Blessed By The Moon

Chapter 36

Centuries ago

The feast was in full swing, the grand hall alive with laughter, flickering candlelight, and the rich scent of roasted meats and spiced wine. The alliance had been officially proposed, and though the atmosphere was meant to be celebratory, I felt... out of place.

Storm and I had spent centuries forging our own kingdom, fighting wars, building something untouchable. To be here, in another pack's hall, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, made me feel like an outsider.

Storm, however, was thriving.

Seated beside me at the long banquet table, he leaned back lazily in his chair, wine glass in hand, his silver eyes sharp and amused as he surveyed the room. He had already won them over, laughing at their jokes, exchanging stories as if he had known them his whole life.

I, on the other hand, remained stiff, swirling the wine in my goblet, hyper-aware of the way the other pack's members occasionally glanced at me, curious, cautious, unsure.

Storm must have noticed my discomfort, because the next thing I knew, he was standing, holding out a hand.

"Dance with me," he said.

I blinked up at him. "What?"

He smirked. "Dance with me."

I glanced around, feeling self-conscious. The other guests were still seated, still eating, still drinking. No one else was dancing.

"Storm-"

"Come on, Echo." His fingers brushed mine. "I remember a time when you never hesitated to dance with me."

I exhaled, shaking my head, but his gaze was unwavering, full of mischief and something softer beneath.

With a sigh, I placed my hand in his.

His fingers curled around mine instantly, warm, steady.

Storm led me to the center of the hall, where musicians were playing a lively tune. Slowly, others began to take notice, voices quieting, heads turning as he positioned me in front of him, his other hand settling at my waist.

The music shifted, picking up in tempo, and suddenly, we were moving.

Storm twirled me once, twice, laughter spilling from his lips as he dipped me low before pulling me back into him.

I let out a surprised gasp, gripping his shoulders to steady myself. "Show-off."

He grinned. "You love it."

I couldn't argue.

The music swelled around us, the rhythm fast and wild, and Storm moved like he had been made for this. His grip was sure, his steps perfectly in sync with mine as he spun me across the floor.

It was effortless. Familiar.

Like breathing.

Like all the centuries between us condensed into this one moment, where nothing else mattered except the way he looked at me, the way he held me, the way we laughed as he suddenly lifted me off my feet, spinning us in a perfect circle before setting me down again.

The room blurred around us. I didn't care.

For the first time that evening, I felt light.

"See?" Storm murmured, pulling me closer as the dance slowed. "You just needed to loosen up."

I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling.

I opened my mouth to retort-

But then Storm dipped me again, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, "I love you."