"Raphael, she cannot be invited in" Amy's voice pierced through the live music like a scream of a hyena. Heads turned, eyes narrowed, whispers raced like fire through Riana's ears.

Riana didn't flinch. Instead, she lifted her chin up showing her confidence. "You heard what he said"

"You dare talk back at me?" a few chuckles broke out. Quickly smothered, of course-no one wanted to be on Amy's blacklist. Her gown glittering as though trying to outshine her fury. "Don't you dare, Riana. You don't belong here. You betrayed your pack, running off with an Alpha who never loved you. You're nothing but a-"

"A survivor?" Riana cut in smoothly, lips curving striking her opponent with her words, "Funny, I don't recall betrayal in my vows. Only loyalty to the pack. And unlike you, I didn't claw for scraps at another wolf's table."

Gasps. A couple of elders stood in the corner actually snorted into their wine. Amy's painted smile wobbled. She knew her way to climb the social status was not something to be proud of.

"You think you can just walk back in here, Riana?" she hissed, "and the elder council will welcome you? You're a stain. And stains don't get seats. Go back to your city, living in your large mansion. Mystic Town do not need you"

Riana stood still and leaned in a little, her perfume curling between them like smoke. "Darling, I don't need their pity. I'll earn their respect, and one day yours too. And the fact you're screaming in public right now.." She paused and glanced around at the audience Amy had unintentionally gathered to humiliate her. "I'd say I've already made my point."

"How dare you say such things! Do you not know who I am? Don't forget who my husband is" Amy's cheeks burned crimson. She snapped her fingers at the guards. "Remove her!"

The guards hesitated. Wolves rarely defied Amy, who was the wife of an old general of an army of her pack. He was twice her age and was trapped into marriage when Amy crawled to his bed one night in a drunk state.

Riana held herself too steady, too sure. She was ready to fight the guards if required. Her nails were already showing, ready to fight off her opponent.

Then, came the voice. Low. Commanding. Cutting through the tension like a blade. Again, making her tremble a little. Unexpectedly.

"The invitation was approved."

Her chest tightened hearing Rapheal's voice again. The man one who had once made her laugh so hard she couldn't breathe, the one who had kissed her under moonlight like it was a promise.

Now his face was carved from stone, his eyes distant, unreadable.

"No one denies her entry," he finished coldly. "As the organizer of Moon Gala this year, I confirm the invitation for Mrs Winters, Luna of Alpha Wesley.. (he paused for a second) approved by the elders' council"

"Amy, if you have any objections, proceed to challenge the council yourself" he said before he left the scene. Not once did he look at Riana.

The room held its breath. Amy knew she could be expelled from the Gala if she disobeyed Raphael. "Yes, Raphael"

He paused and responded to Amy without turning his back, "It's Alpha Raphel now"

The guards lowered their heads. Amy sputtered, humiliated, before storming away with venom in her glare.

Riana forced her own smile, masking the sting in her chest. She wanted, truly wanted, something from him. A flicker. A spark.

But he gave her nothing. Not a glance, not a smile. He moved on, as though she never existed in his life. He did not even wait for her to thank him for the help.

Sensing Raphael's distant attitude, Riana felt a bitter ache in her heart. If not for that accident eight years ago, Raphael would have been her husband.

But the past couldn't be rewritten. It was she who had rejected their bond back then. She had no right to pursue him again now. Her top priority was to focus on her own ascent.

Geena, her Wolf's words echoed in her head. 'Tonight isn't about him, my dear. It's about the council'

So, Riana turned the opposite way from Raphael.

She found the elders by the fountain, three of them perched like vultures with wine glasses in hand. Their eyes tracked her with suspicion-and curiosity.

"Riana" one of them said, an older wolf with a mane of silver hair. "You dare to return."

"I don't dare," she said, keeping her voice steady and sharp. "I intend."

They leaned in, intrigued hearing her boldness. She spoke of strength, of endurance, of how wolves needed leaders who had survived both fire and shame and still stood taller than before. She played her words like cards, revealing just enough vulnerability to make her human, just enough pride to remind them she was wolf.

