Chapter 29: Dance of Obsession and Possession

Valerian sounded like he would not let me go if I chose not to dance with him. I could tell based on how he was looking at me.

"Well?" He wriggled his eyebrows. His sly smile was something.

He looked so dashing and beguiling. It was making me want to be fucked by him right now.

The tension between us was palpable. Both of us did not break eye contact. This was making me feel the butterflies in my stomach.

"I am famished, Your Grace. I haven't eaten anything yet. My apologies," I said before directing my attention to the food.

But while doing that, I was looking for my siblings who were busy with their peers. I wanted to mindlink one of them since being Valerian was dangerous, knowing he looked so angry under that apathetic expression.

I thought Valerian would give up on me, but I thought wrong. No, I already knew, but I chose to ignore the fact.

"I am famished, too. I remember my food is right here," he said meaningfully. Valerian went behind me again as he leaned and reached for some finger foods.

I wasn't certain if he was talking about the food or me, as he proclaimed earlier.

My body shuddered, feeling his warmth. Valerian even accidentally brushed his lips on my bare shoulder. It was as if he was trying to put a sensual kiss in it while reaching out for some food.

My wolf briskly pointed me out not to provoke Valerian.

I could myself pooling down there. If this was not going to be over, I had a feeling that he would pester me for the whole night, which was not supposed to happen.

In my previous life, Valerian and I did not collide here at this food stand. What really happened in the past was while Papa was introducing me to his peers and Warren Porter, that was when Valerian joined in the conversation and introduced himself to me.

"My name is Valerian Leveaux. It is my first time seeing such a beautiful flower in this massive garden, Lady Dominixe. May I have this dance?"

Those were the words said by Valerian I remembered from my previous life. He dared to make a bold move in front of my father then.

Papa was slightly perplexed that Valerian was the one who approached us. Our plan was Papa and I would approach him. Then he would introduce me to him.

This was to start seducing the Duke of Alfsfield. The plan was to seduce and be invited to his pack.

It was later then I revealed that I was his mate. I would reveal it after this party to avoid suspicion from him.

That was what must suppose to happen, but it had changed now. The future was changing.

"Your Grace."

"Hmm?"

"Shouldn't you pay attention to other ladies out here instead of me?"

I wanted to pinch myself. I was supposed to say that I wanted to dance with him to get this over with, but the words that came out of my mouth were wrong. As much as I wanted to flirt with my mate, Papa was right here.

I had already planned how Valerian and I should meet, but it seemed my plan was not going well tonight, knowing that Valerian looked impatient.

I heard his breath fanning on my shoulder. He looked annoyed at my question.

"I would love us to talk while dancing, my lady. Shall we do that, or shall I make everything..." I stiffened when Valerian bowed his head, acting like he was going to pick up something on the floor. But what he was doing was his hand reaching the hem of my dress before he slid his hand to run his hand on my leg. "...complicated?"

My breath thickened with what he did. My body was on fire.

Damn him! How dare he boldly do that! It was hot, yes! But what if my father saw it?

His lustful expression mirrored mine. It was enough to hypnotize me to agree with me.

"Fine. Let's dance..." I settled my plate when Valerian offered his hand to me. I accepted it and curtsied before him. "...Your Grace."

His lips curled into a condescending smile before placing a sensual kiss on my hand. "That is a good decision, my lady."

Valerian gently dragged me to the dance floor. It was then that other noble ladies started to gossip and looked in our direction.

Having him so close to me while those ladies had a look of envy felt like Valerian was my prize possession. I knew those ladies tried to persuade themselves to dance with him, but Valerian was not interested.

He would be forever laid his eyes on me, not on anyone. That was for certain.

I gasped when Valerian did not hesitate to draw himself, so our bodies were molded together. He reached for my bangle, the cheap one I bought from Calaren, and swiftly removed it so he could smell my scent. I looked up at him and saw the naughtiness in his eyes before he hid the bangle in his trousers' pocket.

"You smelled so good, honeydew. I missed your scent." I clung more to his neck from his honesty. "And you are right... We are going to meet again," he said huskily.

I looked at him hungrily. His wolf tried to communicate with us while I was pooling down there.

Valerian... I wanted to be ravished by you again, but not here. I wanted to say.

"I did not lie, did I?" I wanted to caress his face and slammed my lips on him. I wanted to feel him again... inside me.

Valerian pinched my side, causing me to return my gaze to him. "Eyes up here, Dominixe. And I can even smell your arousal. Do not make me do something boldly right here." He smirked.

I frowned, but I scoffed. "Since when did you learn how to be bold, honeydew?" Yes, it was time to flirt back with this man. "Did you miss me that much?"

I became alert when I felt an intense gaze looking in my direction. I simply turned my head to see Papa watching us intently while he had a drink and talked to his peers.

'Get him here,' Papa mind-linked me.

I wanted to bark at him that I would not allow him to speak with Valerian, but I had no choice for now. 'Yes, Papa," I mind-link back before returning my gaze to Valerian. "My father wants to meet you."

"Oh?" Valerian glanced in Papa's direction before he returned his gaze to me. "Then, I would love to meet him. Perhaps, I shall ask for your hand right now."

My eyes widened. "N-No!" Darn it! Fuck you, Valerian! You are not going to ruin my plans! "Do not do that," I said through gritted teeth, almost making my eyes widen. I even attempted to pull him on his collar, but it was a good thing that I controlled myself.

"Why not? I am your mate. You are my mate. Then, wouldn't it be your advantage that you are fated to one of the four horsemen, honeydew?" That annoying smile was not disappearing while looking intently into my eyes.

