Chapter 591
JASMINE’S POV
The moment I gave the young wolf my hand, I was led away to the dance hall.
I could feel Anna glaring at me, and never had I felt such satisfaction in my entire life.
We stopped at the center of the fall, and I could feel everyone’s eyes on me.
I breathed heavily, realizing what I had done.
My sheer arrogance had led me to the middle of something I had absolutely no intention of doing.
“I’m not sure I know how to dance,” I said, terrified.
He smiled, and even though I couldn’t see his whole face, I knew he was handsome.
His mask sat perfectly on the bridge of his nose.
“Don’t worry.” He assured me. “I’ll guide you.”
He set his hands on my waist, and my tummy fluttered as though there were butterflies in them.
Then he placed his spare hand in mine and raised it gently at the same space where my head was.
The music began, and he then danced.
He led me on the floor as he walked back and forth, his hand steady on my waist as he guided me.
We danced for about two minutes, and then he smiled at me. “You said you couldn’t dance, and yet I haven’t felt one step on my foot.”
I laughed.
“I guess I’m just a fast learner,” I told him, feeling extremely comfortable.
The truth was, I had always adored people dancing in the moonlight pack back in the days of the balls.
I would go back to my room and dance by myself.
Reimagining the steps I had seen them display, and believe I was on a dance floor.
This was the first time in my entire life that I had ever danced with anyone.
He smiled. “Well, I don’t believe that a princess would be able to dance.”
“Princess,” I said, alert. “Why would you think that?”
He laughed. “Now you’re trying to play games on me.”
Then he leaned and whispered in my ear.
“Don’t worry, two can play.”
And he twirled me on the dance floor and caught me back in his arms.
“My name is Bill.” He said. “I’m the future Alpha of the Fang pack.”
“It’s an honor to meet you,” I said politely.
“And yours?” He asked.
“Jasmine,” I responded.
“That’s a beautiful name.” He said. “Do you have a mate?”
I thought of Xaden the moment I heard those words.
He wasn’t my mate, but we were still lawfully married under the moonlight.
“No,” I said honestly.
“Neither am I.” He said for himself. “I’d like to do the honor of telling you I’m interested in you. Before anyone here says that.”
My mouth wavered. “Anyone here?”
He leaned toward my ear as we danced. “If you look around, you would see that every man here has his eyes on you.”
I turned, and to my utmost shock, he was right.
In a split second, my eyes flashed, and I made contact with Xaden standing beside the Queen.
He did not look pleased.
At all.
Other couples started joining the dance floor, and the tensions of being the center of attention died down.
Xaden was still glaring in the distance while we danced.
I tried my best to avoid him.
I didn’t have much time to enjoy it.
I didn’t want him to interrupt me at any time.
Moreover, I thought Bill was nice.
“I had no idea,” I responded.
“You’re the most beautiful woman any man here has ever seen.” He said. “You shouldn’t be surprised.”
I smiled at his compliment.
“If you would let me.” He began. “I’d like to take you this very minute and ask the goddess to make you mine.”
I blushed at his bluntness.
A man like Bill, who was seemingly so kind to me and genuinely interested, warmed my heart.
If it were the same me he had met when I had been in the moonlight pack, I would have taken his offer up without the thought of a heartbeat.
But I was different.
She was dead and gone.
This Jasmine had a purpose to her life.
And that was finding my family and understanding everything there was to be about me.
Maybe when I had figured it all out, I would be ready to settle down.
And most of all, someone like Bill.
Shouldn’t be with someone like me.
I had so much baggage, he needed someone who didn’t bear the scars and traumas I did.
Soon, the music changed, and all of a sudden, the dance steps changed too.
“This dance is different.” He said. “We switch partners.”
Before I knew it, he was gone, and someone else was dancing with me.
We faced for about a minute, and Bill returned.
I laughed, and when I looked up, I saw that Xaden wasn’t standing where he had been.
I told myself he had most likely gone, but just as I turned to see my next partner, I found Xaden staring at me.
I jumped, but he caught me in his arms before I could fall.
His hands were steady on my waist, and he spun me before pulling my body back to his.
We completed each other perfectly.
“Why are you surprised to see me?” He asked strangely. “Thought you were excited to dance with the young wolf.”
I knew the look in his eyes and now understood his voice perfectly well.
He was JEALOUS.
I felt my tummy flip and, to my own horror, discovered that I was pleased he was jealous.
I said nothing to him because I knew that in a matter of seconds, he would change from being my partner.
I turned around, did the switch, and found Bill again.
I smiled.
Only for me to see Xaden push Bill away.
“Hey,” Bill complained, looking up. “I’m here with her.”
But Xaden’s towering height discouraged him.
“Oh,” Bill mumbled the moment he saw who it was.
“Get out.” Xaden spat.