Chapter 4: ball

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My wavy red hair was pinned up, with a few loose strands framing my heart-shaped face. Pale skin, dusted with tiny freckles, glowed softly under the warm bathroom light.

The off-shoulder gown I wore was a deep, rich green that mirrored the colour of my eyes. Intricate vine embroidery adorned the bodice, which hugged my figure before flaring into a full, flowing skirt that brushed the floor like a forest breeze.

"You look breathtaking," Tasha complimented the moment I stepped into view at the top of the staircase. She looked up at me, smiling. My mum stood beside her, that same disapproval glowing bright in her blue eyes.

"You need to cut down on the calories," my mum commented, her eyes raking over me in judgement.

I completely ignored her, grabbed my sister's hand, and led her out. My mother, being the queen of drama and luxury, had rented a limo. It was long and black, sleek and shiny under the bright porch light. My heart thudded. I didn't realise it before, but I missed the luxury associated with being home. Being descendants and of the former Beta, we were wealthy, our wealth almost competing with that of the Alphas. 'Almost' being the keyword, though truthfully, that was stretching it. The Alpha is a billionaire, and his delinquent son is about to inherit both the wealth and the title. I scoffed.

I could feel it, the moment the limo entered the Alpha's territory. The aura was palpable, and the view, trees lined the driveway, tall and ancient, their branches forming a kind of natural archway as if even nature knew whose territory this was.

I had never been here, not even when Alpha Black had summoned me to his office. That had been at the pack house.

So I was amazed by the sheer luxury of the house mansion. My breath caught.

Calling it a mansion felt... disrespectful. This wasn't a house. It was a statement. A fortress disguised in modern architecture. All glass and stone, it stretched wide and tall, the lights spilling out like golden rivers across the perfectly landscaped lawn. I could see the guard wolves already, stationed by the marble steps, dressed in black and barely blinking. Pack members stretched out their invitations, all clad in beautiful ball gowns and suits.

I leaned forward slightly, as if getting closer to the tinted window would make the excess feel more real.

"Is that a waterfall... inside the wall?" Tasha asked, her amazement mirroring mine.

Yep. It was. An actual indoor waterfall, glittering behind the floor-to-ceiling glass like some high-end art installation. Of course, the Alpha had one of those. Why have modesty when you can have moving water cascading behind your wine cellar?

The limo slowed, purring to a stop in front of the driveway. The ground beneath the wheels shimmered, imported black stone, polished so finely it mirrored the stars.

I swallowed. Hard.

Okay... so maybe I underestimated just how rich and wealthy could be.

Everything about this place screamed legacy, power, perfection. No cracks. No weak points. Just dominance, beautifully manicured.

The chauffeur opened the door and we got out, my mother going straight to the entrance, head held high like she owned the place. We followed after her, trying not to gawk and embarrass my mother. The guards let us in without checking our invitation. We are, after all, family of the late Beta.

The grand ballroom looked like it had been pulled straight from a dream, or a royal fantasy sponsored by a limitless bank account.

Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling like frozen stars, casting fractured light across the polished marble floor. The walls were covered in silver-leaf paneling, with intricate carvings of wolves mid-howl, battles frozen in time, and ancient pack symbols etched into the gold trim. It was both beautiful and intimidating, a reminder that even in glamour, this place belonged to predators.

A string quartet played softly near the far end of the room, their instruments gleaming under the lights. The music was elegant and haunting, filling the space with the kind of quiet power that didn't need to announce itself.

Everywhere I looked, there were wolves dressed to the nines. Floor-length gowns shimmered like waterfalls. Suits were custom-tailored. Laughter echoed in the air, but it was refined and practiced. Nothing here was casual. Even the joy felt expensive.

And at the centre of it all was the Alpha's crest, a massive silver emblem embedded into the floor, right beneath the chandelier's glow. You couldn't walk into the room without stepping on it, which I doubted was an accident. It was a statement: you are always under his rule, even when you dance.

Tasha tugged at my arm, breathless. "This is insane," she whispered.

I nodded, eyes scanning the room. She was right.

This wasn't just a party. This was politics wrapped in velvet. War dressed in silk.

And I was back in it whether I liked it or not.