Chapter 24 The Dance (Part 3)

[Ella]
"Feel better?"
The refreshing breeze blows in my face, and I hear Mr. Clapton's voice before I realize I have come out of the ballroom.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I got you wrong." After regaining my calm, I immediately apologize and thank Mr. Clapton, even though the two statements sound odd when put together.
"I thought someone said she wasn't coming to the dance tonight." Mr. Clapton reminds me with a cold expression as he leans against the marble column. Yes, he's still mad at me.
"Because I felt I should come here to say sorry to you, even though I wasn't sure you would actually come," I whisper.
"Well, alumni from my university days and my business partners are at the party tonight. I have no reason to refuse to come here because I quarreled with you. However, I didn't end my meeting with them and enter your ballroom until the second dance started. And then..." He explains, the seriousness on his face easing somewhat. "I saw a Cinderella in an elegant evening gown turn down the invitations from the Chief Beta of Venus Capital, the son of Alpha of Red Fruit Technology and Foreign Minister's youngest son."
"How did you recognize who was behind the prom mask? Do you have clairvoyance or some other superpower?" I ask. I am not surprised by the identities of the three gentlemen who invited me to dance; after all, many famous and successful figures have graduated from Blue Moon University.
"Don't forget who I am! I belong to the top Alpha community. In other words, my five senses are far superior to your lower rank and ordinary Alphas. Even if those guys are wearing armor, I can still recognize who they are by smelling and hearing." Mr.Clapton picks up the corner of his mouth with his proud look.
At this moment, I finally realize I have a bias against Mr. Clapton. The arrogant words and actions are just the expression of his self-confidence. Or rather, he is a powerful Alpha with the qualifications and ability to be proud. If I could be like him, I might not be afraid of being bullied or trapped by anyone.
"Mr. Clapton, I used to think you were arrogant and impolite. I've been judging your behavior with my preconceived notions. But now I see you are not what I thought you were." I sincerely apologize to him for my ignorance and prejudice.
"Oh? And what tags am I labeled by you now? Humble and polite?" A smile appears on Mr.Clapton's face when he hears my words. This smile makes me think he has forgiven me.
"No. You are still you. An Alpha who is a little bossy and never asks for advice but is very confident in yourself. since I lack that confidence and ability, I judge others according to my words and actions." I say.
"Hmm, I think you might want to put 'know myself well' in your resume next time." Mr. Clapton continues, "The weak are the prey to the strong. That's the first rule of survival for any creature, especially shifters. Ella, you are too weak. You should know that the weak can be easily bullied by others."
"You're exactly right. I'm stupid and weak! That's why I'm afraid to speak up and retort when people misunderstand me." I look down at the tip of my shoe. Although Mr. Clapton's words hurt me very much, there is no doubt that what he said is true.
"Keep your head up, Ella!" Mr. Clapton says, in a tone of command that brooks no refusal.
I look up, and he picks my chin. My heart skips a beat and even stops beating when I meet his eyes, which are purer than sapphire.
"Remember, you have the bloodline of Alpha. Even if you are not as physically strong as the Betas or even Gammas of the larger pack, you still have the scent and aura of an Alpha. It is also your inborn ability to intimidate shifters below your rank." Mr. Clapton remarks before releasing an aura that makes me feel pressured, and the dance music coming from the ballroom next door sounds oppressive in an instant.
"Feel it?" He asks and then collects his aura. The dance music changes back to a melodious waltz.
I nod and try to lift my chest and sense the aura in my body, but Mr. Clapton is unresponsive to my aura. Oh, sure, he is because he is a top Alpha.
"Do you wanna know the way to strengthen your aura? I had learned a mysterious way to quickly improve your aura and physical fitness in Asia." He says, the corners of his lips turning upward.
"Of course! Please teach me!" I nod, expecting him to teach me something good.
"Now, step forward. Then raise your left arm. Keep your palm down and slightly higher than your shoulder. Keep it loose." He says.
Mr. Clapton must have tried to teach me a mystical Eastern practice similar to yoga. If I learned and practiced hard, I would never have to fear Camilla, Joanna, or any other shifters who wanted to bully me again.
"Well done! Now extend your right arm outward and hold your palm up."
"I know! Is this kung fu? I saw an agent use it in a TV show! I remember it is difficult." I ask with excitement.
"No, it's easy."
Mr. Clapton grasps my right hand with his warm and strong hand. The next second, after leading my left hand to rest on his right upper arm, he places his right hand naturally on my back.
While I remain immersed in the paralyzing sensation of being hit by electricity from his touch, he has led me in a waltz, following the music of the banquet hall in the next room. Except he omits the initial dance steps. I stare at Mr. Clapton's smirk as he gets his way.
"See? It's easy." He shows off his white teeth.
I laugh goofily, reveling in the joy of dancing with my mate.
If I don't count the time I got drunk last night, this is the first time I've been this close to him. Close enough that I could see his slightly curled eyelashes and my reflection in his blue eyes. The accelerated heartbeat and the butterflies fluttering in my stomach stimulated my emotions. I've never been happier like now.
Mr. Clapton takes me for a couple of spins as he paces the music. After my body moves stiffly like a robot in response to his movements a few times, the memory of the waltz lingering in my muscles is finally activated.
"I thought you didn't know how to waltz." He states after pulling me back into his arms.
"I'm not a nerd! The basic waltz is easy to learn, though I haven't danced in a long time." I say.
"Was it the breeding lab assistant who taught you that?" Mr. Clapton asks, raising an eyebrow and gripping my hand tighter.
"I learned it before I met him. But I bet discussing it now would ruin the atmosphere." I say.
Imagine me telling him now that Will, my first love, taught me to waltz during the summer we fell in love, and then we almost experienced the first sex of our lives during the last dance. Maybe I'd be thrown off the balcony of the 5th floor by Mr. Clapton? Just at that moment to the backward bending motion, the left balcony railing comes into my vision.
"Look at me!"
I eye Mr. Clapton's handsome face and meet his gaze. He does not move on to the next action. As I intend to get up, he chooses to bend and lean over to squeeze me and keep me in this strange position.
"How dare you think of other men while you're dancing with me! I'd like to throw you out of here into the pool outside." His eyes carry a dissatisfied look, and his eyebrows furrow together.
"You're the one who started this topic," I mutter in a small voice, turning my head sheepishly.
A hot breath passes by my right ear, the burning breath of Mr. Clapton. I close my eyes and struggle to maintain this exhausting position. At the same time, I feel like I've turned into a flame, wrapped in a wave of heat. The temperature of my cheeks rises rapidly, but part of me is expecting him to kiss me.