By morning I was feeling quite recovered. Chris had left early for whatever meetings he had and Claire had settled the women. Shockingly enough Jude had hit it off with Chloe and were off together somewhere.

'So much for Gamma Jude, he has other priorities now.' 'I think I can stay out of trouble for a day.' 'Your track record says otherwise...'

"So what are you doing today Jess?" Claire asked.

"Dunno. I haven't had a chance to spend much time with Ethan so something with him. May do some archery too," I mused. Nathaniel did seem quite hopeful and he was a great opponent.

"Chris wants two guards with you at all times off grounds," she says apologetically. I nodded.

I picked at some leftovers for breakfast not wanting to go to the pack house. Claire just watched me from the counter as she drank her tea.

"What?" I finally asked.

"Nothing, just that tonight is the ball and-"

"Really?" I groaned.

"I was just hoping that you'd be open to going now. I mean you've done so well here I figured it would be a breeze now after pinning Dimitri," she trailed off with a nervous laugh.

"I don't think so, I don't have a dress or anything, I'm just not feeling it," I mumble trying to ignore her disappointment.

When Ethan finally got up he wanted to watch a movie and his go to was avengers. I've seen it often enough I can quote it, I think I even fell asleep.

Willow texted and I'm currently on my way with her, Nex and Sara to do a little practicing. This time I've brought the bow Mack made me. Willow will be able to use it better too being very close to my height.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming," Nathaniel said, stepping away from the tree he was leaning against.

"What can I say, was a slow morning," I replied nonchalantly.

"I bet," he says with a knowing grin. The bastard knows all about what went on with Dimitri and everything else yesterday!

"Are you mental? He's a councillor," Sara hisses. I just shrug.

"I won't cower from him, it's just a round of archery."

I pull out my bow and hand it to Willow; she's as awestruck as I was when I first saw it. Her fingers traced the elegant silver scrollwork on the ebony staff.

"That's quite a bow Luna," he says, raising a brow. "How is it you possess a Guardians bow?" He practically growled Guardian.

"It was a gift after Derek broke mine." He looked barely satisfied by that answer.

"What's the deal with the Guardians and Council?" I ask boldly. I think Sara might burst into flames at any moment. Nathaniel just laughs.

"You are refreshing. I don't think there's a single Alpha here who would dare ask that," he says with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I'm told I'm reckless, you're the first to say refreshing," I deadpanned. "I do not have the polish to play politics and games, nor the experience in your world to be in the know."

"Short answer is they've been butting heads long enough that no one really remembers what started it." His answer feels like a half-truth.

"You speak as though you're not on the Council," I say, raising a brow.

"Right now I'm just a guy shooting a couple of rounds for fun," he says in exasperation.

"Right," I concede. We did just that, shooting several rounds till my shoulder started to ache. He was good, very good, quite possibly better than me.

Willow was right, on a bow he was stripped down to the basics, a happy guy just doing what he enjoyed. I almost pitted him as we packed up and he slipped back into his role.

"I'll see you tonight," he says, nodding. At my confusion, he elaborated. "The ball?"

"Oh, I don't know," I mumbled.

"Well hopefully," he said with a chuckle as he walked away.

"You really do live to make life interesting," Sara grumbled, leading us to the pack house for lunch. I just shrugged.

Hell has frozen over, there is actual food here I can eat! I just opted for some grilled chicken and roasted veggies. It sounds basic but it was done perfectly.

"I can't believe you're not going tonight," Willow whined.

"Good luck, we've tried for a month solid, even found the perfect dress and everything, she put it back," Sara added.

"It was gone when we went back, that's just the cosmos' way of saying don't go," I said with a shrug.

"Weak, we could have found you another dress," Sara grumbled.

"I've done enough shopping to last a lifetime, thank you very much," I say, faking a shudder. She just rolls her eyes at me and throws her hands up in surrender.

-----

"Are you sure baby?" Chris asks for the hundredth time. "I don't like you just sitting here alone."

Chris was finishing up getting ready, he looked amazing in his black tux, the green tie made his hazel eyes pop. Amazing isn't a strong enough word, I wanted to jump him on the spot.

"Keep looking at me like that kitten and neither of us are going," he says with a cocky grin. Like I needed motivation, jezus.

