“And I’m sure the presence of an Alpha with you will help immensely,” he added, quoting
Ilsa.
I laughed, a little breathless. “Now, why would you want to shackle yourself to boring mortal flesh when you can unleash your wolf for the night and run with your pack?”
“Nothing’s boring with you, Sera.”
The teasing lilt in his voice was gone, replaced by something that warmed me. “You really want to?” I asked.
“I can’t think of anything I want to do more.”
***
The cool night air hit my lungs like a balm. The world was quiet, the forest whispering around us as Lucian and I jogged side by side under the glow of the full moon.
I’d never run under the full moon before, and I didn’t know if it was a result of my session with Ilsa or if it was something I could have always felt if I’d run in the past, but I felt something stir.
My connection to the moon goddess wasn’t strong, but tonight, it felt like she was taking note of me, acknowledging my existence.
And Lucian was right-his presence was an immense help. I could almost imagine I was running with my pack. I could pretend like I hadn’t been excluded from bonding activities like this my whole life.
For the first time in forever, I didn’t feel like an odd piece of a puzzle never made for me. I felt… whole.
After a while, we slowed, breath misting in the night.
Lucian turned to me. “You’re glowing.”
I braced my hands on my knees. “That,” I panted slightly, “is called sweat.”
He chuckled, the sound like a warm breeze in the quiet forest.
I smiled, then straightened, looking up at the moon, letting it bathe my face in silver.
“I haven’t felt this grounded in a long time,” I murmured. “Connected.”
I turned to Lucian. “Thank you for this.”
He smiled. “Anytime. And maybe, one day, we won’t have to do this in ‘boring human flesh.”
The thought of one day being able to run under the full moon in wolf form made my heart race. I wondered if my wolf could sense me now. Was she proud that I’d stepped out under the full moon?
“There’s something else,” he added after a beat of silence. “You know the charity gala I’m hosting?”
“The one where I’m supposed to give a speech as the trainee representative, and that spent a ridiculous amount of money to clothe me for?”
He chuckled. “The very same.” you
“As the host, I’m supposed to open the first dance,” he continued. “With a partner. Would you do me the honor?”
My stomach flipped.
“The opening dance?” I echoed. “You want me to do that with you?”
He nodded.
“Lucian…” I swallowed. “Only mates do that.”
He shrugged. “That may be tradition, but I don’t particularly care for tradition.”
It doesn’t matter. All the attendees would see us and they’d think we were…
I hesitated. “I don’t know how to waltz.”
“I’ll lead,” he said, smiling faintly. “It’s actually quite easy.”
I shook my head, unsure whether to laugh incredulously or panic. “What if I step on your feet?”
“Then I’ll consider it penance for all I’ve put you through during training. You’re the only one in the world I want to have that dance with, Sera.”
I studied him. His expression was open, patient. Not demanding. Not entitled.
Just… hopeful.
My heart was doing a weird fluttery thing in my chest, and I knew why-Lucian’s question, the way he was looking at me, the way he always looked at me.
At this point, I could no longer deny it-I liked Lucian. A lot. The kind of ‘a lot’ that made my stomach twist when he looked at me for too long or said my name like it was precious.
Yet, something held me back.
Despite Daniel’s blessing and Maya’s encouragement and the affection that was so apparent in Lucian’s eyes… I didn’t feel ready.
Not yet, at least.
And I didn’t want to ruin this easy, comfortable rhythm we had-the friendship I hadn’t known I needed until he gave it to me.
So I gave him a steady, neutral answer. “I know how important this event is to OTS,” I said, picking at invisible lint on my leggings. “I’d be honored to help.”
Lucian smiled, his voice gentle. “We don’t have to label anything, Sera. I just want to share the evening with you. We’ll go slow. No pressure.”
“Yeah, I exhaled, my nerves easing slightly. “We can do that.”
No pressure.
SERAPHINA’S POV
I was on the edge of a breakdown.
I stood in front of my full-length mirror on the night of the gala, heart pounding, palms sweaty, completely convinced the dress was a mistake.
It was a shimmering navy blue that swirled around me like liquid midnight. It was off- shoulder, with a fitted waist that flared slightly at the bottom. It made me feel regal and beautiful and… visible. Too visible.
What if it was too much? What if it was obvious that this dress-this stunning ethereal dress-did not belong on the body of someone as plain and ordinary as me?
I imagined all heads turning to me as I walked the red carpet, mouths spreading into mocking grins as people pointed and laughed, calling me an impostor.
Maybe this was a bad idea. There was still time-I could take off this… this costume, throw on comfy pajamas, and forget I was ever this delusional and-
The sound of the doorbell jolted me out of my spiral, and my heart did a backflip in my chest.
Lucian was here.
“Shit,” I whispered, my pulse skittering.
I guess there was no turning back.
I grabbed my purse and slipped on my heels with shaky hands, trying to remember to breathe.
I opened the door hesitantly, bracing myself for polite disappointment.
But Lucian didn’t say a word.
He just stared. Eyes wide, jaw unhinged.
“Lucian?” I asked cautiously, fighting the urge to hide. “Is… is it that bad?”
His eyes snapped to mine. “What? No. No, Sera-gods. You look…”
His mouth opened and closed again, like his vocal cords had failed him.
I wanted to bite my lip-but I had lipstick on. I wanted to rub my sweaty palms on my dress, but that seemed like a crime worthy of jail time. I wanted to run my hands through my hair, but I’d spent hours curling it and doing it up in an intricate half-up, half-down style.
There was no outlet for the anxiety running wild inside me.
“I look…?”
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