The Alpha and His Dancer

Chapter 2 - Captured Heart

XAVIER

Maybe Hagor had been right.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Because as I stood there talking to my fiance, to the girl I would soon be marrying, the girl who would be my Luna and my chosen mate, I realised that pack meetings were more fun than hearing her talk about boxing. Normally, that would be a fun topic. But at our engagement party, maybe I'd expected something more...

Romantic? Hagor scoffed, making me let out a small sigh. I'd unblocked him after I'd almost dozed off while standing.

It wasn't like Clarice was ugly. No, she was one of the most beautiful she-wolves out there. But she lacked a feminine grace that I hungered for, one I was certain my fated mate would have. Somehow, I always imagined her as someone beautiful and gentle, someone I could watch all day and never get enough of.

As for Clarice, she was my friend. She'd always been. But not once had I considered dating her, let alone marrying her. If she hadn't made that pass at me, maybe I wouldn't have made this dreadful decision.

Then stop this idiocy.

If only it were that simple.

I didn't need to like Clarice or be in love with her. I didn't need to desire her. All I needed was understanding, someone who would follow my orders and be the best Luna.

A Luna is supposed to challenge the Alpha, change him, not be his dumb little puppet. She's meant to bring in a new perspective, to show us things in a new light. All Clarice does is agree with us like an inferior. Our Luna was meant to be someone else, someone who wouldn't consider herself any less than we are.

He wasn't entirely wrong. That was the entire point of mates: Creating balance. Us werewolves had a hard time taking hold of our own emotions, so when we bonded with another, especially when it was our fated mate, everything started to fall into place.

"...so then I kicked her across the face and pulled out a patch of her hair. That was literally amazing."

I forced a smile. "Nice. Ryan!" I yelled, making Clarice flinch. So did a few others, but my head was starting to spin. I needed a distraction. Anything.

"Yes, Xav?" He appeared beside me in a second.

I glanced at him, my eyes starting to change colour out of frustration. "Put some life into this damned party before I rip someone's head off."

Ryan's eyes widened, and he frowned. "What kind of life?"

"Get a dancer. Get fifteen. Do anything," I grabbed his collar and pulled him closer, leaning in to his ear, "anything to drown out your sister's noise."

Ryan pushed away from me, scowling. "That's extremely rude."

"I'll show you what rude can be." My voice came out as a growl.

Ryan flinched, then clenched his jaw. "Of course, Alpha," he mocked. "Anything your bitchy ass needs."

He stormed off before I could react.

Somewhere within me, Hagor laughed and realisation dawned on me.

That little b***h of a wolf. He was making me act like this. Or maybe it was the effects of the full moon approaching soon.

In either case, Ryan was going to be insufferable the next few days.

- - - -

DELILAH

Dancing for an audience was very different from dancing at clubs. While one required grace and poise, the other was simply for the sake of raw, wild enjoyment. I had mastered them both, one for financial advancement, the other for mental. Dancing at clubs could teach you a lot--how to avoid certain gazes, how to spot potential predators while looking completely reckless, how to not bump into the same person accidentally, fifty times over. And yet, somehow, amongst the crowd of swaying and drinking men, I was unable to spot a pair of eyes that was settled onto me for way too long.

"You killed it, Del!" Bri laughed, pulling me into a quick hug the second I stopped.

One would think I might get bored of dancing when that was my profession, but I could do this all day, seven days a week.

"So did you." I grinned, fixing a strand of her dark hair.

Bri was absolutely gorgeous. Raven black hair, bronze skin, plump lips and a curvy body--she was everything a man or woman could ever want. Her dashing looks and charming personality often helped pull more money from the customers she waited, but even so, we still had trouble dealing with most expenses.

"Wanna get a drink?" she asked.

I paused for a moment. "No, I'd rather not. I have two shows lined up for tomorrow, and you know I like to pass out for long hours after I drink."

"We are out clubbing, doll. We're supposed to have fun tonight!" She took me by the wrist and dragged me all the way to the bar, pushing through the sea of people that were still dancing like their lives depended on it. Except they didn't. Only mine did.

We took seats at the bar, and as she rambled on about how cute the bartender was, my gaze darted around the room before meeting one at a distance. The eyes were almost luminous, and a chill wafted over me. Especially when the man started walking towards us.

I nudged Bri's arm with mine, not looking away from the tall stranger.

"What?" she asked, pausing her flirting with the bartender.

"That man is coming towards us, I'm not getting a good feeling about him."

She spun on her stool and glanced at him, and her expression instantly mirrored mine.

"He's giving werewolf vibes," she said, frowning.

My heart shuddered in my chest and I quickly pushed off the stool, but he covered the distance in quick strides and blocked my way before I could move. Realisation struck me. He'd been watching me while I danced.

