Yuki sat on the edge of a plush cushion in the dimly lit guest room, her shoulders hunched as the healer worked in silence. Cool herbs pressed against the blooming bruises on her cheeks sending sharp stings across her skin. Each touch reminded her of the slaps she had delivered herself in front of the entire pack. The split lip throbbed in time with her heartbeat. Tears slipped down her face unchecked as the humiliation she had buried during the confrontation finally broke free.

"I cannot do this anymore," she whispered, her voice raw and trembling. "We should leave Aevia tonight. Before things get any worse."

Eloise had sent a new dress along with the healer and a stylist who had already fixed Yuki’s makeup. The elegant garment lay folded nearby shimmering under the soft lights like a cruel reminder of her dependence. It made the humiliated worse

Yet Aevia shook her head, her expression firm but tired.

"If you leave now they will think you are guilty" Aevia said keeping her voice low. "It will only make everything harder with Alexander and the elders. We cannot afford that kind of suspicion."

Yuki’s chest tightened further. She had held herself together through the public apology, the self-inflicted pain and the stares. Now the weight of it all pressed down until breathing hurt. Aevia turned toward Xavier who lingered near the door, his posture tense.

"We can handle ourselves from here" Aevia told him. "Thank you for stepping in earlier."

Xavier hesitated, his jaw clenching with clear reluctance. After a long moment he gave a short nod and slipped out, closing the door quietly behind him.

In the end Yuki had no real choice. Once the healer finished and the stylist touched up her face she changed into the new dress. The fabric clung to her skin feeling too tight. She rejoined Aevia and they walked back into the glamorous hall together.

The moment they stepped inside Yuki sensed every eye shift toward her. Whispers rippled through the crowd like cold drafts. Her cheeks burned under the fresh bruises. Aevia squeezed her arm gently. "Ignore them" she murmured. "Keep your head high."

Yuki stayed silent and followed her inside. They moved toward the Alpha’s reserved table at the front. Alexander welcomed them with a smile. "I hope things weren’t difficult. " he said as they took their seats.

"We were fine." Aevia replied. Alexander nodded then glanced at Yuki who had shrank on her seat.

"How are you feeling?" He asked tentatively with a rare soft smile that didn’t suit his status. Yuki returned the smile. "I’m fine. " she replied even if what she felt was far from fine.

Alexander nodded his gaze drifting to Aevia. "Don’t think about what happened earlier." He mentioned with an underlying warning.

The party had already swung into full motion with music swirling and laughter bouncing off the walls. The stares lingered only briefly before guests returned to their own conversations and drinks.

Eloise sat at the head table with her family positioned elegantly between the two present triplets. The third one remained absent which struck Yuki as strange. The boys kept their attention fixed on Eloise as if she were the only light in the room. She leaned into their focus smiling and touching their arms with a natural ease.

Eloise noticed Yuki the instant she sat down. Their tables stood close enough for their eyes to meet. Eloise flashed a quick smug smile before turning away. Yuki’s stomach twisted with unease.

She tried to focus on the evening but the wine tasted strangely sweet on her tongue warmer than it should have felt. After the second glass her cheeks flushed hotter. She blamed it on the lingering embarrassment and forced herself to stay seated. The food turned to ash in her mouth. Every second dragged.

The dance soon began. Eloise took the first dance with her father looking every bit like a princess in her flowing purple dress. The lights dimmed as a spotlight caught the stones on her gown sparkling like captured stars. It looked perfect even if Yuki hated admitting it. Applause thundered once the dance ended. Guests could now join the floor.

Eloise chose Kaden for the second dance. They moved together with practiced grace drawing admiring gasps from the crowd. "The perfect couple,"

"They look so good together.."voices gushed. Yuki scoffed inwardly. An annoying jerk and a scheming bitch truly made the ideal match.

Kieran remained seated, his expression unreadable, Yuki wondered if he was upset Aevia danced with Kaden first. Aevia noticed Yuki’s tension and leaned closer. "Are you fine?" She asked in a low voice swallowed by the music if not for Yuki’s sharp hearing.

Yuki forced a smile that felt brittle. "I am okay." Aevia nodded just as Alexander approached and extended his hand for a dance. Surprise crossed Aevia’s face but she accepted with a light blush. She left the table leaving Yuki alone.