Riana was not the discarded wife that night. She was a woman returning to her rightful place.

Well, at least, that was the plan.

Across the courtyard, Raphael lingered in her periphery. Laughing with dignitaries, toasting with Alphas. Riana felt his presence like a tug on her skin. She caught herself stealing glances-when he adjusted his cuff, when he inclined his head politely, when his mouth curved in that distant, polite smile.

Every look left a bruise she hid with brighter words.

By the time she finished, the council elders exchanged glances heavy with consideration. Not approval yet-but not dismissal either.

"Perhaps," the silver-haired wolf said at last, "you do still have teeth, young Riana"

Riana smiled, victorious. "Sharper teeth than Amy's claws."

A ripple of laughter broke their stiff demeanor. She felt the shift, the smallest tilt in her favor. A foothold. Perhaps, luck was on her side that night.

But later, as she stood alone with her empty glass, her eyes betrayed her again. Sliding across the room to him. Always to him.

And when their gazes finally, finally brushed-just for a second-he looked away first.

It hurt Riana more than Amy's words ever could. 'Perhaps, I do not deserve his forgiveness'

As soon as she entered the ballroom again, she saw someone she had wished not to meet that night, "Oh, Moon Goddess, not her"

She encountered Stella, Wesley's younger sister.

"Riana?"

Riana tried to turn around, but it was too late. She had to brace herself facing Wesley's annoying sister, "Stella, lovely to see you"

Stella's eyes narrowed, then she leaned in closer to Riana like they were co-conspirators, "You're spying, aren't you?

"Spying?"

"Yes" Stella glanced around and whispered, "Grandmama sent you, didn't she? To make sure I don't embarrass the family?"

Riana chuckled, while reaching for a glass of wine and emptied the content in her mouth. "Oh, honey, if I were here to spy, you would not even notice me"

Stella huffed, but her lips twitched. "I know, Grandmama. She doesn't trust me to win the Gala Queen title. She probably sent you to sabotage me. Is that why you are here?"

Riana lifted her brows. "You're running for Gala Queen?"

"Of course I am!" Stella declared, striking a pose that made nearby wolves roll their eyes. "I've been preparing to win this year. Delilah won't be here, so I have the better chance to win"

Before Riana could protest, Stella demonstrated-a slow, regal wrist twist followed by a dramatic shoulder tilt. "See? Perfect. Gala Queen."

"Darling, that looks like you're airing out your armpit."

Stella gasped, clutching her chest. "How dare you! You're just saying that because you want the crown this year."

"Maybe I do. But unlike you, I won't rely solely on sequins blinding the judges into submission. You need to show natural talent and strength too"

Their eyes locked with words sharper than claws. Stella sniffed. "The title isn't about strength. It's about grace, beauty, poise-"

"Qualities I survived years of practice being a trophy wife for.. well, no good brother of yours"

"No good brother? You dare say that?" Stella's eyes were about to pop out from her socket, "You are exhausting, Riana. No wonder Wesley despises you and your pretentious good wife attitude"

Their moment of levity ended when the ballroom doors opened again, and the air shifted like prey sensing a predator. Riana didn't need to turn-she knew that presence, that arrogance.

Her ex-husband had arrived.

He strode in, all Alpha swagger, dark suit cut to perfection. And clinging to his arm, dripping in diamonds and smug satisfaction, was his mistress.

"Oh, crap" Riana whispered to herself wondering what was worse, seeing her former lover Raphael who was definitely not having a slight interest on her that night, or hearing the orchestra screechy attempt to welcome Wesley strolling into the ballroom with his mistress clung on his arm.

To her, their presence was like some moving advertisement of debuting a new perfume called Betrayal.

It was just a day before that she had signed the divorce papers. 'Efficient' her inner Wolf Geena was not liking it either.

The murmurs spread fast, hungry to kill her reputation. Every Wolf that caught a glimpse of her was whispering behind their expensive champagne flute.

