Setting Dusk

by Renesmee's Theory

Love hurts. It can be a challenge. Love is a force and takes many forms. Love is crazy. Love is immortal. Love will test Renesmee & Jacob to their utmost limits. Follow Nessie's adventure of self-discovery and realization as she prepares to graduate high school with her friends but will she even make it to graduation with new threats? (Sequel to Dusk Horizon) RATED M {LEMONS}

60. Chapter 60: Gem of the Ball

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, just my own characters.

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Renesmee Cullen

When Justin, Luke and I managed to run away from the guards with our skin still intact, we had the hard task of sneaking back into the council hall discreetly and totally unsuspiciously.

"You think he saw us?" I asked nervously.

Luke scoffed. "Definitely not. He was pretty dumb," He stated. "Trust me, he didn't catch us."

I exhaled a heavy sigh of relief as I shared a look with Justin as we walked to the front entrance of the debutante ball.

"I got Theodore Parker's journal," I whispered, showing him the old, ink filled book.

"You stole something from the archives?" Justin questioned.

"I didn't steal it! I borrowed it." I tried to minimize and euphemize the magnitude of my actions. "I plan to return it," I added.

He cocked an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to do that? After it almost cost us a damn leg and arm to get you in there,"

I rolled my eyes. "We'll figure something out,"

"We? Nah, Nah, Nah. I ain't getting involved. Sorry, buddy! You're on your own next time." Luke stated.

I pouted. "C'mon, Lukie Pookie…" I teased, using Felicity's nickname for him. "Pretty please," I pleaded with batted eyes.

He rolled his eyes at me. "…Okay! I'll help you again. Just this once!" He said. I squealed. "I'm so gonna regret this…" He whispered to himself.

"You won't! I promise!" I replied quietly, leaning in to kiss his cheek and hugging onto him by his arm.

He smirked as he rolled his eyes. "Whatever,"

I giggled. "Could you keep the book in your bag for me? I don't have space for it in my clutch." I asked.

He looked at me with wide eyes. "And if someone, I don't know, maybe a deputy or one of Justin's dad's henchmen decides to do a full body cavity search on me, then what?"

"Luke…" Justin expressed in annoyance.

"No, no, Justin…Contrary to popular belief, I am not a masochist! I don't like being in situations where I could get humiliated, in pain, attacked or worse… tazzed by the freaking feds roaming around here," He half-shouted, half-whispered the last part.

"Nothing's gonna happen!" I rolled my eyes at him.

He grumbled but sighed as he caved in, slipping his backpack off his shoulder to the ground as he unzipped it and took my book before shoving it in.

"You better owe me for all the shit I put myself through for all of you," He stated, looking up at eyes with accusing eyes.

I giggled as I glanced at Justin who just shook his head and shrugged as he turned back to his friend.

"Okay! We need to head back. We've got escort duties," Luke brought up, begrudgingly.

"Hey!" We heard a loud, authoritative voice shout as we climbed up the steps of the council house side entrance.

"Shit," Justin muttered under his breath.

Were we just caught?

We spun around to meet the intimidating stare of Justin and Alex's father, Alessandro Mazzola aka the leader of the vampire hunters.

"Dad!" Justin exclaimed nonchalantly.

The browbeating and intimidating patriarch of the family furrowed his brows as he looked over from his son then his best friend then over to me, scrutinizing us.

"What are you kids doing out here? Aren't you supposed to be inside with the other debutantes and their escorts?" He asked a pointed question to the boys.

"Yeah! Yeah! We know! We were just…" Luke responded before turning to Justin and me for some help.

"It's my fault, Mr. Mazzola. I asked Justin and Luke if they could help me find something I lost." I quickly covered up.

He didn't seem convinced by my excuse but thankfully, he didn't want to question it further.

"Your sister is waiting for you inside. You and Luke better get going." Alessandro said in his thick New York-Italian accent.

Luke and Justin glanced at each other before heading for the side entrance door but Justin's dad quickly stopped them.

"Not there. Through the front entrance." He told them. "That's where all the debutantes and escorts are," He reminded them.

"Oh, right!" Justin responded as he and Luke turned around and headed north.

"Wait," Justin's dad gripped him by the arm, halting him in his tracks.

Justin glared up at him in confusion.

"Come here," Alessandro said, pulling him back and began fixing his white bow tie and adjusting his white ascot. "Look out for your sister out there, okay? I don't know what's wrong with her lately but she's not been herself and I don't want her to choke out there,"

I looked down.

"Dad, I'm sure she's fine. It's Alex." Justin expressed.

Alessandro sighed. "I don't know, something is definitely different about her. I just want her to keep focused. I want both of you to be focused on your futures. You and your sister are not like the people in there. You aren't these privileged trust fund kids who will never have to work an honest day in their lives. Your mother and I want what's best for you and we want you to work hard for what you get. These guys….There are some serious top dog heads in there –hedge fund and corporate types who are looking for the next charity project. There are also college scouts and recruiters who are willing to give out scholarships both of you need. There's no luxury for any distractions, you understand?"

"But dad–"

"Do you understand me?" Alessandro questioned, more sternly and firmly he tightened the bowtie.

Justin gulped before sighing. "Yes, sir. I understand."

Alessandro sighed. "You two need to take your futures seriously. Whatever is happening in your life right now shouldn't interfere with where you're going. Remember that." He told him.

Justin was cowering from his gaze as he fixed his cufflinks.

"Hey! Are you listening?" Alessandro ordered in a commanding tone.

Justin jolted his head up immediately.

"I'm serious, Justin. I want the best for you and your sister. Find out what's going on with Alex, I don't care if you have to pry it out of her. Just…Help her stay focused and on the right path. Look out for each other, okay son?" He expressed sincerely and heartily, cupping Justin's neck and looking intently into his eyes.

Justin looked at his father and nodded. "Okay. Promise."

His dad smiled slightly and leaned in to kiss his forehead before stroking the hairs on the back of his head. I had never seen him be so loving and caring to his kids. I always thought he was… cold? He always gave me the vibes of someone I knew I wouldn't want to mess with.

"Get outta here," He stated, patting his shoulder and gesturing behind him.

"Let's go," Justin motioned to Luke and the two then ran to the main entrance to the building.

As I stood there awkwardly in front of Justin's dad, I smiled politely and went to follow the guys but he stopped me.

"Wait a second," He mentioned. I looked to him. "We will enter through the side entrance. It's much more convenient since it's chaotic with the debutantes gathering themselves together," He said to me.

I nodded. "Right,"

He then stared at me for a while. A lot longer than normal.

"Are you here alone? I've been told your aunt and uncle are here." He finally spoke.

"Oh, uh…Yeah, I didn't come with them if that's what you're askng. Um…it's just my boyfriend and his friends that I'm with," I said with a nervous smile.

He nodded. "Your boyfriend...The wolf right?"

I nodded as I felt my heart suddenly accelerate when I felt his scrutinizing gaze on me intensify as if to pierce deeper and deeper into my soul. No human has this effect on me. I was never apprehensive around humans.

Until now…

He sighed. "Renesmee, you don't need to be afraid of me. I'm not going to hurt you. You're my son and daughter's friend," He laughed.

I slowly looked up at him. "Oh…"

"Contrary to what you might think, I don't hate you."

"You don't?" I asked.

I have been to Alex's house a number of times but I never had a relationship with her parents. I mostly only interacted with them to exchange pleasantries or talk about school, but other than that, I always felt they were unaccepting of me ever since they found out of my relation and proximity to vampires –a species their family have been hunting for centuries.

"No," He chuckled with a sigh. "I've been told many times by Alex and Justin that I appear cold and aloof to people so it's not a personal thing, I want you to know that. I may not like vampires but your family is one of the good ones, I know that." He told me.

I smiled softly.

He gestured for the door and we both began walking into the building together.

"You're one of Alex's best friends and although my daughter and I may not always see eye to eye sometimes, she and I can both agree that you've been good to her these past few years. Thank you for that," He expressed.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Mazzola. Alex is like a sister to me too." I replied.

He managed to form a tiny emotion that resembled a smile. "I just…I have concerns I want to address though. Although your family and I are on good standing with each other, I do worry about the baggage your family can potentially bring,"

"What do you mean?"

"There are good vampires like your family but they're a dime a dozen compared to the bad ones we encounter every day. There are people out there who want to inflict harm on the human world. And correct me if I'm wrong, your family have also made enemies in the past, right?"

"I mean…we've encountered a few rogue vampires yes." I responded.

"Like The Volturi?"

I glared at him. "How do you know about that?"

He sighed. "We are from Italy, Renesmee. We are well aware of who runs the vampire world."

I nodded. "Right," I responded. "I don't think The Volturi will be much of a problem, at least I hope not."

"The Volturi are a very powerful institution that I don't think you guys should piss off and if there ever is a situation between you and them that leads to a potential endangerment of the people of my town, I won't hesitate sending you on your way. I hope your family understands this." He warned.

Although, it came off more as a subtle threat –which in turn, made me more nervous. His warning didn't go unnoticed because I could see in the corner of my eye from across the room, Alice looking right at me talking to Alessandro Mazzola. She must be listening in.

It didn't matter much though because my family would be moving away from Oakland Woods in the summer anyway so he wouldn't have to worry about any uprising happening in the town while we were around.

"You don't have to worry about my family. We don't plan to stay long anyway." I assured him. "And the whole Volturi thing, it's not gonna be an issue. We have a good relationship with them –rather, an understanding."

"Be that as it may, I do hope it won't become a problem in the future. I'm aware your family are currently in a situation with Charles and… Cassia?" He pointed out.

I turned to him as we entered the ballroom with the massive crowd congregated there.

"You know who Cassia is?" I asked apprehensively.

He nodded. "Mhmm," He responded, nodding his head and smiling at the attendees we passed by. "And I know you're trying to find out more about her," He told me.

My heart started thudding rapidly in anxiousness.

Did he know what I was doing? Did he know I was fishing in the town archives? What would he do to me? What would he do if he found out I stole Theodore Raymond's journal from there?

"W-what do you mean?" I posed, stutteringly.

"Well, wouldn't you want to know more about your prospective enemy?" He probed a question so casually, as if it was obvious.

I exhaled a sigh – a rather sigh of relief. "Oh, I do! I do. It's just been…so weird lately. We don't know what she wants,"

"Yes, we've been trying to figure it out ourselves."

I looked up. "Why are you telling me this?" I always got the vibes that he would be somewhat cagey about investigating or hunting a vampire like Cassia. He didn't really touch base with my family about anything in relation to the supernatural world.

The hunters kept a distance. They kept to themselves. So long as my family upholds the truce we agreed upon, we stay out of each's hair and out of each other's way.

"Let's just say, I think we've got a mutual enemy on our hands and I believe we can work together. My family and yours," He expressed, as he skirted his eyes around the room. I turned to look at him in the eye.

"You want us to join forces?"

As he was about to answer, he was stopped by the sudden rupture of applause from the audience as the opera singer and orchestra finished their music set.

"It's about to start," He said, joining in with the applause before walking away from me.

Talk about weird, unusual, awkward encounters.

I shook my head as I fixed my attention onto the crowd of guests filling up the ballroom, engaging in indistinct chatter and classy laughter. I scanned the vicinity in search of my Jacob again.

"That is a beautiful dress, young lady. A picture of serene elegance." A middle aged, pompous, lady in an extravagant gown mentioned as she walked past me holding a glass of champagne.

I grinned back. "Thank you," I replied respectfully, acknowledging her briefly before focusing on looking for Jacob again.

I found him chatting to an unfamiliar woman –with flaming, fire engine truck red hair, crimson red lips and unsettling gray eyes – chatting to him in a way that looked flirtatious but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. I was not trying to be the possessive, jealous type tonight.

As I made my way to Jake, the lady spotted me and looked me right in the eye with a weird, suspicious and eerie smirk.

I frowned as I watched as she somehow disappeared in a flash behind the sea of people sauntered by in front of me for just a split second, blinding my vision briefly.

I rapidly increased my speed and reached Jacob soon after. Jacob beamed up like a Christmas tree when he saw me.

"Oh! Hey! You're back –" He greeted warmly, resting his large hand on the small of my back.

"Who was that you were talking to?" I demanded, looking up at him. "Who was she?"

"Oh…Uh, I don't know actually. Just some random English lady. I think she's related to the aristocrats here." He told me. I frowned. "Why?"

I exhaled. "I don't know…Something about her…"

"You're not jealous, are you?" He asked with a teasing smirk.

I rolled my eyes as I narrowed daggers at him. "No."

He chuckled.

Subsequently, we heard the sudden rupture of applause from the audience when the orchestral and opera band finished their set.

Jake and I then focused our attention back onto the stage where the announcer appeared in front of the mic.

"May I have your attention, please?" The announcer called. All heads darted towards her and the chitter chatter quietened down.

"Welcome to this year's Quarterly International Debutante Ball!" She exclaimed.

More applause followed soon thereafter.

"This prestigious event where the world's finest and most eligible young women debut into society and vie to win the coveted title of Gem of the Ball." She stated which ignited a series of hums and chitters from the guests. "Before we begin, to kick-start the debutante proceedings, it is with great honor that I introduce our lovely and gracious First Lady, Josie St. Clair to take the stage."'

