The Alpha's Unblessed Wife novel Chapter 6

Samuel’s POV

I spotted her across the aisle, bathed in happiness. Her radiant smile caught my attention, and it wasn't until she glanced around, seemingly checking for prying eyes, that I realized I had been gazing at her intently. Instinctively, I averted my gaze. There was an undeniable allure about her; however, her tired eyes hinted at a deeper struggle, likely a personal issue.

My gaze kept gravitating toward her – the woman in the adjacent aisle who appeared to be a member of Akeel's family, given her seating arrangement.

As the ceremony commenced and concluded, my thoughts remained occupied by her. Since the moment our eyes met, an inner voice, much like a primal instinct, warned me that she might be trouble. Trouble in the sense that she was already married, evident from the two marks on her ring finger. Yet, as I mingled with other guests, I learned that she was Akeel's sister – an unmarked one. Those marks signified her as an unmarked child. I wanted to convince myself that she wasn't bound to another person, but who was I fooling? A woman as captivating as her wouldn't remain single for long. I didn't mean it in a negative way; she simply possessed an undeniable beauty that occupied my thoughts.

When an opportunity arose for me to stand near her, I couldn't help but notice the ring adorning her finger. She was indeed married, but not to one of the six prominent family members.

My instincts and an unyielding impulse, impervious to my inner turmoil, compelled me to approach her and ask for a dance. My rational mind screamed for restraint, urging my feet to halt in their tracks.

"May I have the pleasure of this dance?" I inquired, concealing the sudden nervousness that washed over me when I found myself face-to-face with her in such close proximity. Her countenance was delicate, and she appeared uncertain, taken aback by my audacious move – and so was I. As our hands met, I noticed her fingers weren't soft and delicate; they bore the marks of hard work and resilience.

With tender care, I delicately clasped her hands, leading her onto the dance floor. Though she appeared somewhat hesitant, she reciprocated, and for that, I harbored immense gratitude. As I orchestrated our positioning, my hands found their place around her petite waist, while hers rested gracefully upon my neck. An unspoken serenity enveloped us as we swayed to the rhythm of the music. Her gaze remained averted, a reluctance I couldn't fault her for. After all, an unfamiliar face extending an invitation to dance was an uncommon occurrence in her world.

I couldn't help but ponder the countless soirées she had attended, and the myriad dances she had partaken in. In an effort to alleviate any lingering unease, I mustered the courage to break the silence, softly inquiring about her well-being.

She voiced assurance in her well-being, yet the eloquence of her eyes belied her words. Fatigue seemed to weigh upon her, though her weariness only added to her captivating allure, making it nearly impossible for me to avert my gaze. I chastised myself, attempting to regain composure, but as my eyes returned to her, I found her already fixated on me.

For a brief moment, our gazes intertwined, creating a connection that transcended words. Then, just as swiftly, she averted her eyes and immersed herself in the surroundings. It was only when she began discussing her brother's ceremony that a radiant spark ignited in her eyes, filling them with pride. It was clear how devoted a sister she was, and in that instant, I gained insight into her kindness and warmth.

Her gaze fixated on my wrist, and curiosity danced in her eyes as she inquired about my history. I withheld nothing, choosing honesty as I disclosed that I indeed had children and that my wife had departed this world.

Eager to learn more about her circumstances directly from her, I posed the question. A deep curiosity had taken root within me, encompassing not just her present state but her entire life story, an inquisitiveness that I found strangely compelling. It marked the first time in my existence that I'd felt such a powerful attraction to someone, and the irony of it all lay in the fact that she was already spoken for— married.

A subtle shift overtook her expression; her eyes widened with a sudden realization. Alarm coursed through her, and panic found its way into her gaze. Her hands, once securely around my neck, promptly released their grip.

My question seemed to fluster her, prompting a hasty excuse to evade it. I couldn't help but suspect that she might be using it as a pretext to escape our conversation or perhaps to distance herself from dancing with another man while married. However, her eyes betrayed a deeper turmoil. I couldn't shake the memory of how her eyes had clouded with sadness at the mere mention of her marriage.

In a rush, she fled from my side, leaving me standing alone on the dance floor. I comprehended her predicament, and I watched as she retreated in a state of sheer panic. Yet, before she completely vanished from view, she cast one final glance back at me. In that solitary, lingering gaze, I sensed that my world was on the brink of an unimaginable transformation.

It was impossible to deny my yearning for more interaction, my craving to cross paths with her once more. She possessed a unique allure, and the complexity of my feelings stemmed from the inconvenient reality of her being married. My inner instincts, akin to a persistent wolf, insisted on her exceptional qualities, yet I grappled with the multitude of factors at play. Distance was a substantial impediment.

My desire to delve deeper into her world remained strong, and I clung to the hope that our initial meeting wouldn't be a solitary encounter. In my inner contemplation, I sought to convince my inner wolf that her marriage might not be the source of her true happiness, potentially signaling the beginning of something new.