Chapter 8 The Past That Haunts Her

"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.