Emily's POV
Was Father really kidding me? Of all the things he could think of, it was a dance. I knew from the moment I saw him earlier that I knew him, I couldn't just say where, when, and how till he said his name. Tyler Bay; how could I ever forget that name. the smartest boy in our time back in high school. I still remember how I couldn't stand his guts. That has a little bit of back story and I wouldn't get into that right now.
He is still as grumpy as always. Never smiles and always keeps this weird look on his face that makes me wonder what he is always thinking. he always left like he was right, in everything and I was always wrong. He was the bane of my existence back in high school.
"Why don't you both dance?" my father asked again.
We looked at each other. He already knew my answer. Nothing in this world would make me dance with not even if I am dying.
"Or is there a problem?" father asked. I think he could sense the tension between both of us. I was just about to speak for both of us and tell my father in the kindest way that it wouldn't be necessary but Tyler beat me to it, in the most awful way.
"Sure, it wouldn't be a problem, alpha," he said with a smile and let out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
I couldn't reject him. not now, when father is still on my neck. I reluctantly took his hand and we went to the middle of the hall. Everyone else joined us. It was a traditional dance so everyone knew the steps. I remember how I stepped so many times learning this dance over and over again.
"Emily, long time. You have grown up so well." Tyler told me. "The girl I remember always talked too much."
"Can we just get this done with a conversation?"
"I don't think so." He replied. "I remember how you always blabbing and you couldn't … ouch!" he leaped in pain after I steep hard on his toe.
At that point, I just wanted to slam his head on a wall and get out of this thing but I couldn't, too much was at stake.
"Ouch!" I felt pain on my foot and looked at him. he was smirking. I was so furious.
"An eye for an eye darling." He said still smirking.
At that point, I didn't care about the arrangement with my father anymore. I wanted to lose my temper and punch this guy right in the face but I guess he knew my intentions and immediately spun me around and my me fall, catching me by the waist.
"Control yourself, Emily. Trust me, you really don't want to cause a scene here." He whispered in my ears.
I looked at him and saw the smirk on his face. God! I really wanted to wipe it off with a punch.
"don't look at me like that. An eye for an eye. Darling" he said with a smirk and spun me around.
Well, he wasn't entirely wrong.
We did the remaining dance quietly after that. Honestly, I didn't want to see him again after that. Ever since high school, he has always been grumpy, too serious, never smiled, and very mischievous. He never let anything go. It was like he was allergic to happiness or something. The music stopped and I was so glad that it ended. I went to Amelia immediately.
"So how was it?" she asked immediately after I came.
"How was what? The dance?"
"Of course. He is kind of hot."
"Don't you remember who that guy is? Tyler Bay, for high school." I tried to remind her. there is no way Amelia would find him hot. God! GROSS!!
"The serious smart guy in high school?"
"Yes."
Amelia looked at his direction for a while. "Wow! He is better than I remember." Was her reply. She looked at him like he was some kind of hot take or something.
I rolled my eyes. Amelia has always been the type to be out. Unlike me who is waiting for my mate. Amelia fucks any guy she finds cute. Not that it is my business anyway.
"You do know you have to find a partner before the end of tonight.' She reminded me
I know. I looked around but no one looked interesting to me.
"If you don't want to be sold into marriage, get on that dance floor and dance with as many wolves as you can find to find the one that gives you even a little bit of bubbles in 8that tummy of yours." She said at once and with a serious face.
I looked around. She was right. I do need to get my shit together and find someone that will at least be interesting enough to marry.