The Dance

Chapter 4

Leo's Pov

I flipped through the documents on my desk, scanning the last reports from the neutral packs.

The election was too close to allow mistakes.

“When do the council members arrive?” I asked without looking up.

My beta, Adrian, stood near the window. “About half an hour, Alpha.”

“Hmmm…”

In half an hour. Six Alpha candidates would attend tonight’s banquet. Each one with a trick up their sleeve.

“How’s Alpha Derek doing? Any word?” I asked and Adrian didn’t hesitate. “He’s won over three neutral packs in the past month.”

My fingers stopped on the page.

“Three?”

“Yes, Alpha. He is gaining momentum.”

I leaned back in my chair slowly.

Alpha Derek had always been ambitious. But winning over three neutral packs in a single month meant he was moving aggressively.

Too aggressively.

My eyes turned cold. “Keep close watch on him,” I said.

“I want to know every move he makes.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I closed the file. Tonight wasn’t just a banquet, it was a survival of the fittest between the candidates.

My gaze shifted toward the staircase outside the office.

“Is the Luna not ready yet?” Adrian hesitated.

“The servants say the Luna has been unwell.” I frowned slightly.

“Unwell?”

“She’s been throwing up since morning.” The image of Freya’s pale face from earlier flashed briefly in my mind.

I dismissed the thought almost immediately.

“Tell the kitchen to prepare something light for her,” I said.

“She needs to attend the banquet tonight.” Freya’s presence mattered. The council paid attention to details. Because a stable household reflected a stable Alpha.

Before Adrian could leave, the office door suddenly burst open and Caroline stomped in.

“Honestly, the incompetence in this place is unbelievable!”

She stormed inside my study. I was surprised, she had arrived earlier than expected.

And she was wearing the most extravagant gown I've ever seen with layers of jewelries around her neck. After the war, the council had established austerity rules for all pack events.

No excessive luxury. It was meant to show unity and restraint.

She was beautiful, but completely inappropriate for the occasion.

A flicker of irritation passed through me. I was already regretting letting her attend.

Behind her, a servant hurried in carrying a tray of desserts. Caroline immediately turned on him.

“What is this? Cake?” she snapped and the servant stood still.

“I told you a month ago Leo doesn’t like sweets!”

The servant stammered nervously. “Miss Caroline, the council members…”

“Don’t argue with me!”

He stepped back quickly but unfortunately bumped into another servant carrying a pitcher.

Water splashed right onto her dress.

“Watch where you're going!” she shrieked. Her voice echoed across the hall and several council members who had just arrived turned to look.

My jaw tightened. This was exactly what I couldn’t allow tonight.

Chaos and embarrassment. I raised my hand slightly and Adrian understood instantly.

“Miss Caroline, this way please. We have another gown prepared.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but Adrian was already guiding her away down the corridor and the council members returned to their conversations.

Crisis contained. Caroline was lively and simple, but sometimes she was painfully shallow.

And tonight I needed precision, not drama.

Just then, the movement at the top of the stairs caught my eye.

It was Freya. She stepped down slowly, her face was still pale.

But she had applied light makeup to soften the exhaustion.

Her dress was simple with no excessive jewels.

Freya rarely attended political gatherings. She preferred staying out of pack affairs.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, for a moment our eyes met. She was very different from the woman who had just demanded a divorce.

I stepped forward automatically and took her hand and she didn’t pull away.

“Stay close,” I murmured quietly.

Then I led her into the banquet hall. The conversations quieted slightly as we entered.

Several council members turned toward us.

One of them, an older Alpha with sharp eyes, raised a brow.

“And this is…?” I glanced at Freya.

“My wife,” I said. “My Luna. Freya.”

She stepped forward gracefully with a sweet smile.

“Welcome sir,” she said warmly. “It’s an honor to host you in our territory.”

Her voice carried just enough confidence to draw attention.

The older Alpha nodded approvingly.

Before I could continue, an elderly woman approached. She had an elegant posture, and on her simple dress, pinned to her chest was the Moonlight Medal.

My eyes gleamed at the medal. It was a symbol of extraordinary service to our world.

