Feyre was in the midst of crowd watching her sister slipped away with a gentleman who asked her for a dance. Maybe she would found her mate among the wolves present there—some dancing gracefully to the music, others standing with glasses of wine, laughing and conversing with the person before them.
She spent a few more minutes before deciding to step away from the ballroom.
When Feyre turned around, ready to walk away, a voice rang out beside her.
"If you don't mind, may I have this dance?"
She stopped and turned around, surprised to see a man standing there honing a smile. It caught her off guard as last time no-one approached her which was partly because she'd tried to blend into the shadow as much as possible.
"Pardon?" she said, blinking at him in surprise. Feyre couldn't help but notice how his boyish charm complemented his striking features—short black hair, a playful smile, and warm hazel eyes that held a hint of innocence. It wasn't every day someone addressed her so eagerly, and she hadn't been expecting it tonight. She'd long since learned to curb her hopes having grown weary of crushed expectations.
"I couldn't help but notice you standing here," he said, his tone lighthearted. "You seemed a little bored, and I didn't want to leave a beauty like you waiting all night. So, may I have the honor of this dance?"
Feyre hesitated, glancing at the swirling crowd on the dance floor before looking back at his extended arm.
"I'd love to" she said finally, placing her hand in his.
He led her onto the dance floor, his movements smooth and practiced as the two fell into step with the music.
"Forgive my silliness, I'm Isaac Noren, by the way" he said after a moment, his voice just loud enough to carry over the melody. "From the Shadowlink Pack."
"Feyre Campbell" she replied, offering a polite smile. "from Shadowmoon Pack."
He nodded, his grip on her hand steady but gentle as they moved together. "Shadowmoon" he mused. "I've heard of your pack. Small, but I've met a few of your warriors—they're impressive."
Feyre smiled politely, though she fought the urge to roll her eyes. "We try," she said simply, not particularly in the mood to discuss her pack's reputation—or lack thereof.
Isaac chuckled, catching the hint of restraint in her tone. "You're modest," he remarked. "I respect that. My pack… well, let's just say we don't do modesty very well. Shadowlink's like to talk big, even when they shouldn't."
"That must be… interesting. Aren't you afraid of getting caught badmouthing your pack" Feyre said, a spark of amusement in her voice.
Isaac grinned, clearly enjoying the light teasing. "It's worth the risk" he gave her a wink and continued, "it's a circus, trust me. You'd be surprised how many wolves are willing to fight over nothing just to prove they're the toughest in the room."
Feyre arched an eyebrow. "And are you one of them?"
He laughed, the sound rich and genuine. "Not exactly. I prefer to avoid unnecessary fights when I can—unless they involve dancing, of course. In which case…" He gave her a playful spin, eliciting a small laugh from her. "I like to think I'm unbeatable."
"Well, you've got good form," Feyre admitted, feeling herself relax slightly.
Isaac smirked, his eyes sparkling with humor. "I'll take that as a glowing endorsement. It's not every day you get a compliment from a beauty"
They moved across the dance floor with ease, their steps perfectly in sync with the rhythm of the music. Isaac's lighthearted remarks and easy demeanor gradually drew a genuine smile from Feyre, easing the tension she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
The music shifted, the tempo slowing into something softer. Around them, couples began to change partners, the motion fluid and effortless as the dance continued.
"Looks like this is where we part ways," Isaac said with a smile, stepping back slightly but still holding her hand for a moment longer.
Feyre chuckled softly releasing his hand as they both turned to their next new partners But instead of staying, she spun away from the floor, slipping toward the edge of the ballroom.
Just as she steadied herself, a dull ache flared in her ankle but she couldn't care less about it as an intoxicating scent enveloped her, wild and earthy, yet impossibly alluring. It flooded her senses, making her heart race and she felt her chest tighten with an unfamiliar longing—an ache she didn't understand but couldn't ignore. For a moment, the world around her blurred as her eyes darted frantically across the room.
Her gaze caught a tall silhouette standing on the otherside near the entrance to the hallway. Her breath hitched as she realised he was already watching her. There was something tenacious in his gaze sending a shiver down her spine.
Instinctively, her feet began to move toward him, her now cold hands clutching the fabric of her dress. The world around her blurred, fading into nothing but the pull of him as his intense gaze held her without faltering and Feyre found it hard to look away.
But her line of sight was blocked as a group of men passed in front of her, forcing her to slow her steps. When they finally cleared, she looked back to where he had been standing but the space was empty, and she felt a hollow ache settled inside her at his absence.
Anxious, Feyre hastened her steps, weaving through the sea of people. Once the crowd began to thin, she gathered the hem of her dress above her ankles and made her way into the hallway with hurried steps, a few strands of her hair flying loosely around her undone by her frantic movements.
The hallway stretched out before her, wide and quiet in contrast to the lively ballroom she had just left. She reached the far end while glancing around, where a large open door led to a balcony through which faint moonlight spilled into the corridor but there was no sign of him.
Feyre took a deep breath to steady her racing heart and walked to the ralling now with deliberate step. She closed her eyes to ground herself as the cold wind brushed against her face only to be stuck by a flash of the strikingly handsome face with peircing eyes which seemed to drown her.
What was happening with her? Why was she so on edge? Feyre could not stop herself from wondering.
"Quite the curious cat, aren't you?" The deep voice behind her made Feyre inhale sharply as the alluring scent hit her. Slowly she turned around with her heart racing again after she'd tried to calm it just a moment ago.