Chapter 5

On the day of the Lunar Gala, I slept until noon.

My phone was flooded with over ninety-nine unread notifications.

The Northern Coalition chat was busy discussing the seating arrangements for tonight.

Someone had maliciously posted a photo of an extra-wide armchair.

"We should save this seat for Kira. A normal chair might not hold her."

"So thoughtful! You deserve an award for pack hospitality."

Damian was also active in the chat.

"She’s not coming. Stop wasting your time."

Serena chimed in, "Guys, what if Kira actually shows up? Promise me you won't laugh at her."

But the more she "defended" me, the louder the mockery became.

I ignored it all, got out of bed, and got ready.

Maggie burst through my front door at two in the afternoon, lugging two massive makeup cases.

"Today, I am going to give you a look that will literally end lives!"

After curling my hair into soft waves, she pulled a stunning black silk gown from my closet.

The dress was minimalist, hugging my waist perfectly and showing off my delicate collarbones and shoulders.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, Maggie froze for a full thirty seconds.

Then, she clutched her chest.

"Oh my god."

"What?"

"If I were an Alpha, I would literally start a pack war to claim you tonight."

I laughed at her drama.

She spun me around, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Serena is the classic girl-next-door type. She looks cute on her own."

"But standing next to you? She’s going to look like a cheap bridesmaid handing out party favors."

"Be nice, Maggie."

"I’m just stating facts."

At five in the evening, someone posted a live video clip of the Gala venue.

In the center of the ballroom stood a massive ice sculpture.

Carved into it were the words: [Welcome the Blackwood Heir.]

The sound of mocking laughter echoed in the background of the video.

A young Alpha shouted at the camera, "Kira! If you don't show up soon, we’ll have to do your ceremony for you!"

Damian was sitting at the VIP table. He glanced at the camera and smirked.

"I told you, she’s a coward."

"She wouldn't even turn on her camera for FaceTime. Did you really think she’d show up in person?"

Serena nudged his shoulder playfully.

"Don't be mean, Damian."

I swiped the video closed.

Maggie snatched her car keys, her face flushed with anger.

"Let’s go. If I don't slap the smugness off their faces tonight, my name isn't Maggie."

As we walked out the door, my phone buzzed with an encrypted message.

The sender was just two letters: *E.C.*

Ellis Crow.

The moment I accepted his contact request, he messaged me.

"I’m sorry. This mess started because of my past mission. I will handle it."

"Do you need me to pick you up from the airport?"

Reading his apology, I felt a sudden warmth toward him.

"No need, I’m already on my way."

"And about the ceremony tonight—I will cooperate."

The status indicator showed he was typing for a long time.

But in the end, he only sent:

"Don't force yourself."

Half an hour later, our car pulled up in front of the luxury hotel in Anchorage hosting the Lunar Gala.

Maggie was about to walk in with me when her phone rang with an urgent call from her pack elders.

Before leaving, she gripped my hand tightly.

"Call me the second you need anything. If anyone dares to disrespect you, I will personally drag them onto the Coalition's Wall of Shame."

I nodded and stepped out of the car.

As I walked through the hotel lobby, the receptionist stared at me, completely starstruck.

Even as the elevator doors closed, his eyes were still glued to me.

The grand ballroom was at the very end of the third floor.

Walking down the hallway in my heels, I could hear the loud chatter and laughter echoing through the heavy wooden doors.

"It’s six o'clock. She’s definitely a no-show."

"Damian’s fifty grand is locked in."

"I told you, with her physical state, she’d need an oxygen tank just to survive the flight to Anchorage."

"Ellis isn't here either. Did he run away too?"

Then came Damian’s arrogant voice.

"I warned her not to come."

"Living under her family's protection is one thing, but coming here? She’d only make a fool of herself."

Serena giggled.

"Kira probably didn't mean to stay away. She probably just wanted to prove herself."

Another round of roaring laughter erupted.

I stood outside the door and slowly raised my hand.

Just then, a deep, resonant voice sounded from behind me.

"Kira Blackwood?"

I turned around.

Under the soft hallway lights stood a tall, broad-shouldered man in a flawless black suit. His features were sharp and strikingly handsome.

When his eyes landed on me, a look of pure shock crossed his face.

"Are you..."

I offered him a soft smile.

"Ellis Crow?"

Inside the ballroom, the crowd had begun a dramatic countdown.

"Last ten seconds! If she’s not here, the bet is closed!"

"Ten!"

"Nine!"

"Eight!"

Ellis was still staring at me, spellbound.

I turned back to the heavy doors and gripped the handle.

Right before the countdown hit zero, I pushed the doors open.