It had to be passed eleven o'clock when the wolf and I stopped dancing. He had pulled me to the side, back to the seat of my chair, and crouched down to my eye height. A smile from him was all I ever needed to lift my spirits. I heaved a breathe of relief, and for the first time that night, as I leaned against the table unattractably, he calmly inquires, "Wood ya like meh ta fe'cha drink fer ya?"
My heart stopped working at the sound of his voice. He had a thick Wolvenrian accent that sent chills down my spine. I swallowed stiffly. With a smile, I nod in confirmation and he smiles brighter before going after my request. I sit there and blink, not knowing what to do. That male wolf was really too much for me. It seemed like I already wanted to strip him down and have at it.
He was sexy with only his looks, but when he spoke, I couldn't particularly understand him, yet he had a deep baritone voice that sent chills down my spine whenever I thought about it. They way we danced was so fluid, almost as if we knew the steps by heart. When he pulled me close, I thought I was going to die of affection, but nonetheless, I still pressed on like the Wicken I am.
The night was becoming humid, and it was starting to become stuffy outside. I fanned myself slowly for good measure before I stopped. I breathed in the humid air, exhaling rather slow to aid in calming my heart rate. I was so exhausted from so much dancing I might actually pass out. My head swiftly fell to the table and the cool temperature of the silk tablecloth began to cool my head.
My heart was slowling down when I felt a hand on mine. I assumed it was the male wolf's, but I was astonished when I saw Trance. He sat down to my right and smiled. "Wore down?" He asks with a hint of darkness behind his eyes. Trance leans against the table and observes my body as it cools down from distress.
Tilting my head up, I gave him a faint smile. Once I did the polite gesture, I sunk back to the cool tabletop. "You have no idea!" I exasperated. I try to regulate my breathing by counting to four, then exhaling with eight.
Trance only smiles warmly, suppressing whatever emotions he's trying to hide from me. I narrow my eyes, but I don't have the energy to call him out on his bullshit. "I bet.." he replies sadly, his smile fading. I felt bad that he saw me with another male, but it wasn't like he was my husband. He's my partner.
"Hey, Damara," he beckons me to listen.
I raise my head to show I'm attentive. "Yeah, Trance?"
He speaks softly, low enough I have to catch what he's saying quickly. "I spoke with the Elders, and they've agreed to let you choose," he announces. I stare at him, slowly piecing together the unsolved mystery. I couldn't tell if I had it all right or just a few parts, but I knew I had some of it down.
I swallowed the saliva in my throat, and turned to Trance. "You mean, they'll allow me a choice?" My heart begins to fill with hope once more as Trance nods his head. He looked so broken in his eyes and it tore my heart to pieces, but it wasn't like this wasn't good news for him.
With a bright smile, I exclaimed, "That means we don't have to bond, Trance! You can find yourself a great woman," I smiled warmly at him. He still sat silently, fiddling with some napkin left on the table. My face matched his in a crestfallen disposition, uncertain of his feelings.
Trance nods, acknowledging my words. "Yeah, it's just great..." he gives me a feign smile to try to cheer me up. I pout at him when he doesn't tell me what's bothering him. Before I can ask him what's wrong, Trance suddenly looks into my eyes. His dull violet eyes never waver as they show emotions I can't begin to comprehend.
"There is one condition," he admits with a little bit more fire than before. Interested, I sit up straighter.
"Elder Madea agrees with our understandings, but she said you could find your own bonding mate if you prove your worth." Trance scratches his cheek, nervously darting his eyes back and forth from the dance floor.
I scrunch my brows in confusion. "What the hell does she mean by that?" I question aloud, quizzically.
Trance shakes his head, unsure of what to tell me himself. He begins to speak when another voice is heard. "Oi! She's mine! Piss off an' fin' yur own mate, brooms'ick boi." The voice was right behind me and it didn't sound familiar at all, but it did sound heavenly.
Before Trance could retaliate, I jerk around in my seat and stand, facing the bully. He was as tall as the other wolf, but he has chocolate hair instead of the chocolate eyes the other had. I narrowed my eyes, focusing on his abyss of a deep blue ocean. He wore nice clothes to the dance, even some nice dress shoes under his slacks. This wolf was toned with muscle and has a dark tan to fit his deep voice.
"How about you tucker tail to the cave you crawled out of, canine fucker," I spoke rather harshly, knowing the broomstick is a sore spot for Trance. I stood up to the man who was well built beyond me, but I still didn't back down.
"Or maybe you oughtta tighten that muzzle of yours before I do it for you, mutt," I warn, daring him to cross the line. All I had to do was reach down and grab my wand, then I could put this fucker to sleep.
The wolf must've not liked my comebacks because he looks rather pissed at my defense. He snarls as he reaches for me, and that gives me every chance I need to grab my wand. Before the wolf can dive in attack, I stuck out my wand and a bright blue glow shines from the tip.
"Don't move, dog." I spat.
What I said only makes the growling worse, and now it's snarling at me. I narrow my eyes at the wolf, watching his every move so I know where to strike and when. The wolf didn't seem like he was trying to attack, but he kept his eyes on me once the wand was out. A few Wickens noticed what was going on, but they kept quiet, knowing that we'd all be punished for this jerk's loud mouth.
The wolf dared to take a step towards me, and then another wolf came running up. "Mara, are ya okay—woa!" My wand went to his chest, barely grazing his skin. My eyes dart between the wolves as I try to defend Trance.
The other wolf went to lunge at me, and as soon as I went to brake his blow, the wolf I was with earlier nails the other wolf to the ground. Snarls and growls were tosses around as punches were thrown. It turned into a huge brawl between the two wolves and I didn't know if I should stop it, or find Trance a safe place to hide. My mind wasn't on the fight at all as I grabbed Trance's wrist, jerking him after me. We ran to the forest before anyone could notice us leave.
Everyone was too preoccupied on the fight that we could slip away undetected.