AZURA
A short while later, we have finished eating, and I am sipping on sparkling grape juice as I look around, watching everyone. Renji is on the dance floor with Katara, who is smiling as he spins her around and tosses her up before catching her.
“Want to join us?” He offers Alessandra, who is standing against a pillar. She frowns and shakes her head.
“No thanks.” Ah, moody little mini-Al. I smile when Asher, who is busy talking to Carter and Ares, bumps into her. Oh, he’s screwed.
“Sorry,” he says, turning and giving her a smile. She glares venomously at him.
“Watch it.” She stalks off, muttering something about hating people, and I chuckle.
Alejandro’s eyes are on the poor Nicholson boy, who watches Alessandra walk off apologetically. Damon blocks Alejandro’s line of vision as he engages him smoothly in conversation. I smirk, and Leo glances at me, cocking a brow.
“What’s so funny?” He asks, his knuckles running up and down my upper back.
“Kids,” I say, leaning over and kissing him softly.
“Will always be kids,” he finishes, smirking as he looks over at Ahren, Jayce, and Theo, who are busy over some hand-held game. Well, Jayce is just sitting there, hands in his pockets, watching the other two.
Heaven is dancing rather impressively on the dance floor, whilst Sienna is sitting to the side, her legs crossed gracefully, a thoughtful pout on her face as her long curls tumble over her shoulder. She is a beauty, just like her mama. One of the quintuplets glances up, his gaze falling on her, and his eyes snap back to her, skimming over her before he looks away. I smirk as I look at Leo, who doesn’t look impressed, watching my nephew. Seems like he’s already getting protective of his niece.
Boys… he says, and I chuckle.
Yeah… Goddess, I want to tease him right now. Leo smirks.
I’ve learned not to assume shit anymore. The Goddess works in fucking strange ways, he says, tugging me close, his lips grazing against mine.
Mm, she does… but most of her decisions are perfect, I agree, glancing back at Sienna. I know it’s crazy, but hey, imagine for once if it’s a Rossi female mated to a Westwood boy…
Sienna looks up as if sensing me watching her and smiles before Heaven forcefully pulls her onto the dance floor.
“You two really need to go have your first dance,” Song urges us. Atlas, who is sitting beside her, smiles and nods.
“I agree. Only then can anyone else dance,” Skyla remarks, smirking at Song, who gives her the eyes. What am I missing? I look at them suspiciously. I have to admit, I was far too lost in Leo to notice anything else.
“I don’t think that’s the case, considering the dance floor is full,” Leo remarks, glancing at the open floor in the middle, where lots of the kids are dancing.
“Just go dance,” Kiara says, leaning over from the other side of Alejandro.
“Or does the fucker not know how?” Alejandro asks mockingly. Dante tilts his head.
“I’m tempted to say Dad and Leo should have a dance-off,” he murmurs, making Damon chuckle.
“Tango, maybe?” He says, earning a look from Robyn as Liam smirks.
“Imagine Alejandro doing the tango.”
“How about you two fuckers do the tango?” Alejandro shoots back.
“Dante started this,” Skyla adds, glancing at the man who is now sitting innocently.
“Me?” He asks innocently, making the woman shake their heads, and Dad smirks.
“Let’s not pit the two against one another,” he adds.
“Yeah, I think the only one who can fucking dance is that fucker.” Alejandro jerks his head towards Rayhan, who has his arm around Delsanra.
“No harm in knowing,” Rayhan replies with a smirk.
“Doesn’t make one any less, baby,” Kiara whispers, kissing Alejandro. Maria smiles.
“Ahren and Sienna also follow in his footsteps, and Sienna’s voice…” She looks over at her granddaughter, who tries to sneak away from Heaven once again.
“I still wouldn’t mind a standoff. How about Leo versus Rayhan, and we can bet? I bet my money on Rayhan,” Skyla suggests.
“And what do you need more money for?” Liam asks her with a smile. Kataleya giggles.
“Never ask her,” she whispers.
“A girl can never have enough money,” Skyla adds with a wink when Leo stands up.
“Well, Leo has never been one to dance,” Marcel chuckles, sipping his wine.
“Come on,” he says, surprising me. Is he actually going to dance?
“Are we dancing?” I ask, standing up slowly.
“I guess we fucking are,” he replies, downing his champagne before guiding me to the dance floor.
“One moment,” Winona says, making me turn to her. “I’ll take the skirt.” I tilt my head, thinking she had made tonight so magical. I give her a tight hug.
“Thank you for making tonight so perfect,” I say softly. She smiles and shakes her head.
“It’s nothing much.”
“That’s not true. You did so much,” Mama tells Winona, who smiles gratefully and makes quick work of my skirt. Mama helps as they unhook it, and the weight lifts off, and they take it away. Leo’s eyes rake over my ass as I pull at the top of my dress over my breasts. It’s so dangerously low I’m a little worried I’ll have a nip slip.
