I walk into the ballroom, adjusting my cuff links. The room is already crowded even though the cotillion started only minutes earlier. I take in the scene with a slightly jaded eye. This event is bigger than any I've ever thrown before, but it has a lot of the familiar trappings, the expected touches.

And the people are all the same, all dressed to impress.

The light from the numerous chandeliers sparkles off the jewelry the women are wearing. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, even some tiaras and other less-conventional jewelry. Some of it all on a single person, complete with bodyguards to ensure safety.

I take in the teeth bared in political smiles, hair hologrammed to look longer and shinier than it actually is. The dresses are custom made, the shoes worth more than many people make in a year.

It is the epitome of excess.

I don't draw much enjoyment from that. No, my intention was always simply to meet expectations, to create an event that would draw the type of women I'd be interested in.

Though that goal doesn't feel all that exciting now that I'm faced with it.

I shake that thought off. It isn't particularly productive right now. So I put my lack of interest aside and focus on the details of the stage I've set, wanting to ensure everything is up to standard. I made sure everything for tonight would be the best that can be found. After all, I have to keep up the appearance of the Singarti playboy who doesn't have a complex thought in his mind. I smile thinly to myself as I survey what I've put together.

From the drinks, to the food, to the entertainment, everything is the height of luxury.

An award-winning orchestra plays in the area specially designed for them, the music elegant and just loud enough to be heard without overpowering conversation. A gentle hologram light show plays up near the ceiling of the spacious room, near the balconies that can be accessed by those who wish, the images twisting and turning with the melodies. The sound and the visual pleasing, intended to add to the overall picture, but not to draw undue attention.

The floor shimmers with pale colors, adjusting with the music as well, as waiters circulate with trays of finger foods, their clothing pressed and their shoes polished. I could have gone with bots, but the human touch gives it more allure, more glamour.

People already fill the dance floor, though I see many eyes wandering away from partners in an attempt to take everything in. To see if there are others they'd rather be dancing with, perhaps. But that could simply be my cynical side peeking out.

Everything looks like it's going according to plan.

Including the number of human females dressed in their best gowns, their faces made up, their hair turned out in increasingly intricate hairstyles that look almost impossible to unravel.

Tall, short, thin, plump.

Brunettes, blondes, redheads, even colors not necessarily found in nature.

Pretty and not.

They all watch me as I circulate throughout the room, murmuring polite greetings to my guests. They're ready to be taken. Ready to throw themselves at me.

Why am I not more interested in that thought?

A particularly bold one steps into my path, her curly brown hair sprayed pink to match her dress. Perhaps not the most fortunate choice for her skin tone, but she's pretty enough. And she knows it.

"Would you like to dance, Prince Herne?" she asks confidently, turning slightly to the side to make sure I have an unobstructed view of her breasts, pushed up so high I wonder if it's painful. The amount of enhanced cleavage on display is quite eye catching, I'll give her that.

"Yes, that would be lovely," I accept quietly, smiling as I offer my arm and lead her to the dance floor.

There's no need to be rude, despite the oddly detached mood I find myself in. I listen to her inane chatter and automatically respond appropriately. I could do the same in my sleep. The dance goes well enough. She is adept, if not graceful.

And then I dance with another young human female.

And another.

And another.

Why are all of them so dull tonight? Why can none hold my attention?

This night is starting to feel like a chore rather than the night of debauchery I had intended. I find myself constantly searching the crowd as I attempt to remain polite to my dancing partners.

I know exactly what I'm looking for. Or, rather, who I'm looking for.

Elle.

None of these women come even close to being as interesting as my lovely girl from the park. Why can't I stop thinking about her, even among all these pretty girls, serving themselves up to me on a silver platter? I sigh as I bow to my last partner and quickly make my escape from the floor before anyone else draws me into another dance. I don't think I can keep up the polite front for another one.

As I make my escape, I spot Adir. He isn't alone. Surprise, surprise. A beautiful young brunette human in a champagne-colored gown is next to him. Exactly the type of female he's drawn to.

But her hand is on his arm and he has a possessive hand covering it. The body language alone tells me this is more than just a girl for the moment. I've never seen him look at anyone like he's looking at this female now.

"Wow. How do you think this happened?"

I turn to see Zane beside me, his face as shocked as mine no doubt is.

"I don't know," I murmur, turning back to the couple. And they do look like a couple.

We haven't seen Adir bring an actual date to an event in...I can't remember.

"What do you say we go find out?" Zane suggests with that bad boy wolfish grin that always has all the girls swooning. They eat up that rough-around-the-edges persona.

Though that is actually who Zane is.

Before I can caution him—or point out how teasing Adir ended with him attacking Zane last time—Zane is already calling out Adir's name and walking towards the pair.

"Adir!"

I roll my eyes. Here we go.

Adir turns to us, drawing the young woman possessively closer. She definitely isn't just a random female. If I had to choose whom he would date, if he dated anyone, it would be someone who looks like this girl. Young, human, brunette.

"How are you, Adir?" I ask, slapping him on the back as I smile at the woman.

"Good. Very good," he says with a grin.

And he does look good. I blink as I realize how much better he looks than last time I saw him, just a short time ago. His face looks much less beast-like, his fangs receding, his ears rounder.... Even his facial hair is less unruly.

