Dangerous Lycan: Claim Betrayed Luna’s Second Chance Mate

The grand ballroom was ablaze with a dazzling array of lights, the chandeliers casting a mesmerising glow on the first set of dancing couples for the night right in the middle of the room. Jewellery glowed everywhere I looked, on the necks and wrists of the ladies, and on the suits of the men too. It was a really disorienting sight.

As I mingled through the crowd, a glass of wine in hand, letting him fulfil his duty as the Alpha King with each gracious greeting. It was an exhausting task, navigating the sea of faces, engaging in polite conversation, and maintaining a smile and an air of effortless charm. But I understood the importance of these social gatherings, the obligations that came with my position.

Even if I disliked the noblemen and women who tried to kiss up to him, and to introduce him to their demure daughters.

As the room hummed with lively chatter, a hush fell over the crowd. Curious at the sudden silence, I turned my gaze toward the grand staircase.

My breath caught in my throat and I had to remind myself how to breathe.

There he was, like a radiant vision materialising before my eyes.

A smile, unbidden and all too real, tugged at the corners of my lips as I beheld his gorgeousness. His tuxedo, a delicate masterpiece of blue, was the perfect combination of full yet slender frame. The soft glow of the candlelight caressed his features, highlighting the warmth in his eyes and the softness of his smile. He was absolutely ravishing.

His smile slipped as the herald announced to me.

I bristled at the murmurs that erupted around me, but I calmed myself and shot him an encouraging smile. I worried about my lip for a second but I returned the smile.

As I descended the staircase, the room seemed to fade away, my attention solely focused on him. The whispers of the crowd became a distant murmur, and time itself slowed. His every step was a dance, his presence captivating all who saw him.

My heart quickened its pace within my chest, a mixture of admiration and affection filling up the spaces in my mind. I wanted to hold him in my arms, to lose myself in the depths of his eyes. But for now, I could only observe from a distance, drawn by his mere presence.

I made my way down the staircase and through the small crowd at the bottom to me, his grace and poise drawing the attention of all. As he neared, I steadied myself, ready to greet him with the warmth that only he could bring to my voice. Our eyes met, and a hint of mirth swam there.

“Good evening, Ryan,” I greeted him.

“It is a pleasure to see you here tonight.”

He took my hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a soft, lingering kiss. “The pleasure is mine, dear Clara” he replied, his voice filled with a tenderness that I could not contain. “You look absolutely enchanting. This ball is made brighter by your presence.”

I was sure the blush had painted my cheeks, enhancing the natural radiance, but I truly wanted to laugh out loud. “You flatter me, Ryan” is all I said. “But I assure you, the honour is all mine.”

His hand extended towards me, a silent invitation that I readily accepted. He swept me into the dance, moving away from the judgmental crowd. For the moment they were of little to no importance. All I wanted was my dance.

We found ourselves entwined in the dance, the world around us fading into insignificance. With every step, every twirl, we moved as if in a world of our own, the whispers of the crowd drowned out by the rhythm of our hearts and the weaving strains of piano, harp and violin.

In that moment, I realised that their opinions, their judgments, were inconsequential. It was the connection between Ryan and I that mattered above all else. Their whispers could not tarnish the bond I felt, the love that flourished despite the barriers that society imposed on me.

I felt heavenly and danced beautifully, not that I expected any less. I couldn’t speak at first, because no words could convey just how wonderful it felt to dance with him.

As we swayed to the music, our eyes locked, I knew that I had made the right choice honouring his invitation.

I was actually having fun.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” he whispered as I whirled into his arms and whirled out again.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I smiled. “No, you haven’t.”

“That is because beautiful, radiant, these words cannot cover the depths of your beauty. You are transcendent.”

I laughed as I gave in a small spin. “You are very loose with the compliments tonight, Ryan. I would be afraid I would get a swollen head, but the disdain in the people around us is enough to cool me down, I’m afraid.”

I scoffed. “Them? Narrow minded people, all of them, blind to the best qualities of the people that they see as beneath them. Why don’t we give them something to really talk about?” he asked as he dipped me again.

“That would be perfect.”

He held me close so that I felt his warm breath in my ear, with my eyes shut the peace returned and for once I truly exhaled feeling at ease. Just as I opened my eyes again, I sighted Patricia at a corner watching us, she had no smile gracing her lips which only caused a surge that was rather too electrifying through me.

…

At the early hours of the morning, the door’s hinges shook vehemently causing it to vibrate as loud bangs from outside resounded throughout the room. I jerked crawling out of bed as soon as I could heading towards the door. With the waves of thoughts that cascaded through my mind like a rush of the winds my hands trembled as I thought of who or what could be behind the door. The holes from the cracks of the door were not big enough for a see through which I so much wished that I would see even a glimpse of who that would be. But then somewhere along the line, I knew that I would still have to open it. Maybe there was a fire outbreak somewhere that I had no idea about but I quickly waved off that thought as I didn’t sniff the burning smell of burnt wood or burnt flesh. I held the door knob firmly trying to hold them back from trembling, at some point it worked for a while but in split seconds, it returned only worse as the knock only got more intense.

“Clara! You have to open up, I know that you are in there and you can hear me.”

I heard the voice calling from outside, it was familiar and so I quickly turned the knob opening it up.

“Why did you take so much to open the door?” She asked as soon as she rushed in.

“The bangs were too loud and I kind of got scared. What’s wrong?”

“It’s a matter of urgency.”