Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Moon Dance 1
On Friday night, the Moon-Crest Academy transforms into something completely beautiful.
The assembly hall is now a grand ballroom. The ceiling is lined with hundreds of silver fairy lights. There are balloons, a live band--the entire package.
For just tonight, Moon-Crest Academy looks less like a school and more like a royal ball.
Julian and Nyra pull up at exactly 8:30 p.m. There are already so many students lined outside and inside the hall, with soft music already playing.
Everyone turns to stare as she reaches the front door, the dress hugging her beautiful figure-eight frame, long slim legs clad in a pair of black stilettos. Elena had helped her with the makeup, and her hair is loose-curled and left to fall down her shoulders, framing her beautiful face.
Overall, the look is amazing.
Julian walks Nyra to the entrance, then pauses, looking down at his phone suspiciously.
"I’ll be right back," he says quickly, walking off into the dark parking lot before she can respond.
Nyra narrows her eyes, watching his back disappear into the darkness. Julian has been secretive these past few days, and she intends to get to the bottom of it.
Before she can think too much of it, Leah and Naya hug her from behind, gushing over how beautiful the red dress looks on her.
"You look incredible," Leah breathes. "How did Jason guess your size so perfectly? It’s so beautiful on you."
"No," Naya corrects dramatically. "She looks illegal like this. I’m sure everyone’s eyes will be on you tonight."
Nyra smiles shyly, tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ears.
"Thank you so much. You both also look very beautiful."
And they do. Both of them are wearing matching emerald knee-length dresses that complement their tanned skin. Their makeup is eccentric but very nicely done.
"So pretty," she says again, pulling them into a hug.
Wait...
"Where is Lena?" Nyra asks, glancing around. "She would’ve said something crazy by now."
The other girls chuckle. "She’s-"
Right on cue, Lena walks in through the front entrance, her blonde hair pulled into a tight bun that brings out her face. She is holding a bouquet of red roses that complement her.
Her hand is intertwined with a handsome but seemingly quiet guy--they are both wearing matching black outfits.
They look absolutely beautiful together.
The moment she sees her friends, her dark brown eyes brighten. She whispers something to the guy before running over and pulling them into a hug.
"Aw, I missed you guys," she coos. "You’re all so beauti--"
The words die in her throat when she catches the full view of Nyra’s dress.
"Oh my God!" she gasps loudly, pulling back from the hug to get a better look. "This is so beautiful. You’re so pretty, my dear friend."
"Like you aren’t prettier," Nyra giggles, pulling her back into a hug. All three of them.
Lena later joins her date, while the other three girls go inside the hall hand in hand.
"So..." Leah muses, turning to Nyra. "Where’s your date? Wasn’t he supposed to pick you up?"
"He said he’ll be here in five," she explains, looking down at her phone. "He couldn’t pick me up because he had to rush to the station urgently. They are still trying to catch the culprit from the party."
Speaking of the devil...
The entrance doors open one more time, and in walks Jason, looking effortlessly handsome. His usual curly hair is gelled back, revealing sharp jawlines and a well-carved face.
He looks stunning in a way that is calm and alluring--nothing like the dark energy Adrian possesses.
The moment Jason’s eyes land on her, he freezes. His eyes drop down to her dress almost three times.
"Wow..." he mutters, blushing as he comes closer. "Wow...you look so beautiful. I can’t-"
Nyra shifts awkwardly. "What?"
"I..." Jason laughs under his breath. "Nothing. You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. And this dress--"
Nyra looks away from his gaze."Thank you. I loved it!" she giggles shyly.
"Of course you should..." he mumbles under his breath.
Then he clears his throat and offers her his arm. "Shall we?"
She smiles, and nods. "I’d like that."
As they step fully into the ballroom together, conversations begin dying around them. Heads turn to stare at them. They look like the ultimate power couple.
"...Is that Nyra?"
"No way..."
"She looks gorgeous."
"I almost didn’t recognize her."
Jason notices the attention immediately and smiles.
"Looks like they already like us." He looks down at her, offering an open palm. "Would you do me the honor of dancing with me, Nyra Hale?"