A loud chorus applause followed as we watched the beloved First Lady of Oakland Woods and the Mayor's wife elegantly make an appearance onto the stage.

"Good evening, everyone!" She greeted warmly to which we all applauded. "And it's so good to see you all today on this fine Saturday evening for the Oakland Wood's International Debutante Ball!"

"My distinguished guests! Welcome to the prestigious Quarterly Annual International Debutante Ball of Founding Families!" The mayor's wife, the First Lady of Oakland Woods, Mabel 'Josie' Josephine St. Clair commenced with a pleasant smile.

I grinned as I looked up at Jake with a smile as the proceedings began.

… …

One Hour Earlier

Jacob Black

Seth, Embry and I arrived at the Town Council House Hall for the Debutante Ball together.

"Damn! Look at this shindig," Seth remarked as we sauntered our way through the gathering crowds of the ornately presented gardens of the Town Council House.

"Please stop saying, ' shindig' you millennial asshole." Embry fired.

Seth flashed a middle finger at him from behind me. "You're older than me, jackass!"

"I know! That's my point," Embry laughed, just as he got distracted by two women walking by who he began gawking at from the back down. "Mmm. Now that's a whole full course meal,"

"Your objectification of women is disturbing, dude." Seth spoke, laughing.

"And your laugh reminds me of a cackling turkey that I have the urge to snap in half." Embry growled, demonstrating the snapping of a neck with his hands.

"Oh! Is that right?" Seth spat.

I shook my head at my bickering buddies as we walked through the floral, lavish and colorful canopy display over the path leading to the entrance.

We waltzed into the large, palatial building where we were met with throngs of elite people dressed in flashy, lavish dresses and fancy suits, all carrying glasses of the bubbliest and finest champagne and wine. Even though I think I was dressed appropriately, I couldn't feel so much more out of place than I did at that moment.

"Everyone's decked and dripped out in expensive, designer gowns and suits. This is something out of an early 19th century ball –which, I guess makes sense." Seth remarked.

"I don't know, I see some modern fits. Everyone looks classy…Mmm, thanks, pretty face." Embry expressed as he took a champagne off the tray as a waitress walked by. "I guess we all got the dress code memo because we all look fly,"

Among all of us, Embry was the most interested in fashion and looking his best. I mean sure, I did like to look good too but I wasn't to the degree that Embry was. Clothes and fashion trends were not something I followed, I just wear what looks good or decent. Embry takes it a whole different level. Especially now that he's got money and no major responsibilities, he prides himself on getting designer, stylish clothes he can afford.

Today, he was impeccably dressed in a fancy, floral appliqué embroidered dark maroon tuxedo with a black trim, a white shirt underneath, a matching plain double breasted waistcoat and a bowtie with some shiny dark Italian shoes to boot. His glossy, raven off black hair was quaffed back in a swooping tiny ponytail after he grew it out to neck length years ago.

Seth wore a classic navy tuxedo with a black satin trim and a matching bowtie and killer black shoes. His longer hair was slicked back into middle part and braided at the back down to his shoulders.

I was the only one who ditched the bowtie memo and settled with wearing a velvet tuxedo jacket with a pocket hankie, a midnight blue turtleneck, tailored black pants and the shiny new formal shoes. I sported the two-tone Tag Heuer watch Nessie got for me for our anniversary a month and a half ago.

Alice got us all dressed in expensive Armani suits for this event.

Hmm….

I wasn't a big fan of dressing up in fancy tuxedos like the rest of the guys here. I think the only time I'd ever wear one will be on my wedding day.

Getting dressed up in these fancy getups make me seem pretentious and snobby because this has never been my life but I would do it for Nessie in a heartbeat. If this is what she likes and what she's been accustomed to, I'd have to get used to it and embrace it.

Thankfully, Nessie wasn't as high maintenance with all this stuff as a lot of the girls and women who frequent these events.

Seth, Embry and I reached the balcony overlooking the monumentally spacious and huge ballroom and auditorium where the majority of all the guests were congregated; having conversations and exchanging pleasantries with one another as they held their drinks in hand whilst listening the some classical music being played by the orchestra band.

Embry let out a drawn out whistle as he stood beside me.

"Now this is one heck over a party if I ever saw one," He remarked with a chuckle as he took a ship of champagne.

I scouted the vicinity to look for Nessie but I couldn't find her. I sniffed the air to lock in her scent but I vaguely caught onto it so something told me she was definitely not far, just not in this very room.

As I slowly stopped scanning the room, I suddenly felt eyes on us as people walked by and descended the steps while we navigated our way.

I couldn't tell if the looks were disapproving, curious or fawning. Maybe it was a mixture of different things.

We didn't look like the type of guests who would normally get invited to these type of traditionally um...Caucasian events.

You don't normally see Native American red-brown skinned folks on the debutante guest lists very often.

Even with there being a good mixture of different ethnicities in the room, the upper class, white, elites still made up a vast majority of the crowd.

"Come on, let's get something to drink while we wait for Nessie," I signaled to the guys as I began descending down the vast, elongated, grand ballroom staircase with a red velvet linear path.

The broad and spacious curved staircase then split into one long bifurcated flight of stairs. The closer we got to the ballroom, the more eyes that lingered on us.

"Everyone's staring," Seth whispered to me.

"Yeah well, it's not very often you see people who look like us entering these spaces. Might as well give them something to look at. Hello," Embry stated confidently, nodding his head and grinning from ear to ear at people he walked by.

"That guy is dressed like a conquistador. Ooph…That was certainly a choice," Embry remarked, pointing to a disgruntled, posh looking man dressed in an outfit out of the 16th century with a weird funky hat.

"Apparently the theme is "The Gilded Age". An era of flashy materialism and overt political corruption in the United States. Maybe he's referencing that?" Seth pointed out.

"Even worse! Do you know what the conquistadors did to our ancestors?" Embry fought.

Embry was always the more politically aware member of the pack and probably the most vocal about it. He respected the Quileute and Native American history and lore despite not agreeing with all of our traditions which he finds at times to be archaic. But he does respect and honor what our ancestors have done to fight for the land and their homes. It's a sentiment many of us all share, particularly the older wolves like Sam, Paul, Jared. Embry and I talk about what colonizers did to our forefathers many, many centuries ago.

Native Americans called the land of the southeast of America their home for thousands of years before European colonization from the British, Spanish, French and Dutch settlers. Despite resistance against the efforts from the European conquistadors for taking the land of our ancestors and controlling their welfare through warfare and diplomacy, the Natives were no match for them.

Native Americans were also vulnerable during the colonial era because they had never been exposed to European diseases, like smallpox, so they didn't have any immunity to the disease as some Europeans had the luxury of. European conquistadors brought these new diseases with them when they settled, and the illneses decimated the Native Americans –by some estimates killing as much as 90 percent of the population. With the ever mounting population decline, it became more difficult to mount an opposition to European expansion.

These problems only got worse in the 18th and 19th century, leading to greater confinement and the extermination of Native people with the vampire outbreak that happened on the land from said European settlers. This obviously led to the emergence of the wolf gene from my ancestor Taha Aki in order to protect the last few remaining members of the tribe. He first became a wolf in the 13th century and kept it a secret from the tribe and his immediate family for a while, until that first vampire attack. If it wasn't for him and his fellow wolf pack and his descendants, the Quileute nation would probably not exist today.

My father also theorizes a similar thing probably happened in other small Native American tribes across the country aka other shape shifters suddenly emerging from the ancient spirit warriors who could leave their bodies and wander as spirits and possess bodies of animals in order to protect their tribes against vampires.

There were many nations throughout the country; Navajo, Cherokee, Choctaw, Apache, Makah, Hopi, Blackfeet, Sioux, and the Cheyenne nations being the more popular ones along with Quileute's but there were still many indigenous groups that were vastly smaller in size, like the Mohawks with legends that are similar to ours, ranging from skin-walkers, naguals, crocottas, who were all essentially shape-shifters.

Skinwalkers could turn into any animal. Naguals typically turned into tonal animals so mostly wild cats like lions, jaguars, leopards, tigers, and panthers. Crocottas turned into wild dogs like hyenas, coyotes, red and artic foxes.

My dad further theorizes that if there are groups of Natives with these abilities to shapeshift into other animals as the Quileute's do, it's only a matter of time until our paths cross eventually.

Because we were such a small group, it was rare to find and meet up with people from different tribes because most tribes kept close with their own to keep the bloodline alive and pure.

It was because of all of this that the Native American people are one of the most – if not, the most – overlooked and marginalized population in the country.

This rightfully angers many of our forefathers and the fathers that came after them and so on. It's part of the reason why some older tribal members would give me a look whenever I brought Nessie over –not because she was part vampire – but because she was white; they saw her as part of a racial group that almost decimated our lineage.

It did infuriate me sometimes to see those nasty looks but thankfully, Nessie doesn't seem to notice them and even if she did, she didn't let it bother her too much.

The real litmus test would be when Nessie and I have kids. Our kids would be biracial. Half native and half of what the older brigade feared.

Half-white...

How would that be received?

Nessie is the only white wife (or wife to be in our case) in the tribe and I was essentially destined to become chief of the tribe after my dad, so that'd make her a Chief's Wife.

When we had children, we don't really know what their genes would be. It was bad enough we had to worry about what species they'd be, now we had to contend with people questioning how my being with a "white woman" would mean to the Native bloodline.

Would our tribe end up being just filled with white Natives and would our descendants kill the Quileute nation in centuries to come? These were questions my dad told me many older tribe members are having.

I didn't appreciate these conversations being had because had it been Nessie's family talking about my native genes diluting theirs, it would be considered racism or unconscious bias.

Nessie and I never had these serious talks before but now that we're getting married, we have started seriously considering what our marriage would mean and symbolize to many people.

We'd cross that bridge when we come to it. I wasn't even sure I wanted to return to La Push permanently – despite that being what's expected of me.

Thankfully, the younger generation were much more modern and accepting. I don't think they cared either way and besides, many people loved Nessie. It was hard not to be charmed and enamored by her.

I snapped back to reality. "Can we not…talk about our ancestors right now, please?" I begged.

Embry sighed. "Whatever," He stated.

A woman walked by us and gasped at the sight of us. "You men are so beautiful!" She remarked as she stopped and stared.

"Thank you." Seth replied courteously.

"I love your hair!" She crooned as she went to brazenly touch Seth's plaited hair without permission. "So silky and smooth. Love it!"

I creepily shivered at the way she looked at him like he was a prize that she wished she owned.

Something about the way she gawked at him harkened back to a period of treatment to what our forefathers must've gone through.

Seth looked uncomfortable as well because he winced and tensed up, pulling his hair out of the audacious woman's grasp.

"Have a good day, lady." Embry snarled as he pushed Seth out of her way and we walked away from her. "See what I mean? Bunch of weirdoes."

I sighed. "Wouldn't be the first time we've had to deal with people with bizarre fetishes about us," I said.

I remember my dad having an encounter and altercation with a strange, predatory fisherman colleague of his who made advances and disgusting remarks about my sisters back when they were teenagers.

"Oh! The orchestra is playing Beethoven Symphony number nine! What a classic." Seth smiled, moving to the melodic tune. "Hey, Jake. Where did Nessie say we'll meet up? I don't see her."

"She's probably still stuck with her girlfriends. Should be here soon." I replied as we walked through the ballroom and made it to the one of the designated, reserved tables with the name "Stone Table 34".

Apparently, we would be seated with Felicity's family as her father graciously booked a ten seat table for the four of them and six other other friends of Felicity's. Felicity's dad was seated, although in his wheelchair, talking to an old lady who I can only assume was his mother…or stepmother…or mother-in-law, I don't really know.

"Evening," I greeted the two. "You must be Geoffrey Stone. My name's Jacob. Felicity's friend." I extended my hand out to him.

He looked up at me, eyes bulged in amazement and shock –probably surprised by my stature and large build, a lot of people react similarly the first time I meet them. He took my hand and shook it.

"Nice to meet you, Jacob! You must be the friends I booked seats for. Felicity didn't tell me her friends were actual giant men," He joked with a befuddled laugh as he looked over to the other guys.

"Evening, gents." He waved after letting go of my hand.

Embry saluted whilst Seth smiled back graciously.

"How do you know Felicity? Surely you can't be her school friends because you look about five or ten years older. I can't be old enough to be your father." He spoke.

We laughed. "No. No. I'm actually with Nessie and this is my, er…brother, Embry and our cousin, Seth." I spoke as I patted Embry's shoulder and brought him in view.

Embry was always like a brother to me growing up but he's essentially gonna be my brother soon anyway since things were getting pretty serious between my dad and his mom.

"How's it going?" Embry greeted with his signature charming smile as he shook both of their hands.

The old lady seemed slightly charmed despite giving me a weird cold shoulder for some reason when I introduced myself. I guess Embry was charmer boy to all the ladies, even the older ones.

"And you might be?" Embry said with a wink.

The old lady smiled softly. "The name is Priscilla. I'm Felicity's grandmother."

