*”I cannot let you burn me up, nor can I resist you. No mere human can stand in a fire and not be consumed.” – A.S. Byatt*
***
***Neron*
Fine and impassioned tunes of the baroque floated through the cool air of the long corridor leading to the grand banquet hall. Violins and violas, harpsichords and bassoons; all melted into the resplendent atmosphere of wealth and power. Other couples joined the train behind me as two doormen dressed in black and gold held the double doors open for us to enter.
The music resounded through the opulent room filled with alphas and lunas in picturesque dresses and colors; mingling, chatting, and dancing. A small orchestra responsible for the evening’s melodies was tucked in the stage’s corner, led by a conductor in a classic black suit. Tables bedecked with drinks and appetizers lined against the walls, dined upon by the wolves hunting for snacks before the big dinner. Moonlight spilled through the windows, penetrating the golden haze with its silver blessing.
Selene’s eyes were on her wolves tonight, but mine was on the woman on my arm.
In a sea of both familiar and unfamiliar faces, I’m immersed in the waters of calm but soon catapulted into the fields of flame when my thoughts drifted to last night. Kiya dressed as a prim and proper lady with hints of sensuality tattooed on her skin and clothing, but I’ll never forget her fervent cries and high-pitched moans when she rutted her hips against mine through our kiss in the bathroom.
I run my tongue over my lips, groaning inside at her lingering taste. Sweet as ripe strawberries. Addicting like an illicit opiate. Kiya seared her taste to my lips, engraving the sinful experience into my memory. I thought I was strong enough to combat the hunger I hold for her, but I’d be a fool to keep up that lie. I was teetering on the edge between sanity and insanity, and I fell face first into the latter.
The supermoon’s energies pulsated, weaving through and pulling at Kiya’s innate charm. Her aura caught the eye of men and women sensitive to her power, heads turning toward us. A twinge of anger pulsed in my chest, resting my hand over the one Kiya held onto me with.
I knew she’d inevitably draw attention, whether it be through her beauty or charm. But it infuriated me to see some of their lustful gazes. I shouldn’t be possessive, but I am. I shouldn’t be itching to fight those studying her, but I am. Kiya leaned into me and my inner beast purred in delight. Onyx purred along with it, satisfied yet restless.
My jaw clenched. I’m not sure how long I’d last with the need to taste her again, roaring like a hungry lion running through the flames in me.
Goddess, this woman has officially institutionalized me in the madhouse. I try to think about something else other than the way her body molded perfectly with mine, but it wasn’t working. It was jerked back to the way her hands felt roaming my chest, my hands smoothening and caressing every lush curve and valley she owned, my pinkies brushing up the hem of her panties with the undying need to peel them off and bury my face deep in her—
“Anthony!” Kiya shouted, waving her hand to her brother. I blinked and swallowed, praying it would smother the growing flame in my core.
I didn’t need a cold shower. I needed to bury myself under ten feet of snow and *freeze*.
We walked to where Anthony stood with our fellow Alpha and allied partner, Alpha Zachary. They shook hands and Zachary departed. Anthony turned fully to us with Kiya leaving my arm for his. Onyx whimpered at the loss of contact.
“You look lovely, Little Bit.” Anthony cooed, pinching her cheek. She batted his hand away, giggling. “But don’t you think that’s a little too much leg?”
“And *that* isn’t?” Kiya pointed across the room to Alesia, chattering with another luna, wearing a double-slit maroon dress with a casual v-neckline. Anthony blinked, his cheeks dusting deep carmine, much to his chagrin.
“That’s different.” He rolled his eyes. “She’s my wife, and you’re my little sister. The dynamics aren’t the same.”
“Would you say the same to Lyria? Our dresses are almost the same.”
She’s right. Lyria’s violet dress was the same style, except it had a more conservative bateau neckline and was made to fit over her pregnant belly as she danced with her husband.
Anthony pursed his lips. “N-no, but-”
“I rest my case.” Kiya folded her arms across her chest. “You don’t have to be in ‘protective big brother’ mode all the time, Tony.”
“It’s not like I can turn it off.”
“I know.” I watched as Kiya opened her purse, pulled out a couple of make-up wipes, and handed them to him. “There’s lipstick on your neck.” She stretched her neck out and snickered. “A lot of it, actually.”
This moment is going down in the history books. I’ve never seen Anthony, the calm and serious Alpha, fluster when he smacked his hand over the right side of his neck. His white collar brushed against the evidence of earlier passion, adding a splotch of color to his solid black suit. His eyes found mine, looking as if he wanted to chew my face off. I bit my lip, resisting the urge to laugh.
