Chapter 24
The ballroom was breathtaking. The chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings were dripping with crystals, their golden light casting a warm glow across the vast hall. Silk drapes of deep crimson and black cascaded from the walls, adding to the opulence and grandeur of the event.
Golden candelabras stood at every corner, their flames flickering, illuminating the faces of the most powerful werewolves in the world.
Lunas adorned in exquisite gowns of silver, emerald, and sapphire glided across the polished marble floor, their dresses shimmering like liquid gold. Their delicate jewelry sparkled, each piece carefully chosen to showcase their status.
The Alphas were just as striking.
Tall, powerful, and dripping with authority, they stood in tailored black and navy suits, their eyes scanning the room with a sharpness that could cut through steel. Their powerful auras clashed subtly, a silent battle of dominance unfolding beneath the surface.
This wasn’t just a ball.
It was a battleground.
And tonight, Killian and I were at the center of it.
His hand rested firmly on my waist as we stepped inside, his dark suit tailored to perfection, his every movement commanding attention. He was born for this—for power, for control, for the game of dominance.
And beside him?
Me.
The whispers started immediately.
“Oh my god, that’s her. The one Killian chose.”
“She was supposed to be Tyler’s mate, wasn’t she?”
“She actually picked Killian over Tyler? After he rejected her years ago?”
“What does she see in Killian?”
I kept my face neutral, my spine straight. I pretended not to hear. Let them talk. Let them whisper. They didn’t know a damn thing. But one person wasn’t whispering. One person wasn’t just watching.
He was fuming.
Tyler stood near the entrance, a drink clutched tightly in his hand.
His golden eyes burned into me like fire, his expression thunderous as he took in the sight of me, on Killian’s arm.
He looked like he wanted to storm across the ballroom, grab me, and demand answers.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he just stood there, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might crack.
Good.
Let him burn. I tore my gaze away, scanning the room until I found a familiar face.
Arla.
Relief flooded through me. Finally, someone who wasn’t part of this twisted political game.
I walked toward her, slipping from Killian’s grasp, ignoring the way his fingers twitched like he wanted to pull me back.
“Aurora!” Arla’s face lit up as she wrapped me in a warm hug.
For the first time tonight, I felt like I could breathe.
She pulled back, scanning my face with concern. “How are you?”
I forced a small smile. “Barely holding on.”
Arla’s expression softened, and she squeezed my hand. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
I nodded, feeling grateful. I caught her glance at Killian, but I ignored it. Killian was impossible to overlook anyway, with his striking features. Then I spotted Alex—of course, he was flirting with another girl. I rolled my eyes and elbowed him hard in the ribs.
He yelped, turning to glare at me. “What the hell, Aurora?”
“You’re going to be a father,” I snapped. “Why are you still flirting with other women?”
Alex sighed dramatically. “My babymama is in prison.”
I blinked. “Wait. Tyler still has Debbie locked up?”
Alex chuckled, shaking his head. “Yep.”
“And why aren’t you being punished?” I demanded.
Alex leaned closer, smirking. “Oh, I’m being punished, alright.” Something in his voice made me pause.
“Worse than Debbie?” I asked slowly.
His smirk faded, and for a split second, I saw something haunted in his eyes.
“Way worse,” he murmured.
I stared at him, but before I could press further, the room fell silent.
A collective gasp rippled through the ballroom. Every single head turned toward the entrance. I turned, following their gazes. And my heart stopped. Standing in the doorway was a man I hadn’t seen in years.
Tall. Commanding. His features were aged but unmistakable.
My stomach twisted.
Beside me, Alex inhaled sharply.
“Oh, my fucking god,” he whispered. “Is that… Dad?” And then I saw her. Standing beside him.
Amaya.
My best friend. With my father. I couldn’t breathe. This was worse than betrayal. This was a nightmare.
