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verb ~ move rhythmically to music

NOVA

I took a deep breath as we entered the room. The doors stayed open behind us and the heat of the room hit my skin.

My arm stayed looped inside Sean's as I felt and noticed many eyes staring at us as we walked through the doorway. My nails dug into Sean's skin as the paranoia ate away at me. It wasn't too late; I could turn around and go. It wouldn't be that big of a deal.

I hardly knew anyone here, anyway.

Sean must've felt my emotions as he grabbed my hand that stayed curled around his forearm. "You got this. Just walk."

Walk?

Walk.

I can walk.

I swallowed and nodded my head as we walked deeper into the room. People were dancing to a slow song in the middle and you could tell who were the mated ones by how in sync they moved.

Sean led me through a few people, stopping occasionally to talk to people that called his name. Being a gamma, he held position over the others, so I chewed on my tongue to help the anxiety. I knew I had to be close to breaking the skin on his arm by now.

"Loving the change of scenery." A voice called from behind.

I rolled my eyes but turned to greet Beta Charlie. Being in a public setting, I bowed my head gently and waited for him to do the same.

"Thank you. Sean arranged the makeover." I smiled.

Charlie smirked at Sean before going back to look at me. "Molly's help, too, I assume."

"You're not wrong there." Sean rolled his eyes.

"The new hair looks great on you. Didn't realise you had ears," Charlie teased.

Scoffing, I narrowed my eyes playfully. "I do indeed."

"Your speech has come on wonderful, too." He took a drink of a dark liquid. "Like the stutter never existed."

I kept my face void of emotion as I answered. "It can flare up when I don't have control."

He hummed and finished his drink. "You guys want a drink? Come, I'll hook you up."

Hook us up? Was Charlie drunk?

Sean agreed anyway. We followed Charlie to the back of the room, where a large bar stood in one corner. I stood quietly whilst they ordered. I was too busy admiring the floor-to-ceiling windows and golden furnishings to pay attention. The windows were encased in a cream frame with gold-encrusted patterns engraved into the wood. The ceiling must've been thirty feet high, and large chandeliers dazzled every two metres.

It was luxury, and I knew it was real gold, too.

"For you, Nova?" Charlie wondered. "A wine?"

Alcohol was something I was learning about, but I know what I liked. "I'll have the same as Sean. Just a half glass."

Charlie raised an eyebrow. "A lager? You want a lager?"

I copied his actions. "Problem with that?"

He grinned and shook his head, turning to change the order. It didn't take long for them to be handed over; being high-ranked had its benefits. Hardly frothy and ice-cold, how I liked it.

I hummed as I took the first swig, swallowing down the initial tastebud explosion.

"This is nice."

Sean nodded, drinking at least half of his in one go. He licked his lips and let out a quiet burp that had me rolling my eyes. He grinned and thanked Charlie for the drinks before leading me to the other side of the room. The beta didn't even react, too busy in conversation with the bartender.

We greeted yet more people, and I received more suspicious glances. Some kept quiet, but a few commented about my appearance. All were polite about it, but I think that was just because I had Sean beside me.

By the time it felt like we had talked to everybody, Sean was on his third pint and I had only finished the one. Phoenix was due to arrive forty minutes ago, but he didn't, so the ball just continued. And boy, Sean liked to talk. He was a real party guy; and I didn't really like it.

Sean abruptly stopped walking and turned to me. "Let's dance."

I frowned. "I think the beer has hit you hard already because I can't dance."

He laughed, causing a few to look over. "That's why you follow my lead."

Without another protest, he dragged me into the dance part of the hall. My left hand stayed grasped in his as the other came to sit on his shoulder. His spare hand sat respectfully on my rib cage. It was fairly easy. I just had to copy his footsteps, his hand on my waist guiding me.

"I didn't take you for a dancer." I teased.

He chuckled. The proximity of our body meant I could feel the vibrations of it.

"Only after a few drinks. Special wolf drinks, that is."

"The drinks are spiked?" I frowned.

He smiled, looking around the room before suddenly dipping me to one side. I shrieked in surprise as I nearly fell, and he just laughed at me.

"Of course they are, otherwise we can't have fun. Werewolf immunity and all."

I hummed, and just as he pulled me upright, a hush fell over the room. Sean went rigid, his gaze focused behind me, just like everyone else. It was quiet; the music drifting off to a mis-timed finale.

Nobody spoke until finally somebody did.

"Welcome back Alpha Titan!"

Charlie's voice was the only one to speak.

I tensed against Sean, my mind so unfocused and preoccupied with dancing that I didn't even sense him come into the room.

"We hope you had a wonderful journey," Charlie spoke again.

Chatters came from people around us, all giving small greetings to compensate for their quietness. I tensely and slowly turned around, swallowing down the lump in my throat as I faced the front.

