Bye, My Ruthless Alpha
Chapter 26: Cayden’s Kiss of Jealousy

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Cayden’s Kiss of Jealousy

My mom was an incredible dancer. I grew up watching her and couldn’t help but absorb some of her talent.

She was especially fond of the Viennese Waltz and could perform both the male and female steps. She often pulled me onto the dance floor, and naturally, I became very familiar with the style.

"If I were to perform a slower waltz, it wouldn’t be nearly as dazzling as the Viennese," my dance partner, Lucas, said breathlessly as the music ended.

Meanwhile, I stood steady, my breathing calm. Glancing briefly at Sophia on the second floor, I gave her a serene smile.

Lucas looked at me with a mix of surprise and admiration. And he said, "I never imagined your dancing would be this impressive—or that you’d keep your breath so even. I’m honestly in awe."

With that, Lucas quietly led me off the dance floor.

When I looked up at Sophia again, her stunned expression was unmistakable. The elaborate trap she had set for me was effortlessly dismantled, leaving her plans in shambles.

Sophia had assumed that, as a breeder, I’d be out of my depth—making a fool of myself in front of everyone. She thought her little challenge would humiliate me.

Yet instead, Sophia ended up giving me a stage to shine and handed me the perfect opportunity to turn the tables.

Without Sophia’s scheming, I wouldn’t have had the chance to stand out so dramatically. Had she chosen a slower waltz, the impact wouldn’t have been nearly as memorable.

Sophia had essentially shot herself in the foot, and now she had no choice but to grin and bear it. She smiled, but it was colder than ever.

Joy was just as shocked as Sophia. Like her, Joy had been eagerly waiting to watch me fail.

But instead, my flawless performance had left her speechless. I danced better than either of them ever could.

For someone like Sophia, who’s always been competitive and used to standing out, this was a crushing blow. Her face was tight with anger, and I could tell she wasn’t happy. She avoided speaking altogether, glaring at me like I was an eyesore.

I wasn’t sure if Cayden was impressed, but I did know one thing: his gaze never left me, not even once.

As the other guests turned their attention to me, Sophia and Joy were forced to paste on polite smiles as they followed Alpha down the stairs.

Sophia, who clearly wanted to replace me and marry Cayden, stared at me with unmasked hatred. "If I were given the chance to dance the Viennese Waltz now, I’d do just as well," she said through gritted teeth.

"You absolutely wouldn’t," Kas replied bluntly. "Most people couldn’t. Even if your steps were perfect, you couldn’t match Tori’s grace and elegance."

"Tori, you were phenomenal tonight!" Kas added, his voice ringing with admiration.

Kas’ words sparked laughter and applause among the guests, filling the room with a warm, lively atmosphere.

The only ones not sharing in the joy were Joy and Sophia. They looked utterly frozen, unable to muster even a fake smile.

Both of them had been certain the party was Cayden’s way of honoring them. Even after the ball began and Cayden ignored them entirely, it didn’t dampen their delusional confidence.

When Sophia handpicked my partner and sent me to the floor, Joy nearly doubled over laughing.

"Sophia, that bitch is actually going to dance?" Joy said at the time, barely able to contain her amusement. "Does she even know what dancing is?"

Sophia laughed along, shaking her head. "Cayden’s overestimating her! A breeder like her only needs to know how to spread her legs. Dancing? Please."

They kept their eyes on me, ready to revel in my embarrassment. But instead, my performance left them in shock.

"This can’t be happening. No way!" Joy stammered, looking at me like she’d just seen a ghost.

"This is Sophia’s worst nightmare—the Viennese waltz. She can’t even keep up after two steps, and yet this woman... she danced it beautifully!" Joy shouted, her voice shaking. "She must be cheating!"

Sophia clenched her teeth so hard it was a wonder they didn’t crack. "I won’t let this bitch get away with this," she hissed. "I’ll make sure she pays for this humiliation."

"I’ll leave you two, then." Kas winked at me, and disappeared down the hall as fast as she could.

