Page 24 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

“ C an I have this dance?” A woman with blue sapphire eyes asked Asher.

“Sorry, I’m looking for my mate.” He pushed past her, trying to follow the scent. Bodies were everywhere as they spun around on the dance floor. One of them could be his mate … in the arms of another male. He felt his wolf Bo growing irritated at the thought.

Me too, buddy … me too.

Asher’s eyes scanned the dance floor until a hand wrapped around his. It was the same woman from earlier with the blue eyes.

“Ladies choice,” she said behind her golden mask.

“I’m not a ladies’ choice, though. I have a mate, and she is the only choice.” Asher went to pull away when the person gripped him harder.

“One dance? Please?” the woman pleaded with a sad voice.

Frustration seeped from Asher’s sigh as he glanced back over the sea of dancers, searching for a way out of the situation. His eyes scanned the twirling figures on the dance floor, each one blurring into a whirl of color and movement.

“Sorry, but—”

“It’s one dance,” another man’s voice snorted in agitation.

“I have a mate. I’m looking for her.”

“She isn’t asking for anything other than a dance. Find your someone after,” the man growled and Asher narrowed his eyes at him. “It’s only a minute of your time.” The man’s voice softened.

“Fine,” he muttered begrudgingly. “One dance, but if I see my mate while we’re dancing, I’m gone.

” The woman nodded her head as he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.

His mind raced as he looked over the blurring bodies around him.

Perhaps he could observe the other dancers, looking for the most beautiful green eyes in the world.

The room was vast and noisy. It would be impossible to even hear her voice.

Damn, at this rate, he wasn’t going to find her anytime soon.

“How about a dance?” A man with a gold mask asked.

“Oh, umm … I’m just enjoying observing right now.” Lita watched as the man waited there expectantly.

“I thought that was you! It’s me, Caspian.” A man with a black-feathered half mask moved between Lita and the other man. He reached out his hand and pulled her to his chest. “I’ll keep you safe until your feral mate finds you,” he whispered near her ear as he pulled her out to dance.

“Caspy, wait.” The name just popped out, but it felt natural and normal for her, as if she used to say it a lot. His eyes lit up, and he looked really happy. He had taken her hand, and the moment he’d touched her, her hand began to tingle strangely.

“Caspy?!” His smile broadened. “Oh, we’re on a nickname basis. I’m loving it.”

“But wait, wait, seriously. Casp–”

“What is it?”

“I don’t … I’ve never—” She pursed her lips. “I don’t know how to dance.”

“It’s easy. I’m a strong dancer. I’ll lead you. And if you step on my feet, I’ll consider it an honor.” He smiled down at her. “You look uncomfortable. Lita, are you okay?”

The tingling from his touch was confusing, but he didn’t seem to be affected by it.

So she reverted to the other reason she was uncomfortable.

“I’m not used to crowds, and I don’t like not being able to smell.

It makes me anxious. I’m always searching for a certain scent, always afraid it’s going to find me.

” She stared up at him. She really was always worried the wolf that killed her mother would also come for her.

Not that she was afraid to fight him, but that he would catch her off guard.

She needed to be vigilant so she would have the upper hand.

“You’re safe. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I’d lay my life down for you.”

Lita looked at his feathered mask. “Because I’m your future luna?”

“Because you’re important to me.”

She felt herself becoming lightheaded as she stared into his eyes.

Her head started to hurt, and she grew tense.

There was something about him that made her body react, as if it was trying to tell her something but she didn’t understand what.

It all started from his touch, as if it had ignited something inside her.

A loud roar ripped through the dance floor and the crowd parted, moving away from the scene.

“Can’t you just comply for once?!”

“I wasn’t born to comply!”

Two large men were staring each other down in the center of the room. It was clear a fight was about to break out.

“Idiot,” Caspian muttered, trying to lead Lita away from the pending destruction.

“Isn’t someone going to stop them?” She looked back, concerned, as the one man ripped his mask off angrily.

“I am not wearing this damn thing all night. Stupid room with scent blocking. Dumb! This is something idiots who don’t have any enemies do.”

Lita stared at the man in shock. She knew him. The other man snarled back at him loudly. She jerked back, and Caspian looked at her curiously.

“I know him.”

“Do you? How?” She watched as a small smile spread over his lips.

Another loud growl ripped from the man, and Lita quickly sprang into action.

