“Wow. Levi is going to die.” Anne actually jumped up and down.
“He is, isn’t he?” Helen smiled. I wondered if it was awkward for her to talk about her son like that.
“Is there anything else we need to do or bring that night?” Tiffany asked.
“Just yourselves. I have escorts set up for everyone.”
“Escorts?” Tiffany asked nervously.
“You didn’t have to go through all of that trouble Mrs. Laurent.” Hailey smiled politely, but I could tell she was nervous about who she’d be paired up with.
“Tiffany, you’ll be with Jared. Anne, you’re with Owen.”
“Owen? Nice.” Anne grinned. Hailey shook her head. “What? I’m not gonna lie. Your brother’s hot.”
Tiffany hadn’t said a word, but she paled. We all knew she had a crush on Jared, but I wasn’t sure how she’d feel about having him as a date for the evening.
“Who am I paired up with?” Michelle asked impatiently. I could tell she was struggling to be polite.
Helen smiled. “As is expected, you will both be paired with humans.”
“What humans?” Hailey asked.
“Kyle and Kent Applewood.”
“Mark Applewood’s sons?” Michelle asked, her mouth hanging open.
“Yes, their father is Mark Applewood.” Helen smiled. She had expected the reaction.
“And I thought going with a prince was pretty cool.” I laughed. The Applewoods owned several major sport franchises in the southeast. They were some of the most eligible bachelors of our generation.
“Your date’s been waiting to escort you for a long time.” Helen smiled before putting a few pins in my dress.
“There’s no one else I’d rather go with.” I meant it with all my heart.
***
The next few weeks flew by, and I still hadn’t heard anything about Jess. I pretended to concentrate on my school work, but it was impossible. The only reason I was looking forward to the ball was that it was another opportunity to meet others in The Society.
“There’s one more thing.” Hailey held out a wooden box with a crow engraved on the top. We were all getting ready in my suite at the hotel. The ball was being held downstairs.
“Is this…”
“Yeah.”
I opened the box and gasped as I touched the glittering ruby tiara. “This can’t be for real.”
“Wow, that’s gorgeous.” Anne came up behind me. “Put it on.”
I was awe struck. It was a real tiara, the kind that only a princess would wear. “I can’t. My hands are shaking.”
“I’ll do it.” Hailey picked it up and placed it on my head. I was wearing my hair mostly down with just a little pulled back. Levi always loved when I wore it that way.
“How does it look?” I asked because everyone was staring at me.
“Incredible. You look incredible.” Michelle smiled.
I walked into the bathroom so I could look at myself in the full-length mirror. “I can’t believe I actually get to wear all of this.”
“You look gorgeous.” Tiffany put a hand on my arm.
“So do you. All of you look amazing.” They did. I hoped their dates were prepared.
“Are we ready, then?” Hailey asked.
I let out a slow, deep breath. “Yes. Are the guys waiting?”
“I think they’re in the lobby. We can head down, but why don’t you wait here for Levi,” Michelle suggested.
“That’s probably a good idea.” I was nervous, and Levi had a way of calming me down.
“See you in a few.” Hailey squeezed my hand before walking out of the room.
A knock on the door let me know Levi was there already. I opened it, stepping back to let him in.
“You—you look—” He appeared awe struck too.
“Are you actually speechless?”
He nodded. “Almost. You look amazing.” He reached out for my hands. “Absolutely amazing.”
“You look great, too.” He did. I loved how his tux fit him perfectly. It was charcoal gray with a vest—a different look for him, and it worked just like all the others.
“Not like you.” He let go of one of my hands so he could twirl me around. “I really don’t want to leave this room, but I’ll admit I do want to show you off.”
“I hope I don’t embarrass myself.”
“Why would you? You look incredible. All you have to do is smile and be yourself.”
“Everyone’s going to be sizing me up, trying to see if you picked the right mate.” It was easy to forget that as far as anyone else knew, Levi had just randomly found a mate.
“Oh, I picked the right mate.” He leaned over and kissed me lightly. “I want to do a whole lot more than that, but I’ll probably be killed if I mess up your hair and makeup.”
“Probably. We should go anyway. Everyone’s waiting.”
“Ready, my love?” He held out his arm.
I linked my arm with his. “Ready.”
We kissed again in the elevator, and his lips promised that there would be a lot more to follow later.
When we reached the lobby, we walked directly to the ballroom. Levi’s parents waited in the foyer, right in front of the large entrance doors. I could hear music from within the room, and I wondered what the guests were doing. Would they all be waiting for us to come in?
“Breathtaking.” Helen embraced me warmly.
“You look amazing, and thanks so much for this gorgeous dress.”
“She enjoyed making it, Allie, and you do look stunning.” Robert gave me that unnerving smile of his.
“Thank you.”
“Are they ready for us?” Levi nodded to the closed doors of the ballroom.
Robert waved his arm. “Make your entrance.”
“Show time.” Levi squeezed my hand.
He knocked on the door twice and both doors swung open for us. I let him lead me through the dark entryway. We took a few steps in and my breath hitched. The room was absolutely incredible. I’d been in plenty of ballrooms, but none had ever looked like this one did that night. Strings of crystal and ruby lights hung down from the ceilings, while the dance floor was lined with red roses, each with tiny crystals tied onto the stems. But it wasn’t the décor that made me lose my breath, it was the people. The room was full of elegantly dressed men and woman who were all watching us. If it weren’t for Levi’s strong hand on my back, I might have had a serious problem continuing into the room. I’m usually not intimidated by large crowds, but knowing that the most important and influential members of The Society and the world were in that room was a lot to handle.