Savage Bonds

The Dance

Asher's hand was warm against her lower back as he led her onto the dance floor, and Juni was acutely aware of every eye in the bar following their movement.

The whispers had already started—she could hear fragments over the music.

"Did she really just—"

"The future alpha—"

"In front of everyone—"

Good. Let them talk. Let them see that Luka Brenner didn't own her.

"You good?" Asher murmured as he pulled her into position, his hands sliding around her waist.

"Yep." Juni said. She couldn't believe he had acted like that.

"That was quite a show back there." His green eyes sparkled with amusement. "Remind me never to piss you off."

Juni let him lead her into the rhythm of the music. "That was me being nice."

Asher laughed, spinning her out and then back against his chest. "If that's nice, I'd hate to see mean."

"No one's ever seen me truly mean." The words came out more serious than she'd intended.

She could feel Luka's stare boring into her back. Part of her wanted to turn around, to see if he was still standing there like an i***t, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"He's still watching," Asher said quietly, his breath warm against her ear. "Looking like he wants to rip my throat out."

"Let him look." Juni lifted her chin, meeting Asher's eyes. "Maybe he'll learn something about how to treat people."

"You know he's not going to give up, right? Alphas like him... they don't handle rejection well."

"Then he's going to have a rough time." She let Asher dip her, her hair brushing the floor. "Because I meant what I said. He's nothing to me."

She wanted it to be true. So why could she still feel his presence like electricity on her skin? Why did her traitorous body react to his proximity even now, even after everything?

Stop it, she told herself firmly. He doesn't deserve space in your head.

"You're thinking too hard," Asher said, pulling her back up. "Just dance with me."

He was right. She'd come to have fun with Elora, play pool, maybe flirt with someone who actually saw her.

She hadn't expected Asher to show up, but she wasn't complaining. He was handsome, charming, and most importantly, he'd noticed her long before tonight. He'd approached her at the last inter-pack meeting, asked her about her training, and remembered her name.

Basic things. Things Luka Brenner had never bothered with.

The song shifted to something slower, sultrier, and Asher pulled her closer. His hand splayed across her lower back, and she could feel the strength in his arms, the controlled power of another alpha.

"You know," he said conversationally, "when I heard you were single, I couldn't believe it. Thought for sure someone would have claimed you by now."

"Nobody claims me. If I'm with someone, it's because I choose to be."

"Noted." His smiled. "Though I have to ask... did you choose to dance with me because you wanted to, or because it would piss him off?"

The question caught her off guard. Juni considered lying, but Asher had been nothing but honest with her.

"Both," she admitted. "That makes me a terrible person, doesn't it?"

"It makes you human." He spun her again, casual and smooth. "Though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for more of the former than the latter."

"Asher—"

"Most wolves would have caved the second their future alpha showed interest."

"I'm not most wolves."

"No," he agreed, his eyes traveling over her face. "You're definitely not."

The weight of Luka's stare intensified, and Juni couldn't help herself. She turned her head just enough to see him from the corner of her eye.

He was exactly where they'd left him, standing frozen in the middle of the bar. Jake was saying something to him, but Luka wasn't listening. His eyes were locked on her, dark and intense and full of something that made her stomach flip.

Lauren was tugging at his arm, clearly trying to get him to leave, but he wasn't budging. He looked... lost. Like someone had pulled the ground out from under him and he didn't know how to stand anymore.

Good, Juni thought viciously. Now you know how it feels.

But even as she thought it, something in her chest twisted. She'd never seen him look so completely undone. The arrogant, cocky alpha heir was gone, replaced by someone who looked genuinely shattered.

"Want to give him a real show?" Asher asked, following her gaze.

"What did you have in mind?"

Instead of answering, he spun her out and then pulled her back, closer this time. His hand slid up to cup her face, thumb brushing her cheek.

Juni's breath caught. "Asher..."

"Trust me?"

She could feel Luka's stare like a brand. One word, one small nod, and she could drive the knife deeper.

