Chapter 5 First Kiss

Eryn POV I am sitting awkwardly at a table in the far corner of the Charity Ball, trying to remain unseen. This is the first year I have arrived with my father instead of Zach and Kyle. Much to my father's dismay, Zach invited some bleached blonde bimbo from the Starlight Pack. Her dress is far too short and tight for this event. My eyes haven't left the doorway. I am waiting to see who Kyle has decided to bring with him. I can't help the jealousy that flares inside my chest when I think about him with another girl. I know I don't have any right to be jealous; I am the one who turned him down, after all. While I am checking my phone in my lap for a text from Kyle, I smell him. The scent of sandalwood seems to swirl around my head, making it hard for me to concentrate. I look up from my phone to see Kyle walking in with Jesse on his arm. Vomit rises in my throat. I knew he would find another date but never in a million years did I think it would be Jesse. He knows how awful she has been to me over the years. She is clinging to his arm desperately as they scan the ballroom. His eyes meet mine, and I quickly look at my phone, pretending like I didn't see them. I am scrolling through Instagram when I hear laughter coming from beside me. I raise my head and see Jesse standing in front of me. "Can I help you?" I ask sarcastically. Jesse covers her mouth with her gloved hand and clears her throat loudly. "I thought you were the daughter of the Beta?" "And?" I groan. "I would have just thought that you would have been able to afford a new dress this year," Jesse laughs. I look down at my dress. Yes, it is the same one I wore last year, and it is a tad too tight around the chest, but I didn't see any point in wasting money on a new one for one night. "Some of us have more important things to worry about than clothes," I tell her angrily. Jesse bats her perfect eyelashes and fake gasps. "I forgot all about Precious Eryn and her dreams of going to the Warrior Academy. Why would you even bother? No man is going to want a warrior for a mate." "I am not looking for a man," I growl at her. "And anyway, my mate will love me for who I am." I am gripping my phone tightly in my hand. Jesse hates me so much, and I have never figured out why. It's not like I am competition for her or anything. Compared to her, I am boring and plain. "I wouldn't plan on it," Jesse snorts. Kyle is standing behind me, and I can feel his hands resting on the back of my chair. His knuckles are brushing against the bare skin on my shoulders. If I didn't know any better, I would have guessed he was touching me on purpose, but that can't be the case. I have been giving him the cold shoulder since the bathroom incident last weekend. Kyle leans down, and his hot breath tingles against my neck. The look on Jesse's face is priceless and I smirk. "Dance with me," he whispers next to my ear. I freeze. As much as I am enjoying Jesse's disappointment, this is the exact situation I was trying to avoid. Dancing with Kyle at a public event is bound to give people the wrong idea. "Please," he begs, and I shudder with need. I don't have to answer Kyle. He is already pulling my chair away from the table. Giving Jesse one final glare, I get up from the seat and turn to Kyle. I expect him to be smiling, but there is a serious look on his face. Kyle offers me his hand and leads me onto the dance floor. The music is slow and soft. Wrapping his arm around my waist, Kyle pulls me close to him. Our bodies are far too close together, and I glance around the dance floor to make sure no one is watching. My dad is watching us closely, and so is the Alpha. Neither one seems to be pleased with the situation. "Eyes on me," Kyle says, tilting my face to look at his. I swallow hard. As Kyle begins to glide me across the dance floor. I am unable to take my eyes off his. "Why have you been avoiding me?" He asks me. "I haven't been avoiding you," I whisper angrily. "And why do you care? It appears you have been busy with Jesse." "We are supposed to be training together," Kyle reminds me. "You haven't been showing up." "I have been busy," I grumble. "We should talk," he says as he leads me off the dance floor. "There is nothing to talk about," I snap at him. "You are clearly with Jesse." Kyle isn't listening as he drags me off the dance floor. Now, everyone is watching us. He is actually pushing people out of the way to get to the door. My face is burning with embarrassment. I have always made sure not to make myself the center of attention, and now Kyle is dragging me right into the middle. Soon, my embarrassment turns to anger. I hike up the skirt of my dress and follow him out. Kyle doesn't look behind him as he pushes the door to the ballroom open. He knows I am following him. We turn down a darkened hallway, and I shove him from behind. "What the hell was that?" I demand to know. Kyle doesn't lose footing as he turns to me. I move to push him again, and he grabs my wrists before they can reach his chest. In one swift movement, I find my hands pinned behind my back. "Let me go," I snap at him. "Not until you listen," Kyle growls at me. "You have to stop avoiding me." "Why?" I demand to know. "Because I am not the same without you in my life," Kyle says, inching his face closer to mine. "You are with Jesse," the words taste like venom on my tongue. "Would you shut up?" Kyle growls, tightening his grip on my wrists. My breasts are pushed into his chest, and my dress feels tighter than it did before. I run my tongue over my lips nervously. "Fuck it," Kyle grumbles. He presses his lips to mine, and I moan deeply. I have been dreaming of this moment for weeks, but nothing could have prepared me for it. I don't know what to do, but Kyle doesn't seem to care. He cups the side of my face and guides my mouth slowly with his own. Running his tongue along the seam of my lips, he gently forces them open. His tongue explores my mouth gently, and I try to match his movements. My tongue brushes against his, and a growl rumbles in his chest. Excitement rises in my chest, but it is short-lived. "What the fuck!" Zach's voice comes from behind me. Kyle pulls away from me, and I glance shyly over my shoulder at my brother. He is pissed. His fists are balled up at his sides, and he is shaking. I realize my arms are still pinned behind my back and how this must look. "Zach," I whimper. "It's not what you think." But Zach is already storming toward us. Kyle pushes me behind him before Zach's fist connects with his jaw. Kyle's head snaps to the side, and he wipes blood from his lip. "I don't want to fight you," Kyle growls. "Too fucking late," Zach growls before he punches Kyle again.