There were shouts, applause and whistles. But they weren't listening. At that moment, they were sealing the promise of eternal love. Anna was too moved, and a little embarrassed, not to give the man she loved something better than a kiss.
Anna's father interrupted them.
"I think everyone has understood your answer, my child."
Laughter spread through the hall as he spoke into the microphone.
"Sorry, Dad." She said, moving a little away from Maxwell, as they were glued to each other.
"No need to apologize, it was a beautiful scene to watch. I only stopped you to give you my belated wedding present." He said and placed another velvet box in Anna's hands. But this one was red and longer, rectangular.
Anna was curious. She hoped it wasn't a car key, because she liked her own. She looked around and smiled at Beth, who looked like someone else and was standing next to one of Maxwell's men in the middle of the crowd. Jenna and Helen stood next to her father vying for his attention. Anna didn't have time to be surprised by Jenna's presence or by the new target of Helen's desire. It was a day she would never forget. She had gathered everyone she liked there and yet she was surprised at how pleasant their presence was.
Anna opened the box and discovered that it was indeed a key, but not a car key. She showed it to Maxwell, who just stared at it in silence, unsurprised, and she saw a shadow pass across those beautiful eyes. There was something wrong with that present. Anna turned with an inquiring look to her father.
"It's the key to a mansion I've bought for you. Ian needs space and fresh air to grow up healthy. It's not far from the school, supermarket, park, gyms and? it's free of noisy and curious neighbors. What's more, I've arranged for you to have a beautiful view when you look out of the window, with a lovely garden, fenced swimming pool for Ian's protection and a children's playground. You'll love it."
Anna looked at Maxwell.
"That's not all, is it?"
He glared at Henry, who crossed his arms and watched the couple.
"It's not everything, Anna." He said simply.
Anna turned to Henry and Jenna walked past all the guests with a furious look on her face and slapped Henry.
"How dare you?" She asked with tears in her eyes. "I always knew you were no good and yet I was willing to stay by your side because I love you! But how dare you try to steal Anna's happiness?" She shouted.
Anna didn't understand anything and looked at the key again, then at Maxwell.
"Does this key mean something else? Tell me, now."
"Anna... I can't ask you not to move into this house. It's in a location where you'll be protected with Ian. A protection I can't offer you."
"What location?" Anna asked impatiently.
"DreamStone." Henry replied, looking amused at Jenna as he put his hand to his face.
"What is this place?"
"It's a werewolf town. Everyone dreams of owning property there. It's like their paradise. The technology is much more advanced than we can imagine and it's highly sustainable." Maxwell replied, attentive to Anna's reactions.
"And why is that bad?"
"It's not bad. Ian would study at the best schools, be raised among people who would offer some challenge and stimulate his intelligence, but... I'm not a werewolf. I couldn't go with you."
"I'm not a werewolf either."
"You're the mother of a werewolf, so as long as he hasn't reached the age of fifteen, you're welcome to live among them."
"But you can't go."
"I can't go."
Anna held out the key to Henry.
"I can't accept it."
"Keep it, Anna. One day you may feel the need to get away from the Lens family. But I've bought another one, just in case you refuse to move into it. It's thirty minutes away from the apartment you're living in today, and you can go and see it tonight." He said it with a smile, but Anna sensed that there was something wrong with this house too. Her father looked mysterious, and Maxwell didn't look happy.
"Thanks, Dad. If Maxwell wants, we'll go and have a look at this house today." Anna said, sending him a smile, and went into the crowd with Maxwell.
The band soon started playing and everyone started dancing. Anna didn't know how to dance, nor had she ever been to a place like this, but Maxwell made her twirl, and dance, and have fun, like she had never done before. She felt like a child. No problems and no worries. Maxwell smiled along with her. They hadn't talked yet, because it was so noisy that they couldn't hear each other, even if they were shouting in each other's ears. So it was time to relax and join Anna's friends.
Anna couldn't tell what time it was when the band said goodbye and left. All the guests began to leave too. She felt pain in her feet from the heels. She looked back to where she had left her father, hoping to see what had happened between him and Jenna, but it seemed that they had already left.
Maxwell was looking across the room. She followed his gaze and realized that it was a place where there were snacks and drinks for people to help themselves to, and then she realized how hungry she was. Maxwell took her there, and they ate in silence. Maxwell still had a happy gleam in his eye, but Anna sensed that something was bothering him.
"Has Dad left yet?" Anna asked to find out what Maxwell's mood was like.
"You bet your life he has. Do you think I'd allow my son to burst his eardrum here? They left the minute they announced they were going to start."
"Ian wasn't here."
"He was with Genevieve, but he left with his father and Jenna."
"Helen could have taken Ian. Genevieve, Jenna and Dad could have stayed longer and enjoyed themselves."
"I think they prefer another kind of fun."