Chapter 319: The Party

Rebecca’s POV

​The next evening, I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my room, smoothing down the fabric of my dress for the hundredth time.

​Picking out an outfit for this had been an absolute nightmare. How do you dress to meet your long-lost father who happens to be a powerful ruler? I couldn’t wear something too casual and look like I didn’t care, but I also didn’t want to show up in a heavy ballgown like I was trying too hard.

​In the end, I landed on a dark emerald green dinner gown. It fell softly around my body, simple, elegant, and striking the right balance—not too over-the-top, but definitely not ordinary. With my hair styled loosely around my shoulders and light makeup on my face, I looked... good. At least, I hoped I did.

​I rested a hand over the small curve of my stomach and stared at my reflection.

​"You can do this."

​We are meeting Father, Laura shifted inside me.

​"Please don’t call him that yet."

​But he is Father.

​"Biologically."

​Laura went quiet for a moment. Still Father.

​I sighed. There was no point arguing with a wolf.

​Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my small clutch and made my way downstairs.

​Lord Callum was already waiting in the foyer with Mother. He looked ridiculously sharp in a formal coffee-brown suit that fitted his broad frame perfectly. His blonde hair was neatly styled, and he looked every bit like the powerful Dragon Lord he was. The moment his eyes landed on me, a warm smile spread across his face.

​"You look absolutely beautiful, Rebecca," he said softly.

​"Thank you," I replied, offering him a nervous smile. "You look good too."

​"Good?" He placed a hand over his chest. "I spent almost an hour getting ready, and all I get is good?"

​I laughed. "Fine. You look very handsome."

​"Much better."

​Mother shook her head at him before turning to me with a gentle, reassuring look. "I won’t be attending the celebration tonight."

​I frowned. "You’re not coming?"

​"No." Her expression became slightly more serious. "I think tonight should be about you meeting Drake. My presence could make things more complicated than they need to be."

​I understood what she meant. There was history between my parents. A lot of it. Probably more than I knew.

​"But I’ll open a portal for you," Mother continued. "It will take you directly to the entrance of Drake’s estate."

​"That’s fine," I said, swallowing the lump in my throat.

​"You’re nervous," she said softly.

​"Is it that obvious?"

​"Only because I’m your mother."

​Callum gave a quiet cough beside us, and I looked at him. He smiled. "It’s obvious."

​"Wonderful."

​Mother laughed softly before reaching for my hands. "You don’t have to decide anything tonight, Rebecca. Remember that. You’re going there because you need answers. If you become uncomfortable, leave."

​I nodded.

​"And Lord Callum?"

​"Yes, Alpha Maria?"

​"Take care of her."

​His expression turned serious. "You have my word."

​Mother stepped back and lifted her hand. The air in front of her began to shimmer, bending until a circle of bright light tore open right in the middle of the room. Through the swirling portal, I could clearly see a massive black archway on the other side. Even after everything I had experienced lately, watching Mother do that still amazed me—especially since my own teleportation worked completely differently.

​"You can go through," Mother said softly. "Please go in."

​Callum offered me his arm. "Ready?"

​Not even slightly. "Let’s go."

​I slipped my arm through his, and together we stepped into the light.

​There was a strange pulling, cold sensation across my skin for a second. Then it was gone, and my feet landed on solid ground. I turned around quickly just as the portal closed behind us, leaving us standing right outside the heavy iron gates of my father’s estate.

​My mouth almost dropped open. Tall black gates stretched across the entrance, connected to enormous stone walls that seemed to continue forever. Guards dressed in uniforms were stationed everywhere along the perimeter, looking sharp and alert, and beyond the gates, I could see a massive mansion glowing beneath hundreds of lights. Calling it a mansion felt like an insult; it looked like a grand palace.

​The second the gate guards spotted us, their attention moved to Callum. Recognition flashed across their faces, and they immediately bowed low.

​"Lord Callum, welcome," one of them said.

​His eyes then drifted to my face, staying there a second longer than necessary. Another guard looked at me, then another. I immediately became uncomfortable. Did they know who I was, or was there something on my face?

​The guards stepped aside to open the heavy gates and let us in. As soon as we walked into the grand courtyard, a woman in a neat maid’s uniform rushed over and bowed politely. "Welcome. Please follow me."

​"Thank you," Callum said.

​We followed the maid up the sweeping stone steps and into the main house. I couldn’t help but look around as we walked. My father was rich. Not comfortable, not wealthy, but stupidly, ridiculously rich. Everything from the polished marble floors to the towering arched ceilings screamed ancient power and rich history. Guards stood at different points throughout the mansion while servants moved quietly through the halls.

​I tried not to stare too much, but then a sudden realization hit me, making my stomach drop.

​Mother had told me Lord Drake was a hybrid—a mix of two different supernatural creatures. But in all the chaos of throwing the Alpha King through a wall and packing my bags, I had completely forgotten to ask what kind of hybrid he actually was.

​Was he part vampire? Part witch? Part dragon? Shit, I had no idea. How had I agreed to come all the way here to meet my biological father without even asking what the other half of him was? Very intelligent, Rebecca. Truly impressive preparation.

​"Are you okay, Rebecca?" Lord Callum asked quietly, sensing my sudden stiffness as I slowed down.

​"Yes," I lied, my voice a little tight. "Just... taking it all in."

​"You look worried."

​I sighed. "I’m nervous. I don’t know this man. He’s my father, but I don’t know anything about him."

