Chapter 29
It was a masterpiece, if I did say so myself. Towering stone columns wrapped in twisting ivy framed the open–air space, their bases adorned with intricate carvings of wolves and moon phases. The lanterns I’d pictured looked lovely, suspended from hidden riggings, casting a soft, ethereal glow over the polished marble floors.
The seating curved in tiers around the central dance floor, draped in rich blue velvet, with golden lanterns flickering at the end of each aisle. A raised dais stood at the far end, where announcements would be made, with seating for the elder Alphas and Lunas in deference to their long reigns.
And every one of them, from old to young, watched, whispered, and speculated as Logan and I arrived together. I could hear murmurs trailing behind us.
Logan smirked as he leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. “You’re causing quite a stir.”
I rolled my eyes. “Wonderful.”
As we entered the ballroom, I couldn’t help but overhear whispers of other rumors.
“I’ve heard the Moonstone princess will be here.”
“I’ve heard she was mangled from a rogue attack. Took a silver dagger to the face.”
“Have you seen her? I haven’t seen her.”
I couldn’t help but smile wryly at some of the speculation. I walked by all these people who were speculating endlessly and they had no idea. Wait until they all found out the Moonstone princess was just…me.
There was a reason I never came to these things. You go through life trying to keep a low profile and it all just backfires. It was depressing.
Then, as if the night couldn’t get worse, we ran into Derek and Cassandra.
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The moment Cassandra laid eyes on me, her face twisted in barely contained rage. She, too, wore blue–a paler shade, a lesser dress. And the comparison wasn’t lost on the room. Whispers turned into outright stares.
Caroline, always eager to add fuel to the fire, tsked loudly. “Oh dear, it looks like someone’s trying too hard.”
Cassandra’s expression soured. “A rogue wearing something like that? Must be a cheap
imitation.”
I arched a brow, unfazed. “Funny, I was about to say the same thing.”
Logan chuckled. “Cassandra, if anyone here is wearing a knockoff, it’s not Elena.”
Cassandra bristled. “Why are you even here, Logan? Parading around another one of
Mason’s leftovers?”
I could feel Derek’s eyes boring into my skin. First with heat. Then with ice.
Logan held his tongue.
Derek? Didn’t. When he finally spoke, his voice was sharp. “I didn’t realize the dancing had already started, Elena,” he said. “You sure switches partners quickly.”
I turned to him, my voice icy. “What relationship I have with any man is none of your
business.”
His jaw ticked, anger flaring in his dark eyes. But before he could retort, the announcement for the opening dance rang through the ballroom.
And just like that, the spotlight landed on us.
One of the high elders stood at the podium, clearing his throat. “And now, the opening dance shall be performed by our honored guests. The hosts and organizers of tonight’s ball –Alpha Derek and Elena, will you please do us the honors?”
The room fell into a stunned silence.
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I turned, my heart pounding, as Derek extended a hand toward me. His expression was
unreadable, his body tense.
Cassandra choked on an indignant gasp. “Elena’s just a rogue–she doesn’t even deserve to be here, let alone dance at the opening.”
Logan leaned in, smirking. “And yet, here she is. Funny how life works.”
Cassandra turned a shade of red I didn’t know was possible. But I barely registered it. My eyes were locked onto Derek’s.
He was waiting.
I hesitated, every nerve in my body screaming at me to walk away.
But I wasn’t a rogue. Not anymore.
So I lifted my chin, ignored the chaos around me, and placed my hand in his.
The music began.
And the world watched as Derek King and I made our way to the dance floor, our past and present colliding with every step.
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