I felt the prickling on my skin, my body coming alive at the intense closeness of the mate bond. My eyes wandered to Charlie, who stood by the door, swaying slightly on his feet. I couldn't hold the urge back any longer and finally, my eyes fell upon him.

My breath caught from the intensity of his stare. I felt everything just slip away as he focused his amber eyes on me. It was like the first time we met all over again. Cel was bristling beneath my skin, a whimpering in my mind to tell me how much she wanted to approach him. But she knew my feelings and thankfully respected my want to not give in to him.

I let my gaze travel the full length of his body, taking in his appearance. His jaw was covered in stubble, despite his neatly styled dark hair. He wore a black suit with a white shirt and black waistcoat, and it surprised me when I noticed the green tie that matched my dress. Oh, Sean really had planned a lot without me.

My eyes wavered from the black shoes he wore back up to the straining muscle beneath his jacket. I know he always wore smart clothes, but something about the full suit had me shuddering.

I looked back to his face to gauge his emotions, but caught him eyeing my body instead. I blushed and shuffled slightly, Sean tightening his grip on my waist to steady me.

Phoenix's eyes dropped to his hand on my waist and I could see his jaw clench and eyes narrow. Sean didn't move, however, either not knowing or unbothered.

Phoenix took a few steps into the room. "Thank you all for welcoming me back. I'm glad to be home. Enjoy your night."

People released a few cheers before the music started back up. They danced again, and I finally cast my hungry gaze away from the alpha to look back at Sean.

He looked down at me. "You okay?"

I nodded, unable to form words. He chuckled and gestured his head to the bar. I took the silent words and let him lead me to the bar for another drink.

"Another lager for the pretty lady?" The bartender smirked.

I shook my head in thought. "Something sweet this time."

He shot me a wink and got on, making me a surprise drink. Sean had helped himself to a drink by reaching over the bar and grabbing a bottle. He popped the cap off the side of the bar and gave me a smirk as he drank away the bubbles.

"For you, my lady." The server smiled.

I thanked him and took the large glass, sniffing at the contents. It smelt good, like peach, and the first sip proved it tasted good too. Sean teased me about the girly drink, but I just told him to go drown in his boring man-beer in return.

We stayed at the bar, idly chatting as I drank half of my spiked cocktail. But then my hair suddenly stood on end, the feeling of a certain someone approaching. I froze, my lightweight mind already hazy as I waited for him to reach me. I hoped he would divert, but it was inevitable.

Sean was laughing at something the bartender said and cut himself off when he turned and realised who was approaching us. I was slightly in front of him and could see how he swallowed and fixed his shirt before offering a nod to his alpha.

"Glad to see you back, Alpha," Sean commented.

Phoenix hummed. "I hear you have taken the beta role well, Sean."

Sean shrugged with a smirk. "It kept me busy for a few weeks. The ranks fell through a little with their training without me, but all back to standards now."

"Is that so?" He mused, his voice rising goosebumps across my skin. "And you, Nova? How is your training?"

I closed my eyes in defeat, knowing now I had to turn to face and talk to him. Otherwise, I would be disrespectful. Going by the curious glances already watching the exchange, doing so wouldn't go well. I had to face him and his damn sexy voice.

I cleared my throat as I turned, keeping my attention on not tripping over the trail of my dress. I looked up from the ground to meet his gaze, my breath caught in my throat from the intense hit of his aura. He smelt amazing, better than his sheets ever did.

I held his gaze with ease, Cel reminding me I have just as much power as he does. I may be the 'submissive' counterpart, as Sean says, but everyone knows the female has the upper hand on their mate.

'Make him work for it.' Cel whispered.

"Very well. Sean has been training me extra hard every day." I smiled politely.

Sean hummed. "Oh yeah, we've spent lots of time doing all kinds of training. She's been great at it all, and her speech too."

I couldn't stop the blush that tried to force its way upon my cheeks as he winked at me.

"Oh, really?" Phoenix grumbled, eyes wavering between us. "You took your position as guard pretty well, then."

I hummed, shaking my head. "More like a friendship."

Phoenix's eyes turned to me in surprise, and he trailed his gaze across my face. I wasn't sure what he was looking for, my eyes lazily blinking over at him as I sipped my drink.

But then he took a step toward me, and I inhaled sharply, my body becoming rigid. I came up to his collar in these heels, and the closeness of his broad shoulders was overpowering. His scent crept into my pores, and I swallowed harshly as it flooded my lungs.

Why was he so close? He was drowning me in his scent.

His right arm reached over me, his left shoulder brushing against my hair. I held my breath and only let it out once he moved away, a drink now in his large, ringed fingers. I stared at the golden emblem on one of them. Something about it sparked an interest in me.

I shook myself out of my daze when I noticed him smirking at me over his glass. He was drinking straight whisky, with ice, a drink that made my nose crinkle at even the thought of it. But damn, his hand around that glass...

