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A Taste

~{Qiyara - 16 years old}~

"Qiyara! Are you even listening to me?" Kim shrieks with irritation as she slams her fists impatiently upon the ironed cloth that is spread smoothly over the round table we are seated at.

"Can we not converse about this later?" I ask with an exhausted sigh as I eagerly scour the bustling room for the male I am undeniably obsessed with. Kim has a massive crush on one of the juvenile males from our pack. Well not just her but most females our age cannot keep their arid eyes off Christos mostly because of his bewitching looks but also because he is Avi's chief warrior in training he is the best and the most skilled among all extremely popular as well. He is the kind of male who is constantly encircled by females but does not pay much heed to them which only makes them hound him even more. He keeps to himself most of the time and does not speak unless absolutely necessary.

I do not understand why juvenile females tend to go for males our age they have nothing to offer, unlike full-grown adult males who can provide me with a little bit of everything. Stability, protection, that mature relationship as well as toe-curling pleasure for they are usually experienced after all. I really hope my moon blessed ends up being older than me I do not think I can be satisfied in a connection with a male my age.

"You do not understand! Christos keeps looking at me do you not see how big of an issue this is?"

"How is this a big issue?"

"You know he never cares for females never even spares them another glance but there is something about the way he looks at me, Yara. Like he knows something I do not. What if he is my male?"

"There is no way Christos and you are mates. He turned eighteen two weeks ago and his wolf was birthed. Your wolf must live too for him to recognize you as his."

"B-But it feels different. It is as though he...I do not know how to put it but his gaze on my skin burns." She whispers her pale cheeks shifting into a radiant hue of pink as she tensely gnaws on her lower lip indicating to me that this issue has been consuming her thoughts day and night.

"You feel it? His gaze on you?"

"Yes, all the time. He is glimpsing at me right now, Qiyara." She states shackled by a severe breathlessness and I scowl at her words. He is looking at her, right now? Twisting around in my seat I rapidly study the boisterous ballroom starting from the secluded corners tenaciously hunting for the male who seems to have my friend in a trance.

My eyes narrow slightly when I encounter him seated among the other popular males his age who are also training to be warriors. They have their own impenetrable tight-knit group only selected males or females will be let in. He has his beefy arms folded across his puffed chest his legs are widely parted and his blues that seem to shimmer under the brilliant lights are...adhered on Kim just as she claimed. It is true he is watching her but for what reason?

Before I could shift back to resume my conversation with her my eyes locate the male who haunts my dreams every night strolling through the main entrance as he nonchalantly adjusts the silver polished buttons on his cuffs. Dressed in an expensive suit tailored to fit his towering brawny flesh he saunters in with that confidence that has all the females in awe of him.

The power he carries with each assertive step he takes is indescribable for the entire room quietens at his appearance all interested yet respectful eyes directed at him as the charmer of females has arrived proudly bearing his crown of diamonds upon his head. One of the three kings. Untouchable unless he allows you that kind of closeness and I want to conquer this magnetic male.

It is immediate the way adult females rise from their seats as though he hypnotized them to hustle towards him giggling and gossiping demanding his attention. But his awareness lies elsewhere for his keen greens are restlessly examining the room with his nose tilted into the air he inhales the myriad of scents desperate to find the one who he has been hunting for a very long time.

Cronus is searching for his female.

It is only a matter of mere seconds but I see the acute disappointment, the heartwrenching despair that strikes his orbs which loses its light to dim down into a darker shade. He is not getting any younger and I understand the dread and hopelessness that must be weakening him from within. All the wolves he grew up with are mated with pups and here he is is struggling to discover the female who owns half his soul... I feel for this male.

I observe the way his spine straightens the way he composes himself for he is aware that all eyes still linger on him. If it were up to me I would make sure that he would never have to wear a disguise in front of any wolf he need not be strong all the time for all his weaknesses I will undoubtedly adore.

He diverts his attention towards the squealing females and softly smiles down at them to commence amicable conversations with each and my stomach wrenches with a need to start a bloody war with those aggravating females. I do not like it that they are all mature enough to bear his attention, he may even choose to take one of those females back to his pack tonight. The thought of it has an instinctive reverberating growl rumble out of my chest which has the juveniles nearby pivot their questioning stare towards me.

