Adriana's POV

​I immediately felt a blush creep up on my face when I realized that I was the least dressed-up person in the entire ballroom. Girls were dressed in beautiful, flaunting, and elegant gowns as they giggled and enjoyed the butlers' company. There were at least around twenty or more butlers marching around the hallways.

​I stared up at the several chandeliers that were hanging from the ceiling and admired the beauty of the room. Who knew this place was this spacious and beautiful? I watched half of the girls and guys enter another room and decided to follow along, as I was very unfamiliar with this mansion, although I've seen it from the outside a couple of times. It was hard to miss.

​"You have to avoid being seen by him," I kept telling myself as I followed behind a girl.

​Upon entering the room, I realized that I had just entered the ballroom. I watched some girls flaunt their dresses, dancing to the music, while others kept talking to each other. Humph. I didn't know we were allowed to dance at our own funeral. I fiddled with my fingers and noticed some guys eyeing me as I passed by, but I decided to ignore their intimate stares. I was thrown a few compliments and whistles, but somehow, I didn't feel that uncomfortable. I knew that I wasn't the only one who was dressed up for this ceremony, and there were so many prettier girls than me in this room.

​"Drinks?"

​An unfamiliar voice made me gasp. I turned around to face a butler who was now holding out a tray of cocktails. I quickly shook my head, and he smiled before nodding.

​"Can I ask you something?" I asked politely. The butler nodded, his hazel eyes boring into my brown ones. "I thought only girls were allowed to attend the ceremony?" I questioned softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

​The butler chuckled. "Yes, but these men are close to the purebloods. They are our special guests. Don't worry, there are only around thirty males; you'll hardly notice them," he said. I nodded before he left.

​Yeah... hardly.

​"Find a place to hide until it's over," a voice in my head advised. I took a deep breath before turning to search for a good hiding spot.

​"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome."

​The voice made me freeze in my position. I looked up to see ten or more guys climbing down a spiral staircase. My stomach tied itself into a knot when I instantly realized that they were not normal people.

​"We're so happy that you could all make it for this special ceremony," the guy with the light blond hair said out loud. I heard a few giggles behind me.

​"It's Tyrell, he's so cute," I heard girls whispering to each other, and my heart raced at their words.

​"Draven Cruz will be accompanying us in a few minutes," Tyrell continued, licking his lips before darting his eyes around the room.

​A cold shiver crawled down my spine as I tried to keep a straight posture. "I have to hide somewhere," I told myself before turning around and pushing my way through the crowd.

​"Enjoy," was all I heard before I bumped against a random girl, earning a scowl from her.

​"Sorry," I murmured before rushing past her, heading near the appetizer table where people were least hanging about. I took a few deep breaths, calming myself down. "Relax, it's going to be over soon. There are so many pretty girls here. There's no way that I'd be chosen," I assured myself before biting my bottom lip in fear.

​So why am I still having this bad feeling that something's going to happen tonight? I glanced back to notice the vampires who were now talking and laughing with some girls. Physically, they looked like normal human beings, but if only people could see them for who they really were.

​"Draven Cruz has arrived," a butler announced.

​I almost choked on my water as I stared up ahead to notice a male in his 20s. His hands were covered in tattoos. I watched him walk down the staircase before standing in front of the crowd, who were now lined up in front of him in a row, including me. Though I was standing in the very last row, where men were standing next to the ladies as well. Men bowed in respect while the ladies bobbed a curtsy-including me.

​I could feel my heart pounding loudly against my chest as he stood up straight in front of the whole crowd, his blue eyes penetrating into each and every one of us as if he wanted us to fear his presence. I landed my gaze on the ground and clutched my hands together, knowing very well that it was too late for me to run now. I had to be here until this whole ceremony was over-or at least until he chose five girls.

​"What's your name?" I heard his deep voice across the silent room before a girl spoke.

​Wait, he's choosing already?

​"Ferra Will," she spoke softly, and I watched him nod his head. As soon as he did, the beautiful eighteen-year-old girl rushed towards him before standing beside him, a cheerful grin spreading across her face. I couldn't help but feel bad for this poor, clueless girl.

​I took a step back, breathing in and making sure that I was barely able to see his face through the crowd. After all, he was supposed to be able to see each and every one of our faces clearly, although I was literally the only one who was now standing in the very last row, making sure to keep a safe distance.

​"You," he said, and I watched another blonde-haired girl scurry towards Ferra Will.

​"You both." His voice sounded impatient, and two more young girls rushed towards the first two before standing in a line, maintaining their posture. Their faces looked relieved, and it disturbed me more than it should. I mean, why? I just don't understand how anyone could enjoy or be happy about this whole thing. Everything about this ceremony was wrong!

