Chapter 6: A Priceless Connection

Unlike Damian, though Isabelle was also watching my every move, she was focused on what I would present to Clara.

“Lila isn’t so impressive after all,” Isabelle sneered, her mouth twisting scornfully as the item in my box was revealed. “Treating the Wolf King’s Luna’s birthday gala like a high school graduation ceremony? A photo album for Clara? It’s truly shameful.”

Isabelle’s voice grew louder, as if she wished every corner of the ballroom could hear her, ensuring everyone witnessed my embarrassment.

Every gift Clara received was priceless; even the L. Quill painting she and Damian had so meticulously chosen didn’t earn them more than a polite acknowledgement.

A worn-out photo album as a gift for the Luna? By what right?

Isabelle folded her arms, a smug smile plastered on her face, waiting for Clara to dismiss me in disgust.

But everything unfolded contrary to her expectations.

Clara took the album from the box, her expression starting with the same polite smile. However, as she opened the album and her gaze fell upon the photos inside, tears gradually filled her eyes, and her hands began to tremble.

After a few seconds of silence, Clara gripped my hand with immense gratitude, pulled me close, and embraced me tightly.

“Thank you,” Clara whispered, suppressing her sobs, her voice trembling. “This is the best gift I have ever received.”

I smiled and shook my head, not considering it a monumental feat, and gently patted Clara’s back, calming her raw emotions.

Clara’s unusual reaction caused a stir throughout the ballroom. Isabelle, in particular, looked stunned, her fingernails digging into her palms.

Clara wouldn’t even speak another word to her after receiving her costly painting. But Lila hands over a few old pictures in a cheap album, and Clara reacts like this? Was the Luna mad?

As murmurs of curiosity rippled through the guests, Clara steadied herself, placed her hands on my shoulders, and turned to face the crowd with me. Holding my hand, she explained: “Thank you, Lila. This album contains photos of my brother and me from our childhood. I don’t know where she managed to find them, but it must have taken great effort, as I have searched for these precious memories for years…”

The crowd exchanged knowing glances, discussing the matter in hushed tones.

The history of Clara’s family was not a secret among the packs. Before the Moon Goddess chose her to be the country’s Luna and the wife of the aging Wolf King, she came from an impoverished and overlooked Omega family that had long been plagued by misfortune. Clara had an older brother who went missing when they were young and was never found. Though the Wolf King had used his resources to search for his brother-in-law, the man remained lost.

This loss was Clara’s lifelong regret, fueling her obsession with collecting anything that hinted at her and her brother’s shared past.

The fact that I had presented her with photos she herself did not possess left the guests in awe. They were forced to admire my cunning, remembering my steady, successful leadership of my pack over the last year. In stark contrast, the looks cast toward Damian and Isabelle were now layered with undisguised contempt and open scrutiny.

This round of gossip was now aimed directly at Isabelle.

“The mistress showing up here… she reeks of a provincial bumpkin. Flaunting the price of a painting is so embarrassing. Doesn't she see the display cases placed right by the entrance? Any item there is worth upwards of a hundred million.”

“She thinks she’s so clever, but who can’t see right through her plotting? The look she gave Lila was hateful, like she wanted to devour her.”

“She can never compare to Lila. Look at Lila’s capability. I doubt even if Damian had stayed as Alpha this past year, he would have done as well as Lila.”

Isabelle heard these whispers, her fingers turning white from clenching.

Why? Even after she stole Lila’s husband, everyone still admired Lila and refused to pity her. By what right?!

She didn’t even glance at Damian, whose eyes were fixed on me, lost in thought. Isabelle stomped her heel on the ground and stormed out, furious.

She swore that one day, she would tear off Lila’s beautiful facade, crush her beneath her heel, and make everyone witness Lila’s humiliation!

*

After presenting my gift, I followed an attendant to my designated seat in the dining hall.

All aristocratic banquets adhere to strict seating protocols. The host determines where guests sit, and attendants guide them to their assigned tables. Given that relationships between guests are often complex, the arrangement of seating is a true test of the host’s ability.

As I sat down, I observed my assigned table with some confusion.

Could my gift have moved Clara so much that she made a last-minute change to my seating?

The table, according to usual Royal dinner arrangements, seemed reserved for the Royal Family and their closest kin…

I didn’t have much time to dwell on it before a young woman approached with a glass of wine.

“You’re Lila, aren’t you? I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”

I smiled and raised my glass. “Yes, and you are?”

“I’m Anna, the daughter of the current Alpha of the Western Pack. May I be so bold as to ask where you found the Luna’s brother’s photos? If possible, I’d like to try and search for something too, to show Clara my devotion.”

Several ears perked up nearby. Hearing Anna’s question, the other young women who had been observing our exchange quickly gathered around. They were all daughters of high-ranking aristocrats or Alphas from various packs.

I understood their intentions. These young, unmarried women were vying for the attention of the future Wolf King, who was now of marriageable age. Since my gift had earned Clara’s unique favor, they hoped to learn the secret of acquiring the photos of Clara’s brother to curry favor with the future Prince’s mother.

I genuinely appreciated their drive; the courage to pursue power through a superior is not something every age possesses. But on this matter, I had to regretfully shake my head.

“My apologies. This information came to me by chance, and I promised the provider that I would not disclose any information about them. I'm afraid I have disappointed you.”