Watching Isabella disappear with Victoria was heartbreaking but I recovered fast. Women coming in and out of my life was a constant occurrence but I knew this wasn’t the last time I would see Isabella. We were family now anyway. Right before I had a chance to leave the dance, Emily stepped in my way. This girl doesn’t give up easily. Maybe this is what Isabella was talking about when she’s referring to me I thought. No, I wasn’t this thirsty. Right?
I smiled and gestured for Emily to take my arm which she happily did. The moment I led her to the middle of the floor, she spun me around and pulled me roughly against her chest. I was taken aback by her bravado but didn’t have time to grasp the moment as she expertly guided us to the music. She was surprisingly light on her feet, never breaking eye contact. I was always the lead so this was new to me. I wasn’t sure if I liked it but I didn’t dare to intercede. Once the song ended we sent praises to the band.
Emily bowed and said, “Thank you Alpha Zack for allowing me at least one dance for the night.”
I helped her upright. “It is me that should be thanking you, Emily. I never had a woman lead before. I’m quite impressed actually.”
Emily blushed as she looked at me and quickly looked away. “Well having a brother like Bronx with two left feet, someone had to show him what it looked like.”
We both shared a laugh as we were both victims of Bronx’s horrible dancing.
“If you don’t mind Alpha. I would love to see how you lead. If there’s another dance in you.”
She was good. Maybe too good but how can I say no. I was a fantastic dancer and love any opportunity to show it off. As the band prepared their next tune, I held out my hand once again. “The night is still young, so why not?”
Emily smiled as she took my hand. It was my turn to spin her and bring her close against my chest. Showing dominance was an Alpha’s game and I knew all the codes to win. Though now that I think about it, it wasn't my game at all. This was her play and I fell for it. She wanted to show off so I would assert my dominance and want to show her up. Well played Emily. Well played. We danced two more songs and with each one she pulled herself closer and closer to my body.
By the end of the second song I could literally smell her arousal and she knew. Hell I think everyone around us knew and she showed no bashfulness. This was a different side of her I didn't know existed until now. She pulled me down and whispered, “I am yours if you want me, Alpha. Whenever, wherever.”
True she wasn’t my mate but that didn’t stop my friend down from responding to her invitation and it has been awhile. The only thing stopping me was the fact that I was holding out hope, but hope for what? Isabella was a no-go, and my mate was nowhere to be seen. Fucking Emily would only make her believe we had a future. A future I couldn’t promise her. Maybe I could make that apparent or maybe that would make me a jerk. Before I could say anything a commotion broke us apart.
“Get your own mate and stay away from MINE!”
At first I panicked a bit, thinking it was Alaia. I shook away the flashbacks of the fight between Alaia and Maria, when James was in between them. I made my way through the crowd and saw it was Zira. She was standing there with a red stain on her dress with an angry she-wolf looking around a bit confused. Interesting how this girl always finds herself in the wrong situations I thought.
Isaiah's Beta, Hunter, tried to help Zira clean herself. I’m guessing he’s the angry she-wolf’s mate because the moment Hunter helps Zira, the she-wolf tries to attack her. I made a motion to help but Zira’s reflexes kicked into gear. She quickly dodged out of the way just in time to miss the she-wolf’s claws.
After Hunter took away his angry mate, I could feel Zira’s uneasiness. I wish there was something I could do. I watched as she looked around and smiled at everyone. Most of them met her gaze and walked away, while others continued to talk about what just happened.
I saw her gaze fixated on something and I followed it. Weird that it stopped on my sister. They stared at each for a moment and I could’ve sworn I saw Alaia smile. It was subtle but it was there. I wondered if she had anything to do with what just happened. I made a move towards Zira but felt a hand stop me.
“I think she wants to walk out on her own,” Emily said and nodded towards Zira.
She was right. Zira straightened her back and walked into the pack house. She moved as if she didn’t care what anybody said or thought. That girl is resilient I thought as I smiled at her exit.
