The orchestra continued to play as couples danced across the floor. An allure in the air seemed to take away their inhibitions and allowed them to give in to their wants and desires.

Emil watched the couples from the balcony above. He was envious of the love being showered and praised amongst the young lovers. He yearned for the chance to be with the one he loved. He was bidding his time before he made his final move. Everything was playing out beautifully; there were a few tweaks he needed to make his plan more enjoyable. His eyes narrowed as he spotted his target and smiled deviously as he turned and walked away from the balcony.

***

Deak gripped his girl as he swayed and turned across the floor. Vita was amazed at how fluid Deak was able to dance. “I didn’t know you knew how to dance so well,” Vita noted as Deak glided her across the floor.

Deak shrugged. “It is common in family to learn many things,” he answered. “My mother taught me.”

Vita’s heart swelled when she heard the way Deak talked about his mother. She could tell he was close to his mother. “I wish I could have met her,” Vita said as she smiled softly at Deak.

Deak nodded. “I, too, wish she met you. my Vita.”

A quiver shimmied down Vita’s body as the tall Hungarian purred her name. He smirked at the effect he had on his mate.

The music slowed, and Deak pulled Vita closer to him as they swayed back and forth on the floor.

Vita looked up into his eyes, which sparkled against the mask covering most of his face. She brought her hand and ran it through his shaggy hair. For a moment, Vita lost herself in the night. She forgot about the curse and all it entailed, the omens that continued to reign over them. Vita wanted this one moment she was in to last forever.

Deak enjoyed this time with Vita; his mind wasn’t focusing on the curse. He was giving all his attention to the one thing he loved most, his Vita. He looked up and froze in place as he could have sworn he was someone he knew. His eyes darted through the other guests searching for the familiar face. In the distance, he caught another glimpse and wanted to go after them.

Vita’s smile dropped as she watched Deak’s face turn in a flash. He stared at her with the same kind of love and passion she was looking at him, and then it disappeared. “Deak, what’s wrong?”

Deak shook his head as he tried to rid himself of the illusion of what he saw. It was not real. The person he thought he saw was no longer here; it couldn’t have been her. He looked up again, and there it was, a glimpse of his past. He had to see if it was true. If she was real.

“I need to check something; I’ll be back,” he told her as he quickly moves off the floor.

Vita, confused by what just happened, turned to leave the dance floor when she was stopped by a tall man. She looked up at the man and, because of the mask, could not recognize if she had seen him before.

“May I have this dance?” he asked her.

Vita shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t think that’s a good idea. My boyfriend is the jealous type and doesn’t like other men touching me.”

The tall man tilted his head as he continued to stare at Vita. “Another time then,” he stated before turning and walking away.

Vita moved off the dance floor and headed for the table they were seated at. Her brows furrowed when she saw no one sitting at their table. Where had everyone gone?

Esha approached Vita and asked, “How’s your night going?”

“It’s going well. Have you seen Madeline at all?” Vita inquired as she continued to look for someone she knew. The room was filled with many guests, and the lights were dim to set the mood.

“I’m sorry I haven’t. Listen, we are doing an auction later and asking ladies to participate in an auction for a dance. The money we raise goes to help our foster teens in our community,” Esha explained. “Tabitha and Gretchen have already agreed to it. It’s a silent auction, and the winners will be announced after dinner.”

Vita shook her head. “No, I don’t think I should.”

Esha looked at Vita with pleading eyes as she twisted her fingers around her bracelet. “Please, Vita. It’s just one dance.”

Vita blinked as she tried to shake her head. Something in Esha’s tone was compelling Vita to do this. Vita attempted to shake the effects off but couldn’t. “Just one dance?” she repeated to be sure.

Esha smiled victoriously. “Just one dance.”

Vita agreed.

Esha squealed with excitement. “I’ll add your name to the list. Don’t worry; it’s for a good cause,” she reassured.

Vita nodded in acknowledgment, but something didn’t sit right with Vita. She needed to find Deak and tell him about the auction. Where could he have gone?

***

Marco breathed deeply as he tried to keep control of himself and his wolf. Tabitha was tempting him, and he needed to keep his distance; he didn’t want to give in to her manipulations. “Tabitha, please, stop toying with me,” he pleaded as he pulled her away from him.

Tabitha felt the sting of pain hit her heart but respectfully stepped back. “I wasn’t playing with your emotions, Marco. I love you,” she professed.

Marco’s wolf howled for their mate.

Tabitha inched closer as she dropped her voice to a seductive tone, “I’m sorry for the way I acted and how I treated the others. I want to make amends with the group and move forward.” Tabitha stood in front of Marco and slid her fingers up his chest.

Marco reached out and grabbed her wrists with both hands. He wanted to believe what she said was true, but something stopped him.

“Marco, you know you want this. You know you want me,” she purred.

Marco shook his head as he tried to fight the allure in her voice. He closed his eyes to block it all out when he heard.

Tabitha: Marco, you have to trust me. Follow my lead, and I will explain everything.

Marco opened his eyes and stared deeply into his mate’s eyes. He was searching for the truth. Marco wanted to believe her; he wanted to give her a chance. Marco sucked in his mate's seducing scent, and his eyes reflected with hints of gold. He reached up and pulled Tab’s head back. “You better not be lying,” Marco threatened as he pulled Tabitha into his arms and captured her lips with his.

Tabitha let out a moan as Marco deepened the kiss.

Amanda was right, Tabitha thought.

Amanda had told Tabitha to focus on what mattered the most to her. In that moment, she realized fixing her relationship with Marco mattered most to her.