Polly held up a white ball gown as she showed it to her girls, her head poking from the side as she peered at them.

''What do you think?'' she asked, blinking excitedly.

“Milady!” they both shouted in unison, fear and concern written all over their faces.

The gown was a stunning white, made of satin that shimmered under the morning sun. It had a fitted bodice with an immodest neckline edged in delicate lace. The long, sheer sleeves were adorned with tiny pearls that caught the light.

The skirt flared out dramatically, cascading to the floor in layered waves, each hem trimmed with unsubtle silver accents.

“I need something that says ‘I'm here!’ Something extraordinary. Epic. The moment I walk in, I want everyone's lips to fall open in surprise, and that godforsaken Alpha? I hope his eyes fall off when he beholds me!”

Adelaide declared, arms raised, basking in the glory of her wild imaginations. Her eyes were shut, her fingers trembling.

Vannessa and Russo exchanged wide-eyed glances. Did they hear that right?

Had she just cursed at the Alpha?

What was going on?

Polly would never say a bad word about the Alpha. She’d fight anyone who dared to, even after everything he’d done to her. The last time, when he had ordered her punishment for pretending to be his maid and sneaking into his bathroom, he’d thrown her into the dungeon for three days without food or water. Yet the very moment she was released, she ran straight back to his court, begging to see him.

It was madness—a plague. Her father had summoned countless physicians to examine her, but nothing worked. The obsession only deepened with time. Until, finally, Polly killed the Luna.

But they had just heard her curse him out. This must be a dream.

“Milady… what did you say?” Vannessa asked, her voice trembling. “You couldn’t have meant what you said about the Alpha… right?”

Pulled from her fantasy, Adelaide turned slowly to Vannessa. With a tight smile, she walked toward her and leaned in.

“I meant every word. He’s a wicked, cruel demon, and I hope he rots in hell. I hope his eyes get plucked out and his arms torn off by vultures. I hope his intestines are eaten by pigs, and what’s left of him burnt to ash,” Adelaide said without a hint of hesitation, her breaths coming fast and shallow as fury filled her voice.

That Alpha, he was at the center of everything. If Polly had killed the Luna, it would’ve been because of him.

She shouldn't be the one here, awaiting death. It should be him.

With a heated breath, Adelaide turned back to the vanity and ran her fingers through her hair. Behind her, Vannessa and Russo looked at each other, their hands clamped so tightly together they hadn't even noticed.

“What is happening?” Russo whispered.

“I don't know,” Vannessa replied in shock too, as she watched the Princess.

Now that she thought about it, something had definitely changed about the Princess—or was she imagining things?

She stood straighter and walked like she owned the place. The Princess she knew acted like she was begging to be in a room. Her eyes were always fixed on the ground, and she was slow, always apologizing, like a scaredy-cat; the only time her voice was heard was when she was fighting for the Alpha.

Something had definitely changed, but Russo could not pin her hands on it.

Vannessa immediately dropped to her knees in front of Polly, grabbing her legs in desperation. “Why?! Why now, when you're about to die?! You should’ve hated him all along! You should’ve left him! Why, Princess?! Why?!”

Vannessa cried as she held her lady's feet.

Adelaide sighed. “Yeah, me too. I wonder why this Polly girl got herself so deep in this mess. He’s not even that good-looking.”

She rolled her eyes. Sure, he was handsome and tall, but his face was definitely not worth her life.

Russo bent down and pulled Vannessa up. “The Princess isn’t dead yet. Stop crying.”

Vannessa shot Russo an angry glare as she wiped her eyes.

Suddenly, a loud knock came at the door, making the three of them almost shudder.

They turned immediately, the hairs on their bodies standing on end.

Was it time?

Vannessa rushed to the door, while Polly and Russo stood frozen as they stared at it, their hearts in their mouths.

Polly's parents were prevented from coming to see her, and she was not to receive any visitors until she was tried, so even though she didn't want to believe it, Adelaide knew who was on the other side of the door.

Vannessa paused by the door before slowly pulling it open.

Two guards stood outside, the ones assigned to monitor the Princess through the night.

“The trial is in two hours. Inform the Princess,” one of them said.

Vannessa shut the door and turned to Polly, her face crumpling with tears she was trying to hold back.

Polly forced a small, bitter smile. Whatever excitement she’d felt a few moments ago had instantly withered.

“Alright, girls… let’s get ready.”

…

Alpha Rael stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror, unmoving, as the maids busied themselves around him. They were eerily quiet as they worked his outfit, careful not to do anything to anger him. His silvery hair was slicked back, but a few unruly strands fell across his forehead.

Two knocks sounded at the door, breaking the pin drop silence in the room.

Without a word, he tilted his chin slightly, and one of the maids rushed to open it.

A guard stepped in, head bowed. "Alpha, the ritual begins in thirty minutes. The High Priestess requests your presence." He spoke, a little trembling, most times no one could predict the Alpha’s actions, one minute he’s in a good mood, and the other he is chopping off the hand of someone.

Rael didn’t speak. He nodded slightly, and the guard quickly escaped before the Alpha would change his mind.

Alpha Rael gave one final, razor-sharp glance at his reflection. Then he turned, his long strides echoing through the stone corridor as he exited.

On his way to the shrine, Jared appeared at his side, matching his steps.

"Alpha. Everyone is waiting," Jared said, reaching to take his jacket. Rael breathed out.

“That’s very good then, let them wait.’’

Then, as if remembering something mildly inconvenient, he asked, "The girl?"

Jared arched a brow. "Which girl?"

There was quiet for a few, before the Alpha added;

"Polly."

Jared looked at his friend as though he had said something strange, something foreign. This was the first time he was calling her by her name. He always referred to her as the girl, that nuisance, that crazy woman… he was even surprised he knew her name.

"She’s not there yet. I believe some guards were sent to get her."

Rael gave a curt nod.

It was as though her impending death had made her finally worth acknowledging, but only just.

…

As Alpha Rael approached the shrine, the temperature plummeted.

The High Priestess stood infront of the the shrine, cloaked in a glistening white gown, her long stick supporting her frail body. She was in her eighties, and her hair had turned pure silver. Her eyes were bleak and white as though they stared directly into your soul.

Jared said something to Rael, before he disappeared into the crowd. Rael nodded and walked forward, the people who had gathered outside grew incredibly quiet as they watched him.

Alpha Rael towered above most people, his mere presence sent waves of fear amongst people without him doing or saying anything. He looked fearful, as though he shared meals with the devil.

There was only one person however, who wasn’t scared of him. The High Priestess.

The Priestess reached for his hand, her touch trembling, fragile. Rael didn’t flinch, but neither did he return the gesture.

A ghostly smile curved her lips as she leaned in, “Your Luna is here.”

Rael’s jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed.

What was she talking about? The Luna was dead.

“She’s dead,” he said carefully, as though reminding her; ‘’She cannot be here.’’

The High Priestess’s head shook, slow and certain. “No. I do not mean the dead one, I am talking of your true mate, she is here. ''