"Do I look good?" Emma asked. "You look adorable!" Corvin's heart nearly melted on the spot. Edric nodded seriously. "Pretty and adorable." Emma struck a dramatic pose. "So, that's it? Just pretty and cute? Nothing sexy, nothing alluring?" Edric bit back a laugh at her exaggerated expression, while Corvin quickly grabbed her hand. "Ms. Tibarn, it's my fault. I made this mask in a cub's style. If you prefer something more seductive, I'll make you a more mature one next time." Emma fell silent. Fine. A cub it is.At least she had a mask to wear. Just then, Aria stepped out wearing a Phoenix mask, her presence as commanding as a queen's. Emma sighed. That's the kind of entrance I wanted. Aria's eyes lit up when she saw Emma's cat mask. She threw her arms around her. "Emma, that mask is so cute—it's perfect on you!" "Thanks," Emma said, though she didn't mean it one bit. "Come on, let's go!" Aria laced her fingers through Emma's and led her toward the ballroom. Behind them, Edric and Corvin followed closely, along with Aria's two mates. The ball was already in full swing. In the middle of the dance floor, a number of females were already dancing."Let's hurry, Emma!" Aria said, pulling her through the crowd. The single males nearby quickly stepped aside to make way for them. When Emma first arrived, she had worried about not knowing how to dance. But once she saw the chaos on the floor, she realized most of the females were just moving however they liked. No rules, no rhythm—just joy. Her nerves vanished instantly. She loosened up and joined in. If no one knew how to dance, then no one would feel embarrassed. "Emma, you're so much fun to watch!" Aria laughed and mimicked her carefree moves. Soon, the center of the ballroom was filled with the sound of females' laughter. Edric and Corvin's eyes stayed fixed on Emma. Seeing her laugh so freely, Edric couldn't help but smile.He really should bring her to places like this more often. She clearly loved lively crowds. Then, with a loud clang, everything went black. "What happened?" "You stepped on me!" "Emma! Where are you?" Aria called out. "I'm here!" Emma shouted back, but she couldn't see anything in the darkness. "Don't be afraid, Emma." It was Edric's voice. He was anxious. Therians could see in the dark, but Emma was human—her sight was weak. She'd be completely blind right now. He reached out, trying to find her hand. But the starrail shook violently. People were shoving everywhere, and Emma had no idea where she'd been pushed. She didn't panic. She only worried that Edric and Corvin might be worried sick trying to find her. "Emma! Don't be scared!" Suddenly, a pair of strong, calloused hands grabbed hers and pulled her into a firm embrace. At first, she thought it was Edric. He was the only one who called her that. But as soon as she inhaled, she knew it wasn't him. Edric's scent was cool and clean, almost icy. His skin was always slightly cold. This man was warm—his scent rich and spiced, with a faint trace of patchouli. Emma's body tensed. "You're not Edric. Who are you?" She looked up, trying to see the man's face, but all she could make out were eyes glowing faintly red in the dark. "I…" Lucien froze, his whole body taut with tension. "You're right. I'm not Edric." His voice was low, calm, almost reverent. "Emma, it's me—Lucien." "Lucien?" Emma's eyes widened. "You're Lucien?" She could hardly believe it. She had wanted to find him just yesterday—but before she even had the chance, he had appeared on his own. "You're really Lucien?" Lucien couldn't understand why she reacted so strongly to his name. "Yes. I'm Lucien."His tone was firm, respectful. "Forgive me, Emma—I should've addressed you as my lady." As her follower, he wasn't allowed to call her by her name without her permission. Until she accepted him as her mate, she was "my lady." "But I heard Edric call you that, and I... I couldn't help myself." My lady? The way he said it made Emma's face burn. Aria had wanted to give her a chick—and even her brother—when they first met. Lucien, on the other hand, had directly called her my lady. Did everyone from Aurelia have some kind of unusual kink or something? Were things over there really that wild? "Just call me Emma," she muttered. Hearing my lady from his lips made her heart race and her mind wander places it shouldn't. "Emma," Lucien murmured, pulling her a little closer. His voice softened, gentle and full of warmth.