The vibrant lights of the masquerade ball flickered like fireflies against the backdrop of the New Orleans night, casting a warm glow on the lavishly decorated hall. Laughter and music swirled in the air, mingling with the rich scent of magnolia and jasmine. You twirled in your shimmering gown, the fabric flowing like water around you as you danced with a masked stranger, his grip firm yet gentle.

“Isn’t this night magical?” he whispered, his breath warm against your ear.

You forced a smile, the music drowning out the turmoil within. “Yes, but it’s the company that truly matters.”

Yet your thoughts drifted to Klaus. The image of him with that other woman, Hayley—a werewolf, no less—gnawed at you, even though she was just a one night stand. You had turned him down, despite the longing that bubbled beneath the surface. He deserved to focus on his impending fatherhood, didn’t he?

Suddenly, the stranger was pushed aside, and there stood Klaus, his eyes burning through the mask. “May I cut in?” he asked, his voice low. You opened your mouth to protest, but the words caught in your throat. “Klaus, I—”

“Please,” he interrupted, stepping closer. “Just one dance.”