The party started up again. I made it back to my seat with Emily in tow. After what just happened I was glad we didn’t do anything for quite some time. I watched my sister cautiously as she danced with her mate. If she did have something to do with what happened to Zira, it’s only a matter of time for her old ways to come back. I have to find a way to get to her.
“Let’s dance, Emily.” I grabbed her hand and quickly made it to the dance floor.
I made sure to keep my distance as Alaia and Isaiah moved across the floor. If I get too close Alaia would find a way to leave without me talking to her. I looked around for a way to casually bump into them. Right when I had a chance we heard a commotion near one of the tables.
Luna Bella seemed to have had one too many. She was throwing every dishware she could get her hands on at Alpha Jack. These people really know how to throw a party. The moment Isaiah left my sister's side I used this commotion to check on her. I excused myself from Emily and walked over to Alaia.
“I hope you’re having fun,” I said as she turned around and noticed it was me. I could tell by her expression she was thinking of a way to get away from me. She was about to turn away when I grabbed her wrist. “Can’t a brother get one dance with his sister?”
Alaia looked at me as if I was up to something. If asking your sister to dance so you can question her about her intentions concerning a certain she-wolf was something, then yes she could be right.
“Sure, as long as you’re not here to convince me to leave,” she said, putting her hand on my shoulders.
“I think we are way past that point,” I laughed, hoping to ease the tension.
Truthfully I hated our relationship as of late. We used to be so close. Then the whole James and Maria’s situation came up and she completely changed. Or maybe she didn't and I didn’t take the time to notice. Becoming Alpha at a young age made me miss out on certain events in her life. She probably felt neglected and that’s something I can relate to.
“You look very beautiful tonight, Ala. Mom would’ve been so proud or probably crying her eyes out.”
Alaia looked at me a bit surprised. It’s been a while since either of us talked about our late parents, especially since at first I didn’t get along with her mother. It took me some time to get used to living with a witch and I didn’t trust them much, but her mother never gave up on me and I’m glad for it. I still don’t trust witches but at least now I give them the benefit of the doubt. Alaia didn’t respond but instead looked away.
“I really hope this place helps you, Ala. Seriously. I know I don’t say it much but I do want someone to love you. I really hope you find it here,” I said with sincerity in my voice. I really did mean it. I would like nothing more than the little girl who helped heal my leg those years ago to come back.
“Wow. That actually sounded sincere,” she laughed.
“I’m not the evil person you think I am. The things I do is because I care. You just don’t want to see it that way. The world’s not out to get you, Ala.”
She scoffs at me like I was joking. “The world already took the things I loved, so sorry if I seem a bit skeptical.”
I looked at all the people watching us move around the dance floor. She definitely has some admiration from this pack, especially the younger folks. I was actually jealous of her. Finding her mate and becoming a Luna so soon. I need some of her luck to rub off on me
“Well look at you now. You’ve found your mate and you’re Luna of a pack. You have many chances to love again.”
“No,” Alaia said defiantly, stopping us from dancing. “I had someone to love, Zack. I had a pack that loved me and look at how that turned out. My life was fine then people like you who say they care, destroy it. I won’t let that happen again. No one is going to take that away from me ever again.”
She stormed away while I stood there shocked by what she just said. I didn’t want to think about what she meant by that. Especially knowing what happens when someone gets in her way. I was the one who helped expose her plan to get rid of Maria and I was the one who took away a part of her she loved the most.
I did all this to keep the only family I had left and I would do again. She might need time but I still have hope she’ll find her way. I started to walk after her when I bumped into Zira, Isabella, and Victoria in the hall. They were preventing her from going upstairs.
“Nina, you need to calm down and let Zira back out. Please,” Isabella pleaded with her best friend.
I noticed Zira’s eyes were yellow which probably means her wolf was out and someone just pissed her off.
“She would have hurt us. She could’ve hurt our pup,” Nina growled, trying to go back up the steps.
Victoria blocked her way while we all stared at each other. Did she just say pup?