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I caught the grin on Carlisle's face, and he winked at me, making me bite my lip to stop my own smile.
“Whatever you call it, Theo, it sounds like a noble cause,” I said.
"Maybe," he grinned. "But it's also about survival and sticking it to the man — or should I say, the alpha? There's a certain thrill in carving our own path, outside the traditional hierarchy."
"Rebels with a cause," Carlisle added with an amused smile.
"Exactly!" Theo said. "We protect those who need it. We contract with the Concordia for missions like this so they can protect history, and sometimes, we make a bit of our own."
"I can imagine," I said, casting a glance to the lively gathering around us. His team, his pack might be a more fitting term, were an assortment of personalities bound together by mutual respect and camaraderie. In that moment, I saw how integral Theo was to this bond. He was a beacon of sorts, his jovial spirit and firm dedication drawing others towards him.
As if sensing my thoughts, Theo chuckled. "Don't look so impressed, little angel. We're just a bunch of misfits finding our own way in the world."
"Perhaps…" I sighed. "But imagine if everyone helped others find their place in the world as you do."
He shrugged again, clearly not used to being praised for the work he did. "I think it's just finding where you belong, you know? Some people need a little guidance until they find it."
"I can understand that," I mused.
Theo grinned and stood up. “This conversation is getting far too heavy,” he declared. He reached down and grabbed my hand, pulling me up to standing. “Come on.”
“Where are we… oh, Theo, no…” I trailed off when I saw he was leading me towards the open space where someone had set up some speakers and people were dancing.
“Oh Theo, yes!” He laughed and pulled me into the middle of the group. Lily was already there, her arms around the neck of one of the shifters I’d seen her eyeing earlier, and she smiled encouragingly at me as Theo pulled me past her.
“Theo, I don’t dance,” I said, panicking slightly. “I have no idea how.”
“Then dance with me,” he said. He pulled me into his arms, resting his hands on my hips and began to move with the music.His hands pressed down, gripping me firmly, showing me how to move like he was.
Slowly, with his guidance, I found myself moving in rhythm with him. It was easy to follow his lead, his moves strong but uncomplicated. The firm grip of his hands was reassuring, and the playful sparkle in his eyes was infectious and I found myself laughing, swaying in time with Theo's lead.
“I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” I muttered as he spun me around.
“Oh, come on, angel girl - you know you want to. Scared of a little fun?" he teased. His hands stayed firm on my hips as we moved to the rhythm of the music.
“You’re incorrigible! And flirting with an angel? Isn't that a bit out of your league, wolf boy?” I grinned up at him, my heart beating faster as his golden eyes dropped onto mine.
He laughed, his eyes sparkling in the firelight, spinning me round and pulling me back against his chest. My breath caught in my throat as I felt his strong warm body press against mine, and my stomach fluttered as his hands settled back on my hips again.
"Now this isn't so bad, is it?" Theo's voice was warm in my ear, his laughter contagious, and I found myself smiling despite the nervous fluttering in my stomach.
“I guess not.”
“Just try not to step on my toes,” he teased, pulling me a little closer as the rhythm sped up.
"I make no promises,'' I replied, trying to match his playful tone. Was this flirting? Was I actually flirting? I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t see how this could be a negative thing. It was harmless, surely, we were just having fun. Something I don't do very often.
The night went on like this, filled with light-hearted banter and laughter. I found myself not only dancing with Theo but alsoCarlisle who stepped up after a few dances with Theo. Carlisle was quieter and much less intense, but I found myself liking him. He seemed kind and he didn’t give me the physical reaction Theo and Alastor did. He was comfortable, and I liked that. After several dances, he excused himself and I went and sat back down next to Alastor and Cole. I accepted another beer from Alastor as I caught my breath.
“Didn’t think you’d be the dancing type,” Alastor commented. He wasn’t smiling exactly, but there was a slight upturn to one corner of his mouth that made me think he didn’t smile very often.
“Neither did I,” I answered lightly. “But I really enjoyed that.”
“So did Lily,” Cole grinned, nudging Alastor. I followed their gazes over to a more secluded area of seating. A few couples were there, sharing intimate kisses, and the flash of pink hair made Lily easy to pick out. My mouth dropped open as I spotted her, sitting astride the wolf shifter she’d been dancing with. She was kissing him, but her skirt had ridden up almost to the point of indecency, and to my shock, the shifter's hand was between her legs. I watched, unable to tear my eyes away as she ground against him, rocking back and forth.
“What is she doing?” I whispered to myself.
“From the looks of it, getting a damn good fingering,” said Cole with a grin. My eyes widened as I looked from Lily to him, and then back.