As my eyes turned back towards Cayden, I couldn’t help but notice that his attire matched my own. The black suit fit him in all the right places, and his burgundy tie matched my dress perfectly.

"I– I’m sorry–" I stuttered.

But before I could speak another word, Cayden stepped forward, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close against his body. "So, you’re still hoping to find your mate?"

Cayden’s deep tone made my breath catch in my throat. My heart raced as I stared up into his eyes.

"Answer me," Cayden repeated.

"Ye–" I said breathlessly, wondering why he cared if I wanted a mate. Out of all the conversations from tonight’s dinner, that was what stuck with him?

"It actually means that much to you, huh?" Cayden interrupted me.

Cayden’s touch clouded my judgment, and the awareness that he was closer to me than I could handle slowly came to the forefront of my mind.

I was trying to understand where Cayden was going with the conversation, but I didn’t dare answer his questions. Finally, I whispered, "Yes, it means everything to me.".

As my last word fell from my lips, Cayden’s mouth descended upon me, and took away any breath I had left.

A rush of bliss swarmed through my veins as I let myself be lost in the way Cayden made me feel. I was lost in the way he was kissing me.

I felt frozen in time, and the only thing that I was aware of was how he was touching me– how he was holding me. Cayden was impacting me more than I could understand, but I wanted it all.

Time had stopped in that moment, and, for once, I never wanted it to start again.

I wasn’t sure how I got into the room; Cayden’s hands roaming my body captured all my attention. His fingers worked at the zipper on my dress as my hands pulled his jacket from his body. Our frenzied motions caused a sort of electricity to run from his body to mine.

I didn’t know how to explain the feelings he was stirring up in me. As my dress fell to the floor, Cayden pulled back and looked at me.

The black lace bra and panties I had been wearing were the only pieces of clothing upon my body, and even though I had been bared to him before, I couldn’t help but feel shy beneath his gaze.

A low growl came from his throat, and I watched him rip his shirt and tie from his body. Instantly, Cayden was stepping toward me, and his lips descended again as his hands gripped my backside, hoisting me up so that my legs wrapped around his waist.

Swiftly, my back met against the soft caress of the blankets on my bed. Cayden loomed over me, working his lips from my own down my neck, and I lifted my neck to him, giving him better access as my eyes closed and I moaned softly.

"Tori..." Cayden whispered softly in my ear. "I want you."

It was the first time Cayden admitted to wanting to take me, and he had never asked before. I found something about his statement extremely seductive.

"Please..." I moaned.

As I did, the black lace was torn from my body, and his mouth captured the erected buds upon my breast, swirling them gently between his teeth. A cry of pleasure left me, and my hips raised to meet his own, wanting to feel more of him.

I could never get enough of how Cayden made me feel. I couldn’t stop thinking about all the wonderful things he did to me.

As Cayden released my breast from his mouth, he ventured south, and his mouth upon my core was a welcome feeling. His tongue moved in swirling motions before dipping deep inside of me, bringing me closer and closer to the edge of reason.

I could feel the buildup in my stomach, and when Cayden tipped me over, my hips bucked wildly as he held me close to his mouth, forcing me to ride the wave as he moved faster and faster with his tongue.

I cried in pleasure as stars danced in my eyes. "Please," I begged repeatedly, but he didn’t stop.

Cayden devoured me until I came against him again, my fingers gripping his hair roughly before slowly releasing as I came down from the euphoric high he created.

Biting my bottom lip, my eyes watched as Cayden stripped the rest of the clothes from his body, and quickly came to join me on the bed again.

Resting between my legs, Cayden pushed them open wider and lined the head of his thick erection up with my core. His mouth descended only inches above my own as he whispered, "Say my name."

I was shocked by his command, and didn’t know what to make of what he asked, but I wasn’t going to make him ask me again.

"Cayden ..." I replied softly, and then Cayden slowly pushed inside of me. A gasp left my lips as I felt the fullness of him spreading me open.

"What do you want, Tori...?" Cayden asked, biting gently against my bottom lip.