Shit, shit, shit... The look of determination was written on his handsome face.

This happened in my previous life! I was supposed to expect it, but why did this render me speechless?

Calm down, Dominixe. This was not good that your emotions were getting the better of you. It would be hard for you to think properly.

Inhaling and exhaling, I remained passive while feeling the tension between us and the music that kept playing in the background. "Your Grace—"

Valerian did not allow me to finish my words when he leaned forward to arch my back as the song played in its intensity. I was shocked for a moment before I realized that he was cutting me off.

I almost growled. "Valerian..." He would dare to introduce himself. I knew it!

"What is it, my honeydew?" He wriggled his eyebrows.

Heavens... He changed! He was a gentleman back in the Calaren. But everything changed in Solacia where he took me. Valerian became bold and would dare to exert his power as the duke.

When he lifted me up a little and spun me around, still dancing, I tiptoed and drew closer to him to catch him off guard. Valerian's eyes widened before he stepped back. I almost smirked when I saw his ears in red right now.

With that, I stepped backward and curtsied before him as soon as the music stopped playing. It took him a few seconds before he bowed before me.

"I shall agree to introduce you if you are not going to introduce yourself as my mate nor ask for my hand to my father," I said when we were out of the dance floor. "Not yet," I immediately chimed in when he was about to protest. "Not yet, Valerian. Please trust me."

He was creasing his forehead. I had a feeling that he was a misunderstanding me. He might think I did not want him, but I really do. I wanted him.

"I do not know if I can trust you." He looked at me deadpan before he tucked his hands into his trousers. "You keep things from me. You did not even bid farewell to me when you left Solacia." His tone sounded hurt and annoyed. "Why must I still trust my mate who keeps trying to run away from me?"

I secretly clutched my skirt. I understood his frustration, but I couldn't tell him my agenda. It was something that I did not want to share with anyone but myself.

"Valerian—"

"Dominixe."

I shivered when Papa arrived while holding his cane as his accessory. I met his stony expression before he halted beside me and eyed Valerian up and down.

"Is there something wrong, my daughter?" he asked. His gaze was so intense that I almost forgot to speak.

I cleared my throat and smiled brightly. "Nothing, Papa." I composed myself and looked at Valerian, who was watching me intently. "Papa, I would like to introduce His Grace, Valerian Leveaux, Duke of Alsfield." Then I turned to Valerian. "Your Grace, this is my father, Harchier Cantavalle, Marquis of Airan."

I suddenly wanted to drag Valerian out of Papa's sight. Seeing how Papa's eyes darkened a little was enough for me to know that he hated him already.

Because Valerian was an Alpha.

"I am grateful that you have picked my daughter as your first dance, Your Grace," Papa said politely. He even removed his hat to place it on his chest and bowed before him. "It seems... you are interested in her based on how the two of you danced together." Papa glanced at me meaningfully.

I chuckled softly and unfolded my fan to cover half of my face. "His Grace is not interested in me, Papa. That is such a silly comment..." I tried to act like I was shy that Papa seemed like he was matchmaking us.

If the past Dominixe could be folded tenfold, unable to mutter a word, the present Dominixe had already grasped the situation. I had prepared for this day that Papa and Valerian would meet in one place.

As long as Valerian wouldn't introduce himself as my mate, I hoped everything would go smoothly after this night.

I heard Valerian sigh, almost scoffing. I secretly gnashed my teeth because I had a feeling that he was displeased at my remark.

"That is not true, Lady Dominixe. I am, in fact, interested in you." My eyes widened when Valerian took my hand and planted a soft kiss on the back of it. Then, he looked at me. I saw annoyance and frigidness in them. "I could have wished that you were my mate, knowing that I haven't found my mate yet," he said meaningfully. "Have you met your mate yet, my lady?"

My wolf got out of my hand when she said I should flirt. But damn her! She knew that it would simply put my plans in vain if Valerian had to act like that.

"I haven't, Your Grace. I haven't yet." I looked at him when he secretly pinched my hand. He looked displeased at my words. I ignored it and turned at Papa before casually yanking my hand back. "Even so, Papa is planning to betrothed me in the near future, right, Papa?"

He agreed. "Indeed. In fact, I have chosen a candidate for you, my dearest."

My dearest?

I almost scoffed. That was such a facade that he would never call me like that as an endearment for his daughter.

"Is that so?"

I gulped when his tone sounded dangerous. When I laid my eyes back on Valerian, his jaw was already gnashing while still looking casual while his gaze was piercing on me. I felt like being targeted by a predator all of a sudden.

He was extremely irritated. I knew it. That calmed composure was enough for me to know that he was close to exploding.

I must get away from him as soon as possible, or else this night would go in vain.

"Yes." Papa glanced at me. He was looking at me, squinting his eyes. "Why, Your Grace? You sound disappointed. Do you wish my daughter to be your betrothed?"

My head briskly turned my head at Papa. What the hell was he saying? He must not suppose to suggest that!

Shit! What the hell? My plan tonight was not going to work!

Valerian drew out a meaningful smile. "If I am, would you ever allow it, Marquis Cantavalle?"

My heart was stammering inside my chest. Oh, my Moon Goddess! This did not happen in the past! Papa, please disagree! Please!

Papa chuckled. His face was already darkening in anger. I knew that he was displeased by Valerian's question. I could tell that he wanted to kill him right now. He was about to answer Valerian when someone chimed in.

"Gentlemen, may I interrupt all of you?"

It was Crown Prince Henricus who was smiling gently.