I am so sorry that my last update was over a year ago! I promise I will never leave it that long again, and I definitely have a ton of new ideas for this story. Thank you for all your reviews and all the people who took the top to type out their ideas to me! They were much appreciated. This chapter is short but another one coming your way in the next couple of days!

Chapter 37 – The Ball

BPOV

Edward looked incredible. So incredible that I momentarily forgot that I was supposed to pull my 'bitch face' for this entire event. His three piece suit, complete with a bow tie made him look, if possible, even more sexy.

"God, I love a man in uniform," I said, sitting back on my dressing table chair, admiring him as he pulled on his dinner jacket. He simply turned and looked at me, winking.

"Come here, Bella."

I got up and unstably walked towards him in my six-inch heels, he caught me as soon as I felt myself stumble.

"Oh, god," I muttered, blushing. Edward chuckled and stood me slightly in front of him, his arm tightly around my waist, so we were both facing the full-length mirror. I gasped. We looked so good together. For once, I feel like I deserved to stand next to him. My hair was wavy and tumbled down my chest over my dress, and my make up was extravagant, big lashes and red lips. I felt beautiful. Edward was gazing at me, and I caught a glint of what looked like pride in his eyes.

Suddenly, there was a knock on our door, breaking our perfect spell.

"Come in," Edward said harshly, letting me go abruptly. A maid entered.

"You're both being called to the grand hall. The ball has begun."

Edward tensed slightly and nodded, signaling for her to leave. I felt a chill down my spine. This was the last thing I wanted to do. Nothing good could come from being near Demetri. Apparently, Edward was thinking the same thing. He pulled me towards him, and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Bella," He murmured. I gazed up at his smoldering black eyes. "Don't leave my side tonight." I sensed fear behind his voice. I didn't like it. Edward was never scared.

"Of course," I replied taking his hand and kissing the back of it, trying to reassure him the best I could.

He led to the door by the small of my back, and down cold winding corridors.

We stopped then. I realized why. We were right at the doors of the grand entrance. Edward tightly took my hand and pushed open the door.

The grand hall was huge. So much so, that I couldn't even see to the other end of it. The ceiling adorned itself with chandeliers of all jewels, emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. A second floor balcony wrapped around the entire room. Everywhere waiters and vampires milled around engaged in conversation, whilst jazz music wafted around the lowly lit room. I inhaled nervously, only to smell rust. Blood. My stomach churned.

Sure enough from the corner of my eye I caught an eccentrically dressed vampire sink his teeth into a girl dressed in plain white with no shoes. I gasped, stepping backwards.

"Bella," Edward whispered in my ear, as I jumped, "Please calm down sweetheart."

I looked over at the concerned expression etched on my boyfriend's face and nodded, my eyes downcast. There's no way I would react to this show. Drinks were obviously served fresh here. I noticed all of those who had their fates sealed as a meal tonight were dressed in the same attire as the poor girl who was now lying against the wall, her eyes blank and lifeless.

"Come," Edward said, and I looped arm through his as we walked through the hall. I could tell people were watching us, the back of my neck was tickling with their glares. This event couldn't have made me more uncomfortable.

Many vampires came up to Edward, they all seemed to know him. In fact, from what I could tell, a lot of them were scared of him, something about their demeanor, they asked nothing personal and congratulated him on his 'work'. He acted cold, polite but disinterested. Except when they would say, "So this is Isabella." Then he would slightly smile, hold me tightly and say, "Yes this is my Bella." And I would blush and avert my eyes under his gaze. He made me feel so treasured. It was at those moments the anxiety left me and I started to relax.

I started to drink. I felt Edward stiffen slightly when I took a flute of champagne offered to me by the waiter, but he didn't comment as I shot it back. And then another. And another. And just one more. I was surprised Edward let it get that far to be honest, his mouth was set in a grim line, but yet he didn't stop me. The soft jazz turned to classical.

"Can we dance?" I asked Edward, looking up at him pouting. He smiled down at me.

"Can you dance, my angel?" He teased, obviously referring to my shoes. I scoffed.

"Please?" I begged, my tipsy haze settling in.

Edward let me to the dance floor, and wrapped my arms around his neck, then snaked his own around my waist, his fingers digging possessively into the small of my back. We began to move to the beautiful soft tinkling music, Edward leading of course. I tilted my head up to him, our eyes locking.

"Are you okay?" he murmured, taking that moment to spin me out and back against his body.

"Yes," I whispered breathlessly, not expecting the elegant twist that I had just done. And it was true; I was okay for now, in my Edward's arms, high on an alcoholic buzz. I could ignore the curious looks shot at us, and even the fucked up situation of the blood slaves being drained right before my eyes.

"Is it okay if I kiss you?" He whispered into my ear, gently sucking on my lobe. I hissed and nodded and his lips skimmed down my jawline and up to my lips.

"Mmmmhm," I hummed inside his mouth, as our breath mingled and my heart started to race.

"Ehem."

I froze and my blood chilled.

Demetri.

He was towering over my, his jaw taut and his dark hair carelessly lying atop his head. It was his eyes that scared me, blood red and malicious, matching the smirk across his pale face. His eyes were dead set on me, I could see them, calculating. Edward's arm wound protectively around me, and tugged me slightly behind it. All loud voices and music hushed immediately.

"Ahh, brother Edward," Demetri acknowledged, his eyes still not leaving me. I quickly averted his gaze and glanced up at Edward, who's face was stoic as he towered over Demetri.

"You're no brother of mine," Edward said In that low deadly voice that even I feared. I gulped. I didn't know what to do. I had no idea what was going on here.

"Oh, you do, do you?" Edward barked, laughing cruelly. He was obviously not liking Demetri's thoughts.

"Let's ask Bella shall we?" Demetri snarled, stepping slightly towards my direction. Edward pulled me even closer to him and turned to look at me. I saw a flash of pleading in his eyes, then it was gone and his expression was masked.

"Bella, sweetheart, do you want to dance with him?"

Edward whispered in my ear. I knew everyone could hear. That's what he had intended. The scent of his breath made me almost giddy. Which was for sure the wrong thing to happen at this moment. I looked straight at Demetri's face. The face of the Devil.

"No," I replied, crossing my arms. I wasn't some fucking prize to be won.

Needless to say, Demetri did not take this well. He let out a seemingly nonchalant laugh.

"Just one dance, Isabella? I promise I will not bother you for the rest of the night…"

My eyes flashed to him. The word of him to leave us alone for this entirely dreadful evening was too appealing to me. Even if it did mean I would have to spend five minutes with this leering creep.

"You promise?" I found my mouth opening before I could stop myself. Damn the alcohol

At my words, Edward's head snapped towards me and growled. Fuck. I knew he was fuming. I promised not to leave his side, but this offer I knew was one that would ensure the rest of the night went smoothly.

Demetri's eyes glinted.

"You have my word, no trouble for the rest of the night."

I glanced up at Edward pleadingly, his eyes piercing into mine with a stern no, but I continued to look at him, trying to make him understand. I was doing this for him.

"Fine," he hissed, towering over Demetri, his expression thunder.

"Don't you fucking step out of line," he muttered.

Demetri smirked, winking at Edward.

"Wouldn't dream of it, brother."

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