This was a party and no place for a fight.

She ran over, grabbing the man’s arm mid-swing.

“For the Moon Goddess’ sake, can’t you control that temper of yours for one night?

I’m done playing referee.” The man looked down at her, his eyes lighting up, then furrowing angrily.

“What the hell are you doing here, Lita?”

“How did you know it was me, Grayson?” She was shocked he had recognized her with her mask on. Grayson was ginormous, easily the tallest man in the room, with bulging muscles to boot.

“Because they can’t block all my senses.

I would know you if I were blind.” His voice was calm as he turned to face her.

She stared at him as she pondered what that meant.

They hadn’t spoken in years, so how would he know her if he were blind?

Though there was something about him that she felt alerted her, almost like his presence was part of her.

It didn’t make any sense, and it wasn’t like a mate thing. It was hard to explain.

“Awesome, Lita!” the man who growled at Grayson a moment ago said. He tilted up his mask and she could see it was Luke. These were the two men she used to play with when she was younger. “I’ll leave him in your care,” he said with a wink, and then moved away with a woman in his arms.

“Are you here alone?” Grayson asked roughly.

“She isn’t alone. She’s with me.” Caspian moved next to her as Grayson scoffed.

“With you? I can see the armies running for cover now as they shake in their boots,” Grayson mocked, pulling her away from Caspian. “I hate to break it to you, pretty boy, but you can’t protect her. She’s safer with me.”

Lita’s mind reeled. Protect me? From what?

“Her mate is my alpha, and he would rather see her near me than you.”

“If he knew better, then he would be grateful to me for protecting her. Who is your mate?” He looked down at Lita, “I don’t see a mark on her neck.

” Grayson’s grip on Lita’s arm softened, his fierce demeanor melting into concern.

“Are you okay, Lita?” he asked, his voice low and gentle.

“Do you want me to take you away from here?” He might have been out of communication with her for awhile, but that was because he couldn’t speak with her.

Things were different now … and he was going to protect her.

His sudden tenderness caught Lita off guard. She searched his face, finding a warmth there she’d almost forgotten. Memories of their past friendship flooded back, along with the pain of his unexplained absence.

“How can you be so protective now?” Lita challenged, her green eyes flashing with hurt and confusion. “You quit talking to me without any explanation. Why should I trust you?”

Grayson’s broad shoulders slumped, regret etching lines across his rugged features. “I’m sorry, Lita. I never meant to hurt you,” he murmured. “I’ve been in intense training, and communication was impossible. But I never stopped caring. There’s so much I want to explain to you.”

“Not now you don’t.” Caspian gave Grayson a warning glare.

“Don’t try to tell me what is best. Know your place!” He let out a rumbling growl, and Caspian shifted nervously but refused to back away.

Lita used to feel very comfortable around Grayson.

It was almost like being with her brother.

He was familiar to her, but now, something was bothering her.

Something about him … and something about Caspian that was making her feel frustrated.

Her mind was reeling. The conflicting pull between the two men, the secrets that seemed to hover just out of reach—it was all too much.

Her head throbbed, and a wave of dizziness washed over her.

Still, she clenched her jaw, determined not to show weakness in front of either man.

Grayson glanced up at Caspian and then at the doors at the far end of the room. “It’s stuffy here. How about we get some air?” He could see that she looked pale, and he was worried about her.

“I don’t understand,” she breathed out. “Why am I feeling so frustrated right now? I feel like—” A waiter walked by with a tray of cookies, and she winced as a scent wafted through the air.

Anise oil. “I definitely need some air.” She tore away from both men and ran to the nearby door.

She pushed it open desperately, letting the cool night air rush over her.

Stepping out, she made her way to a cobblestone path.

It led to a quiet area where there was a beautiful, sparkling fountain trickling calmly.

She approached it and leaned her hands on the cool stone, feeling the spray of the water as it splashed softly.

Fireflies danced around her, their soft light pulsing in an almost hypnotic rhythm. The wind picked up, swirling around her in a way that felt almost… sentient.

As she stood there, trying to catch her breath, a strange sensation washed over her. It was as if something was calling to her, tugging at the edges of her consciousness. Lita closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the feeling that she was on the cusp of uncovering a truth that would change everything.

“What’s happening to me?” she whispered to the fading sun, her words carried away by the wind as the fireflies continued their ethereal dance around her.