A ball to remember

Ava Rossi - POV

“I don’t want to hear about this anymore, Gabriel. Just get out,” Enzo said, frustration lacing his voice. I stepped back from the door, the scrape of a chair against the floor echoing in the stillness, followed by the sound of Gabriel’s footsteps retreating. The door swung open, revealing Gabriel, his expression stoic. Without a word, he brushed past me, disappearing around the corner, leaving a chilling silence in his wake.

“Ava, please come in,” Enzo called out, his tone shifting as he gestured for me to enter. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I walked into his office, forcing a smile onto my face despite the turmoil within. “So, what brings you to my office?” he asked, genuine curiosity in his eyes.

“I, um…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. Enzo was already burdened with his own problems, and I didn’t want to add to his stress. “Nothing, really. I was just taking a stroll and thought I’d look around the pack house,” I replied, attempting to sound casual.

“How do you like my pack?” he inquired, a smile playing on his lips. The memory of Samara’s warm welcome flooded back to me, and I couldn’t help but return his smile.

“It’s beautiful,” I asserted, the words feeling genuine.

“Good. You could just stay home if you don’t want to participate, but we have a small pack ball tonight, and I would be honored if you could come,” he said, and my heart began to race at the thought of mingling with so many unfamiliar faces.

“I don’t know, Enzo. I mean, it’s a pack event, and…” My voice trailed off, uncertainty creeping in. The idea of being surrounded by strangers, especially after only having met Samara, filled me with anxiety.

“You are my guest, Ava. And I insist,” he interrupted, his tone firm yet inviting. My mind swirled with conflicting thoughts. I had only met Samara today; while she had been kind, I couldn’t be sure how the others would react to a rogue like me.

“I will think about it,” I finally replied, watching as he nodded, a flicker of hope crossing his face. With a smile still on my lips, I stood up and walked out of his office, the weight of his invitation heavy in my heart.

The day passed in a blur as I stood in the shadows, observing the pack prepare for the ball. My assumptions were confirmed: Samara was the only wolf who genuinely welcomed me. The other pack members I encountered were either hostile or completely avoided my gaze, their indifference cutting deeper than I expected. The ache in my chest grew, but I masked it with a calm exterior, determined not to show my vulnerability.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the night air turned chilly, I made my way back to Enzo’s house. Approaching, I noticed the entire house was aglow with lights, casting a warm, inviting glow that contrasted with the turmoil inside me. I walked inside, and at that moment, heavy footsteps echoed down the staircase. Looking up, I saw Enzo descending, and a gasp escaped my lips, my throat suddenly dry.

He wore a tailored black suit that accentuated his muscular frame, exuding an air of confidence. An easy smile graced his face, making my heart flutter. As he reached the landing, he walked toward me with purpose, stopping right in front of me. “I got you a dress for the ball,” he stated, excitement flickering in his eyes.

“You didn’t have to do that. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to come, Enzo,” I replied, guilt washing over me for allowing him to spend money on me. He shook his head, dismissing my concerns.

“Take it as my gift. And don’t worry; I’m not pressuring you to come. It’s totally up to you, all right?” he assured me, his gaze steady and sincere. I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension swirling within me.

“You look handsome,” I said, attempting to lighten the mood.

“Well, thank you,” he replied, glancing at his watch. “I better get going.” I nodded, but he didn’t ask me again if I would be there. It was clear from the way he looked at me that he hoped I would attend, even if he didn’t voice it.

As I stood alone in the hallway, uncertainty gnawed at me. I wasn’t sure if I could face the gathering. I might feel like an outsider, yet I didn’t want to hurt Enzo’s feelings.

After making sure that the main door was locked, I made my way up to the guest bedroom. As I opened the door, my eyes widened in surprise at the beautiful dress laid out on the bed. It was a deep, almost maroon pink, with a plunging neckline and a low back that seemed both elegant and daring. Next to it was a shoebox containing a pair of nude high heels. I held the dress up against myself, noticing how it pooled elegantly below my legs.

“Enzo does have an eye for clothes,” I murmured, a soft smile forming on my lips. The thought of him choosing something so beautiful for me filled me with warmth.

I placed the dress back on the bed and quickly made my way to the bathroom. After taking a quick shower, I changed into the dress, applied light makeup, and styled my hair simply but elegantly. As I stepped out of the room, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.

The party was already well underway by the time I arrived at the pack house, but as I entered, I found no one in the foyer except for a few warriors standing guard. Their eyes briefly flickered to me, but they quickly returned to their conversations, leaving me feeling invisible.

I took a sharp right down the hallway and stopped in front of a closed door. My heart raced as I took a deep breath and gently opened it. Soft music filled the air as I slowly slipped into the ballroom, my pulse quickening with every step.

“Ava?” I turned to find Samara approaching me, her smile warm but her eyes betraying a hint of nervousness.

“It’s nice to see you at the ball,” she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Soon, more people began to take notice of me, and murmurs spread through the crowd. I felt the weight of their gazes, some curious, others judgmental.

“Enzo invited me, so I—” I started to explain, but before I could finish, I saw pack members parting the way, and Enzo stepped into view, cutting through the tension like a beacon of light.

“You came. Come,” he said, extending his hand toward me. Hesitantly, I wrapped my fingers around his, feeling warmth radiate from his touch. He led me into the center of the ballroom, and I felt a mix of excitement and dread.

As we walked, I could hear whispers ripple through the crowd. I caught snippets of conversation— no one was happy with my presence and this made me second guess my decision. My heart raced as I focused on Enzo, trying to drown out the noise around me.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low and concerned as he led me to a quieter corner of the room.

“I’m fine,” I replied, though the tremor in my voice betrayed my worry. “Just a little overwhelmed.”

“You don’t have to worry about them. You’re my guest, and I’m here with you,” he reassured me, his gaze unwavering.