Honey Bee

POV of Eliza Claire Gold

(5 years later, Velvet Villa, Starlight Kingdom)

Knock, knock!

“Are you ready, Lily?”

Isaac’s calm, gentle voice came from the other side of the door as I adjusted my mask one last time, staring at my reflection in the large, round mirror. My lips curled into a teasing smile as I responded, “More than ready, Sir. Let’s savor some exotic wine tonight.”

“It’s Isaac, not ‘Sir.’ How many times do I have to tell you?” he replied, his tone carrying an edge of exasperation.

I clicked my tongue playfully and muttered a quick, “Sorry.”

Grabbing my shimmering masquerade mask, I smoothed the folds of my red gown embroidered with fine golden threads. It hugged my figure elegantly, though it revealed more than I preferred—a choice I’d reluctantly made to blend in with the crowd.

When I opened the door, Isaac was waiting, dressed sharply in a maroon tuxedo. His piercing blue eyes, framed by silver streaks in his neatly combed hair, scrutinized me for a moment before nodding in approval. Despite his strict demeanor, his innate warmth and charisma always shone through.

“Perfect,” he said, his voice low and steady. Then, as we began walking down the corridor, he leaned closer and murmured, “Remember the plan. Once the ball begins, you need to find Mr. Hogg, the managing director of AJC. He’s carrying the secret drive we need—the one with the names of all the spies.”

“Do you know if he’ll have the drive on him tonight?” I asked, adjusting my mask as I glanced at him.

Isaac nodded. “Yes. He’s meeting with the new CEO of AJC. This is our best chance to retrieve it. Don’t let it slip away.”

I smirked confidently. “Have I ever failed a mission, Isaac?”

He didn’t smile back. “This isn’t just another mission. Their security will be top-notch. You can’t bring weapons or poison inside, and your wolf won’t stand a chance against their elite guards if things go wrong. Be careful. If anything feels off, abort the mission and escape. Understood?”

His genuine concern made my heart ache slightly, though I hid it behind my usual bravado. “I’ll stick to the plan,” I promised, giving him a reassuring smile before we parted ways.

Isaac hesitated, then grabbed my wrist gently. “Lily, don’t take unnecessary risks. Signal me if you need help. I’ll come for you.”

I nodded, touched by his sincerity. Isaac was one of the few people in my current life who cared for me. Though his worry lingered in his eyes, he released me, and I stepped into the grand ballroom.

The room was dazzling, illuminated by golden chandeliers and filled with elegantly dressed guests. I made my way to the bar, blending in seamlessly. This mission was vital—not just for me, but for the entire Silver Bow pack. The drive contained the names of spies who had been leaking our kingdom’s secrets and orchestrating illegal werewolf kidnappings.

It was a chance to strike back and reclaim some semblance of justice.

Four years ago, I had been a homeless rogue, wandering the streets without hope or purpose. The Silver Bow pack had taken me in when I had nowhere else to go. In exchange for shelter and food, I became their weapon—a hunter, a seductress, whatever the Alpha needed me to be.

Though I had served the pack faithfully, I remained an outsider. To them, I was nothing more than a rogue—a disposable tool. Their insults used to sting, but now, I barely flinched. Survival had hardened me.

“What can I get for you, M’lady?”

The bartender’s polite question pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced at him—a young, fresh-faced man with an eager smile.

“One Margarita, please,” I replied, taking a seat at the counter.

He nodded and began preparing my drink. Curious, I leaned forward and asked casually, “You’re pretty efficient. Are you a regular here?”

The boy smiled sheepishly. “No, just a part-timer. I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. First time?”

“Lucky guess,” I said with a playful wink. “Yes, this is my first masquerade. Quite the crowd, isn’t it?”

He nodded. “That’s to be expected. The AJC organization is hosting tonight’s event to introduce their new CEO. It’s attracted all the big names. Even celebrities from the Lycan kingdom are here—Miriam and Murphy, Sasha the pop star, and Joseph, the actor.”

“Sasha?” I repeated, my heart skipping a beat.

Her name struck me like a lightning bolt, unearthing memories I’d buried long ago. Sasha had once been my closest friend—a bond forged in a past life that now felt like a distant dream.

“You a fan?” the bartender asked, setting my drink in front of me.

“Something like that,” I murmured, my voice soft. “I wish I could talk to her... even for a moment.”

It was a foolish thought. Sasha belonged to the Night Walker pack—the strongest Lycan pack in the kingdom. My association with them had been a mistake, one that had shattered my life and left me with nothing.

“Would you like to see her?” the bartender asked suddenly, his voice low.

I blinked, startled. “What?”

“I can show you a way to the VIP floor,” he whispered, glancing around. “That’s where she’ll be. But you have to be careful not to get caught.”

I hesitated for a moment before a slow, sly smile spread across my lips. “That’s more than enough.”

He nodded and gestured for me to follow. As we left the crowded ballroom, I caught Isaac’s eye from across the room. He looked puzzled but didn’t stop me.

The bartender led me down an empty corridor and up a narrow staircase, stopping at a door. “Fourth floor, to the left. Good luck, M’lady.”

“Thank you,” I said, turning to leave. Then, on impulse, I asked, “What’s your name?”

He smiled mysteriously. “I’ll tell you next time. Enjoy your evening.”

As he disappeared down the stairs, I frowned slightly. Something about his eagerness unsettled me, but I had no time to dwell on it.

---

“Hello, Sister,” the young bartender said into his phone as he returned to the bar. His voice brimmed with excitement. “I’ve found her. The informer was right.”

“What do you mean?” came a sharp, feminine voice.

“Eliza,” he said simply. “She’s here.”

A gasp echoed from the other end of the line. “Eli?”

“She’s on her way to the VIP floor,” he added quickly. “If you hurry—”

But the line went dead. Sasha was already running, her heart pounding as she searched for the friend she’d thought she’d lost forever.