Nyra smiles nervously. The attention is too much, but looking at Jason’s hopeful eyes, she finally nods.
"Sure. Let’s dance."
Everyone turns to watch as they sway side by side, the music changing into something slower.
Jason grabs her hips, pulling her closer until she can smell his soft pheromones.
He smells like sea water and beach sand. How come she never noticed how nice his scent is?
The moment their eyes meet, it feels like the rest of the ballroom has disappeared. All she can smell and see is Jason, his hands on her waist, the Alpha dominance rolling off him in waves.
"You make me so happy, Nyra." He leans in, his breath fanning the shell of her ear. "I really want to court you if you allow me."
Nyra turns red instantly, pressing her face against his chest to hide the blush as the red dress flares around her beautifully.
Everyone is watching them at this point.
He chuckles, gripping her chin and forcing her gaze up. "I really want to kiss you right now." He holds her gaze."Can I?"
"I..." she swallows hard, confused.
Yes, Jason is devastatingly attractive. But she doesn’t feel that pull with him. The same one she unfortunately feels with Adrian.
"I think..."
Her words are cut off when his gaze drops to her chest--it’s bare. The dress has several stones scattered across the chest area, so maybe that’s why she didn’t think to want extra accessories.
But still...she had promised him that she would. So seeing her without the necklace makes his heart sting more than he wants to admit.
"Nyra..." He leans even lower, and from an angle it looks like they’re kissing.
"Why didn’t you wear my--"
Before he can finish the last word, the ballroom doors swing open again.
The scent reaches her first before she even sees him--dark coffee and musk.
Silence falls over the hall almost instantly as Adrian’s eyes cut to the two people in the middle of the dance floor.
He is dressed in an immaculate black suit, hair pulled back to reveal sharp jawlines and a pointed nose, full lips folded into a scowl.
Around him, a few other seniors and his friends come to greet him, but Adrian barely hears a word.
He can’t tear his gaze away from them.
Not only are Jason’s lips hovering right over his mate’s...but she’s wearing the dress. That dress.
The same one he’d spent days getting custom-made for her. The embroidery he’d personally approved. The custom measurements.
Every single detail--His gift.
She is wearing his gift and dancing with another man!?
His wolf snarls so violently inside him that his vision nearly blurs, heartbeat pounding in his ears.
Adrian fucking snaps.
Before anyone can react, Adrian crosses the ballroom in long, furious strides.
He grabs Nyra’s wrist hard and yanks her away from Jason so roughly that she hits his chest with a startled gasp.
"You’re coming with me."
Jason immediately tries to step forward angrily. "What the hell are you doing, Adrian? You’re making a scene!"
He tries to grab his hand, but Adrian shoves him hard enough that he loses his footing and skids across the ground.
Adrian doesn’t even glance back at him as he pulls Nyra through the crowd.
"Adrian!" She digs her heels into the floor, but it’s useless against his Alpha strength. "Stop pulling me!"
People scatter out of their way, and no one is dancing anymore. Everyone is watching the drama as Adrian drags her toward the back entrance.
"You’re embarrassing me!" Nyra snaps, trying to yank free. "What the hell is wrong with you!?"
He says nothing, pulling her behind him until they finally disappear from the hall.
Inside, Jason groans in pain and tries to rush after them, but John catches his shoulder.
"I wouldn’t do that if I were you." He shakes his head in disapproval. "You’ll only make things worse."
Outside, the cold air hits them the minute they step out. But the heat of Adrian’s rage doesn’t let her feel the chill.
He drags her across the school’s field into one of the empty classrooms and locks the door, ignoring all her protests.
"Adrian, stop! You’re hurting me--let go!"
But the more she fights him, the stronger his pheromones become.
They wrap around her tightly, forcing everything in her to submit and follow her mate without any more questions.
He pulls her into one of the empty classrooms on the other side and locks the door.
Nyra backs away, heart hammering, but he follows, step by step, until she is caged roughly against the wall, Adrian’s tall frame hovering over her.
His eyes have gone completely red, feral as he releases his fangs. The sharp points gleam in the moonlight.
Nyra’s eyes widen in shock. ’Oh no. He’s about to mark me!’
