Chapter 18

Luke

Looking up from the files finally, I looked towards the window only to see it was already dark. I tilted my head and looked at the clock, and it was past one in the morning. Stretching my arms, I stood up from the chair and walked out of my office.

I went straight into the kitchen to see if there was something to eat, knowing that everyone must be sleeping by now. They are all tired and excited about the ball, but I am afraid. I don't want Scarlett to face those bastards, not even that cold-blooded.

I raided the fridge and came across a few sandwiches. After eating them, I went upstairs, walking through the hallway to go back into the guestroom which was next to my room. I halted abruptly, reaching the door. Taking a look at the door of my room, I saw the lights were out.

Taking slow and steady steps, I walked to the door and sighed. She invaded my mind and thoughts wholly. Slowly turning the knob, I pushed the door open. The room was dark and slightly cold. Looking around, I saw her on the bed curling like a ball. Her breath was steady, meaning she was in a deep sleep.

I walked to the bed and sat down on the edge. Looking at her angelic face, my eyes softened, I felt the hunter come forward to look at her as well. She shuddered as the temperature of the room was low. Grabbing the thin blanket, I covered her before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. The kiss lingers a few seconds longer than it should be.

" I will protect you, even if I have to fight with the whole world," I said, looking at her and tugging a stray hair behind her ear.

" Umm," she stirred in her sleep, making me freeze in my spot. After looking at her for a few good minutes, I decided to leave as I didn't want to wake her up and scare her. She had already suffered more than she deserved.

Standing up from bed, I walked out of the room and went to the guest room as I needed some sleep as well before the ball.

I also need to figure out who sent the letter and her pictures as well.

Scarlett

The next day came very soon to my liking. Waking up and getting out of bed, I saw that breakfast was already there. It made me feel guilty thinking about Jenna. What if she was punished because of me? I thought.

Rubbing the sleep off of my eyes, I stood up and was about to walk to the bathroom when a vigorous knock came on the door, making me flinch. The heart drummed in my ribcage, I kept looking at the door clutching my chest. I was afraid to face those people in the morning too.

I sighed in relief when the door swung open and Aurora came in.

" There you are," she said, coming inside and closing the door behind her.

" I thought you were still sleeping," she said.

" Well, I woke up," I said.

" Jenna brought you breakfast and didn't wake you. She said you seemed to be in a deep sleep and she didn't want to disturb you," she said.

" She did?" I asked, quite happy that she wasn't punished because of me.

" Yup," saying that she dumped all her shopping bags into the bed.

" Now quickly bath, shower whatever you want," she said as she went into the walk-in closet. I looked at her back in confusion, the ball must be in the evening and we still had plenty of time, I thought, until I looked at the clock which read past 11.

" What?" I mumbled, couldn't believe that I slept for so long.

" You are still standing there?" She said, gasping, as she walked to me.

" Miss, I don't want us to be late, and especially when this is your first ball. Will you please hurry up?" She pleaded with her puppy eyes.

" Yes, ma'am," I replied before turning around and walking into the bathroom.

After I was done with my morning routine, I quickly took a cold shower to calm my nerves and not to over think what happened the previous night. Turning off the shower, I went to the sink and pulled out a bunch of towels from the cupboard. I dried myself with one and wrapped another one around my chest.

" Jeez," Aurora said, coming into the bathroom without knocking. I almost screamed as I was startled by her.

" Wow," she breathed out, looking at me from head to toe.

" Aren't you a hot gorgeous baby doll?" She said, winking at me. I blushed a deep shape of red.

"He will lock you inside if you blush like that in front of him," she said, taking my arm and dragging me out.

" We don't have enough time, babes," she said, as she made me sit on a chair. I watched her as she brought the food tray.

" I need you to be energetic, because….. she trailed off looking at me and then looking at the food to avoid eye contact with me.

" You can eat while I bring out the dresses and all the things we need," saying that, she stood up and went into the closet hurriedly.

I was half through my pancake when she came out with our dresses and placed them on the bed before going in again. Honestly, I don't feel like luke bought me, this feels like I am home.

