3. A Dance with the Alpha King

Everyone was watching them with big, wide eyes. Even Chloe looked astounded, but soon she was grinning because her son was about to dance with a woman. 

Ragnar let the girl walk him to the dance floor. In the middle of all the omegas dancing. 

Once they stood in the middle. She stopped and faced him, holding his hand and looking at him expectantly. Like a gentleman, he stepped closer, resting his hand on her waist as he gently tugged her closer, earning a small, surprised gasp from her. 

They began moving to the tunes slowly and Ragnar closed his eyes for a brief second when her sweet scent infiltrated his senses. It was so faint that you could barely notice it but a hint of it was there. Why didn't she have a strong scent? By her frame, it was obvious she wasn't an Alpha which meant she must be a beta. 

A very daring beta she-wolf. Her boldness had intrigued him. 

Just to test her even more. He tugged her closer, causing her chest to bump into his chest as he held her there. He expected a seductive smile from her but instead, the girl gasped ever so innocently, her body tensing in his hold. Her eyes widened as she tried to pull back. The way her body reacted so quickly to his daring touch it was obvious she wasn't used to men's touch. Then why did she approach him then? 

Because he was a king? 

And she wanted to be a queen like all the she-wolves there.

Pathetic. 

Ragnar disregarded her discomfort and tugged her even closer so that he could inhale her scent more. 

"You've got some guts to approach me like that," He said, his voice thick and so dangerously deep that she swallowed hard, trying to remain calm, but she didn't let any of this show on her face. 

"My apologies my king, I didn't mean to offend you," She said politely causing him to tilt his head, to observe her properly. He wanted to remove that mask from her face so he could see her eyes properly. For a second he was about to yank it off her face but he shoved that thought away. Why would he do that? It was absurd.

"You didn't offend me. You simply interest me. What is it that you want, woman? Do you intend to marry me just like all the unwed women in this ballroom?" He asked. 

The girl frowned as she shook her head, and a small chuckle of pure disbelief left her lips. "Absolutely not, my lord," She said. 

Her words offended him to a great extent as his brows shot up in surprise. He hadn't expected that at all. 

"I simply wanted to see if I could get you to dance with me." She said as if it were the easiest thing on earth. To get the brooding king, who stays away from women, to dance with her. Challenging. 

He didn't like the fact that she was taking him so carelessly as if he wasn't a big deal as if he was a commoner but a part of him was enjoying this as well. Though she was referring to him as the Lord. But she didn't seem scared of him which was new. 

He loosened his hold enough to create an inch of distance between them. 

"Was it a bet?" He asked, now enjoying the whole ordeal. 

The girl met his eyes, a faint smile on her lips as she hesitantly bit her lower lip. Those green eyes. It felt like he had seen those eyes before. 

Her eyes darted to someone in the crowd before she faced him and nodded coyly, making him let out a throaty chuckle. 

Astonishing. 

He was definitely enjoying this. 

"I see. Is it only dancing?" He asked, and she shook her head. 

"What else?" He asked. 

"I've to show her that you're smitten by me," She whispered, and he let out yet another chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. 

"Smitten? Woman, you've done nothing to seduce me at all, but yes, you are very capable of offending me," He said, making her blink at him in surprise. 

"How shall I seduce you?" She asked innocently, and his eyes dropped to her plump lips before he met her gaze again. 

It would be very good if she didn't seduce him at all. 

"No need. I'm not easily swayed," He said. 

"That's good, my Lord. I'm glad," She said, all smiley, making him smirk. 

"You're doing it a bit too much. Act normally or the other person would win the bet," He said, noticing her light brown hair color that had streaks of blond hair in it. Her hair was long. It ended just above her hips, and they were in long, silky waves. 

She controlled her smile and lowered her gaze. 

"How much is the winning prize?" He asked. 

"30 gold coins, my Lord." She said politely. 

"That's too much for a bet, especially for a commoner. Are you from an elite family?"

"I'm certainly not, my Lord. And the dare for this much price could get me killed also," She said. 

"That explains the price." He muttered. 

They both were silent for a couple of seconds before she raised her head to meet his eyes. He looked bored, ready to end her little dance party. 

"Can you walk me to the gardens, my Lord? Or anywhere else. Just grab my hand and take me with you and I'll win the bet." She requested as he observed her with narrowed eyes. 

"And what's in it for me?" 

"You'll be free of this celebration. You looked utterly bored while sitting on that crown, my Lord." She said. Ragnar raised a perfect brow at her keen observation, she was sharp. He gave a small nod. 

"Interesting. You do realize if I take you away from here, everyone will think I did something with you. The words will go out. Who will marry you then?" 

She blinked at him astounded. She didn't expect that at all. The king thinking about her dignity.

"No one will know who I am. My face is covered," She said calmly, and he smirked. 

"Very well," Ragnar grabbed her hand in his big one and stepped out of the ballroom as he walked her down the grand stairs, everyone watched them leave but none dared to stop him as they walked into the huge gardens. 

Two guards were stationed there as he motioned for the guards to leave. They bowed their head and left, leaving the king alone with the girl as he let go of her hand. 

"So? You won the bet now-" He said while turning to face her and like a zap of lightning a dagger was charged at him.