Chapter 20 #2
Although the conversation at their table was initially stilted, by the time the starters were served everyone had relaxed.
On the one hand that was great: relaxed people were happy people, and the happier Isadora and Alexander were, the more chance there was of them connecting on a deeper level.
On the other hand, as Colin Brady regaled them with tales of his recent exploits, it also meant that there was less opportunity for them to enjoy a quiet tête-à-tête.
When dessert was finished and coffee had arrived, the conversation turned to more serious matters. ‘I’ve heard that the Worthington pack are having serious financial difficulties,’ Sean Jones said.
Colin Brady’s partner, a bearded werewolf with astonishingly dark twinkling eyes, nodded.
‘There’s a lot of that around at the moment.
I noticed that only half of them are here tonight.
It’s the same for the Thomsons – not every pack can afford for all their members to attend the Wolf Ball, not in the current climate. ’
‘You know,’ Colin grumbled, ‘that instances of wolfsbane are on the rise again. It’s supposed to be illegal but it’s being sprinkled all over the place. I picked up a trace of it even here.’
Everyone at the table pulled faces. ‘It will pass,’ Alexander said. ‘A few packs have been exerting their authority in unnecessary ways and this is how non-werewolves react as a result. Things will settle down before too long.’
Sean Jones gave him a knowing look. ‘A little birdie told me that you’ve been buying up wolfsbane stock.’
Alexander grinned. ‘If there’s no wolfsbane on the market, then there’s less opportunity for its misuse.’
Or, Mallory reflected, for instances of deepening aggression. Alexander was very quietly and very cleverly defusing any future problems that might result from increased wolfsbane usage. Smart.
‘Speaking of packs who often misbehave badly and absent guests,’ Isadora piped up, ‘There’s no sign of the Barrow pack tonight. I’ve not even seen Ashina, the Barrow alpha.’
Alexander looked surprised. ‘Really?’
She glanced at him. ‘You’ve not noticed? That’s the sort of detail you used to be all over.’
‘I guess I’m somewhat distracted this evening,’ he murmured. ‘I have other things on my mind.’
Isadora’s eyebrows rose. ‘Do tell.’
Alexander chuckled awkwardly but he was prevented from elaborating by the band appearing on the stage.
‘Good evening to all my furry friends!’ the lead singer bellowed into the microphone.
‘And welcome to the eighty-seventh Annual Wolf Ball! I hope you’re having a great time and you’ve enjoyed your meal.
Let’s work off some of that food and have a dance.
I want to see everybody – and I mean everybody – on the dance floor! ’
As he finished his words there was a tremendous clash of cymbals, then the guitarist immediately launched into the first chords of the opening song.
Mallory gently elbowed Alexander – this was his opportunity to leap in and ask Isadora to dance – but it was already too late.
Isadora was on her feet with Sean by her side and the Callaghans and Bradys were up, too.
It appeared that every single werewolf was following the singer’s instructions and heading for the dance floor.
Alexander pushed back his chair, stood up and held out his hand to Mallory. ‘Will you do me the honour of this dance?’
‘You should be dancing with Isadora,’ she protested.
‘She’s already spoken for. I’ll ask her later. Right now, I’d like to dance with you.’ He sounded as if he meant it.
She swallowed and nodded; it would look strange if she didn’t dance with him. She gave him her hand and felt the gentle pressure of his fingers. A moment later, she was in his arms.
It was an upbeat, big-band number. Mallory couldn’t profess to being particularly nimble and her sense of rhythm wasn’t quite as developed as it could have been: more like she had two left feet and tended to spin left when she was supposed to go right.
But now, with Alexander holding her, she felt as if she were floating on air.
She didn’t worry about getting the steps wrong or stumbling and falling over; she didn’t really think about anything other than how good it felt to be dancing with him.
She ought to ask him how he felt things were going and if there was a spark with Isadora, but she was enjoying the moment too much. She could allow herself this, she decided. It was only five minutes.
His hand slid comfortably around her waist while her fingers lingered on his broad, muscled back.
He lowered his head towards hers until she could feel his breath on her cheek as he guided her confidently to the left, then the right and then into a spin, stretching out the space between them as he twirled her with one hand.
Slightly breathless, she moved away and back towards him. She smiled up at him – but his expression had frozen. ‘What?’ she asked. ‘What’s wrong?’
Wordlessly, he gestured towards her. Baffled, she gazed at him as couples danced around them. ‘Alex?’
‘Your dress,’ he muttered. ‘The butterflies. When you spin, they move and…’ His voice faltered.
‘Oh.’ Mallory grinned to mask her embarrassment. ‘Flashing too much skin?’
His cheeks were suddenly flushed. ‘I wouldn’t say too much. It took me by surprise, that’s all.’ His amber eyes darkened. ‘In fact, I’d like to see—’ He halted in mid-sentence. ‘Never mind.’
She stared at him. The song ended and the other couples returned to their seats, but they continued to stare at each other.
‘We should go back to the table,’ he said gruffly after a moment or two then turned and stalked away, leaving her on the dance floor wondering if she’d offended him with her golden butterflies and bare skin – or if there was something else going on.