The Alpha and His Dancer

Chapter 1 - Dancing Through the Night

DELILAH

Music was therapy to me.

It was like magic, flowing through my veins, purging my blood of every anxious thought, every negative feeling that froze me in place and tightened my nerves. It let my body free, removd every weight, leaving it light and flexible. The movements happened at their own accord, and soon enough, I'd be dancing, my body following every beat, my heart and mind in perfect sync.

Dancing was my medicine.

The one that healed the trauma my past had inflicted upon my young, fragile soul. It eased the pain, and even if for a few moments, it helped me forget.

I gave a graceful bow, and my audience for the evening broke into applause. The appreciation I received was definitely a bonus. Never had I thought that my sweet, guilty little hobby would one day becoe not only my emotional salvation, but also my financial one. In a small town like Wildcrest, entertainment was hard to find. People found pleasure in cosy, private gatherings, and music and dancing were always a part of them. From dancing on the sides of the streets, collecting the small numbers of coins people would throw at me, to dancing at private parties, and being actually sought out for, I'd made a life for myself. It wasn't anything too luxurious, but I had managed to build a small, two-bed apartment, and had enough to pay for my daily expenses. And that was more than enough for a girl whose life had almost ended at the age of ten.

After a quick wave and a warm smile, I quickly descended the small platform that I'd used as my stage and rushed into the dressing room the hosts had provided me with. My body was littered with goosebumps as I pulled on my jacket over the tight sleeveless costume I'd been wearing for my performance. It was nothing too skimpy, something I'd happily wear if the temperatures in Wildcrest weren't always falling too low. It was always freezing out here, but a girl got to do what was needed to survive. So I put on a costume and a smile, even if my teeth were chattering within my mouth.

I sighed and slumped into the warm, cushioned chair, looking up when the female host, Mrs. Walker entered the room. She was a young, beautiful woman with striking blue eyes, her brown hair tied at the top of her head in a thick bun.

"You were incredible, Delilah," she complimented, her features filled with glee. "My guests are highly impressed, and one of them has requested for your number."

I smiled, standing up. "Thank you. Please feel free to give out my contact details to anyone who asks for them. I could use a few more shows. Got to help my roommate buy a new phone."

"Of course." She grinned, tapping my arm. "I'll be sure to let everyone know that you're the best they can get in Wildcrest."

"How sweet of you."

"Anyway, please help yourself to the food and drinks. You're as much a guest in my home as everyone else who's here."

"I'll join shortly. Thank you, Mrs. Walker."

"You're welcome, honey." She left the room, being kind enough to close the door behind her. I smiled, fishing out my phone from my pocket and checking my roommate's messages.

Call me as soon as you can. -Bri

"Now what does she want," I muttered to myself, before dialing her number. I wasn't certain she would pick up, since her phone had been lagging a lot lately. Everytime it received a call, it would simply hang, blasting her ringtone and refusing to budge no matter how hard you poked at the screen. But luckily, after a few rings, Brianna answered the call, and I heard her dramatic sigh through the phone. I stifled a chuckle.

"I am so done with this stupid phone. If it doesn't die on its own, I'm certain I'll throw it against a wall out of frustration and break it myself."

I laughed. "Calm down, Bri. It's okay. We'll get you a new one soon. Now, why did you want me to call you?"

"Oh yeah. I wanted to ask what time you'll be back tonight? I wanted to get a burger."

"Uh..." I trailed off, removing the phone from my ear to check the time. "By ten, I think."

"Oh if that's the case can we go clubbing later? It's been so long since we went and I have an off from work tomorrow."

I frowned. "Why do you have an off?"

"Because I'm not going."

"Why not?"

"We have a reversation for a werewolf family tomorrow, you know those creep me out."

An uneasiness spread within my chest at once. "Oh yeah don't go. Good decision," I whispered.

"Thought so. So we're on?"

"Yeah, sure. See you."

"See you, doll."

I ended the call, and took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Even the name of their kind filled me with discomfort. It had been twelve years, and yet, I hated and feared them all the same. Werewolves weren't people, even though they looked like us most of the time. Their animal forms were the truth about them. They were wild, untamed beasts with not even a shred of humanity. Vile creatures.

Music once again resumed outside, and instantly I felt a little better. I quickly shook the thought of them from my head. Those wretched things would not ruin other night of my life. That was the promise I'd made to myself five years ago, after suffering from a severe panic attack in the washroom of the restaurant Bri worked at. A werewolf had growled out at the waittress and I'd been transported back to the night I lost my parents. I'd rushed to the washroom, and Bri, who didn't even know me back then was kind enough to follow. She'd calmed me down, and we were inseperable ever since. Very soon, she had moved in with me so we could shae expenses and save some money. Sometimes we did, and sometimes we didn't. But I knew that one day we would finally be able to fulfill our goal to afford a trip to Stormfell, a town that contradictory to its name, had the most pleasant, warm weather and lovely beaches to bathe in the sun at. That was the dream.