"Poor Riana"

"Delilah is a better Luna"

"Riana is no match for Delilah"

"Riana should not have shown her face in Mystic Town"

It went on for several minutes, pretending she was not at all bothered by the mockery she heard while she stood watching Wesley pouring his admiration on Delilah.

Maintaining her elegant composure, she took a slow, deliberate sip of another glass of champagne and forced a smile to those who were watching her. "Well, I suppose subtlety was never his strength, I guess his affair is now made official"

Stella, who was still standing by her side was oblivious to Riana's social carnage, "Urgh, men are useless" she fixed her hair which did not need any fixing and smiled so bright it could blind someone at twenty paces. Waving her hand elegantly, Stella's words surprised Riana, "That is why I need to win as the Gala Queen tonight"

Riana blinked at Stella, "How exactly would it help you by winning?"

Stella leaned closer, whispering like she was revealing state secret only for Riana to hear, "Because if I win, my husband will never look at another woman again. Just me (she paused and wrinkled her nose), and definitely never be Delilah. Ever"

"That's your strategy?" Riana almost choked on her champagne, "Glitter your way to force your husband to love you?"

"You're mocking me" Stella pouted and squinted her eyes at Riana not liking her words, "As if, you did not glitter your way to make my brother notice you. Look at what you are wearing tonight. He'll definitely notice you"

She sighed, "Riana, winning this title shows dominance, confidence and beauty. Men love confidence more"

Stella was not wrong with her opinion. It was just a few seconds ago that Riana thought she saw Wesley noticing her presence. She arched a brow and spoke her words with her eyes scanning the ballroom to locate any of her family members, "Oh honey, men love convenience. Confidence only attracts them until she starts talking back"

"That's so cynical!" Stella crossed her arms, "Well, maybe if you try to win the Gala Queen title, Wesley will not go sniffing around Delilah' panties. Delilah has confidence, strength, and beauty (she stared at Riana's body) and she is sexier"

"I never said I did not want to win tonight" Riana's words made Stella gasped. Stella wanted to argue but soon realise that Riana was no longer standing next to her.

Standing at the other side of the ballroom, Wesley did not expect to see his wife at the Moon Gala. He had waltz into the Gala being prepared to face politics, pretentious good handshakes and the good performance of an Alpha to show strength and dominance with everything under control.

Having Delilah by his side, clinging to his arm like a glittering accessory was just for one reason to support her return to win the Gala Queen title, again.

'Beautiful' his inner Wolf Vega growled low and hot.

'Vega, stop! I chose Delilah. She is our Mate'

But seeing Riana stand across the ballroom in a gown that clung like sin and moonlight, gave him a strange feeling that night. Her shiny golden hair swept up, her posture regal, her smile cutting enough to draw blood. Every wolf in the room had noticed her, but it was Wesley's chest that tightened ignoring her importance in his life.

He forced his eyes away. He had a woman beside him now. A beautiful one. Stronger. Eager. Convenient. His true Mate.

"Wesley?" Delilah's voice snapped him back. She was smiling up at him, doe-eyed and fragile-looking in a gown that shimmered like champagne. "Are you even listening?"

He wasn't. "Of course," he said automatically.

She sighed dramatically, the sound rehearsed. "I was saying, if I win the Gala Queen title tonight, maybe my father will finally notice me."

He blinked. "Your father? Why does that matter?"

"Yes, my father. I told you before. Have you forgotten?" she said softly, eyes glistening. "Winning just the Moon Gala Queen title in the previous event was always my regret. Silly me as I failed to secure the actual Moon Gathering victory to bring glory to her father. You do know, it is important for me to claim that honor. And.. well, I want to make you proud of having me"

He gave her the polite nod he'd mastered over years of diplomacy of having a mistress. "I understand. I'm here for you."

She smiled, squeezing his arm gently showing her affection. "It'll mean something, having you by my side when I win, again"

Wesley's mind wasn't on her words. His eyes had drifted again - unwilling, traitorous - back to searching for Riana.

