Chapter Four
1055 Words
Serina
I felt dizzy, and I started to doubt Cassy's master plan. After dancing number 12 with another ineligible Batchelor, I was not enjoying myself. This one, in particular, was determined to break my ankles, whisking me around the floor at a breakneck speed. Twelve men, perfectly fine men. But no, not even a tingle of being my mate.
The gods must be laughing at me. Cassy sure as hell was as we flew past her for the third time.
Will this song never end?
Smiling at this current toad, who was still boasting about something.
Shit, I should really be listening to this…
"And I want five sons. All to help rule the Moon clan's land. All of them, of course, will be skilled in literature and fighting. Many wolves these days do not have a brain cell between them… As for daughters, I have no time to waste on such a pointless endeavor."
Now I remember why I turned off in the first place.
Eric Moon, of the western moon pack, was very handsome, looking like he had been hauled out of a Greek movie with his abs and blond wispy hair. But he knew it; he had grabbed me the second I had been released from the last suitor and had not stopped talking about his plans. He was confident that I would swoon the second he let me go. I had to fight the urge to shudder, engaged.
No, I did not think about it; I couldn't give in.
It didn't help. No one would tell me anything. I didn't even know when my new family was expected to arrive.
A strange feeling came over me then, like I was being watched; my wolf stood at full attention, goosebumps trailing along my arms. Scanning the crowd, no one jumped out at me.
My gaze, meeting the harsh stare of my father, had me snapping back to Eric's attention.
"But you seem healthy enough; I'm sure you will bear me all of my required sons."
His eyes scanned over me with a skeptical glare all down my body. I had to hide my disgust. Eric and his father, Emmott, had spoken to my father most of this gathering. Even before he had flown me around the dancefloor, Eric had shared words with him. Although it was unusual for my father to tolerate anyone, it certainly interested me and was the only reason I allowed Eric to have a dance in the first place.
"You seem very confident, Eric; how do you know I will choose you?"
He flashed me a devilish smile that would have been handsome if I didn't already know his character.
"I have every reason to be Serina, but we both know you have no choice in this game. You are, after all, simply a woman."
The music finally stopped, and I was out of his arms before the violins lowered their bows.
"Uh, thank you for the dance, Eric. I could use a drink,"
I whirled and left him on the floor before he could say another word. Making my way through the crowd, I found Cassy at the bar, sitting on the barstools with a champagne glass ready for me.
"So, how was Achilles over there?"
Our long-running nickname for Eric, given the general Greek theme, I braved a look back to see him standing across the floor with the father, both of them speaking and looking my way. I was starting to get nervous about this. My father wasn't slow; he was always a step ahead. I turned to Cassy, who had also noticed the strange interaction.
"Maybe you won't need this f**k the marriage plan after all, Ser... I wouldn't mind being tied to that hunk."
Her fluttering hands fanning her face was my undoing. Downing the entire glass, I reached for another.
Where's Paris with the arrow?
"I can't stand another dance with him, let alone thinking of any plans my father might be making. You haven't heard him, Cas. He's already named our bloody children".
She turned and laughed, reaching for another two glasses of champagne, but not before she retrieved her flask from its usual spot in her bra and added something much more potent. I could smell the alcohol before she had even handed it to me.
"I figured getting drunk might make this less painful for you."
Her familiar attitude raised my spirits. We raised a toast and downed the glasses together. It burned and made my eyes water. Immediately, I felt my head get fuzzy. Cassy physically swayed, her polished nails clutching the bar to steady herself.
"Christ Cass, what was that?"
She snickered, followed by a hiccup.
"Uhm, another favor I called in with the witches; they said it was powerful."
We were screwed, witches brew… you never trusted those women, especially with drink.
"I can't see straight, Cass; my father is going to kill me."
Suddenly, we were laughing.
Why are we laughing?
But the more I tried to stop, the more I laughed. People were turning around now, grabbing Cassy's arm and trying to drag her to the toilets. The music filled the room again, and couples swirled around the dancefloor. The movements had my fuzzy mind stunned. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I could hear Cassy commenting on someone… a man.
I crashed into something, releasing Cassy to catch myself.
The scent hit me first—all masculine, woody, fresh. It made my head spin more than the drinks ever could. Strong arms caught me, pulling me up. I could feel electric currents hitting me where his skin touched mine, large, toned muscles straining over the black tux. I looked up and up.
This guy was tall and pure muscular; I was not disappointed when I eventually met his gaze. If Eric were Achilles, then this man would be all god. His short dark hair fell in whisps around his even darker eyes.
Those eyes, oddly familiar...
I could get lost there, like the stars on a full moon, staring straight into mine, staring… crap.
I blinked, bringing me back to reality. He smiled at me, and it threatened to make my knees buckle again. My wolf was urging me to rub myself over him.
Gods, what was wrong with me?
- Writer
