Stephanie

The day of Dante's welcome party arrived. The ballroom was overflowing wirb Alpha's and Luna's from Evey corner of the continent, all sipping champagne like it was gossip, eagerly waiting for the performance of the Laurent's. Spokier alert : they would get a performance. Just… not the one they were promised.

I stood quietly in a corner, sipping something fizzy and pretending I wasn't watching every movement like a hawk.

My dress was a soft silver, my mask elegant and feathered, my composure, well, it was better than Vivian's vocal range.

All of a sudden, it happened.

The double doors swung open like we were in a drama penned by the Moon Goddess herself. And in walked HIM.

Alpha Dante Davenport.

Everything stopped. Conversations forse mid-word. Forks hovered in mid-air. It was like the universe itself had paused to fan itself with a handkerchief.

He strode in with the confidence of a man who dominated the room. Whispers danced around him like fireflies in the air.

“Is that Alpha Dante?”

“Didn't he disappear for a year?”

“Is he smiling? At HER?!”

Yes. Yes, he was.

He walked straight to me, leaned in like he hadn't just set the whole room on fire with one smile, and kisses my cheek. A collective gasp rose around us. He didn't even flinch.

“I'm looking forward to the performance.” He whispered, his lips barelt brushing my ear.

And then, like a breeze through a battlefield, he walked away.

Cue the orchestra.

Literally.

Vivian and Jack took the stage, dressed like they were starting in an opera about betrayal, heartbreak and sequins. Well, that was the theme of the day. Howard sat at the grand piano, fingers poised and the orchestra waited on his cue.

I returned to my seat beside Dante, who raised a brow at me like I'd just set the chandelier on fire. I leaned in and whispered something. Nothing scandalous, just a little verbal grenade.

He stares at me, stunned. Then laughed softly and leaned in, whispering that actually was scandalous.

I couldn't help it. I laughed. The timing was perfect.

Apparently, too perfect.

Because Vivian saw us.

And promptly stopped singing.

Like, completely. Mouth open. Eyes wide. Shocked like she'd seen her ex at a wedding with her sister.

Jack kept going like a brave little solider, expect he sang the wrong verse… twice. Howard tried to keep up on the piano but even he looked like he was battling inner demons or maybe indigestion? I couldn't tell which.

“Is this part of the show?” Someone whispered behind me.

“I think it's modern art,” another said.

I pointed at my cheek, my eyes on Vivian and Dante leaned in and kissed it.

This time Vivian gasped.

“Is the girl having a stroke?” asked a third.

Vivian tried to jump back in but had clearly forgotten the lyrics. She mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like “apple pie” then glances at Jack for help. Jack looked like he was praying for a sinkhole.

I didn't move.

Howard shot me a pleading look, like I was the goddess of salvation but I shrugged.

The crowd began booing — not dramatically, more like disappointed rich people. It was a slow, painful rain of shame. Father rushed onto the stage like a man who had just remembered he left his oven on.

“Let's enjoy the food and wine, shall we?” He said, smiling nervously. “The performance was… heartfelt.”

More like heartbreaking.

He turned to Dante. “Lord Alpha, I apologize…”

“There's no problem,” Dante said, standing to his feet. “I believe I've been entertained enough.”

Father protested. “But —”

“My lady,” Dante lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles, and walking out with his men like the exit was part of his birthright.

I rose to my feet and patted father's shoulder. “I'll go check up on them.”

I wish I didn't.

Backstage, the mood was less opera and more like a horror

“You RUINED it!” Howard yelled.

“I saw her whispering to Alpha Dante!” Vivian snapped, pointing at me as soon as I arrived.

I stepped in. Calm, collected, and petty.

“What exactly does my whispering have to do with you forgetting your own lyrics? Did I whisper ‘apple pie” to you?”

Vivian glared at me likes he was already summoning a curse. Howard cut in before she exploded.

“Don't blame Stephanie! She wrote the song. You two butchers it like a lamb at a wedding!”

He stormed off. “Can't nobody do their damn jobs?!”

Vivian burst into tears and Jack tried to comfort her. I heaved a sigh and walked away.

No words. No comfort.

They didn't earn either.

Outside, the air was cool and sweet like freedom.

A sleek carriage waited at the curb, a black when gold crest shinning int he door.

Beta Dean stood beside it like a statue, opening the door for me. “Alpha Dante is waiting for you.”

I stepped in without a word.

As the carriage roles away, I looked back once.

The Opera House, the stage, the fake smiles, the failed song — it was all behind me.

Ahead?

Power, clarity, and vengeance was waiting for me.

All wrapped in silk.