4.

As we entered the grand ballroom, I was hit by a wave of sights and sounds that took my breath away. The room was adorned with twinkling lights, elegant drapes, and the laughter of joyous guests filled the air. My heart raced with adrenaline as my mom and Jenna flanked me, their excitement palpable.

“Look at all these people,” my mom whispered, her eyes wide with awe. “It’s just like I imagined when I was young! This is a true royal ball, Lyra. Just like in the fairy tales!”

“Yeah, it’s really something,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as I took it all in.

And then I spotted him. Gabriel, my stepfather, stood near the entrance, his presence commanding and powerful. He wore an impeccably tailored suit that highlighted his strong physique. The way he carried himself radiated authority, and I felt a surge of pride that he was my step father Alpha.

“Lyra!” Gabriel called, his deep voice cutting through the chatter. He gestured for us to approach. As we walked over, I noticed Lucas standing beside him, looking dashing in his fitted suit. He was talking with a group of his friends, but as I drew closer, his gaze locked onto mine.

“Welcome to the royal ball, ladies,” Gabriel said, beaming at us. “You both look stunning.” His eyes softened as he looked at my mom, but then he turned his attention to me. “Tonight is about celebration, and there’s a special tradition here. The first dance is always reserved for the Alphas and their families.”

My stomach fluttered with a mix of nerves and excitement. “What do you mean?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“There will be a dance where I’ll formally introduce you, Lyra, as part of the family,” he explained. “It’s a tradition that shows unity and strength within our pack.”

Before I could respond, my mom gave me a gentle push toward the dance floor. “Go on, Lyra! Dance with your stepfather. I’ll be right here!” she encouraged, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

As I stepped onto the floor, I felt the warmth of the crowd around me, but all I could focus on was the sound of my heartbeat in my ears. Gabriel took my hand, and together we joined the other couples moving gracefully across the polished floor.

I looked around, spotting Jenna dancing with one of Lucas’s friends, a tall guy with dark hair and an easy smile. He was lively and energetic, clearly enjoying himself.

“Just relax, Lyra,” Gabriel said softly as we swayed to the music. “You belong here.”

I nodded, trying to absorb his words, but the moment felt surreal. As we finished the dance, Gabriel leaned down and whispered, “You’ll do great tonight, Lyra. Just be yourself.”

I stepped back as the dance concluded, my cheeks warm with the energy of the moment. Just as I was catching my breath, Lucas’s friend, Happing, approached me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Mind if I cut in?” he asked, grinning.

Before I could answer, he took my hand and spun me into the next dance. The music shifted to a livelier tune, and I found myself laughing as we moved. But as we danced, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me.

From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Lucas, standing against the wall with his arms crossed. His intense gaze was locked on me, and my heart raced as I felt the weight of his presence. His alpha aura radiated around him, making me feel both exhilarated and nervous.

“Wow, you’re really something, Lyra,” Happing said, bringing my attention back to the dance. “Lucas is always like that—intense, you know? It’s kind of cool, honestly.”

“Intense?” I echoed, confused. “What do you mean?”

Happing chuckled, spinning me again. “He’s protective of you. He wouldn’t want anyone else dancing with you if he had his way. But don’t worry, he just doesn’t want to look like a jealous big brother. It's cute, really.”

I felt my cheeks heat up again, the realization that Lucas might care about me sending a rush of warmth through my body. As the dance continued, I occasionally stole glances at him, and each time our eyes met, a thrill coursed through me.

The music shifted again, and before I knew it, Happing was passing me to another one of Lucas’s friends. This one had an easy charm, and I found myself smiling at his playful banter. But no matter how much fun I was having, my mind kept drifting back to Lucas.

Every time I turned, I caught glimpses of him watching me, his expression unreadable yet filled with an undeniable intensity. It was as if he could see straight through me, as if he understood the whirlwind of emotions battling inside.

Just as I started to lose myself in the moment, I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder, turning me around. Lucas stood there, a mixture of uncertainty and determination in his eyes.

“Can I have this dance?” he asked, his voice low and serious.

I nodded, my heart racing as he led me to the center of the floor. This was it—the moment I had been anticipating yet dreading all at once. Lucas took my hand, and I felt the heat radiating off him as we began to sway to the music.

“Lyra, you look incredible tonight,” he said, his eyes scanning my face with an intensity that made my breath hitch.

“Thanks, Lucas. You look… well, you look like an Alpha,” I replied, my cheeks burning.

He chuckled softly, but there was something deeper in his gaze. “I’m glad you’re here. You belong at this ball, with us, with our family.”

As we moved together, the world around us faded away. The rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins, and for the first time, I felt like I truly belonged.

“Look at you, stealing the spotlight,” he teased, stepping closer. “I didn’t know you had it in you to dance like that.”

I rolled my eyes, trying to maintain my composure despite the fluttering in my chest. “I’m just having fun. Not everyone needs a stick up their—”

“Careful now, Lyra,” he interrupted, leaning down slightly so his face was inches from mine. “You wouldn’t want to offend the Alpha, now would you?”

My heart raced at his proximity, his breath warm against my skin. “You’re not the only Alpha here, you know,” I shot back, crossing my arms defiantly.

“True,” he conceded, straightening up with that infuriating smirk still on his face. “But I’m the one everyone is watching.”

“Watching, yes,” I said, arching an eyebrow,

“but not necessarily admiring.”

His grin widened, a mix of arrogance and charm that made my stomach twist. “Oh, I think they’re admiring. I mean, who wouldn’t want to dance with the someone's step-brother Alpha?”