"And if the devil were to ever see you, he'd kiss your eyes and repent." -Farouq Jwadeh

I'd seen some of the letters Lorenzo had written to his mate Rosanna. Quite often, he referred to her as "Beauty". As my eyes track Alessandra as she walks down the stairs, I see the truth behind his nickname.

It was not just her looks that made her beautiful but her heart as well. She was a good person to all those around her, even those she did not know. It was not something I could say about myself, but is that not the point of mates? She and I are different in many ways but it creates a balance. I think back to my conversation with Mr. Oberoi and remind myself to talk about Alessandra about my idea later tonight.

Her dress was a deep gray with a sparkling bodice. It hugged her torso tightly with a deep cut through the middle which was close to revealing her breasts. The other half of the dress flared out like a traditional ball gown. Her brown tresses were flowing down her back in curls.

A star, she looked like a star on a dark night.

She stops next to me and places her arm through mine.

"Magnifica," I whisper in her ear. She smiles in return.

We wait for a few seconds before we hear the announcer formally introduce us to the rest of the ball. A trumpet belts out before he speaks into the microphone.

"I present to you Alessandra and Zane De Luca, Alphas of the Blood Moon Pack!"

We both take a deep breath in before stepping around the corner and through the large doorway. A series of applause sounded as we walk down the aisle towards our table. It was customary for the Alphas to be introduced before entering the ball but it seems people were a little too excited to see us.

Why wouldn't they? Everyone thought you would be with the other Romano sister.

"Presenting Lian Zhao-Ashford, Alpha of the Moonlight Pack," the announcer spoke.

I flinch when I recall the events that took place two years ago. Her mate, Levi Ashford, was killed in a fight between the Moonlight Pack and the Reapers. The Reapers were a highly trained group of werewolves who had established a pack years ago. They had no rules or values. Lian Zhao, Levi's mate, had wiped them later for revenge.

Levi Ashford was a good alpha, one who would be missed by many.

I clap for each of them with no joy or interest. My eyes are on the woman across from me who was taking in everything around her like it was a dream. Every now and then I watch her eyes squint when a bright flash went off from one of the cameras that the reporters were holding.

Much like humans, we had our own news channels and social media outlets. This night was one of the most viewed events in the world. Werewolves from all over the world tuned in to watch their alphas answer questions, and partake in the many rituals and dances.

"Thank you for attending this year's Chandani Ball!" Aradhya Oberoi says through a mic.

"It's been an honor to host this event every year. Our goal is to bring all the leaders of the werewolf community together," she continues.

"I would like to remind everyone that this is a conflict-free zone. I know many packs have rivalries but the point of tonight is to embrace unity and leave our differences back at home," she says.

"So let's begin this night with a dance!"

Instantly, a slow song begins to play through the many speakers dispersed in the ballroom. I look at Alessandra and smirk when I see she's nervous. I offer her my hand and pull her up.

"What's wrong, little wolf? Scared of a little dancing?"

"No, I'm just worried we are going to look awkward since we aren't close..."

I leaned in towards her ear.

"I remember our hips knowing exactly what to do last time we danced," I tell her, referencing the night two years ago when Isabel cheated on me and I danced with Alessandra at a party.

She simply rolls her eyes at me before taking my hand and leading me toward the dance floor. We make it to the middle before she turns around and wraps her arms around my neck. I wrap mine around her waist and pull her in closer.

"Middle of the dance floor huh?"

She smiles before answering.

"You want to show them we are a happily mated couple right?"

I nod. I do not worry about anyone using their hearing to eavesdrop because of the intensity of the speakers.

Her head falls against my chest and my arms wrap around her, tighter than they were before. We sway to the beat of the music. Her warm scent fills my nostrils and I try my best not to groan in pleasure. For a minute everything seems normal. We are just two mates enjoying each other's company without all of the other bullshit that seems to stick with us.

I hear her heart rate increase as I let my fingers trace her back which is exposed in this dress. Then in one second, someone ruins our moment.

"May I cut in?"

No, the fuck you may not.

The words almost leave my mouth but Alessandra beats me to it with her own.

"Of course!"

Her voice is too cheery and her eyes a little too focused on his face.

I give a tight smile before walking over to the bar. I'd rather not start a fight tonight with Alessandra. The bartender hands me a drink that looks like a foggy morning. They really went all out for this event.

"It's liquid nitrogen," the bartender says. I give him a clipped nod before returning my eyes to the man who swooped my mate into a dance. It's not uncommon to dance with others at these things but it still rubs me the wrong way.

Alessandra and the man are in deep conversation and I struggle to hear them with the loudspeakers. It does not look flirty but every now and then I catch him looking at her breasts for a moment too long. She seems to miss it as she speaks about whatever it is they are talking about.

After a couple of minutes, he finally kisses her hand and walks away.

Finally, the torture is over.

Alessandra smiles wide and walks over to where I am standing.

"Can you believe it? The Taaran Oberoi wanted to talk to me about my medical journals," she tells me. Her eyes are bright with excitement and her hands are squeezing mine. I'm not even sure she realizes it.

"Medical journals?" I ask. Vincenzo never reported anything about medical journals to me.

"Yeah, I've been working on some while I was in Italy. The doctor there was willing to guide me," she says.

I try to find a way to tell her that there is no way she can juggle being Luna and a doctor for the pack.

"I know, I cannot be Luna and a doctor," she says with a sad face.

If our stupid wolves did not take over back in Italy, she would not have to be my Luna and she could pursue her dream of being a doctor.

"I'm sorry that I ruined it for you," I tell her. She smiles at me. She actually smiles at me, like the one that reaches her eyes and makes her dark eyes twinkle.

I think my heart does a flip.

"You've never genuinely apologized to me before," she says.

Could I be more of a douche?

"Look they are about to start the moon ceremony!"

I turn to look at what she is pointing to. Women come down the stairs with what look like veils. Each of the lunas receives one.

"What the.." I murmur.

Alessandra winks at me before placing the veil over her head and running out the door with the rest of the lunas. Some of the alphas around me look just as confused as I am while the older ones act like this is just another Saturday night.

I watch as the moonlight touches her dress creating sparkles in its wake.

Mine.