Chapter 34

• The ballroom was stunning. Every inch of it gleamed, from the crystal chandeliers hanging high above to the polished marble floors beneath my feet. The walls were adorned with intricate golden designs, and the air buzzed with excitement and the soft hum of conversations. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Tonight was a big deal, my first real appearance at a formal pack event, and I needed to make it count.
• My dress was a beautiful shade of yellow, almost like sunlight captured in fabric. It swept the ground with every step I took, giving me a sense of grace I wasn’t used to. As I moved through the room, I could feel eyes on me, both admiring and scrutinizing from humans and wolves alike. Some of the newer servants, the ones who hadn't been around long enough to harbour any resentment, looked at me with wonder. I could almost hear their thoughts. ‘The servant girl turned Alpha’s mate.’
• But not everyone was so kind. As guests continued to arrive, I felt the tension rise in the room. Some looked at me with curiosity, genuine interest even, while others whispered behind their hands, trying to figure out what made me worthy of Alaric. I knew some of them were only here to find my weak spots, to use whatever they could against me. The envy in their eyes was like a heavy cloak pressing down on me, and I had to remind myself to keep my chin up.