'She came to get your attention', his ego sneered. 'That's what this is. She quit the company, now she shows up here. She wants me to chase her'

'She got your attention tonight, did she not?' Vega's reply was low and dangerous, making Wesley felt a pain in his chest.

Then, he caught sight of his sister Stella gliding toward them-smiling like a predator with lipstick.

"Oh, this is rich," Stella announced as she approached. "Delilah, darling, I didn't know you were attending this year, again. Though I suppose if there's a Gala Queen title to chase, you'd appear like a moth to a tiara."

Delilah stiffened, still clutching Wesley's arm. "Stella. You look. sparkly. Are you here with Eddie, your husband?"

"Eddie is not your concern" Stella grinned not liking it when someone asked about her husband who was busy talking with his friends than standing next to her. He was beginning to distance himself from her after she gave birth to their child which caused her to gain some weight.

"So, tell me, Delilah, do you also plan to dance with my brother tonight, or are you just here for the crown?"

The surrounding wolves pretended not to listen but absolutely were. Wesley sighed through his nose. "Stella, go find Eddie. Do not -"

"No, no, I'm curious," Stella continued brightly. "Because last I checked, crowns don't usually come with attached men. Or brothers."

Delilah's smile cracked. "You're implying something inappropriate."

Stella gasped theatrically. "Implying? Oh no, dear. I'm asking. There's a difference."

Vega was laughing now, the deep, rumbling kind that only made Wesley's irritation worse.

But even through the chaos, Wesley's gaze drifted again to Riana. She wasn't looking his way. Not once.

"I don't feel well" Delilah whispered, cunningly feigned weakness, "Darling, can you get me a glass of water?"

Before Wesley could move, he saw Stella already pulling Riana's hand to appear in front of them.

"Riana, my dear gorgeous sister-in-law, tell me, are you not bothered about your husband coming here with another woman?" Stella's words did not have any effect on Riana.

To her, the divorce already took effect. Seeing Wesley with the mistress did not bother her much anymore, and she did not want to make a scene out of it.

But perhaps, the news was yet to be made public and had made her look like a weak fool.

"Wesley, the dance is starting. Are you not going to dance with your wife?" Stella took a glance at Delilah and then to Riana, scheming her way to cause a rift between her competitors to win the Crown.

.

Just as Riana was about to reveal her divorce from Wesley to Stella, Wesley stepped in, "Riana is never good at dancing, so it is best she not making a fool of herself tonight to try to dance"

"Besides, I promised to be Delilah's dance partner and couldn't back out now" he offered his arm for Delilah to take and left Riana and Stella staring at them.

"He is such an idiot for having her as his mistress"

"Why do you say that, Stella?"

"Forget him. Now, let's find a good gentleman to dance with you"

"You don't have to do this, Stella. I can take care of myself"

Stella snorted and rolled her eyes, "I'm not doing this to help you. I just want to create enough drama to get everyone here to take their gaze away from that b*tch who once tried to flirt with Eddie"

"By having me to dance with someone?"

"No, silly" Stella chuckled, "Wesley will not like it to see you dance with anyone. He is the jealous type"

Riana laughed out loud with her hand closing her mouth, "You do know he was forced into marriage with me. It was never about love and definitely he would not be bothered if I dance with another man tonight"

"I know my brother. Shut up and just let me go through with my plan"

Unfortunately, due to Wesley's status, no one dared to invite Riana to dance. They waited for the next song, still not suitors came to dance with Riana.

Eddie came over to ask Stella to dance with him, leaving Riana standing alone at one corner waiting for anyone to dare to dance with her.

The third song came to air. A song that brought her many sweet memories of Mystic Town. A slow ballad.

At that moment, Raphael was in sight. He looked exactly as she remembered – too controlled, too calm, too dangerous for her sanity.

And he was not part of Riana's plan tonight. 'I sense trouble' Geena whispered.

Their eyes met.

For a heartbeat, the room felt smaller, quieter, like the orchestra had stopped just for them.

To her surprise, he extended his hand towards her. "Dance with me"