Yuki’s gaze followed them for a moment before scanning the room. She spotted Estelle seated nearby watching Alexander and Aevia dance with a smile that carried hidden edges. It sent a chill down Yuki’s spine.

Estelle noticed her stare and looked over. Yuki quickly glanced away only to meet Kieran’s eyes instead. Her breath caught. She could not hold it and looked down, finishing her third glass in one go. The warmth in her body spread further making her skin prickle.

Eloise and Kaden still danced in front looking flawless. Eloise’s gaze darted toward Yuki during a spin. "What do you think of Yuki?" she asked Kaden her voice light. "She is pretty isn’t she?"

A waiter refilled Yuki’s glass at that moment.

Kaden kept his eyes on Eloise, noticing the sharp glint in hers. "You seem oddly interested in her."

Eloise maintained her neutral expression. "I find her interesting." She narrowed her eyes. "You have not answered my question Kaden. Is she pretty?"

Kaden smiled, brushing her off. "Stop bothering yourself with irrelevant people."

Eloise pouted but let it drop. Why waste energy on Yuki when the girl would be finished after tonight anyway.

The room buzzed with harmony while Yuki felt herself unraveling. Kieran kept glancing over discreetly, his frown deepening. She was on her third glass. The thought worried him more than it should. His mind flashed to that drunk kiss and irritation rose hot in his chest. He looked away.

Yuki twirled the stem of her glass. The walls seemed to press closer the longer she sat there. Restlessness built until she could no longer stay still. The party blurred around her. After long hesitation she reached through the link to Aevia.

’When are we leaving? I feel off,’ she sent cautiously guilt twisting inside her for ruining the night.

Aevia’s face twitched. ’Can you sit still? It is not that hard,’ she replied, her tone heavy with exhaustion.

’But I really feel off,’ Yuki pressed.

’Dear goddess,’ Aevia sighed. ’How about you taking a walk for fresh air? Go to the garden. It is open and there should be others there.’

Yuki hesitated remembering the earlier disaster. ’I do not think I should do that.’

’Nothing will happen,’ Aevia assured. ’Just get some fresh air. Alexander and I have a few people to introduce you to later.’

The pressure inside Yuki grew unbearable. She set her glass down and slipped out of the hall. Kieran noticed immediately and reached through his link.

’Keep an eye on Yuki. Do not let her do anything reckless ’ he sent his gaze flicking between the wine and Eloise.

’I will,’ Maverick replied and followed her out.

On the dance floor the music slowed. Eloise leaned into Kaden, their lips drawing close. Just before contact he pulled away like he was repulsed, spinning her instead. Eloise masked her irritation with a laugh but her eyes flashed.

Yuki stepped into the cool night air. People lingered in the garden with guards patrolling nearby. The breeze raised goosebumps along her arms. She wandered deeper, the music fading behind her. Her mind cleared slightly though the strange heat from earlier followed like an unwelcome shadow.

Deeper in she accidentally stumbled upon two figures entangled against a pillar. The woman’s soft moans mixed with the man’s low groans reached her clearly. Yuki could not see their faces but the sounds and movements struck her. A wave of uncomfortable warmth flooded her body making her throat dry. She slipped away quickly cursing her luck. The heat only intensified like a furnace building inside her disorienting her steps.

She found herself deep within the garden maze. Unusual thirst gripped her throat. The sound of rushing water pulled her forward until she spotted a glittering fountain. Without thinking she bent over scooping water with her palms. The cool liquid soothed for a moment but the more she drank the thirstier she became. Her skin burned. The urge to sink fully into the water grew stronger yet she clung to her remaining dignity.

’Aevia,’ she tried through the link but her focus scattered. She kept drinking until a cool hand slid slowly down her spine. The touch brought sudden relief sending chills through her overheated body.

Yuki froze every instinct screaming danger. Slowly she turned and met a pair of dark eyes. A tall man stood behind her his smile sending her stomach into knots.

"Well," he murmured, his voice low and knowing. "This is interesting."

Shadows shifted around them. Three more figures stepped forward closing in. Yuki’s heart hammered as the heat in her veins twisted into something sharper and far more terrifying.