"What is it? What has upset you?" Kim asks me nudging my elbow with her palm.

Grinding my teeth I indignantly settle back in my seat only to drill holes into the countless couples dancing merrily in front of us without any worry in the world. Every year diverse wealthy packs hold these kinds of balls in order to assist unmated wolves in discovering their other half however the juveniles who are not of age yet are invited as well to begin forging friendships and bonds with wolves from foreign packs. This way when they find their mates it gets more manageable for them to assimilate.

"Nothing, I am fine and you are right that male is looking at you." Kim immediately peeks down at her lap for she is unable to suppress her growing smile this female is pleased by this and I understand her. If Cronus gaped at me the same way Christos does with her I would feel the same way too. Crushes truly are deadly.

"Hello there." A male's soothing voice garners our attention as we both snap our heads up to regard him. I have never seen him before I suppose it is his first time attending such a ball. He is not a tall male but of average height yet he is very pleasing to look at with ebony hair and exquisite grey eyes that bedazzle you.

"Hello." Kim beams while presenting him a brusque nod of greeting.

"Did you dance yet?"

"No, not yet."

"Would you like to dance with me?" He offers her his palm that she stares dumbfoundedly at for he has caught her off guard me included.

"M-Me?" She points at herself astounded that a male such as him would ask her to dance when he could choose from several others.

"Yes, you." Kim nervously darts her gaze to me and I give her enthusiastic reassuring nods, this is good for her. We never do know who will end up being our mate and at the end of the day, it is best to dance with as many males as you can. "Do you not wish to?"

"Oh not at all, I would love to." She directly rises from her seat her cheeks all flushed her expression bashful, it is the first she has been asked to dance. I haven't been asked before as well. Before she could set her palm in his Christos is brisk to barge through the minute space between them and capture her wrist. She squeals with surprise and endeavours to take a step back but he does not let go. "Christos, w-what are you doing?" She stutters as she struggles against his rigid grip while his serious blues remain glued to her flesh. He looks disoriented as well as though this action of his was impulsive as though he is not aware of what he is doing.

His peer group stare at Kim and him with agape mouths for they are startled by his actions as well. He is not the kind of male to do this and this move seems...possessive. "She will dance with me." He declares with his head held high daring the other male to go against his wishes, daring him to take her against his will.

"What? No, he asked me first." Kim murmurs labouring to remain firm while looking elsewhere for she is unable to meet his scorching gaze that seems to do ungraspable things to her.

Christos snarls flashing his war teeth at her only to secure his palm around her jaw and ruthlessly yank her closer towards his face. Kim gasps faltering in her steps as she tumbles into his awaiting chest her doe eyes wide yet unfathomably awestruck by his barbarousness. "I do not remember giving you a choice."

"I am not interested." She battles back shoving against his chest but he does not let go merely taughtens his grasp on her. A knowing smile gradually descends upon his face as he inclines further down towards her heat whilst the tip of his thumb sensually strokes her wet lower lip and she visibly shudders her chest heaving inflated with her ample lust for him. She lucked out on this he might not be her male but at least she will get to experience something...pleasureful tonight.

"I know for sure you are interested...Kim." The way he teases her while drawing out her name in a suggestive manner has her eyes dilate with starvation to devour him and this he sees for his own grow much darker. Christos hauls her to the dancefloor without another word for she gave him her answer with her body while I deliver a teasing wink when she excitedly peeks over her shoulder to meet my eyes. Lucky female.

"I truly did not expect that." The male who had invited Kim to dance chuckles with a subtle shake of his head baffled by the situation.

"Neither did I and trust me neither did she."

"Well, then would you like to dance with me in her stead?"

"You sound desperate." I tease.

"I am being stalked and I would rather show her that I am occupied."

"Her?"

"Yes, one of the females from my pack has taken a liking to me and it has become a bit too much for me to handle."

"How so?" I ask curiously.

"I can tell you while we dance." Sly male. His smile broadens when I playfully narrow my eyes at him but I deliver a terse nod of acceptance while taking his outstretched palm. I do need to acquaint myself with more juveniles anyways.

