Dance of the Grey Wolf

Amidst the twinkling city lights and the soft hums of laughter and joy, the elegant restaurant L’Atelier du Jardin was transformed into a magical celebration for the future bride and groom, Avery Williams and Maximillian Brown. The champagne was flowing, the conversations were cheerful, some intelligent and full of logic, others loaded with jokes and stories from friends and families torn apart by the distance. Avery was smiling and was greeting the guests that were arriving in groups or in couples. Son the restaurant filled with dear people to them and the party started as a first pledge for the memories they would build throughout their lives.

And then, there he was. Jason Greywolf. The CEO of the newly founded company, Nova Tech Solutions, an IT company developing software, together with her fiancé. Seeing him approaching with sure and calculated steps, like those of a predator, her heart started to beat faster. She was a deer in a wolf’s den. A kitten in a cage full of wild dogs. Until now, she managed so well to keep her distance and never hear from him. But now, there he was, standing in front of her and Max, with a large smile on his face and a large gift, elegantly wrapped. What was he doing there? He should be thrown out! But Avery knew that making a scene would raise questions and the party would end tragically. God knows what this man had in his twisted mind! She managed to avoid Jason since Christmas. But why would he want someone like her? She was insignificant and a man like him could easily have any other woman, a hundred times more appropriate than her.

At the moment Jason bent down and kissed her hand with unusual politeness, heavily polished and seemed like it was specially prepared for that moment, Avery had no doubt that it meant only one thing: trouble. She couldn’t help asking herself why did Max Brown, her fiancé, managed to remain friends with such a character and even have a business of their own. Jason Greywolf poured into the company a lot of money and took over the management while Max continued to develop software for various clients. Max had told her a lot about Jason’s chaotic lifestyle, about escapades, sleepless nights spent in clubs with friends, and easy women. And, also, he had told her about the endless competition that had always existed between them, since the early years of college. Their friendship was strange but it grew stronger since they started working together.

Max didn’t seem to notice or to feel bothered at all by his friend’s gesture, but Avery knew for sure that it wasn’t just politeness hidden in his behavior. He clearly was flirting with her, just like then, at the company's party thrown last Christmas. When his warm lips left her skin from her hand and his sensual gaze lifted and maintained straight contact with her green eyes, she could feel her entire body warming up and getting suddenly uncomfortable. She tried to look away but she blushed. Avery desperately tried to escape his blue eyes like a summer sky, but she couldn’t. A few stray strands of his black hair brushed against his forehead, creating a seductive allure. There was no doubt he was flirting with her but it was pointless and wasn’t bringing anything good with it.

- Can I steal your beautiful fiancé for a dance? Jason asked Max while shaking his hand.

At that moment, Avery felt scared and was hoping that Max would refuse and excuse them because of the need to socialize with other guests too. But Max didn’t even notice her discomfort. She felt lost. There was no way she could express her discomfort especially since Max was captivated entirely by the presence of the most important man in the company. Besides, talking about the reasons she didn’t want to accept his invitation to dance. Everybody would consider her crazy for misinterpreting his friendliness.

- Sure, go ahead. Max said while looking around. I think I saw Paul Sawyer walking in, I should greet him and talk to him.

- Right, do that! said Jason in his bossy voice. Maybe if he’s relaxed will give us the chance to meet and if he does that try to set up the details with him but don’t be too insistent.

- Max … said Avery barely whispering his name, while trying to hide behind his arm like a hopeless child.

- Avery, don’t be rude, darling. Max said, disturbed by her plea. I owe this man so much, it’s the least you can do.

Now, Max was literally pushing her towards Jason and she couldn’t do anything to stop this. Max kissed her cheek and encouraged her further to go and dance with Jason whose gaze could be compared to the one of a hungry wolf, circling impatiently its prey, ready to strike and take. Jason extended his hand and the small group of friends gathered around them, waiting for Avery to accept his invitation on the dancefloor. She would rather slap him for his audacity but she didn’t want to cause a scene. One curious question would follow another and how she could explain the reasons why she did that? Jason put his arm around her waist in a possessive way, and it felt like the winner of a competition was waving his prize to the enthusiastic public. When they got on the dancefloor, another song began. It was lively and upbeat. She sighed in relief because the upbeat song would ensure her survival. It was easy, a few seconds and she will excuse herself and it will be over. However, as they danced, it seemed like Jason had other plans. He signaled the DJ who was responsible for setting the atmosphere at the engagement party and while nodding his head, changed the music’s rhythm into a slow one. Before she could say something, Jason pulled her closer to his body and grabbed her waist firmly in his hand, while the other one was holding hers in the air. They began to dance, moving gracefully, matching their steps with the music. Avery knew that she will remember that song for the rest of her life and especially how he held her, with so much power that could easily break bones but at the same time so softly and gently. Her dress was brushing his pants and she felt dangerously close to him. Instead of keeping a casual palm-to-palm contact, his fingers interlaced with hers. Even though he didn’t hold her too close to him, every time her body brushed against his, hers responded shamelessly. When would this sweet torture end? It was clear in the daylight that Jason was doing this to her intentionally. She desperately hoped that he would not notice how affected she felt by his touch but he sure did. Her breath was uneven and didn’t dare to make eye contact with Jason. She fixed her gaze on the two onyx buttons of his unbuttoned shirt, revealing a well-crafted chest with each boulder moving to the rhythm of the music. Finally, the dance concluded, and without saying a word she practically ran away from the dancefloor. She practically collapsed next to Max on the chair. Avery never felt more grateful to see him despite the fact that he was talking business with Mister Sawyer.

Avery felt humiliated by his daring gestures on the dancefloor. She felt practically r*p*d by his hands while everyone watched unbothered. But the reality was that nobody could see what was really going on. She had wished so much to enjoy this special evening but now, for the rest of her life, this moment will be associated with his dare. She was tense and nervous. Whenever she glanced into the restaurant, she met his piercing gaze following her carefully like at any minute he would go there and possess her with his selfish intentions. She was unable to set herself free from his gaze. He was clearly enjoying the whole situation and he had no intention to stop. Wanting to show him that she already belonged to someone else, wrapped her arm around Max’s and looked at Jason angrily. He was amused by her gesture and moved his gaze to another guest whom he was talking to. Max would not believe her in a billion years, he was too caught up in that friendship she desperately wanted to end. She looked at her fiancé. His eyes were unusually bright, a sign that he drank again way over his limit even though he had promised that he would be careful, especially since her parents were there to. Max was drunk and she started to feel angry. He promised! He swore he wouldn't drink, especially now, on the night of their engagement. From time to time she felt Jason's gaze burning her back but continued to pretend as calmly as possible. She was determined to prove to Jason that everything that happened earlier didn't matter at all. But it mattered.

She looked at her fiancé angrily trying to confront him and ask for an explanation for his state.

- Max … you promised … she said disappointed.

- Darling, I swear, it’s the last drink and I will stop. But tonight I am celebrating. Where’s Jason? Why didn’t you dance more with him?

- He is busy. she said coldly. But really, Max, I think you should dance with me now. Everybody is waiting for this moment.

- Darling, I have to talk to Mister Sawyer about signing the contract.

But before she could answer, Jason was there, casting a shadow over their table and interrupting them rudely.

- Always working, right? Jason said with a smile on his face.

That smile was nothing but trouble since he arrived to the party.

- Well, Jason, you would be glad to hear that Sawyer will be happy to meet with us on Monday.

- That’s excellent news, my friend.

- Max … let’s go dance. she said annoyed.

Avery knew that Jason intentionally transfor