chapter 4: Grayson

It felt like I had been watching the dance floor for hours, but glancing down at my watch, it had only been minutes. I kept gazing down, trying to spot Aurora Macafee, but all the she-wolves blended together. I couldn't deny the disappointment I felt when I didn't see her in the crowd. She must not have taken me seriously and decided to avoid the ball altogether. Or she just didn't care what I said, even though the Alpha's word was law. I think that's what caused me to feel the most intrigued about her, though; her rebellious side was intoxicating.

Tyson seemed to be enjoying himself down below. He loved the attention from the ladies, and he seemed to be getting a lot of it tonight. Every primped-up female trying to become the next Luna was practically shoving their breasts in his face, and he didn't shy away from them. Great, he was going to make me look like an ogler. I guess that's what I get for making my best friend and beta pretend to be me.

As I was getting ready to go to the backroom, a swish of jade caught my eye. One of the women, who seemed to be standing off to the side, was hurrying up the stairs; I hid in the shadows, wanting to see her next move. She looked left and right before spotting the back room and scurrying inside. I quietly followed her into the room, only making a noise to alert her of my presence once I set my foot across the threshold.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She squeaked out. Her voice sounded like music to my ears, "I didn't realize anyone here." She moved to get up from the couch she was now lounging on.

"No, please stay." I gestured for her to continue sitting on the sofa as I took the seat opposite hers. Her scent was pleasant, the aroma calming my wolf and me; I wanted to be around her a little longer. "So why have you left the dance? Are you not enjoying your time with Alpha Grayson."

The woman in front of me bit her bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth. I felt the sudden urge to run my thumb across it, popping it back out. I forced my hands to stay by my side.

"Alpha Grayson...he's err...he's different than I thought he would be." She replied, "And while the ballroom is beautiful, I needed some breathing space. It's a bit stuffy down there." She replies, smiling sweetly at me, making my heart skip a beat.

Who was this woman, and why was she making me feel this way. "I'm sorry, have we met before?" I ask, hoping she'll give me her name.

Her face pales for a moment as I wait for her answer. "Probably not." She replies, plastering the smile back on her face, her eyes revealing what her words would not, that she had a secret she wasn't willing to tell, "My family doesn't live on pack lands; we have a cottage further to the east."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you," I reply, standing up and extending my hand, "I'm Grayson's Beta. The names Tyson."

"Margaret." She replies, reaching out and taking my hand in hers.

Sparks rush through my body instantly... could she? No, she couldn't. My wolf would have said something... wouldn't he? She quickly took her hand from mine, staring at it like it did something wrong before wiping it with her dress and clasping it firmly with her other hand in her lap.

I wanted to ask her about the sparks, but instinct told me not to. If I brought it up, I'd most likely scare her off.

"So, what are you doing here tonight, Beta Tyson?" Margaret asked, raising her eyebrow, "I thought only Alpha Grayson was supposed to be present. Does he know you're up here trying to steal his limelight?" She stated teasingly, a playful smile in her eyes.

I chuckled; she was easy to relax around. "Let's just say Alpha Grayson needs me around to watch his back. He appreciates my insight on certain decisions, and he wants my input on the females tonight." I replied, giving her some of the truth.

"Well, shouldn't you be out there watching down below instead of harassing an innocent young woman in a lonely back room?" She purred.

Our chemistry seemed to flow perfectly. Her light teasing appealed to me, making me want to tease her. "Well, you seem to be pretty intelligent; how about I make you a deal. I won't give away your location if you help me pick out the best choice below." I reply.

"And how do you know the best choice isn't standing right in front of you?" She asks coyly.

"Because there's no way I'm willing to share you with the Alpha," I growl, playfully stalking towards her.

"Hey, now Wolfie!" She shrieks as she jumps off the couch, "No need to get all possessive now. I'll be your assistant tonight." She replies, before mumbling so low I wouldn't have caught it if not for my Alpha hearing, "I don't want anything to do with the Alpha anyways."