"Grandmother? I would have sworn you were her sister instead because, ma'am, you don't look a day over thirty-five." He charmed.

She rolled her eyes but I could see a soft blush on her wrinkled cheeks.

"You are certainly quite the sweet young man." She scoffed, shushing him off.

"It's only true, ma'am!" Embry winked, flirting with the old lady.

She giggled. "Oh, stop it! You humor me!"

We all chuckled. "You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?" Geoffrey looked up at Seth with a frown.

"Oh, you've probably seen me at the school. I'm Felicity's high school history teacher." He told him.

Geoffrey nodded. "Ah…I'm sorry, I wish I could have properly met you under different circumstances. I'm sure you're wondering why I'm in a wheelchair –"

"Oh, I know! You don't need to explain. Believe me, Felicity is very intelligent and does extremely well in my class so you don't have anything to worry about in that regard." He answered.

Geoffrey smiled in return. "That's good to hear. My pumpkin was always a little genius. She solved the Pythagoras theorem at four years old. Four…" He chuckled. "Anyway, aren't you guys a little too old to be hanging around teenage girls?"

I understood why he asked that question. It did seem a bit odd to someone who didn't know, that there were three mid-20-year-old muscular adult men –who could be thirty years old at first glance– who were hanging out with a bunch of teenage girls. Not to mention one of them dating a high schooler.

I couldn't exactly fault Felicity's dad for being extra cautious and concerned which is why the questions didn't bother me.

Nobody needed to understand my relationship with Nessie but the two of us. People will judge but it didn't matter to me at all. It didn't change the way Nessie and I feel for each other nor will it change.

"Well, Nessie's my girlfriend and it's throught her that I know her the rest of her friends." I told him.

"Oh! Right, you did mention that." He stated. "Isn't she a little too young for you?" He probed.

"She's eighteen." I simply replied, firmly.

"Pardon me, how rude of me! It's none of my business! You certainly could've done worse. Nessie is a fine young lady." He responded.

I smiled back politely. "...It's okay. I understand. And you're right, she is pretty incredible."

He smiled with a distinguished nod.

"Well, uh…take a seat, please!" He gestured to the chairs.

I smiled as me and the rest of the guys took our seats around the table and a waiter then approached the table with a tray of canapé hors d'oeurves and bubbly champagne glasses.

"Care for some canapé hors d'oeurves, gentlemen?" The tall Asian dude –who looked like he could be a track star or martial artist – offered as he circled around the room.

"Thanks," I took the tiny saucer of finger foods –it was some sort of pastry dish I really don't know but it smelled good.

Grumble. Growl.

Shit. I was starving.

I took a glass of champagne and took a sip after chowing down on the quiche pastry canapé.

"Really dig your suit man," The waiter mentioned to Embry.

"Ah! Thanks, buddy! You have to clean up good for the ladies, amiright?" Embry laughed.

"You bet," The waiter –Tom as it said on his nametag– chuckled as he gave Embry a fist-bump before walking away.

"This is some good food," I whispered to Embry with a mouthful as I took another sip of my drink. "Good drink too,"

"I bet. The Champagne Henri Giraud MV 17 champagne costs a grand, maybe 2 grand per bottle." He pointed out. "And I bet they have enough champagne to fill the Nile River."

I chuckled.

"Oh! Look who's here!" Seth murmured. I turned to him. "Did you know Alice and Jasper were coming?" Seth added.

I followed his gaze and spotted Alice and Jasper chatting to a few guests as they held untouched glasses of white wine in their grasp. Alice and Jasper looked like they fit right in with their fancy, vintage getup.

Alice heard their names being called and glanced over to us, immediately flashing a dazzling grin as she waved to us enthusiastically.

"What do you know…?" I answered, smiling back at the little pixie.

"Who are you looking at?" Geoffrey asked us.

"Oh…Just people we know. Family." I spoke.

I stood up when Alice began making her way over to us in a speedy motion in her renaissance period inspired pastel blue dress.

"Hello, boys." Her high pitched, chirpy voice ringed in my ear as she went to give me a hug, her small 4ft11 frame looking ridiculously funny in front of me.

I returned the hug. "What are you doing here? I didn't know you'd be coming,"

"Did you honestly think I would miss a town debutante ball? An international one, no less." She told me as she went to hug Seth and fist bump Embry. "Where's Nessie?"

"Uh…Probably still stuck helping her friends get ready," I said.

She nodded. "I miss her. I haven't seen her in a while." She spoke. "Bella misses her too."

Yeah... I know.

I sighed. "They need to just talk it out." I responded.

Alice nodded. "Agreed. It's madness that they're avoiding each other this long. They've always been so close."

I looked down. "I can't help but feel like it's all my fault," I expressed.

"Don't be silly. It's not your fault. You just need to do your part to get Nessie to bend a little, to…I don't know, calm down a bit and give Bella a chance to explain herself?" Alice suggested.

I exhaled. "I'm doing my best,"

She gave me a sympathetic look. "I know." She sighed. "Be careful tonight guys..."

"Why?" Embry asked.

She shrugged. "I don't know. There's something fishy going on. I feel like some thing's not right about tonight..."

I glanced at Embry who shrugged his shoulders.

Alice shook her head. "Okay! I'm going to head back to Jasper. See you guys later!" She bid goodbye with her usually high key pitch and enthusiastic smile.

"Girlie needs to decrease her vocal volume a bit! Goddamn!" Embry moaned, cupping his right ear.

I took a sip of my drink as I scanned the room, hoping I could catch Nessie making her expectantly dazzling entrance.

"Holy shit…" I heard Embry utter to himself. I glanced over to see him looking at Jennifer who was conversing with her family and friend, Ruby.

Nahuel was here…

Haven't seen him for a hot minute.

Apparently the other lady and the younger kid were Jennifer and Nahuel's siblings from what Nessie tells me.

Jennifer caught Embry looking at her, but instead of being expectedly and understandably annoyed, she looked slightly terrified and humiliated; like she desperately wanted to get the hell out of there.

Embry had a similar expression on his face.

I scoffed. "What's that all about?" I asked, nudging Embry but he didn't budge, he just kept looking at her.

He turned to me after the second nudge. "Hmm?" He hummed. "Oh! You know, Jennifer, she sucks the energy out of every room she walks into. Why is she even here?" Embry stated with an eye roll and snort.

"Right," I said with a frown.

It was then at that moment I felt the beautiful scent of my mate reach the airways of my nostrils and linger on my senses. I darted my head around the room, scanning the vicinity and noticed that multiple people had their attention firmly fixated on the balcony of the massive staircase. I followed their gaze and was absolutely floored, amazed and awed by the sight before me.

Wow.

Wow.

Just…

Wow.

What a vision she was.

She looked like a literal princess, I simply was not able to get my eyes off of her. She was the most beautiful woman in the room and I wasn't saying that because I was biased; it was simply the truth.

I was thrilled when my eyes landed on the very eyes I fell in love with and the rest of the world didn't matter to me. Everything else around me was just a distant memory, figment of my imagination, a blurry vision…all except for Ness who was the only bright, beaming light in my eyes.

Subsequently, I watched as she released a much needed sigh of relief when her gorgeous, doey chocolate brown eyes found mine. She hoisted her dress up and began descending the staircase –our locked eyes never parting. I was absolutely awestruck as I found myself ascending to meet her.

As she reached the final two steps, I stood in front of her to mesmerize at her beauty.

After standing in silence for what felt like hours, I finally spoke.

I cleared my throat. "Wow…" The first word I uttered out. "Ness, you look absolutely…just…" I was tongue tied as I looked her up and down. "I'm so lucky," I expressed with a proud smile.

Her cheeks turned a scarlet red as she bit my cherry colored lips and glanced down at my feet sheepishly, shying away from me briefly before bringing her face up to meet my eyes again.

"You clean up good yourself," She mentioned.

I chuckled. "How does it feel to be the most beautiful woman in the room –in the world at this moment?"

She giggled cutely as her pink cheeks burned brighter. "Certainly, daunting. Everyone's staring," I whispered yet I didn't shift my focus from him as I didn't care about them anymore.

"Can you blame them?" I expressed. "And I get to call you mine."

She smiled brightly at me. "You do,"

"God, I love you." I told her with so much emotion as I looked deep into her brown doe eyes that I loved so much.

She gnawed bottom lip. "I love you too,"

I beamed proudly as I extended my hand out to her. She looked down at my stretched out hand, studying my palms before gladly taking it as she rested her small hand into my palm. The moment our hands touched, it felt like home to me.

I smirked. "Do you mind if I wear my glasses? Your dazzling beauty is blinding me." I joked.

She rolled her eyes at me. "You're so corny," She giggled, finding my cheesiness humorous.

I guffawed as I then led her down the final steps and opened my arm for her to wrap her hand around my arm and I began leading her to where Seth and Embry were.

"Whoa! Stop the presses! The Belle of the Ball is loose!" Embry teased. "Princess on the run! Princess on the run!"

I rolled my eyes at my friend –who was being overtly flirty with my mate although, it didn't bother me because he does it all the time in his daily life, it's just a habit he can't shake. What a manwhore he has become.

"Hey, Em!" Nessie said with a giggle.

"You look stunning, Ness." Seth said to her as he leaned in to give me two pecks on her cheeks.

She returned the embrace. "Thank you, Seth. Alex looks even better," She said to him.

"I can't wait." He said truthfully with a besotted smile I know all too well – he's probably having Alex on his mind.

I went to take a glass of non-alcoholic champagne from the table and I turned my fixation back onto my gorgeous fiancée.

"Want a drink?" I asked, handing her the non-alcoholic sparkling champagne.

She gladly took it. "Thank you," She replied and immediately took a sip of it and hummed.

I rested my hand on her waist; pulling her close to my side as we watched and listened to the opera singer chant a lovely tune from the stage.

"Alice and Jasper are here, by the way." I informed her in a whisper as I took a sip.

She gasped lowly as she glared back up at me in surprise. "They're what?"

I looked down at her. "Mhmm, we bumped into them on the way in." I said before tilting my head around to gesticulate to the other side.

She followed my gaze and immediately spotted her aunt and uncle several heads away from us, admiring the scenery and listening attentively to the singer showcasing her killer pipes.

I was paying attention to the wonderful, melodic, harmonic and angelic voice the opera singer whilst Nessie seemed to be in her own little world. I wondered what she was thinking about in that little head of hers. What was she planning?

We still needed to have our talk.

Despite being around each other, it was still a little awkward between us. I can't explain it…the energy was still weird but our imprint bond was so strong that it didn't matter whenever we were around each other. We could be mad at each other in our heads, but our hearts and our bodies will always seek to be near each other. It was physically impossible for our bodies to ever be disconnected from each other. Argument or not, I needed her by my side. I needed her lips on mine. I needed her smile matching mine. I needed her.

…I am aware that's probably not healthy because we did need to have a frank and mature conversation with one another about my history with her mother, our declining levels of communication and just everything else.

As I went to start the waves of communication between us, I was stopped by the sudden eruption of cheers from the swarm of guests around us after the songstress finished off her final set.

I looked to the side to see a few ladies dabbing their eyes with tissues and fancy handkerchiefs.

"She was good!" I stated with a chuckle as I clapped.

Nessie smiled back. "Yeah! She was…" She said, trailing off as her eyes wandered off.

I followed her gaze and found Justin peeking his head out from the cornor of the room. He was gesturing to Nessie to come over to him.

What was going on?

"Um…Would you give me a minute?" She asked me as she handed me her champagne glass.

I frowned. "What? But you just got here?" I asked.

"I know! I just need to do something quickly before the debutante ball starts but I promise I'll be back in no time." She told me, planting a quick kiss on my lips before backing away.

I sighed. "Be back soon!" I called.

She gave me a thumbs up as she hoisted her midnight blue gown up with both hands and quickly skidded her way over to Justin who led her to through the passageway – his hand resting against her back.

I glowered and let out a small growl but quickly swallowed it as I took a massive swig of my champagne until the glass was empty.

"What's up with those two?" Seth asked me as he stood beside me, following my gaze as we stared at the two disappearing from view.

"Not sure," I replied.

"Isn't that Nessie's ex?" Embry scoffed as he stood next to me.

"Yup!"

"You look mad about it." Seth pointed out.

I glowered at him. "Me? Mad? Why would I be mad?"

"…Maybe concerned?" Seth shrugged.

I rolled my eyes. "I trust Nessie and Justin is just a friend."

"A good friend," Embry pressed, teasingly. "Who also happens to be an ex of hers?" He laughed.

"What are you getting at, Em?" I probed.

"C'mon, Embry! Stop being an ass. You love to stir shit up for no reason," Seth injected.

Embry raised his hands. "I'm just saying…Nessie is obviously head over heels for you but I know how teenage boys think. I was one so I would know."

"You still act like a teenage boy, whatchu talking about?" I cackled.

Embry stuck his tongue out and flashed a middle finger at me discreetly, so as to not offend all these stuck up posh folk who could be watching.

As I tilted my head to the side briefly, I caught the sight of Nahuel looking over at me whilst he stood with his family. When he found me catching his eye, he smirked like a little shit and slowly diverted his attention away from me.

