The first dance

Nox POV

Luna Keira Gray. Wife and mate of Alpha Liam Rudd. A twenty-three year old woman who was unavailable. Married! From the panties hanging on her finger and the look on her face, it was clear that she was having a busy life, indeed.

Moments ago, when I walked in and our eyes met, my wolf growled,

'Mate,' calling out to her.

But she'd looked away. I tried to do the same now, looking everywhere else but at her. I failed.

She'd acted like she was deaf to her mate's call. Or did she not hear? No, that couldn't be right. She was pretending. Which was Understandable because this was bizarre. How could we be fated?

All of her attention was now on the blond werewolf who was her husband and Alpha.

A dignitary from the Summer Moon stood in front of me, talking. I tried my hardest to pay attention and offer the appropriate response. Two could play this game, though not for long. Because my focus wavered again, returning to Luna Keira.

Her expression was picture of revulsion now as her husband snatched the panties from her fingers. He gave her a flirty smile, making me desperately curious about what his excuse would be.

As a lycan, my senses were far superior to everyone else's here, so I trained my ears in their direction, unable to stop myself.

"We have to be careful, love." Alpha Liam told her. "I hope no one saw that."

"What do you mean you hope no one saw?" Keira replied with a shaky voice. "I saw it?" She sounded unsure of herself.

The whole conversation was too confusing, yet I refused to tune them out.

"Would you?" Deborah from the Summer Moon asked me.

I had no idea what she just said apart from that last bit, but I nodded, replying,

"I'll... think about it."

"I guess that's a good response. I'll tell my brother."

"Could you excuse me for a bit," I said and began moving towards the counter lined with drinks. I stole another look at my woman of interest.

Her husband's gaze roamed about to make sure no one was looking at them. He nearly caught me but I averted my eyes swiftly.

The two continued their quiet arguement.

"I swear, Keira, I don't know how that ended up in my pocket," he said to her. "I'll ask Vanessa or the other laundry guys. But what the hell does it matter? It's yours, isn't it?"

"I have never worn a gstring in my life, Liam. I don't own one!"

"Let's focus on our party," he remarked curtly, then leaned over to kiss her. She turned away.

My stomach rolled in a way that it had never done before. It felt like I was about to be sick. This could not be happening to me.

I should not have come here. They weren't even expecting me and didn't want me here because they feared me.

Apart from the wars and all the packs I'd conquered, I was a lycan by virtue of my mother's superior genes. Our kinds were considered, evil and cursed. We were hated and feared for our unimaginable strength, senses and lifespan

We could not procreate. Except with a fated mate. Which was a rare and precious thing to find. We were freaks to these ordinary werewolves.

It didn't matter that these ones considered me hybrid - half lycan, half werewolf. They were all still wary of me.

This discrimination and hatred was why I ruled with an iron fist. I'd conquered lands, swallowed up smaller packs, and was proud to have earned the respect of members of my pack. Everyone in all parts of the region and the world knew not to mess with the Autumn Moon.

But here I was, at a wedding anniversary that I decided to attend at the last minute, feeling like I would puke in front of all these people. My first instinct was right. I should not have come. Boredom was to blame. That plus my Beta's advised that I make an effort to be cordial with these people.

What did I do now?

I looked around, noting all of the young and beautiful women in the hall. I should have been bound to one of these instead of a mated female with marital problems. The worst part was the fact that she was pretending not to feel our bond.

My blood warmed at this thought. How dare her ignore me? Not even a simple look of acknowledgement. Whether she hated my kind or not, she didn't have to be discourteous.

Her husband was now leading her to the center of the hall for what should be their second dance. I could sense her anger and hurt, but she was keeping her cool really well. Appearances, huh? She could acknowledge me while remaining poise, too, but she wouldn't, huh?

I began to wonder about the full story behind the g-string but quickly decided that was none my business!

Clearly, Keira Gray lacked good sense of judgement. Her choice of mate was the proof.

"A stunning couple, aren't they?" Felix Gray interrupted my raging thoughts.

"Most arranged marriages look like that on the outside," I replied.

How long had he been standing beside me? Not important. Pouring the drink down my throat, I made a decision to end this infuriating game as I said,

"Excuse me while I go steal a dance with the Luna."

I had to confront her immediately. We must deal with this problem quickly.

Others moved aside, making way as I approached the couples on the dance floor.

"Alpha Nox," her husband said with a forced smile.

My wolf gave a vicious snarl inside me, its claws nearly forcing themselves out. I took a deep calming breath to gain control.

"Can I borrow her for a bit?" I said simply. "One dance."

"Oh, sure," he replied, holding out her hand to me.

Keira looked horrified. Clearly, she didn't want me near because of how she felt about me. I understood this. Hell, I felt her distress, but this couldn't be helped.

Her eyes wavered, and she looked like she was being betrayed when her husband placed her hand in mine. She wouldn't refuse. That would be bad manners for a Luna to refuse her guest.

Well-bred. Well-behaved. Cared a lot about what her people thought.

My arm went around her waist, causing my wolf to calm instantly. She stiffened, then began to relax as I led the dance.

"You and I haven't really been introduced," she said. All confident, casual, and Luna-like.

"I'm Alpha Nox of the Autumn Moon," I replied simply. "You know me. And I know you. Now, how long before we stop pretending that there's nothing between us?"