I walked to the door, and put on my professional smile, before opening it and stepping out into the party again. The prettier I looked, the more shows I could book and the closer I'd get to getting Bri a new phone and then eventually, that trip to Stormfell.

- - - -

XAVIER

The sink cracked under my hold, and I squeezed my eyes shut, with my jaw clenched so tight my teeth could have cut through each other. I released a quick breath through my nose. I had to do this. No matter how much my wolf tried to fight against me. Hagor was still in the hopes of finding his one true mate, but I'd let go of that possibility a long time back. We were over twenty six now, and most of every wolf I knew had found his mate by maximum the age of twenty. We were six years late, and my pack, the Blood Moon, needed their a Luna. I couldn't let them suffer anymore, so I'd chosen the best candidate for the position--Clarice, my Beta's sister. Clarice was beautiful, with red-brown hair and matching eyes. Her wolf Ilya was fierce and strong. Just what the pack needed.

And what about us? Hagor growled at me, causing all the uneasiness and discomfort I was currently suffering from.

She will prove to be an excellent mate, Hagor.

But she shall never be able to compete with what our fated mate would have been.

"We're not even sure we have one!" I yelled out loud, slamming my fist against the sink so hard, it broke into two.

"There you go," I growled, balling my fists as I stepped away from the water that trickled onto the tiles of the floor.

I wish that was your blood. Hagor commented.

I let out a huff.

So no mate, and a wolf that left no chance to annoy the s**t out of me. Alpha wolves were supposed to be fiesty, but mine had a knack for being the most petty little s**t the world had ever known.

Call me whatever you want. But the night you're ready to bed her, I will bite her head off.

Empty threats. That was what those were. Thankfully, I called the shots.

Then wait till the Moon, shithead. I'll do it then.

Another sigh left my lips.

"You know you can't do s**t," I stated, before blocking him out and walking out of the bathroom. I glanced at myself in the mirror and fixed the lapels of my coat, before running a hand through my hair. This night had to go perfect. No one could know about the conflict within me. To everyone else, the engagement had to look like what it was: a perfectly calculated, intelligent decision by their Alpha. Both parts of their Alpha.

I walked out of my room, to find Axel waiting outside. He gave me a respectful nod.

"What?" The word left my lips, my tone curt. I mentally cursed Hagor as Axel flinched slightly.

"Miss Clarice was asking for you, Alpha. They have the rings and all the guests waiting in the hall," he said quizkly, gaze downcast.

"I'm going," I stated, paying attention to my tone now. "Get someone to fix my sink."

"Right away, Alpha."

"And where's Ryan?"

"He--"

"Right here, buddy!" Ryan yelled from across the hall, walking towards me with a huge grin on his face. The kind that made me want to rip his head off. "Look at my dearest brother-in-law."

I walked past Axel, as well as him, my face retaining the stoic expression I'd been wearing since the day started. I had tried to smile and look happy and content with my decision, but Hagor had enough influence on my body to not let me smile when I wasn't entirely blissful.

"Woah woah," Ryan said, quickly falling into step with me. "Look alive, mate. You're getting engaged to my sister, not getting castrated."

I shot him a look, making him purse his lips.

"Alright, continue looking dead on the inside. Anything but that scowl that makes your nostrils flare. What are you so mad about by the way?" he asked as we descended the stairs.

"Hagor," I stated. Ryan was the only one I could tell the truth to. He was not just my Beta, but also my bestfriend. Almost like a brother to me. In all honesty, Clarice had been like a sister too until a few months ago when she made a pass at me. It was weird, seeing her in a new light like that, but I was a grown man with wold inside me, and both of us had needs. Hagor wasn't exactly happy to be with someone who wasn't his mate, but she was still a beautiful female, and as long as we didn't mark her, Hagor was cool. But now that things were moving towards marriage, the little s**t had decided to throw tantrums like a five year old girl.

"Oh, does he not like Clarice?"

"He wants to wait for our fated."

"Well," Ryan shrugged, "can't blame him for that."

"You'd say that. You found yours when you were sixteen. You hadn't even grown a full beard back then."

"Yes but even if I had to wait for eternity, being with Eveline would be worth it."

I answered with a low growl.

Ryan laughed, just as we approached the doors to the hall. "Alright now. At least try to smile. You look constipated."

"Another word from you, and I will castrate you."

"Alright, alright. Just stop looking like that."

I glided my tongue over the front of my teeth, before giving Vyn a nod. He gave me a respectful bow, before throwing open the doors and announcing my arrival.

"Xavier Crown, the true and ruling Alpha of the Blood Moon pack, and Ryan Hale, his respected Beta."

- - - - - -

Did you guys like the chapter? I hope you did. Stay tuned, loves!