Chapter 18
Arta’s POV
The Grand Ballroom shimmered like a crystal cave above me, magical orbs of light casting everything in an ethereal glow. My silver heels clicked against polished marble as I made my way through the gathering crowd, the dress Leo had chosen catching the light with each step. His message had come just as I’d arrived, my phone buzzing with Leo’s apologetic text:
“Wild wolf attack on the northern border. Three youngsters injured. I have to coordinate the response teams. I’m so sorry, Aria.”
The words were followed by a string of regretful emojis that were so typically Leo, they almost made me smile despite my disappointment.
Of course, I thought, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from my gown, my fingers lingering on the moonlight–colored silk. As an alpha’s daughter, I understood all too well how pack business could interrupt even the most carefully laid plans. How many times had I watched my father rush from family dinners, birthday celebrations, even my mother’s memorial service, because the pack needed him? The weight of responsibility always came first- it was one of the first lessons every wolf of rank learned. Still, knowing didn’t make standing alone in this glittering sea of judging eyes any easier.
I forced my hands to still against the fabric. Leo would be worried about me facing this crowd solo, but I’d survived far worse than a ballroom full of gossiping wolves.
The familiar weight of eyes followed my progress across the room. Whispers trailed in my wake like smoke, carrying fragments of conversation I pretended not to hear.
“Is that really her?”
The fallen princess…”
“Can’t even shift anymore…
I kept my chin high, my steps measured and graceful – every inch the warrior I’d become. The silver dress moved like liquid moonlight around my legs, its elegant simplicity a stark contrast to the elaborate gowns favoring the other she–wolves.
As I approached Leo’s reserved table in the VIP section, my heart stumbled in my chest, then began racing at a wild, uncontrollable pace. Ethan sat there, and the sight of him stole my breath away. His commanding presence filled the space like a physical force, drawing every eye in the room like moths to flame. The perfectly tailored black tuxedo emphasized his broad shoulders and lean waist, the crisp white shirt a stark contrast against his tanned skin. His dark hair, usually slightly disheveled during training sessions, was now swept back in elegant waves, revealing the aristocratic lines of his face the strong jaw, the high cheekbones, the subtle cleft in his chin.
But it was his eyes that made my steps falter. Those haunting forest–green eyes, flecked with gold and framed by thick dark lashes, seemed to hold ancient secrets in their depths.
I forced myself to keep moving forward, even as my chest constricted with a confusing mix of attraction and dread. My body seemed to recognize him on some primal level, drawn to his presence like a planet caught in a star’s gravitational pull. The closer I got, the more details assaulted my senses the subtle scent of his cologne mixing with his natural alpha musk, the way his powerful shoulders moved beneath the fine fabric of his jacket, the elegant strength in his hands as he lifted a crystal champagne flute.
Emma spotted me first, her practiced smile taking on a predatory edge. “Aria!” she called out, voice dripping with manufactured warmth. “What a lovely surprise! And all alone?” Her fingers tightened visibly on Ethan’s arm. “I thought Leo was supposed to be your escort tonight?‘
Ethan’s head snapped up at the mention of Leo’s name, his intense gaze locking onto mine with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Something flickered in those forest–green depths confusion? Recognition? – before he masked it with careful neutrality. Those eyes seemed to pierce straight through me.
“Pack business,” I replied smoothly, proud of how steady my voice remained. “You know how it is.” I inclined my head in a polite greeting that acknowledged their positions without showing submission. Alpha Heir. Emma,”
‘You look… different,” Emma said, her tone suggesting this wasn’t entirely a compliment. “Almost human, really. That dress is quite simple for such an important occasion.”
I felt Ethan’s gaze sweep over me, lingering on the elegant lines of my gown. The weight of his attention made my skin prickle with awareness, even as my stomach churned.
‘I prefer to let my actions speak for themselves, I replied, allowing just a hint of steel to enter my voice. ‘Some of us don’t need crystals to shine,
Emma’s perfectly painted lips parted for what would undoubtedly be another barbed comment, but I was already turning away. “If you’ll excuse me, I need some air.”
I couldn’t stay here, couldn’t watch this display for another moment. The room suddenly felt too small, too crowded, the air too thick to breathe. Without acknowledging either of them, I turned and headed for the balcony doors. I needed air, needed space to think, needed to be anywhere but here watching Emma stake her claim on the man.
The silver dress Leo had chosen swirled around my legs as I made my graceful retreat, and I silently thanked years of combat training for keeping my steps steady when all I wanted to
do was run.
