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“We have to go because Penelope has been working hard and deserves it,” he says. “And we all have to go on a business trip soon, so we’re supposed to be spending time with her before we leave.”
Dominic makes a face but concedes the point. “Then let’s go. Before I end up ripping that dress off her.”
“Wait,” I say, holding up a hand. “Let me look at the two of you.”
Like Xavier, they’re both dressed up so handsomely. They’re both in black suits as well, although the cuts are a bit different. Each of them is perfectly tailored though, to show off the spread of their shoulders and the long lines of their legs. Dominic’s shirt is a rich purple, and Tristan’s a deep red, and I realize with a start that they’ve chosen jewel toned colors to complement the green of my dress. We look like a matched set without being prom-date-level matchy, and I love the way that makes me feel.
“You both look so handsome,” I finally tell them.
Dominic smirks and reaches for me again, but I bat his hand away. “Aren’t we supposed to be leaving?”
He growls, but we manage to make it out of the house.
As usual, Jonas is already waiting with the car when we step outside. He stands next to it, holding the door open, and he beams when he sees me.
It’s different from the way the men look at me. It’s more what I would expect if I’d had a dad who cared. The kind of pride that comes along with a father figure.
“Hi, Jonas,” I say, smiling back at him.
“Good evening, Ms. Penelope,” he replies. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
We all duck into the car, and I spend some time arranging the skirt of my dress so it doesn’t get crushed in the car.
“So…” I say, once Jonas has buckled in and started the car down the driveway. “Explain this thing again?”
Dominic huffs, clearly still wishing we could stay in. “It’s a ball,” he explains. “Hosted by one of the most influential pack of Alphas in the city. It’ll be pretentious, considering the location, but the food and alcohol will be good at least.”
“I see,” I reply. “I didn’t know packs threw balls.”
“Sure,” Xavier says. “Balls, galas, the occasional kegger.” He grins. “Depends on the pack. It’s a way of showing off their influence while also networking. It happens all the time, especially in the business world. It has all the other packs vying for an invite, which is always good for the ego.”
The ball is taking place a little ways outside the city, and I gape in amazement as the mansion comes into view. It’s massive, the size of a small castle or something, and it’s sitting in the middle of a huge sprawl of land.
We pull up to the gate, and Jonas shows the security guard outside our invites and then gets waved through.
The mansion comes into view more as we wind up the driveway, and it’s all lit up inside and out. There are fountains on the lawn, spraying water from all sorts of statues, and the garden beds are immaculately maintained. Everyone in the line of people waiting to go in is dressed to the nines, and have toremind myself that I’m also dressed for the occasion and I’m not going to stand out like a sore thumb.
Once we get out of the car, I keep pace with the men as we step inside the mansion. The inside of it is just as elaborate as the outside, and I try not to let my mouth hang open as I take it all in. We’re standing in what seems like an actual ballroom, and it’s amazing. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, dripping with crystals that refract the light in dazzling arcs. There’s a string quartet in one corner, playing the soft classical music that sweeps through the space. The floor is shiny and probably made from actual marble, and every window is draped with heavy gold curtains and garlanded with flowers.
The men are letting their eyes sweep the room as well, and I startle a little when Xavier leans in to murmur in my ear, “Every man in this room is looking at you right now.”
His breath ghosts over my ear, making me shiver, and I roll my eyes a little. “I don’t think that’s true,” I murmur back.
“Just look,” he says.
I do, glancing around again but this time paying more attention to the people than the furnishings. To my surprise, there are definitely some men checking me out. Even ones who clearly have other women on their arms already.
I don’t even know how to feel about that. I’ve never been the kind of woman who turns heads in a crowd, so getting this level of attention from the rich and influential men in this ballroom is shocking.
“Told you,” Xavier says, and I stick my tongue out at him.
“What do we do at something like this?” I ask, changing the subject. “I’ve never been to a ball before.”
“Drink,” Dominic says, making a beeline for the bar.
Xavier laughs. “He’s not wrong. Drink, dance, try the fancy canapes. Whatever you want.”