhaled deeply as she decided to enjoy the moment, just like Freya had suggested. Enjoy, and of course tease Leo. He wouldn’t know what hit him! She thought, referring to Leo.
The vampire was not looking bad either. She thought, as they took a position on the dance floor, and looked up at each other.
“I am Yodah.” He stated, peering deep into her eyes. If she hadn’t known what he was, she would have allowed herself to be mesmerized by his deep enthralling voice. But she knew, and was aware that vampires usually had compelling voices.
“I am Maya.” She replied, catching her breath as she felt him slide his strong hand around her tiny waist.
Was she supposed to be feeling this lightheaded, like she was mini-drugged?
His eyes, a midnight black was staring down at her like she was the only person in the ballroom.
And then a smirk appeared on his face, and the spell was broken. This was his normal self. She thought. Nothing special. That was better. She had a mate to catch.
“You are beautiful.” he drawled, and she almost forgot her preposition to never fall for his deep voice. How the hell were they created? She thought, drinking in the sharp, beautiful countourts of his face.
“Thank you. You are not looking bad either.” She stated, inhaling as he drew her closer to himself. They were dancing now, slowly to the music. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Claire stomp out from the hall, and smiled.
Way to go, Coz. She thought, catching sight of an indifferent Derek who was now talking with Clem and Shane. She furrowed her eyebrows as she caught Penny staring at Clem. Why was the manipulative brat doing that? She wondered, sighing as she heard Yodah’s next statement.
“So, who is the unlucky guy?” he asked.
She turned aside and looked at Leo, turning away sharply when their gazes met-turns out he was also staring at her.
“Oh, I see. He is the one then. What do you think, Maya? Should we heat this up?” Yodah requested, his mischievousness bubbling to the surface. It had been a long time since he had fun like this particular one. He hoped the wolf girl would say yes, so that he would set the fire up.