Dancing in the Night

Scarlett

" E lijah!" I exclaim as he stops on the dance floor and looks down at me and, as if on cue, the previous song comes to an end and ‘Lonely' by Diplo begins playing. He looks down at me, a tantalising smile playing on his lips.

"Come on, Red, let's see those moves that had every girl in school envious of you," he says before he begins singing along to the music. My heart skips a beat the moment he begins moving to the rhythm of the music, and my stomach flutters crazily. Is this a dream I will suddenly wake up from?

Am I dancing with Elijah? And did he actually ask to dance with me? Stop thinking, just live in the moment.

I begin dancing, raising my hands as I sway my body to the music. His eyes are on me and there's something about them, like he's enjoying what he's seeing. He takes my hand, spinning me around, that tingle where we connect, sending pleasure up through me. He tugs me back against him, and I lean into him as he dances behind me.

Every time his hands skim over me or touch me, I can feel the sizzling current that makes my heart pound.At times, his touches linger a little longer than needed. Like right now, his hand is on my stomach, and instead of just removing it, he applies pressure, sliding it slightly lower, a move that sends my core into a frenzy, the pleasure making my pussy throb.

I look up at him as I spin around. His cerulean eyes are darker as they bore into mine. He swallows, turning and nudges me with his hip, making me stumble, as I'm not expecting it, and I can't help but smile despite myself and nudge him back with a little more force.

Our eyes meet and a soft smile crosses his face, one that makes my heart skip another beat. My eyes widen in shock when I realise he's actually smiling! It is rare to see a genuine smile on that handsome face of his. My heart thuds and I almost stop dancing until he grabs me by the hips, yanking me closer and continues dancing with me. I'm in a daze, the Elijah before me is one I do not recognise. He is so different from how he was two years ago…

You're an even better dancer than the last time I saw you, Elijah says through the mind-link. He spins me around when someone steps closer, and I almost knock into them, breaking both Elijah and me from our little bubble.

"Mind if I cut in Alpha, at least spare the one girl you can't have for the rest of us poor folk," Hank says with a smirk, his hazel eyes are similar to his sister's, but I hate the look in them.

"And who said I would want to dance with you?" I ask coldly, glaring at him as I step away from Elijah and put distance between me and Hank. Hank raises an eyebrow as if confused by my words. After Elijah, he is the next biggest player in the pack, but I don't like him for other reasons.

"You don't?"

Over my fucking dead body. Dickhead.

Our eyes connect and the memories of that night return with a sickening vengeance. Although I will never tell Elijah, he is one of the boys from that night. Even if he acts like it never happened, he was one of the worst offenders.

I wonder if he had just been completely wasted by the way he acts as if he's never done anything wrong? But even if he didn't remember that's no excuse, I will never forgive him.

Hank flashes me a smile and I can feel Elijah's eyes burning into me. "Oh, come on, Scarlett, just one dance?" he requests with such innocence; it makes my blood boil.

"I said no! Take the damn hint," I answer.

"There's plenty of girls out there, Hank. I'm pretty much done with them, so take your pick. It doesn't look like Red's interested," Elijah says as I shake my head and walk off the dance floor. "Oh, and next time don't interrupt me." Elijah's words are a warning, low and dangerous.

I pause, glancing back through the throng of people dancing and feel an odd sense of protection as he looks Hank square in the eye until the latter lowers his head in submission.

Elijah is the Alpha. He's stronger – strong enough to have my back. Would he though? When it comes to his soon-to-be third in command?

I shake my head and turn away from the two men on the dance floor just as Angela rushes over, a pout on her face.

"Oh, my Goddess! That was not fair! You got to dance with him! What a waste?!" she grumbles, dragging me towards the bar. Being eighteen means I am legally at the drinking age in the United Kingdom, but for werewolves, who have a remarkably high tolerance, I – like most others – have been drinking for a few years already.

Although we still kind of have to do it on the down-low from the elders. Angela is a year older than me, but even now she'll drink a lot less than I do, as her brother dislikes it. She takes a seat, sulking, and I feel a little bad for her.

"He isn't an amazing dancer. Don't worry, you aren't missing out," I lie, trying to reassure her as I gaze at the fairy lights that decorate the trees. It looks so cosy.

"But do you know how many hours I practiced my words? Only for him to refuse me!" she complains with a pout. "Sorry for being such a party pooper, but I am in love."

I cock a brow. I highly doubt that. "Ok, what exactly do you love about him?"

Ouch Red, kinda harsh? Elijah's voice comes into my head and I'm glad he didn't notice anything strange in the interaction between me and Hank.

