Get yourself some popcorn and tissues, in case you're quite emotional. This is the big big chap of the Mafia ball!

Enjoy ☺

[31]

A L A S K A

"You look...wow." Xavier breathed out as he pulled me in for a hug. His breath tickled the crook of my neck and his arms were wrapped around me, holding me tight as if he didn't want to let me go.

"Ahem. I still don't approve of this." Leo mumbled from behind, making me chuckle and wiggle out of my boyfriend's grip, who grumbled some incoherent words under his breath.

"Don't be like that! You already told me you were fine with it! You can't take it back now, idiot." I exclaimed and slapped my best friend's arm, who still scowled at Xavier.

In the last couple of weeks a lot of things happened. Leo and Max finally approved of my relationship with Xavier, I went on my third date with him, Lex improved a lot when it comes to his training and my father approached me once, begging for forgiveness. He had a desperate look in his eyes when he was kneeling in front of me, with his hands folded, apologizing over and over. After some time I got tired of it and turned around, leaving him on the floor.

I felt kind of bad at first but then an image of him giving me that look full of hatred and disgust came to my mind. The feeling that he had made me feel back then came up but soon turned into anger, so in the end I just forgot about him and his pathetic attempt of an apology. Somehow it was a lot easier to act cold with my dad than it was my brothers.

Anyways, today was the day that I dreaded oh so much. I didn't want to be here but Leo, Max and Xav gave me a feeling of security, which made me relax a bit.

Not secure enough, though.

I was wearing a long, beautiful black gown with a sweetheart neckline and black high heels. The bracelet that symbolized my friendship with those two idiots was wrapped around my wrist as well.

"Ladies and gentleman, I welcome you to the most important ball of the year. This time we, the Hades, had the honor to plan the event and have it here in our ball room. Today I will introduce to you someone very important in my life-" I scoffed at that.

"She's a beautiful young lady. The pride of our family, though we didn't treat her like it-" he mumbled the last part to himself although everyone heard it since the microphone was still only a few inches away from his mouth.

"This is my daughter, Alaska Hades."

The room went silent as I made my way to the stage. This was the most annoying part of the ball. The indrocution of new gang or family members. When I walked up the stairs I glanced around the room to find everyone staring at me. I saw lust filled looks, which sent chills down my spine, as well as glares, coming from some of the girls that were clinging onto a man's arm who was about 10 years older than them.

I took the microphone and turned my attention to crowd that was anticipating whatever I had to say.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Alaska Hades and I'd advise you to not look at me like you want to either eat or kill me, because I'm more dangerous than you think." I snarled, making Leo and Max smirk.

The people's expression's changed to fear, though there were some that were smirking and chuckling to themselves as well.

When I turned around I saw my so called family watching me cautiously. My father's eyes were filled pride making me roll my eyes as I walked down the stairs into the direction of my friends.

"Fucking bastards." I cursed under my breath, the anger radiating off of me in waves which made the people around me part like a sea.

"That was awesome, girl!" Max exclaimed and threw his arms around me.

It felt kind of good. To tell them who's the boss. I'm not weak. I may be weak when it comes to my past but I ain't weak when it comes to the present, right?

This afternoon might not be as bad as I thought.

Oh, it will be, darling.

It will be bad.

"May I have the first dance?" Xavier asked, after Max let go of me, and stretched his hand out for me.

I took it with a smile dancing on my lips and we made our way to the dance area. I didn't really care whether my family found out about me and him now. They can go fuck themselves.

"You look gorgeous, did I already say that?" he whispered into my ear just as a slow song started to play.

"Yes. Yes you did. By the why, you look hot in that suit." I seductively whispered back, which made goosebumps crawl onto his skin. I smirked and entangled one of my hands with his whereas my other hand went to his shoulder.

Just then I noticed which song it was, which made a soft smile grace my lips.
It was the piano cover of 'Ocean eyes' by Billie Eilish.

It was a wonderful song with a slow yet beautiful melody. The way the pianist's hands danced over the keys made goosebumps crawl onto my skin as I felt emotions well up inside of me. The song fit the moment perfectly. It was almost too perfect. I looked Xavier in the eyes, his beautiful Ocean blue eyes were captivating me once again. His calm aura was calming me down and making me want to hug him for the rest of my life. I wanted this moment to stay forever. This warm feeling and my fast beating heart. I wanted it to stay and to never go away.

We moved our feet in perfect sync as we looked each other in the eye. It was like our bodies moved on their own while we just enjoyed the moment.

We were in perfect harmony.

I didn't notice how everyone else slowly stopped dancing or how one of the lights was set on us. I also didn't notice the crowd that formed around us, admiring our every step, or the daggers that my family was glaring our way.

When the music slowly started to fade away and another song started I broke the contact and just smiled at him.

"That was wonderful." I admitted, feeling the butterflies in my stomach go on a rampage once again as his face broke into his million dollar smile.