" Are you done?" She asked me.

" Don't tell me you just had one pancake and a glass of juice?" She asked, looking at the pile of food and my plate.

" You forgot to mention that it was a giant one," I said. She rolled her eyes.

" I told Jenna through the link to come here and help us and she is coming in…..

" What is the link?" I asked.

" It is the way we call our people. More like telepathy," she explained.

" Oh,"

" I am ready," Jenna said, opening the door.

" Good, come here and help us," Aurora said. Looking at Jenna, she looked absolutely gorgeous, nothing less than a princess in her lavender knee-length dress.

They both started talking, while Aurora gave instructions to Jeena. I walked to the bed and opened one of the bags she dumped on the mattress. I was in awe looking at the black stilettos. It was stunning.

" Scarlett," Aurora said, coming behind me.

" Now, wear the dress and sit down, don't you dare to peek at yourself," she said.

"OK," saying that, I did what she told me.

Jenna went into the bathroom and Aurora went into the walk-in closet to wear her dress. I quickly pulled out black lingerie and quickly put it on before wearing the dress. I was looking at both the bathroom door and the closet door while wearing the dress. Jenna came in when I was half a way through wearing the dress.

" Let me," she said, coming to me. She helped me with the zip.

" Wow, you look stunning," she said, as soon as I turned around.

" Thank you."

" And you look like a princess," I said.

" I was right," Aurora was coming out of the closet with her dress on. She was wearing a fitted gold gown that had a high slit like mine.

Looking down at the dress, I felt half naked with a deep neckline and a slit that went up to the thigh. The whole dress was embellished, giving it a royal look.

" Sit down," she made me sit down on a chair away from the mirror.

She began to work for me with lots of products which were outside of my league. I quietly sat there waiting for her to finish. While she was working on my face, Jenna blow dried my hair and let my hair open.

" Voila," she said, finally taking a few steps back while looking at me proudly.

" You have amazing skin, Scarlett," she complimented.

" Come," she said, extending her hand. Taking her hand, I stood up and went in front of the mirror. I was startled to see my reflection. She did a really good job. Aurora gave me soft smokey eyes with nude brown lips. My hair is a cherry on top.

" Since we are all done, why don't we join them downstairs?" Aurora said. Looking through the mirror, my jaw touched the floor like she was ready. Her makeup was done and so did her hair.

" Being a werewolf with ability had its own sparks," she said before I could ask her anything.

" Now, wear your shoes," she said, handing me the black stilettos. I took it from her, giving her a small smile. After I was done, I stood up, looking at both of the girls. I felt like somehow my heart was accelerated.

" They are all here," Jenna announced.

" I have never seen them," Aurora said. Walking to the window, we both followed her.

" Who?" I asked.

" The council members," Jenna said. Opening the curtains wide, we all looked down to see at least 12 people were entering the house. They were all in black cloaks except one. Sensing he was being watched, he looked up and made eye contact with me before giving me a smirk. I backed away from the window.

" Who was that?" I asked.

" The vampire lord," she answered.

"What?" I gasped in shock. I don't know if I fell into some kind of fairytale or nightmare.

We all walked back to the door when I grabbed Aurora's hand, stopping her from opening the door.

" Do I have to go?" I asked, nervously.

" No, you can sit here and mourn," she said, making Jenna laugh.

" Now come on. Nobody is gonna bite you."

" I hardly believe that," I said.

" Come on," she said, dragging me out of the room. With a sign, I followed them both to the stairs. I could hear the commotion that was going on down there from here.

Standing at the top of the stairs, my heart came into my mouth when my eyes fell on Luke who was talking to someone. I could see the side of his face and, not to say, he was looking like an absolute Greek god in a black tuxedo even if his shirt was black. All in one, he looked dreamy. Sensing my presence, he looked up, and my breath caught in my throat when our gazes met.

Aurora came to my side, grabbing my hand, and she led me downstairs. I felt Luke's heated gaze all over my body as well as I felt another pair of eyes on me.