Chapter 2: The Dance
Emily’s POV
The pack hall was alive with music, laughter, and the hum of excited chatter. The air was thick with the scent of pine and wildflowers, and the room was decorated with twinkling lights and garlands. It looked magical, but I couldn’t shake the unease settling in my chest.
Mila dragged me through the crowd, her grip tight on my arm. “Come on, let’s find Jax!” she said, her voice bubbling with excitement.
I followed reluctantly, my eyes scanning the room. Everyone looked so happy, so carefree. I felt out of place, like I didn’t belong.
We found Jax near the refreshment table, his tall frame towering over the crowd. He smiled when he saw us, his eyes lighting up as they landed on Mila.
“Hey, you made it!” he said, pulling Mila into a hug.
“Of course! I wasn’t going to miss this,” Mila replied, grinning.
Jax turned to me, his smile warm but slightly awkward. “Hey, Emily. Glad you came.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, forcing a smile.
The music shifted to a slower tempo, and couples began to fill the dance floor. Jax held out his hand to Mila, and she took it without hesitation, her face glowing with happiness.
I watched them for a moment, feeling a pang of loneliness. Mila and Jax were perfect together, their bond obvious to anyone who saw them. I was happy for them, truly, but it also reminded me of what I didn’t have.
I turned away, deciding to grab a drink to distract myself. As I reached for a cup of punch, a familiar voice sent a shiver down my spine.
“Emily?”
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Slowly, I turned around, and there he was—Alexander Black.
He looked even more handsome than I remembered. His dark hair was slightly longer, falling into his piercing blue eyes. His broad shoulders filled out his tailored suit, and his presence commanded the room.
“Alexander,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
He smiled, and my knees went weak. “It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Uh, good,” I stammered, my mind racing. “You’re back.”
“Yeah, just got in this morning,” he said, his gaze steady on me. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too,” I replied, my cheeks burning.
There was a moment of awkward silence before Alexander extended his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
My heart leaped into my throat. “Me?”
He chuckled, a deep, warm sound that made my stomach flutter. “Yes, you.”
I hesitated, glancing around the room. Every she-wolf in the pack was staring at us, their eyes wide with shock and envy.
“Okay,” I said finally, placing my hand in his.
His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I barely registered the music as he led me to the dance floor. His hand rested on my waist, and I placed mine on his shoulder, trying to ignore the way my heart was pounding.
We moved slowly, our steps in sync despite my nervousness. Alexander’s eyes never left mine, and I felt like I was drowning in them.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said softly.
My breath hitched. “Thank you.”
We danced in silence for a few moments, the world around us fading away. For the first time in years, I felt seen, like I mattered.
But then, the music stopped, and the moment was broken.
Alexander stepped back, his expression unreadable. “Thank you for the dance, Emily.”
“Thank you,” I replied, my voice trembling.
He gave me a small smile before turning and walking away, leaving me standing alone in the middle of the dance floor.
My heart sank as I watched him go, the warmth of his touch still lingering on my skin.
“Emily!” Mila’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She rushed over, her eyes wide with excitement. “Did Alexander Black just ask you to dance?”
“Yeah,” I said, still dazed.
Mila squealed, grabbing my arm. “This is huge! Do you know what this means?”
I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak.
“It means he noticed you!” Mila said, grinning. “Maybe he’s finally seeing you for who you are!”
I wanted to believe her, but deep down, I knew better. Alexander was destined to be Alpha, and he needed a Luna who was strong, beautiful, and worthy. I was none of those things.
As the night wore on, I tried to push the encounter out of my mind, but it was no use. Alexander’s words and the way he’d looked at me kept replaying in my head.
Little did I know, that dance was just the beginning. The events of the night would set off a chain reaction that would change my life forever.