Chapter Twelve: Christophe

"Your Majesty, it's time," Lloyd says as he knocks on the door of my bedroom.

"Coming" I answer, tying on my full face mask. Even though Mère is against it, I decided to also wear a mask, this way nobody recognizes me, especially my mate although she may be able to smell me.

I take one more look at my room before stepping out and meeting Llyod at the end of the hallway. "Will Grayson be attending the ball?" I ask, hopeful.

"He might later on." Grayson is Lloyd's 5-year-old son. He and I have been hanging out since his mom died of cancer, so about four years. He's like a little brother to be and much rather be playing hide and seek with him than going to this ball. We walk downstairs to the ballroom full of people and meet up with Jesse and Xavier. Three days, when we found him riping up that punching bag in the sparing area, we discovered that Claire was pregnant, with TRIPLETS. Overwhelmed, Xavier went to the sparring area and got carried away.

"Do you smell her yet?" Jess asks.

"No, not yet," I say scanning the room. The women were wearing the most elegant dresses, I could only spot five or six of them wearing yellow.

"You should go dance with them," Xavier nudges me.

"Fine," I say begrudgingly and head into the crowd.

I was already dancing with the fifth woman when the smell hit me.

Chocolate and roses.