For their long-awaited dinner date, Basil had invited Maira to join him at Delta restaurant, an exquisite place situated atop a cliff overlooking the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean. Its rustic charm blended harmoniously with the surrounding natural beauty, while the soft glow of fairy lights added an ethereal touch to the atmosphere. Moreover, Delta was renowned not only for its picturesque location but also for serving delectable cuisine, making it a popular choice for pack members to gather without any tensions.
Maira's choice of attire for the evening was a mid-length, yellow floral dress with delicate spaghetti straps, exuding a feminine and soft aura that caught the eye of every man they passed. As they followed the waitress to their reserved table at the lively establishment, Maira felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The waitress seated them at a secluded corner, where a polished wooden table adorned with fresh wildflowers awaited them. The candle flickering at its center cast dancing shadows on the wall, adding to the allure of the space. The view from their table was breathtaking, as the moon's silver trail stretched across the dark canvas of the ocean. Maira couldn't help but admire how Basil had gone out of his way to arrange this date despite his demanding responsibilities. The thought touched her heart, and she smiled warmly at him.
"You look beautiful tonight, Maira, like a goddess," Basil complimented, his eyes sparkling with genuine admiration.
"Thank you, Basil. You don't look too bad yourself," Maira playfully replied, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
Maira perused the menu filled with delectable choices, while Basil's thoughtful words of admiration lingered in her mind, causing her cheeks to flush slightly as she felt a warm glow of happiness inside.
Noticing Maira's red cheeks, Basil chuckled. It was evident that he found her amusingly adorable.
After placing their orders with the waitress, Basil cleared his throat and asked Maira, as he had done many times before, "Are you sure you'll be okay for half an hour alone while I go attend the pack meeting?" His brow slightly furrowed with worry.
Maira placed her hand gently on his, "Don't worry about me, Basil. I'll be just fine," she reassured him. "I know you've been busier than ever since that training session when we agreed to this dinner date."
Basil nodded, grateful for Maira's understanding, "Yeah, it's been quite challenging," he said, then chuckled, "You know, Maira, if I didn't know any better about how much trouble the Jaha pack is in right now, I'd think Kairo was purposely piling all these responsibilities on me just to prevent me from dating you," he said, his brow slightly furrowed with mock concern.
Maira grinned, catching on to Basil's teasing. "Oh, you really think so?" she replied, pretending to look thoughtful. "Well, maybe he's just afraid that I'll be too distracting for his brilliant beta, and then the pack will fall apart!"
They both laughed at the absurdity of the idea, but behind the humor, there was an undercurrent of truth. Kairo's recent actions did raise suspicions in Maira's mind.
As the night wore on, Maira and Basil found themselves immersed in delightful conversation and infectious laughter. The restaurant's atmosphere buzzed with the joyous sight of people swaying to the music on the dance floor. The soft melody of the sea brushing against the shore added to the enchantment of the evening.
Soon, the restaurant's karaoke stage came to life, and Basil's eyes sparkled mischievously as he leaned in, whispering to Maira, "You know, I heard you're an excellent singer. How about you give it a shot?"
Maira's heart skipped a beat at the suggestion. She had always loved singing, but the prospect of performing on stage in front of so many strangers made her feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"I don't know, Basil," she replied, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "It's been a while since I sang in front of an audience."
But Basil's encouragement was unwavering. With a playful grin, he got up from his seat and extended his hand towards Maira, inviting her to join him on the stage. "Come on, don't be shy. I'll even join you. It'll be fun, I promise."
His infectious enthusiasm proved irresistible, and Maira couldn't help but smile at his antics. Taking his hand, she let him lead her to the karaoke stage, feeling a rush of adrenaline mixed with anticipation. The crowd's attention turned to the young couple making their way to the spotlight.
The Emcee, a charismatic host, welcomed them to the stage with a wink. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a surprise treat for you tonight! A young, hot couple will serenade us next."
The crowd cheered as the first chords of "Summer Nights" from Grease filled the air. Maira and Basil's voices harmonized effortlessly, their chemistry undeniable as they sang and playfully acted out the lyrics. Laughter echoed through the restaurant, and their carefree performance infused the room with an infectious joy.
Amidst the joyful atmosphere, Maira couldn't shake the feeling of someone's intense gaze upon her. When the song ended and the applause filled the room, she instinctively looked into the crowd, and her eyes locked with Kairo's. His expression was stern and angry, and a shiver ran down her spine. For a moment, she felt paralyzed under his intense gaze, but Basil's gentle touch on her shoulder snapped her out of it.
"Alright, everyone! How about we give the Moon goddess herself a chance to shine?" Basil announced to the audience. His warm smile encouraged Maira to take the spotlight for a solo performance.
Taking a deep breath, Maira set aside her lingering unease and stepped forward, holding the microphone tightly in her hand. Her voice, as smooth as velvet and as soulful as the ocean breeze, carried the first notes of Dolly Parton's timeless song, 'When Someone Wants to Leave.' As she sang, her heart poured into every word, and the crowd couldn't help but be captivated by the raw emotion she exuded.
Maira's eyes wandered through the crowd while singing, and in a poignant moment, her gaze locked with Kairo's. He was seated with Lila, the twins Ali and Wali, Saad, and other members from an unfamiliar pack. His gaze was fixed on Maira as she sang, and his expression betrayed an unexpected mix of pain and longing.
Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed his pained expression. The connection between them felt palpable, and for a moment, it seemed as though they were the only ones in the room. But Maira quickly averted her eyes, focusing on the song and trying to push away the complicated feelings stirring within her.
As the song reached its end, the crowd erupted into applause, impressed by Maira's heartfelt performance. She returned to the table, where Basil praised her with a wide grin, "See, I knew you were amazing!"
Maira blushed, grateful for his support, yet unable to shake off the effect of her encounter with Kairo. She wondered why he looked so tormented. Preoccupied with thoughts of Kairo, Maira didn't notice Lila's presence at their table until she spoke with a venomous tone, "Well, I guess you're not completely useless. We're all relieved to know that you have at least one talent you can rely on to feed you once you're out of the pack." Lila's eyes darted between Maira and Basil.
Maira's smile didn't waver as she retorted back, "Oh, Lila, you have such a way with compliments! Thank you for your ever-so-generous acknowledgment." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, emphasizing the subtle tensions between the two women.
Basil, ever the peacemaker, tried to diffuse the situation. "Come on, Lila, be nice. You know you enjoyed Maira's performance just as much as everyone of us," he said with a warm smile.
Lila's expression softened slightly at Basil's words, realizing she might have gone too far. "I suppose so," she muttered, though her jealousy still simmered beneath the surface.
Before the atmosphere could grow any tenser, Lila glanced towards the gathering at their pack's table. "The meeting has started, Basil. They need you," she informed him.
Basil sighed, knowing he had to attend to his duties as the beta. "Alright, I'll be right back," he said, reluctantly excusing himself from the table. "Don't have too much fun while I'm gone."
With a smile, Maira assured him, "I'll try not to be wooed by countless handsome men in the restaurant, but I can't make any promises."