“And apparently, it was my father’s dying wish to see the family back together.”
Lucian slowed slightly, just enough to let me set the pace. “That sounds manipulative.”
“Oh, it is,” I admitted. “But it’s also…complicated.”
We didn’t speak for a few minutes. The only sounds were the crunch of pine needles beneath our feet and the hush of wind threading through the trees.
Then Lucian said, “If you do go to Kieran and Celeste’s party… You don’t have to go alone.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Are you offering to be my emotional support wolf?”
“I’m offering to be your sword, Sera. If you want to walk into the belly of that glitter- drenched beast, I’ll be right there beside you. I’m pretty sure Maya will want a piece, too.”
The sincerity in his voice rooted me in place.
Lucian constantly proved himself steadfast in ways I never asked for, loyal when I didn’t think I deserved it.
But now, as I looked at him under the fractured light of dusk, I realized just how much I had come to rely on him.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice quieter than before. “Really?”
He shrugged, but there was warmth in his eyes. “Besides, someone needs to keep you from throwing a punch when Celeste inevitably tries to crown herself on the dance floor.”
I smiled, then burst into a full laugh. “Don’t tempt me.”
By the time we returned home, my muscles were warm, lungs clear, but my mind was still at war. I made tea, and Lucian helped himself to the fruit bowl like he lived here.
I didn’t mind how comfortable he was in my space.
“Do you think I’m making a mistake?” I asked, sitting on a stool opposite the island, hands curled around my mug.
Lucian peeled an orange with deliberate fingers. “For considering going?”
I nodded. A party where Celeste and Kieran celebrated their love. I was better off sticking my finger into an electrical outlet.
“No,” he said. “You’re not wrong to want to confront your past. Just make sure you’re doing it for you, not because of all the external voices.”
“That’s the thing…” I stared morosely at the dark liquid in my cup. “What if I’m not sure who I am without the external voices?”
Lucian looked up. “Then I’ll stand next to you until you figure it out.”
I closed my eyes, a smile on my face.
So maybe my family sucked, but with Lucian and Maya by my
It felt like I was making a new one. side…
CELESTE’S POV
The mirror loved me tonight.
I stood in front of it, soaking in every inch of my reflection as Abby zipped up the back of my dress.
The gown-gold, encrusted with crystals that caught the light like I was born in it-fit me like destiny. Not a wrinkle out of place. Not a single flaw in sight.
A hundred times better than the stupid dress Sera wore to the gala.
“I look like a goddess,” I declared.
“You are a goddess.” Emma grinned, adjusting one of the gold cuffs on my wrist. “Kieran’s going to choke on his own tongue when he sees you.”
I laughed, the sound light and effortless. “Good. Maybe he’ll stop grumping about expenses long enough to remember what he’s been missing out on.”
Abby stepped back, her eyes gleaming. “All of LA’s elite wolves will see you tonight. No one can deny who you are after this.”
Kieran’s Luna.
I’d waited long enough. Played the patient, grieving fool while Sera stomped around like a tragic shadow. But tonight? Tonight was mine.
The media was already here. I’d made sure of it. Not just the shifter press, but everyone- fashion bloggers, socialites, even that ridiculous human gossip site that loved werewolf drama.
This party would be written into the social pages like a coronation.
“It smells like money and bad decisions in here,” Emma added with a snort. “God, I love it.”
I smiled at them through the mirror. They’d been with me through it all: the betrayal, the lies, the humiliations.
And now? Now they’d watch me win.
“I can’t wait for her to see me,” I said softly, pressing a ring onto my finger. “I can’t wait for her to look at me, and she lost. That there was never any competition to begin with.”
“Sera?” Abby scoffed. “That little hermit? She wouldn’t dare show her face.”
I shook my head. “I invited her personally.”
I just hope Mom managed to guilt-trip her into accepting my invitation. None of this would matter if Sera weren’t here for me to flaunt my victory.
“Why would you do that?” Emma asked.
“Because I want her here,” I said, turning to face them. “I want her to see this”-I waved around the room-“and know she can never have it back. It’s all mine now.”
“Ooooh,” Abby giggled. “She’s going to be so green with envy.” She nudged Emma. “There’s a man-made lake in the garden if you’re feeling pushy tonight, too.”
The three of us erupted into fits of giggles at the mental image of Sera soaked and shivering.
“Let me know when you want to do it so I can get a camera crew out there. I’m pissed I don’t have any memories of the first one.”
We spent the next couple of minutes daydreaming about all the ways we could humiliate my man-stealing sister.
I really hoped she would come tonight. Even if she didn’t end up drenched in a lake or having a whole tray of hors d’oeuvres dumped on her, I just needed to see the look of defeat in her eyes.
“You ready to show them who runs this pack now?” Abby asked when we’d composed ourselves.
I smiled, letting the fire in my chest flare. “More than ready.”
SERAPHINA’S POV
The second I stepped inside the ballroom, my senses were assaulted.
Gold. Everywhere. Walls draped in satin. Chandeliers dripping with crystals. Gold-tinted white roses spilling out of marble urns like the set of an overproduced wedding.
It smelled like expensive perfume, burning candles, and desperation.
Maya made a face beside me. “Did Versailles throw up in here?”
Lucian snorted, quietly taking in the room from just behind us. “We’re supposed to be impressed, I think.”
“Are you?” I asked.
“Deeply,” he replied dryly. “By how much tacky wealth can fit into one venue. Celeste is truly an artist”
I couldn’t lie. Part of me had braced for this. Celeste didn’t know the meaning of restraint. But this? This was worse than I’d imagined.
And the saddest part? I knew in my bones that Kieran hadn’t planned a single detail.
For all his wealth, he was as minimalistic as they came, prizing functionality and comfort over gaudiness and performative luxury.
This was Celeste’s parade-funded by Kieran’s pocket, of course-and she was dragging his name behind her like a prize ribbon.
I took a slow breath and steadied myself. My black dress was simple yet elegant, fitted at the waist and flowing to the floor.
Maya’s dress was something sleek and emerald green, with a high slit and a smirk to match.
We looked nothing like the women here-the ones in overdone curls and gowns that screamed designer labels. I was fine with that.
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