"I'm so happy to not see any sneakers here," Bianca commented as she came forward to plant a soft kiss on Emily's forehead.

It was something that she loved to do, probably her way of showing her care and love towards the little girl who reminded her of happiness and light.

Emily scoffed a little at the woman's teasing words but even she could not stop the smile that bloomed on her lips.

"Hmm. I must say that you did a superb job, my love. Em is looking just like a little angel." Jackson said with a proud smile on his face as he came to sit next to Emily.

"Were you doubting my capability?" Bianca asked as she glared at her mate with accusing eyes.

It was like Jackson was taken aback by her question as he stared at her for a few seconds before he hurriedly shook his head.

"Of course, not! I know very well that no one is better than you when it comes to getting ready for any type of event. You are far much better than a professional."

Sam, who was standing beside Emily all this while, could not stop himself from chuckling a little as he heard his best friend trying to save his ass from his mate's wrath.

His timing was definitely not perfect because Bianca immediately turned her glaring eyes towards him as she asked, "Do you think otherwise?"

Sam coughed a few times to cover his laughter as he immediately shook his head in denial.

"Good."

Bianca said in a loud and calm voice as she gave a last sharp look to both Sam and Jackson before she turned her attention back to Emily.

But before the woman could open her mouth to speak, Kaiden interfered as he offered his hand to Emily as he spoke, "Are you ready to fulfill your promise?"

Emily first stared at his hand before she let her eyes travel towards his handsome face. His cerulean eyes immediately making her heart flutter.

"Promise?"

She somehow succeeded in voicing out her confusion as she battled with herself to look away from his mesmerizing eyes.

Kaiden raised one of his eyebrows as he replied, "Yes. The promise of dancing with me tonight."

The level of confidence that his words carried and the way he was looking at her as if he was daring her to back down from her promise, made her hesitate.

No matter how hard she tried, she could not recall any promise of such kind. But his expression was so serious that it made her think that she indeed promised him.

Even before she could finish the fight that was going on inside her, she found his warm fingers curling around her right hand.

Oh, wait! Looked like it was her who ended up placing her hand in his offered palm.

And just like that, she found herself following Kaiden towards the center of the hall. She was completely oblivious to the dark glares that her brothers were firing towards Kaiden.

Somehow, everyone cleared a large area in the center of the hall where Kaiden made her stop. The lighting dimmed and the band started playing a slow instrumental song.

Emily could still not pull her attention away from the man in front of her, not until she felt one of his hands moving towards the small of her back.

She felt electric tingles running all over her body at his touch. Her free hand moving to rest on the top of his shoulder.

"I.......I........"

She wanted to speak but the sudden realization about her situation made embarrassment took over her.

She could barely meet his eyes as they stood there even though the music had already picked up the pace.

Emily felt Kaiden stepping closer to her and before she could realize what was happening, she felt his warm breath next to her ear.

"What is it, sweetheart? Just speak without any hesitation."

His voice was full of warmth and it was so low as if meant only for her ears.

"I......I d-don't know h-how......how to dance."

She ended up whispering in reply as she felt her cheeks turning bright red due to embarrassment.

A small smile appeared on Kaiden's lips as he looked at his little mate with eyes full of affection.

"If it will make you feel better then let me tell you a secret...."

Kaiden softly spoke as he started slowly swaying both of them. His muscular arms easily guiding her body without her realization.

Emily turned to look at his face with a small frown covering her face as she waited for him to complete whatever he was going to tell her.

As Kaiden realized that he had successfully grabbed get attention, his smile only broadened as he felt contended in his heart.

Not wasting any more time, he decided to continue, "Well...let just say that there are dozens of people present in the banquet who would enjoy watching you stepping on my foot again and again. And most importantly, six of these people are your dear brothers. I swear that their glares are about to pierce holes through my body."

Emily could not stop the smile that appeared on her lips as she slightly tightened her hold on his shoulder.

She shook her head softly as she asked him, "You love triggering my brothers, don't you?"

Kaiden spared a quick glance towards the table where the Alessandro brothers were currently sitting with the Evans.

A small smile appeared on his lips as he pulled his eyes back towards his gorgeous mate before he replied, "It's kind of fun, to be honest."

His honest reply only made Emily chuckle softly as she let him move her around the floor as they slowly danced to the beautiful music that was playing in the background.

She had already realized that during the time she was focused on his funny words, he successfully took control over her body which followed his lead and matched each of his steps as they danced.

"I'm sorry that this banquet doesn't end up as a real Christmas banquet. No one informed me about the problems until it already started." He apologized softly as his eyes looked around the hall.

Emily could tell that he was sincerely apologizing which did not make any sense to her.

"Why are you apologizing? It's not like you were responsible for arranging the banquet in the first place. Moreover, it's not really that bad. It should be my brothers who need to apologize for dragging me to this party which feels more like a business gathering. Just look at everyone, all they are talking about is business or politics."

She did not stop herself from showing her dissatisfaction towards the environment of the banquet.

There was no warmth or happiness in it. All that she could see were two-faced people who were trying to fake their smiles as they discussed important things which should be put aside on an occasion like Christmas to enjoy a little freedom.

It was like Kaiden read her thoughts as he too looked around the hall with displeasure clear in his eyes.

He wanted to spend some time with her during the Christmas week and thus came with the idea of the banquet.

However, he had no idea that some stupid people were going to ruin his plan very badly.

Even had could feel that the air inside the banquet hall was filled with greed and selfishness, not the happiness and love that he wanted his mate to enjoy.

Once again he started cursing the rules that separated the Southern and Northern parts of City A.

Only he knew exactly how much he wanted to spend Christmas with her. He just wanted to appear at her door in comfy pajamas and a Christmas hat on Christmas morning with a beautiful gift to surprise her.

However, he knew very well that he could not do that, at least, not yet.

Breaking the rule of the pact would not only lead him to a devastating penalty but his family and pack would also suffer.

He knew very well that he wanted the agreement that separated the City into two parts, to finally come to an end. But he also knew that it would take time before that could happen.

And not only time but it also would a lot of effort and hard work on his part before he could succeed in this mission of his.

"Are you alright?"

Emily's soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts and as he turned his attention towards the girl, he promised himself that very soon he would spend his Christmas with her. Very Soon!

"Yeah. I'm perfectly fine." He answered as he smiled at her with softness filling his eyes.

Emily returned his smile as she let herself enjoy the moment, knowing very well that as soon as the song would end, her brothers were going to drag the man far away from her.