I straightened his tie before caressing his cheek, his lips were on mine in an instant. His kiss was firm and demanding, making me weak in the knees. Reluctantly he pulled back grumbling as he rested his forehead on mine.

"Go, have fun," I said and he grumbled. "I'll be here, well-rested when you get back," I say suggestively. His eyes darken instantly as he drags himself out of the room. He had to head over with Jace early, the rest would head over later.

I felt underdressed in my sweats, but hey at least I showered. My night would be dedicated to movies with Ethan; after the week I've had so far, that's bliss.

"Jess, can you give me a hand?" Claire asked. I nodded and made my way up. She looked stunning in her galaxy blue dress. "Xavier disappeared and Sara is god knows where, zip me up?"

I did the zipper up and she let her hair down, her makeup was dramatic and stunning. I couldn't help but grin at her, Xavier was gonna have a heart attack.

"Oh pass me my mask," she asks, gesturing to the box on the bed. Sara showed up and was leaning in the doorway, absolutely smouldering in her skintight, revealing red dress. Heaven help the guys, someone's fighting tonight for sure. I passed the box over and she opened it and frowned.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"It's the wrong one," she said, passing it to me. I looked at the mask and furrowed my brows, it's a beautiful black and forest green lace with dark gems that caught the light. But it should be blue or silver.

"Maybe it got mixed up with the other dress?" Sara offers. I raise a brow skeptically as she pulls another garment bag from the closet. An identical box was tapped to it.

There was a stunning multi-hued blue lace mask in it with silver crystals. Clearly, the match and Sara had her flaming lace mask in hand.

"So are you gonna try it on? Or are you gonna drag this out as much as possible?" Sara asks, raising a brow. I laugh and slip the mask on, it fits like a glove.

"I meant the dress, dork," she retorts rolling her eyes. I open the garment bag to see the green and black dress I tried on.

"But how?" I ask, stunned. "It was sold out when I went back." Sara just grinned widely.

"I doubled back when you and Claire went for dinner," she beams at her own deception. "Now hurry up, we have a lot to do!"

"Sara," I complained.

"Don't Sara me," she snapped. "You beat a principal Alpha in hand to hand combat in front of a crowd. You can wear a dress and hide behind a mask. I promise you won't be sober and you'll have Chris. Think about how happy it will make him."

'Low blow, but she's got you there.'

Claire is looking at me like a lost puppy. I sigh but relent, I can't admit it but part of me really wanted to go. The next hour was spent in a whirlwind as they did my hair and makeup and helped me into the dress.

Midway through Xavier knocked but Claire sent him on with the rest, stating wardrobe issues. I guess we'd be fashionably late. When they were done I didn't recognize myself.

My hair was up but the pins could be pulled to let it cascade down my back. The smokey eye made my eyes practically glow gold. I nearly died when she picked a bold deep red lipstick but the colour popped, giving me a vintage beauty look.

I left them to it as they nattered on about colours, foundation and setting. It was like a foreign language to me, I only ever wore light makeup. Apparently, the lipstick was kissproof, no smudging sounds like a safe bet.

"Princess," Derek called softly from the doorway. He was a sight to be seen in his green Guardian dress uniform, he should wear this always. His smile was dazzling.

"What are you doing here?" I asked surprised.

"I thought I'd ask if you would do me the honour of letting me escort you?" He said, holding out an elbow.

"Absolutely," I beamed at him.

"Hmmm," he said, frowning at me as he took me in. I started to panic that something was wrong. "Somethings missing," he mused. He pulled a black velvet case from his inner jacket pocket.

Inside was a stunning silver necklace with brilliant sparkling black gems and matching teardrop earrings. I ran my finger along it admiring the elegant beauty.

"What is it with you and petting gifts?" He asks with a chuckle. He slipped behind me and took the necklace, fastening it in place. It hung perfectly, setting the lowest gem just between my breasts.

"It's far too fancy," I stammered.

"Fit for a princess. Earrings then let's go," he says smiling. Dex and Damon were waiting by the front door to escort Claire and Sara.

By the time we were at the packhouse, I was really regretting this. My skin felt like it was crawling and my heart wouldn't settle.

