Chapter 14 Full Dance Card
Lila
The man’s lips curled slightly as he studied me. “It seems you still don’t know, he mused, tilting his head. “But that’s alright. All you need to know is that you will definitely be chosen.”
I stiffened. The certainty in his voice sent a ripple of unease down my spine.
“Why do you say that?” I asked, wary,
He didn’t answer. Instead, his sharp gaze flickered over my dress, taking in the simple cut and lack of embellishment. A silent assessment. My choice of attire clearly made him pause.
“Because you’re wearing our dear King’s favorite color. Why else would all the walls be painted in it? You definitely don’t blend in.”
His words sent a small shiver through me. I had unknowingly dressed to draw Damon’s eye instead of diverting it. I masked my unease and shifted the conversation. “Who are you?”
A slow smile touched his lips, but he turned away without answering. “The ball is about to begin. Can’t be late,” he said over his shoulder. “Follow me.”
I hesitated. Every instinct told me not to trust this man. He exuded the same quiet danger as Damon: calm on the surface, but power coiled just beneath.
Still, I followed, keeping a safe distance.
At the end of the corridor, two massive doors stood open, spilling golden light into the dim hallway. The scent of polished wood and candle wax drifted toward me as the hum of voices grew clearer.
He stepped aside, gesturing with a smirk. “After you.”
Bracing myself, I stepped forward into the most dazzling ballroom I’d ever seen.
Gilded chandeliers bathed the marble floors in golden light. Music swelled around the grand hall, weaving through the laughter and hushed whispers of the guests.
And at the center of it all was Damon, dancing with one of the ten chosen. He moved effortlessly, his towering form commanding the space.
“Oh. My. Goddess, Elena. Do you know who that is?” Emma’s sharp whisper snapped me out of my daze watching Damon. I wasn’t sure how long she had been standing beside me, but the male from the hall seemed long gone.
She leaned in. “That’s Asher,” she murmured. “Damon’s cousin. He’s a royal noble with Alpha blood.”
I glanced around for the man in question. Asher now stood at the edge of the crowd, watching the room with quiet amusement.
“Of course he is,” I muttered. ” Everyone here is so… mysterious. And dangerous.”
Emma chuckled. “You’re not wrong.”
My stomach twisted. I shouldn’t be here.
“Tradition dictates that the King dance with his chosen from the masked selection first, and only then will he make tonight‘
s selection of who to dance with first.” Emma sighed dreamily, “Isn’t it romantic?”
No, I didn’t think so. I thought it was all part of a game, a political spectacle.
Emma turned those love–drunk eyes towards me, expecting a response. “Sure.” I said, silently waiting for this to be over.
As we watched through several songs, I could hear the soft clinking of glasses as the girls around me sipped wine; they tried to keep their faces carefully composed, but the hope in their eyes was obvious.
Some whispered amongst themselves, casting sidelong glances at Damon. They were waiting not so patiently. Waiting to be chosen.
I swallowed hard, pressing my hands together to keep them from trembling. I turned away from the swirl of dancing couples searching for a quiet corner to melt into when my path was blocked by an unwelcome body.
“Elena,” Isabella glided toward me, her posture dripping with arrogance. Trailing in her wake was an old male I didn’t know. His distended belly hung low, threatening to pop the buttons on his shirt, betraying a life of ease.
His beady eyes locked onto me like a predator sighting prey, spiking my pulse.
“Allow me to introduce you to Lord Theron,” Isabella said with a saccharine smile. “A nobleman of quite high status.” Theron stepped forward, his sweaty hand reaching towards me. “Would you do me the honor of a dance, my dear?”
Every instinct screamed no, I had seen him pawing at some of the other women earlier, his gnarled fingers lingering too long on their waists, brushing too close to their breasts.
1/2
Chapter 14- Full Dance Card
I took a measured step back. “I’m afraid I must decline.”
A flicker of irritation crossed his face. “Come now,” he coaxed. “One dance.”
I stiffened as he reached for me; I didn’t want to be touched by this male.
“Apologies, Lord Theron,” a voice cut in as Asher stepped between us smoothly, his stance relaxed but his presence dominating over Theron, “But I believe the Lady has other engagements.”
“And who might you be?” Theron scowled.
“Asher, no last name needed,” he said simply.
Theron hesitated. Recognition dawned in his expression. He muttered some kind of apology under his breath and stalked off, Isabella shooting me a sharp glare before following.
I exhaled, tension draining from my shoulders. “Thank you,” I murmured.
Asher smiled, a glint of mischief in his gaze. “Dance with me instead?”
I hesitated. But refusing him after he had just rescued me seemed ungrateful, so I placed my hand in his, letting him lead me onto the floor among the sea of dancers.
The moment we began to move, I became aware of Asher’s eyes on me, memorizing every detail. I quickly avoided his gaze, not wanting to accidentally give myself away.
“You don’t like to be watched,” he observed.
“Not particularly,” I admitted.
A beat of silence followed, then, his voice softened, becoming almost thoughtful. “If you’re not chosen tonight, would you consider me as an option instead?”
I blinked up at him. It wasn’t exactly a proposal, but it was close. It was a blatant suggestion wrapped in invitation.
We had just met, but I was certain men like Asher – playboys and spoiled nobles – couldn’t give me the love and life I craved. Besides, the longer I stayed at the Palace, the greater my risk of exposure. I weighed my words carefully before !shaking my head.
“No. But thank you.”
Asher didn’t look surprised. He only smiled, as if amused by my answer.
“Interesting, indeed,” he said quietly.
Before I could respond, the hair on the back of my neck rose and I felt my skin prickle. I glanced across the dance floor and immediately locked eyes with Damon. He wasn’t watching his dance partner; he was watching me.
I swallowed, a flicker of guilt twisting in my stomach, unsure why I felt this way. I had no reason to feel guilty, I could dance
with whoever I wanted to.
Ruby stirred inside me. Because he didn’t recognize his mate at first.
I tore my gaze away as the song ended, and I stepped back from Asher, offering a small nod. “I need to rest for a moment.”
“Of course,” he said, his gaze lingering before releasing me.
I turned away, pressing a hand to my chest. I needed to get out of here. Now. Desperate for some air, I started making my way towards the exit when silence fell, stopping my feet.
Damon’s voice rang through the ballroom, commanding and inescapable.
“Come here.”
My breath hitched, trying to fade into the crowd. The women around me stilled. Eyes darted between us – curious, envious, shocked.
Emma rushed towards me, hissing into my ear, giving my shoulder a nudge to turn around. “The Lycan King is calling for you.”
I froze, hesitantly I lifted my gaze to see Damon walking a direct pathway towards me.
Oh no. He was calling for me.
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