Emma Pov

　　Matthew's hand fitting snugly on my back sends shivers down my spine. As our bodies draw closer, swaying slowly across the dance floor, I feel exactly as he said I would. Floating. My eyes fixate on Matthew's, he looks stunning tonight. The temptation to kiss him more than once during our dance is strong, and I'm even more tempted to caress his face, feeling the roughness of his beard.

　　"But you look handsome too, birthday boy," I say humorously, and Matthew squints playfully in my direction.

　　"Are you complimenting me, Emma? That's amazing. Only on my birthday does this happen," Matthew jokes in a way that makes me laugh, and I shake my head.

　　"I can admit when there's something to admit, Matt. And indeed, it's because it's your birthday... don't think this will be routine," I retort with a mischievous tone. Matthew pulls me closer, our hips meeting, my leg finding its place between his as the music shifts to a tango style. I catch my breath at this new closeness. "Do you know how to dance tango?" I blurt out impressed.

　　Matthew flashes a charming smile that melts my heart a little more. "There are so many things you need to find out about me, Emma. I'm eager for you to discover," Matthew replies with a growl that excites me.

　　I tighten my grip on his shoulder, and as his hand glides over my dress, I feel the advantageous bulge between Matthew's legs against my thigh. The memory of how his erect and rigid member penetrated me so deliciously causes another surge of desire for Matthew. I can't let my mind be carried away by the memory of the incredible sex I had with Matthew.

　　Here I am, in the middle of the dance floor, caught up in the intense and passionate cadence that is the tango music. The vibrant sound of the music fills my ears, the sensual chords seem to create an aura of magnetism across the dance floor. I feel embraced by this sensual, passionate atmosphere, and most importantly, by the desire for Matthew.

　　Before me, Matthew moves in perfect sync with the music. His dark green eyes devour me with a burning intensity, causing my heart to race in response more than once. Each movement we make, with Matthew leading me, is like a silent conversation, full of promises and references to the positions we shared that night we slept together.

　　The warmth of Matthew's body mixes with mine, creating an irresistible synergy that envelops us in a passionate and exciting embrace. I smell his cologne, a subtle blend of spices and masculinity, which further excites me, and I need to focus even more to not lose my mind and ask Matthew to take me to some secluded place and fuck me. The captivating rhythm of the tango is unique and very sexy, I feel as if Matthew and I are suspended in time, in a space where only the two of us and the music that guides us exist.

　　"Emma, I must confess... how much I want to fuck you right now," Matthew growls in my ear, causing me to release a moan at the declaration. He bites the lobe of my ear, not caring about my earring, and I scratch his neck.

　　The entire sexual atmosphere that has developed between me and Matthew is interrupted by a sharp, loud applause, followed by obscene words around us. "Applause for you, Emma, a complete traitorous whore murderer. Finally showing how malicious and unfaithful you can be in front of all these people!" Michael suddenly accuses me.

　　I extricate myself from Matthew's arms the moment I hear those horrible, lying words. Matthew glares at Michael, his fangs bared, and he advances towards Michael, but I stop him. I notice Daniel also attentive, rolling up the sleeves of his dress shirt, our eyes meet for a second and I shake my head to prevent him from doing anything.

　　"Michael, shut up! I'm not doing anything obscene or depraved. And I certainly am not being unfaithful to anyone! Have you lost your mind? Or your memory, perhaps? I. AM. NO. LONGER. YOUR. MATE!" I announce with determination and firmness. "And I certainly am not a murderer!"

　　Silence falls over the ballroom, everyone goes silent to witness the embarrassment Michael is trying to put me through. I sniff my nose and smell the strong smell of alcohol emanating from him.

　　"Everyone here knows you are to blame for Ava's death! Everyone knows you've become the pet, the whore of the Night Howlers Pack. Did you know that's what others say, right?" Michael taunts, his voice slurred, his face red and increasingly showing how intoxicated he is. "The Night Howlers Pack's bitch, the fugitive bitch!"

　　"Michael, enough! I can prove that what happened to Ava was not my fault. Tonight all these lies, these false and baseless accusations about me will end forever!" I announce as I walk away from the dance floor and head to the entrance of the ballroom. All eyes are on me, some make way for me to pass through the tables and reach the entrance of the ballroom. "No one from the Moonshadow Pack defended me, not even my family when I claimed a thousand times that I did not kill Ava. You didn't investigate how that damn dagger ended up in my car, even though I didn't drive it into the forest. You didn't want to know what other suspects could appear for the investigation. You call me the bitch of the Night Howlers Pack? The wolf pack of Alpha Matthew Anderson did something that no one from the Moonshadow Pack did for me, my own wolf pack! He believed in me, he believed in my words and did everything in his power to help me prove my innocence, and here, tonight, I show you the definitive proof that I, Emma Smith, did not murder my best friend, Ava Davis!" As I announce these words, Ava appears, opening the doors of the ballroom.

　　My best friend is wearing a long black dress, her hair is in an elaborate and braided bun. The makeup is delicate and striking in her eyes. A subtle smile appears on her lips, and I feel proud of her entrance.

　　I turn my body to face Michael and Alpha Tim Davis, who look at Ava's entrance with their mouths agape, shock written all over their faces.

　　"Accuse me now of murder, gentlemen. It was I, Emma Smith, with the help of Alpha Matthew Anderson, who uncovered the truth about Ava. She wasn't killed, but rather kidnapped, kept in a life that didn't belong to her. You simply gave up on finding the truth, but I never did!"