"Hey, please wait," he said, his expression looking rather worried. I noticed his clothing--a prim suit, something no sane man would wear at a club.

"What do you want?" Bri asked, stepping between us.

I relaxed slightly, mentally thanking her. She knew how afraid I was of their kind, and if he really was one, then I didn't wanna be anywhere near him. I didn't even know they allowed those creatures in here. I thought this was an animal free club.

"I just want to talk to your friend," he said to her, his gaze still focused on me. "I noticed you dance really, really well. Are you a professional?"

Before I could react or respond in any way, Bri answered for me.

"Yes, she is. What has that got to do with you?"

I squeezed my eyes shut. Why would she tell him that? Bri was the best, but not the smartest.

"That's perfect." His eyes lit up, relief taking over his features. "I'd like to borrow you for a grand event that is happening right this instant. You'll be paid handsomely."

Bri gave me a questioning look, but I could see the excitement in her gaze. Had she forgotten he was a werewolf?

"I'm not working tonight," I stated. "I've to leave." I tried to walk off and disappear, but he blocked my way. I sucked in a breath, steppng away from him.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I guarantee your safety. You can bring your friend along if you want. I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't urgent. Please come with me."

"How do we know you're not lying to kidnap us and sell us off to creeps?" Bri retorted, once again stepping in front of me. I released a slow breath.

"Here's my boss's card." He fished one out of his pocket and handed it to her. I glanced at it over her shoulder.

Xavier Crown. Crown Chemicals.

Our suspiscions were correct. This man was a werewolf, and so was his boss. I'd heard about his company. They were very rich and very powerful.

My throat was closing.

"Bri," I whispered, backing away from the man. I had to run. I couldn't stay there.

"Ma'am, please--" the werewolf's sentence was cut short by something. He pulled his phone from his pocket, a frantic expression taking over his features. He turned away from us and picked up the phone. "Yes Beta? Yes, I'm on it. I've found someone--"

I didn't wait for him to finish his conversation. Grabbing Bri's wrist I bolted as fast as I could, pushing through the people, bumping into Goddess knows how many of them. We got angry stares and shouts, but we did not stop until we were out of the club. The cold night air washed over our skin that was covered in perspiration, and mixed with the fear, it instantly induced shivers. We took deep breaths, both of us looking around in panic before I spotted a taxi.

"There," I whispered, pointing at it.

"Let's go." We ran together, our heels clicking against the ground, but before we could reach the car, a yelp left Bri's lips and she doubled over in pain.

"What's wrong?" I asked, taking her arms.

"I twisted my ankle," she cried, tears glistening in her eyes. "I can't run, Del."

"Bri, we have to go, come on, lean on me." I tried to help her, but she shook her head.

"I can't," she cried. "You run, Delilah before he finds you. It's you who he wants anyway. Please run."

"No, I can't leave--"

"Go!" she yelled, pushing me off of herself.

I stood there hesitating for a moment, before I let out a frustrated groan and made it to the car. I quickly got in, and tapped the driver's shoulder. "Go, go, go, go, go."

"Where to?" he asked.

"Just go!"

"Alright!"

He started the car and we sped away from the club, but no relief washed over me. My heart was trying to beat out of my chest, and my hands shook like dry leaves in wind, in spite of how tightly I'd had my fists clenched. I couldn't believe I'd left Bri out there alone. What if that animal killed her? What if he hurt her to get to me? Why did he even want me? Tears rolled down my cheeks and I buried my face in my hands, trying to calm my breathing. I couldn't have a panic attack right now. My stomach was in knots.

A scream tore from my lips as the taxi jerked to a stop, almost sending me flying to the front seat. I glanced out the car, and everything within me stilled.

Standing in front of the taxi, blocking its way was a dark grey wolf, eyes glowing a bright gold, teeth bared and drooling on the floor.

"Reverse," I whispered, but the driver didn't hear me. "Reverse," I tried again, tapping his seat with my trembling and sweating hand. "Reverse!" I screamed.

The driver flinched out of his shock and obliged to my plea, quickly going backwards and turning the car around. I glanced out the back, my heart beating louder every second as the wolf followed us, quickly getting closer and closer. It pounced, and the car swerved, the sound of the tyres screeching against the road making me cover my ears. The windshield broke with a loud crash, and I yelped, backing tightly into the seat. My eyes squeezed shut, and tears rolled down my cheeks as the door to the my seat was ripped open. A few moments later, a hand grabbed mine, and everything was darkness.

- - - - - -

What do you think will happen next? Do you like the chapter? Let me know in the comments! I'll be trying to update as regularly as I can, but for those who do not know me, I'm a university student and it's hard to manage studies and writing together. So please be patient, loves! And stay tuned!

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