Page 6 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

He shut up again.

The music shifted to a slow waltz. The cello's deep melody floated through the night air like some ancient summons. I watched the people on the dance floor, suddenly feeling disconnected. They looked so happy, so absorbed, believing they'd find their other half tonight.

Sure, they could. But not me. For me, not finding a fated mate didn't just mean loneliness—it meant the king's power draining away. Belief wasn't enough. I needed certainty. I needed a perfect fated mate.

I was about to order another drink when something caught my eye.

A figure stood at the edge of the crowd, wearing a deep blue dress that glowed softly in the firelight. A silver mask covered most of her face, leaving only her eyes visible—eyes that shone like stars under the moonlight.

She held a glass of juice, looking somewhat out of place, like she didn't know where to stand. Her gaze swept across the dance floor, then quickly away, as if seeing something she shouldn't.

My wolf suddenly moved.

Not its usual restless churning—this was excitement. It pricked up its ears, tail stiff, like it was tracking a scent. I felt its attention lock completely onto that woman, focused like a hunting dog spotting prey.

Instinct drove me to set down my glass and cut through the crowd toward her. Edmund shouted something behind me. I didn't catch it. Didn't care.

Just as I reached her, she stumbled on her hem and fell backward. I grabbed her wrist and yanked her back. She crashed into my chest. Hard enough to jar me.

Then I looked down and saw her eyes.

Up close, they blazed even brighter. She had long lashes that fluttered like butterfly wings. Her lips parted slightly in surprise. My gaze dropped to her mouth—thin upper lip, full lower lip, touched with pale lipstick. For some reason, I suddenly wanted to know what it tasted like.

The thought startled me. Maybe I was going crazy.

My wolf started howling, though I had no idea why it was so excited.

"You okay?" I asked.

She didn't answer. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

I figured she was just nervous, so I smiled, trying to put her at ease. "Relax."

Still no words. She just stared at me, those eyes flashing with complex emotions—surprise, confusion.

I cleared my throat, released her wrist, and rested my hand on her waist instead. "Want to dance?"

She didn't nod or shake her head. She just looked at me, those eyes threatening to pull me in completely.

I took that as a yes.

I swept her onto the dance floor. She felt light, her waist slender in my palm like a butterfly ready to fly away any second. Her steps were clumsy—clearly not much of a dancer—but she worked to match my rhythm, every turn perfectly coordinated.

The distance between us wasn't exactly proper. I could feel her chest rise and fall with each breath, could smell the faint fragrance in her hair—jasmine, maybe, or grass after rain.

I bent down, lips almost touching her ear. "You know, your eyes are beautiful. Like moonlight on a lake."

Her ears instantly flushed red. The color spread from the tips down her neck like a slowly blooming flower. She buried her face in my chest, curling into herself. I could feel the heat of her cheeks burning through my shirt.

My wolf rolled over in my chest, letting out a satisfied rumble.

We spun to the music as it built toward a crescendo.

Her breathing grew rapid, chest heaving. I felt her grip tighten on my shoulder, fingertips trembling slightly.

Then—

The bell rang.