CHAPTER 5: I’M SORRY…WHO ARE YOU?

“Shit, I'm sorry—”

The words died in my throat as I looked up from the shattered champagne glass at my feet. Three figures loomed over me in the marble hallway, and my blood turned to ice.

Then I remembered who I was now.

“No harm done,” I said smoothly, brushing imaginary dust from my Valentino gown. “Accidents happen.”

Dante stared at me like I'd disappear at any moment into thin air. His mouth opened and closed twice before any sound came out.

“Kaia?”

I blinked at him with polite confusion. “I'm sorry?”

“You're…”Marcus stepped closer, his silver eyes wide. “Holy fuck, you're gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” I smiled pleasantly. “Though I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. Have we met?”

A long paused followed my question. Ash stepped forward, hands in his pocket. His eyes scanned me for a brief moment, nodded slightly.

“You know who we are,” he said quietly.

“Do I?” I tilted my head, letting genuine puzzlement color my voice. “I meet so many people in my line of work. Refresh my memory?”

“Kaia Blackwood,” Dante said, his voice rough. “From here. From Moonhaven.”

I stared at them like they had grown horns. “I'm afraid you must have confused me with someone else. I've never been to... what did you call it? Moonhaven?”

Marcus actually stumbled backward. “That's impossible.”

“Is it?” I gestured to myself—the sleek hair, the flawless makeup, the gown that cost more than their car. “Do I look like someone who'd have such a common name?”

“You lived here,” Ash insisted. “We grew up together. We were—”

“We were what?” My smile turned razor-sharp. “Friends? Because I assure you, I'd remember friends like you.”

Dante's face went white. “Please. We need to talk.”

“About what, exactly?” I checked my diamond watch. “I'm afraid I have important people waiting, and this conversation seems to be going nowhere.”

I turned to walk away, but Dante's hand shot out to grab my wrist. The moment his skin touched mine, electricity crackled through the air. His eyes widened in shock.

“Don't.” I said coldly. “Touch. Me.”

He dropped my wrist like I'd burned him.

I walked away without looking back, my heels clicking against marble with perfect rhythm. Behind me, I heard one of them curse.

The banquet hall stole my breath, but I didn't let it show. Crystal chandeliers cast rainbow light across polished floors, and conversations hummed in a dozen languages. This was my world now.

“Well, well. What do we have here?”

The voice made my skin crawl. I turned slowly, already knowing what I'd find.

Elena stood five feet away, resplendent in crimson silk. Still beautiful, but there was something desperate about her now. Something hungry and sharp.

“Do I know you?” I asked with a polite smile .

“Cut the act.” She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “I'd know that pathetic face anywhere, no matter how much work you've had done.”

Around us, conversations began to quiet. Other guests turned to the scene unfold.

“I'm sorry,” I said, my voice carrying clearly through the hall, “but I don't believe we've been formally introduced.”

“Don't give me that bullshit,” Elena snarled. “Do you think a little plastic surgery and some fancy clothes will change what you are?”

“How fascinating.” I examined my nails with bored interest. “And what exactly do you think I am?”

Her face flushed red. “You're still the same fat, pathetic little pig. You can dress up all you want, but I can still smell the trash underneath.”

The hall went dead silent.

I looked up from my nails, my smile never wavering. “Are you done?”

“You worthless piece of—”

I slapped her. It echoed through the hall like a gunshot.

Elena stumbled backward, her hand flying to her reddening cheek. Two hundred guests stared in stunned silence.

“Oops,” I said brightly. “My hand slipped.”

“You bitch!” Elena lunged at me, but strong arms caught her.

Marcus held her back, his face pale with shock. Behind him, Dante and Ash pushed through the gathering crowd.

“That's enough,” Dante said, his voice tight with control.

I turned to face all three of them, my expression serene. “Gentlemen. How persistent you are.”

“We need to talk,” Marcus said carefully. “Privately.”

“About what?” I smiled, but there was nothing warm about it. “You keep insisting we know each other, but I'm quite certain we've never met.”

“Stop playing games,” Dante stepped closer. “We know who you are.”

“Do you?” I said loud enough for the other guests hearing. “Because from where I'm standing, you three are strangers harassing a guest.”

“This is insane,” Marcus ran his hands through his hair. “You can't just pretend we don't exist.”

“I'm not pretending anything.” I gestured dismissively. “I simply don't know you.”

“You're our—” Ash started.

“I'm nobody's,” I cut him off, my voice dropping to lethal quiet. “And if you continue this harassment, you'll discover exactly how unpleasant I can become when annoyed.”

The threat hung in the air like poison gas. Around us, the crowd murmured, sensing dangerous currents.

“You don't mean that,” Dante said, but his voice lacked conviction.

“Try me.” I smiled sweetly.

Before they could respond, a high-pitched voice cut through the tension.

“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please!”

Luna Blackwood stood on the raised platform, commanding the room with practiced ease.

“Tonight we're honored to host distinguished guests from across the continent,” she continued. “Including royalty from our most valued allies. Please join me in welcoming Princess Kaia Valdris of the Crimson Moon Pack!”

Spotlight blazed across my face. I stepped forward with fluid grace, ignoring the stunned silence from those who remembered the broken girl I used to be.

As I moved toward the platform, something extraordinary happened. Ancient marks began to glow beneath my skin—silver lines that traced intricate patterns up my arms and across my décolletage. The mark of true royal bloodlines, power that hadn't been seen in centuries.

The entire hall gasped.

I reached the platform and turned to face the crowd, my marks still pulsing with otherworldly light. When I spoke, my voice carried the authority of ages.

“Thank you for the gracious welcome.” My eyes found the three brothers in the crowd—Dante looking like he'd seen a ghost, Marcus white as fresh snow, Ash staring at me like I might disappear.