Chapter 21: ²¹: the ball ¹

"Girl, where are you? I am already outside the Alpha’s house." I heard Rose say through the phone as I slipped into my heels, still inside the packhouse.

"I am sorry, Rose. I am just leaving the packhouse. My hair took a little longer to style than I had intended." I said guiltily. She must have been waiting for quite some time, and I still had to take a cab and then I would reach there.

"It’s okay! I also took longer than usual getting ready today," Rose replied, trying to make me feel less guilty.

Normally, I would have been ready long ago, but today wasn’t normal. Today I had taken extra time because every little detail mattered. After all... I had an Alpha to seduce. An extremely stuck-up Alpha at that.

I was wearing a fitted black satin cocktail dress that hugged every curve of my body before falling elegantly to just above my knees. A thigh-high slit ran along one side, revealing just enough of my leg whenever I walked.

The sweetheart neckline accentuated my collarbones while a delicate silver pendant rested against my skin. I paired the dress with black stilettos and a matching clutch.

My makeup was soft but striking—a flawless base, lightly contoured cheeks, warm brown eyeshadow blended with a subtle shimmer, winged eyeliner, long lashes, and deep crimson lipstick that drew attention to my lips without looking overdone.

My long black hair had been styled into loose waves, cascading over one shoulder, while a few delicate strands framed my face perfectly.

It was elegant. Sophisticated. And just seductive enough to make a certain Alpha look twice.

"I’ll be there in just five minutes. I’m already inside the cab," I said as I settled into the taxi I had booked earlier, thankfully.

"Okay, make it quick! Waiting outside this magnificent castle of a house is torture. I want to see what it looks like inside," she said in a dreamy tone.

I smiled. Truth be told, I was just as curious to know how Kael dreven’s place looked like.

"I’ll be there soon. Bye!" I ended the call before looking ahead, only to find the driver watching me through the rearview mirror.

"You’re looking gorgeous tonight, ma’am," he complimented with a friendly smile before returning his attention to the road.

"Uh... thank you," I replied politely before turning my gaze toward the passing streets.

Soon we reached our destination.

I thanked the driver for the ride, stepped out of the cab, and looked ahead.

For a brief moment... I simply stood there.

Rose hadn’t exaggerated. Calling this place a house would have been an insult.

It looked like a royal palace straight out of a fantasy novel. Towering stone walls, enormous arched windows glowing with warm golden light, elegant balconies, and towering columns lined the grand entrance. The perfectly trimmed gardens surrounding the estate sparkled beneath thousands of fairy lights, while marble fountains reflected the evening sky.

It was breathtaking.

I felt as though I had stepped into another world. I was still admiring the architecture when I heard someone call my name.

"Athena! Over here!" Rose stood near the entrance gates, waving enthusiastically.

I smiled and walked over to her.

"Oh my God!" Her eyes widened as she looked me up and down. "You look insanely hot! If I were a man, I’d mark you as my mate right now!" I couldn’t help laughing.

"Same to you, darling." I leaned closer and whispered teasingly, "I’d devour you right here if you let me."

Her cheeks immediately turned bright red.

She smacked my arm. "Stop talking nonsense and let’s go inside."

I laughed again as we walked toward the enormous entrance doors together.

Just like the mansion itself, the doors were magnificent-dark polished wood decorated with intricate silver carvings of wolves and moon phases, making them look like the entrance to some mythical kingdom.

"Welcome, ladies. May I see your invitations?" a staff member dressed in a tailored black suit asked politely the moment we stepped into the foyer.

We smiled and handed over our invitations.

After checking them, he gestured for us to follow. "This way, please."

He led us through several lavish hallways before stopping in front of a pair of massive golden doors. "Enjoy your evening."

"Thank you," we said together before he excused himself.

The moment we stepped inside... Rose gasped.

"Oh my God! Is this really where Louis lives? No wonder Maria is obsessed with him!"

The grand ballroom was nothing short of spectacular. Crystal chandeliers hung from the impossibly high ceiling, casting a warm golden glow across polished marble floors. A live orchestra played elegant music from a raised platform while guests in luxurious gowns and perfectly tailored tuxedos chatted beneath towering floral arrangements of white roses and silver lilies.

Everything about the place screamed wealth... Power... And royalty.

I slowly looked around, searching for the one man who had brought me here in the first place.

The hall was already crowded with influential people. Everywhere I looked were gowns worth more than my yearly scholarship and suits tailored so perfectly they looked custom-made for royalty.

For a moment, even I felt slightly out of place.

Just then a waiter approached us carrying a tray of sparkling drinks. "Would either of you like something to drink, ladies?"

"No, thank you."

"Oh yes, please!"

Rose and I answered at the exact same time.

The waiter blinked in confusion before Rose quickly grabbed two glasses anyway, shoved one into my hand, thanked him, and pulled me away.

"Are you crazy?" she whispered dramatically. "Who says no to free drinks?"

She led me toward a quieter corner of the ballroom where we could observe everyone without becoming the center of attention ourselves.

"Everyone here looks so elegant," she whispered excitedly, taking a sip from her drink. "We probably don’t even realize we’re standing next to the person who runs the Empire’s defense ministry... or the finance ministry... or someone equally important."

Her eyes sparkled. "I wonder if Mayla Kayden is here tonight."

I frowned. "Mayla Kayden? Who’s she?"

As far as I knew, Starlight Empire didn’t have a Luna or any woman holding one of the Empire’s highest-ranking administrative positions.

So... Who exactly was Mayla Kayden?