I pursed my lips together and glanced down at Seth's still half full glass of champagne. I snatched it from his grasp —to his annoyed protestation— and drowned it down before handing it back to him.

"Uh…You're welcome?" He said as if it were a question.

Moments later, Nahuel decided to be bold and approach me and the guys along with his family trailing him.

Ah hell.

What the hell does he want now?

Jennifer locked eyes with Embry as she got closer to us and I watched her face suddenly wash with humiliation as she tugged on her friend, Ruby to whisper into her air before walking the opposite direction.

Will there ever be a time when those two would get along?

Nahuel reached us and stood in front of me with his head held eye as if to size me up –despite him being at least seven or eight inches shorter than me.

"Jacob," Nahuel exhaled, mustering up a condescending smirk as he folded his arms together. "Didn't expect to see you guys here today. I wouldn't have expected this would your kinda scene."

"It's not but…I'm here to support Nessie and her friends. And we never say no to a party," I said with a smirk.

He scoffed, looking me up and down. "How are you, guys? Doing good?" Nahuel asked, looking over at Seth and Embry.

"Good, what about you, half-bloodsucker?" Embry winked, but got distracted when his eyes followed Jennifer's trail as she charged forth away from the main congregation.

Nahuel's smirk fell off slightly at the name.

Edward told me that the even the slightest mention or implication of his mother was a very tough, sour pill to swallow because he still feels the guilt of killing his own mother as a baby. Even jokingly calling him a 'bloodsucker' seems to be really triggering to him.

Not that I particularly cared about his feelings, but I know Nessie would care.

I rested my hand on Embry and gave him a look. He didn't even look like he paid attention to whatever was going on but he patted my hand on his shoulder as if to signify that he got it.

I turned back to Nahuel and his family. "Hi, Ruby." I greeted with a nod.

She chuckled as she looked me up and down with her bright red eyes. "How do you do, mutt?"

I snorted. "I don't think we've met." I said, my eyes now focused on the two other people who looked very much related to Nahuel –one of them almost a spitting image of him, only slightly younger.

"This is my older sister Maysun," Nahuel gestured to the lady. "And this is my broth—this is Léon."

I could see the hurt in Léon's eyes when he didn't introduce him in the way he expected but he still managed to smile at me.

He didn't look as smug as Nahuel. He seemed genuinely happy to be here and meeting new people.

He reminded me of Seth in that moment. Sweet kid.

"Is this the wolf?" Léon probed in accent, looking back at Nahuel.

Nahuel rolled his eyes. "Si,"

Léon chuckled, looking back at me and my friends in wonder.

"Nice to meet you guys, I'm Jake." I said politely. "These are my friends, Seth and…" I trailed off as I watched Embry begin to walk away. "My friend, Embry who seems to be walking away,"

He frowned as he looked back. "What? Oh! Sorry…Hi—I have to head to the bathroom! Be back in a minute." He called as he walked away.

"Jake—we have heard so much about you from Jennifer and Nahuel." Maysun spoke in a rich, almost alluring foreign accent I haven't ever heard before. If I had to pinpoint where exactly it came from, it sounded like an accent from the Middle East.

"This is Léon, our younger brother as Nahuel meant to say." She corrected, giving her brother a warning look.

Nahuel sighed. "Y-yes! Yes! Our brother."

"It's his first time in the United States – He grew up in Costa Rica so his English is still not as fluent. Neither is mine, I suppose." She said with a chuckle.

"Are you kidding? Your English is great! You sound great." Seth said in his usual cheerful vigor.

I looked over at him cautiously then back at the family. He was always eager to meet new people. Much to his detriment sometimes though.

Maysun was sizing me up –or checking me out, I'm not sure – and then gave Nahuel a look before proceeding with the conversation.

"We met Renesmee at the town parade a few days ago." She told me. "She's a very lovely girl. You are lucky to have her," She added. Nahuel gave her a disapproving look.

I smiled.

"Thank you very much. Yes. I'm aware how lucky I am to have her in my life… forever." I emphasized.

Nahuel winced.

Ah! Stinger.

Good. I'm glad it stings.

"Uh…I'd like to personally extend my congratulations to you on the engagement! Renesmee confirmed it but I heard it through the grape vine that you two got engaged recently." He noted, extending his hand out to me.

I looked down and contemplated for a second. What was his angle here? Did he have an angle? Why was he being overly friendly when I know exactly what he thought of me and vice versa?

Was he finally throwing in the towel?

Did it take an engagement for him to realize Nessie and I were the real deal? Was our imprint just not enough for him?

Whatever the case was, I was glad he seemed to have moved on.

Again, I didn't hate the dude. He was a friend of the family. A friend of Nessie's for a while and he helped save the family almost a decade ago which in turn made us indebted to him in a way.

I just didn't appreciate the way he looked and behaved around Renesmee.

Not because I was jealous. But because he was being weird. He didn't respect any boundaries.

I guess it looks like he finally got the hint.

I reluctantly took his hand and gave it a firm shake.

"Thanks. Appreciate it."

He sighed as he let go of my hands no longer than a second later and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Well…uh, we hope you enjoy the rest of the festivities." He dismissed with a nod before walking away with his family.

I swirled my body around to look at Seth who shrugged his shoulders.

"That was weird, right?" I questioned.

He guffawed. "What a nice family." He crooned.

I don't know about that.

"Seth!" We were drawn by the call of Felicity's father. Seth spun around. "You mentioned you were a Geography teacher. I've been meaning to know more about tectonic plates for a project I'm working on. Do you mind if I twist your arm to lend me your expert knowledge in the field?" He asked.

"Oh! I'd love to. Yeah!" Seth gladly expressed. "So, what do you wanna know?" Seth asked as he went to sit beside him.

"Well…" Geoffrey began and his words became an indistinct noise from then on, blending in with the various whispered conversations of everyone else in the room.

As I tuned them all out, I decided to continue admiring the scenery; looking at the floral decorations and dozen crystal chandeliers hanging up the ornate, grand ceiling as the sweet, melodic music of the harps ringed in the air.

"Beautiful sound, am I right?" The unfamiliar, feminine voice drew me out of my trance-like state.

I jumped slightly and glanced over to my side to see a random young woman I have never met before. Dressed in a long, puffy layered lavender ballgown and a furry shawl, with flaming red hair that was in an updo, the woman couldn't be no older than thirty years old.

"Yeah, I guess." I responded.

She looked at me with a smile. "The name's Beatrix," She elegantly stretched out her hand to me. I reluctantly and politely gave it a shake so as not to appear rude.

Her accent sounded Scottish or Irish –I couldn't tell the difference between the two honestly. Maybe it was Welsh, I really didn't know.

"Hi, Beatrix." I replied to her, studying her face. She had light gray eyes and a bold, classic red lip that stuck out against her incredibly fair skin.

She exhaled. "Do you usually come to these things?"

I shook my head. "Definitely not."

She giggled. "I can tell. You look like you're having a painfully unpleasant time," She joked.

I smiled slightly. "Debutantes just aren't for me. I'm just here to support my fiancée." I said.

"Oh, she's a debutante?"

"No. But she's got friends who are." I spoke.

"Ah!" She hummed. "My younger sister is a debutante. We flew down here from Edinburgh, Scotland and being trapped in a castle with a bunch of constables watching our every move, we don't get out much so this was certainly an experience. I have to say, your country is definitely growing on me. So many interesting places. So many unique people." She stated, looking directly at me.

I turned to look at her. Is it weird that something about her seems familiar to me? I know I haven't met her before but…I still feel like I have.

She turned her attention away from me to look directly into the crowd of people. I followed her gaze and noticed Renesmee standing at the side entrance, looking at us from her vantage point. She looked confused.

And also pissed..

Ugh!

Well shit...

"Well, it was nice meeting you." She said, touching my hand which ignited a familiar unsettling feeling in me that caused me to flinch and look down.

When I lifted my head up again, she was gone.

In a blink of an eye, she was gone.

Weird.

I watched Nessie shuffling quickly up to me through the crowd of guests and reached me moments later. I grinned widely as I mentally and physically felt myself relax, now having my mate by my side again.

"Oh! Hey! You're back –" I expressed, laying my hand on the small of her back.

"Who was that you were talking to?" She demanded, looking up at me. "Who was she?"

"Oh…Uh, I don't know actually. Just some random English lady. I think she's related to the aristocrats here." I told her. She furrowed her brows. "Why?"

She exhaled a breath. "I don't know…Something about her…"

"You're not jealous are you?" I teased with smirk.

She rolled her gorgeous doe brown eyes and scrunched up her nose cutely as she narrowed daggers at me. "No."

I laughed.

Subsequently, we heard the sudden ruptures of applause from the audience when the orchestral and opera band finished their set. Nessie and I then focused our attention back onto the stage where the announcer appeared in front of the mic.

"May I have your attention, please?" The announcer called. All heads darted towards her and the chitter chatter quietened down. "Welcome this year's Quarterly International Debutante Ball!" She exclaimed.

More applause followed soon thereafter.

And the Debutante Ball commenced.

… …

Embry Call

When Jennifer and I locked eyes as she and her family approached me and the guys, I watched her visibly tense up as she pulled Ruby to the side to whisper something in her ear before getting the hell outta dodge and out of sight.

…Away from me.

Ha! She was avoiding me.

I didn't know for sure but now I do.

Was she ashamed that she and I hooked up?

She didn't look ashamed during…

Ruby met my eyes and gave me a flirtatious smirk. I gulped.

Right. I also boned her too.

That's something I'd like to forget ever happened though.

I would rue the day…

Although I didn't hate it in the moment I suppose.

Anyway, Jennifer was who I was most concerned about.

She was acting so weird.

Acting like she and I didn't exchange bodily fluids in my apartment no less than 16 hours ago!

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the family, I excused myself from the group as I went to follow Jennifer's trail.

"These are my friends, Seth and…" I heard Jake introduce as I began to walk away. "My friend, Embry who seems to be walking away,"

I frowned as he spun around to look at him. "What? Oh! Sorry…Hi—I have to head to the bathroom! Be back in a minute." I called as I backed away and sauntered briskly to the restroom hall where I saw Jennifer slip through.

I looked behind me to be sure nobody was watching or following me. I didn't want my friends to think I was stalking my supposed enemy. I grinned as I popped the button of maroon tuxedo and flipped my blazer open before slipping my hands into my pant pocket as I trotted confidently into the quiet restroom hall.

As I went to sneak into the women's restroom, the door flung open and an attractive chick, one of the cute waitresses, walked out as I stepped aside.

She looked up at me with a frown but didn't question me standing there as she walked away. My eyes followed her ass that were snuggled up real good.

Nice!

I cleared my throat as I shook my head, ran a finger through my hair and then slipped into the ladies bathroom. I closed the bathroom door shut behind me and looked around as I entered the fancy stall with granite walls and cobblestone titles.

Why are all girls bathrooms so much fancier than ours?

The stall smelled like scented jasmine and roses with a hint of lavender and orchids.

Ah…

It smelled just like her.

I found Jennifer standing in front of the decorative basins, looking at her stunning reflection in the mirrors.

Goddamn.

She looked ethereal and fine in her dress. She was wearing a very bright and colorful, flowy dress with iridescent rainbow color blocking lines and puffy short sleeves that fell off her creamy skinned shoulders, her hair in soft waves –half down and half up do.

She looked like she stepped out of a 70s or 80s prom meets regency era ball.

"You're avoiding me," I stated.

She immediately flinched and jumped as she gasped at the sound of my voice. She darted her towards me.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" She demanded, sending daggers at me.

"Why are you avoiding me?" I asked with a flirty smirk as I took a small step forward.

"Get out of here! I'm serious! You should not be here." She growled at me as she went to dig into her purse. I took another step forward. "I'm not kidding, Embry! I swear to god…If you don't leave—"

"Because if you are avoiding me then it's fine." I scoffed. "But the least you could do is say goodbye this morning,"

Her cheeks flushed as she shook her head and looked down, ignoring me.

"Last night was fun," I pointed out.

She glared at me. "Last night did not happen!" She warned, jabbing a finger in my face.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Is that so?"

"Yes." She said with gritted teeth, her lips folding into a thin line as she firmly sent nasty yet uncertain looks at me.

"Was that your first threesome or…?" I asked brazenly.

Her eyes bulged in shock as she looked around the bathroom stall to check if anyone else was in there who could've heard.

"Shut up!" She grumbled. "Are you crazy? Get out of here!"

I chuckled. "Have you and Ruby ever done something like that before?"

"You're still talking??!"

"Because... It was pretty hot." I chuckled.

"You know what? I'm done! Goodbye!" Jennifer shook her head as she grabbed her purse and went to walk away.

"Hey, where are you off to, blondie...?" I uttered in a suggestive tone.

I wove my arm around her waist and pushed her back softly until her back landed against the granite sink counter tops, her heels making clicking sounds as she tried to regain her balance and composure as she looked up into my eyes.

I set my hands on either side of the edge of the granite counter, locking her frame in between my body. I could hear her heartbeat race at an accelerated rate as her breathing hitched.

