Diana took her seat at the head of the long obsidian dining table, her presence alone enough to silence the murmurs in the hall. Adrian and Isabella sat to her right, the seats clearly reserved for honored guests. Pack members and high-ranking wolves occupied the remaining chairs, yet not a single one dared to speak without Diana's permission.
Candles flickered along the length of the table, and the warm golden glow reflected in Diana's silver eyes as she finally spoke.
"First of all," she began, her tone powerful yet unexpectedly calm, "let me make one thing clear." Her gaze shifted from Adrian to Isabella. "Tonight, you are guests of Moonveil. No harm will touch you under my roof. Your safety is my responsibility."
Isabella let out a silent breath. She didn't know why, but the weight of Diana's words felt like a binding vow—one that even the wind seemed to pause and listen to.
Adrian gave a polite nod. "We are honored by your hospitality, Alpha Diana."
A ghost of a smile appeared on Diana's lips. "You came here without ill intentions, Adrian Frost. That is why I welcomed you. If your purpose had been different…" Her eyes glimmered dangerously. "…you would not have made it past my gates."
The entire hall seemed to drop a few degrees colder. Isabella swallowed, feeling a strange aura around the She-Alpha—calm on the surface, deadly underneath.
Diana's eyes then turned to Isabella, and something softened in her gaze.
"As for you, Mrs. Frost," she said, her voice losing its earlier edge, "I invited you here today for a different reason."
Isabella looked up, curious. "Me?"
Diana nodded. "Moonveil has been closed off from the world for too long. I intend to change that. I am planning to open alliances again…connect with the outside world. Increase my social presence. For that, I will start with those who are worthy of trust."
Her words lingered in the air.
"I wanted to begin," she continued, raising her glass slightly, "by giving a wedding treat to the newly wedded couple—Mr. and Mrs. Frost."
The entire hall echoed with faint applause.
Isabella blinked, genuinely surprised. "A wedding treat? For us?"
"Yes," Diana replied. "Call it a… gesture of goodwill."
Servants dressed in black and silver uniforms began placing plates of exquisitely prepared food in front of them—grilled venison, golden rolls, bowls of steaming stew flavored with ancient mountain herbs, and wine that smelled rich and intoxicating.
But even as the atmosphere turned warm and civilized, Isabella could feel something strange—Diana was hiding something.
And she wasn't the only one who felt it.
Adrian remained composed, but inside, he was alert—watching every move, every expression. Why had Diana accepted his meeting request so easily? Why did she suddenly want to form alliances now, after isolating herself from the world for so many years? And why… did she keep glancing at Isabella as if she knew something about her?
Diana caught Adrian's gaze and smiled.
"You are wondering why I invited Isabella specifically," she said smoothly, cutting straight through his thoughts.
Adrian met her eyes without flinching. "I believe I have the right to know."
"You do," Diana answered simply. She rested her chin on her hand, studying Isabella with an expression that almost resembled… interest.
"She is different."
Isabella frowned. "Different? In what way?"
Diana gave a small, mysterious smile. "That, dear… you will discover soon."
The hall settled with an elegant stillness as dinner continued. The lighting shimmered overhead like a sky of suspended stars, yet Isabella couldn't focus on the beauty around her. Diana's words—"She is different"—replayed again and again in her mind.
Different? Why would she say that?
She picked at her food absently, glancing at Adrian. He didn't speak, but his sharp expression said everything—he was alert, calculating, and ready for anything.
Diana lifted her glass of wine again and said casually, "Tell me, Isabella… how are you finding married life?"
Isabella blinked at the sudden personal question but answered politely. "Good. I am still adjusting, but Adrian has been supportive." She gave a small smile.
"Oh?" Diana's gaze flicked to Adrian briefly. "Support is good. Trust is even better. But the most important part of marriage…" She paused, her voice dipping into something deeper. "…is honesty. Wouldn't you agree?"
Adrian stiffened just a little. Isabella sensed the shift in the air.
"Yes," Isabella replied carefully. "Honesty matters."
Diana's lips curved, satisfied. "I'm glad you think so. Because here in Moonveil, lies have consequences." Her eyes sparkled—not with warmth, but with warning.
Without looking, she raised her hand slightly. A servant hurried over, carrying a crystal bowl filled with glowing silver-blue liquid.
Everyone at the table immediately straightened.
"Bring it here," Diana ordered.
The bowl was placed in front of her, and Isabella stared—her heartbeat quickening. The liquid inside rippled with a faint light as if it held a life of its own.
"What is that?" Isabella asked.
"Moonveil truth essence," Diana replied. "An ancient blessing of our pack. It cannot be created anywhere else in the world."
Isabella frowned. "What does it do?"
Diana's gaze turned dark and unreadable. "It reacts to lies. And hidden truths."
She looked directly at Isabella.
"Hold out your hand."
Instant tension filled the room. David shifted forward slightly, instinctively protective. Adrian's eyes sharpened.
"Why?" Isabella asked, confused.
Diana's voice was calm, almost gentle. "This is tradition. Every guest of the Alpha must go through a truth blessing. You're safe if you're pure of heart… and if you're not hiding anything."
She said the last part with heavy meaning.
Adrian spoke, voice cold. "This was not part of the meeting conditions."
Diana turned to him. "You said you came with no ill intentions. So why object?"
Adrian clenched his jaw. Something about that silver liquid felt wrong. Dangerous. He could feel it. But Isabella placed a hand on his arm, surprising him.
"It's okay," she said softly. "I'm not afraid."
She looked into his eyes and smiled faintly—trusting him, trusting herself. Her calmness silenced him.
Then slowly… Isabella reached out her hand and dipped her fingertips into the glowing liquid.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then the silver essence—turned gold.
A hush fell over the hall. Shocked gasps echoed. Even Diana froze for a fraction of a second—her eyes widening before she masked it.
"What does that mean?" Isabella asked, pulling her hand back, startled.
Diana stared at her like she was seeing something impossible.
"It means…" she said slowly, voice tense with disbelief, "you are not just different."
She stood up from her chair.
"You are rare."
The flames in the chandeliers flickered wildly. A low rumble seemed to echo outside as if nature itself had reacted.
Adrian stood immediately, stepping closer to Isabella protectively. "What does that mean, Diana?"
Diana looked at them both, eyes glowing.
"It means your wife," she said with measured weight, "is no ordinary human."
The crystal bowl glowed faintly on the table as Diana gestured toward Isabella."Hold out your hand," she said calmly.
But before Isabella could react, Adrian stepped forward and gently pulled her hand back.
"That won't be necessary," he said firmly, his voice low with warning. "This is between us, Diana. Do not involve my wife in your pack rituals."
A cold silence swept through the hall. The guards tensed. David held his breath. Everyone knew Adrian Frost did not request—he ordered. Yet tonight he chose restraint… for Isabella.
Diana studied him silently for a moment. Then, to everyone's surprise, she lifted her hand, and the bowl of silver liquid was removed.
"Very well," she said, nodding once. "I will respect your decision, Alpha Frost."
Isabella blinked. Alpha Frost? Why was everyone calling him that?
But before she could question it, Diana's gaze shifted to her, sharp but not hostile.
"But remember one thing, Adrian," she added, voice quiet yet powerful. "Your wife is not as fragile as you think. Do not underestimate her. She carries a strength that even she is unaware of."
Diana raised her glass with a graceful smile. "Now, let us end the dinner here. I believe we have much to discuss in private."