Chapter 7

Before I could protest, he took my hand and led me to the dance floor. His touch was warm and firm. Despite my initial reluctance, I couldn’t deny the thrill I felt. The feeling of my hand in his made me feel warm all over. It felt right.

We got to the dance floor with the rest of the others. He bowed to me and I curtsied. After that, we started dancing. We joined our hands together and moved slowly to the music. The orchestra changed the music as soon as they noticed him. As we moved together, the rest of the room seemed to fade away. The music sounded around us, and I found myself getting lost in his beautiful blue eyes.

We moved in sync. Our steps were perfectly matched. I had never felt this way with anyone, not even Jackson. There was an intensity in Ferris' gaze that made my heart flutter. He held me close at one point. His hand rested gently on my waist, guiding me effortlessly through the dance. Every touch, every look, sent shivers down my spine.

“You’re a wonderful dancer,” he murmured.

This was the first time I was hearing that. Jackson used to tell me how awful I was at dancing. He even told me to learn from Gina.

“Thank you,” I managed to say "So are you.”

He smiled “Tell me, Elisa, what’s troubling you?”

I looked away, not wanting to meet his gaze in the moment “It’s nothing, really.”

“Is it the Alpha?” he asked" I saw you looking at him"

I felt a lump form in my throat. “Its complicated"

"Whatever it is, you'll be fine. He's an asshole anyway"

I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped my lips. His words made me feel better instantly.

The music continued to play, but all I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat. In that moment, nothing else mattered. The world around us disappeared, and it was just Ferris and me, moving together as if we were the only two people in existence.

I felt desire within me, stronger than anything I had ever felt before. I was attracted to Ferris in a way that I couldn't describe. His looks, his confidence, his aura—it was overwhelming. I wondered what it was about him that drew me in so completely.

As the dance came to an end, he held me for a moment longer, as if reluctant to let me go. And in that moment, I knew that whatever happened next, my life would never be the same.

*

The ball had ended a while ago. As soon as it did, I said goodbye to Ferris and went outside to clear my head. I thought about everything that went down with Jackson, Gina and my parents..

I found a quiet corner in the gardens of the estate. I didn't want to go back home to Jackson.

I sat on a stone bench, my mind replaying the events of the evening. Ferris' kindness and the way he made me feel still warmed my heart, but the pain of seeing Jackson with Gina overshadowed it. How could he move on so quickly? Did I really mean nothing to him?

My phone buzzed in my purse, snapping me out of my thoughts. I hesitated before pulling it out, dreading what I might see. As I expected, it was text message from Jackson.

It read - - “I hope you don’t back out. I am definitely going to divorce you.”

I stared at the message. My heart sunk further as I read it over and over again. The audacity.

I felt a bitter smile tug at my lips. Of course, he would divorce me. He had already moved on, and he wanted to make sure I knew it. I shook my head and turned off my phone without replying. There was nothing left to say.

I just didn’t want to be falsely accused of anything. I didn’t want to be seen as the one who gave up on our marriage. But the truth was, there was nothing left to fight for. Jackson had made his choice, and now I had to make mine.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, a figure approached. A royal soldier stepped into the light.

“Miss,” he said, bowing slightly. “Our king wants to see you"