The day before the ball, Damian’s private study was filled with tension. Evelina, Damian, and Jasper gathered around a big table covered with maps, council records, and old letters.
One could sll the frustration in the air as they realised that their efforts to find proof against Luther had failed.
"This is useless," Evelina muttered, slamming a parchnt down. Her fingers curled into fists, and she leaned back in her chair, exhaling sharply. "We’re running out of ti."
Damian’s jaw tightened as he stood behind her, his hand resting on the back of her chair. "We’re not giving up," he said firmly. "There’s sothing we’re missing—there has to be."
Jasper crossed his arms, leaning against the edge of the table. "Even if there’s sothing to find, it’s not like Lord Luther’s leaving clues lying around. He’s too careful."
Damian’s silver eyes darkened. "Careful or not, no one is perfect. There’s a chance he’s hiding sothing in his chambers."
Evelina looked up sharply, her heart skipping a beat. "You want to search his chambers? During the ball?"
"It’s the perfect distraction," Damian said. "Luther will be occupied, and his guards will be stationed at the event. It’s our best chance."
Jasper frowned. "It’s risky. If we’re caught..."
"We won’t be," Damian interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argunt. "We’ll plan this carefully. Jasper, you’ll keep an eye on the guards and make sure no one gets too close to the wing."
"And ?" Evelina asked, arching a brow. "What’s my part in this?"
"You’ll be at the ball, playing your role," Damian said, eting her gaze. "You’ll act as if everything is fine—smiling, mingling, and dancing if necessary. Keep them distracted while we search."
Evelina hesitated, her stomach twisting at the thought of playing nice while the council watched her every move. "And what if there’s nothing in his chambers?" she asked quietly.
Damian crouched beside her chair, his silver eyes locking onto hers. "Then we’ll deal with it. But right now, this is our best shot. We have to take it."
Evelina nodded slowly, determination flickering in her chest. "Alright. Let’s do it."
—
They spent the rest of the evening discussing contingencies. Jasper laid out plans for evading detection, while Damian detailed the layout of Luther’s chambers and potential hiding spots for incriminating evidence.
Evelina listened intently, her mind spinning with possibilities and worst-case scenarios.
There was a knock, and the door creaked open suddenly. They all turned as Lily entered, her face pale and her hands twisting nervously in front of her. "Your Highness, My lady," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Evelina frowned, standing. "Lily? What’s wrong?"
Lily hesitated, glancing at Damian and Jasper before stepping closer. "It’s my Lady Selene," she said in a trembling voice. "She’s... she’s planning sothing."
Damian’s expression hardened. "What kind of sothing?"
"I don’t know all the details," Lily admitted. "But I overheard her talking with one of the other ladies. She ntioned the ball and how it would be ’the perfect stage.’ She said she’s going to make sure Lady Evelina is humiliated in front of everyone."
Evelina’s chest tightened in anger. "Of course, she is," she muttered. "Because framing for treason wasn’t enough."
Damian straightened. "Do you know what her plan is?" he asked Lily.
Lily shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "No, but she seed confident. Please, my lady, you have to be careful."
Evelina placed a reassuring hand on the young maid’s arm. "Thank you, Lily. You did the right thing by telling ."
Damian’s jaw tightened. "Whatever Selene’s planning, it won’t work. We’ll be ready."
Evelina nodded, determination flaring in her chest once more. "Let her try. She won’t win."
—
The next day passed in a blur. Evelina barely rembered the hours leading up to the ball, her mind consud by the weight of what lay ahead. She went through the motions, but everything felt distant and surreal.
Mid-afternoon, her dress arrived, delivered in a finely wrapped box. Evelina’s breath caught as she lifted the lid and pulled out the gown.
It was stunning—a deep crimson silk that shimred in the light, embroidered with intricate gold patterns that resembled flas licking at the hem.
Relia purred in her mind. "Mate really outdid himself with this one."
Evelina’s lips twitched into a small smile as she ran her fingers over the fabric. "It’s beautiful."
"You should tell him that," Relia teased. "Or better yet, make him regret letting you wear it in public."
Evelina rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the warmth spreading through her chest.
By the ti evening arrived, the palace was abuzz with activity. Servants rushed through the halls, preparing for the grand event, while guests began to arrive in their finest attire.
Evelina’s chambers were a flurry of movent as the maids helped her prepare. Her hair was styled in elegant waves, adorned with small golden pins that shimred in the light.
Her makeup was subtle but striking, enhancing her features without overpowering them.
Relia was quiet for most of the preparation, but as Evelina slipped into the gown and turned to face the mirror, her wolf finally spoke up. "If Damian doesn’t lose his mind when he sees you, I’ll be shocked."
Evelina smirked faintly, adjusting the delicate chain of her necklace. "Let’s hope he can keep it together."
—
When the maids finally finished and stepped back, Evelina took a deep breath and smoothed her hands over the gown.
A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. One of the maids opened it, revealing Damian standing just outside.
"Ouuuu... he’s here... he’s here. Our mate is here for us," Relia was almost bouncing around in Evie’s mind, and she couldn’t help but smile.
Evelina turned, and their eyes t. Damian froze, his silver gaze sweeping over her as if he were seeing her for the first ti. His jaw tightened, and his hands curled into loose fists at his sides.
"You..." His voice was low, sounding almost reverent. "You look..."
Evelina raised an eyebrow, and a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "Speechless, Alpha?"
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