"Oops, I forgot to the set the mood."

I retreated further down in my seat. Storm cleared his throat uncomfortably while Khal ran back to us.

He proceeded to turn on the Bluetooth speaker and searched through his phone. Beyonce's Crazy in Love started playing and I groaned.

As if it wasn't awkward enough, it was the 50 Shades version.

Storm's eyes widened and growled at Khal, who just blew a kiss and ran away.

Shit, what do I do?!

"I guess, we should eat now?"

"Why are you avoiding me?"

His mouth gaped like a dying fish as we asked two different questions at the same time; the latter being more noticed than the other.

"I'm not—"

"You are. Tell me, how long have I been here since we left my pack, Storm?" He was at a loss for words and his eyes were shaking with panic. I threw my arms up in frustration, throwing a nasty glare at him.

"A week and two days, Storm. A week and two days."

"I've been busy, Yzavel. You're not the only one I need to take care of."

I gasped with my heart readying itself to burst with pent-up anger. What did he say?!

"That's the thing, Storm— you haven't been taking care of me. Ever since we arrived here, you haven't given me even a speck of your time, save for when you informed me that I'd be introduced to the pack. Because of you, I've been doubting my worth, Bella's not talking to me, and I haven't shifted in a week, Storm. Do you have any idea of the danger you're putting me in? My wolf could die!"

"We have the rest of our lives, Yzavel! I don't need to always— for fuck's sake!"

Storm pushed his chair back and bolted towards the speaker. Chris Brown's Take You Down immediately stopped playing as he crushed the phone with his hand.

He went back to his seat with a sigh. I was still busy looking at the broken phone in shock, "You destroyed Khal's phone."

"I did. He had it coming with all those fucking sex songs." I averted my gaze on the phone and bit my lip to restrain from giggling.

Foreign yet familiar sparks shot up causing me to shiver as he placed a hand on top of mine over the table, instantly making me falter and blush profusely.

"This wasn't a great start to our dinner date. I'm sorry I've been such an ignorant mate lately. It's been so long since— I mean, I'm not used to this mate thing."

I knew he was about to say something about her, but decided not to pry any further to not ruin this dinner any more than it was.

"It's okay, just... Just don't ignore me, Storm. It hurts like hell," I admitted and he frowned, apologizing again for his ignorance. Smiling, I caressed his hand on top of mine, signaling that I've forgiven him.

We started to eat after I connected my phone to the Bluetooth speaker; this time, playing appropriate songs.

"So, what's been happening with you lately?" I decided to ask while chewing on the delicious steak prepared for us.

Storm wiped his mouth with the table napkin, "Well, some packs are having varied trouble within their territories."

My brows furrowed in concern, pausing my steak-filled fork almost nearing my lips, "Are they serious?"

"Pretty much," he nodded, "It's getting out of hand and the Alphas are seeking help from other packs. That's why I went to Montana and visited the Repus Pack. Lucas looked like he aged a lot."

"What's wrong with Repus?"

"People kept coming back from the dead and were attacking them."

I stilled, my eyes molding into petrified slits of disbelief. Goosebumps danced around my skin through big waves, rendering me motionless with the fictitious notion.

"That's crazy. How could that even happen?" I whispered. It was silent on the other side; I saw Storm's lips stark shut in a grim line.

"Enough about me and the packs. How have you been?" He asked with finality in his tone, declaring that the previous conversation has already ended.

There was something he wasn't telling me— something deep, dark, and dangerous. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Dad knew something more about this too. I wanted to know, but Storm's eyes pleaded with me to let it go.

A sigh broke out of my lips and stretched into a smile, "Nothing too eventful like yours, except of course, the broken vase you saw earlier."

He hummed in amusement, "What exactly happened before I came?"

"Well, we were cooking dinner for the pack. And then, a song they all liked was playing so they started to dance. Musa noticed me just, you know, standing there. I told them I was bad at dancing, but they didn't care, and so started the running and chasing." He laughed and shook his head.

"Those troublesome teenagers. If they weren't so good at cooking like their mother..."

"I find it hilarious that they're named after characters of Winx Club. Their mother must've been high or something during the naming. Actually, we also have twins that were named Drew and Barrymore after the actress, Drew Barrymore," I ended with a giggle, suddenly missing the twins at the mention of their crazy names.

"Seriously, what is with these people?" He expressed with humor and I shrugged.

We continued finishing our dinner with a light atmosphere. More questions about our personalities and trivial things rose in between, and I reveled in this precious moment with him, finally getting to know more about my mysterious and powerful mate.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"I know you said you don't dance, but this song's too beautiful to pass up on?"

"I'm dancing— I know how to dance now!" I quickly shot up and dashed to the open space. He was still sitting down with an amused smirk and my eyes widened in a prompting manner.

"Well? The song might end soon!" I goaded and he chuckled, standing to meet me at the open space.

My heart sped up with every step he took towards me, almost imagining him in slow motion. He looked dashing with the lights scintillating through and illuminating his already twinkling eyes. His smile radiated with a warmth that caused tingles inside my stomach.

I stepped out of my dreamy stupor as he stopped at a considerable length away from me, "I'll have you know, I really am bad at dancing," I stuttered.

He smirked once again, "And I'll have you know, I can handle a few steps on my toes."

I grimaced and awkwardly placed my arms around his neck and his around my waist. Exhaling deeply, I fluttered my eyes to meet his smoldering gaze. He gave a reassuring smile as we started to sway to the music.

Take my hand
Let's take to the stars
One step forward
Two steps back

It must've been the song and the ambience overall, that suddenly made me reach over and touch his lips with mine with a delicate peck. I, however, didn't expect him to pull me back into his arms and kiss me.

Take me into your arms
Sweep me off my feet
Maybe I could dream with you
If you would dance with me

I closed my eyes shut in bliss, savouring every spark and beat of my heart as whispers of a thousand untouched feelings poured into the kiss.

Waltz with me through the night
Hold me tight and see
Maybe we would fall in love
If you would dance with me

I pulled back to catch my breath and leaned on his chest, turning shy with reddened cheeks. He embraced me tighter as we danced away to the rest of the song.

Perfect.

••

I. Am. Back! I'm so sorry for the long hiatus 😭 I already planned this ahead, but didn't know how to write it out until now. I made it longer than usual to make it up to you.

I really loved this chapter. I felt so soft and fluffy while writing it. The song's also very special to my heart. It's "If You Would Dance With Me" by Cheenee Gonzales.

Anw, see you next chap!