I grab her hand, dragging her out of the room with me as we walk over to the railing to look at the party below. Once we reach our destination, I hesitate to let go of her hand. Her hand is small and fits perfectly in mine. The sparks that run through my body when we touch leave me wanting more. I haven't felt this connected to a person ever. I decide to let her pull her hand from mine, which she seems reluctant to do, her hold on me remaining firm. I look at our connected hands before gazing at the floor down below.

Even though I know I should be, I can't concentrate on the other females downstairs. While I am supposed to be studying them, my gaze keeps trailing back to the gorgeous woman standing beside me.

"What do you think of her?" Margaret asks, pointing to the woman Tyson is now dancing with a deep navy blue dress, "She seems poised and elegant. And her face isn't bad to look at."

I briefly glance at the female Margaret describes before turning my attention back to her.

"You aren't doing a good job being a wingman for the Alpha," Margaret states as she stares at the couple waltzing downstairs.

"Why do you say that?" I ask, my eyes not allowing me to look away from her as I memorized every inch of her features. She seemed familiar, but surely I would remember her if I had met her before.

"Because you're too busy staring at me like I'm little red riding hood, and you're the big bad wolf that wants to eat me up." She replied, referencing a human child's storybook, making me wonder if her home was close to one of the nearby human villages.

"And if I do want to devour you?" I asked, causing her concentration to break from the dance floor as her eyes looked into mine, desire flashing

before she playful slapped me on the arm with the hand that wasn't currently holding mine.

"Maybe I'll let you after your job is complete." Biting her bottom lip, she replies, "But only a little taste. I wouldn't want to spoil your appetite."

I stare at her lips, imagining what they would feel like on mine; my thoughts interrupt when she turns her head back to the dance floor.

"I guess she would make an okay Luna." I reply, not feeling the words in my heart, "She would be suitable for the position, but I know the Alpha is hoping for a love match."

"A love match?" Margaret asks, staring as a new girl approaches Tyson, "I'm surprised the Alpha doesn't think love is overrated."

"Why do you say that," I ask, trying my hardest to stare at the dance floor instead of watching her reaction to my question.

"Everyone knows what happened with his father; I just find it hard to believe the Alpha believes in mates anymore after that." She replies solemnly, making me peek at her from the corner of my eye.

"He chooses not to let the past decide his future," I reply, turning my full attention towards her when she lets out a gasp. "Are you okay?" I ask, rubbing my thumb along the back of her hand.

She looks down at our intertwined hands and then back at me, her eyes hooded. "Maybe your Alpha is on to something." She responds, taking a step closer to me, her chest touching mine.

I can't resist the temptation anymore as I let my lips come crashing down to hers—an electric current races over my body as our lips collide. Margaret is receptive to my kiss, her hand letting go of mine as she reaches up with both her hands and intertwines her fingers in my hair, letting out a soft satisfied hum against my lips. I place my hands on her hips and pull her flush against me, wanting to feel every inch of her body against mine. This kiss was different than the other kisses I've experienced before. This kiss with this woman ignites a fire in my belly. I don't ever want to stop kissing her. However, all great things must end, and our kiss stops just as suddenly as it starts.

"I'm sorry," She replies. "I shouldn't have done that." She mumbles as she runs her thumb across her swollen lips.

I place my hand on her face and pull her chin up, "Don't apologize; I am the one who should apologize. I initiated the kiss." I lean down and give her a gentle kiss on her lips before pulling away.

She looks like she wants to say something, but there is a loud commotion downstairs that pulls our attention away from each other.

*Ughh, Grayson, I need you down here; these chicks are nuts.*

I want to ignore Tyson's plead for help; his shameless flirting got him in this position in the first place. But he's down there doing me a favor, and I can't let whatever is occurring get back to my father or the rest of the council.

I turn my attention to Margaret to let her know I'm needed downstairs, but she's already disappeared. The only sign that she was here was her faint aroma in the air.