Emira could feel the weight of someone’s gaze on her- sharp, deliberate, and unwavering. It was strange, almost unsettling, to sense it even while standing beside Kael Stormhold, whose very presence usually kept others at a respectful distance and all gazes on him
She lowered her eyes instinctively, as she always did, hoping to blend into the background. It usually worked. Especially when Kael went to the high table, leaving her alone like now. But this time, it didn’t.
The feeling lingered for so long that curiosity finally pushed her to glance around, trying to find its source. She didn’t have to look thought.
The moment her eyes lifted and before her gazecould sweep the room, a man was already making his way toward her, his focus fixed entirely on her. Emira froze where she stood, her breath catching for a moment as he came to a stop in front of her. This person... She had seen him somewhere. But she had no idea where.
Even as she tried to recall, the man introduced himself, "Cassian Redwood."
Redwood.. He was not a Stormhold warrior, but a wolf of the neighbours of the Stormhold Pack. And probably her future pack...But then why did he feel and look so familiar. She had never really met him... But even as she stared at his smiling face, her mind flashed with him looking at her angrily.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she looked down at his extended hand and carefully shook his hand, "Emira."
The man smiled as his hand closed around her and said, "Emi-ra... What a beautiful name to match the beautiful face. Emi-ra, would you care to dance?"
Emira hesitated at the odd question and glanced around the silent place. There was no music and, "No one is dancing," she pointed out as she tried to pull her hand back from his grasp.
But he didn’t seem to notice, or perhaps he simply didn’t care as his thumb brushed against the back of her hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "A shame, isn’t it? I was hoping we could change that..."
Emira gave him a polite smile as she pulled on her hand harder, and even gave him a pointed stare," I do not know how to dance. And if you could let go of my hand now..."
Cassian chuckled, and instead of letting go, his hold on her hand tightened, "Then maybe I could teach you. I’m told I’m quite good at it. As for letting your hand go, I realize I don’t want to... It feels quite good in my hand..."
The teasing note in his voice made her want to take a step back, but she couldn’t pull back her hand without creating a scene...
And that was the last thing she wanted. She needed to make him let go quietly.
Just then, she noticed a waiter coming towards her with a tray of wine glasses balanced carefully in his hands in the mirror behind Cassian Redwood.
Without a second thought, she shifted slightly to the side- just enough that the edge of her gown would slip beneath his feet as he walked past... And the moment he stepped on it, she pulled back the cloth sharply, causing the man to fall...
Before Cassian Redwood could even react, a sharp crash rang out and the crystal glasses shattered, splashing wine across the man’s shirt and jacket. He let out a startled sound and jumped back instantly, his hold on her hand breaking at last.
Emira took a small step back, putting distance between them as she saw the man’s shocked face, "Oh no..." she said softly, "You are drenched in wine."
The poor waiter looked horrified. He immediately bowed his head, stammering, "F-Forgive me, sir! I didn’t see-"
"It’s fine," Emira interrupted quickly and stepped forward, placing herself slightly between the now angry looking Cassian Redwood and the trembling waiter. "You should be more careful next time. You may go now and send someone else to quickly clean up the mess."
Emira shooed the man away, not wanting him to bear the brunt of her doing before she turned back to Cassian Redwood. However, the moment her gaze met his, she could not help it. Hadn’t he been looking angry? Why then did he now look amused?
But she did not ponder on that. Instead, she gave the man a look of sympathy and said," Alpha Redwood. You should go and change too... You are drenched..."
"You sound almost pleased, Emi-ra with the accident. Was that your way of escaping me?"
She blinked innocently as if she had no idea what he was talking about, "Escaping? I was only trying to save your evening attire. I am not going anywhere..."
He laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "You’re not as timid as you look."
Emira smiled faintly, clasping her hands together again. "You give me too much credit, Alpha Redwood." She dipped her head politely, already taking a small step backward. "If you’ll excuse me-"
She didn’t get to finish as a voice cut through the air from behind her, stopping her. "Emira."
Her heart sank. Wasn’t she just sitting on the high table between the two princes? Why was she here now? She turned back and smiled at the woman," Miss Ramona?"
The woman smiled ’kindly’ at her and said, "Alpha Redwood is our guest. Since the waiter slipped because of your dress, it’s only proper that you help him. Escort the Alpha to the lounge and make sure he has what he needs to change."
Emira froze for a heartbeat, trying to mask the flicker of frustration in her eyes. She knew that Ramona Vye wanted her to choose a mate from the Redwood Pack, but she did not have to throw her to the first man she spoke to!
Emira glanced at the man and felt her frustration increase because she could tell by the faint curve of his mouth that he was enjoying this far too much.
She nodded her head and said," Of course. I will see to it."
As she stepped aside, gesturing the man to come with her, she heard him say under his breath," Well then, Emi-ra, it seems fate insists we spend a little more time together."