MINERVA'S TRANSFORMATION

In the middle of the bustling packhouse hall, Killian stood alone, sipping his champagne. His gaze was empty, lost in thought as he waited for the annual ceremony to begin—an event he had never actually wanted.

Kayller, his twin brother, approached with a drink in his hand. "Why are you daydreaming?" Kayller chided.

"No. I was just thinking about Minerva. She seems different today."

"What about her again? And since when do you think about her? Don't tell me you're starting to fall in love with her?" he teased.

"Ridiculous! As if I could ever fall in love with her!" Killian retorted. "I just felt she looked strange today. Do you know, she actually dared to snap at me earlier?!" Killian said seriously.

Kayller chuckled dismissively, taking his brother's words as a joke. "No way? A submissive woman like her would never have the guts to raise her voice at us. She's never dared to do that to us, Killian."

"I'm serious, Kayller. Her gaze and her attitude earlier were completely cold. She's already started to snap at me!"

Kayller patted his twin's shoulder, brushing off the concern. "Maybe it's just your imagination. Enough, forget about that fat bitch. Let's enjoy tonight and have some fun."

As the event began, Kayller and Killian were chatting with Lydia and Aleesha—who were none other than Minerva's own best friend and younger sister. They appeared to be having a warm conversation, punctuated by familiar laughter. The twin Alphas didn't hesitate to shower sweet compliments on Lydia and Aleesha's captivating appearances that night.

"Killian, the important guests have arrived. Why hasn't Minerva come down yet?" Kayller asked, glancing at his gold pocket watch with an annoyed expression.

"Maybe Minerva is having trouble finding clothes that fit her," Aleesha chimed in with a disgusted tone, showing no respect for her own older sister, as their relationship had never been close.

Killian scoffed cynically. "There really isn't a single outfit that suits her huge body size. Even her fashion sense is utterly boring! If it weren't for mere formality, I wouldn't even want this trashy party to be held!"

"Your Majesty, please don't speak so harshly about Minerva. After all, she is your fated mate," Lydia interjected in a soft, feigned voice. Pretending to defend her, she knew perfectly well that her words would only provoke Killian and Kayller to hurl even more insults at Minerva.

Behind her mask of concern, Lydia smirked in satisfaction. She couldn't wait to see her friend arrive wearing her usual boring, loose, outdated gown, once again becoming the laughingstock of the entire pack.

Killian, already irritated, was about to respond, but his voice caught in his throat when his attention—along with hundreds of other pairs of eyes in the castle hall—was instantly drawn to the top of the main staircase.

There, Minerva was descending the stairs. The woman who usually drowned herself in outdated, old-fashioned medieval gowns, tonight appeared so boldly in a modern dress that accentuated her curvy figure. Her long hair, usually tied up neatly, was now left flowing beautifully over her shoulders. What stunned everyone the most was the makeup on her face. Minerva had never once touched makeup before. But tonight, she wore makeup that revealed her beauty.

Every eye in the hall was captivated in disbelief. Kayller and Killian were no exception. The two twin Alphas, who had always been so dominant, stood frozen, as if rendered speechless, staring at their fated mate's new appearance—so different from her usual self.

In another corner, the satisfaction on Lydia's face vanished instantly, replaced by irritation. Her eyes stared sharply at Minerva with suspicion, astonished to see how beautiful her friend looked—far from what she had expected.

With her chin raised and graceful steps, Minerva descended the remaining stairs. She walked past the crowd of guests whispering among themselves about her transformed appearance, then strode straight toward Kayller and Killian, who were still rooted to the spot. She flashed a faint smile—a smile that no longer conveyed obedience, but rather a challenge.

"Why did it take you so long?!" Killian exclaimed.

"I needed to prepare myself to impress my guests," Minerva said loudly. She glanced toward Lydia and Aleesha, who immediately smiled at her.

"You look very beautiful tonight, Minerva," Lydia praised, merely making small talk to ease the atmosphere.

"Thank you, Lydia." Minerva smiled faintly.

With a subtly hidden cynical gaze, Minerva observed her friend's outfit. She just realized that the color of Lydia's gown perfectly matched Killian's inner shirt. In the past, she had been so foolish and blinded by love that she never noticed such small details of betrayal.

"Your gown and Killian's outfit look well-coordinated. You two look so compatible together," she complimented with a smile. Then, she walked ahead to greet the guests and welcome everyone who had arrived.

Killian, confused by Minerva's attitude, now stood frozen in place. His gaze locked onto Minerva's broad back as she moved further away, parting the crowd of guests with undeniable elegance. That remark was spoken without a trace of jealousy. Instead, she smiled with mockery, making Killian feel exposed. It was as if that wasn't Minerva at all—because he knew how much Minerva had loved him.