(a short early update because I just found out that I got accepted into a college I applied for all the way in New York! trying to figure out money problems now... anyone living in New York who wants an introvert for a roommate *wink wink*?? enjoy xx)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

IT ISN'T TOO LONG afterwards when Marcus knocks on the door, alerting them the ceremony is already commencing. It has to be early evening at best, but Evelyn supposes it's a normal time for a so-called party. The sun is just setting, so perhaps it's later than it feels. Though, if she's honest, she feels like these past two days have been more like two weeks.

Erik, Locke, Killian, Micah, and Gavriel meet them in the hallway. Evelyn still can't fathom that they're all together again, finally. She doesn't mind Gavriel and Killian being new additions either, and of course she doesn't mind her brother. It's comforting to have so many allies, so many people she knows for a fact she can depend on. She would be comfortable with any of them watching her back in a fight, and that's something she'd never thought she'd admit. Once upon a time, she only ever relied on herself.

It's miraculous how a mere four or so months could change her so drastically.

The walk through the corridor is brisk and quick, and soon their group is standing in front of an ornate door, though it's not nearly as elaborate as Wolf's had been. Marcus confuses Evelyn when he doesn't open the door right away, but then he hears Leo's amplified voice on the other side as if he's speaking into a microphone.

"Ladies and gentleman," he called, the murmur of nearly a hundred people instantly silencing. "I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight, but we have some guests of honor I'd like to introduce! Let me tell you how I met them.

"It was a few months ago back at our old location where Monique and I--and an old friend--went scavenging for food since our rations were running low. We found a gas station a few blocks away, fully stocked and somehow untouched. It felt like a trap, but we were all starving. It was hardly a decision to break in and begin shoving random snacks into bags.

"That's when the growling started." Leo paused for a effect, surely having the whole audience in rapt attention. "We were being ambushed by a pack of savages."

Evelyn glances to Harry, but his eyes are set on the door as if he can see through it straight to Leo. After his bad mouthing of Harry's kind earlier, she's also curious how Leo will portray him. Will his people be accepting even when they're determined to exterminate them all?

"The battle broke out, and right when it was seeming bleak, we had a group of people come to our rescue. They fought bravely and strongly, and they are the only reason Monique and I are alive today."

The crowd cheered.

Marcus placed his hand on the door handle, but Leo continued from inside. "But before I introduce you all, I want you to know something.

"A few of our saviors were not human."

Evelyn wishes she had Harry's hearing so she could understand the frantic mumbling on the other side.

"I do not want any of you to criticize the man who saved my beloved fiance. I do not want any of you to treat any of them unkindly, for they have proven themselves to be different from the savages who plague our streets. I hope all of you with bestow upon them the same amount of respect that I hold towards them. Appearances can be deceiving, so though they look like the monsters we're in war with, please remember they are on our side."

Harry's eyebrows have furrowed. Gavriel and Micah, who were not there during the ambush, are also gazing at the door in confusion.

"Without further ado, please welcome some dear friends of mine!"

Evelyn isn't sure she'd call Leo her "dear friend," but if the label keeps imbeciles from attacking her and her friends, she'll play the part he needs her to.

Marcus swings the door open, allowing them inside. Evelyn goes first when no one moves, and is surprised to hear the crowd clapping. Maxie, Robbie, Sasha, and Caroline come in afterwards, bubbling with excitement. Max ducks in after Evelyn, but Evelyn has to reach back and grab Harry's hand to force him to move, knowing he hates being in the spotlight. Gavriel follows his friend loyally, but Killian also has to give Micah a little shove.

The applause falters as eyes widen and gasps are sounded, but somehow the clapping picks back up again. Leo smiles widely at them all, giving Evelyn and Harry a dip of his head as if he were bowing to them. Monique is also smiling, though she warily eyes Micah and Gavriel.

"Please enjoy this ceremony, which is not only being held because of our victory today, but also in your honor for being the reason I have the love of my life at my side."

Evelyn fumbles for something to say, but Leo is already turning away and shouting at the band to pick up the music again. People begin to dance and fall into casual chatter. Most still gawk at them, though, to their credit, they try to smile politely when they're caught before getting lost in the crowd.

Evelyn can't blame them for being hesitant. She'd only seen the worst of the beasts, after all. Of course they'll be cautious and suspicious when three of their enemies enter the safety of their home.

Soon enough, the kids disappear with others their age. A young woman approaches Max and asks for a dance, which causes Max to give Evelyn a triumphant smirk and a waggling of his eyebrows. She rolls her eyes, then notices Harry is rigid at her side, unmoving and completely unnerved. She squeezes his hand, trying to force him to look at her, but he's scanning the faces of the grand room with his jaw clenched tight. His teeth must ache by now.