“Thank you,” Winona replies to Mama before both women move away, and Leo pulls me into his arms.
“Just when I didn’t think you could get any sexier,” he murmurs, squeezing my ass. The music comes to an end, and Jax speaks through the microphone.
“This song is dedicated to our Luna by her Alpha.” He winks as Leo glares at him.
You were told to play it, not announce it, he mutters through the link.
Well, shall I tell our Luna how -
Fuck off, Leo cuts him off, making me shake my head. My heart skips a beat as I stare up at him.
It’s sweet, I murmur. Soft music begins playing as mist fills the hall and the lights dim.
“Let’s dance, my Goddess,” Leo murmurs, placing his hands on my waist, and I lock my arms around her neck. Our eyes meet, and I’m unable to say anything as the song lyrics resonate with me.
“If our love was a fairy tale, I would charge in and rescue you…”
We sway to the music, and I get lost in it. He touches his forehead to mine, his scent enveloping me like a cloak of protection. He is my shield from this world…
“…And if we had babies, they would look like you
It’d be so beautiful if that came true
You don’t even know how very special you are
You leave me breathless…”
He spins me out, twirling me gently before pulling me back into his arms. My back is against his chest as he moves us to the music. I close my arms, leaning into him. It’s just him and me…
“… I still can’t believe that you’re mine
You just walked out of one of my dreams
So beautiful you’re leaving me
Breathless…”
He lifts me up, spinning me around before his lips are against mine once more. I kiss him with so much passion I’m unable to stop the tears that spill down my cheeks.
I don’t know why I’m crying, I’m just crazy happy, I admit as he brushes them away, and the song comes to an end.
Yeah… me, too… he murmurs, looking away. His eyes are full of so much emotion that he’s trying to contain. I hug him, moving back and looking at the smiling faces of those that I love before motioning Corrado over.
“Time for me to dance with my son,” I tell Leo, pulling away from him.
“I won’t complain. You're mine for the night,” he murmurs in my ear, his lips grazing my lobe, and my stomach flutters. He smirks, stepping back and slipping his hands into his pockets.
“I’ll dance with you,” Skyla says, stepping over to Leo, who frowns, staring her square in the eye.
“Nah, I’ll pass. I hate those fucking heels.”
“Then it’s good you’re not the one wearing them, and FYI, you only hate them because it’s bruising your male ego that I’m literally your height with them on,” she responds, pulling him away and not giving him an option.
Corrado runs over to me, hugging me tightly around my stomach. He kisses my stomach as I hug him back and plant a kiss on his forehead. After a moment, he moves back, and I take his hands as a new song comes on, and we begin dancing. His smile is huge, his happiness radiating off him.
Others begin to step onto the dance floor, and I see Kataleya dancing with Alejandro. Kiara, Raven, and Liam are dancing together. I can hear Skyla giving Leo a list of threats if he dares to hurt me. Alejandro ends the dance with Kataleya and pulls Maria onto the dance floor just as Dad approaches me.
“You can dance with your daddy now,” Corrado says before running over to a young girl from the pack. “Lucy, let’s dance.” I raise an eyebrow. Isn’t Lucy the girl he was cursing for kissing him? Hmm, I’m not sure. I might need to keep an eye on my son…
Turning my attention back to Dad, I wrap my arms around his neck.
“What is it?” I ask quietly, seeing the emotion in his eyes. He shakes his head.
“I’m just proud of the woman you have become,” he says, kissing my forehead softly. I hug him tight, resting my head on his chest.
“Because I was raised by you.” We dance until the song comes to an end, and Liam walks over.
“My turn.” I chuckle as Dad passes me on, and we dance together.
“You’re actually not bad at dancing, Zu.”
“I’m actually pretty good at dancing. Remember that strip -” His eyes narrow, and I smirk. “I’m going to miss you, Liam, but don’t forget me, okay? Keep messaging me, even when I forget to.” He nods, tugging on my cheek.
“I will. Even when life becomes busy, I’ll always be there in the background.”
“Good… because I need that,” I whisper as I step back and spot Atlas watching me and gesture for him to come over.
“Can I have a dance?” He asks, and I nod.
“Of course,” Liam says, smiling at him as he steps back.
I see Kataleya talking to Eric, who is massaging his cheek. She looks sympathetic, and I feel a little bad. I think he liked to hide behind his beard. Note to self, apologise when I get the chance. I turn my attention back to Atlas, wrapping my arms around his neck, just as I did with Liam.
“You look beautiful, Azura, and thank you for inviting me.”
“Of course I was going to invite you. You’re family, Atlas.”
“Thank you,” he whispers, kissing my forehead gently.