"We're not done talking," I smirked.

She rolled her eyes as she tossed her head back and leaned her hands against the basin sink, giving me a full view of her cleavage. I gnawed my bottom lip as I looked down and then back up to meet her eyes.

"You look good." I remarked, smirking at her.

She gagged, sighing as she looked at me with annoyance.

"Look, I don't know what you want from me or what you want me to say? Last night was a momentary lapse of judgment because of one too many drinks and it happen again! I don't like you! It's as good as if it never happened so we can both just go one hating each other and keeping distance, okay?"

"Is that what you want?" I probed, looking intently into her meadow green eyes.

She didn't trust her own words it seemed because all she did was not affirmatively.

I smiled and nodded my head. "Okay." I said.

"Yup." She added.

"…I'm all for one night stands but I think we should have one more for the road, just the two of us this time around." I joked.

She scoffed. "You're ridiculous!"

"C'mon! You can't deny you had a good time last night. I know you did…I still hear the sound of your voice moaning my name," I whispered as I leaned against her ear and laid a hand on her thigh.

Her heartbeat hastened.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

"Embry, please…" She pleaded although it came out more as a sensual moan. "I don't wanna do this,"

I felt my arousal grow as I heard her beautiful, sensual pleas.

"Just…tell me you enjoyed it and I'll let it go. I won't bother you again and we can go on acting like nothing ever happened. All I need is to hear you admit you enjoyed it and that you do want me," I stated, my hand traveling up to her waist and then around her back as I gripped onto her behind which ignited a gasp to escape her lips.

Fuck.

She deliberated as she looked me in the eye. "I can't."

"You can't what?" I asked, staring down at her pink lips.

"…I can't do this…" She murmured.

"Just tell me you enjoyed it," I smirked.

"And what difference would that make?" She asked. "I don't like you. You don't like me. And we had one night. One drunken night that won't happen again."

"Did you enjoy it?" I demanded, firmly.

She exhaled a sigh. "I did." She finally admitted.

My lips curved into a smile.

She enjoyed it.

She liked it and I sure as hell liked it too. There's nothing stopping us from doing it again sometime in the near future.

"To preface, just because I enjoyed it doesn't mean I want to do it again! Not least with you. " She added.

I nodded. "Fair,"

"…And no, it wasn't my first threesome with Ruby," She said, pushing me out of the way.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Wait? It wasn't?"

She rolled her eyes as she adjusted her dress and held her clutch in front of her stomach.

"Wait! Hang on…Are you and Ruby, you know…" I cleared my throat. "Lesbians?" I whispered the word.

She looked at me with squinted eyes and furrowed eyebrows before scoffing.

"At least bisexual…Maybe? Which I totally don't have a problem with by the way! If you are… Hehe uh…" I stumbled on my words.

She looked at me with amusement.

"I fully support the LGVTTQIA or whatever it's called and all the people…" I nervously expressed, not knowing what to else to say.

She rolled her eyes. "Ruby's bisexual. I'm not." She replied.

Ah…

So she's not lesbian or bisexual but after last night, she doesn't seem like she'd be opposed to experimenting for fun.

"Not that any of that matters, not least for you." She added as the final cadences of the prelude of the orchestral music arrangement played in the background.

It was at that moment that we heard the rapturous applause from the guests as the debutante ball began.

"If you'll excuse me, I would like to rejoin the party." She said with a bidding smile and whirl as she charged for the door.

I snorted as I was about to say something smartass and funny but was stopped when I heard an odd, croaking noise. I glanced at one of the stalls where the noise was coming from and slowly made my way over to investigate it.

"What was that?" Jennifer whispered nervously.

I didn't answer as I stretched out my hand to open the closed door, inhaling as I prepared for the worst.

I turned the knob and slowly pushed the door open, bringing out the creaking sound of the hinges. Jennifer quietly stood behind me, peaking over my shoulder when the opened door revealed the crippled, defeated body of a young, redheaded woman in a lavender gown, looking like she was just regaining consciousness.

Her heartbeat was so faint, no wonder neither Jennifer nor I could hear it.

Her eyes fluttered open and hazily looked up at us; her eyes suddenly bulging in pure shock.

"What happened?!" She demanded in surprise in a thick Scottish accent. "Ouch!"

"Who are you?" I questioned.

"Um…I'm Beatrix?" She said as if it was a question to herself. "One minute I was in the bathroom and next thing I woke up in here…" She said in a drawn out set of phrases before passing out again.

I looked back at Jennifer who looked back at me.

… …

Felicity Stone

5:50pm.

The Debutante Ball was going to begin in about ten minutes.

The moment I've been dreaming of for my whole life would finally happen in just a few moments.

I have always fantasized about my first kiss, my first love, my first boyfriend, my first dance, my first wedding…

My first debutante was no exception.

My life had already been planned out for me in my head ever since I was seven years old. Although some things haven't unraveled or came to fruition iin the way I hoped, I've had many of my firsts ticked off.

All of that planning has led to this next big milestone in my life.

A milestone I so wished I had my mother here to support me with.

I wasn't one for hedging bets but I really hope this evening goes off without a hitch.

This debut could irrevocably alter my reality and my view of the world and myself as it stands. I know that sounds like an over-exaggeration but it's true. I will be entering the society as a young woman. A young adult, ready to tackle the roads ahead.

Gone are the days of teenage Felicity!

Strong, independent, young woman Felicity is here to stay!

"A new day, new debs. All dressed up to enter high society. But one fashion faux pas and the dressing down will last a lifetime…" Alex expressed as the girls and I stood in a circle as we waited for the festivities to begin.

"Are you seriously reciting Gossip Girl right now?" I questioned.

She shrugged. "What? I'm bored! Might as well make tonight fun."

"Can you for once have a little fun about this thing? I mean…Goodness, Alex! You're sucking the joy out of today." I complained.

"What are you talking about? I'm positively titillated with excitement about the ball!" Alex sarcastically stated.

I pursed my lips and rolled my eyes as I adjusted my white gloves, hoisting them higher up my arm. I was dressed in a stunning Gilded Age inspired pure white custom made designer gown by Vivienne Westwood.

It was demure and traditional with a modern twist. The silhouette was heavy of fabrics. It was a multi-layered chiffon and lace dress with frills and tiny bows and butterflies separating the front part, revealing a tulle skirt that flowed over my large petticoat. It was very much inspired by the Victorian and Gilded Age but the modern twist came with the bodice because over my very tight corset, I wore the dress in a sweetheart neckline top and butterfly sleeves that trailed down my shoulders, giving it the illusion of a bateau design. I lifted the dress with a sparkling diamond embroidered belt around my waist –giving the look extra pizzazz and glimmer which complemented my diamond bandeau tiara.

"This evening is just another elitist scheme to devalue women as mere trophies. We're expected to dance around a bunch of white privileged assholes who go pheasant hunting for funsies. I mean, that's insane!" Alex expressed, running a finger through her hair that was held in place by a floral headband that resembled a tiara but not quite an actual tiara.

The floral headband was a diamond lotus flower shaped headband that her father bought for her. Each debutante is required to wear a tiara for the event. Going for a diamond headband that gave off an illusion of a tiara was a genius move –because not only was it more affordable but it fit Alex's aesthetic better.

"You know, Alex. One day you will look back and regret not embracing your inner girl who just wanted to a princess for a day!" I told her.

She laughed. "Felicity, not every girl is like that. Rea isn't. I'm not. And it's okay! But you are and we are happy for you, right, Rea?" She nudged our friend.

"Right!"

I smiled. "Okay!"

"It's not that I don't like to be girly sometimes because I do. I like dressing up! Just…On this occasion, eh…But I am doing it for my father because I know how happy and proud it would make him to see me debut." Alex expressed.

I nodded.

I also thought of my dad and how happy he is that he gets to see me debut into society as well. He and I got a helluva a lot closer than ever since the accident and I'm so glad I still have him to share this moment with.

"I'm also happy my dad is here too," I said with a giggle.

"Exactly! And your mom would be so proud of you." Rea said with a smile as she laid her hand under my elbow.

I chuckled. "She would have loved it! She was an international debutante in 1990 and was crowned Miss Debutante at her local debutante in 1986. If I win Gem of the Ball tonight, then I'll finish off the legacy she wanted. That she wanted for me. And I want this, no, I actually deserve this!"

Alex smiled back at me sympathetically but also encouragingly. "You've got this in the bag, girlfriend!"

"Hmm. I'm not too sure, Alex." The evil wench's voice came into prominence.

I rolled my eyes as Melissa St. Clair made an unwanted appearance.

I reluctantly turned my body around to face her.

"This year's competition is stiff! Apparently word on the street is they've added a few new figures to the voting board and they're all shockingly and coincidentally very close friends with my dad," She laughed obnoxiously. "I wonder if your crippled dad has any sway this year," She laughed evilly.

Alex went to charge for her but I pressed my hand against her stomach to stop her as she walked away devilishly, giggling like an egomaniac.

"I swear to god I will punch her right in that pretty little smug face of hers and knock her out faster than she can say 'Amen'!" Alex snarled.

"It's fine! She's not worth it," Rea responded.

I gulped.

Oh no…

Being a mayor's daughter gave Melissa a massive advantage.

"Who am I kidding? I can't win this! Melissa's the mayor's daughter. Might as well crown her before we even begin," I sighed as I collapsed onto the couch-bench and folded my arms.

"Felicity…" Alex tried to comfort me as I pouted with my head faced down.

"Stop it! You're gonna win this! I know it." Alex assured me.

I sighed. "Thank you, Alex but you're not an aspiring vote of confidence when it comes to this given your stance on the whole thing. No offence."

"None taken." Alex sighed.

"Evening ladies," A deep voice called.

I looked up to see Rea's older (and devilishly handsome) brother, Oliver Reed, making his way towards us, dressed in his classically pressed black tuxedo tailcoat suit and fancy double breasted waistcoat with the signature white bowtie and crisp shirt underneath. This was the uniform for all the escorts.

"Wow!" He looked at his sister. She smiled. "Do you know my sister Rea? She's supposed to be here but I think she's missing!"

Rea groaned as she punched his arm. "Stop it!"

He laughed. "You look absolutely beautiful, Rogue." He told her.

Rea smiled warmly as she looked up into her brother's eyes, running a finger through her short hair.

Rea wasn't a big smiler but she was when she was around her brother. She worshiped him. She's always been obsessed with her older brother and I can't blame her because I grew up being obsessed with him too –for different reasons obviously.

Back when we were all in middle school, I used to have sleepovers with Rea, Alex and our old friend Kathy who died years ago. Oliver was about eight years older than all of us and a twenty-one year old college frat boy at the time. I always found him to be incredibly charming and charismatic despite him being a douche at the time as well.'

But now…

He was a mature man now and he was…I don't know, calmer, analytical and levelheaded which was honestly so sexy. Nothing hotter than a man with a brain to match the face.

Obviously he never saw me as anything other than a friend of his sister's. I was only an impressionable 12 or 13 year old when he first met me. He probably still saw me as that 13 year old girl. My crush would only be a crush and I was okay with that.

But there wasn't anything wrong with admiring the very sexy view…

He has always been athletic. He was the star quarterback football player in Oakland Woods High back in the mid-2000s. He was also part of the track team which is one thing we had in common. Every weekend we cross paths with each other on our individual jogs around the neighborhood when he visits his mom and sister –since we live not so far from each other.

He also goes jogging shirtless.

All the time…

And yeah…

He's got it going on.

It was quite the sight.

He also excelled in his studies. So much so he got into the ivy league Princeton University –my dad's alma mater– on merit alone and not because he came from an incredibly wealthy family.

He is what you'd typically expect from a man like him. Tall, dark, handsome. An All American man. Sure!

But he was so much more than that.

He was like…A Disney prince meets Ken doll meets Marvel superhero. He had piercing gray-green eyes that glistened so much in the daylight you'd swear they were like the ocean. He had dirty blonde hair that he kept neat and rich, well-kept skin and superhero build, standing at 6ft2.

He was like if Chris Evans had a baby with Scarlett Johansson.

Yeah…

He's that pretty.

I felt self-conscious being around him sometimes –who am I kidding, all the time! And I thought I was pretty but my goodness…

My crush clearly hasn't fully gone away.

Ha ha.

But I promise I've grown out of it! I was so much worse back in the day.

He went off to have a steady relationship with Hannah Fitzpatrick, Luke's older sister who died in the plane crash that took the life of Robert Reed as well –Rea's father.

I always thought he would marry Hannah if she was alive today. They were high school sweethearts. They reminded me so much of that all American couple I watched on teen shows like One Tree Hill or Dawson's Creek.

When Oliver disappeared and was presumed dead for almost six years, Rea and I's friendship drifted and dwindled a bit as we went to high school. She got caught up in the wrong crowd and I was coming up on being a popular girl in our freshmen year. Alex and I also drifted apart because of our tumultuous individual relationships with our ex, Hunter Hamilton that came in between our friendship.

In a way, Nessie's arrival sort of reignited and revived that friendship we lost and we've all been inseparable ever since.

