THE MOON COURT

Chapter 4

Charlotte POV

The ballroom was filled with fairy lights and white roses, but Gideon reminded me of a black star falling breaking the balance between colours. His presence felt overwhelming as he made his way between the crowd.  My heart is thundering so loudly that when he grabs the glass out of Eli's hand I try to look away, but I just can’t.

“What the f**k are you wearing?” Ash asks Gideon and then I realize everyone has started dancing around us as my father and I stare at Gideon standing between Eli and Ash. Gideon ignores Eli and Ash completely as he slowly downs the cup of wine.

His gaze penetrated me over the rim of his cup and there was no mistaking the hunger in his eyes. I held  his gaze as I felt the pull towards him. 

“He’s my mate,” I whisper and then smile at my father, but my father looks confused. My mother quickly comes to take his next dance. 

“My love, don’t react he probably had nothing else to wear,” My mother says, but my eyes don’t leave Gideons as he makes his way towards me. My father and mother start to dance, but they watch Gideon and I can see my mother looks as if someone has punched her, but when she sees Diane dancing she shouts. 

“Your child is a rebel just like you!” 

Diane's eyes are wide, but she shrugs her shoulders, “This is the type of thing I don’t even approve of! Should I make him change?” 

“He preferably wanted to make sure his mate couldn’t miss him from a mile away!” Bethany says and their voices disappear as he smiles at me.

Each step he takes it’s as if he had all the power in the world in his hands. His gaze kept locked on my mine and as he stood before me his eyes ran over my body making me almost kiss him right there and then. 

“Hello darlin,” he says and the nickname is new, but I only whisper, “Hi,”

“I would say you look beautiful, but the word wouldn’t do you justice,” 

I don’t know what to say and only take in his beautiful face and dark brown eyes that feel like they have stolen my soul and changed it forever. 

He slowly takes my hand and uses his other to press me against him, “Let’s dance shall we,” he whispers in my ear and I shiver as he starts to move his hips against mine. 

“I thought you hated dancing?” I say as I find my voice. I slowly place my hand on his shoulder and as he seductively brushes his nose against my cheek I can feel the smile pulling at his lips. 

“Tonight, I’ll dance until you beg me to stop,” his voice feels like it's wrapping around my heart and I tremble a little as he dips me. 

Diane and Nicolous is staring at us with confused looks on their faces as we start to dance in the most excotic style, 

“When did you learn to dance like that!” Diane shouts at him and I look at him from under my lashes, my cheeks becoming the deepest colour red as her eyes flicker to his hand going dangerously low. 

“Oh mom, I learned it to impress my mate!” he says and then starts twirling me as the music’s pace quickens, a laugh escapes me and he lifts his brow. 

“I could get used to that sound,” he says and my eyes dance with delight. 

“Then do it again, “ I say and he nods and starts to twirl me again and lifts me up as we come to the middle of the dancefloor. 

As we danced I realized many of the couples had left the dancefloor to simply just watch us. I hated the attention before, but in Gideon’s arms I was begging for it. I wanted everyone to see how happy I was and that I belonged to him completely. 

“This adrenaline feels like the first time we shifted and hunted or when we climbed the roof and stayed up all night watching the stars!” I shout at him as the music becomes even louder. 

His hands grip my middle and spins me out and as I turn his eyes glow and I smile as he grips my hand and pulls me against him. His eyes flicker to my lips and I bite mine making him growl and then I burst out laughing. 

“It’s strange I thought the mating bond would make me feel like I have no control, but I feel more in control than I have in my entire life,” I say and then he smiles the most beautiful smile taking my breath away. 

“I don’t want you to be in control tonight darling,” he says and dips me and lifts my leg and then picks me up as I wrap my arms around his neck. 

I throw my head back and laugh not caring how improper I was acting, I felt free. 

As I look down at him I see he has a startled look on his face. 

“What’s wrong?” I say and place my forehead against his as he slowly puts me down as the song comes to an end. He entwines our fingers at our sides. 

“You are not what I expected,” he says and I roll my eyes. 

“You’ve known me my whole life, Gideon, but I have a feeling after tonight you will know me better than anyone else,” I whisper and am surprised by my own bravery. We just stand there for a moment staring at each other and as the next song begins I push myself against him. 

“Again.” 

He searches my face and starts to lead me into the waltz and my eyes flicker to Ash and Eli talking to my father. My fathers back looks tense as he listens and then I’m pulled back to Gideon as he suddenly stops dancing and leads me to the balcony.

“Where are we going?” I say and he smiles and then as we start to dance on the balcony I laugh. 

“I wanted to get you alone,” he says and then start to twirl me again, but as he pull sme back and is about to press his lips against mine my father says in mindspeak to the whole pack, 

“That’s not Gideon! Arrest him now!” 

My heart stops as I push Gideon away and his skin starts to ripple as the shape of his face starts to change. Wings spread from his back and I scream as he grabs me. I try to shift, but I can't. I must have been drugged.

“It’s the Hybrid!” I hear someone shout, but I start to lose consciousness and the last thing I hear is Erandri and my mother screaming my name.