Liam held Katie close as the band played a slow romantic ballad, a wide smile on his face as he twirled her under his arm.

Liam had cleaned up nicely, wearing a black suit and tie, matching Katie's long black sequined dress, which she always wore to fancy occasions, though none quite as high-profile as this.

The Darvens' gala was held at their main estate, which had its own ballroom, making it feel more like a castle than the average millionaire's home.

Although Michael Darven was the Vampire King, which meant anything less wouldn't have been done.

The ballroom had high ceilings and even a second-floor balcony for onlookers to watch the dancing from above. Large curtains draped down from the bottom of the balconies to frame large floor-to-ceiling windows, which were dark with the night sky beyond. Tables lined the walls, inviting people to mingle and enjoy drinks or snacks before dancing.

Of course, Katie had insisted on dancing as soon as they had arrived. She had always loved dancing, and she would admit to being a bit excited to have the chance to do so tonight. Dancing also made it less likely anyone would come up and talk with her, and she did not feel up to conferring with more mafia members than needed that night.

And, although the event had started almost an hour ago, the Darvens had yet to arrive.

Typical.

Katie let out a giggle while held in Liam's small dip as the song came to an end. The room filled with polite applause as people moved about the dance floor between songs.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!"

A voice boomed from the second floor, and Liam and Kaite turned around with the other gala members to find the Darvens standing proudly at the front of the second-floor balcony.

Grace stood on one side of her father, Michael Darven, while Connor stood on the other.

Grace wore a slick, form-fitting crimson gown with a sheer, off-the-shoulder cape, embroidered with red flowers. Her hair and makeup were done as if she were attending an awards show, not one of her family's regular galas. She never attended any events other than these galas, making her rare appearances even more noticeable.

Behind her stood Ibris, hidden amongst the other guards. However, Katie noticed that he wore a small red flower in his pocket, which the others did not. 

Connor had worn a cream suit with a matching cream floral embroidery on the sleeves, which he fiddled with as his eyes scanned the room, eventually settling on Katie, a surprised smile tilting his lips, which quickly dropped as he spotted Liam at her side, his hand in hers.

Grace also seemed to have spotted them, an amused smile playing at her lips as she glanced from the pair to her brother, pretending to cough as she glanced back at Ibris.

"We, the Darven Family, extend our warmest welcome and most sincere gratitude that you joined us this evening to aid in raising money for the building of hospitals in rural parts of our nation, places which no doubt need it the most."

A cheer rose amongst the attendees, and even Liam raised his hands to clap, but Katie kept her arm to the side, her hands clenched into fists.

It was all a lie. It was just another excuse to raise money to bribe small hospitals into selling off their blood or to build new hospitals to expand their blood smuggling business.

It ate at Katie to have spent money on attending the gala tonight, feeling as if it went against everything she believed in, everything she stood for.

And yet every morning she woke up, the mark on her neck felt like a cruel joke.

Her brother's murderers had marked her, and she had to do all she could to know why.

If her brother were still here, she knew he would understand. He would probably want to know, too.

Her lack of applause drew the attention of the Vampire King, and an amused smile danced across his lips as he gazed down at her and Liam.

The Vampire King was a strikingly handsome older man, with well-kept silver hair and strong features, his piercing blue eyes the strongest of them all. And Katie could feel his power as he looked at her, fear rising in her heart despite the man's amused smile.

He had a wife for a short time, Connors ' mother, who was the fourth daughter of another Vampire King. However, she had passed away around ten years ago from a heart condition, which had thrown the Darven family even deeper into their faux care for hospitals and healthcare.

"Your generosity warms our hearts," Michael Darven continued, his gaze fluttering back across the wide ballroom, "and we thank you all for taking your time out of your night to join us."

He raised a glass of what looked to be wine, but might even be blood, as he toasted to the night.

"With that said, let me not take too much more of it! Enjoy the Gala!"

The music started back up with a lively jig, and Katie and Liam quickly moved to the outskirts of the dance floor.

"Let's take a break, grab some  refreshments." Katie offered, leading him to an empty table, the other gala attendees watching them closely, as if aware that the two shouldn't be there.

As two wolves belong in a den of lions.

Katie kept her eyes on the Darvens, her fingers anxiously tapping on a glass of champagne as all three members of the family cast vastly different expressions her way, moving from their spot on the balcony as they began to mingle with the most important guests on the second floor.

Liam was watching her, his brows pinched in worry, as he laid a gentle hand on her arm, his eyes scanning the room.

"This was fun, but let's go," He whispered, leaning into her ear to be heard over the music. " I am not sure we should be here... You can find another way to ask whatever—"

"Miss Nosy, what a pleasant surprise." Connor greeted, coming up beside her with a buttery smile. His eyes were fiery as he glanced from her to Liam. "Quite the bold move coming to this gala, you know," he muttered, his gaze locked on Liam, the two men's darkened expressions mirroring each other.

Katie blinked at Liam's reaction; she almost didn't recognize the man at her side, his usual sunny demeanor replaced by an unfamiliar cold fierceness. Liam's eyes were hard, his jaw clenched as he matched Connor's glare.

