[ 5 ]

NIARA'S POINT OF VIEW

Soon the music filled the ballroom once again, soft and elegant as couples slowly returned to the dance floor.

I stood quietly on the stage, holding my glass while watching the crowd below me.

Then, as expected, Helena and Logan approached me again.

Helena’s smile looked as sweet and innocent as ever, but now I could see the calculation hidden beneath it.

“Niara darling,” Helena said softly, almost teasingly, “you won’t mind if me and Logan share the stage for a dance, right? Actually, I suck at dancing and Logan’s been teaching me.”

She laughed lightly while holding Logan’s arm.

Beside her, Logan was still visibly irritated from the humiliation earlier. His jaw remained tight, and his eyes burned with restrained anger every time he looked at me.

The old me would have instantly apologized to him. Pathetically.

But now? I only smiled calmly.

Before I could even answer, Logan spoke coldly.

“You don’t need to ask permission, Helena.” His eyes locked onto mine sharply.

“And for what you did earlier…” he said in a low voice while gritting his teeth slightly, “I’ll deal with you later, Niara.”

The threat behind his words was clear but instead of fear, I almost wanted to laugh.

Because for the first time, I was no longer desperate for his approval.

Helena gently squeezed his arm as if calming him down.

“Let it go, Logan,” she said softly before looking at me again with fake concern. “Niara’s probably just stressed tonight.”

Logan let out a mocking chuckle.

“Come on, Helena,” he said loudly enough for me to hear. “At least you didn’t insult me in front of everyone.”

Then he took Helena’s hand and led her toward the dance floor.

The moment they walked away, the music grew louder again.

Couples began dancing under the sparkling chandeliers while laughter and conversations slowly filled the ballroom once more.

And there I stood. Watching the two people who destroyed my life dance together right in front of me.

I could feel Alpha Draven staring at me intensely from across the ballroom. Those dark red eyes never left me for even a second.

The mate pull between us only kept growing stronger, heavier, making my chest tighten every time I accidentally looked in his direction.

Soon the main music began to play. The elegant melody instantly changed the atmosphere of the ballroom.

And just like tradition demanded, everyone slowly stopped dancing because now it was time for the future Luna to dance first before the rest of the guests joined again.

The entire ballroom quieted respectfully. I noticed Helena looking around in confusion before her brows furrowed slightly.

“Why did everyone stop dancing?” she muttered quietly.

A woman standing nearby looked at her strangely before replying politely,

“It’s tradition. The future Luna dances first, then everyone joins after.”

I saw Helena’s expression tighten instantly. Jealousy flashed across her face for a second before she quickly hid it behind a smile.

The power, respect, attention and everything she wanted but could never truly have.

Beside her, Logan immediately started walking toward me confidently.

He already believed I would ask him to dance in front of everyone just like I did in my first life.

Back then, I proudly chose him over noble Alphas and heirs, ignoring the whispers and criticism just to make him feel important.

God. I was pathetic. But not in this life, fucker.

Before Logan could even reach me, another figure stepped forward first.

A tall shadow stopped directly in front of me. The air around me instantly became heavier.

Dangerous.

My breath caught slightly.

“Would you honor me a dance, Niara?”

The deep, rough, husky voice wrapped around my name so smoothly it sent shivers down my spine.

I slowly looked up.

Alpha Draven Ravencrest.

Up close, he looked even more terrifyingly handsome.

His broad shoulders were covered in black formal attire while his sharp features remained unreadable, yet those dark red eyes burned intensely as they stayed fixed on me possessively and hungrily. 

HIs wolf was barely holding itself back, I was sure he could feel the mate pull too.

I just hoped Logan didn’t notice it. Not yet. Not until I was ready and took my revenge.

Draven slowly extended his hand toward me like a true gentleman despite the dangerous aura surrounding him.

The entire ballroom had gone silent now. Everyone was watching us and waiting.

I forced myself to stay calm before gently placing my hand in his.

“Yes, Alpha,” I said softly.

Soon he took me toward the center of the dance floor.

The moment his hand settled against my waist, my entire body stiffened slightly from the mate bond pulsing between us.

Then the music started again. Dangerously intimate.

Alpha Draven moved effortlessly while leading me across the ballroom floor. From this close, he looked even bigger and more intimidating than before. His broad frame practically towered over me while his presence alone made it hard to breathe properly.

Yet despite how dangerous he looked… the way he held me was unbelievably careful as I was something precious and breakable.

My breath caught when I noticed his eyes slowly changing.

The dark red color faded little by little until they turned into a deep dark blue.

Beautiful. Terrifyingly beautiful.

I could barely look away.

We were so lost in the dance, in the overwhelming mate pull between us, that I didn’t even notice Logan’s burning gaze from across the ballroom.

Didn’t notice Helena’s furious expression either. It felt like the entire world had disappeared around us.

Then suddenly the lights dimmed.

The ballroom darkened softly as the music continued playing in the background.

Before I could understand what was happening, Alpha Draven gently grabbed my hand and led me away from the crowd fastly.

My heart pounded harder as we stepped onto one of the quiet balconies outside the ballroom.

Cold night air brushed against my skin instantly. Moonlight covered the balcony beautifully while distant music echoed softly from inside.

The moment we were alone, Draven turned toward me and cupped my face carefully inside his large hands.

The warmth of his touch made my breath shake.

“Mate,” he said roughly and the word came out almost like a growl. Filled with emotions he could barely control.

“Alpha Drev-”

Before I could finish speaking, he suddenly pulled me into his arms tightly. A soft gasp escaped my lips as my face pressed against his chest.

I could hear his heartbeat.

“Niara,” he growled deeply against my hair. “My mate.”

My chest tightened painfully because there was so much desperation in his voice.

So much relief.

“Draven…” I whispered shakily. “I need to tell you something. I can’t reveal it yet, I know you’ll think I’m insane but I have re..”

“I know.”

I froze instantly.

Draven slowly pulled back just enough to look down at me. His dark blue eyes were filled with pain.

“You died in my arms.”

My breath stopped completely.

“W…what?”

“Yes, my love,” he whispered painfully. “I remember everything.”

I stared at him in shock.

“No…”

His hand gently brushed against my cheek.

“I took rebirth too,” he said softly. “With you.”

My knees almost weakened.

“What…?”

“That day,” Draven continued quietly, his voice rough with emotion, “after losing you… I died too.”

Tears instantly filled my eyes.

“My wolf couldn’t survive it,” he admitted painfully. “We searched for our mate for years, Niara. Years.”

His jaw tightened hard.

“And when I finally found you…” his voice cracked slightly, “you died in my arms before I could even protect you.”

Something shattered inside my chest hearing the pain in his voice.

“I watched them burn you alive,” he growled darkly, his eyes briefly flashing red again. “And after losing you… neither me nor my wolf could take it anymore.”

He rested his forehead gently against mine.

“We died too.”

A tear slipped down my cheek silently.

“But the Moon Goddess gave us another chance,” he whispered. “A rebirth.”