"Today is the day!" Mercedes twirled around for the millionth time.

"Child if you do not stay still," her mom yanked at her arm making her sit back down.

Serenity sat on her bed and watched the scene unfold. She was a bit worried. Liam hasn't given her any more information about her dress. She hadn't told Des about it, just in case of this. Of course, she couldn't go anymore and instead had to work it. Everyone had been busy all week.

Eloise began to work on Des's hair. She is doing a half up half down style. The part that is up is split into two. She began on one section and started to do bubble braids. By looping rubber bands around her hair and spaced them out evenly so there are three different sections. After that, she pulled the hair making them bubble-like.

The hair that was left down is getting curled.

Her friend was going to look truly gorgeous Serenity though as she watched her get ready. She couldn't help but be a little sad. She was truly looking forward to attending this ball.

"Serenity, Liam is looking for you. He's in his office," Mateo bursts into the room in a rush.

"Me?"

"Yes now hurry along," everyone was quite busy. For him to have to deliver such a message is an inconvenience.

Serenity stood up and looked towards her friend with a shrug. She then left the room and went upstairs to Liam's office.

She softly knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

She pushed open the door, "Mateo said you're looking for me."

"Yes, Go up to my room a few things are waiting for you there." He didn't bother looking up from the paperwork that blocked his face.

"Oh okay."

"Hurry along though time is limited."

Not knowing what he meant by that she bowed her head and walked out of the room. With a bit of pep in her step, she hurried off to his room.

Inside she found a bag on top of his bed along with two boxes. A small jewelry-like box, and a bigger shoe-like box. Smiling she grabs the smaller box.

It is long and rectangular with a velvety outside. It snapped open with a clunk, and she peers at its inside contents. Her mouth hung open in awe as she stared at the necklace and matching earrings.

The necklace is a simple string of circular diamonds that twinkled in the light, and five rubies hung from the string. The rubies themselves were encased (close-fitting surround) with diamonds.

The earings were even more alluring. They were gold-plated hoop encrusted (covered) with diamonds. Dangling down is a ruby hear also encased in diamonds. The set is truly magnificent.

Serenity's hand carefully grazed over the jewelry. She was truly in awe at such a beautiful piece. Clamping the box shut she set it back down on the bed. Skipping over the medium-sized box she goes over to the black bag. Surely this is the dress.

Carefully she unzipped the garment bag. As soon as the bag was opened red tulle came spooling out. Fully unzipping the bag she takes the dress out and sets it on the bed.

Of course, the dress is beautiful. With a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves. The entire dress is made of a deep red tulle, making it flare about in an exotic manner. On either side of the waist were beaded flowers.

Yet again Serenity's mouth hung open gaping like a fish out of water. She couldn't possibly wear this. It was too extravagant for her to wear. She'd stand out and that just wasn't her.

"Hello darling, sorry I'm late. I had a few things left to deliver." A lady walked into the room.

A confused expression flooded over her face. Who is this woman?

"We can get started now. "

"Started? Started with what?"

The lady propped open the suitcase she had been rolling behind her, "hair and makeup of course."

Serenity watched her in confusion, "Hair and makeup for me?"

Continuing on her way the lady morphed her suitcase into a standing vanity, "Yes you. The girl with caramel skin and beautiful curly hair. The description given to me matches you."

"Yes ma'am. Now come over here so I can assess what I'm working with."

Doing as told she walks over and stands in front of the vanity.

"Now I'm sure Liam won't mind if we pull this over here," The lady starts to scoot the autumn that sat in front of Liam's bed over to where she set up her vanity.

"You know Alpha Liam?"

"Of course. All formalities aside. I should introduce myself. I am Everly. Oliver's sister. Your alpha is a dear friend of my brother. Whenever he asked for this favor I couldn't just say no."

"What about your hair and makeup?"

Everly shrugs, "we should be done an hour before the ball. That's all I need. I should get started now. Go ahead and take a seat."

Everly began by wetting Serenity's hair. Taking a spray bottle she spritzed her curls, "your hair is truly gorgeous!"

"Thank you!"

"Of course. Can I ask you a question though?"

"Yes, of course."

"Why the special treatment from your alpha? From what I've heard the position for Luna is open and was most likely going to be filled by the old gamma. At least that's the rumor. Do you know something we don't?"

Serenity is taken aback by the question. That was the rumor though. After Liam got caught sneaking out of Kensley's room, and the announcement of Mateo and Zoey. Honestly, though, she didn't know why she was receiving special treatment.

"I can't answer that."

Everly laughs, "oh come on. What is it like a secret?"

She shrugs, "I suppose not."

"Then you can tell me."

Serenity sighs, "Only if it were that simple."

"Make it simple then," grabbing the brush she pulls it through Serenity's dripping hair.

"Making it as simple as I possibly can. He feels bad for me. It's all pity."

Everly shakes her head, "Honey, I know pity and this isn't it. That dress over there, handmade cost a pretty penny. I wouldn't give that to someone I pitied."

This really made Serenity think. They weren't pitty gifts?

