Part 5

A heavy blend of murmurs and whispers echoed around the room, grating against my skin. Why was this so controversial? I thought while roaming my eyes, teeth sinking in the bottom lip. From my peripheral view, I saw my uncle tense before rushing in my direction.

Dread settled in the pit of my stomach, fearing rejection. I did not have a good impression on the Alpha, regret filling me. Why was I stranded with him of all Alphas?

No! I cannot let him reject me no matter what. Most of them could afford waiting and not fear being rejected. Some even don’t follow the standard procedure and mate with others. This was my only chance to escape the Palace and experience all the things I had been dreaming of.

My uncle, along with my aunt, peeked at the bowl, which clearly showed Alpha Axel for everyone to see. A delighted laugh escaped his throat, eyes gleaming with something skin to mirth. The Pack Alpha silenced the crowd, his voice booming around.

"It is true." He cleared his throat; his hands joined together while addressing the audience in the pit, "My lovely daughter’s mate is Pack Alpha Axel Russo. It’s truly an honour to witness such an amazing moment.”

“Alpha Axel, please grace us with your presence.” My uncle added.

"Oh, my moons!" My aunt cheered, her voice breathy and high pitched as she nudged my side. “Congratulations, my dear!”

What was the matter? Why was everyone so invested in this?

I clasped my hands together, feeling a searing pain in my wrist as the mark started to form. My eyes automatically shut, having read about it in several books, but nothing could be compared.

Slowly I opened my eyes and peeked at the mark, a low gasp escaping at the dark ink etched on my skin. It's a half-moon, seared in black and by the edge of my wrist. I raised my hand in the air when I saw the Alpha approach.

I was pretty taken away, watching the satin breeches cling to his legs and the fine cut of his bottle-green coat showing off his broad shoulders. The ruffles of his shirt softened the stark white of his waistcoat.

My eyes were so busy admiring his form that I failed to see the Alpha closing distance between us. I prayed for the ground to open up and swallow me as voices got louder.

Axel was not helping, either, keeping his eyes on my face and seemingly drinking in every little detail, his wide green eyes looking even more significant and brighter under the lights. He seemed as overwhelmed by the situation as I was, which was a comfort, at least but handling it better.

"May I have this dance, Princess Lana?"

I gulped at the question hanging in the air, head-turning towards Beth standing behind pillars. She urged me with her eyes, mouthing some words which for the life of me I could not figure out.

It's a tradition— dancing with your mate, in the ballroom, surrounded by prying eyes. It's supposed to be the first step in getting to know each other. A stupid, silly one. As if I didn't already know his foul mouth and arrogant behaviour.

"Go on, child!" I heard my aunt's fake cheery voice behind, a hand nudging my back.

I accepted his arm, a bit dazed by the nearness. People were gawking at us; I could see it from my peripheral vision. There was undoubtedly something about this Alpha that drew me in, toes curling at his delicious scent.

The feel of his hand around my waist caused my mouth to go dry as a desert, lips parted in a low gasp as we stood in the middle of the other couples. He used his other hand to grip at my frail gloved wrist, which was enough to cause a slight shiver to run through my entire body.

The crowd on the floor made way for us; a familiar melody started in the background as we walked up to the main stage. I hummed the song absentmindedly, nose scrunching as I tried to recall the exact words but failed to do so. In the back of my mind, I was aware it was just the dance, the intimacy of a waltz, but it felt like something more.

Exhaling loudly, I stood in the middle, facing Axel. He pulled me closer, our bodies flushed together, his scent nearly making me dizzy, mouth gaping like a fish out of water.

“Just relax and follow my steps.” He leaned closer to my ear, the hot breath causing my arm to break out in goosebumps. I wondered if he heard or felt the gasp that spilt from my lips.

Upon his instruction, I meekly nodded, placing a hand on his squared shoulder, and I could feel the muscles contract as we moved through the stages of the dance. We began the dance in silence as though words might somehow break the spell between us.

As we took a turn, our hands clasped above our heads, drawing me into him even further. I prayed that he could not feel the rabbiting leap of my heart, the pulse jumping in my neck.

“Your mark….” I stuttered, watching the half inked moon on the side of his wrist.

Axel cleared his throat, his voice suddenly dropping, the husky drawl making my abdomen clench. “I believe this is what binds us together.” There was a hint of snark and sarcasm in his tone, face blank as he twirled me around.

I pursed my lips, trying not to let the sting show on my face. My eyes locked with him at every turn, my heart pounding at the gaze that seared a path of flames between us. Blood rushed past my ears, drowning out all extraneous noise and chatter, leaving me with the notion that we were somehow the only ones on the dance floor.

We promenaded back and forth through the last movements of our dance. The rest of the song passed without a hunch, without any other words being muttered between the two except now; the scrutinising eyes I could feel on us did not feel as daunting as they had been at first.

I vaguely registered my aunt and uncle, standing on the podium, a gleeful expression on their faces. My stomach began sinking at that, all too familiar with that kind of look. It was trouble, I realised.

At last, the music stopped, and I found myself breathless, not ready to part away and face them.

The Pack Alpha was still holding on to my hand as everyone bowed before parting ways, my body freezing in spot. From the corner of my eyes, I saw my aunt rushing towards us.

“The song has come to an end, you lovebirds.”

A ring of oohs and aahs echoed around us, making my cheeks flush at the position we were caught in.

“Time to go then", He announced, taking a step back, and my heart dropped just a little when his body disappeared into the crowd.

***

My aunt immediately escorted me towards the pillars, offering me a tall glass of lemon drink. I eyed it for a while, hesitantly accepting.

“Come on! You must be dehydrated from all that fire on stage.” Her brows wriggled, my nose scrunching at that, and I took a huge gulp.

“Thank you.”

My uncle cleared his throat. “You have no idea how huge this news is!”

Before he could continue, the sound of footsteps interrupted us. I stiffened, my nostrils filled with the familiar scent.

“Princess Lana, may I have a word with you in private?” He asked, his eyes still lit with a distinguished flame.

I resisted the urge to nod my head and escape the boring conversation immediately. Instead, I looked at my aunt, who gave me a wide grin, her eyes gleaming.

“Please excuse me.” I bowed down to the Pack Alpha and Luna, turning on my feet and joining Alpha Axel.

“Come back soon, dear.”

“Yes, aunty.”

I tried to keep a calm pace as I walked alongside him, but the sleeve of his coat brushed my own as we exited the ballroom, and my heart stuttered.

I gave in to the pressing of his hand at the small of my back, guiding me through the alleys until we reached a back door leading out onto a tiny bit of green space. Lanterns were lighting along the way, the copper urns filled with shrubs until we got a bench at the far end slightly hidden behind rose trellises.

We were blissfully alone, away from prying eyes. What did he want to talk about? I thought, lips folded together.

“Princess Lana….” The Alpha started, the gravel in his voice evidence of barely contained thoughts. I looked up into his eyes, searching for answers.

Taking a deep breath, he continued, “I am sure you must have been waiting for this day like any other omega, but I will not accept you as my mate, Princess Lana.”

***