Her Savior. His Princess.

Our Dance

I arrived at the marketplace fast, smiling because the sun felt so great on my skin. I only got the chance to revel on the perfectness and short term freedom of being outside before fear crept up my spine like a shadow clinging to my back. I have to hurry. If I'm not home soon... I shudder, thinking of what could happen to me, and then jog quickly to a vendor selling meat. 

She smiled kindly, but I can see her eyes looking over my scars almost like she is judging me. You would think that if someone saw a girl with scars and bruises, they might try to help rather than sit there with those stupid judgemental eyes. Self conscious, I tug the hood of my cloak down to cover or at least shadow most of my face. "Juniper Moon order please." I said politely, trying to ignore the way she was looking at me.

Jason always called ahead of time so I would be back faster. The lady nodded and grabbed a bag, plastering a fake sweet smile on her face. I hate it when people do that. They smile so fake it’s like you can sense how much they would rather be stabbing you with a pitchfork. I look into the bag, ignoring the shivers that ran down my spine at the previous thought. It was full of enough different types of meat to last the alpha a week. It would have been heavy but I didn't think about it too much and it seems to get a bit lighter. 

I continue along, pushing my way by annoyed werewolves. I ignore all the rude comments I get. I really need to finish shopping so I can get back before he sends Vlad.

As I continue gathering stuff, I allow my mind to wander. I think of a future in which I wasn't with the Juniper Moon. A future with no Jason. Maybe even an alternate dimension in which I’m a well-loved queen! Hell, I would stay as a servant type if there was no Jason or anyone like the jerk.

Since I can remember, being at Juniper Moon, I dreamt of a place I could go where I could let loose, be myself. No one would hate me, or mistreat me

Before I knew it, I had gotten close to a music place... And they were blasting music with the doors wide open. I love places like this.

I blinked, then before I could stop myself... I was dancing. I had set the bags down where I could keep an eye on them and let the music carry me.

My own personal curse: I f*****g love music. I need it like I need air to breathe. The music store has one of my favorite songs playing. “Wow” by Zara Larsson. And of course, for once I feel completely free. My body moves to the tune of the song. How does music have this affect on me? It's like I can't control myself. The music just connects. It feels right, like I should be dancing. Like I need to be dancing. That does sound like heaven.

Suddenly, someone is in front of me. I jump, afraid it is Vlad. But this guy isn't as big as Vlad. I look up, holy s**t. He's f*****g gorgeous. He puts one hand on the small of my back, the other one is caressing my side. I flinch but his touch is so gentle and caring.

We move to the beat, our bodies one. He seems to know this song as well, his moves are really good, even guiding me. I take this opportunity to really look at him. He is wearing normal street clothes but his hair looks like he purposefully messed it up. His skin is slightly more pale than mine, but not by much. And then... There are his eyes. Vibrant, bright, beautiful green irises are staring down at me. Something about him makes me want to be closer to him.

A fire lights my whole body to my core, and I realized with a shock that I really wanted him. Jason had forced me to want him. But this stranger popped up and suddenly I forgot my worries... I was safe in his arms. And the way he was holding me, touching me as if I might break and he was trying to prevent that. His arm encircles my waist as he pulls me flush to him, bending me back and leaning over me. His free hand caresses my cheek. The pad of his thumb grazes my bottom lip and my breath hitches. I want him to touch me more…

The song ends too soon, but he doesn’t move away. In fact, I think he finds a way to move even closer to me. My mind goes blank, I feel like I’m about to fall from the angle he is holding me at so I hook one leg around his waist and place my hands on his shoulders. I want to wrap my arms around his neck but my pounding heart and fuzzy brain is confusing me to the point that my arms don’t listen.

His fingers touch one of my bruises gently but even that is enough to remind me that I’m ugly. I have scars and too many injuries to count. His eyes run all over my face as he helps me to stand straight. He tries to keep me close to him but reality is slapping me repeatedly. No one should be forced to look at me this much. Lord knows no one probably wants to. 

Before the next song plays and I get lost in it, I shove myself away from the man I had just danced with. That was weird. It’s as if we had choreographed our dance moves beforehand even though this was the first time we had met. People are staring, probably wondering what the f**k I am doing currently rushing from this sexy man. But I don’t really have a choice. I snatch the bags off the ground. I can’t stop myself from looking back at him. 

His green eyes look hopeful when he sees me looking. Maybe I was mistaken but did he want me to go back? No, that would be insane. He is probably hoping I will leave faster. I peel my eyes away from him and then I’m gone, running through the crowd to reach my destination of Hell.