"…The debutante ball is about to start in about six minutes. Is mom seated yet?" Rea asked her older brother.

"Yeah, she is!" He said, still in awe at his little sister. "Can't believe my little sister is a debutante! You're all grown up now, Rogue. Dad would be proud –and he'd totally make fun of you too." He teased.

Rea giggled. "I'm sure."

"Hey, why do you call her Rogue? I've been meaning to ask." Alex probed.

"Oh— Oliver and I loved reading X-Men comics when we were kids –well when I was a kid and Rogue was always my favorite comicbook character. I was obsessed with her! That's kinda the reason why I have silver-white highlights in my hair." She said sheepishly.

"Aww! That's cute," I said looking up at Oliver who grinned back at me, causing my knees to turn to jelly.

Ugh! He's so cute! Dammit! He has me weak at the knees.

"I think it's great that you two have an inside thing." I added.

"Shit! You said we have six minutes left? Ugh! Justin and Luke are supposed to be back!" Alex stated as she dug into her purse and pulled her phone out.

"Where are they?" I asked.

She looked up at me with wide eyes. "Uh…I don't know!"

I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Call them! Luke can't be late. I hope he's okay and not spewing his guts out after last night." Rea spoke.

"What happened last night?" Oliver asked curiously.

Rea looked back at him with wide eyes. "Um! Nothing!" She responded rapidly.

I stifled a giggle as I watched her get all flustered as she lied to her brother. I loved watching their dynamic.

"C'mon, pick up!" Alex tapped her feet as she held her phone against her ear, calling her brother.

As if on cue, Justin and Luke finally made it back and came bursting through the doors and hastily walked up to us.

"Finally! Dear god! Took you guys long enough," Alex grumbled as she slipped her phone back into her purse.

"Sorry we're late! We uh…had to do something quickly," Justin said.

"Fixing up my truck!" Luke spoke.

"Truck? What do you mean? We came together in a limo?" I quizzed with a frown.

Justin gave his friend a disappointed look and Luke blushed in embarrassment.

"That's what I meant…."

"What happened to the limo?" I shot up from my seat, eyes bulged and blazed. "What did you do to the limo?"

"Uh…" He laughed nervously, looking panicked. "Hey! We're about to start!" He pointed to the coordinator walking into the room.

"Debutantes and escorts to your places!" She exclaimed.

"Okay! Here we go!" I nervously exhaled as I adjusted my opera gloves. "How do I look still? Fine? My lipstick isn't smudged? My hair's good?" I frantically asked my friends.

"You look amazing, as always, Felicity." Luke said with a smile. "As do you, of course, babe." He said to his girlfriend Rea, tossing an arm around her.

Oliver cleared his throat, signaling a warning to him.

Luke dropped his hands swiftly – almost animatedly quickly.

All of the debutantes were now lined up awaiting for their names to be called. My escort, a senior from Riverside High, Bryce Foley stood beside me. He stared back at me with a smile.

"Hi." He greeted. I smiled back. "You look beautiful," He told me.

"Thanks." I expressed. "Don't mess up the dance, please! We've practiced for too long to mess up now. I don't want us to choke out there."

He laughed. "I won't mess up. Promise. My boyfriend would have my head for dinner if I embarrass him."

I giggled as I glanced back at him. "Your boyfriend's Grayson Espinosa right?" I asked.

He frowned. "Yeah, how do you know?"

I shrugged. "I know all my gays. Plus, we follow each other on Instagram." I told him.

He nodded.

I looked back at my girlfriends behind me. Alex was obviously paired with her brother and escort Justin. Rea was paired with her up with her older brother Oliver. Melissa was paired up with her brother Braxton. It was almost alarming how many debutantes had their brothers or cousins as their escorts. Makes me wonder if that has any sway with the voters.

Founding Families are encouraged to keep it traditionally "in the family" as it were and since I didn't have a brother or a relative that lives close by who could fill in, I was assigned a random stranger from a rivaling school who isn't even a founding son.

Things are not looking good for me.

I'd have to have a miracle to win at this point.

I had to wow the judges with my dance presentation, my presentation speech and my talent showcase portion of the evening. Here goes nothing!

After the music stopped and was replaced with applause from the guests, the mayor's wife took to the stage and stood in front of podium.

"Good evening, everyone!" She greeted warmly to which we all applauded. "And it's so good to see you all today on this fine Saturday evening for the Oakland Wood's International Debutante Ball!"

Cheers erupted immediately from the guests currently congregated in the state banquet room.

"My distinguished guests! Welcome to the prestigious Quarterly Annual International Debutante Ball of Founding Families!" The mayor's wife, the First Lady of Oakland Woods, Mabel 'Josie' Josephine St. Clair commenced with a pleasant smile.

A chorus of elated applause followed soon after.

I clapped my hands together in unbridled elation, glanced back at Alex who smiled back at me.

"Young eligible debutantes from all over the world will be vying to compete for the coveted title of Gem of the Ball this evening! Each debutant will have the opportunity to showcase their unique gifts and talents to the 400 guests in attendance!" She presented.

The room all cheered and clapped encouragingly.

The mayor did not take part in these cookie cutter events –despite being in attendance – but instead gave the job to his wife who is heavily involved in the planning, hosting and executing of the ball along with the help of many of the members of the council.

"This year's Gem of the Ball princess will have the special honor of taking center stage at being presented to the world at the 50th Debutante Pageant Gala ceremony in St. Tropez, France in the late summer. Throughout the course of the spring and early summer, the Gem will have the privilege to travel the world and meet interesting people, involve in charity work and explore what the world has to offer –all expense paid by the way. Such destinations range from El Salvador, Brazil, Spain, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Dubai, South Africa, Philippines, Thailand, Britain and Ireland, and New Zealand." She recited.

I could hear the guests all hum as they applauded.

"And not only will they get to travel the world, but the winner will be granted a full scholarship to their college institution of choice!" She added.

Everyone cheered loudly.

"Our Gem should display kindness, intelligence, ambition, selflessness, beauty, grace, elegance, love and purity." She listed the criteria.

I nodded my head at each characteristics, hoping I fit the bill enough to win.

"Before we crown our winner, we have to first meet our debutantes and their escorts…" The mayor's wife started.

I felt my breathing hitch.

And so it begins.

I inhaled a shaky breath as I felt my palms begin to sweat.

"Introducing the founding daughters of Oak Woods County who will be presented as debutantes this season: The 16 Founding Daughters of Oakland Woods and their escorts!" She read the presentation statement.

"Our first debutante is Brittany Taylor Holmes, the daughter of Henderson and Claudia Holmes is escorted by her cousin Vernon McCabe. The Holmes family are part of a founding dynasty and own a popular food franchise in several parts of California. Brittany attends Riverside Prep High School as a senior. She is a captain of the softball team and part of the school drama club. She hopes to be on Broadway one day and plans to attend Julliard University this fall." Josie read out.

Brittany and her escort Vernon sauntered their way into view and appeared on the balcony and waved to the crowd before descending down the steps and taking their designated place on the right-hand side stairway.

"Miss Veronica Raya Salamanca, our youngest debutante of the season, is escorted by her older brother Francisco Salamanca. Veronica is the daughter of the founder of Mexico's leading hotel group Casa Diablo, Rico Salamanca. Veronica is a 16 year old sophomore student of Harbor High School east of Oak Springham. Miss Veronica is a theater kid who has aspirations of being the next Audrey Hepburn in Hollywood and run a drama studio." She read out.

Veronica and her escort Francisco went out and stood in the same spot on the balcony to wave to the adoring crowds before taking their place on the left hand side of the stairway.

"Miss Adeline Elliotte Grey, daughter of Grey Attorney's law firm owners Vincent and Marissa Grey. She is escorted by her younger brother Harold Grey. Miss Adeline Grey attends the prestigious Dartmouth University, as a freshman, majoring in pre-law and plans to work for her parent's company in the summer."

Applause followed as Adeline and her brother appeared on the balcony and waved before taking their place on the right section of the grand staircase behind the other pair.

"Miss Aurelia Melissa Marie St. Clair, founding daughter of Oak Woods and legacy daughter of the St. Clair dynasty, daughter of Atticus St. Clair and …Me," Josie St. Clair laughed which erupted a series of chuckles from the audience.

"She is escorted by her older brother Braxton St. Clair. Melissa is a senior at Oakland Woods High School. She is the leader a number of clubs, the first being the Black Student Alliance Club which focuses on supporting and uplifting marginalized black youths in the school and community, the second being the political debate club, third being the environmental and climate awareness club which sheds a light on the issues effecting this planet. She is also part of the Future Business Leaders of America's club run by multiple town high school students…." She recited all her accolades.

I rolled my eyes and pretended to yawn as people applauded – when Melissa and her brother Braxton waved to the crowds from the balcony. But I honestly felt nervous because I felt my achievements paled in comparison.

"…Melissa St. Clair has dreams of following in her father's footsteps in entering into politics, perhaps holding senate one day but that is a long-term goal according to her. Her plan for now is to dabble in a modeling career, become a climate activist and do charitable efforts whilst she attends the prestigious Brown University this fall where she will be majoring in International Relations and Political Studies." Josie finally finished.

Melissa waved as if she was a pageant queen; flashing a wide grin and waving enthusiastically. She blew kisses to the loud rapturous crowd who cheered for her more than any other debutante so far.

I noticed her father, the blue eyed middle-aged mayor, whisper into the ears of the voters as he applauded his daughter.

I exhaled a shaky breath.

After what felt like forever, Melissa and her brother descended the steps and took their place on the left hand side.

"We're up," My escort winked at me.

I inhaled a shaky breath. "Ready as I'll ever be,"

Bryce extended his hand out to me and I rested my palm against his as my name was about to be called.

"Miss Felicity Valeria Stone, daughter of CEO of Stone Industries and a Founding Daughter of Oak Woods. A distinguishingly decorated young lady with accomplishment in various fields of study in her school as she is top of the class in almost all her classes, holding a steady 4.0 GPA. She is the leader of a number of clubs as well. She is the President of the Student Body Council, a President of the Prom Court committee, President of the Drama Club, President of the Mathletes and Academic Decathlon team, Leader of the Special Needs Committee that offers time and raises money for the special needs schools in California and she's a Head Cheerleader at Oakland Woods High. She's also an avid track star and captain of the volleyball team. She will be commemorating her fellow senior class as co-valedictorian at her school graduation in May." She recited.

There was a loud rupture of elated and heartwarming cheers as I made my debut on the balcony. I gasped as I spotted my friends –Renesmee, Gina, Jacob, Seth and Embry – seated by the table alongside my dad and grandmother, proudly chanting my name and cheering me on.

Renesmee had tears in her eyes as she smiled at me with so much pride and love. I could vaguely see her mouthing 'I love you' and displaying a heart symbol with her hands.

My heart felt full, warm and fuzzy as tears brimmed in my eyes. I giggled as I waved to the crowds from the balcony.

"…Miss Felicity Stone plans to be a member of Columbia University's Class of 2019, double majoring in theoretical physics and fashion. She also thereafter expects to attend NYU to further her studies in drama. She hopes to dedicate her volunteer work to community service and children's charity for the visually impaired and disabled. With the money she earns from her work, she hopes to use her affinity for fashion to open a brand catered to raising funds for the homeless in honor of her late mother, Linda Stone. She is escorted by Bryce Foley." Josie St. Clair ended off with a soft clap as she gave me a sweet smile.

I grinned back as I waved back to the crowds before descending the steps and taking my place on the right hand side.

"Miss Alexandra Veolia Catarina Mazzola, daughter of founding son of Oak Woods and former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent, Alessandro Mazzola and Margarita Mazzola. Alexandra is a talented gymnast who has won 3 national championships. She is also experienced in archery, having participated in multiple competitions. She's also a professionally trained dancer, having also participated in many competitions, winning her first at aged five. She is also Oakland Woods High School's top swimmer, having won 3 seasonal gold medals since her freshman year. She isthe Co-President of the Newspaper Club with her best friend Renesmee Cullen. She prides herself on being an outspoken activist on social issues. She runs the Civil Rights Reform Club in her school as well as being an active member in the Female Empowerment League in her local committee team. She credits her ambitious spirit to her father, Alessandro who often pushes to be her best self." She expressed.

I clapped enthusiastically as I watched my friend appear on the balcony and waved to the crowds –not as graciously as I would have hoped but I could tell she was cautiously getting swept in the hype.

"…Alexandra hopes to enroll in the Boston Conservatory School of Dance and then potentially pursue further her education in her father's alma mater, the University of California, Berkley in pre-law. Her daily motto is 'Kick Ass or Stay Home'. She is escorted by her brother, Justin Mazzola."

The audience applauded as we watched her take her place on the left side of with the other group.

As they listed her accolades, I didn't realize Alex was quite the major competition. She had all the qualities to actually win Gem of the Ball. It's too bad she didn't want it.

"Rea Harper Reed, daughter of late billionaire mogul and founder of Reed Enterprises, Robert Reed and Moira Reed, founding daughter of Oak Woods. She is a senior at Oakland Woods High School. She is the president of the photography club and leader of the chess club. She hopes to attend The Photography Institute in Australia next fall. She is escorted by her older brother, CEO of Reed Enterprises, Oliver Reed."