He turns to the woman beside him, his face soft. What is going on here?

"This is Isabelle Stone. My fiancée."

The shock freezes me for a moment. I look over at Zane, meeting his incredulous look with my own.

Fiancée.

Adir, the one of us closest to losing himself to his beast, has a fiancée. One he seems to genuinely care about.

I shake my head.

"It is in an honor to meet you," I say, recovering as I bow over Isabelle's hand.

"Yes," Zane agrees, taking her hand after me. "How did Adir manage to hook someone like you?"

She laughs, shaking her head. "It's nice to meet you too."

We chat for a bit, but then Adir leads Isa over to the dance floor, obviously wanting to be alone with her.

"He looks much better," I comment with a smile as we watch them go.

"Yes. He does," Zane agrees, squeezing my shoulder. "And I completely understand why."

I turn to him with a slight frown as I hear the amusement in his voice. "What do you..."

A striking redhead hurries over to him. She's beautiful, her coloring standing out even in this crowd. Redheads are increasingly rare and I can tell it's her natural color.

Zane greets her with a warm kiss, his face already softer.

Am I dreaming?

Zane and Adir?

"Ruby, I want you to meet Herne," he says, looking over at me. "He's one of my best friends."

"A pleasure to meet you," I murmur automatically, bowing over her hand as I glance at Zane questioningly.

"We're engaged too," he adds, his grin so wide I could count his teeth.

I laugh again. What else is there to do?

"Is there something in the water?" I wonder out loud. "My congratulations," I say to Ruby, completely dumbfounded now. Even Zane, the bad boy, is engaged?

"Everything has been amazing so far. Thank you for inviting us," Ruby says as she takes Zane's hand.

"I'm delighted you're having a good time," I say, meaning it.

Someone should be.

"On that note, we're off to dance," Zane says, pulling Ruby with him. "Without me or Adir competing with you, you have your pick of the herd, Prince Herne!" he calls out over his shoulder, laughing.

I grin back, as I'm sure he expects me to. I can feel my grin collapse as he turns away. Now I feel even more alone. Both Adir and Zane are engaged, looking happier than I've ever seen them look. And I can't even find a girl here to hold my interest for more than a dance.

All I can think of is the passionate, intelligent, ambitious beauty from the park last night. Maybe nobody else is holding my interest because I don't want a woman for just the night anymore.

That's a heavy thought.

"Prince Herne?"

I look over at the soft voice, taking in the attractive girl with the jet black hair and too-red lipstick.

"Would you like to dance?" she asks.

I open my mouth to agree when the conversations around me start to die down, people's eyes turning to look at the entrance.

The change in the mood is so obvious and abrupt. What are they all staring at? I turn as well, wondering if something has gone wrong. Maybe one of the curtains has caught on fire or someone threw a drink at someone....

But it isn't either of those.

My breath catches in my throat as I see who they are all staring at. A girl has just entered. Someone I've never seen before. As entranced as the rest of the crowd, I take in every detail about her.

Her dress is a work of art. A soft white, it makes her look as if she's wreathed in a constellation of stars. She floats down the few stairs, her hair pulled up in a simple style, leaving her elegant neck bare, small jewels twinkling at her ears.

Her VR make-up is equally flawless, highlighting her golden eyes and perfect lips. Lips that look invitingly lush and soft.

Her curves, that face...

The dress draws attention just long enough for the eye to be drawn to the actual work of art.

The woman herself.

She's like a dream come true. So perfect, she doesn't look quite real.

Who is she?

I can't place her anywhere.

She's glamorous, sophisticated, somehow making everyone else here look like they're both trying too hard and not trying hard enough. Impressive.

I'm abruptly not bored at all. Or lonely. And I know exactly what I want.

Her.

I want her.

The only girl I've been drawn to all night.

"Excuse me," I say to the girl next to me. Not waiting for a response, I push through the crowd, my attention laser focused on the woman as she glances around, somewhat uncertainly.

"Hello," I greet her as I near.

Her attention goes to me and she smiles, not in flirtation or with calculating eyes like every other girl here has, but with genuine warmth.

"Hello," she says, her voice as lovely as the rest of her.

I clear my throat, trying to recover myself.

She is still simply a female.

I know how to speak to females.

I'm sure Zane and Adir are laughing somewhere as I lose my usual charm when I need it most.

"Would you care to dance?" I ask, deciding on the straightforward approach to avoid embarrassment. She's affecting me too much for a more sophisticated approach. I hold out my arm, the first dance I've initiated all night.

She hesitates for a moment and I hold my breath. Being refused in front of all my guests would be quite humiliating, though I believe I would feel more disappointed that I wouldn't be able to dance with this vision.

Then she puts her hand on my offered arm.

"Yes. Thank you."

I breathe a sigh of relief. At least I can now hold my head up. As I lead her to the floor, I'm aware of the whispers and know they're all speculating about who she is. I completely understand the fascination. I am caught in it too, after all.

Right now, I'm simply looking forward to holding her close in my arms. Maybe this cotillion wasn't such a bad idea. The night is looking up indeed.

If Elle decides not to come after all, I have another beauty to take my mind off her. I feel a twinge at that but then shake it off, determined to get to know this stunning woman.

Only one woman is here in front of me, after all.

The other must not have wanted to see me again.