Shall We Dance
1003 Words
====Gideon's POV=====
In the next few days, the pack demanded a lot of my attention. The responsibilities of an alpha weighed heavily, pressing me into a ceaseless routine.
Even busy as hell, Eleanor was always in my mind. The dance hall, where Eleanor practiced with the help of her dancing teacher, became a passing curiosity during my brief respites.
It wasn't an overly hectic night. Nevertheless, a subtle compulsion led me to the entrance of the ballroom.
Many times I entertained the idea of entering, and just as many times I resisted.
Normally, I am very good at self-discipline. Tonight, however, felt different. I don’t know what is drawing me.
I entered the dancing hall.
The door creaked open as I entered, and the atmosphere changed.
There she was — Eleanor. The focus of my secret visits now held center stage.
Eleanor turned to face me. There was a kind of surprise in her emerald eyes.
Obviously, she didn't expect that I would come to see her practice. She looked a little panicked, but she immediately hid that panic for just a moment. But obviously, she wasn't good at pretending.
"Alpha Gideon." She greeted me.
"You've learned fast." I nodded at her.
And then the music stopped before I could say more. Scott, the main dancing instructor and other people bowed to me.
"Alpha Gideon, Sorry that we didn't know you were going to visit tonight."
"Tomorrow is the banquet. I'm here to see how the future Luna is doing."
"Of course. Eleanor is a very good student."
Hearing his compliment, Eleanor smiled shyly and lowered her head.
"It is because you are very good at teaching and being really nice to me."
"Alright, Eleanor, let's show Alpha Gideon what you have got so far."
Eleanor looked at me very quickly and after a few seconds, she walked up and took Scott's arm. Scott took her to the center of the room.
I couldn't help but frown. I could feel my wolf showing its dissatisfaction by baring its teeth. But as Alpha, I couldn't expose my rudeness. I smiled and stepped away decently to show my acquiescence.
The music started again.
But somehow, all my attention focused on Scott's hand on Eleanor's waist.
Scott was the best and youngest instructor in this pack, who taught many fair ladies of prestigious family etiquette.
Was this how he teaches ladies to dance? In other words, he's been holding her like this for the past week in the name of dancing?
As an Alpha, my strong aura changed the atmosphere here. Scott took the initiative to stop his movements.
"Scott? Did I dance the step wrong again?" Eleanor looked even more uneasy, biting her lower lip and looking at her instructor at a loss.
"No, you've been doing great. I just think, since Alpha Gideon is also here, it would be better if you two could practice together. I hope it's not too much for you, Alpha Gideon."
Eleanor's gaze flitted nervously when she heard Scott's proposal, a pattern I couldn't ignore. I could tell how the atmosphere was charged with unspoken tension.
"Just one dance." I didn't know why I agreed with Scott's stupid idea.
The atmosphere tightened as Eleanor's eyes continually sought mine. She was nervous. It puzzled me — this woman, always so guarded.
"Shall we?" I tried to soften my tone to comfort her.
"Yes, Alpha Gideon." she lowered her eyes, so I was unable to see her expression.
The dance continued.
I watched as she carefully curled up in my arms, her movements hesitant and uncertain. I held her in my arms, and almost felt her heart beat.
Out of the blue, she missed a tempo and accidentally stepped on my foot.
I could sense that her whole body became stiff all of a sudden. The next second, before I could even realize it, she bowed to me and apologized sincerely, "Oh my, I'm so sorry, Alpha Gideon. Are you alright?"
She was like a frightened deer, and this made me want to protect her. She didn't look cursed, but a girl who was never well taken care of.
"It's okay." I raised my hand, wanting to comfort her by patting her back, but she quickly slipped away from me.
"I'm really, really sorry."
Yet, I let a contemplative gaze focus on her. This woman differed from what others said.
"Let's keep dancing." I said to her.
As the dance progressed, I could feel the tension between us. She was avoiding my gaze, and her heartbeat went fast. Physical contact became an unspoken language, my wolf ran excitedly, he really wanted her.
I found myself captivated by Eleanor's lips, her warmth, and the rosy hue that painted her cheeks.
How her feet moved along with my steps, how the hem of her dress gently brushed my calf like a feather, how my finger touched her warm skin, how her eyes, averting mine...
A gasp escaped her lips. She felt it too.
The howls of my wolf echoed in my mind. My wolf stirred, he was acting like he was losing control.
"Mark her!" My wolf was almost shouting at me. And I could feel that Eleanor's wolf was the same. Eleanor was holding my hand tightly, her eyes stopped avoiding me, but staring at me.
We almost forgot that there were other people. It was like we were the only ones.
As I looked down, my eyes fell upon the mark on Eleanor's neck — a symbol of mark. Reality crashed back that she was someone else's mate, and she seduced him to mark her, in front of everyone!
"She was marked."
This fact suddenly hit me, and all the humor about Eleanor came to my mind. She had a crush on that Alpha and was already marked by him.
How stupid.
I released Eleanor, leaving her standing amidst the fading echoes of music.
The dance reached its conclusion.
"See you tomorrow." I heard myself indifferently and left the dancing hall.
- Writer