Rea appeared on the balcony with her brother and waved to the crowds nonchalantly. Her white debutante ballgown had a twist to it. It had a black ribbon around the waist and one half black opera gloves and the other half was white. She was possibly the most unorthodox debutante of the evening.

This uniqueness earned her a great reception from the audience of younger folk –not so much the traditionalist and oldies.

"Miss Heidi Stephany Jefferson, the daughter of Walker Jefferson and Frida Jefferson is a student at Oak Tree Prep High School. She hopes to major in Engineering at CALTECH University. She is escorted by the commissioner's son, Luke Fitzpatrick." The mayor's wife presented the next debutante.

I clapped as I watched Luke embrace all the cheers although he looked slightly awkward smiling and waving. I gestured for him to smile less and he blushed from embarrassment but followed suit.

I giggled.

After calling out the rest of the local debutante names, the mayor's wife moved on to list the international debutantes and when that was done we began our dance routine.

The Viennese Waltz and Foxtrot.

The classical music played and I danced with my partner Bryce who didn't let me down –thankfully.

"You're doing great!" I told him.

He laughed. "Thanks! Grayson told me I better not humiliate him on the dancefloor."

I giggled as he twirled me around and then pulled me back into his arms as we swirled around the ballroom floor.

"You and Grayson make a cute couple…" I told him. "I just love love."

"Thank you, Felicity." Bryce said with a smile. "What about you? Any guy that's got your eye?"

I looked up at him and blushed as he lifted me off the ground and spun me around in this portion of the dance that was timed perfectly with the other dancers.

As he set me down I cleared my throat. "Well… There is this one guy I've had my eye on for a little while now but… I don't know. I don't know how he feels about me."

"Is he hot?"

I laughed, nodding my head vigorously. "Very!"

He chuckled.

"He's tall. Really tall. And has these really nice, interesting tattoos and fascinating eyes and his hair color is so weird but so… I don't know, hot too." I said. "He has this energy about him, I can't explain it but… he has a force about him that's deeply endearing."

"Hmm…" He hummed.

"But… he's so reclusive and reserved. He keeps a big wall up and acts a bit standoffish so I can't know what he's thinking or how he feels about me."

"Ah, he's one of those ones… The dark, brooding and mysterious bad boys." He told me.

I sighed. "I know…Shocking right! I told myself I'd swear off bad boys altogether but I can't help it…They're unfortunately my type."

He nodded. "I can't say I blame you. Hunter was pretty attractive..."

I felt my heart sink at the mention of his name. My ex. Hunter Hamilton.

I haven't thought about him in a while because of all the nightmares I had about him.

Not thinking about him made me realize that I can get over him, no matter how hard it's been… I can move on.

Right?

"Sorry, if I'm bringing back old wounds by mentioning him." He apologized.

"Oh, no! It's fine." I told him. "I've…moved on from him. I miss him. I think about him but not in that way…I know that we weren't right for each other."

"That's good."

"I just try to remember the fond memories we shared and not the bad ones you know. I don't wanna remember him like that or else I won't ever get over it." I added.

"Do you feel guilt?" He asked me randomly. "About his death?"

"…I did. For a while." I responded truthfully. "But I've learned to forgive myself and I realized what happened to him was an accident that could've happened to anyone that night."

Also, in light of recent events and revelations, I realized it was Charles Ainsworth who led to Hunter being killed that night at the junior prom.

"That's good. That's good." Bryce responded as he dipped my body as we twirled. "Sorry, I'm asking all these questions. I plan to major in Psychology at NYU this fall."

"No way, since I'm going to Columbia with my best friend Nessie...We should totally meet up when we're up there." I told him.

"That's right! Yeah! Yeah! That sounds great!" He told me as he twirled me.

"We can totally hit the city at night, attending clubs, taking strolls down Times Square and Madison Square Garden, oh, we can watch some plays on Broadway too! I know a pretty good restaurant and wine garden in country side." I rambled.

"Can't wait! Grayson would also love that."

"Ugh! I need more gay besties in my life! My friend Bennett, who's here tonight is from Philly where my dad's side of the family lives. He's sort of my cousin –anyway, he is my go-to guy for advice on anything from guys or just what's trendy today! HE has more of a fashion eye then any of my girlfriends. He's as obsessed with fashion as I am."

Bryce smiled. "Sounds like he and Grayson would get along."

I giggled.

"So… Back to this bad boy who's caught your eye. What are you gonna do with him?"

I sighed as I thought…

"I don't know."

Lloyd…

He drove me insane. I couldn't stop thinking about him.

So much so I've texted him 5 times since I last saw him and he hasn't texted back.

Did he ghost me?

Well…He'd have to have texted me first for him to ghost me. We haven't even had a conversation via text yet.

Am I embarrassing? Yes. I am.

I'm the problem.

But I can't help myself.

Argh! I can't help but find his mysterious nature so riveting and sexy.

I don't wanna let him slip away that easily.

"I don't think we've defined the relationship yet!"

"Well, you need to DTR soon!"

"I know but… I don't wanna come off too strong." I replied.

As if on cue, Lloyd then walked past the couple with a tray of champagne in his hand.

Lloyd…Oh Lloyd…

I felt my insides tingle at the thought and sight of him. I wanted to talk him again. I wanted to hear his voice. I wanted to feel him…

Our last encounter was very… interesting to say the least and I can't help but want to ask him: what are we? Are we a thing? Did he want to be a thing?

Not that there was any relationship that needed to be defined. We've only made out once. A very sensual makeout session though.

But it was only once nonetheless.

For all I know, he probably just saw it as a one time hookup.

Over Bryce's shoulder, I caught Lloyd staring directly at me as he poured some wine into the glasses.

He smirked suggestively at me.

Eep!

That's certainly not helping my delusional state of mind.

What was he thinking? Was he checking me out? Did he want me to approach him? Was that a sign?

I didn't know the answers to the questions.

But I hoped to have them soon.

Subsequently, the dance went off without any glitch or mishap, much to my relief.

The dance sequence ended and we went on to the talent showcase portion of the evening.

When that was done, we went on to give our presentation speeches and that led to the final portion… the interviews.

"How important is being crowned Gem of the Ball to you?" The First Lady of the town asked me.

I have thought about this question for a long time and I've rehearsed how exactly I would answer this question.

I grinned widely as I stood in front of the mic in my elegant pageant princess pose and stared at the audience before answering.

"To start off, I want to express how appreciative I am to have the opportunity to be here this evening and for making this event so spectacular and memorable for all of the young girls involved . That's all thanks to the Founding Family Board and the Debutante Academy. " I said with a bright grin.

"The Debutante Ball is important in showing girls that they can have a place in society and no amount of societal constructs can stop them from striving to be strong, independent women. The Gem of the Ball isn't a frivolous, self indulgent, fancy title to have. It's an honor. An honor that I will cherish and uphold forever if given the opportunity. I value the importance of the sisterhood I have built with every one of these girls and I believe we all deserve to shine."

The audience all applauded with adulation. I smiled.

"What sets you apart from other debutantes?" The mayor's wife then posed.

"Um…I would say what sets me apart from all the other debutantes would be my intellect, passion and drive? Some might take a look at me and think I'm a Stereotypical Barbie type dumb blonde who you can paint a canvas over but on the contrary, I'm very a inquisitive person. I love reading new information, learning new skills and meeting new people. I am not perfect by any means but I do want to better myself every day. As a perfectionist, I value the importance of becoming the best version you can be and in my whole life, I hope to achieve that." I expressed.

Louder cheers and celebrations follower thereafter. I looked to the crowd to lock eyes with my friends, Alex and Rea who gave me encouraging smiles and winks.

I smiled back then I diverted my eyes back onto the crowd where I searched for Nessie who was smiling so proudly at me, standing under the arms of her fiancé, Jacob (who wolf whistled at me and chanted my name supportively).

Although, I was distracted by Embry suddenly popping up from behind them, panic and high alert on his face, and whispering into Jake's ear. Nessie seemed to have heard him and immediately mirrored the same panic look that Embry had as her smile instantly dropped.

What was happening?

Jake and Embry shared brief exchanges with Seth and then all the of them seemingly headed for the restroom in a fast, determined, investigative gait –leaving behind a worried Nessie who was scanning the room vigilantly.

What was happening? What was going on?

As I moved my eyes around the room, I caught suspicious movement happening in the midst the swarm of the audience.

I frowned when I spotted two vaguely familiar figures in the crowd.

Subsequently, I began to feel my heart sink and then spike up suddenly in speed as memories flooded my brain.

The two twins looked so familiar and I'm starting to remember why.

They were the vampires who attacked me during the camping trip!

And now I remember why and how I managed to escape them…

I struck them back! But how did I do that? I'm just a mere human.

I didn't know I stopped breathing until I found myself catching my breath as I watched the two vampires browse the area until their eyes landed on me and they each flashed a maniacal smirk.

"… Felicity…Felicity…" I heard voices in my head calling out to me from a distance.

"Felicity!" A sudden, more direct and urgent voice snapped me out of my trance.

I titled my head to the mayor's wife, Josie St. Clair looking at me with confusion.

"I'm sorry?" I whispered, shaking my head and blinking.

"Your answer?"

"Repeat the question, please?" I asked.

"What would winning mean to you?" She repeated.

I thought. "Um… Well, winning tonight would mean so much to me because it would make my mother proud. She and I dreamt of this moment since I was a little girl. She was Miss Debutante in the past which makes me a legacy daughter but she never won GOTB. Being crowned Gem of the Ball would not only complete that lifelong goal, but it would be another way I can be connected to her despite not having her be here physically. I wish she was here to live it with me. So this is for her… and my dad, who by the grace of sheer luck was able to be here tonight. I don't know what I would do without him in my life. He is my rock, my strength and my shield and I want to be that for him. I want to win this for him. For them." I recited, staring directly at my father in the crowds.

He was fighting back tears as he looked at me emotionally, his lips quivering. He then led the chorus of loud applause.

"That's sweet. Thank you for your candor, Felicity." Josie ended.

I smiled back at her and curtseyed to the audience as they clapped for me.

My eyes couldn't leave the two vampires though.

How did they get in here?

Nessie didn't seem to notice their presence and neither did the wolves.

I took my seat next to the rest of the debutantes as the mayor said a few concluding remarks as we waited to all be called on the stage again.

I looked over to see a crimson red haired woman walked towards the twins and whispered something into their ears before deviously staring back at Nessie –who had no awareness of what was going on – before she left the scene.

I frowned. What was happening?!

The twins gave each other a smirk and nod before they slid through the guests in the direction of Nessie.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

They're after Nessie.

And she was standing all alone.

Move! Nessie! Move!

The twins were now inches away from her, flanking her back quietly, ready to pounce in front of all the guests.

As if by some answered miracle, she moved out of the way and went over to sit with my dad, grandmother, Gina and my other friend, Bennett by the table.

I exhaled a sigh of relief.

It was at that moment the twins darted their heads up in synchronization and met my eyes, flashing yet another wicked, treacherous, diabolically sly grin.

Uh oh…

"Now let's bring back all the debutantes to the stage!"

I stood up and took to the stage with my fellow debutantes as we waited with bated breath for the official word on who landed the covered title of the Gem of the Ball –and who came second who would get the secondary title of Miss Debutante which was essentially the title for the regular a season.

"Thank you to all the young women who participated in this year's Debutante Ball. You've displayed all the qualities needed to enter into society and we would love for you all to leave tonight feeling liberated and ready to take on the world. Congratulations to all of you!" The mayor's wife ignited a chorus of cheers.

"And now we've come to the moment you've all been waiting for…"

I inhaled a breath as I glanced over to Alex and Rea who smiled encouragingly at me and then over to Nessie in the crowd who cheered my name with Gina.

"You've got this!" She mouthed, giving me a thumbs up.

I mustered a small smile but I was still distracted by the twin vampires who couldn't keep their eyes off of me.

They looked rageful…no vengeful. As if they wanted a rematch.

They also saw me as meat. Food. Bloodthirsty food.

Panic flooded my face suddenly in combination with nerves as the name for the winner was just seconds away from being called.

"This season's Gem of the Ball is…" Josie St. Clair began as she flipped open the golden envelope.

I gripped onto Alex's hand so I looked down, my knees shaking uncontrollably underneath my heavy dress.

"Melissa St. Clair!" She uttered out the name.

My mouth agape and my eyes bulged in pure shock. My heart sank to the ground.

The indistinct sounds of loud, rapturous cheers filled the air as the guests all shot up their seats the clap at the winner.

The winner who wasn't me.

Melissa displayed faux tears and shock as she waved to the crowds as she received her large bouquet of flowers and a white sash with Gem of the Ball embroidered on it slipped over her head.

I felt tears brim in my eyes as I turned to Alex and Rea who gave me sympathetic looks.

"Lecity… I'm so sorry." Alex whispered as she went to give me a tight hug.

"And the 1st runner-up and this season's Miss Debutante goes to Felicity Stone." The mayor's wife suddenly announced.