​"One more girl," I heard a man whisper from behind.

​I could feel my eyes widening to the size of saucers when I realized that all the men were now moving to the very back, revealing every girl's face clearly including mine. It's going to be fine; it's just one more girl, Adriana. You'll make it through and get home safely, don't worry.

​I heard a bunch of whisperings starting to arise inside the room, and I bit my bottom lip nervously as I landed my gaze on the floor.

​"Quiet!" Draven suddenly snapped, causing me to gasp and everyone else to grow quiet immediately.

​Oh god, please don't make me a victim of this cruel man. "Don't choose me, anyone but me!" I kept praying silently, gripping my dress tightly with already sweaty palms and trembling fingers. It's a miracle that I wasn't having an anxiety attack by now.

​I watched his eyes linger around the girls standing in front of him before they landed on me, and my heart skipped a beat. His eyes were so hypnotizing, yet so intimidating; it caused goosebumps to rise all over my body. It took me a few seconds to realize that his eyes were now fixated on my very own, and I froze in my place, sweat rolling down my forehead as the color from my face drained away completely.

​"Run, Adriana," my subconscious warned me. I was about to take a step back when he pointed his index finger at me, his jawline locked in anger.

​"You. Don't-even-think-about-it," he warned, emphasizing every single word. I gulped softly before my feet froze in position.

​By now, everyone was turning around to look at me and I almost melted, tears welling in my eyes as I tried to utter at least an apology. He knew that I was going to run away... he knew.

​"Your name," he demanded, tilting his head to the side. My eyes widened when I realized what he was about to do next. "Tell me your fucking name!" he suddenly snapped.

​I jolted before speaking. "A-Adriana R-Reed..." I almost whimpered, blinking away my tears and trying my very best to swallow the lump in my throat.

​"Adriana Reed," he started, taking a step back and slipping his hands into his pockets in a calm manner. No, please no.

​"You're the last one chosen," he finished, and my heart dropped at his words.

Adriana's POV

How? How did I get chosen?

"Of all the people, why me...?" a voice repeatedly asked in my head as I took a few steps forward, fighting back the tears that were now threatening to fall. I felt Draven burning holes through my face as I walked past him, but I kept my gaze on the ground, regretting every step I took before standing in front of the crowd, next to the four girls.

Whisperings and clapping filled the room as everyone congratulated us, but at this point, I became absorbed and oblivious to the passage of time. I simply stood stiff in my position, my gaze remaining on the floor as I asked myself the same question over and over again. Why? Why me? I was probably the only one who was dreading the fact that I might get chosen, so why? Why couldn't it be anyone else?

"I'm sorry if the ceremony... as you know, Draven is a very impatient man." I heard someone's voice before everyone laughed and chuckled, not even bothering to make a comment about his outburst earlier. It's like it never happened. There are never any consequences to their actions, and that's exactly why the vampires treat humans however they please.

"Enjoy the rest of the night," an unfamiliar voice said. I watched some people rush to the appetizer table while the rest kept congratulating the chosen girls except me. No, nobody wanted to throw a word of praise at me after the little stunt I pulled.

"Thank you so much!" I heard the girls gloat as they hugged and grinned at the men and ladies who kept ranting on about how lucky they were.

Normally, I would have broken down at this point, but somehow, I managed to pull myself together. I wasn't strong like most of these girls were and certainly wasn't brave, I'll admit that. However, I wasn't dumb or naive like most girls. I wasn't flattered when he chose me and I certainly will continue to feel this way. I wasn't honored to be able to attend this ceremony. The only thing I felt, and still feel, is helpless.

What if I hid in a safe place as soon as I entered, like I had planned to for the past two weeks? What if vampires didn't exist in the first place? What if I was stuck at one age without turning eighteen? Would things have turned out differently then?

Hopeless questions kept pouring into my head and I closed my eyes shut before opening them and taking a deep breath, knowing that there was no use getting worked up anymore. What's done is done; now I have to figure out a way to escape without getting caught. I glanced at Draven and my eyes widened when I caught him staring at me, causing me to quickly avert my gaze back to the marble floor, my hands and body still shaking from everything that just happened.

*I will never see my mother or father again*

The first thought that popped into my head made me feel worse and I bit my bottom lip, trying my very best to keep on my expressionless mask as I straightened my posture. I can't anger him any more than I have.

"Miss Reed?" an unfamiliar voice called. I looked up to face a man in his mid-20s, who was now giving me a look of concern. "Why are you crying?"

With these words, half the room grew silent. I stared at him in disbelief and confusion before realization hit me like waves. I reached up my fingers to touch my cheeks and, sure enough, my fingertips felt the hot and wet sensation of burning tears.