The rest of the time Everly spent doing her hair was silent. Between pondering why Liam got her all these gifts and being overwhelmed by the day there was nothing else to be said. Or rather nothing else Serenity wanted to say.

"And there we are!"

At last, Everly finished her hair.

Serenity looked over in the mirror to admire it. It is a simple look that accented her curls. Her hair laid loose except for the side braid going back. She loved the bohemian-styled braid.

"I love it!" She exclaimed.

"I'm glad you do. For makeup is there any set style you want?"

Serenity shook her head, "something light and natural."

"Natural, light? Let's see if I can manage that." Everly laughed and began to work her magic.

Halfway through the look, Liam walked in, "Sorry to interrupt ladies, I just thought I should start getting ready for the ball."

Everly glanced down at her watch, "Wow that time already. I'll finish up here real quick then will be out of your hair."

"Of course, no rush. I will just make myself scarce." with that, he walked into his bathroom.

The girls looked at each other and shrugged. Continuing on Everly finished up serenity's smoky eye look and proceeds to add a pair of fake wispy eyelashes. It took a few tries for Serenity to get used to them. Whenever she eventually did Everly started packing up.

"All done!"

Standing up Serenity looked at herself in the mirror, "Woah, Is that really me?"

"Yes ma'am. Hard to believe right?"

"Yeah," she was at loss for words. What was she supposed to say? The girl looking back at her couldn't be herself. She was unrecognizable.

"You clean up pretty good. I will give you that."

"Umm thank you," one couldn't tell with all the makeup, but underneath she blushed at the compliment.

"Well, I'm off. See you at the ball girly." With her vanity morphed back into a suitcase she casually strolls out of the room.

What now? Serenity thought. There is still about an hour before the ball. Should she put her dress on now? Where would she wait?

The bathroom door opening brought her out of thought.

Liam walks out towel around his waist and water droplets running down his abdomen. Now, this completely took her breath away. Could there have been a more perfect human?

"I forgot my suit in the closet."

Serenity's eyes snapped towards the ground, "Um erm," she nervously laughed.

Ignoring her reaction he walks into his closet and pulls his suit out, "is that your dress on the bed?"

Nodding her head she walks over and picks it up, "yes it's quite lovely."

"She didn't," Liam walked out of the closet and tossed his suit-still on the hanger- on the bed.

"Hmm?" Serenity was quite confused. That was until she looked between her dress and his suit, "They're- They're matching."

And they in fact were. The tie, vest, and pocket handkerchief matched the red on her dress, while the suit itself is black.

"She must've matched your dress to my suit since everyone else was doing the same."

It was a bad thing they were matching? Serenity didn't exactly mind, but it would give off the wrong impression. She knew that. Sadly they couldn't just waltz in hand in hand.

"It's fine. Honestly, do you know how many girls will be wearing red? Everyone will think it's just a coincidence. It is a Valentine Ball."

Liam thought about it for a moment. He knew she was right. Something in his chest tightened, "you're right." picking the suit back up he walks back to his closet.

Did she say something wrong?

Whenever he came out he is fully clothed. His tie is draped over his shoulder and he stares at Serenity fully drinking in her appearance. She is truly beautiful.

Under his stare Serenity nervously fidgeted with her finger.

"Did I do something wrong?" she finally decided to ask.

He shakes his head and begins messing with his tie, "of course not what makes you say that?"

"I can't read you. One minute you hate me and next your doing all of this for me. I don't know what to expect with you."

Liam stops. He was being hot and cold with her, wasn't he? She made him nervous. I guess the question to come is why does she make him so nervous?

Not wanting to admit it he's scared of the power she holds over him. This girl could simply snap her fingers and ask for whatever she wanted. He'd lay it all on the line for her. Would he? He would. If he would what was stopping him from claiming her as his own?

It shouldn't matter what the pack thought of her. Yet that was the thing stopping him. The pack needed a strong Alpha Female. He knew what they needed and because of this, he began to be very hesitant with his moves and actions.

"I don't mean to be hot and cold with you." Liam looks Serenity dead in the eye, "I honestly truly like you."

Serenity held his stare. Shocked by the words coming out of his mouth. He "liked" her? What does that even mean?

"No." She says rather sternly, "you're not going to do that! You are not going to hold all the strings and make all the moves! I refuse to let you!" throwing her arms up in the air she huffs.

"Don't you see?" remaining calm Liam watches her every move. Every action. How would she react to him telling her this? "You hold the strings. You are making the moves. I'm following you."

Shaking her head she advances on Liam, "no you don't. Stop trying to manipulate me into thinking so. I have no control over any of this. Your just making me fall for you and for what! What is this all going to lead up to! Like actually. Were two worlds apart, and I don't fit in your world." Serenity stops realizing what she was doing.

To anyone looking in, she is on the defense against their alpha. She had no right. Stoping she took a deep breath and turned so her back faced him.

"We were never on the same level. We will never be on the same level."

It got heated there, didn't it? It needed to be said. The next chapter is the ball!!! It's finally here!

How excited are you?

What do you think is going to happen?

Will Liam and Serenity finally come out to the pack?

If so how will the pack react?

Will Liam and serenity wait to tell the pack? Should they?