Found

Levi led me over to the side just as his father and mother walked in. Helen didn’t look even remotely nervous as she made her elegant entrance. I wondered if I’d ever be as comfortable with it.

Robert and Helen stopped in the middle of the dance floor. Robert nodded to Levi, and we joined them.

Robert cleared his throat and waited for the voices to quiet. “Welcome. We are thrilled to have each of you here tonight. This has been an exciting year for our family and The Society. Most importantly, Leviathan has selected his mate, and your future queen. I have had the pleasure of getting to know her well over the past few months, and I assure you, she will be excellent for the position.”

Gotten to know me well? I don’t think I would have put it quite that way.

“Although traditionally my queen and I would have the first dance, we have decided to hand that honor over to Leviathan and Allison tonight.”

I took a deep breath as a waltz began to play. Levi led me perfectly, and I was able to forget everything else around me. The last time he’d danced with me in such a formal setting, he told me he loved me. I told him I didn’t feel the same way. I couldn’t believe it had been less than six months since that night.

The crowd broke into applause as the song ended. I leaned up and whispered in his ear. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Al. I love you, too.” He took my hand and led me over to the side so his parents could take their turn.

“Wow, you guys are the most adorable couple ever.” Anne dragged Owen with her as she came to join us.

“We are, aren’t we?” Levi put an arm around my shoulder.

“You make it sound like you’ve never seen them together.” Owen seemed to like arguing with Anne. She brought out a weird side in him.

She turned to him with a hand on her hip. “They just look so different tonight—so royal.”

“Because they are royal. He’s the prince and she’s his princess.”

Anne tapped Tiffany on the shoulder. “Tiff, can we change dates? Mine’s defective.”

Levi and I both laughed.

Jared answered for the speechless Tiffany. By the smile on her face earlier, she had no interest in changing dates. “I’d be happy to be both of your dates.” Jared raised an eyebrow.

“No, that won’t be necessary.” Owen took Anne’s arm. “Let’s give Allie and Levi some space.”

Jared and Tiffany followed them.

“Wow…drama.” Levi laughed.

“I know…normally I’d say it’s a lovers’ spat, but I really don’t think they’ve slept together.”

“Who’s slept together?” Hailey came up behind us, without her date.

“Your brother and Anne.” Levi grinned.

“Ewww, please tell me they haven’t.”

“They haven’t. Ignore him.” I rolled my eyes. “Where’s your date, Hail?”

“My escort was boring me to death talking about football.”

I laughed. “It’s kind of early in the night to get bored.”

“Maybe he wants me to do what Michelle’s doing with his brother.”

I followed her gaze to where Michelle was hanging all over her date. “The Applewoods are cute.”

“Excuse me?” Levi put an arm around my waist.

“I said cute. You’re hot and sexy, big difference.”

“Hot and sexy?” He pulled me against his side. “And you haven’t even had anything to drink yet.”

I bit my lip flirtatiously. “You could change that.” Levi and I always teased each other, and I loved it. Toby and I were so much more formal about things. I could really be myself with Levi, and I was pretty sure he could say the same thing.

“I will.” He kissed my forehead before leaving Hailey and I to talk. I had to give Levi credit, he always knew when that’s what I wanted.

“You two made quite the entrance.” Hailey fidgeted with her bracelet.

“Yeah? Did I look okay?”

“Fantastic. All the guys who hadn’t seen you yet are now joking about how Levi’s never going to get anything done.”

“What? Oh. Because we’ll be in bed a lot?”

“Lovely conversation topic, huh?”

“Well, if someone says it in front of you again, just say it’s a good thing Pterons don’t need a lot of sleep.”

Hailey laughed. “I’m glad you’re in a good mood. I’ve been worried.”

“Yeah, I know I’ve been a grump. I’m just—”

“Scared for Jess? I understand. I swear we’re going to get her.”

“I know.”

“Miss me?” Levi handed me a drink. I didn’t need to taste it to know what kind it was.

“A little.”

His arms came around me, and he pulled me back into his chest. “It’s kind of painful to be apart tonight. You look so good.”

“Don’t I look just as good from a distance?”

“Yes, but then I can’t touch you.”

“And on that note, I’m going to find my date.” Hailey nodded toward where he stood watching us. “I might need a drink first though.”

I laughed. “I’m sure you can find something to talk about.”

“We’ll see.” Hailey gave me a half wave before disappearing into the crowd.

“Ready to make the rounds?” Levi ran a hand down my bare arm. It gave me goose bumps.

“Sure. Ready as I’ll ever be.” I took a quick sip of the signature drink Levi still hadn’t told me the name of.

“All right, my princess, let’s meet the rest of your subjects.”

“Do you have to use terms like that?”

“What? It’s the truth.” He slipped his arm over my shoulder.

“It just makes things weirder.”

“Did you forget what’s on your head, love?” He touched my tiara.

“No.” How could I forget? The thing weighed a lot. That’s something people don’t tell you, a real tiara is heavy.

“You’re a princess. One day soon you’ll be a queen. These people are your subjects.” He kissed me gently on the lips before moving his arm to my waist, leading me toward the crowds.

We hadn’t made it far when Robert grabbed Levi’s arm. “We have some unexpected guests.”

I turned to follow Robert’s gaze and saw a middle-aged man with a shock of gray hair and a younger man that was probably in his early twenties.