The Provocative Dance

Astrid's POV

The Provocative Dance

As I danced with Thorstein, laughing at his silly comments, an Alpha approached us. His confident swagger was typical of those who believed they could command the world with just a glance. At first, I barely noticed him, focused on enjoying the moment with my brother. But when he spoke, his voice carried that arrogant assurance demanding attention.

"Young princess, would you grant me the honor?" the Alpha asked, and Thorstein, true to his nature, stepped aside almost instantly.

I turned my gaze to the Alpha, feeling a surge of irritation. "Shouldn't you ask me?" I challenged, my voice dripping with defiance. The Alpha merely smiled, as if I were an amusing curiosity.

"Hmm... what can I say? An interesting challenge from an Omega princess," he remarked, extending his hand to me. I took it, curiosity mingling with irritation. How dare he approach me so boldly?

"Are you not even afraid?" I asked, wondering if this foreigner knew who he was dealing with—I am the wife of Ragnar Lodbrok. But of course, he did. This encounter seemed orchestrated, and I suspected Hakon's hand in it. I noticed him watching us closely. I couldn't understand his motives; Hakon had been acting strangely lately.

"You can tell by my accent, princess, that I am a foreigner. The hierarchies on the other side of the world are a bit more flexible regarding Omegas," he said with a smile that hinted at something I couldn't quite grasp.

"So, you're not afraid to dance with me even though I'm marked by an Alpha?" I questioned, narrowing my eyes at him. His smile grew, and to demonstrate his lack of fear—not even for the mark Ragnar had left on me—he placed a hand on my waist and intertwined his fingers with mine. The audacity thrilled me, but it was his indifference that intrigued me, as if he had forgotten my status.

"Allow me, princess, to show you tonight how we dance on the other side of the world," he announced loudly, drawing the attention of the room. Everyone turned to watch us, giving us space on the dance floor. I felt the tension rise, the eyes of the court burning into my back. This Alpha was indeed looking for trouble, as evident from his boldness.

I glanced at Ragnar and saw the fury in his eyes, barely concealed beneath his controlled exterior. It thrilled me to see him on edge, knowing he wouldn't dare make a scene here. Even an Alpha like him wouldn't commit such madness.

The Alpha pulled me closer, and I allowed it, caught up in the game. I noticed Bjorn out of the corner of my eye, ready to intervene, but Eirik held him back. It was better to avoid a greater scandal. I could see the worry in my sons' eyes—Leif was nervous, Styrbjorn fearful. Kara and Thyra looked on with unease, sensing the brewing storm.

Not only were the Alphas interested in me that night—my scent attracted both men and women. Most kept their distance, wary of Ragnar, but the foreigners had no such fears.

When the dance ended, I thought the trouble might have too, but another Alpha approached. Now, I saw Ragnar's fury intensify. I couldn't resist the urge to provoke him further. The dances grew bolder, more daring.

This last Alpha held me too tightly, and without warning, he kissed me. Fear surged through me as I tried to push him away, but it was too late. Bjorn reacted instantly, pulling the Alpha away from me, ready to strike him down. But before he could, Ragnar roared—a sound that shook the entire hall, making every wolf present feel the urge to bow.

What was happening?

The air thickened with Ragnar's power, and I felt my mark burning, his fury crashing over me like a tidal wave. "Mother, are you okay?" Leif asked, his voice trembling. I nodded, though I wasn't sure of anything anymore. Thyra and Solveig hurried over, brushing my hair aside to reveal that my mark was bleeding.

"Nyra," Freydis called out, rushing to my side. She hugged me, and I clung to her, terrified. What was happening to me? To him? Freydis was trembling too, the terror palpable between us. This was Ragnar's doing, but I had no idea how to stop it. As the one who had provoked his fury, I felt more frightened than ever.

Panic erupted in the hall. Even my father, Harald Lodbrok, the highest-ranking Alpha, felt compelled to bow to his brother. Even Hakon Bloodaxe stood among the crowd, terrified, as Alphas struggled not to bow to Ragnar's overwhelming power.

Suddenly, screams pierced the air as Ragnar and the foreign Alphas transformed into their werewolf forms. I watched in horror as Ragnar, in his Lodbrok Alpha wolf form, faced off against five other Alphas. One by one, he tore through them, his blood-soaked white fur glistening under the light.

He roared again, causing a vibration in the hall. The sight of him was wild and unstoppable, forcing every other Alpha to bow before him. Only my father, the Alpha King, resisted, but even he struggled to maintain his composure.

Through the chaos, I saw Ragnar, now fully in control of his monstrous form, sniffing the air. He was tracking me. My heart pounded as I realized he was coming for me. Then I saw Hakon signaling to Freydis, who began to pull me away from the hall. I followed her, my legs weak from fear, my mind reeling.

Could this be what Hakon had hinted to my father? That Ragnar is an enigma? If he is, I am finished. Ragnar had marked me, and with that, I belonged to him completely. The stories I had heard about enigma Alphas—how they were possessive, cruel, and territorial—rushed back to me. They were almost impossible to defy. My fate was sealed.

As Freydis led me away, I prayed that she could move quickly enough, that we could escape his wrath. But deep down, I knew it was already too late. Ragnar was no longer the demon I thought I knew—he had become something far more terrifying.