"This...this is not what it looks like..." I trailed away, quickly brushing away my tears. I could hear whisperings surfacing around the room as the intense atmosphere clouded around us even more.

"My young lady, are you not happy to have been chosen?" a lady asked. Everyone was now either scowling or staring at me in disgust, undoubtedly not pleased with the fact that I was being "ungrateful," as they like to put it.

"It's...it's not that, I'm...I'm happy, but..." I started stumbling on my words and I watched people shaking their heads in pity, including the girls standing next to me. "I'm just..."

Before I could finish, someone grabbed my wrist so hard I winced in pain before he started dragging me outside. I stumbled forward as I scurried along. I could feel my hands trembling when I realized that it was none other than Draven Cruz himself, who was now remaining silent as he dragged me along. Judging by the force he had on my wrist, I knew that he wasn't pleased at all.

"Wa..wait..." I barely choked out, trying to keep up with his fast pace as he walked out of the ballroom, not even bothering to turn around or slow down.

Before I could open my mouth to apologize, he turned around and slammed my shoulders to the nearest wall. I winced in pain, looking up to face Draven, who was now glaring down at me. His eyes were completely filled with hatred and anger while mine were only full of plea.

"What the fuck are you crying for?!" he snapped, raising his voice. I shrunk back as I pressed my back even further against the wall, trying to come up with a response that wouldn't anger him.

"I'm...I'm sorry, I was scared," I stammered, and on cue, tears started rolling down my cheeks as I tried to swallow the sob, but it was no use. I was almost on the verge of breaking down and he was definitely pushing me to my limits.

"What the hell makes you think I fucking care?!" he retorted, slamming his hands on either side of my neck on the wall, causing me to gasp and jolt in my position before I pressed my lips together into a thin line. "I chose you because I wanted to. But don't you fucking dare test my patience!"

He snapped and I nodded before an uncontrollable sob escaped through my lips, which didn't seem to please Draven at all because his eyes turned a shade darker, if that was even possible.

"So I suggest you get a fucking grip," he started, grabbing my cheeks so roughly I held his wrist, hoping he would loosen his grip. Instead, he held them firmly before holding my face up to meet his eyes. "Before I make you!" he spat with no remorse in his words.

I fought back the tears before nodding, my heart screaming for me to break down while my brain fought to keep myself together.

"Ye...yes," I choked out. He loosened his grip painfully slowly, still keeping his gaze on my eyes as I brushed away my tears before taking a shaky breath, trying to even my heartbeats.

"Now go in there and tell them they were misunderstood...that the tears weren't tears of fear, but tears of joy," he ordered, standing up straight. I nodded again, clutching my hands together to stop myself from trembling any further.

An arm slipped around my shoulder before he guided us back to the ballroom where everyone was waiting for us. I took one final breath before clearing my throat, looking around the ladies and men who were now peering at us with suspicion.

"I'm sorry to have gotten you all worried," I barely managed to keep a straight face as I clutched my hands even more tightly. "I was just happy and relieved... that I was chosen."

I lied, looking up at Draven, who was now staring down at me, his eyes not ripping away from my face for even a second. Never have I felt so sick to make up a lie. Everyone stood in silence for a few minutes before chuckling and nodding, completely falling for my act or at least pretending to do so. I glanced at Draven, who was now bending down a little as he squeezed my shoulders tightly, and I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from whimpering. He certainly hated me already and there was no remorse in his actions. But then again, what did I expect?

"Stop shaking," he whispered into my ears through gritted teeth. I tried to calm myself down at his words, but he really wasn't helping.

He slipped away his arm and I watched him walk away, causing me to sigh in relief. It's as if a ton of bricks were lifted from my chest and I felt a lot better already. The ceremony ended after half an hour or less and I watched everyone walk out of the room, leaving only us five girls and the vampires, who were now grinning at us.

I had to admit, they were all good-looking, but luckily, I wasn't the type to get fazed by people's looks. It takes more than just a good-looking body or face; you've got to have the heart and the soul to go with it. And vampires? They didn't have a soul or heart to begin with.

"Welcome!" a familiar voice greeted, and I watched the guy named Tyrell walk up to us with open arms.

The girls rushed to give him a hug while I just stood there, stiff in my position, as I darted my eyes around the ballroom, trying to ease my mind about my situation by taking admiration of the interior design of this mansion.

"I'm taking them to their rooms." Draven's voice caused me to jolt as I looked around to find him walking towards us now. His presence was as cold as ever and he didn't even bother to glance at me. It's like I wasn't even there anymore. "Their luggage has arrived," he said finally, eyeing all of us before the girls giggled and smiled at him.

"Follow me," he said shortly, walking out of the ballroom and we obeyed without further questioning.