chapter 24

The sound of shattering crystal echoed through the banquet hall.

Every conversation came to an abrupt stop.

Dozens of pairs of eyes turned toward Jessica.

She gasped dramatically before covering her mouth.

"Oh dear," she said with an apologetic smile. "How careless of me."

A servant hurried forward to clean the broken glass.

Within moments, the conversations resumed, but the lively atmosphere from before had noticeably faded.

Elsie watched the woman quietly.

Something about Jessica's smile unsettled her.

It was warm.

Too warm.

Like someone pretending to be kind while hiding a knife behind their back.

"You've noticed."

Rowan's low voice pulled her from her thoughts.

She looked at him.

"Noticed what?"

"Jessica."

Elsie hesitated before nodding.

"I don't think she likes me."

A faint smile tugged at Rowan's lips.

"That's an understatement."

Before Elsie could ask another question, the palace's master of ceremonies stepped into the center of the hall.

"My Alpha."

He bowed respectfully.

"As tradition demands, may we begin the first dance?"

The musicians immediately changed their tune.

A slow, elegant melody filled the hall.

Rowan stood.

Then extended his hand toward Elsie.

"My Luna."

Elsie stared at his outstretched hand for a moment.

"I should warn you..."

She smiled nervously.

"I'm not very good at dancing."

Rowan's silver eyes softened.

"Neither am I."

She laughed.

"I don't believe that."

"You'll find out soon enough."

Taking a quiet breath, Elsie placed her hand in his.

The moment their fingers touched, Rowan gently led her toward the center of the ballroom.

Dozens of nobles stepped aside, creating space for them.

Every eye in the room followed the Alpha and his Luna.

Rowan placed one hand carefully against the small of Elsie's back.

His other remained intertwined with hers.

The musicians began playing.

"Relax," Rowan murmured.

"I'm trying."

"No."

His lips curved into a teasing smile.

"You're counting every step."

Her eyes widened.

"How do you know that?"

"You've whispered 'one, two, three' five times already."

Her cheeks immediately turned pink.

"I did not."

"You did."

Despite herself, Elsie laughed.

The tension slowly disappeared from her shoulders.

As the music continued, Rowan guided her effortlessly around the ballroom.

"You lied," she whispered.

"I'm definitely the only one who's bad at dancing."

"I never said I was bad."

"You implied it."

"I simply wanted you to feel less nervous."

She rolled her eyes.

"That's unfair."

"It worked."

She couldn't argue with that.

For the first time that evening...

She forgot everyone else was watching.

Across the ballroom...

Edward watched in silence.

His fingers tightened around the glass in his hand.

Sara noticed immediately.

"You've barely looked at me all evening."

Edward blinked before forcing himself to meet her eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"Were you?"

Her voice remained calm.

"Or were you watching Elsie?"

Edward looked away.

Sara's heart sank.

She had already known the answer before asking.

Still...

Hearing his silence hurt.

"I was your choice."

She whispered so quietly that only he could hear.

Edward closed his eyes briefly.

"I know."

"Then why..."

She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"...do you keep looking at her like she was the one you lost?"

Edward couldn't answer.

Because she was right.

Meanwhile...

Jessica stood alone near one of the marble pillars.

Her gaze remained fixed on Rowan and Elsie.

Watching them laugh.

Watching Rowan smile.

Watching him gently brush a loose strand of hair away from Elsie's face.

She had never seen him like this.

Not once.

Not in all the years she had known him.

Her chest burned with jealousy.

"So..."

A familiar cloaked figure appeared quietly beside her.

"You've seen enough?"

Jessica didn't look at him.

"I underestimated her."

"You still have time."

Jessica slowly smiled.

"No."

"I have something better."

She reached into her sleeve.

Hidden inside was a tiny glass vial filled with a clear liquid.

The cloaked man's eyes widened.

"You're actually going to use that?"

Jessica looked toward Elsie.

"If Rowan insists on protecting her..."

She closed her fingers around the vial.

"...then I'll make sure she becomes the one thing he can never protect."

The dance came to an end.

Applause filled the hall.

Elsie stepped back, laughing softly.

"You were right."

"I survived."

"You did more than survive."

Rowan smiled.

"You never stepped on my feet."

"I came close."

"Twice."

She laughed again.

"You noticed?"

"I notice everything about you."

The words slipped out before Rowan realized what he'd said.

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.

Elsie's heartbeat quickened.

Before either of them could recover, Frank approached.

"My Alpha."

Rowan turned.

"What is it?"

"A messenger has arrived from the northern border."

Frank lowered his voice.

"It's urgent."

Rowan's expression immediately became serious.

"I'll return shortly."

He looked back at Elsie.

"I won't be long."

She nodded.

"I'll be here."

Rowan reluctantly followed Frank from the ballroom.

As soon as he disappeared...

Jessica smiled.

Her opportunity had arrived.

She gracefully picked up two glasses of sparkling berry wine from a passing servant.

One she held for herself.

The other...

She carried toward Elsie.

"My Luna."

Elsie turned in surprise.

Jessica wore a pleasant smile.

"I believe we got off on the wrong foot."

She extended one of the glasses.

"As Alpha Rowan's Luna, I'd like to welcome you properly to Nightcrest."

Elsie hesitated.

Jessica's smile never faltered.

"Surely..."

She tilted her head innocently.

"...we can put the past behind us."

Across the ballroom, Rose noticed Jessica approaching Elsie.

For reasons she couldn't explain...

A terrible feeling settled in her chest.

She immediately started walking toward them.

But she was still too far away.

And Elsie...

Was slowly reaching for the offered glass.