Claire. She was one of the most respected figures among the council.

Winning her support would influence half the room. She stopped in front of us and smiled gently.

Then she spoke.

In French. “You look beautiful tonight, my dear.”

Damn it. Claire had grown up in the Western French territories.

I had forgotten.

Most Alphas here didn’t speak French and a language barrier could turn the conversation awkward.

Before I could think of a response, Freya replied.

Also in French, fluently.

“Merci/Thank you”

“Your presence honors our home.”

Claire’s eyes lit up immediately.

“Oh?”

She laughed softly. “Leo, you never mentioned your Luna speaks French.”

I looked at Freya. I hadn’t known.

Claire turned back to her and continued in French.

“And where did you learn?”

“My father traded with the Western packs when I was younger,” Freya replied.

“He believed learning languages builds bridges between territories.”

Claire smiled approvingly.

“A wise man.” She patted my shoulder and said in English.

“You’re a lucky young Alpha to have her.” Then she walked away.

I watched her go, and still processed Freya… speaking French.

The evening wasn’t over and more council members approached. Freya greeted them one by one, naturally.

A tall Alpha from the southern territories approached us with his mate.

Their pack had remained neutral during the war.

Freya bowed as she spoke first.

“Alpha Javier, I heard your vineyards survived the frost this year.” He blinked in surprise.

“You know about that?”

“My father imported your wine,” she said lightly.

“He always said southern soil produces the strongest harvests.”

Javier chuckled.

“Well, your father had good taste. I would like to meet him.” We all laughed it out and the tension melted.

Later, we approached another council member … an elderly Beta known for his strict views.

Instead of discussing politics, Freya asked about the veterans’ rehabilitation program his pack was funding.

His expression softened instantly and he spoke for nearly ten minutes.

And when he finished, he looked genuinely pleased.

Freya knows communication skills and always lets the other person feel important in a discussion.

I stood beside her silently. For three years I had seen Freya as quiet and invisible in pack politics.

But tonight, it seems I was wrong, and soon, it was time for the couples dance.

The couples moved onto the dance floor, but Freya let go of my hand and stepped onto the floor, and almost everyone asked her for a dance.

She danced and her movements were graceful. effortless. I hadn't noticed before.

But why did it bother me so much when another Alpha leaned in to speak with her?

She’s mine. Technically, yes… and I could have her, but that didn’t stop the possessive edge curling through me.

She laughed at something I couldn’t hear, and my teeth clenched. Why should anyone else get to see her laugh like that? I told myself it didn’t matter… but every inch of me burned with a need to pull her close.

Only I should make her laugh like that. I wanted to pull her away, she was getting way too much attention, but due to the council and election, I needed her here.

Her hand brushed a guest’s arm as she excused herself. I stiffened. She is mine.

She walked to a sofa and leaned against it, looking really pale and drained and her energy now seemed lower.

I wondered if I should go to her? Ask if she was okay as every instinct in me screamed that she needed attention, and only I should give it. But I was torn between reaching out to her or staying back.

Soon Derek strode towards her seat.

He greeted the women with a practiced charm that even made the council members laugh.

Then he turned to Freya and bowed and once I noticed what he was about doing, I walked towards the dance floor.

“Luna Freya, may I have this dance?” I arrived just in time and stopped him. Stepping to cover Freya.

“Freya isn't feeling well tonight.” I said with a frown, but he didn't seem to mind.

“Just one dance. I won’t steal her away.” He smiled brightly at me.

“Though I understand your concern, Alpha. Your Luna is the most beautiful woman in the room.” He ignored me and extended his hand again to Freya.

“Come on, Freya. Have some fun. It’s boring sitting here alone.” Derek coaxed. I watched her hesitate, then take his hand.

A surge of anger rose in me as I took some steps forward, but stopped. She wasn’t mine, a liar and a schemer who only cared about my money didn’t deserve my attention.

But the moment Derek’s hand brushed her waist and she leaned into him, I lost my cool and my fingers itched to grab her.

I moved faster than I thought was possible and stepped between them, pulled her from Derek’s arms into mine.