last dance

Amara Eldwood

If Dante Milburn noticed, it, then he could have fooled me, because his dark blue eyes swept over my body once, before his lips twisted with disdain.

“Who told you you could come here? Did I not give you strict instructions to stay in your room?” He spat acoustically and I opened and closed my mouth wordlessly, afraid one word would loosen the ball of pathetic tears trapped in my throat.

“I—I didn't mean—” I stammered, struggling to find something…antthing to say!

How could he be so undeniably beautiful and yet say the cruelest things?

Had Mabel not said I was to be here on his orders? 

Did she set me up?

The painful pit in my chest yawned even wider when he shoved past me, sending me flying back into a couple of the wolves who danced away before I could touch them.

Like I was diseased.

“Come on man, she couldn't have seen—” Caius tried, a look of alarm fleeting over his broad face when he snapped off his mask, the worry edging his tone.

What had gotten into the Alpha? 

Just what did I do to deserve this?

He wouldn't let me leave the fortress, and yet, he treated me like I was something worse than a rogue.

“Do you have any idea who she is? The West pack commander’s daughter, Shadow. Not some bum from a worthless family like yours—” He hedged, jabbing his index claw so hard into my shoulder that I gasped.

Something flashed in Ronan’s eyes before I saw his hand catch on the Alpha’s shoulder.

“Milburn, enough.” His voice was level, but the tight edge of warning in it was completely ignored by the Alpha who shook off his hold like it meant nothing. 

So much rage…he had so much rage toward me that I was completely frozen in place, knowing I would burst into tears at any second.

“I think its best you go—” Caius muttered, putting himself between the Alpha and me while the princess shoved against Dante’s chest.

I must be out of my mind, because try as I might I was unable to tear my gaze from his almond-shaped eyes.

The barbed wire tattoo he had drawn round his thick neck seemed to glisten under the starry lights, somehow making him seem even more dangerous than he usually did.

“Goodness, Dante, its no big deal, I only got a little wine on my feet but I'm good besides that—” the blond princess muttered, batting her eyes up to the Alpha, while my gaze narrowed on the hand she placed on his chest.

He looked like a god. His presence so commanding that everyone turned to see what was happening.

“Did I do something wrong? All I did was attend this party because God forbid anyone disobeyed your direct command—” I snapped finally, my lips turning into a hard line when his thick black brows arched in dangerous amusement.

“Shit.” Caius tugged on my arm, backing away when Dante closed the distance between us, his chest heaving with barely contained rage.

“Get out of my sight before I change my mind about throwing you at the Gallows—” his sharp blue eyes pierced mine as he leaned in close to me and I reared back, shaking off the vision of his hands around my neck when it floated in my head.

His words hit me like a slap across the face and my jaw trembled when I took a courteous bow, aware of just how many wolves had seen my embarrassment as the murmurs grew ceiling high.

“E-Excuse me—” I mumbled, not sure and not caring if he had heard me.

If he didn't want me here, that was fine! I didn't want to be here a second longer than necessary! And once the search lights turned away from the square, I would find a way to leave the fortress!

My view of the brightly lit hall and the giant diamond chandelier that hung over the center blurred through tears.

I couldn't do this anymore. The embarrassment was so raw that for a second, I wished to be back in my old pack.

Anything over this!

“I can't breathe—” I choked, cupping my hands to my throat until my ears burned when the princess’ throaty chortle rang in the air.

“I wish you would drop dead, you bitch,” I cursed inwardly, so close to the huge double doors now that I could almost breathe the sepia night beyond it.

I needed air!

My body shot forward before I could stop myself, and I stumbled down the stairs, heaving and cursing my vanity for thinking a wretch like me could ever hold fucking Dante’s attention.

“Did he really have to be so rude?” I wheezed, biting down on my tongue and sniffing back the tears threatening to unravel me.

Time seemed to pass in a blur as I walked mindlessly to the sound of rushing water, breathing out a sigh when I saw the beautiful crystal lake at the center of the garden.

“I miss you so much mother, I’m all alone here,” I muttered glumly, threading my fingers through the calm surface of the fountain.

My whole life I had longed to leave Shadow Pack behind, but now I wished with everything inside me that I could go back.

I wanted to feel Mother’s coarse hands pat my back one last time, and have Adrian ruffle my hair as he muttered one of his sarcastic little quips that used to annoy me so much.

“You shouldn't be here, Amara.” the man’s emotionless voice was cryptic, startling me to my feet as I whipped around to face him with a gasp.

Laziel Brahm. I could tell almost immediately from the sculpted set of his shoulders and the hint of muscle that seemed to ripple beneath the fitted gold waistcoat he was wearing.

“E-Excuse me, I didn't hear you walk up,”  I stammered, but he only tipped his head back to stare up at the moon.

The regret edging his voice was unmistakable and I wrung the soft green-black dress in my hands to keep them from shaking.

When had the night become so silent?

I could still hear the echo of my name in his deep resonating voice. 

It sounded like he was speaking from underwater, and I couldn't help marveling at how detached he seemed to be.

Of the four, the rumors had it that he was the most mysterious one, disappearing into The Darkness for hours on end.

“M-My apologies, I had no idea I was intruding in your space—” I stammered, my face heating in embarrassment as I gathered my dress together, taking a few steps forward before I froze.

His long bony fingers had wrapped around my wrist in a split second, the force and shock of his speed making it impossible for me to move.

Was this what it meant to be a powerful elite soldier?

I whipped around to stare at the boar head mask he had on, my stomach sinking when instead I found myself unable to look away from his deep bronze eyes that glittered like burnt orange sapphires.

“No. I mean you shouldn't be in this fortress at all, Shadow. Its not safe for you here. Its not safe for anyone while you're here,” He growled, pausing as if he was getting used to the sound of his own voice and becoming exasperated when I didn't understand his meaning.

Here I was thinking we were bonding while the entire time he was thinking of getting rid of me.

I snatched my hand away and his fingers curled to fists at his side instead.

“If this is about the ambush, M’lord, I already expressed my apologies but I had nothing to do with it. Don't you worry, I’ll leave your fortress soon enough.” I managed to say through the bitter lump in my throat, hating the way the tears I was holding in made my voice crack before I turned on my heel.

Rude, arrogant…fucking assholes, all of them!

Tears pooled in my eyes as I stormed back to the square, shouldering past disgruntled wolves and the ones who had their tongues down each other’s throats.

“All wolves assemble at the banquet hall! By order of His Highness, Alpha King of Infinity!” A guard’s loud voice roared from the watch tower just behind the banquet hall and my heart skipped a beat.

I watched the wolves exchange glances and suddenly, I was being tossed this way and that in the crowd.

“Ugh! Excuse me! Hey! Watch it!” I hissed, pain exploding in my sides where my wounds still felt sore when a man knocked violently into me as he stormed past.

“What happened?” another woman’s whisper echoed in my ears, filled with macabre excitement.

“Its the Princess…word around the fortress is she’s just been poisoned—” another wolf heaved beside me and my jaw slackened in shock.