CHAPTER 452: THE YEAR-END BALL

Evaline:

The ballroom glittered like a thousand stars had descended upon the Silver Moon Academy that night. Chandeliers shimmered with moonlight, crystal reflections dancing across the marble floor. Music drifted through the air - soft, elegant, timeless.

I couldn’t help but let out a small breath of wonder as I stepped in, surrounded by my friends.

This was it - the night everyone had been waiting for.

The moment we entered, the entire ballroom seemed to hum with energy. I could feel eyes turn toward us, but I didn’t let it get to me. Instead, I smiled, clutching Mallory’s arm as we made our way deeper into the crowd. My heels clicked softly against the floor, and for once, I didn’t mind being in the center of attention. After all, everyone was dressed to impress tonight.

Mallory’s gown shimmered gold under the lights, while Selene looked ethereal in shades of lilac. Ria’s red gown flared dramatically every time she turned, and Kyros, Noah, and Rowan looked surprisingly dashing in their suits.

"Alright," Mallory whispered mischievously, leaning close once Draven stepped aside to talk to his friends. "Let’s start by tasting everything that looks remotely edible before the seniors take over the tables."

I laughed, shaking my head. "You are incorrigible."

"Thank you," she replied with mock grace before pulling me toward the refreshment table.

The air smelled sweet with the aroma of chocolate fountains, vanilla pastries, and sparkling fruit punches. I grabbed a glass of sparkling water and then a small plate of strawberry tarts.

Noah joined us a minute later, balancing two plates full of snacks. "Don’t judge me," he said before stuffing a bite-sized pastry into his mouth.

"Too late," I teased, and he grinned back at me.

For a while, it was perfect. We laughed, gossiped, and teased each other, the music surrounding us like a dream. I could almost forget the chaos of exams, the nights of exhaustion, and even the three men who had their gazes fixed on me.

Almost.

Because no matter how much I tried to focus on my friends, my gaze... traitorous as ever... kept wandering.

It didn’t take me long to find him.

Oscar stood near one of the marble pillars, dressed in black that matched the shadows themselves. He wasn’t doing anything special - just standing there, hands tucked in his pockets, talking to a few instructors. And yet, he commanded the entire room’s attention. My heart skipped a beat every time his eyes flicked toward me, every time our gazes met for half a second too long before one of us looked away.

And then there was Kieran - standing near the Alphas, calm and dignified as ever, his composure masking the quiet intensity in his eyes. His black suit was perfectly fitted, his green tie glinting faintly under the lights. When I caught him looking at me, my breath caught. He didn’t smile... but there was a softness in his gaze, one that melted my chest.

I quickly turned away, pretending to be invested in whatever Noah and Selene were arguing about.

By the time the first set of upbeat music began, most of the students had gathered on the dance floor. Mallory grabbed my hand and pulled me with her before I could refuse.

"Come on, it’s the last night! You can’t just stand there being pretty and mysterious," she scolded.

I laughed, giving in. "Fine. But only if you don’t step on my toes."

"No promises!" she said cheerfully.

And just like that, we were spinning and twirling, laughing so hard we could barely breathe. Selene and Ria joined us midway, their laughter echoing through the hall. Kyros was dragged in next and then Rowan, who ended up bumping into Mallory, nearly knocking her into the dessert table.

We were chaos and joy and youth all rolled into one glittering moment.

As the music changed to something softer, I excused myself to catch my breath, sipping on my drink again. My heart was still racing... not just from dancing, but from the fact that every time I looked up, I found one of them watching me.

Oscar’s gaze was heavy, almost tangible, burning across the room. Kieran’s was more subtle - quiet admiration mixed with restraint. And I... I didn’t know what to do with the way it made me feel.

"Busy fantasizing about your men."

The deep, familiar voice broke through my thoughts.

I turned, and there he was... Draven.

He looked unfairly good tonight. His suit was midnight blue, perfectly cut, but with no shirt underneath. The fabric clung to his shoulders, the deep V of his chest exposed enough to make my heart flutter. His hair was tousled just enough to look effortlessly perfect, and his emerald eyes were fixed on me in a way that made my pulse race.

"How about including me in your fantasy?" he said, his voice low.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, even as I tried to play it cool. "Stop talking nonsense."

He grinned, offering his hand. "Dance with me?"

I smiled and placed my hand in his. "Always."

The crowd parted slightly as we stepped onto the dance floor. The music slowed, the melody turning soft and romantic, and Draven’s arm slipped around my waist. I placed my hand on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his skin through the fabric.

We swayed gently to the rhythm, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand. His scent surrounded me, familiar and comforting all at once.

"Everyone’s staring," I murmured.

"Let them," he whispered, leaning closer. "I want them to know you are mine."

Before I could even respond, his lips were on mine.

It wasn’t a soft kiss. It was slow, deep, and filled with a kind of hunger that made the world around us blur. Gasps echoed through the ballroom, but I didn’t care. I could only feel his hand at the small of my back, pulling me closer, and the steady thud of his heartbeat against my palm.

For a moment, there was no Academy, no titles, no expectations... just us.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless and dazed, the hall was alive with whispers and stares. Some faces looked shocked, others envious, and a few... like my friends... were practically glowing with excitement.

Draven chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that."

"I think you just made history," I teased, trying to steady my heartbeat.

But before I could bask in the warmth of the moment, something strange caught my eye.

Just below his collarbone, where his jacket gaped open, I saw it... thin, black veins running along his skin, dark and unnatural. My smile faltered.

"Draven..." I whispered, frowning slightly. "What is that?"

He followed my gaze, then laughed softly. "That? Probably just a bruise. I might have overdone my training session yesterday."

I shook my head. "That doesn’t look like a bruise. It’s... I don’t know how to even explain this."

He brushed it off easily, his tone light. "Hey, don’t worry. I feel fine. No pain, no weakness. Maybe it’s just something minor."

But I couldn’t shake the unease curling inside me. If it was a bruise, it should have healed within minutes. Besides, it looked nothing like a bruise.

"Still," I said softly, "it doesn’t look right."

He smiled, his fingers brushing my cheek. "You worry too much, sweetheart."

Maybe I did. But something deep in my chest... something instinctual... whispered that this wasn’t nothing. That whatever it was, it wasn’t ordinary.

And as he pulled me back into the dance, smiling as if nothing was wrong, I couldn’t help but glance again at the black veins, glinting faintly under the golden lights.

They looked like shadows crawling beneath his skin.

And no matter how hard I tried to ignore it, the uneasy feeling settled in my chest like a storm waiting to break.