Beyond the Temple's edge, the ballroom doors were opened wide. Warm light poured out, revealing a breathtaking space adorned in moonlight hues, pearl and silver, deep indigo, and ice blue. Crystal chandeliers hung like frozen constellations, glittering as if stars themselves had been summoned to bear witness.
The guests moved inward, their voices growing livelier and their steps more eager.
But tension still simmered beneath the glittering surface. The first dance of the Moon Binding Ball was not merely tradition, it was declaration.
Every noble knew it.
And every eye would be on Thornak.
At the beginning of the ball, Selene moved through the hall like a flame that demanded to be seen, flanked by her ladies.
She made it a point to speak to every noble Alpha and council elder in attendance. She complimented wives, exchanged pointed jokes with the lords, and dropped carefully timed remarks about unity, bloodlines, and the importance of choosing strong leadership.
"I've always believed that strength in a mate reflects the strength of a ruler," she said once, casually, as her gaze drifted toward the front of the hall.
Every word was calculated. Every gesture artfully placed. She was not simply attending the ball, she was performing in it.
And when she caught sight of Thornak entering the room, her spine straightened, her smile widened, and her laughter grew a touch louder, just enough to be heard across the room.
But then, before anyone else, Selene's eyes landed on Lara.
The smile she had been flashing froze on her face. Her eyes locked on Lara, narrowing. It was supposed to be a humiliation. The ruined dress. The ruined night. And yet...
She looked stunning, A bolt of anger flaring behind her ribs. She let out a low growl, her wolf, snarling at the perceived challenge.
The wine-red gown she wore hugged her shoulders and fell in elegant folds around her form. The off-shoulder neckline revealed the elegant line of her collarbones, while the bodice, folded in flawless geometric lines accentuated her slender waist and graceful frame.
Her golden hair flowed over her shoulders in soft waves, a silver circlet resting gently across her brow. She didn't need jewels. She was luminous on her own.
A noble woman near Selene leaned in and whispered, "Who is she and what is she wearing? That's not one of the palace tailors."
"Certainly not," Selene replied coolly, regaining control of her tone. "She must have begged for a secondhand piece from the market." But the bitterness behind her words bled through.
The other woman raised a brow. "Well, if that's from the market, perhaps I should be shopping there too."
Selene's nails dug into her palm as Lara continued forward, flanked by Thornak's sisters.
And when Thornak turned to look, when his gaze fell on Lara and stayed there, Selene knew her plan had not only failed.
It had backfired spectacularly.
Iris and Jasmine were with Lara near the edge of the ballroom, where they had half a view of the dance floor and a full measure of the assembled guests.
"I vow," Iris murmured over the rim of her crystal flute, "should Lady Venna tilt her chin any higher, a gryphon may be the only creature able to fetch her back to earth."
A flicker of amusement touched Jasmine's lips. "She labors under the notion that a feathered collar conceals the truth, that her consort fled with a scullery maid last winter."
Lara hid her smile behind the rim of her drink, saying nothing.
"Oh, come now," Iris murmured, eyes alight. "You saw that gown. It was as though she plucked a dying swan and hoped it might pass for elegance."
"Don't get me started on Countess Alys," Jasmine added, ever the quieter one, but no less sharp. "Three title claims and not a drop of Alpha blood. I've seen more dominance in a sulking pup."
"I think I saw her elbowing into the ambassador's circle like she belonged there," said Alira, a tall girl with a dry wit. "She nearly tripped over her own ambition."
The ladies burst into laughter.
"Yes, well, she tripped over mine too," snorted Miren, the youngest of the group, eyes glinting with mischief. "Spilled an entire glass of wine on my gown and didn't even apologize. I nearly shifted out of spite."
Lara giggled, trying and failing to appear composed as the five of them huddled like conspirators in a corner. The warmth of their teasing, their easy irreverence, made the grandeur of the night feel far less intimidating.
"She keeps glancing at the council like she's about to be named queen," Iris muttered, then turned to Lara with a sly grin. "Too bad the only crown in this room already has his eyes elsewhere."
Everyone laughed, except Lara, who blushed despite herself.
Meanwhile Thornak was having a conversation with the Alpha of Silverfen, Selene's father and the Alpha of Riverunt, flanked by Kael who rarely leaves his side on occasions.
Laughter drew Thornak's attention towards a group of ladies. Lara stood a few paces away, speaking with Jasmine and Iris, her eyes crinkled in amusement.
She was the most beautiful thing Thornak had ever seen. And yet, there was a gentle hesitance in her eyes, as though unsure she belonged.
Thornak's jaw tightened as he felt the bond between them. But before he could take a step toward her, a voice cut like frost across his thoughts.
"Thornak," Queen Maravelle whispered, appearing at his side. "The dance must begin. Tradition demands the king leads, and the court follows." Her eyes flicked toward Selene, radiant and waiting in the center of the ballroom. "Selene is well suited for this role. It will send the message we need."
He didn't look at Selene. "And what message is that?"
"Strength," she said. "Unity. Strategy. Not sentiments and weakness."
His gaze returned to Lara. Her head tilted slightly as Jasmine whispered something in her ear. She laughed again, making his heart beat faster. The sound warmed something inside him that was long buried.
"My choice is not weakness," he said. "Lara is my strength."