Chapter 5

THIRD PERSON POV

He crouched low, hidden in the shrubs along the front garden, eyes locked on her through the dim, filtered moonlight. Thalia Redfield, the Omega of the Nightshades Pack, was standing inside the mansion, visible just past the wide, glass doors. She was ethereal, almost otherworldly, her long brown hair falling softly past her shoulders, framing a delicate, slender frame. A beauty laced with sorrow and strength; anyone could see she’d lived through storms. She carried the grace of someone who had seen too much, and yet, here she was, holding herself with quiet dignity.

It was infuriating to think of how Zephry Dalton, her mate, treated her. An Alpha of the Raven Pack, Zephry used her presence as a showpiece, a trophy, not the resilient, powerful soul he had at his side. To him, she was a possession, like a priceless artifact in a grand hall — something beautiful to look at, but not worth knowing.

The man in the garden knew more about her than Zephry likely ever would. He saw past the quiet façade, understood the trauma laced in her steps. She was parentless, like him. Likely cast aside, like him. Her past held the kind of brutality he could recognize on sight — the scars of rejection, abuse, perhaps even murder. The marks of a survivor. His eyes followed her every move as she made her way across the grand room, standing with another girl at the bottom of the grand staircase. The two of them exchanged quiet words, Thalia’s lips curving into a soft, almost tentative smile.

He felt a surge of bitterness. Zephry should have been the one to cherish her. Zephry should have seen her worth, the loyalty she would’ve given if only he could see beyond his own arrogance. But Zephry wasn’t capable of such depth — not his enemy, not the proud, callous Alpha he despised.

Tension thrummed in his muscles as he kept still, every nerve attuned to the guard nearby. The wolf’s senses were sharp; any sound, any shift in the breeze, would bring discovery and a swift execution for trespassing into another Pack’s territory without permission. But the risk had been worth it. He’d heard whispers of an Omega becoming Luna — and Thalia, this mysterious beauty with haunted eyes, was the key to unraveling it.

He took in one last look, watching her with a mix of admiration and longing he couldn’t quite name. She would never know he’d been here, that he’d risked everything just for a glimpse. It was foolish, maybe, but he needed to know if there was any truth to the rumor that she, an Omega, could rise to lead. If only Zephry saw her for who she really was — a survivor, a warrior veiled in elegance.

"Thalia Redfield, of the Nightshades Pack," he murmured under his breath, her name holding weight as he retreated into the fog-shrouded night.

**********************************

The bond Billie and I share has grown stronger since last night’s chaos with Zephry. I knew Zephry had a temper that could burn through anything in his path, but I wasn’t prepared for the anger he showed in front of the entire Pack. Yet, after everything, Billie was there, a steady, comforting presence, telling me that with time, I’d see a different side of him. She said that Zephry’s patience would grow as our bond deepened. I wasn’t entirely convinced, but I wanted to believe her. And in the middle of all this, it was Billie, not Zephry, who felt like the real friend, the sister I’d never had. A part of me couldn’t help but feel like she was becoming a replacement for Axel.

Axel. My friend. The one I left behind when I came to this new life. I hadn’t even been given a chance to say goodbye. Every time I look out the bedroom window, my eyes drift to the distant edges of my old Pack’s territory. That world feels so close and so far, like a forgotten chapter of a book I’m no longer allowed to read. Transitioning from the bottom of the Pack’s hierarchy, unnoticed and unbothered, to the position of Luna—Zephry’s Luna, no less, with all its weight and expectations—feels surreal. Adjusting to life in the mansion has been easier than I’d thought, but Zephry? He remains the one person I can’t seem to connect with, the one whose presence lingers in every shadow but who feels unreachable.

Right now, I’m curled up on my bed, a well-loved book resting in my lap. My fingers trace under each line as I read, savoring the words of a story I’ve read countless times before. It’s the only physical link I have to my mother, aside from the small necklace she left me. The book’s title, *A Girl's Greatest Weakness,* always seemed like a strange choice, but it’s more than just a story; it’s a piece of my past. The tale follows Jerome, a peasant boy who defies a cruel king, only to be exiled and ultimately rescued by the king’s daughter, Annabel. Their love is both tragic and resilient, a beacon of defiance against a world that seems determined to keep them apart.

*“… There was a silent pause that flooded Jerome’s heart as he gazed at Annabel, her flowing gown a vision that made his pulse quicken …”*

*“… ‘Why such a dreamy look, Jerome?’ Annabel teased, the wind playing with her golden hair as she stood on the balcony, her smile holding secrets only they shared …”*

*“… ‘You shouldn’t be here, my lady,’ Jerome said, though his resolve melted as she stepped closer, the thin silk of her gown tracing her shape, filling his mind with thoughts he dared not speak …”*

“Thalia!” A voice snaps me out of my thoughts, and I flinch, my book slipping from my hands and landing on the floor. I look up to see Billie peeking around the door, her head tilted with a smile as she steps in, a bundle of black fabric draped over her arm.

“I was wondering where you’d run off to,” she says, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Just… caught up in my book,” I reply, picking it up and setting it carefully back on the bed. Billie drops the fabric she’s holding—a dress—onto the bed beside me. I raise an eyebrow. “What’s this?”

“Your attire for tonight,” she says, her tone cheerful. “There’s a Masquerade Ball for all the Alpha’s allied Packs tonight. Since each Alpha has finally found their mate, it’s the perfect time for a grand celebration.”

My confusion is immediate. “A ball?” I repeat, stunned. “I’ve never been to one, Billie. I wouldn’t even know where to begin… I don’t even know how to dance.”

Billie waves off my concerns. “That’s the least of your worries. Just show up and look breathtaking,” she assures me, her grin widening as she lifts a mask from the pile, holding it up to her face. She gives her hips a playful shake. “Imagine the intrigue! Everyone hidden behind masks, pretending not to know each other.”

I can’t help but laugh. But then, my gaze falls to the dress, and my breath catches. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen—a masterpiece of shimmering fabric, intricate lace, and elegance that feels almost unreal. It’s stunning, and I can’t even begin to imagine myself wearing something so beautiful.

“Billie, I… I’ve never worn anything like this before. It must be a mistake.”

She steps closer, her expression softening as she watches my fingers trail over the gown’s smooth fabric. “Trust me, Thalia,” she says, her voice gentle. “You’ll look magnificent. And it’s exactly what’s needed for tonight. You’ll leave them speechless.”

“But why the Masquerade Ball?” I ask, still struggling to process everything. “What’s the reason behind it?”

Billie’s eyes twinkle with excitement as she explains, “The Alphas want to mark the occasion of having found their mates. It’s rare to have a unified celebration like this, and Zephry wanted to make sure you were ready. So we’ll be leaving in a few hours. Best to get ready.”

I nod, still taking in her words as she holds out the dress to me. My fingers trace along the fabric’s delicate patterns, my heart pounding with a strange mix of nerves and excitement. She places a matching necklace and earrings beside the dress, and I can’t help but marvel at them. Jewelry like this feels worlds away from my past life, and I’m overcome by a blend of disbelief and awe.

“Billie,” I call out as she turns to leave, unable to hold back my curiosity. “Who arranged all of this? Who got the dress, the jewelry?”

She stops, her smile turning fond and a little teasing. “Oh, Thalia,” she replies, a knowing glint in her eye. “Who else would go through the trouble but your mate? Zephry did all of this… just for you.”

The room feels warmer, the air thick with a newfound tension as she leaves, and I’m left standing by the bed, staring down at the dress.