Facts, darling, I reply mockingly. And stop eavesdropping on my conversations. Don't you have anything better to do?

After dancing with you, I don't really feel like downgrading my dance partner.

Goddess, my heart.

His flirty tone and those words leave me feeling a little giddy, and I turn to see him talking to Liam. He looks so good and damn his effortless talent to multitask.

"Are you listening to me, Scarlett?" Angela whines. "I practiced so damn hard!"

"Practiced what?" Indigo's voice comes, and I glance up to see her strolling over with Daniel.

"Hey, Scar! Hey, Angela," Daniel says, giving us both a smile.

"Hey, Daniel. Looking good," I say back.

"You too! I am loving the pants," he compliments. "You look like an eleven tonight."

I smirk, turning to Angela, who is already lamenting to Indigo how Elijah refused to dance with her. "And he totally blanked me!"

"Oi, Angie, he said I'm an eleven," I say smugly.

"Oh, whatever, he's just being nice. You're a seven," Angela retorts, making Indigo snicker as she eyes the drinks.

"I thought you said I'm an eight earlier?" I ask, raising an eyebrow in amusement. Hoping to distract her from Elijah.

"You became a seven after dancing with my smooshypoo alpha," Angela grumbles, making us laugh.

"Smooshypoo, are you taking a leaf out of Keira's books?" I ask mockingly.

"Hey, don't hurt my already hurting heart!" she whines. "You got a dance, I didn't."

"On that topic, how did that even happen? Like, what, are you two actually getting along now?" Indigo asks suspiciously, grabbing a drink as she quickly looks around. She is only fourteen and not at an age either of our parents would approve of her drinking.

"You are a brave girl, Indy," Daniel whispers, not daring to take one in the proximity of his parents. They're standing across the garden and, to be honest, I don't think anyone is paying us attention.

"Waiting," Indigo adds and I blink, realising she's waiting for an answer.

"Oh yeah, he was trying to get away from Keira. That's the only reason," I answer casually.

"He could have picked me!" Angela adds with a frown.

"Oh yeah! What did he think of her latest look?" Indigo asks, giggling as Daniel snickers.

"He looked traumatised," I reply with a smirk before we all break into a fit of laughter.

"I cannot blame him. I still get nightmares after seeing her." Daniel whispers. "I mean, she terrifies me."

"All of us, Hun, all of us. Like even I know she's no competition for me," Angela snickers.

"Where do you think all the botox goes when we shift?" Daniel muses thoughtfully.

"I guess somewhere inside, but just can't be seen?" Angela suggests as we all try to find Keira in the crowd.

"Imagine a wolf with a Brazilian butt lift," Indigo cackles, making me burst out laughing with the others. "Or a big pair of lips stretched over razor-sharp canines!"

"Ouch, my stomach!" I gasp as I grip the table as Angela wipes away her tears of laughter.

"There she is!" she whispers, breaking into another fit of giggles.

I glance over at the plastic doll to see she's flirting with two boys, and they seem to be showering her with compliments. I'm not sure what she's promised them, but they both turn red and nod vigorously. I crinkle my nose, exchanging a look with Angela, who points a finger to her mouth and pretends to gag.

"Chucky might just leave us for the night," I chuckle, glancing at Indigo and Daniel, who are huddled together. They instantly move apart when I speak, and I wonder what all that is about.

"Well, have fun. We're going to go dance or something," Indigo remarks, stretching as she follows Daniel into the crowd.

"Well, I'm going to go find someone to dance with," Angela says. "You wanna dance, Miss Eleven?"

"No thanks, my Beautiful Ten. Go have fun." I wink at her, not wanting to step onto that dance floor especially after Hank tried to touch me. Dickhead.

I sit there watching Dad and Mama laughing together, as Dad caresses her hair, Elijah is playing some drinking game with Liam, Aaron and Monica, a reminder that one day he'll find his Luna and he won't even spare me another glance.

Even our continuous odd exchanges make me wonder about us. What are we?

Nothing.

Like I said, he'll find his Luna soon. I spin away, grabbing another drink. When I turn, I spot something in the trees. I tense as my eyes flash, and I watch the slender figure that is trying to remain discreet as she slips away between the trees and frown, recognising that purple top.

Indy?

I glance around and spot her and Daniel talking avidly to some other kids and frown.

Where is she going?

Curiosity gets the better of me and I make up my mind to follow her when she turns, looking towards the dance floor before she lowers her head and disappears into the shadows of the trees.