As he politely guides me to the deafening dancefloor I catch sight of Cronus along the way, he too has a tall full-figured female on his arm and is ushering her towards where we are. She is grinning up at him with immense fondness she fancies him a lot I can see this yet he....returns her smile with a charming one of his own and her steps falter. She stumbles in her peep-toe stilettos while gripping onto his forearm as an anxious squeal flies past her mouth and he halts to peer down at her with a gentleness that savagely wrecks my heart. He helps steady her and her flesh crimsons with embarrassment which only makes him laugh louder. She is not his female I can see that but how come he is behaving with her like she is?

"What is your name?" The juvenile male asks me as he envelops his arm around my waist and gently tows me to his chest whilst I spread my palms over his shoulders as he sways us to the melodious music.

"Qiyara. What is yours?"

"Tae-Hyun."

"I have never heard a name such as yours before, what does it mean?"

"Virtuous." He replies with a devilish grin that has me tilt my head to the side with interest.

"And are you a virtuous male?"

"I try to be, except when I am with beautiful females such as yourself if you know what I mean."

"Quite the smooth talker I see." My perturbed eyes once more return to focus on the male who is now gaily dancing with the female he picked. I wonder what about her appealed to him. Her voluptuous breasts that she made sure to emphasise with her revealing dress, her unblemished skin, her toned body or her personality? Why would Cronus choose her from the famished group of females?

With a torn heart peeled off the defensive barriers, I scrutinise the way he moves with a certain fluency demonstrating his years of experience at such balls dancing with countless females over the years since he became a juvenile. The way his palm lounges on her lower back his fingertips itching to glide further down to get a feel of her plump assets that he shall definitely grope tonight. Is she the type Avi mentioned, with auburn hair that courses beautifully down her back pale skin that bruises easily and pink lips that resemble ripe strawberries? Perhaps he does not prefer females with dark skin as mine with pitch-black hair and a petite body.

She staggers in her heels acting all bashful around him but I catch her innocent seduction that is apparent to me as day. The way she seductively bites her lip the way her fingers drift down his broad chest fondling the protruding muscles and the way she shoves her full breasts that seem way bigger than mine against this flesh tantalizing him and Cronus unquestionably took the bait for he regards her with the same ardent desire. He wants a taste of what she can offer.

"And then I told her that I was not interested but she did not accept it. She still keeps going after me even though I do not wish-"

"Excuse me," I whisper my voice cracking toward the end as I rapidly blink away my brimming tears to the cause of advancing bitterness in my heart whilst I take a step back away from Tae-Hyun who frowns at me unable to comprehend my abrupt change in emotions. I do not even know why I feel this way? Cronus is not my moon blessed so what gives me the right to be envious of other females or be upset at him for his improper behaviour?

He is a full-grown male, an adult wolf and an Alpha at that. He can do whatever or whomever he desires so why is it that I feel as though he just recklessly ploughed a damn blade into my heart? Why does it ache so much to the point that I cannot breathe as though my lungs have been barred my throat clogged, to the point I feel so utterly resentful? Pathetic you have become so very pathetic that you do not even notice it Qiyara.

"Are you alright, have I done something wrong?" Tae-Hyun asks the tone of his voice unsettled yet pacifying.

"Not at all, I shall return in a few minutes. I just need to use the washroom."

"I understand, thank you for your time. Perhaps when you return we can chat a bit more."

"Certainly." I give him an unstable smile a facade to shield my throbbing heart that is on the verge of bleeding only to bow down grab a hold of the lace hem of my emerald gown and sprint as fast as my feet allow me towards the exit.

Everything about my infatuation with Cronus petrifies me, I do not even know if this is just a mere crush anymore. I turn eighteen in two years what if I meet my moon blessed and what if the puissant feelings for the charmer of females does not wither?

Why is it that my heart only dances to the melody of his voice?

Strolling into the hushed unlit hallway that is being kissed by the moon's glimmer which darts in through the soaring french windows I search for the washroom.

Suddenly, muffled whimpers and high-pitched cries flare from the room to my left and the sensual sounds have me stiffen and freeze in my path only to lure my inquisitive gaze towards the source.

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