“Why me-”
“You can tell them to fuck off because she is not going anywhere.” Draven cut me off, squeezing my waist and I heard Finn chuckle deeply before shaking his head.
“As you wish,” he mumbled, his grin growing wider at my confused expression. “But you do understand that they’d be attending the ball tomorrow right? They’re going to look for her.” Finn brushed a hand through his hair and I looked up at Draven, who glanced down at me before returning his gaze back at Finn.
“She’ll be fine.” Draven assured, gently pulling my body closer to him. “I’ll keep an eye on her.” He mumbled, causing my heart to skip a beat. Don’t tell me he was actually worried for me right now? And why is the Armenius family looking for me? Why do they want me?
“Draven, I-”
“No questions, go to your room and sleep.” He interrupted with a mutter and I bit my bottom lip angrily but decided to keep quiet. I caught a glimpse of Draven staring down at me and averted my gaze before brushing his arm away. After mumbling a small “Goodnight”, I marched back to my room, my mind filling with a lot of questions about tonight. I don’t understand, did they make a mistake? It has to be a mistake, there has to be another explanation. There is no way they were looking for me.

xxx
I stared at the elegant, short, royal blue lace up dress and bit my bottom lip before turning away from the mirror. Guess this ball dance was really happening. I didn’t even know it was taking place until earlier today, when I met Julie, who confirmed that there really was a ball dance tonight. Apparently, these annual events allowed the vampires and humans to get along well. Yeah, right.
“Hurry up!” I heard Irene snap near my door and I quickly slipped on my black bandage sandals  before rushing out of the room. I brushed my loosened hair a few times and stopped halfway through the hallway when I noticed Alaric, Finn, Vincent and Danny waiting near the staircase. Were they really waiting for me?
“Be careful tonight.” Alaric mumbled, tugging on his suit and I nodded hesitantly, knowing exactly what he meant. The Armenius family would attend the party as well, which means that they would be looking for me. I don’t understand why they want me but I didn’t bother to ponder on the thought, considering the fact that there is a high chance that they were looking for the wrong person. I had nothing against them and I certainly wouldn’t be of any use to them or any vampire for that matter.
As I entered the ball room, my stomach turned itself into a knot upon seeing the crowded room. People were dancing to the music, the ladies flaunting their stunning dresses along with the well-dressed men. I glanced up at the chandeliers one more time before walking inside, making my way to the appetizer table. Cheerful laughs filled the entire room as people kept talking and dancing, causing goosebumps to rise all over my body.
“Have a drink, ma’am.” I heard a voice and spun around to face a butler, who was now holding two glasses of champagne.
“She wouldn’t have anything tonight,” Vincent spoke and I watched him walk up to the butler with a smile. “She never does.” He said, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice and I raised a brow before narrowing my eyes at him.
“Guess you were wrong.” I sneered, reaching up to take a glass of champagne from the butler as he smiled.
“How nice.” Vincent cooed and I simply rolled my eyes before taking a sip out of my drink.
“What are you, my personal body guard tonight?” I mumbled, darting my eyes around the people and he simply nodded with a smile.
“Wasn’t I always?” he grinned and I scoffed before smiling a little. “Do you know why they’re looking for you?” Vincent questioned and I shook my head before going silent.
“Maybe they’re mistaken.” I murmured, my hands beginning to feel sweaty. And here I thought I was handling this pretty well.
“They’re never mistaken,” Vincent muttered, adjusting his tie and I licked my lips before looking up at him. “I’ll be back, don’t wander about.” He said and I nodded before watching him leave. I was about to take another sip from my glass when the girls started squealing and I stopped to look at Draven, who was now walking inside the ball room. He was well dressed, wearing a black suit that fitted him all-too-well and I gulped softly when the music changed to a softer one. Girls started surrounding him the minute he took a step forward, pouring down all kinds of questions and begging him to dance with them. I watched him let out a frustrated sigh before slipping his hands inside his pockets and darting his eyes around the room, as if he was searching for someone now. My heart skipped a beat when his gaze finally landed on me and we shared a small moment together before I quickly turned away, my hands beginning to tremble. Why was I so nervous?
“Dance with me.” I heard Draven’s voice as he appeared in front of me and I gasped before taking a step back, the grip I had on the glass tightening at his words.
“I-I don’t know how to dance!” I blabbered out the first lie that popped into my head, trying my very best to ignore the angry girls, who were now shooting me a million glares.
“It’s fine.” Draven mumbled, taking my hand and I froze in my position, refusing to go along with his offer.
“I still haven’t finished my drink…” I trailed away, my voice barely above a whisper now and I watched Draven raise a brow at me before taking a step forward and grabbing the glass away from me.
“It’s-fine.” He emphasized each word softly before placing the glass on the table and practically dragging me along with him. Before long, I was slow dancing next to him, my fingers interlocked with his while my other hand having a firm grip on his shoulder.
“Did anyone talk to you?” he whispered, leaning closer to my ears and I shivered upon hearing his voice but managed to shake my head. “Good, stay close to me and don’t wander about tonight.” He instructed, meeting my eyes and I nodded again, quickly ripping away our eye contact.
“Adriana,” I heard him whisper again but this time, I didn’t bother to look at him and instead, continued dancing, praying that the dance would end already. “Look at me.” His voice sounded impatient and I looked up to fixate my gaze on his. There was something about the way he was looking at me now, that was different from before. I can’t really put my finger on it but it made me feel very uncomfortable. There was no anger or hatred filling inside them anymore, just a bunch of mixed up emotions and it was getting very hard to read any of them. My feet suddenly froze when I noticed his lips moving closer to mine and I was about to take a step back when a voice interrupted us, causing me to sigh in relief. Was he about to just kiss me? In front of all these people?!
