[Third Person].
Draven and Dennis arrived just as the last of Wanda’s words faded into the air.
Draven’s expression remained carefully neutral, but the faint tightening at the corner of his mouth betrayed his displeasure.
Dennis, on the other hand, barely concealed it at all. His jaw was set hard, eyes burning as he stared at Wanda, having overheard enough of her speech to understand exactly what she had done.
For a brief second, Wanda felt the shift. Then she turned, but her smile flickered when she saw Draven. However, she recovered quickly.
With practised ease, Wanda stepped forward, her expression brightening as if nothing were amiss. "Draven," she said warmly, already moving toward him. "I was just telling everyone how—"
He walked straight past her. He didn’t slow his steps or glance at her. He didn’t even acknowledge her existence.
The humiliation landed instantly.
anwhile, at the sight of their Alpha, the entire gathering reacted as one. redith bowed. The servants bowed. The won, startled, quickly set aside their food and drinks, ushering their children to stand as well. Heads lowered in respect.
Draven stopped beside redith, and only then did he soften. He glanced at her, just briefly, but the reassurance was unmistakable.
Next, he took her hand, his fingers closing around hers in a firm, grounding squeeze. He felt her fury, her restraint, her effort, and his pride burned hotter for it.
Then he turned to the crowd. "That’s enough," he said calmly. "Please, sit."
Relief rippled through the gathering. Murmured thanks followed as the won returned to their benches, children settling again, and cups lifted once more. Excitent replaced tension—their Alpha was here with them.
Many of them felt grateful to see him at such a close range, unlike in other rare events where they could only catch a small glimpse of his side profile or back.
Draven stepped forward slightly, his voice carrying with quiet authority. "I won’t take much of your ti," he said. "This gathering exists because of my mate."
redith stiffened slightly, completely caught off guard. She wasn’t expecting him to speak.
"She worked tirelessly for this," Draven continued. "Many nights, she slept little—moving between preparations, planning, listening, ensuring today would serve you properly. Not for appearances, but for purpose."
The won looked at redith with new eyes.
"That effort deserves recognition," Draven said. "And your presence here—every one of you—honours it."
A wave of warmth spread through the clearing.
"She is very kind," one woman said aloud.
"She listens," another added.
"I wish she had co to the pack sooner," a third murmured.
redith swallowed as emotion pressed tight behind her ribs.
But on the other hand, Wanda stood forgotten. Her nails dug into her palms as attention slipped entirely away from her and settled, firmly, back where it belonged.
Beside Draven, redith felt it clearly now—this mont was hers again.
Just then, Dennis’s gaze found Wanda, and he coldly held it for long. Wanda straightened quickly, forcing a cocky smile in his direction.
Dennis scoffed softly and looked away. ’You don’t even know what’s coming,’ he thought grimly.
Through the bond, Draven’s voice cut in. "Dennis,walk Wanda back inside the house.’
Dennis didn’t hesitate for even a second. He stepped directly into Wanda’s path and gestured toward the house. "You’re coming with ."
Wanda stiffened. "I would like to excuse myself properly—"
Dennis leaned in slightly, his voice low and threatening. "Don’t test . I know you are shaless, but don’t forget that I can go much lower than you."
Her glare was venomous. She tried to turn back toward the won, her smile already prepared, but Dennis shifted, blocking her line of sight completely.
Wanda huffed sharply and turned away on her heel. But unknown to her, redith, who had seen and heard all her exchanges with Dennis, was still mad that she had taken over her event, and even told a few lies while mocking her in the end.
And right there, redith found a way to get back at her, and that is by testing her hidden powers.
If Wanda could secretly mock her, then she would return the favour and openly humiliate her.
As Wanda turned away, irritation sharp in her posture, redith’s fingers twitched at her side. It was subtle, yet invisible to everyone else.
Instantly, a quiet pulse answered her call—fae magic, old and precise, threading itself through the air like a held breath. redith didn’t look at Wanda, as there was no need for that.
’Just enough,’ she thought coolly.
And just like that, the magic kissed the hem of Wanda’s dress, tightening the fabric for a fraction of a second, drawing it inward at the exact wrong mont.
Wanda’s heel caught, her step faltered, then she stumbled and fell to the ground without reservations, much to her shock.
"Ahh!" A yelp followed from her agape mouth.
At the sa ti, a sharp gasp escaped the gathering.
Wanda had hit the ground hard, the shock stealing her breath as heat flooded her face. Horror, disbelief, and humiliation tangled violently inside her.
’How—?’
She had never fallen like that. Never like this. Not in front of these won.
’These bloody peasants!’ She scread in her head.
Dennis crouched beside her, his eyes wide with mock concern. "Are you alright?" he asked softly—too softly.
Wanda ground her teeth, nodding stiffly as she pushed herself up without his help since he didn’t even offer his hand to her.
Wanda didn’t look at anyone after getting back on her feet. She couldn’t. She walked away quickly, her dignity in tatters, and Dennis following with a faint, satisfied smirk he didn’t even bother hiding.
redith watched it all. The quiet, deep satisfaction settled in her chest like warmth after a storm.
Valmora purred. ’Good. A lesson well taught. She doesn’t even know where her humiliation ca from. Good!’
Around them, the servants exchanged subtle looks of shared delight. Wanda had deserved worse, and they all knew it. But quickly, they hid their satisfaction.
As for Draven, he had already turned away as if he hadn’t seen Wanda fall.
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