​Callum gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "Don’t be tense. You don’t need to know everything tonight. Just talk to him and ask the questions you came here to ask. You don’t owe him anything beyond what you’re comfortable giving."

​That actually helped. "Thank you."

​He nodded, and we continued following the maid until music and loud chatter echoed ahead of us. We stopped outside the large double doors of a massive grand hall. The party was already in full swing, packed with hundreds of guests in expensive gowns and formal suits.

​Callum offered me his arm again. I stared at it. "You’re going to make everyone think we’re together."

​"They’ll think whatever they want regardless."

​Unfortunately, he had a point. I held onto him, and we walked in.

​The hall was filled with people dressed in rich, glittering clothes. I could instantly feel the heavy weight of dozens of eyes turning toward us. Whispers rippled through the room as we passed, but I kept my chin up, ignored the stares, and let Callum guide me through the crowd.

​He led us straight to a reserved table near the front that had his name neatly displayed on a card, pulling out a chair for me.

​"Thank you," I said, sitting down while he took the seat beside me.

​Before I could properly settle, the music faded, and the master of ceremonies stepped up to the microphone with a wide smile. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? Tonight, we have gathered to celebrate a man known and respected across every supernatural kingdom. Please rise and welcome our celebrant, the Lord of the Hybrids, Lord Drake!"

​I froze.

​Celebrant?

​Wait a minute. It was his birthday too? Mother had said festival, but she had somehow forgotten to mention that the festival included my biological father’s birthday celebration. Wonderful. Talk about terrible timing.

​I stood up with the rest of the guests, my mind spinning.

​The huge doors at the opposite end of the hall opened, and a tall man walked into the room with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how much power he carried.

​I swallowed hard, taking in his entire face, and my breath hitched in my throat. Broad shoulders filled his dark formal suit, and his dark hair was neatly styled away from his face. All my life, I had assumed I looked completely like my mother. But looking at Lord Drake now... damn. I was completely wrong.

​I wasn’t just his daughter; I was a literal photocopy of him.

​And God, the man was gorgeous. High cheekbones, sharp jawline, striking sea-blue eyes. Suddenly, all those stares I had been getting since I walked into the room made total sense. Anyone who knew this man could take one look at my face and see his ghost.

​A woman who looked to be in her late forties, elegant and dressed in a rich dark gown, walked in right behind him, followed by two young men. Both were tall, handsome, and carried traces of Lord Drake in their features. I knew instantly that this was his family—his wife and sons. My half-brothers, technically. Apparently, I hadn’t just come here to meet a father; I had walked straight into an entire family.

​As Lord Drake walked further into the hall, it was like an invisible force pulled his gaze straight toward our table. His eyes locked onto mine.

​A sharp look of instant recognition flashed across his features. His steps slowed, and I watched his hard, powerful gaze soften completely the moment he looked at my face, filled with an emotional, almost painful look. My heart hammered against my ribs. I swallowed hard and quickly looked away, unable to handle the intensity with hundreds of people watching.

​He walked over to the head table, taking his seat while his family sat beside him.

​Once the guests sat back down, Lord Drake stood up and raised a glass of wine. "Thank you all for coming tonight," his deep voice echoed effortlessly through the room. "I know many of you traveled far to be here, and I appreciate your presence. Please, enjoy yourselves."

​The music kicked back up, but Lord Drake didn’t waste a single moment. He put his glass down and began walking straight toward us.

​I could feel every single eye in the room tracking his movement, including the sharp, curious gazes of his wife and sons.

​He reached our table, and I quickly stood up.

​"Moon Goddess..." Lord Drake breathed softly as he looked at me. Up close, the resemblance was even more striking. His eyes softened even more, shining with an emotion he couldn’t quite hide. "Rebecca. Welcome. I’m glad you came."

​"Thank you, Lord Drake," I said, giving a polite nod.

​Something flickered across his face when I called him that—pain, maybe—but he hid it quickly. I could see the hesitation in his posture. His hands moved slightly at his sides like he wanted to reach for me, maybe pull me into a hug or hold my hand, but he stopped himself, unsure if I would push him away. Honestly, I was so relieved he kept his distance. I was already extremely uncomfortable with the entire room staring at us like we were a live show.

​"After the cake cutting," Drake said, keeping his voice low so only our table could hear, "can we talk privately?"

​"Yes," I agreed. "I have some questions."

​"And I’ll answer them," he said with a small, grateful nod. "I’ll see you shortly."

​He turned to Callum, a silent moment passing between the two men. "Callum."

​"Drake."

​With a simple nod, Drake walked back to his family’s table just as the grand birthday cake was being wheeled out to the center of the floor. Across the room, his family was still watching me—especially the two young men. I looked away. One problem at a time, Rebecca.

​I sat back down, let out a long breath, and immediately leaned sideways toward Callum.

​"Lord Callum," I whispered under my breath. "My father is a hybrid."

​"Yes."

​"A hybrid of what, exactly?"

​Callum blinked at me in surprise, his eyebrows rising. "You don’t know?"

​"No," I admitted, crossing my arms tightly. "I’ve had a very busy few days."

​Callum almost smiled. "Fair enough." He leaned in closer and lowered his voice, his expression turning serious again. "Your father is a Werewolf-Fae hybrid."

​I blinked, my eyes slowly moving across the hall toward Lord Drake. Werewolf... and Fae.

​