Chapter 23

It was finally the day of the party. Emma stood proudly in front of the giant mirror in her bedroom. Her finger trembled slightly as she adjusted the dress.

 It was an elegant deep midnight blue. Something that seemed almost too perfect for the occasion was exactly what she needed. The dress helped her figure in all the right ways, and for the first time in days, she looked and felt different again. From a far cry from the feverish trembling woman she would be just a few short days ago. She stared at her reflection, taking in the change her skin had regained its colour. Her cheeks were no longer pale, and her eyes would no longer carry the haunt pain filled against the heart before. She was strong now, at least physically strong, and the weight of her on her shoulders seemed to have lightened a little bit. Though she knew deep down that the real battle weighed. Tonight, she would expose her sister's cruelty, no matter the cost. The door to her room suddenly creaked open, and her mother stepped inside with a beaming smile. Her face was glowing with nothing but pride. She took one look at Emma, and her expression softened for a brief second.

“Emma, my dear,” she walked closer to her. “You look absolutely stunning,” she gestured, her voice filled with excitement. “You’ll have all the eyes on you tonight. I’m sure you’ll snag the best man at the party, and the attention will be yours,” she exclaimed.

Emma smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Her mother’s words, meant to be encouraging, but it felt hollow to Emma. 

She appreciated her mother’s enthusiasm, but the last thing she wanted was to be the center of attention tonight for reasons unrelated to the truth she needed to uncover.

“Mom, please,” Emma said, turning toward her mother. “I don’t want to be under any pressure. I’ve already agreed, no more pushing me into this. Let me enjoy the evening without feeling like I’m being set up.” She stated with a sharp tone. 

Her mother’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered it within the blink of an eye. “Of course, dear, I understand. I just want you to be happy, and I want tonight to be perfect for you.” She message Emma shoulder for a moment before she reached for the jewelry box on Emma’s vanity. 

From within, she pulled out a small, ornate pendant. It was intricately crafted in silver, with an embedded gemstone that seemed to shimmer in the light. She handed it to Emma, her expression sincere.

“This is for you,” her mother said, her voice quiet now, almost reverent. “I believe it will make you the most desired tonight. It has been passed down through the family for generations, and I’ve kept it for special occasions. I want you to have it.” She explained with a straight eyes. 

Emma stared at the pendant for a while, her heart throbbing at the thought of how much her mother cared. But she could not shake the unease that lingered at the back of her mind. Still, she accepted the pendant with a graceful nod, silently promising herself that she would not let this night be about appearances. Her focus remained on the truth, the secrets she had to disclose about Ever. 

“Thank you, Mom,” she said softly. Her voice steady, but her thoughts were already slipping away from the party and back to her sister, Ever. She could wear the pendant, but it would not distract her from the mission she had set in motion.

Her mother’s smile returned as she placed the pendant around Emma’s neck, her finger lingering for a moment as she admired how it complemented her dress. “You really will turn heads tonight, and you deserve it. I only wish you could see yourself the way I do.”

Emma offered a smile in return, but inside, she was already shifting her focus to something bigger than any party.

Meanwhile, at the pack, the twins were preparing for the night. Though their concern had little to do with the celebration itself, they had received a warning from a witch earlier in the week. Something dramatic was going to happen, and they needed to be cautious. The twins, being more aware than most of the forces at play, took the witch’s word seriously.

They roamed around the park, making sure all the security guards were placed where they were supposed to be. For those who seemed distracted or out of position, they sent them inside and brought in other reliable soldiers to take their place.

“I don’t like the feeling of this,” Jayden muttered

 as he adjusted the security measures for the evening. “We need to be extra careful tonight. I feel like something is off,” he added.

Kale nodded his mind also consumed by the witch’s warning. “I don’t know what is coming, but we need to be ready. No surprises tonight, we have to make sure we did our best, father have put his hope in us” he said.

They continue seeming up tighter security for the event, their eyes scanning the mansion for any potential threats. The twins’ ancient pendants, worn for protection and good fortune, sat hidden under their clothes. 

They were still on this when a guard approached them, informing them that the Alpha was calling for them. 

The two exchanged a meaningful glance before heading inside the pack Palace to meet the Alpha. When they arrived, the Alpha greeted them and asked how they were preparing for the occasion. 

They assured him that everything was being prepared perfectly and that they would make sure nothing unexpected happened. They had already ensured the security was in place and everything was in order. The Alpha expressed his trust in them, swearing that they wouldn’t fail him.

 They promise not to fail him.