Alpha and Luna begin to applaud again, and the pack follows their lead, while the adults and mated couples take their seats.
I'm left standing alone as my friends return to the crowd still surrounding me. The applause finally dies down and I begin to search for my first dance partner of the night.
I start to scan the crowd, I contemplate asking Kai to be my first partner, he is actually an amazing dancer. But I keep looking for the right one...
Suddenly, he is there.
Erik.
He is making his way to the edge of the crowd, the wolves step aside to let their future Alpha through. When he reaches the edge of the crowd he places his hands in his pockets.
He looks devastatingly handsome. His hair is relaxed around his chisled face. He is wearing all black which only exudes his power and status to the room.
To me.
My feet start moving in his direction. There is no one else, truly, that I would rather share my first dance with than Erik. Our gazes are locked, he doesn't break the connection, and my heart pounds in my chest.
The clicking of my heels can be heard over the hushed room. Everyone is silent and still, waiting with baited breath to see if I ask Erik to dance.
It's been 4 years since I last danced with Erik. But seeing as how it's my birthday, I know he won't refuse me. He would never humiliate me like that. I know it in my heart.
When I reach Erik, I hold out my hand as invitation to share my first dance. There is no hesitation from him as he places his hand in mine. My heart is filling so much that I fear it's going to burst out of my chest.
He pulls me to the middle of the dance floor again, as the rest of the pack take their seats.
He takes my left hand in his right, and places his left hand on my lower back. I reach my right hand up and gently place it on his shoulder.
He pulls me closer to him.
His scent fills my lungs and I find it hard to breathe.
His eyes never leave mine.
The room fills with a soulful guitar intro. It only takes me a few seconds to recognize it.
My favorite song. I have a sneaky suspicion it was Kate's idea to play it first.
As I stare into Erik's chrystal orbs, the rest of the pack disappears. It's only me and him in the room.
My heart skips a beat.
"Give me love like her"
Erik steps forward, and I step back in response. He begins to sweep me across the floor. It feels like no time has passed since our last dance.
"'Cause lately I've been waking up alone"
His strong hold of me makes following his lead feel like I'm gliding. He suddenly spins me out and my dress twirls around me. I laugh at his playfulness and smile into his eyes.
He pulls me back to him and places his hand to my lower back again. For a second I could swear I felt tingles...
"And that I'll fight my corner
Maybe tonight I'll call ya"
"After my blood" He dips me with such grace it steals my breath. "turns into alcohol" As he pulls me up I breathe in deeply before exhaling, my breath is thick with wanting. "No I just wanna hold ya"
He spins me out again, but when he pulls me in he reaches for my neck.
"Give a little time to me or burn this out
We'll play hide and seek to turn this around"
His strong hand pulls me to him, I mirror his move as our feet begin to move in a circle. He has never danced this way before. With me or any other girl in our pack.
His scent continues to encompass me and I almost feel drunk. I feel my cheeks turning pink the longer I look into his eyes. There's something different about him. The smile that appears on his lips is one of genuine content.
"Give me love like never before
'Cause lately I've been craving more"
He slowly glides his hand from my neck down my arm, he intertwines our fingers. He takes my hand that is holding his neck and moves it to his cheek.
His fingers caress me, and he presses my hand firm against him. He leans into my touch and closes his eyes. We stay like this for several beats of my heart. I don't even hear the whispers spreading around us.
"After my blood is drowning in alcohol"
When he opens them again I can see the mint green reflects. I smile as I hold his gaze. He takes my hand and he spins me again before pulling me close.
"No I just wanna hold ya
Give a little time to me or burn this out"
With each note of the song, he effortlessly guides my body. We move together harmoniously, and I am lost in his oasis.
I can't count how many times in the last 4 years I have dreamt of being in Erik's arms again. He has always known how to guide me. I feel weightless and beautiful in his embrace.
"We'll play hide and seek to turn this around
All I want is the taste that your lips allow
My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
He parts his lips at those lyrics, and his tongue wets his lips slightly. His eyes drop to my lips and back up to my eyes.
"My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
They flicker back a forth several times. I feel my lips part involuntarily at his actions.
"My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
The familiar crave I get when I am close to Erik takes over my entire body.
"My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
I pray to the Goddess that no one can sense my arousal.
"My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
The bridge of the song changes the intensity in his eyes.
"M-my my, m-my my, m-my my, give me love, lover"
The build up makes my heart quicken as Erik picks up our pace. He places my hands on either side of his neck, his right hand finds my waist.
He brings his forehead to mine. He gently grips my hip, I feel him push us around the entire dance floor. Our rhythm takes on a feeling of unhindered desire. It turns the air sensual and passionate. I see the lust clearly in his swirling irises. I drink it in before he spins me again. "(love me)"
This time when he pulls me back in, "(love me)" he doesn't face me to him. "(love me)" He pulls my back to his chest.
His arm encircles my waist "(give me love)" and his hand lays flat against me "(give me love)", I can feel his hard member against my back.
I feel like my skin could burst into flames at any second. "(give me love, love me)" He takes my free hand and lifts me in the air; my legs spread out in front of us as he spins us round and around. "(give me love)"
"My, my, my, my, oh give me love
My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
He starts to slow us, lowering me gently. My feet find the floor again, he spins me around one last time.
"My, my, my, my, oh give me love
My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
He brings my hand around to his neck again. His fingers fall away before he places his hand on my hip again.
"My, my, my, my, oh give me love
My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
He slides his hand to my back and closes some of the distance between us. I place my other hand on his arm holding my waist.
"My, my, my, my, oh give me love
My, my, my, my, oh give me love
My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
His other hand goes to my upper back, his fingers trace my bare skin above the lace of my dress. I let out a trembling breath as we sway gently to the ending of the song.
"My, my, my, my, oh give me love
My, my, my, my, oh give me love
My, my, my, my, oh give me love"
The ballroom is dead silent for a split second before thunderous applause explodes.