"I have some questions for you, Connor." Katie replied, standing between the two men, "If you have a moment?"

"Ah, alone then? Just the two of us?"

"No," Liam quickly snapped, "Any questions she has can be answered in front of me too."

"Oh?" Connor hummed, tilting his head with a knowing smile, "Strange, that  it isn't always the case..."

Suddenly, both of their gazes landed on Katie, their expressions questioning for vastly different reasons.

Katie had to hold back the urge to roll her eyes, grabbing Liam's hand reassuringly, meeting his confused expression with a reassuring one.

"Katie, what is he—"

"Listen, I'm going to dance one dance with him. I'll try to get the answers I need, then talk to Grace, and then we can leave. Okay?"

Liam's face softened, and she saw a brief glimpse of the soft man she loved in his features before his gaze turned back to Connor, his hardened expression returning.

"Fine." He huffed, his gaze matching Connor's as he bent down and pressed a kiss on her neck, right over where her Marking was, casting Connor a smug look as he raised her knuckles to his lips to place a soft kiss before extending her hand to Connor.

Katie sighed, almost rolling her eyes at his attempts at being possessive, despite the color that rose to her cheeks at the action.

Connor, however, did roll his eyes, grasping Katie's other hand as he led her onto the dance floor, a slow waltz playing, drawing him closer to her as he leaned down to speak in her ear, the side without the mark.

"Now what do you want from me, Miss Nosy?" He hummed against her ear. sending a shiver down her spine as his breath tickled her ear.

Katie glanced at Liam, who looked like he was about to spin around and rip at the tall curtains beside him, and Katie tried to shoot him an apologetic frown as she tried putting a bit more space between herself and Connor.

However, Connor was strong, and her struggling only encouraged him to pull her closer.

"I learned that you have a brother," Katie replied quietly. "That you might not really be the heir after all."

Connor froze, nearly tripping over his own feet at her words.

"Oh? I take that as a yes?" Katie hummed, a smile playing at her lips at his accidental confirmation of her suspicions.

"My brother..." He grumbled.

"Yes."

"What information are you hoping to gain from me?"

"Just hoping to confirm my suspicions... that you aren't the one who Marked me."

"Who said my brother was older?"

"You just did, five seconds ago."

"But I am the heir."

"Are you?"

There was a brief moment where neither of them spoke, the movements between them in the dance slow, yet calculating, as if both were trying to figure out the next person's move before the other could figure out theirs.

"You know, Miss Nosy. Despite your insistence on getting your nose into my business, I don't regret your Marking." He said, his voice low and breathy as he brought his lips to Katie's ear again.

"I only regret that I didn't get to do it sooner."

Katie took a step back, finding his gaze locked in Liam's, with Grace standing beside him, the woman watching the two dance with an amused smile on her face. At the sight of Katie's eyes on them, she turned and said something to Liam, causing him to snort and shake his head while Grace laid a delicate hand on his arm.

This time, Katie had a pang of jealousy in her heart. How long had he and Grace been talking for? What was she saying to him?

"Liam and I have been dating for quite a while." Katie clarified, turning to give Connor a firm look, "I am sure if Liam had the chance to mark me, he would have done it long ago. And then this wouldn't even be an issue."

Connor glanced at Katie from the corner of his eye, returning his attention to Liam and Grace with a disbelieving smile trailing up his lips.

"Oh? So sure of that, are you?" he chuckled.

Anger flooded Katie's veins, and she suddenly regretted her decision to come to the gala; she should have agreed to Liam's suggestion to leave when she had the chance.

"I shouldn't have done this," Katie grumbled under her breath, once more trying to loosen his grip on her. "You never give me straightforward answers, and only ever just make me feel more confused about things—"

"Things like: whether or not to dump your boyfriend." Connor offered.

"No," Katie hissed, "Like if you are even who you claim to be, Connor Darven."

"I am the heir," Connor growled, his expression darkening. "What you heard about another brother doesn't matter. I am the heir."

"And yet, you weren't the one who marked me."

"And if I say it was. What would that mean? For us?"

Katie hesitated. Looking at him, the cocky twinkle in his eyes was replaced with a more vulnerable tilt, as if awaiting her answer.

"Would you leave him?" He asked, nodding to Liam. "If I told you I marked you."

Katie watched his expression carefully, his words seeming genuine, and yet...

"Why?" She said softly. "Why did you mark me? Or want me to believe that you marked me? Answer that first."

The music trailed off, and couples on the dance floor began to disperse.

Yet Katie and Connor remained in the center. Connor's eyes narrowed as he watched her, trying to choose his next words carefully, while she stared at him in silent determination to get his answer, both refusing to be the first to turn away.

Familiar footsteps came up  behind Katie,  as a soft hand landed on her arm.

"Let's go," Liam muttered into her ear. "I talked to Grace, and she said she would answer any—"

" I want you." Connor suddenly said, holding her gaze, as if Liam weren't even there.

"It's because... I want you, Katie."