Cheers followed soon after but it wasn't the adulation I expected.

I pulled my chin up and accepted the honorary award and graciously accepted the bouquet of flowers and the 2nd place sash.

Melissa clapped for me but it was a pity clap.

When I stood next to her as her mom was just about to announce the 2nd runner up aka 3rd place, she floated in my face.

"You suck so bad, Felicity Stone! I won!" She laughed maniacally as she clapped vigorously.

I rolled my eyes.

"And the second runner up debutante is Ethiopian Princess, Zara Abebe…"

After all of that, Melissa St. Clair gave her speech and I used that as an opportunity to make a run for it as I felt my sobs begin to build and my tears welling up.

I did not want to look like a sore loser, sobbing in front of all those people.

I had to get out of there.

I handed my bouquet over to Alex and slipped out of of my seat, and began heading out the side entrance door.

I could hear my friends calling my name as they followed my tail.

… …

Renesmee Cullen

As I watched Felicity run out of the ballroom after Melissa was crowned Gen of the Ball, I immediately shot up and went after her with Alex and Rea right behind me.

"Felicity! Wait!" I called.

I could hear her sobbing as her clicking heels and her heavy dress, which she lifted off the ground with both hands, carried her right out of the side entrance door.

I glanced over at Alex and Rea.

"Where is she going?" I asked them.

They shrugged. "Come on," Alex stated as she hoisted her gown up and led the way as she charged straight through the large doors.

Felicity was running out into the fountain fields and climbing down the large staircase.

"Stop!" Alex called out.

She didn't listen.

"Felicity! Just hold up a second! We want to talk!" I added.

Felicity slowed down as her cries increased and she instantly collapsed onto the top of the second flight of stairs, sobbing viciously with her head in her hands.

We all shared a look as we ran down to comfort her.

"Oh…" I whispered as I got down in my knees and threw my arms around her.

"This night is a disaster!" She exclaimed in pain and anger, weeping heavily.

"I'm so sorry, Felicity!" I murmured into her head just as the girls came around and wrapped their arms around Felicity too.

We all consoled her as she wept into our embrace.

"I knew I wouldn't win but… It's not fair! I wanted this! I wanted this more than anyone and I thought I would get a shot… I thought I would win for my mom… My dad. For me." She wept.

"But Melissa being the daughter of the mayor obviously gave her the upper hand." Alex grunted. "Talk about nepotism, amiright?"

I gave her a look.

"Way to put the salt onto the wound, Alex." I warned.

"No she's right! Melissa won this because of who her family is. And that hurts more because without that I could've actually had a shot. Losing hurts more when you know you could have won." She expressed, catching her tears in her palms.

I dug into my purse and pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.

"Thanks," She whispered back before blowing her nose. "I guess I just have to acquiesce that I can never win against Melissa St. Clair even in my final months as a senior."

"Felicity, don't say that." I told her. "Don't think about that! Melissa is a nobody! She competes with you because she sees you as a threat. She is the one who thinks about you. She knows how much better of a person you are than she is."

"Yeah! You're the one living in her head rent free. At the end of the day… You are the winner." Alex added.

Felicity sniffled. "You think so?"

"Who cares about a dumb debutante ball anyway? You made your mom and dad proud tonight, regardless of the outcome. You did it. You came. You saw. You conquered." I assured her.

She grinned back as she looked at me, her tears and sobs subsiding.

"Thank you, guys! Means a lot to have my best friends here to support me." She expressed. We hugged her tighter. "Tonight was horrible and I'm scared it's about to go more dastardly than I can imagine."

"What do you mean?" Rea asked.

She looked at all of us now. "Um… So I think there are vampires in the building!"

"Oh! Yeah, you're talking about my aunt and uncle, right?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No. The vampires who attacked me on our camping trip."

I widened my eyes.

"What?" Alex demanded.

"No! That can't be! We would have sensed if there were other vampires!" I explained

I would've picked up on their scent. So would the wolves and my aunt and uncle.

How could vampires sneak into the party undetected?

"I–I don't know who they are and why they came but… They are after me. And they look like they were going after Nessie too." Felicity informed, looking at me.

"Me?" I said with a frown.

Why would they be after me?

"They were talking to some lady with fire engine red hair and it looked like she had her eyes on you all night." Felicity brought up.

As I was about to answer her, my phone buzzed in my purse.

I dug in to retrieve it and saw Jake's caller ID and immediately answered it on the second ring.

"Jake? What's up?"

"Nessie, where are you?" He asked in panic.

"I'm outside with the girls comforting Felicity – Where are you now? Did you find the girl?"

The girls looked at me with confusion.

"Nessie – Get outta there right now! Or come back inside!"

"Why? What's happening?" I questioned.

"The girl… The girl Embry found unconscious in the bathroom. She's the girl I was talking to in the ballroom. She was attacked by someone and it happened right before I supposedly met her." He explained.

I furrowed my brows. "What? That doesn't make sense?"

"Yeah well, this just means we've got someone out here attacking people so I think we should leave. So get back in here and we can head out. I'm gonna give Alice and Jasper the heads up." He explained.

"Um…Okay. On my way." I replied.

"Now! Please!" He commanded firmly, raising his voice in authority.

"Okay!" I answered, firing back as I hung up the call immediately and stared at the horizon with a blank face.

"What's up?" Rea asked.

My brain was racing.

My mind was ablaze.

I ran through all the events that happened tonight so far and I couldn't help thinking they were all connected.

The lady Jake met. The lady Embry found unconscious in the bathroom. The supposed vampires who attacked Felicity being there.

It had to all be connected.

Then realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

… Shit.

"Nessie! Can you please tell us what the hell is going on?"

"Oh my god…" I expressed as I tied the loose ends and figured it out. "It's all connected."

"What is all connected?" Felicity asked.

"The caveat of events that have unfolded tonight." I responded. "That was Jacob. Apparently they found a lady in the bathroom who was attacked tonight."

"Attacked? By who?"

"Wait – Is she okay?" Alex asked.

I nodded. "I think so but… That's not what concerns me."

They all waited for me to explain further.

"The red haired lady with the vampires Felicity talked about is the same lady Jake spoke to earlier… She's also the same lady who was attacked tonight." I explained.

"What does all of that mean?"

"… it's not the same lady. She looks the same but it's not the same person." I spoke.

"I'm so confused." Rea said.

"It doesn't take a genius nor a radical to realize that you can't be at two places at once. The lady who was attacked was the original and the one who's enjoying the party right now…"

"…Is the copy." Alex finished off as she gasped in realization.

"Who? What are you guys talking about?"

"… Cassia." I finally said her name aloud.

Alex looked at me with pure shock and horror.

"Who the hell is Cassia?" Felicity demanded.

"…She's an enemy." The gruffy voice of none other than Ray Parker came into focus.

We all spun our heads around to see the werewolf man standing atop the stairs at the entrance, looking down at us.

"Cassia is the vampire who decimated my family bloodline. She's also the vampire I warned you and your family about getting on the wrong side of. She has the ability to take the shape of any human or vampire she comes into contact with. She must've taken the shape of one of the guests to blend in…So that neither I nor anyone would be able to detect her." He stated.

We all looked at him as he said all of this.

"She's smart, cunning, conniving, quiet, careful and very stealthy. She will hunt you down like it's some sick, twisted game of hers and if you're not smart, you will be dead before the game begins. She loves to leave Easter eggs before she attacks, and the fact that you've finally figured them out means that you are her next target –all of you. And the game has now begun." He told us as he came down the stairs.

I stared up at him with a frown. "You knew! You knew she would be here."

He didn't respond.

"Why didn't you tell us she was here?" Alex shot up.

"Because I wanted to confirm what her strategy was and the only way to do that was to let her see it through." He stated.

"You've been watching us all day?"

He nodded. "She's not gonna attack tonight. Knowing her, she's probably already gone."

I looked down. "She intentionally did all of this tonight to send us a message."

"Like I said…She loves to leave Easter eggs and clues for her next victims."

"She does it to drive them insane." I added.

"Well! Mission accomplished because I'm going insane right now!" Alex exclaimed in frustration.

I turned my phone on and went through my gallery and landed on the photo I took of Cassia's image from the archives.

I stood up and walked up to Ray and showed him my phone.

"Is this what she looks like? The real her?" I asked him.

He looked at me with wide eyes.

"Where did you find this?" He asked me.

"Answer the question," I evaded his initial probing question firmly.

He looked at me with irritated eyes. "Yes."

I nodded. "Cool. Now we know what she looks like. We can find her and track her down." I said.

"Don't be cocky, alright. It won't be easy! She takes many faces." He told me.

"Good thing, you're gonna help us." I informed him.

He sighed as he stared me down, but didn't protest too much because I could tell he wanted to defeat her just as much as I did.

Suddenly, we heard the creaking sounds of leaves being crushed and the winds blowing heavily.

Ray looked up and investigated, his nose scrunching up as he sniffed the air.

"Something is out here…" He whispered as he used his acute senses to scan and whiff out there vicinity.

He began descending the steps rapidly and charged for the direction of the wind, breezing through the trees, leaves and bushes.

I glanced back at the girls before we all charted towards following the werewolf alpha.

As the wind picked up more steam, we knew we were getting closer because the creaking and crackling sound was getting more defined.

"What is that sound?" Felicity asked.

"What is out there?" Rea asked.

Ray signaled for all of us to be quiet with his index finger on his mouth as he stealthily and quietly creeped up to the large tree that was in front of the rose bushes.

It was then that we heard the disturbing, fiendish, loud squelching noises and very low growls that didn't sound like any animal I have heard before.

Ray gathered all of us behind him as he slowly walked closer and closer to where the noise was coming from.

As the view of the tree steadily became part of our periphery vision, we were now met with the gruesome, heinous, grotesque and terrifying sight man creature feeding off the lifeless corpse of a human –seemingly one of the guards or henchmen meant to patrol the party.

From the back, the creature had the appearance of a man but its skin did not look like a human and neither did the rest of its body.

The malevolent, cannibalistic creature had long limbs, long, sharp claws, and teeth, and dark, brown-gray, glistening skin as if it was made of slimy goo and mud. I could hear from the loud, disgusting gnawing of human flesh that it's sharp teeth could tear into flesh like a predator.

"What the hell is that?" Felicity cried as she gripped onto my arms.

"Don't scream! Shh! It'll hear you!" Ray warned her as he stared at the creature.

Felicity looked absolutely petrified as were the rest of my friends but I was still in a state of shock.

I looked over to the side to see the earth looked different. There was chasm in the ground, almost like something crawled out of the earth and onto the surface.

The squelching, chewing noise continued but we heard another set of crackling noises come from deep into the dark bushes.

The second we lifted our heads up, we saw the most bone trembling sight of glowing red eyes that got clearer and clearer the closer the creature got to us.

That's when I fully got terrified, gripping onto my best friend's hands.

The creature then revealed itself, standing at an intimidating height on its very long, very thing legs, stretching at what I can only imagine was 7-8 feet long. It's upper torso looked skeletal despite seeing it's strong muscles. Again, it looked like a human yet…it didn't.

Their eyes were sunken in and glowing a kind of red that looked almost like neon glowsticks.

It exhibited a low growl, a mixture of a purr and a menacing snarl and a alarming bark, I can only imagine this was the sound of what paleontologists would assume a dinosaur would sound like.

It had a head that looked like an animal out of the Jurassic era. An elongated face that reminded me of a pterodactyl crossed with a deer by the look of it's antlers (although devil-like horns were a more apt description) .

The loud, sudden screech alerted the other creature and he immediately stopped chomping on the flesh and glared at us with seering red eyes.

It was then that the two large creatures growled at us, getting ready to attack.

"You're all seeing what I'm seeing, right?" Alex whispered.

"Yes!" Rea choked.

"What the hell are they?" Felicity shouted.

"…Wendigoes." Ray confirmed.

The two Wendigoes stood up and crept up towards us, snarling and licking their lips –it was then that I saw their insanely long tongues that looked almost comically dangerous.

We all backed up as they puffed up their chests.

They both growled in unison, baring their razor sharp and incredibly long teeth, long tongue and snapping their sharp, thick claws on their massive hands.

"What do we do?" I exclaimed.

"You girls need to run! Run the hell out of here! Fast!"

The girls and I exchanged similar looks of horror.

"Get Justin!" He ordered, looking at me.

I was in shock, my eyes not leaving the dangerous, cannibalistic supernatural beings before me.

"Go!" Ray snarled, just as we watched him begin to shift into his wolf form.

Felicity screamed as she didn't have to be told twice and charged off. Rea followed her tail.

I glanced over at Alex who already pulled out her mini crossbow from the holster underneath her dress and aimed it at the creatures who were now being occupied by a wolf Ray Parker who stood at an opposing height.

The second Ray roared and seethed viciously at the supernatural creatures, I took that as the cue to get the hell out of there because a battle was just about to go down.

"Let's go!" I grabbed Alex's arm and we sprinted out of there and into the distance.

To Be Continued…

---

A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow! What a drama packed chapter and that's not the end of it all.

Tune in next time for another shocking turn of events…

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