n

n

nDaryn's chest swelled with pride for his job well done, sensing that she appreciated his efforts. He had ordered this dress for her long back.

n

"Thanks Daryn, it's beautiful,

" she replied with a gleam in her eyes.

"When did you order it? I am sure this must have taken a long time to be made and how did you know the size?

" she chuckled.

n

"I ordered it when I had first danced with you,

" he replied softly looking into her eyes.

n

"You mean, during your engagement with Maya?

" she asked incredulously.

"But we weren't even—

" There was a tingling sensation on her body. She placed the dress back in the box and crawled up to him on the bed. She was on her knees and he got his knees up. She cupped his cheeks and he couldn't resist her after that. He kissed her passionately.

"Thank you,

" she rasped out when he left her. There were no more words left.

n

"You're welcome,

" he breathed out.

nDawn was ready in an hour.

nShe looked every bit of his Luna with the traditional outfit. The red and blue beaded necklace that fell until her belly button completed her looks.

nDaryn wore his traditional outfit – a deerskin skirt and a baldric with knives. They walked out hand in hand. People stopped to look at them with appreciation, awe and honor in their eyes.

nAs she neared the location for festivities, she heard low drum beats from far away. Dozens of bonfires were lit all along the grassy knolls. They followed the music, got lured by drumbeats and climbed the first knoll. Heavy smoke hung in the air. Dawn gaped at the intensity of the festivities unfolding in front of her. The place was milling with throngs of werewolves who had come to attend the Ulfric. She gaped at them. All of them were wearing traditional dresses. It was a vision of smoke, shadows, colors and fire.

nAs she moved deeper in the festivities, she clutched his hand tightly. They walked through a crowd of musicians that was sitting by the first bonfire and walked to the next knoll. There was a large ring that was surrounded with thick ropes. Wooden and stone benches were laid around it. Daryn guided her amongst the crowd that was already charged with excitement to a bench where only two could fit.

n

"Is this where the so-called 'dance of seduction' takes place?

" she asked.

nHe chuckled and said,

"Yes.

"

n

"So how does this work?

" she crossed her legs exposing her thigh.

n

"One of the werewolves will challenge the one who he or she has zeroed in. The two are going to spar and the one who will win will issue a new challenge.

"

n

"But how do you win? Or show that you are interested in that person?

"

n

"You challenge that person and have to defeat him or her. However, if you can't defeat that means that you are a good match. This is the most common way of finding your life partner amongst pure bloods if they can't find mates. Caleb found Pia like this…

" his voice trailed off.

n

"That reminds me – where are they?

"

nHe shrugged. He clenched his jaw and said,

"I don't know.

"

nA voice from behind said,

"Don't get into the ring if anyone challenges you.

" Dawn turned back sharply only to see that Neal was there. He smiled. Gayle was sitting beside him.

n

"Neal!

" she said in a breathy voice. She was happy to see him.

"Hello Gayle.

"

n

"Dawn,

" Gayle acknowledged. He said,

"Don't accept any challenge. It is not worth it.

"

n

"If I don't accept the challenge, won't that mean that I have accepted defeat? So I will—

"

n

"No!

" Daryn hissed.

n

"I am sure Andrea will challenge her,

" Neal said.

n

"Then just decline,

" he repeated.

"I will accept it on your behalf.

"

nNeal couldn't help laughing.

nSuddenly cheers rose up from the crowds. A werewolf had jumped into the ring and large fires lit up on the sides. He shouted,

"Let the show of power begin!

"

nDrumbeats rose.

n

"Who will come to the ring first?

"

nA young werewolf stood up and volunteered. A series of whoops filled the air. He circled the ring looking at every female with intense desire. A female rose from the far corner. Pale as ghost, she was tall, lithe and athletic.

nDaryn's face tightened.

nShe jumped in the ring. She was wearing white leather pants and a black tube top with strings. The crowd was buoyed with energy.

nNeal laughed all the more and said,

"That's Andrea.

"

nThe young male werewolf and Andrea circled on another and soon Andrea threw a flurry of punches at him. The boy went down in two minutes with a slight nosebleed. And then she looked at Dawn and tilted her head. Daryn let out a low growl.

nCheers rose up yet again. When they staggered a little, pure bloods started to pound the table to encourage Andrea.

n

"Who is she?

" asked Dawn.

n

"Andrea,

" Neal said with interest as if waiting for the events to unfold.

"She is madly in love with Daryn.

"

nAndrea started to walk towards her. She leaned on the ring's rope and stared at Dawn.

nDawn's body trembled. Lover. Holy moly! Her face paled. She was no match for the pure bloods and if she didn't stand up against Andrea, she would have to give up on Daryn because then Andrea would make her claim again.

n

"This is twisted,

" she said in a gravelly voice.

n

"Back off Andrea,

" Daryn snarled.

nHowever, Andrea gestured Dawn with her finger to come and join her in the ring. She looked so ferocious that Dawn flinched.

nSuddenly, a sharp nasal voice came from behind,

"I challenge you Andrea.

"

nIt was Maya.

nDaryn, Dawn, Neal and Gayle – they were shocked to the core. How did she come here? Didn't Brad stop her? This was getting complicated by the minute.

n

"Maya…

" a soft voice breathed her name. Brantley came and sat beside Dawn after a werewolf moved to make a place for him. He gave a half smile.

nMaya looked at Dawn with red eyes as if she would eat her up. She didn't even glance at Daryn. This wasn't about him. She was there to kill Dawn and that too in front of all the pure bloods in order to show her supremacy as a pure blood over the neotide.

nAndrea spun to see her opponent. She chuckled.

"Let the show begin,

" she said and charged at Maya.

nShe jumped high and landed her kicks right on her shoulders. Maya went down immediately and coughed. Andrea laughed while circling around her.

"That's it?

"

nWhile this was happening, Brantley tilted towards Dawn and whispered,

"I think you have something that belongs to me.

"

nDawn's mind was already numb at what was going on in the ring. She turned to look at him, her eyes wide in fear. Her dragon? Goose bumps lined her skin.

nBrantley smiled and broke his gaze away to the ring. Dawn was aghast.

nMaya sprang up and attacked Andrea's legs, taking her down on the ground with her. She straddled her and boxed her everywhere she could. There was so much hatred in her. Soon a few wolves rushed to save Andrea. When they removed Maya from her, Maya was looking demented. She looked straight ahead in Dawn's direction.

n