"I'd love to do it again someday." he agreed and pulled me to the eating area, where Max was hungrily shoving some pizza into his mouth.

"Pig." I snorted and placed my butt on the chair opposite of him while Xavier sat down next to me.

Max looked up from his food with a startled expression.

"Oh you're back already. By the way, you looked great together." he complimented which surprised me to be honest.

"Don't look at me like that. I still don't like him." he grumbled before going back to shoving another slice of salami pizza into his mouth.

"Ah, there we go." I sighed.

At that time she was totally unaware of what danger was to come.

-

T H I R D P E R S O N

Whereas Alaska was still chatting with one of her bestfriends, the brothers were struggling to pick someone out who'd ask for the first dance with her. She couldn't just say no since it would draw attention to her if she declined an offer to dance with one of her family members and she didn't want that but she also didn't want to even look at them.

In the meantime Leonid was making his way back to the table full of determination and a smile resting on his lips. When he approached the table he looked straight at Alaska who raised her eyebrows.

"May I ask for a dance with you?" he asked, stretching out his hand just like Xavier did before.

But this time it won't go as smooth.

"Of course." she smiled and stood up after kissing her boyfriend's cheek

They made their way to the dancing area just as another beautiful song sounded trough the ball room.

They entangled their hands and started to dance in perfect sync. The atmosphere around them was completely different to the one before yet it was still breathtaking for others to watch. Their harmony was just as beautiful to watch as the one at Alaska's first dance.

They were totally unaware of the old man that was preparing himself to kill someone. Not only someone, but Alaska. The Alaska Hades that was currently dancing with her bestfriend. Was it the last time they would dance together? Was it the last time they would laugh together? Was it the last time they would see each other alive?

Nobody knew.

Not even the old man.

"Finally...you will finally pay for what you did, bitch." the man spoke while he loaded his gun behind the curtains of the stage. He gestured for his men to proceed with the plan and so they did.

The music stopped abruptly, making everyone stop what they were doing. They all felt how the atmosphere changed. A layer of uncomfortableness and anticipation was lying in the air, suffocating the men and women that were moments ago dancing and laughing happily.

"Hello Ladies and Gentleman." spoke a husky voice all of a sudden.

"I hope you enjoyed the ball because it's over now." Everyone could practically hear the smirk in his voice and the evil glint glistening in his eyes. They all backed away from the stage, preparing themselves for everything that could possibly happen, but they didn't at all expect what happened next.

The curtains dropped. There he stood, grinning like a psychopath in the middle of the woody stage. The gun was hid behind his back and the microphone was in front of his face.

"I hope it was a good surprise." he laughed manically as he watched the Hades' and Fernandez' faces turn into shocked ones. When his gaze fell upon Alaska she was gaping at him with wide eyes.

The whole room was so silent that you could hear a pin drop if someone had dropped one.

"You! Alaska Hades. The disowned daughter that was taken in again. You destroyed my life, you know?"

-

A L A S K A

"W-what?" I choked out, still full of shock. Why was he making such a show here? What did he plan? His whole aura was completely different.

He wasn't the nice guy with a kind smile plastered on his face. He also wasn't the disgusted guy with a scowl resting on his lips everytime he saw me. He was like a totally different person.

His light grey hair weren't neatly gelled back, they were a complete and total mess on the top of his head, and his eyes didn't hold the patience or the caring look. No. They held disgust and hatred. And it was directed at me. His whole aura screamed danger. The way he stood on that stage with one arm pressed against his back and the other one tightly wrapped around the microphone. It was like he was anticipating something.

Like when you're waiting to finally get your food served. That's what he looked like. As if he was waiting for something to happen. But what?

"Today is the happiest day of my life you know that? Well, after the days of the birth of my children and my wedding of course but it's the fourth happiest day of my life." A shiver ran down my spine when he narrowed his eyes at me.

This wasn't the man I once knew. This was a monster. His demons took control of him and he fed them. He wasn't himself. I saw that. I saw it in his eyes. They were dull and lifeless, an evil glint swirling around in the depths of his eyes.

This man was only a shell of himself. A shell of the man that drove us here today. Who knew me and my brothers since we were born.

William. William Hunter.

Our driver.

"You made my wife divorce me! You almost killed your mother and my wife was the one who cried her head off after that! She pushed me away, said she needed time for herself. We grew apart more and more everyday and all of it because of you! In the end she also forbade me to see my children because 'I had a drinking problem'. Guess why I drank so much alcohol? Because of you! You are the reason for my weak heart, for my alcohol addiction. You destroyed my life Alaska Hades! And today I will make you pay for it." he wiped away a fallen tear and pulled out a gun with the hand, that was seconds ago pressed against his back.

