Thread: A Fracture in the Balance (Translucentfeathers & Beelzing)

RE A Fracture in the Balance translucentfeathers x beelzing Claire's eyes widened slightly at the growl she heard Leona's ex-pack leader send their way from Leona's teasing, reprimanding tone. She glanced over at the other woman who was leading her away, mildly impressed by the way she had so easily played him. Leona was suddenly asking her if she wanted to dance, wrenching Claire from her thoughts. I suppose if you wanted we could- Before Claire could finish her response though, the wine glass was plucked from her fingers and she found herself being dragged onto the dance floor. Leona's arms slipped around her as the other woman took the lead, easily guiding her through the motions of the waltz. She could feel the eyes on them, the attention they were gathering and it had her skin crawling so she focused on the movement of their feet and the rhythm of the music, letting herself get a little lost in the fluid steps. Claire's eyes snapped open when she felt Leona drag their bodies together, the were's warm embrace throwing her, the feel of the woman's heart beating against her own chest causing her to become distracted. She heard the casually made statement, of her hoping for Claire's forgiveness when she found herself being spun before the world tipped and she was gazing up at a pair of amber eyes, Leona's body leaning over hers in a way that had her breath catching in her throat. She let out a soft gasp when the werewolf leaned in for a kiss, hoping it was lost in the chorus of startled noises from the crowd. When she had been righted, she felt a blush flare over her face as she simply stared at the smirk of amusement on the other woman's features. Claire wanted to slap her, to shove her away and storm off but couldn't risk the scene it would cause. Instead she grabbed hold of the woman's hand, dragging Leona away from the prying eyes of the guests to duck into the shadows behind some large pillars. Just who in the nine circles of hell do you believe yourself to be, she hissed once they slipped out of sight. Claire released the woman's hand, eyes locking with the were's the way she had seen Leona stare down her old pack leader. I understand you may have the luxury of playing against the stereotypes but that is not something I can afford, she said as her green eyes narrowed on the other woman's golden gaze. And I may have agreed to forgo idle pleasantries with you but that did not mean I was agreeing to do so for everyone to see. Claire took a step forward, hands shaking at her sides as she felt anger swirl through her. I still have an image and a reputation to uphold, a name to represent. You can't simply go around- Claire's voice cut off when she heard someone clearing their throat next to one of the pillars. She stepped away from Leona when she saw who it was, her head ducking in shame at having been caught speaking out against her partner for the evening as she felt a judgemental pair of ice blue eyes rake over her. Well, well, here I thought from that display and quick exit I was going to find you tucked away enjoying a stolen romantic moment with your... partner , she heard Daniel hum distastefully. He was the son of the lord of a coven her's dealt with regularly, his fine clothing and slick black hair cut an intimidating image as he approached them, ignoring Leona entirely as he focused in on Claire, causing her shame to grow when he mocked her, a smooth smile covering his handsome features. And instead I find you hissing and throwing a tantrum. Whatever would your father say? She was about to answer when Daniel quickly cut her off with a curt Excuse us, tossed Leona's way. An arm swept around Claire's shoulders to drag her away from the werewolf, tucking her tightly against his side. Claire cast a glance back at Leona as Daniel led her into the light of the crowded ballroom guiding her back to the dancefloor. Such an interesting dance partner you chose, he said easily, though she could hear the tight tense tone behind his words. He pulled her through the crowd before slipping his arms around her to force her into following his lead in a dance. She certainly seemed able to sweep you off of your feet. Is that why you refused my offer for a union earlier this year, Claire? You prefer to roll around with a dog? Or do you simply prefer women Claire pushed back against the tight hold Daniel had her on as they danced, her feet dragging as she attempted to slow him. You are overstepping, Daniel, she said darkly, again attempting not to slap her second dance partner for the evening. The embarrassment and shame he had made her feel was beginning to slip away as she felt the slow steady thrum of anger take its place. Daniels fingers tightened as he dragged her back in, his pace never slowing as he forced her to keep up, dragging her through the measures of music. See, I disagree, he said, his eyes training on hers, a dark smile flashing sharp teeth down at her. He leaned in, closing the distance between them. It would take merely a request for your hand from my coven to yours that would have you bound to me out of duty to your covens leadership, he hummed coldly, any false niceties having dropped from his voice. I would prefer it if you came willingly, he added. A long pale hand reached out to slip along what portion of her cheek had been left uncovered, cold fingers tracing over her skin. But you can't expect me to sit back and watch you enjoy the company of one of those beasts . It is insulting to you and to what our kind stands for. She reached up to clasp her hand over his in what would appear to any eyes possibly watching as a welcoming gesture before her fingers twisted his in a way that had him grunting briefly in pain, freezing when the song ended. Her grip tightened and her eyes narrowed as she eased the hand away from her face and between their bodies, twisting it into an unnatural position. I am not some silly little girl for you to attempt to subdue and you can be sure I will never willingly accept your offer, she hissed, fingers jerking his roughly though the smile on her face didnt give away her anger. She is my assigned partner for the evening, Daniel, not that it is any of your business, and if you ever touch me again without my explicit consent, I will make a request of my own to my coven to have your family blacklisted on account of your inability to conduct yourself in an appropriate manner in my presence. It was a threat she could make good on and she knew he recognized it for what it was when a moment of fear flashed over his face. Claire released his hand then, and with a very slight incline of her head left him to go move away from the dance floor and slip through the crowd. She felt rage at his attempts to control her, to back her into his will and forcibly attempt to mold her life around his. She swallowed back the inhuman growl she felt threatening to leave her throat as she made her way to one of the refreshment tables. It was off to the side, towards the back of the ballroom, and once she reached it she let her hands fall onto the sturdy wooden surface, fingers curling around the edge so tightly she felt the wood crack beneath her grip. Claire was tired of the games, infuriated by the control. And for him to try and subject her to that, playing to the public setting while knowing she wouldn't be able to cause a scene? At least Leona's advances were somewhat welcomed, his were-no, absolutely not. She would not entertain the idea that what Leona had done was any less welcome than the attempts Daniel had made were. She pushed back the pleasant warmth she felt at the memory of how nice it had been to have a warm body pressing so close to hers even if it had been only for a few momentd. She ignored the way letting the other woman take the lead during their dance had felt natural and almost easy by comparison to how Daniel was trying to force his dominance over her. She let out a slow breath, fingers reaching down to smooth the rich blue table cloth over the edge of the wood she had cracked before she grabbed a single glass of wine for herself, since Leona had so kindly freed her of her last one. Claire's light green eyes flicked over the crowd casually, her expression having been smoothed out as she searched for her partner, knowing she should rejoin her side before too many people noticed her without the person she was supposed to be with for the evening.