Chapter 51
***DEREK***
6 YEARS AGO
I moved across the room so I could catch Alvina but I missed her and someone else caught her instead.
I sighed and saw that it was Landon, her youngest brother who caught her this time. The brother who danced with her before, Aaron was intentional about the switch and that's why I lost her.
If they wanted to talk to her, why not do it somewhere else and actually let her dance with potential mates?
I rolled my eyes as I caught onto another lady. It was Dolores, the daughter of Councilwoman Tamara.
"Hi," she said with a smile as we danced to the upbeat classical music. I spun her around on her heels and caught her as I bent her over.
"Hi," I replied and pulled her back up.
"You're just the person I was looking for," she said with a smile and I raised an eyebrow in curiosity, smiling back at her.
"And why is that?" I asked as we both took two steps back away from each other.
"I read about a shifting technique and I was wondering if you could teach me how to do it?" She asked as we both pulled each other closer and danced to the left in sync.
"Dolores, we both know your father or any of your brothers can teach you any technique you want," I replied with a scolding stare and she smiled.
"Yes, but my brothers are jerks and my father is busy most of the time, that's why I asked you," she replied.
"Hmmmn," I squinted my eyes suspiciously and she chuckled.
"What?" She asked as I spun her around again and caught her with my hand on her shoulder.
"I read that it's honorable to a man if a woman seeks him out for teaching and guidance," she said and I chuckled.
"Dolores, are you flirting with me?" I asked and she scoffed.
"You flatter yourself," she rolled her eyes.
"Hmm, do I?"
"So, I need a yes or a no, are you going to teach me?" She asked and I chuckled, amused by her confidence.
"Yes, I'll be at the training room here tomorrow at noon, don't be late," I replied and she smiled.
She let go of my hand and immediately found another partner. I saw that the switch had happened and I was unaware of it. I glanced at the side where Alvina was, but I couldn't find her.
Where was she? She must have danced across the floor with her brother.
"Mate." I heard a deep voice say at the other end of the dancefloor. Immediately, the music stopped and everyone also stopped dancing. What happened?
I couldn't see from where I stood as there were people blocking my view from what everyone seemed to be focused on.
Curious, I maneuvered my way through the crowd until I got to the front and saw Alvina holding on to Logan.
I froze in place and felt my heart skip. My lips parted and I glanced at the both of them one after the other.
What? No, this can't be happening. Alvina couldn't possibly be Logan's mate.
I looked at Logan and he looked like he was going through a turbulence of emotions. It looked like he was scared, uncertain, and indecisive, but it also looked like he was admiring Alvina and he loved her.
The mate bond. I felt my heart beat rapidly as I waited for anything to happen. Everyone was completely focused on them and there was a pin-drop silence in the hall.
My senses were through the roof as I was scared so I could hear every heartbeat around me. Everything sounded like a ticking bomb about to explode with pressure.
I clenched my fists tightly till my knuckles began to ache as I watched Logan move towards Alvina and kiss her.
After a short while, he broke the kiss and moved backward. I looked at her lips and my heart fell as I saw the bite mark on them.
I closed my eyes in hurt and opened them immediately to see everyone cheering loudly and the music resumed. Alvina smiled as she looked around at everyone celebrating. She stopped as her eyes met mine and her smile immediately faltered as she looked at me with guilt.
This wasn't her fault. Logan was now the Alpha and it had been decided by fate that he was her mate.
If she rejected him, it'll be scandalous and would jeopardize her entire family's reputation.
I slowly unclenched my fists and moved back into the crowd. There was nothing I could do. I tried to force a smile and I felt a sting in my eyes. I closed my eyes to force back the tears as I went to sit down.
I couldn't be seen not looking happy. It could create suspicion. As I sat down, I glanced at Logan and Alvina who were dancing in the center of the dancing floor while everyone else danced around them.
I lost the position as Alpha to Logan and now I lost Alvina to him? I hated him so much. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist.
This wasn't fair. Why does he get to have the power and the girl?? I glanced up at the other side and my eyes met Aaron's, Alvina's elder brother.
He was staring at me and it wasn't in a good kind of way. It was as if he was giving me a warning with his eyes.
Why in the world would he have anything against me? I thought I was overthinking it and I looked away. I stopped at the door as I spotted the daughter of that man who betrayed the pack.
What was her name again? Larissa, yes. She was hiding outside the hall and staring at the dancefloor with tears in her eyes.
I saw her wipe her eyes with her palms before leaving. What was up with her?
I shrugged and looked away. That was her concern.