Gasps echoed throughout the room whereas I froze in my place. He was pointing a gun at me. His eyes held not one bit remorse or guilt in them whereas my hands started to tremble. I was in a state of shock. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't move my body and then I heard it. The most nerve wracking sound on earth.

A gun shot.

I raised my head as everything stopped. It was like everybody stopped breathing. I saw the bullet flying in the air but it didn't move. It was just flying in the air.

I glanced at my family, who were looking at me with wide eyes. The utter fear in their eyes made my heart clench. I knew now. I knew they were serious. They didn't want revenge. The only thing they wanted was my forgiveness.

To be honest, I would've loved to argue with them a bit more. To give them a taste of their own medicine. But right now the only thing I felt was that I wanted to see those same smiles with all the love and affection again, that I saw in them when I was younger. I wanted to hug them just one more time before I die. I could never forgive them or forget about the things they did, but I wanted to feel their affection one more time.

One more time before I die.

I swallowed down the lump in my throat and turned to Max. His food was long forgotten as he looked at me with so much panic on his face that my heart ached painfully. I didn't want him to worry about me. I didn't want him to fall apart if I die. I wanted him to be happy. To enjoy his life, to get a girlfriend and to marry her. Maybe even some kids dancing around in his livingroom. I smiled at the thought of a child sitting on his lap, playing with his face, and a woman sitting next to him, snuggled into his embrace.

Then I turned my head to Xavier. Xavier Ricci. Worry and panic was written all over his face, his hand resting on the gun that he snuggled into the ball room. My heart craved for him. For his embrace, his touch and his kiss. I wanted to make him happy, to see him smile. I wanted him to look at me with those ocean blue eyes one more time.

I wanted to spend my forever with him.

Suddenly everything went so fast. The bullet started moving again as I turned my head back around and I prepared myself for the worst.

For death.

Then, when the bullet was only a couple of inches away, Leo jumped in front of me, grabbing me by the shoulders and looking me deep in the eyes. His back was turned to the old man whereas his face was facing me. My eyes widened in shock as his face morphed into a pained one and a hiss of pain left his mouth.

He gave me a soft smile and pressed one of his hands on his stomach. When I lowered my gaze I saw his blood stained clothes and tears welled up in my eyes as an agonizing pain erupted in my stomach while my heart felt like it was teared apart.

"No." I whispered with a shaky voice.

It couldn't be true. He can't die. Not because of me, not ever. He can't. He isn't....he...

His knees gave in and he fell to the floor. I kneeled down and grabbed his face, just as he fell to the side, and gently layed him on my knees as tears stormed down my face.

"Hey, don't....cry." he whispered with a raspy voice.

"But...you...you can't....you can't die! You hear me? You can't die! I need you." my voice broke and the lump in my throat grew.

"I-I'm sorry....I...I couldn't keep the...p-promise." he coughed out, sending a fucking painful pang to my heart as I remembered what he meant.

We once promised each other, shortly after we became friends and I told them my story, that we'd always be together. No matter what ups and downs or obstacles we were gonna face, we were gonna face them together. As a team.

"It's okay. Shh. You didn't break it. You won't die." I assured with a hopeful smile plastered on my face as my lip started to quiver uncontrollably.

"Th-Thank you...for being m...my bestfriend. My...family." he smiled weakly.

"No! Don't do this! Don't you dare do that, Leonid Ivanov!! You won't fucking die, you hear me?....you...you won't die. Please, don't say goodbye." I cried out, tightening my grip around him.

"Al...I love you...sis. Я так тебя люблю." He brought his bloody hand up to my cheek and wiped away a tear that was running down my face. [I love you so much]

"я тоже тебя люблю, Leo. I love you so much." [I love you too]

Suddenly his eyes started to close and the color on his face faded away. Blood started to drip out of his mouth, his head fell back and his hand dropped to the ground.

"No! No! Please! No!" I yelled with desperation while I clutched onto my heart, which was beating uncontrollably. It felt like someone was pushing thousands of knifes into my heart, breaking it in two, stomping onto the pieces and setting it on fire.

"Leo! You asshole! You said you'd never leave me! Please! Please, don't go." I screamed, my voice breaking.

Max rushed to my side, shaking Leo's unconscious body and whispering 'No' over and over as tears poured out of his eyes like a waterfall.

In that moment, when the light went out and the moon light became the only light source that was lighting up the room, I stood up. My hands shaking furiously, but this time I wasn't sure whether it was because of the pain or the anger. I ran over to Xavier, snatched the gun out of his hands and ran back to the middle of the room.

Everybody was watching me with sympathy, pity or sheer anxiety of what was to come. Rain was bristling down on the windows and a lightening bolt lit up the dark night sky while the tension in the room increased.

"You will pay! You fucking asshole hurt him! I'm gonna kill you! Say goodbye, Willi." A thunder boomed trough the building as I raised my gun and pointed it at the old man, who was looking me dead in the eye.

I didn't hesitate as I