Gavriel catches sight of the buffet table and quickly excuses himself with a hungry grin. People scurry out of his way as if in fear he'll decide to snack on them inside of the actual food. He tries to apologize to some, but gives up when he notices the area around him is practically empty. He shrugs and grins again once he reaches the food.

"Have you ever danced?" Killian asks Micah, who Evelyn now realizes is just as timid as Harry. Micah doesn't look at Killian but he shrugs. "Then come on. You need to be cultured."

Micah goes to protest, but Killian drags him away, undoubtedly trying to distract him from being so unsettled.

"That's a good idea," Evelyn says to Harry, though she has no idea how to dance either.

Harry finally blinks and peers down at her, as if he's coming back to reality. "What's a good idea?"

She gives him a look. "Dancing, you goof. Didn't you say you know how?"

"Yeah, actually."

"When did you learn to dance?"

Harry swallows, much like he did earlier when he became reserved after Evelyn first asked him if he could dance. He looks like he wants to dodge the question again.

Evelyn tugs his hand so he's facing her. "Harry, whatever it is, you can tell me."

He glances at her, then looks to the floor. "My senior prom," he says softly, barely audible over the music. "I had my mom teach me how to dance so I could impress a girl. Riley. We, um, we dated for few years."

"Oh."

Evelyn doesn't know why she's surprised. She'd guessed before Harry had plenty of girlfriends but suddenly hearing about once, that was supposedly a little serious, makes her stomach churn. She knows it's jealousy that this girl, this Riley, knew a carefree Harry who didn't have the actual weight of the world on his shoulders. She knew the Harry he is, not the one he had been forced to become. One who had endured so much.

No. She had known Edward, not Harry.

"I'm sorry," he says, as if he actually has something to apologize for. "I just can't help but to think of her when..."

"It's okay. I understand."

"You're not mad at me?"

She chuckles. "I don't have a reason to be. You're only remembering someone who was important to you."

He holds his hand out to her, a slight twinkle in his eyes. "Well then, Evelyn I-Don't-Know-Your-Last-Name. Would you do my the honor of having this dance?"

Evelyn snorts, which makes Harry grin, and she places her hand in his. "Sure, but I would curl my toes in if I were you. I've never danced before."

"It's not terribly hard. Just follow my lead, yeah?"

Harry places an arm around her waist, then places one of her hands on his shoulder while their remaining hands intertwined. As soon as Harry starts moving, Evelyn says, "Oh, no. This is not going to work."

Harry smirks. "You have to try before you give up, love."

"I am tryi--ugh."

If not for Harry's tight grip and quick reflexes, she would've just tripped over his feet and fallen flat on her face.

She tries to watch her feet, but Harry releases her hand to tip her chin up and their eyes meet. "Did you know watching your feet will only make you mess up more?"

"How does that make any sense?"

"It's true," he says. "Besides, I'd much rather be looking at your face rather than your head."

"My head is a wonderful shape with great hair."

He laughs. "I agree, but your eyes are much more beautiful."

Her cheeks flush despite herself. She'll never understand how easy his compliments get to her. She's never blushed so much in her life until she met him.

She feels the eyes of many people on them, and Harry seems to notice too. He looks over her head and scans the audience, a frown erasing the joy he felt a moment ago. Evelyn reaches up with both her hands and cups his cheeks, angling his face back down to hers. She hates how bothered her seems.

"Let them stare," she whispers. "It doesn't change anything."

He wraps both arms around their waist, and their clumsy waltz turns into more of a sway. "Doesn't it bother you?" he asks, as if afraid of her answer.

"I don't care what they think," she tells him honestly. "Their ignorant opinions are their own. The fact that I love you won't change."

He rests his forehead on hers. "I wish I looked normal. You don't deserve to be judged like this, Evelyn."

"Your appearance doesn't define who you are, Harry. You don't deserve to be judged like this."

"You're pretty incredible, do you know that? Wait, dumb question." He seems to notice her lips had parted and he grins. "I know you do, you self-conceited worm."

She catches his teasing tone and replies, "And I know you think too little of yourself, you insecure idiot."

"Ouch, that was too accurate."

She laughs and wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him impossibly closer. "I'll teach you someday how to not give a damn about what people think."

"And I'll teach you someday how to be humble."

"It's a date."

"No," Harry whispers into her hair, pressing a kiss on her neck that sends a shiver down her spine. "One day I'll take you on a real date."

She's glad her face is against his shoulder so he doesn't see her blush again. "I'm counting on it."