How could a man make drinking so... flustering?

"I'm glad your training has gone well." Phoenix cleared his throat. "I look forward to seeing it tomorrow since it's sparring day."

I licked my dry lips and took a large gulp of my drink, finishing the glass. Oh, this male was getting to me. I turned to place the glass on the side and gestured for another one to the bartender. I downed that one in minutes as the two men behind me spoke, avoiding the curious glances of the surrounding men.

"No more lager, Nova?" Sean teased.

I shook my head. "Don't want to end up like you."

He scoffed at me and finished the rest of his fourth beer, swaying lightly. "I am perfectly fine. Now if you'll excuse us, Alpha, Nova and I have a dance to finish."

I gasped in surprise as his hand gripped mine and led me out to the dance floor. He spun me around when we reached it and I couldn't help but laugh at his childish behaviour.

I found Phoenix staring at us from where we left him, his grip so tight on the glass that it crushed into his hand. My eyes widened in surprise, a little tug in my brain telling me it was my fault. But it's what he deserved, right? He didn't just get to lead me along.

No, no, no.

Mate bond or not, he was gonna work for it if he really wanted me. There were a lot of unspoken words between us, and right now, he wanted nothing to do with me.

Sean and I danced for quite a while, thankful that most of the songs were upbeat. For a big scary guy, he was enjoying himself maybe a little too much. I could feel Phoenix's eyes on me most of the time as he spoke to his peers. He never once approached or joined someone on the dance floor, though, keeping to himself most of the time.

Finally, a slow song came on and I blushed when Sean wiggled his eyebrows at me. My feet were absolutely killing me in the heels and I was going to go sit down. Just as I took a step back from Sean, his grip kept me close.

I frowned up at him, my hands on his chest to stop us from getting too close. "Sean, what are you-

"Nova, why can't you just be my mate?" He sighed, swaying me from side to side.

My eyes widened, and I stared at him in surprise. "S-Sean, you know I'm-

"Mated to the alpha, I know. I just wish... You're everything I dreamed of in a mate, Nova. Kind, small, funny... I respect the boundaries. I know we are friends." He smiled softly. "Plus, I would already have you and I wouldn't have to look anymore. Completion."

I sighed, confused by his admission. "We're just friends, Sean."

"I know. That's fine with me, Nova. I'll always be your friend."

I reached up to cup his cheek in my hand. His sad grey stared down at me as a sad smile briefed his features.

I sighed. "You'll find her someday, Sean."

He chuckled. "I know I will. I'm twenty-six now. What's another eight years? I can only hope she's as strong as you are."

I laughed lightly, patting his cheek. "You've drunk too much."

He shrugged, and I dropped my hand back to his shoulder. "Maybe, but I'll always be here for you, Nova. Don't let Alpha treat you like shit just because he has his own personal problems to deal with."

"I won't." I smiled.

We swayed a little longer, but the constant aching of my feet and the prickling of Phoenix's stare was getting too much. I cleared my throat and told Sean I needed to rest my feet. He laughed at me, but led me to some chairs around a table.

I sighed in relief as I sat and rubbed my ankles. Looking up to take in my surroundings, I found familiar amber eyes staring at me from the other end of the room. I groaned and looked away, unable to shake his hard gaze.

To my surprise, Molly was sitting in front of me, pouting. Where did she come from?

"What's up, Princess?" I asked, tilting my head.

She blinked rapidly and turned her gaze to me. Her eyes widened in delight and she turned her entire self around to sit facing me.

"He ditched me for the lads." She groaned.

I looked to where she was pointing to see her date in a group of men all standing around the bar. Even Sean had gone to stand with them. They were all drunk and guffawing.

"Men are trash, Novie. Don't fall for it." She huffed.

I smiled softly and stretched my arm out to her. "Least you still got me to be with."

She chuckled and took my hand across the table. "That's true Sherbet. Anyway, why is my brother so drunk already? It's barely ten o'clock."

I laughed but shrugged, deciding to keep his less than sober confession to myself. "Is he usually like this?"

"Yeah, he often gets drunk. He's good though 'cause he knows when to stop." She rolled her eyes. "Wanna drink?"

Even though my feet were hurting and I was fed up with the eyes on my back, I nodded a yes. We made our way over to the bar and ordered some cocktails to be brought to the table. When they arrived, we toasted each other, vowing to the downfall of the hierarchy before downing the drink.

••••

19/06/21  THANK U

I'm literally screaming I'm at #3 in mates & wolf category and #1 in Lycan & #34 in love! I'm soooo happy omg

If you follow me I do post on my board/announce to followers when I will be updating! Thanks!!

2022 note -

I didn't mean for the Sean thing to be taken so deeply. He is merely admitting how easy it would be if NOVA his friend, would be his mate because he wouldn't have to wait any longer for his true love to come. It was an admission of convenience and friendship over lust.

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