“Kevin is looking for you.” Danny said and I watched Draven nod before turning to look at me again.
“Stay here, I won’t be long.” He said and I slowly nodded before they both disappeared. As soon as I turned around, I came face to face with a bunch of girls, who were now looking at me with so much hatred, I started to take some small steps back out of fear. They looked furious beyond words and I was about to open my mouth to say something when one of them walked up to me before folding her arms across her chest.
“Who the hell do you think you are?!”
“Were you about to kiss him just now?”
“You’re not anything special, Adriana Reed.”
“She’s playing the innocent card just to gain pity from them.”
They all started snapping at once and I lowered my eyelashes on the ground, holding back any rude comments. I cannot create another scene here, it will only result in me becoming the center of attention again.
“Talk, bitch!” one of them snapped, before marching up to me and giving my shoulders a hard push. I gasped and stumbled back before bumping into someone and quickly turned to apologize but stopped to look up at Edward.
“Ladies, ladies, what’s going on here?” he sang and my eyes widened when I noticed Finn, Vincent, Raymond and Alaric suddenly appearing next to Edward, huddling around me.
“We-we-”
“Don’t tell me you were actually trying to hurt our precious little angel here.” Raymond said with a fake gasp and I watched the girls go silent at his words.
“She doesn’t even want to be here!” one of them finally managed to say out loud and I pressed my lips together into a thin line.
“I heard she was attempting to run away and-”
“That’s none of your business, you little brat.” Vincent’s sweet voice turned all cold and I gulped softly, dreading over the fact that everyone in the room was now slowly starting to notice the commotion.
“It’s fine, Vincent, I promi-”
“Only we get to bully our toy.” Alaric cut me off and his words pricked my nerves. Excuse me?
“True, true.” Finn agreed with a chuckle and I mentally scoffed at them.
“So, next time,” Raymond started with a smile, then glared at the girls before appearing in front of the nearest girl, who gasped before stiffening on the very spot “Don’t fuck around with her.” His voice was now laced with venom and I watched the girls quickly nod their heads before walking away.
“Th-thank you…” I managed to mumble and gasped when Raymond wrapped an arm around my shoulders before pulling me closer to him.
“Of course, let’s kiss now.” He cooed, leaning his face closer to mine but it wasn’t long before Edward roughly grabbed his shoulders, jerking him away from me.
“Stop acting all clingy around her!” Edward hissed and I stared at them in surprise.
“You’re just jealous, you little dipshit!” Raymond shot back and I couldn’t help but chuckle at their behavior. It was so childish but cute at the same time.
“Adriana, come here.” Draven’s voice cut our little act and we all turned to watch him nod at me. I hurried over to him and glanced back at the boys, giving them a small smile of gratitude before following behind Draven as he guided me out of the ball room.
“Did I do something wrong?” I asked softly and he kept silent before entering the dining room.
“No,” he said shortly, closing the door behind us and I fiddled with my fingers to stop myself from panicking any further. “It’s safe in here.” He said, walking up to me and I slowly nodded before lowering my gaze back on the ground.
“About the Armenius family, I was wondering if you could tell me-” before I could finish, Draven grabbed my face, closing into a kiss and I gasped, stumbling back a little but he managed to follow my movement as he pressed me against the wall, slipping in his tongue and using this chance to explore my mouth.
“Draven,” I breathed pulling away, tears glistening in my eyes and I watched him slightly flinch at my reaction before turning away.
“Sorr-”
“Tsk, tsk, still the same as ever, aren’t you Draven?” A familiar voice cut off Draven and we both turned to watch Dexter walk inside the room, making my jaws drop open. My eyes lingered on him for a few seconds before I looked up at Draven and was about to start explaining myself but stopped when I saw the expression on his face. The color on his face had faded away and I watched them both glare at each other in hatred before Dexter broke into another laugh, causing my eyes to widen.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Draven spat, stepping in front of me and I watched Dexter take a step back before waving his hands in fake surrender.
“Dexter, get out of here!” I snapped and I watched Draven spun around to face me, his eyes widening at my words.
“Ho-how do you know him?” his words stumbled for the first time before he gripped my shoulders tightly and I looked at him, fear rushing through my face as I tried to come up with a lie.
“Oh, don’t sweat it, she’s been seeing me for quite a while now.” Dexter said calmly and I watched Draven flinch before turning around again. Wait, they know each other?! How?!
“Get the fuck out of here before I rip your heart out, right here, right now!” Draven spat with so much hatred and anger, I took a step back out of fear. What the hell was going on?
“I came for the girl, mate.” Dexter sang and I glared at him, hating the fact that he was only making the situation worse by acting so confident and ignorant. Was he not aware of what Draven Cruz was capable of?
“You have some fucking nerve to come into my town,” Draven started, his voice getting even colder than usual, if that was even possible. “And trying to take what’s rightfully mine!” he finished off with a growl and I fought back the tears as the tension clouded around us more.
“Ah, but you missed a point there,” Dexter started and I watched Draven take a step forward. “You cannot claim her as yours. After all, you didn’t even feed on her yet.” He chuckled deeply, sending shivers down my spine. What the hell was he talking about?!
“I’ll give you five fucking seconds to leave.” Draven warned, and I heard Dexter sigh before waving his hand again.
“I’ll be leaving anyways. Just came to see her before I claim her as mine.” Dexter stated and my jaws dropped open in surprise and confusion, my heart pounding loudly against my chest. Before I could ask him anything, Dexter disappeared, leaving only Draven and I alone in the room and I gulped softly before looking at Draven, my heart racing ten times faster than it was before.
“You,” he started, his voice laced with venom and hatred before he turned to face me, his eyes burning holes through my face now, causing my breath to hitch in fear.
“Have some fucking explaining to do, Adriana.”