Chapter 37: The ball

**Elliot’s Point of view**


"Do we really have to?" I ask, trying once again to tie my tie.
"Yes, it says so on the invitation. 'Tuxedo for the gentlemen and evening gowns for the ladies.'" Says Simon as he ties his knot easily.
"This is ridiculous." I say as I toss my tie onto my bed. 
I don't understand why we have to dress this way. Tuxedos belong to the past. Today, people wear canvas pants with casual sneakers, a white shirt, and a blazer. And by no means ties.
"Don't worry, you look great like this." Says Owen as he ties my tie.
"I know a certain lady that will fall right in front of you." Simon whispers in my ear.
I shoo him away with my hand and look at myself in the mirror. I'm wearing a blue navy suit with a white shirt and a dark red tie, almost like the color of my hair. I paid a little visit to the pack hairdresser who shaved me shorter on the sides and plastered back the rest. I indeed look pretty good like this, despite the very dressy shoes not at all to my taste.
"Look at him. He’s drooling in front of the miror!" Says Owen.
"Yeah. He thinks he’s handsome." Adds Simon.
At the mention of this special word, I can't help but think of Alice again. I've always seen her in jeans and sneakers, with simple plain t-shirts. I wonder if she'll wear makeup. Will she tie her long hair back? I hope not, it looks so good floating on her shoulders.
I shake my head to snap out of my dream, but Leo doesn't and he continues to drool.
It is finally time and we all go together to the reception hall. 
There are many nobles and Alphas of various packs. Immediately, many girls throw me some teasing glance and come sometimes to make advances to me. Some of them touch my arm or my chest and no matter how pretty they are, it just makes me want to throw up and Leo gives me a headache from grunting. 
I see Derek waving and walking towards me.
"I see that you too are being noticed." He says with a laugh.
"Tell me about it. I feel like everyone is watching us."
"It's not just a feeling." He says with a laugh. "How's your leg?" 
"It's fine. I don't have a limp anymore, I just have a slight scar that will maybe disappear. I was lucky. You were too, by the way."
He sighs. "I know. I thank Miss Gibson for giving that incomprehensible paper. Without it, I wouldn't have needed to go to her and we might not have found Alice in time." He says with a serious tone.
I had almost forgotten that it was thanks to him that Alice was found quickly and I am tempted to thank him but hold back just in time.
"Yes, I heard she's doing well and that she's out of the hospital." I say as I drink my glass of champagne to give me a sense of composure.
"Yes, she's here tonight. Rose saw her go into the Royal library this afternoon."
"Who is Rose?" I ask as I take another sip. 
His gaze is fixed behind me and I turn around to see a girl in a strapless black dress close to her body, reaching almost to her ankles. Her blonde hair is tied up in a very stylish bun. And she walks straight towards us.
"Alpha Derek, Alpha Elliot." She says, nodding her head respectfully.
"Rose." Derek says with a slight smile. "I didn't know you had to come to the dance." 
She nods to the side and touches the back of her neck. "Yeah, I changed my mind after all." She says softly. 
But Derek doesn't listen to her anymore. He stares at something behind me, mouth agape.
I turn around and am speechless. 
Blue Moon pack has just entered but I only see Alice. 
After the first few seconds of relief to see that she is well, I am struck by her beauty. 
Her long hair is tied in a high ponytail that clears her beautiful face. Her makeup is light and she has a distinguished look.
She wears a dark red dress that comes just above the knee. It is sleeveless and the V-neck has a red lace band too. Simple and dressy. Sexy and elegant. Perfect, just like her.
I notice right away that the women are giving her hateful looks and the men are giving her longing looks. Leo stops drooling immediately and starts to growl, his fur spiky.
*"We should tear their eyes out! Nobody has the right to look at her except us."* He says, growling louder.
I feel like I'm ready to growl too and I force myself to close my eyes, breathe in and out deeply a few times to calm myself down. 
When I open my eyes again, I see that Alice is watching me and like every time our eyes meet, the world fades away. 
She looks as relieved as I do and I think she's going to smile at me. I quickly turn away, afraid to join her if I don’t stop. 
I am then invaded by anger against all this hatred between our packs which prevents us from being together.
Derek still seems to be stuck on Alice and I can't help but remark to him.
"You've got a little bit of drool there." I say, pointing to the corner of his mouth.
He seems to wake up and shakes his head.
"Excuse me, I have something important to take care of." He says while swallowing his still full glass of champagne before heading towards Alice.
She welcomes him with a big smile and he takes her in his arms. It is the look of the people near me that makes me realize that my eyes have changed color and that my claws are out. 
She returns his embrace, says a few words to him and they leave the ballroom together and head for a quieter place.
I have a very bad feeling and I decide to follow them discreetly.