77 Bared souls

Authors note:

While writing this scene, I was listening to the song Hallelujah - Pentatonix.

Maybe it will help you get the same vibe, as I tried to portrait in here.

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Lana and Brian entered the center of the hall. Winterbourne's security guards pushed aside the guests, forming a circular space for them. Onlookers subsided in anticipation of the show. But music did not follow. All eyes were fixed on a brilliant couple who froze on the edge of empty space as if mentally preparing for something. Then Brian exhaled, as if preparing for a jump from a cliff, and moved to the center, Lana followed him. There they stopped and turned to each other again pausing and intently looking into each other's eyes.

The scene as if filled with a viscous fog, even the light in the hall seemed dimmer. Then, suddenly, Lana and Brian moved in the opposite directions. Their movements were utterly symmetrical, only Brian moved to the right, and Lana to the left. Then they began to go around each other in a circle, and the hall was filled with a rich baritone. Brian's voice was low, but he seemed to penetrate every corner of the room, making those present flinch. It was impossible to understand the words as if he sang in an unknown language, and for some reason, it seemed to Greg that he had never heard anything like this.

But the most surprising was the emotions that raged between the dancing couple. Even if Greg could not understand what Mr. Winterbourne sings about, for some reason he immediately felt reproach, resentment, sadness and even anger in his voice and movements, as if he was pouring out his soul to his sister.

"This is a special ritual," - a quiet female voice rang out nearby, - "Something like a tradition that only werewolves are capable of. Although the strongest mental connection belongs only to Mates, there is a similar connection between the other members of the pack. This dance, something like catalysis, allowing two werewolves to open the channel to the full extent, literally turning their souls inside out in front of each other."

Greg frowned, looking at his sudden interlocutor. The girl was a tall, beautiful brunette, with curly hair to the shoulders and dark skin. Apparently, she knew what was happening now, so Greg decided to ask a couple of questions while returning his eyes to the dancers.

"I do not really understand why this is necessary? Couldn't they just talk?"

"Greg, it's been twenty years. And they were not easy for both of them. Brian OCD, his psychological problems began to manifest itself in childhood. But Lana was always with him, supported. Werewolves are powerful physically, but mentally they are very fragile, as they constantly have to maintain a balance between human and animal side. Sometimes things that human can bear without consequences can easily knock down a werewolf. When Lana left, Brian took it very hard. He was initially against Ruslana's marriage, then he hated the very concept of the Mates in general. Perhaps that is why their father lied to him and his mother, about the fact that Lana wants to break off all ties with her native pack. Mr. Winterbourn Sr. even had a recording of their telephone conversation with Lana, where she poured a lot of mud on her family, and especially on her brother. It hit Brian harder than anyone could have imagined. For almost three years he did not leave the house and did not communicate with anyone. But he is a strong man and was able to pull himself back and firmly stand on his feet. Well, I helped too. Although he missed Lana all the time. He even ordered dresses for her birthday every year. How did you even managed to get one of them?"

Greg wanted to ask another question, in fact, there were too many to choose right away. But at that moment, something changed in the pattern of the dance. At first, Lana quietly began to echo her brother. Her melodious voice seemed to intertwine with the low voice of a man. And then Brian fell silent, and Lana's voice became stronger, filling the hall to the brim.

Greg felt the echoes of her emotions. That pain and sadness that she allowed him to see before now gushed outward in a continuous stream. Greg flinched, he did not expect that this wave would overwhelm him headlong with such force. The first urge was to go to her. Hug, calm, take over part of her burden. But a dark-skinned girl next to him grabbed his hand.

"Wait, Greg, that's not all. I understand how you feel. But our turn has not come yet. "

Greg stared at the girl blankly. At his dumb question, she grinned.

"I am a Brian's Mate, and I also feel his pain, as you feel Lana's."As soon as they empty themselves completely, they will be like a big open wound. And then it will be our turn to support, help recover. You will understand or rather feel. Just be patient a little. "

Greg didn't say anything, because at that moment Brian's voice sounded full force again. Lana echoed him. Their movements became sharper, they then met in the middle, as if ready to attack each other, then abruptly spun away, unable to be close to each other. The guards who cordoned off the circle began to tap, beating the rhythm. At first, quiet, and then louder. The air itself seemed to start to boil, heating up.

At some point, Greg suddenly felt as if something broke in his heart and a nauseating feeling of emptiness appeared inside. Just seeing how the girl next to him rushed forward, he suddenly realized.

These feelings were not his, but Lana's. Without hesitation, he followed Brian's Mate to the center of the hall. Security guards silently parted, letting them pass as if they were waiting for this moment. And then Greg's brain seemed to turn off. As soon as he met Lana's dull eyes, the body moved forward on its oven, obeying some inner call. Greg squeezed her in his arms, and Lana clung to him as if for a lifeline.

They seemed to be whirling around the room, but it wasn't imprinted at all in Greg's head. He was entirely inside of himself and her, intuitively trying to seal Lana's naked soul with his love, tenderness, support, warmth.

It seems the dance has come to an end because the hall exploded with applause.

Perhaps from the outside, it looked like a terrific show, and no one even guessed what was actually happening on the dance floor.

Lana went limp in Greg's hands and barely moved her legs at the exit of the circle, although she kept a straight back and a charming smile on her face. Greg tried to take on most of her weight, supporting the girl by the waist. Soon they were joined by Brian and his girlfriend. The man swayed slightly and quietly relied on his couple. It's good that the girl turned out to be strong enough and supported him with all her might, leading him out of the crowd.

They stopped at the stairs. The dark-skinned girl turned to Greg.

"Go home. Tomorrow we will drive to your office. There is a lot to solve." - She said, nodding goodbye and leading Brian up the stairs. The mane himself barely managed to mumble something parting with them.

Although, Lana was no better either. It's good that Winterbourne's security staff pulled them out through the back door and brought the car fairly quickly since Lana had stumbled on the way out and hung on Greg's arms. She was conscious, but her eyes were tired and poorly focused.

"Get some sleep," Greg said, kissing Lana on the forehead and laying her in the backseat. - "We will be home soon. "