"Yes," she breathed.

The music shifted to something slower, more sensual, the bass line thrumming through the floor. Asher's eyes darkened as he pulled her flush against him, one hand splaying across her lower back while the other tangled in her hair.

His thigh slid between hers as he dipped her back, his lips finding the sensitive spot just below her ear. Juni's eyes fluttered closed.

"He's about to lose it," Asher murmured against her neck, his hand sliding down to grip her hip.

Juni gasped as he pulled her back up, keeping her pressed tight against him. "Let him watch."

She rolled her hips in time with the music, letting her hands explore the muscles of Asher's chest through his shirt. His growl of approval vibrated through her, and she smirked. Two could play the possessive alpha game.

A crash echoed through the bar. Juni glanced over to see Luka had shattered another glass. Jake had both hands on his shoulders, clearly trying to keep him in place, but Luka looked seconds away from a full shift.

"Juni," Asher's voice drew her attention back. "You sure about this?"

She pulled his head down and kissed him. Not sweet. Hot and demanding and very public. She nipped at his lower lip, smiled when he groaned, and let everyone in that bar see exactly how much she was enjoying herself.

When she pulled back, Asher's eyes were wild. "f**k, you're going to get me killed."

Asher's hands settled on her hips as they moved together, the position giving her a perfect view of Luka's complete meltdown. His eyes were glowing amber, fangs visible, whole body vibrating with barely contained violence.

The sound that ripped from Luka's throat was pure possession, pure fury. Jake was now joined by two other pack members trying to hold him back, and failing. Luka's control was shredding in real-time, in front of everyone.

"Incoming," Asher warned, his arms tightening around her.

Sure enough, Luka had broken free from Jake's hold and was stalking across the dance floor, other couples scrambling out of his way. His movements were all predator now, human facade completely gone.

"This should be interesting," Juni murmured, not moving from Asher's embrace.

But he only made it halfway before Jake caught up, along with Marcus and Derek, two of the pack's enforcers. She watched with satisfaction as they physically blocked his path, Jake planting himself firmly between Luka and the dance floor.

"Looks like your boys are saving you from a beating," Juni said, loud enough to carry.

She saw Luka's face contort with rage at her words, saw him struggle against the three men now dragging him backward. The entire bar was watching, phones out, recording every second of their future alpha completely losing control.

Luka managed to look back once, and their eyes met across the crowded dance floor. The raw desperation in his gaze might have moved her if she weren't still riding high on righteous anger. Instead, she pressed closer to Asher and gave Luka a little wave goodbye.

The snarl that ripped from his throat was audible even over the music.

Then the door slammed shut behind them, and he was gone.

"Think he'll stay out?" Asher asked.

"Not a chance," Juni said with certainty. "His ego won't let him."

"Want to take a break?" Asher suggested. "Get a drink before round two?"

"Round two?"

"When he comes back in." Asher's smile was knowing. "Guys like him don't give up easily."

Juni glanced toward the door. Through the window, she could see Luka pacing in the parking lot like a caged animal, Jake and the others still standing guard.

"Let him come," she said, echoing her earlier thought. "I've got plenty more where that came from."

But even as she said it, something uneasy stirred in her chest. The look in his eyes hadn't been just possessive or angry. It had been... lost. Confused. Like he didn't understand what was happening to him any more than she did.

Not my problem, she reminded herself firmly.

As Asher led her off the dance floor, Juni risked one more glance at Luka.

"You okay?" Elora appeared at her elbow, having fought through the crowd. "That was... intense."

"I'm fine." Juni forced her shoulders to relax. "Where's my pool cue? I believe I was about to kick your ass at another game."

"Juni..."

"I'm fine," she repeated, more firmly. "He's gone, show's over. Let's get back to our night."

But even as she chalked her cue and lined up her next shot, she could still feel the phantom weight of his stare. Could still see the lost look in his eyes when she'd turned away.

Not my problem, she told herself firmly.

The ball sank into the corner pocket with a satisfying crack.