Chapter 9: 4 Years Later

Saphire's POV

As my group and I dance to Beyonce's upgrade you, I can't help but notice how much more feminine they all were. I mean, I'm feminine but they are feminine And delicate. "Heh heh, I'm definitely not delicate", I chuckle to myself. I'm a whopping 5'8", but I'm thick...~ish. I'm not fat but, I'm not skinny either. My body is toned and slightly muscular. I look damn good, but I'm strong. Too strong. Power and dominance radiate off me in folds and my aura commands respect. By no means am I a delicate woman. "We were born to lead and a leader can never be delicate", Enya my wolf chips in. "Yea, yea, yea I know", I internally scoff. "It wasn't a complaint Enya, just an observation". "Hmph" She responds as she retreats to the back of my mind once again."

There was a chair in the center of the stage now, indicating that it was my turn to step forward for my "mini solo".

~Just when you think you had it allll~

With my right leg bent on the chair I slowly slid my left leg down and then swooped it to the other side of the chair straddling it. Holding onto the back of the chair I did my signature over the right shoulder look, which elicited rounds of whistles. Since I'm quite flexible, I decide to bend over backward off the chair and flip onto my feet. Another wild round of whistles and cheering. I continue dancing and make it back to my spot in the back.

"Well that was different", Enya says.

"What? I was bored", I chuckled.

"If you say so" Enya chuckles back.

The dance ends and we file into our dressing room. Anna, the designated group leader, takes a deep breath and bursts into her usual happy speech for when we do a killer job.

"Now that's what I'm talking about ladies! We had them all wrapped around our fingers. Let's keep this up for the rest of the month. As you know, it's kid's week for the last 2 weeks of the charity event and if we continue with this energy we'll meet our donation goal by the end of the month. And you! She spins and points at me. "What was that you did during your solo?", she squealed. She looked at me with expectant eyes. I chuckled and shook my head.

"Nothing, I just felt like spicing it up a little".

"Oh how could I forget about our fiesty little fairy", she gushed.

"It was a one time thing though so don't get any ideas", I tried to nip it in the bud. But, to my dismay all the other girls objected.

"What?! No way. You're keeping that in from now on". Rebecca, the Accountant, shouted.

"Yea! there's no way we'll let you change it now!". Lily, the Pharmacist, chimed in.

Plopping down on the couch beside me with a mischieveous glint in her eye. Anna rests her two hands and chin on my left shoulder and stares me in the face.

"Let's make a bet", she says.

"What's the bet?"

"Will you do it?"

"As long as I don't have to do anything sexual I'll do it"

"Just a little foreplay"

I used my index finger and pushed her off my shoulder. "Nooooooo~"

"Ugh fine!" She huffs and folds her hand across her chest. "You'll keep that sexy flip in the routine as well as two new moves I will personally add."

"Fine" I sighed "What's the actual bet?"

Smirking and crossing her legs. "Well we'll do the updated routine for two weeks. I bet that the funds will triple because of it. IF it really does triple then you gotta give the highest donor a Partition Lap Dance and intentionally tease him."

I stared at her trying to figure out if it was worth it. Sigh "What happens if I win the bet?"

"Heh, you can decide. Everyone knows I never back down from a bet."

With a smile spreading across my lips, I stretched my hand out.

"Deal" we both said as we shook on it.

We all get freshened up and meet back in the dining room to just hang out. By now the lounge has been cleared out and only we're left in the building aside from a few trusted bodyguards. Anna had made it abundantly clear that unless allowed by her, no one should be inside the lounge at 10:30pm.

Around 11:30 pm we finally calm down and just chill. I finished what was left of my 3rd drink, stood up and grabbed my bags.

"Does anyone need a ride tonight?" I ask. "Nope, why can't you stay tonight?" Mary asks as I throw my bag over my shoulder. "Work" I say. "It's Saturday," "and I still have work," "All you ever do is work" Mary whines, "And dance" I add, "Oh whatever" she huffs. "Ryan will drive you" Anna says lazily, "No need, I'm not drunk" I say reaching for the door but before I can push it, the door opens from the other side and Ryan greets me with a gentle smile, "The car's already started Sapphire", he says as he grabs my bag and turns to walk out.

When I get outside Ryan is waiting for me by the car with the back door open. I get in and mumble thank you. He closes the door and gets into the driver's seat. Two minutes into driving Ryan breaks the silence,"You said you wouldn't avoid me and that you'd treat me the same as before".

"I'm not avoiding you" I say scratching the side of my head. "I'm just..."

"Avoiding me" he cuts me off".

"Aren't you supposed to be on vacation visiting your kids back home?" I ask trying to change the subject.

It's not like Ryan's ugly. He's one of the sexiest men I've ever seen despite him being older than me by 8 years. What's the difference between him and the others? Well, Ryan's a wolf, and by the looks of it a pretty strong one too. Beta status. Which isn't the issue either since I'm an Alpha Luna. There's no doubt that we'd make a great team. It's just that ever since I was rejected by my mate and left my pack I just can't seem to bring myself to be with another wolf. I guess you can say I'm just scared. Scared of being thrown to the side again.

"And also of it working out", Enya chips in.

"Oh shut it Enya"

"Listen" he speaks up again, "I really don't want to make you uncomfortable and we've had a really good friendship the past 2 1/2 years you've been around. We can just act act as if I never said anything if it's really bothering you."

Crap, now I'm starting to feel bad.

"Me confessing to you was'nt even supposed to happen, I just couldn't hold it in anymore." he says softly as he drives.

As he pulls up to my building and parks, he sighs and says, "I really don't want to lose you as a friend."

I let out a really long sigh, close my eyes and whisper "come in for a drink"