CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN.

(MELIORA'S POV)


With a smile, the stranger pulled up a chair next to me without asking. I tensed up, feeling uneasy that letting this bold stranger around me could lead to trouble.

Please, let him not cause me any issues with his conversation, I thought as he looked at me with an arched eyebrow.

"So if you don't enjoy the lively dancing, what kind of fun activities do you like instead?" His tone was light but expected a full response.

I tried to deflect politely without offense. "I fear my days are too busy to allow much time for fun, I guess," I replied, as if mildly regretful rather than intentional.


"Perhaps you don't get to do very many fun activities in this pack. You would enjoy it much more if you came back to my pack with me. We have all sorts of entertaining pastimes there," he announced.

What!? Is he proposing to me? How can I get rid of him and fast? My mind raced.

"What makes you think I would be interested in joining your pack?" I asked absentmindedly, trying to politely discourage him as my eyes caught sight of Selene out on the dance floor.

"Well, my pack is about a day's journey from here. It is a well-established community, and my father has instructed me to find a suitable bride before I take over as the leader,"

he explained, but I was only half-listening as I watched Selene swiftly approaching our table in swift steps and anger visible on her face. I hoped this would not lead to any trouble.

"Ahem," Selene cleared her throat loudly to get the man's attention once she reached our table. "May I have a dance with you, good sir?" she asked him, sounding polite.

He turned swiftly to look at her. "I'm afraid I'm occupied at the moment, my lady," the man responded, making my eyes widen in surprise.

Selene's brow furrowed with displeasure. "No, you two are finished here. You should join me for a dance on the floor," she insisted forcefully.

At this point, a few surrounding heads turned to stare at the situation unfolding at our table.

"I'm not interested in dancing right now. I'd prefer to stay here and continue my dinner and conversation," the man added, trying to dismiss Selene's demands.

"Well, we could move that to one of the other tables then," Selene pressed firmly.

The man turned back to me. "Shall we relocate then, my lady?" he offered, extending his hand for me to take.

"No, I'm quite content right here. Please, go enjoy your dinner without me," I urged him nervously knowing Selene wants him for herself and I dare not stand in the way.

The man looked at me for a moment before sighing heavily. "All right then, I'll see you around later," he said before rising from his seat.

"That was a close call," I sighed with relief once he had departed. I could not afford to get into any kind of trouble with the alpha's daughter.

I needed to remove myself from this situation before anything like that happened again. My stomach was pleasantly full anyway, so I was ready to retire for the night.

I glanced over at my friends, still gleefully engaged in the festivities. Perhaps even found suitors, from the looks of it. They clearly had no intentions of leaving anytime soon.

With that, I decided I would simply return to our cabin alone. I rose to my feet and started making my way back across the village green, leaving the sounds of laughter and celebration behind me.

The only noises accompanying me were the crunch of my footsteps under the moonlight and the ambient night sounds of birds and insects.

I hummed a song on the way. But just as I was about to open the door to our cozy cabin, I heard a noise behind me and turned around sharply.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" I called out, my eyes darting in the dim moonlight.

I gasped, realizing it was the alpha himself approaching me from the shadows. Why was he seeking me out? Had I done something to warrant getting in trouble?

My heart pounded as the intimidating figure of the pack leader drew closer. He was a strong wolf, brawny and powerful, with fearful keen eyes that seemed to pierce right through me.

I opened my mouth to greet him but found my voice had abandoned me under his intense stare.

"Good evening, Liora," the alpha's rich baritone rumbled out. "I noticed you retiring early from the celebration. Is everything all right?"

I swallowed hard, struggling to find my words. "Y-Yes, Alpha. I was simply feeling a bit fatigued after all the preparations today. I thought I would turn in early and leave the fun to the others."

The big wolf regarded me silently for a moment before giving a slight nod. "I see. Still, it's a shame for you to miss out on such an auspicious night. Especially when I had rather been looking forward to sharing a dance with you myself."

My jaw dropped at his words, hardly comprehending them at first. The alpha wanted to dance...with me? Surely I had misheard.

"W-With me?" I sputtered out dumbly. "But...why?"

The hint of a wolfish grin played over the alpha's features. "Because you have caught my eye, little one. More than just during tonight's feast and dancing."

He took one large step closer, causing me to involuntarily retreat until my back met the solid wooden door of the cabin. I was caged between the alpha's powerful frame and the immovable surface behind me, my heart thundering in my ribcage.

Okay now I am in trouble. Real trouble. I have to tell him what the Luna warned us about. I didn't want to get into trouble with the Luna of all people.

She'll have me discarded and I'll be homeless, only to roam the woods and have sleepless nights. No, I'll have to get out of this situation wisely.