"Breathe, Jess," Damon teases as he grabs my wrist. I felt the familiar warmth as he flooded me with his calming energy

"Can't I just keep you all night?" I ask hopeful, but he just chuckles.

"We can go to the bar for now, let you get your bearings?" Claire offers. "And a drink," she offers at my hesitation.

"You came!" Willow squeaked as she bounded over to us. She was sunshine embodied in a bright yellow gauzy gown.

"Chris is gonna stroke," Kane said, grinning. He cleaned up very nicely, his russet hair was slicked back and the yellow accents made his amber eyes glow. "He said you weren't coming?" He challenges.

"I surprised myself," I admitted with a shrug.

After a couple of shots and a drink I started to get more anxious, my thoughts kept drifting to Chris. It was beyond time to go find him. Claire had gone to find Xavier as soon as we got there and Sara left soon after.

"Ready princess?" Derek asked, holding his arm out. I can't help but roll my eyes at him.

"Why do you call me that?" I ask mildly annoyed.

"Haven't figured it out yet?" He asked with an air of mischief.

"Other than to annoy me?" I asked honestly.

"Jess, what am I?" He asked in all seriousness.

"Besides a dork?" I teased. "A Guardian?"

"And what do Guardians do?" He asked, staring at me intently.

"Guard the royals?" I asked.

"Exactly, you're family and precious, and I will do everything in my power to make sure you're safe." The sincerity in his voice was sobering. There was no cocky mask.

"So let's go princess, I want to see the look on my baby brother's face when I walk in with you," he said with his usual smug grin. "Garrick's right, green is your colour." He says with a wink.

My heart raced and my lungs refused to work properly as we came to the door. My nerves were right on edge as Derek led me through the double doors. I had hoped that I'd feel more hidden with the mask on but that wasn't the case. I froze and hung on to Derek for dear life.

The doors opened onto a landing of a grand staircase that led to the ballroom below. It was the largest and most elegant room I've ever seen and I was far too sober.

"Princess breath," Derek whispered, breaking me out of my personal freak out. "You're not alone, I've got you." He gave me a minute to catch my breath and headed for the stairs. Thank god I'm in heels. "I won't let you fall," he said with a chuckle as if he understood my fear.

I scanned the crowd hoping to pick out Chris, but all I saw were a lot of eyes staring back at me. The women were all dressed in different gowns but the men were all dressed so similarly. Add to that, most wore black masks and the lighting was poor, I was eukered.

"Look who finally made it out of the bar," Sara teased. My eyes drifted to a dapper Nex behind her, standing incredibly close. I couldn't help but raise a brow at his red tie and vest that matched her dress.

"I see why you were in such a hurry to leave it," I say with a raised brow. Nex was smouldering next to her, eyes trained on her with a cocky, crooked grin.

"Don't you have an Alpha to find?" She asks ever so slightly flustered.

"Point me in a direction," I asked. She nodded further down the right side, silently pleading for me to go. I grinned and left her to it.

Thankfully the crowd gave way as we made our way further in, probably due to Derek's size and energy. I'm glad he knew where to go, I was too short even with heels to see anything and lost in a sea of black tuxes.

"How can you even tell where he is?" I ask as we aimlessly wander. He taps his nose. "Why is it a masked ball if you guys can just smell who it is?"

"Because it's sexy and mysterious," he says with a grin. "You have to admit I look good."

"You do," I admit. "Very dashing, the sooner you drop me off to Chris the sooner you can go on the prowl."

"The night's still young," he says with a wink. "Though it looks like it's about to begin." He stops and nods ahead, his back is to us but I spot Chris dead ahead.

He's holding his head high, cocked to the side as he scents the air. He is perfection, my heart flutters in anticipation.

"Brother," Derek calls as he kisses my hand before releasing me.

For the second time with Chris, time slowed down in this surreal moment. He turned towards us, the soft light casting him in the most flattering light. He looked like he was straight out of a fairytale.

His stubble-covered jaw was darker in the low light, and the black mask set his hazel eyes off perfectly. I can't help but notice his tie and vest matched my dress. He just stands there staring, frozen in place.

"Well if you don't want to claim her brother, I'll just show her a good-"