“You got something to say, Neron?” He accused, snatching the wipes from Kiya’s hand.
I couldn’t keep it in. “That shade is a nice color on you.”
“Shut the fuck up.” He snarled before walking away, taking the heat of embarrassment with him. Kiya and I shared a look and bust out into laughter. Her smile was absolutely breathtaking.
“So,” She stepped toward me, bearing a grin on her pink lips. “Besides dressing up and drinking champagne all night, what is the real purpose of this big banquet?”
“Depends on who you ask.” I set my hand on Kiya’s back, guiding her to the appetizer table. She quickly grabbed a small plate and began piling on food. “Some use this opportunity to show off to draw more potential allyships that they couldn’t get a couple days ago, while others use it as a kickback; hanging out with old friends and whatnot.”
“What about breaking allyships?”
“That has happened a few times. It is preferable to do it in private rather than in a public setting such as this. In the past, some alphas took it upon themselves to embarrass one another. Carrying such a title doesn’t leave any room for disrespect or humiliation and the results can be disastrous. There were fights, some even to death.”
Kiya stopped piling her food, her skin growing pallid. “Some alphas died in these gatherings?”
“Oh, no. Missing a chunk of skin or two? Yes.” I took a flute of a non-alcoholic cocktail from the table, careful to not clink it against the other glasses. “Allyships are the backbone of a pack’s survival, minus the Alpha’s leadership and wealth. Losing one, especially *an important one*, is bad for business and makes the alpha look weak because they couldn’t cement a partnership to ensure their pack’s wellbeing. There’s only so much an Alpha can do on their own.”
“Jeez. These things are more serious than I thought.” She muttered as we ambled back to our table. I pulled out a chair, gesturing for her to sit. Kiya gave her thanks and settled in her seat. “ How many allyships have you gained?”
“About four so far, more than what I’ve gained previously.”
“How exciting!” Kiya nibbled on her artichoke wonton wrapper before stuffing the whole thing in her mouth. “It sounds like you’re doing a good job.”
“And I’m glad you got to see me do it.”
A gentle red dusted behind her powered blush. “I’m glad I’m here.” Her eyes locked with mine and I felt the heat rage in me again. I wonder what she’s thinking. Her saccharine scent billowed in my nose, acting as an accelerant on my heat. *I wanted her again*. Kiya squirmed in her seat. The red on her cheeks deepened and a train of appetizers disappeared into her mouth at a rapid расе.
“You’ll choke if you don’t slow down.” I warned, my voice tight.
“As if.” She scoffed, her voice rising to a soprano. Kiya quickly finished her plate and washed it down with a glass of champagne. Suddenly, the tempo and the melody of the surrounding music slowed and mellowed into a soft, intimate ballad. Couples around us, including Anthony, gathered their mates to the center of the room, pulling each other close. “Oh…”
****Ask her to dance**!” Onyx screeched, hopping on his paws. “**The worst she can do is say no*
I swallowed and adjusted my tie. Last night stamped everything we share in the future with an element of danger. The danger of losing control and surrender to our instincts. The fire between us wouldn’t die, only be exacerbated by our closeness. What would happen if we kiss again? Does Kiya want me in the same way I want her?
*Does she love me*?
“I don’t know how to dance.” She blurted out, bowing her head to hide her shame. Her tendrils brushed against her cheeks. “I have two left feet. If you want to dance, you can find someone else ”
“There is no one else.” I retorted. Kiya shot her head up and bit her lip, averting her eyes away. from me. “Do you want to dance, Kiya?”
“Um, kind of.” She admitted, rubbing her upper arm. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“As if,” I smirked, copying her earlier rejoinder. “All you have to do is follow my lead, and you’ ll be fine.”
“That’s all I have to do?”
I nodded.
“I-I guess we can try to dance, but don’t say I didn’t warn you when you go plummeting to the ground, Skyscraper.”
“You ought to be a little kinder to yourself, angel.” I sipped the rest of my cocktail, rising out of my chair. I offered her my hand, in which she stared at it and hesitated. “You’re probably a great dancer.”
Kiya’s lips parted to debate me, but she shook her head. Silently, she placed her supple hand in mine. I curled my fingers around the back of her palm, bringing it up to my lips for a soft kiss. Tingles shot through my veins like rockets. I heard her breath hitch in her throat. Her taste was potent on my lips anew.