Seraphina's POV
Tonight was the Annual Lunar Gala Ball. It wasn't just any party—it was the event of the year in the entire werewolf world. Hosted by a different pack each time, this year the honor had fallen to the Moonveil Pack. On the surface, the gala celebrated the rebellion's victory from nineteen years ago, but everyone knew the real reason behind it.
It was basically a giant, glittery excuse for a secret mating ball.
A place where wolves coming of age were paraded around like show ponies in hopes of finding their fated mates. And lucky me—tonight was my turn to join the circus. But before I could pretend to care, I needed something to wear.
I opened my closet and stared at the sad collection of dresses hanging inside. Most were old, faded, or had been worn to death. If sadness had a wardrobe, this was it. And while I wasn't thrilled about going to this stupid ball or the whole fated mate drama, I at least needed to look somewhat decent.
Maybe I could ask Lira to lend me one of her old dresses. I could already hear her smug voice if I dared ask. Maybe if I threw in a dramatic monologue and some tears, she'd let me wear something that didn't itch. While I was considering the right words, the door flew open.
I looked up and saw Lira standing at the entrance, holding a white box with a silver ribbon tied around it. "Here," she said, walking in and tossing the box onto my bed like it was garbage. "Daddy asked me to give you this. He wants you to wear it to the ball tonight."
I blinked. "Huh?"
Alpha Daniel bought me something? Is the world ending? Did the sun rise in the west today? Should I be worried?
Lira tilted her head and gave me a smile that was anything but kind. "Don't look so shocked. We can't have the cursed princess showing up looking like a kitchen rat, now, can we? What would the other Alphas think of us?"
Wow. How touching!
"Oh… thanks," I muttered, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Alpha Daniel had remembered I existed.
"You'd better look good tonight," Lira warned as she turned to leave. "We don't want people thinking we abuse you or anything."
I nodded, rolling my eyes internally. As if anyone would care whether I was abused or not. Everyone hated me.
Once she was gone, I looked at the box on the bed and pulled the silver ribbon loose. I lifted the lid, and instantly, my breath caught. Inside was one of the most beautiful dresses I'd ever seen. It wasn't flashy or overdone—just elegant and effortlessly stunning. It was a deep emerald green, the color of forest shadows right before dawn. The design was one-shoulder, simple yet bold.
One sleeve draped down in a gathered, flowing style, while the other side was bare. The waist cinched in, and the skirt flowed to the floor in soft waves, with a subtle slit. Along with the dress, there was also a pair of beautiful silver heels.
I let out a long sigh. At least I'd look decent—that's what mattered.
Hours slipped by, and before I knew it, the ball had already begun. I stood in front of my old mirror, staring at my reflection. The glass was faded and slightly cracked, but it still showed enough.
The girl staring back at me looked beautiful. The dress fit me perfectly. The deep emerald green made my skin glow and brought out the color in my eyes. I had never worn anything so expensive or so pretty in my life.
A small smile tugged at my lips. For a second, I let myself dream.
What if I hadn't been born the cursed daughter of a tyrant king? What if I had parents who loved me? A brother who protected me? A mate who actually looked at me like I was his whole world?
But dreams like that… they were just that. Dreams.
And some dreams don't come true—at least not for a girl like me.
I shook the thought away. There was no point in thinking about such things. It would only make me sad. Glancing at the silver heels that came with the dress, I sighed. As pretty as they were, they'd only slow me down. Instead, I slipped into my old shoes. They were sturdy and comfortable. And with the dress being so long, no one would even see my feet.
I stood in the middle of the room and took one last look.
Goodbye, old bedroom masquerading as a prison!
I turned and stepped out of my room. The sound of faint music drifted up as I walked down the stairs. The house seemed empty. Maybe everyone was already at the ball. I hurried toward the door, and just when I was about to open it, a cold hand grabbed my wrist.
I froze, my body stiffening instantly. I knew that touch.
"My, my… You finally look like a beautiful woman tonight, Serephina," that awfully creepy voice came from behind me.
I turned around.
And there he was.
Jake Storme.
The Alpha's beloved son. The future Alpha of Moonveil. The golden boy everyone adored—the charming, well-dressed gentleman with a smile that could fool even the gods. But I knew better. I knew the truth. I had seen the darkness behind the smile—the predator behind the mask.
My blood turned cold the moment I saw him. My body locked up on its own, like it always did around him. It was as if every part of me remembered something my mind was trying hard to forget. His grip on my wrist tightened just a bit, and he leaned in with that same fake smile he always wore. "All dressed up for me? I knew you'd come crawling eventually."
"J-Jake," I whispered, my voice trembling, "let me go."
He didn't move. His eyes slowly dragged down my body, the way a predator sizes up its prey.
"Hmm... tonight's the big night, isn't it?" he smirked wickedly. "Turning eighteen, right?"
I didn't answer. I couldn't. I just tried to pull my wrist free, but his hand held firm. I hated how calm he looked like this was just another casual conversation for him. Like he wasn't the reason I flinched at shadows or avoided certain halls.
"Let me go," I said again, firmer this time.
Instead of listening, he yanked me forward, right into his chest. My breath hitched, panic rising in my throat. His face was too close, and I could feel his breath against my ear as he leaned in to say something, but just then, he heard the sound of heels approaching.
Click. Click. Click.
Instantly, he let go of me and stepped back. He smoothed his shirt and fixed his collar. Putting on that sickening gentlemanly smile, he glanced at the door. The door opened, and right in front of us was Riley, one of the hottest girls in the Moonveil Pack and Jake's girlfriend.
Also, one of my biggest tormentors.