Chapter 56 Play it well

Chapter 56 Play it well
“I’m Lyria,” the girl said, placing her hand lightly against her chest. “Lyria Avenhart.”

The name caused another wave of whispers.

“Avenhart?”

“That family is close to the council.”

“They’re rich.”

“Wait, she is that girl who is obssessed with the Alpha and ruins every girls life who tried to approach him.”

Selene nodded politely. “It’s nice to meet you, Lyria.”

Lyria’s smile tightened. “Nice to meet you too.”

Selene added, still innocent, “I’m Selene.”

Lyria’s eyes flickered.

She clearly expected Selene to introduce herself earlier and maybe even beg for forgiveness, maybe apologize, maybe act small but Selene only stood there calmly.

Lyria tilted her head. “Selene,” she repeated slowly. “What a lovely name.”

“Thank you,” Selene replied, like she truly believed the compliment was real.

Lyria’s gaze slid over Selene’s dress, lingering on the stain.

“I really do feel terrible,” Lyria said again, louder. “I hope you don’t think I did it on purpose.”

Selene smiled gently. “Of course not.”

That sentence hit like a slap because Selene did think it was on purpose but she wouldn’t say it.

Not in front of all these ears.

Lyria’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“You’re… a good she-wolf,” she said, voice sweet but strained. “Most women would cry.”

Selene blinked softly. “Why would I cry?”

Lyria’s smile trembled. “Because it’s humiliating.”

Selene looked down at her dress again, then back up, and smiled like she was puzzled.

“I don’t feel humiliated,” Selene said softly. “It was an accident.”

A low murmur moved across the crowd.

Lyria’s cheeks colored slightly, irritation showing.

“You don’t feel humiliated?” Lyria repeated, as if the words tasted wrong.

Selene shook her head. “No.”

Lyria forced a laugh. “You’re… brave.”

Selene tilted her head again. “I don’t think it’s brave. I think it’s just… normal.”

Lyria’s smile cracked.

Just a little and Selene saw it.

She saw the moment Lyria realized this wouldn’t work the way she planned.

So Lyria tried a different direction.

“Then maybe you’re used to this,” Lyria said casually, eyes sharp now. “Being in places you don’t belong.”

The ballroom went very quiet.

Selene felt the sting.

That one line was meant to cut deep but Selene’s face remained soft.

She even looked a little sad, like Lyria had accidentally hurt her feelings.

Selene clasped her hands gently in front of her, playing the role perfectly.

“I’m sorry if you feel that way,” Selene said, voice quiet and sincere. “I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.”

The crowd shifted.

Some people frowned.

Some looked uncomfortable now, because Selene sounded too genuine.

Lyria’s eyes widened slightly.

Selene continued, still calm. “I don’t know much about your pack’s traditions, but I’m grateful to be here tonight.”

Lyria’s jaw tightened. She did not expect selene to show gratefulness instead of being arrogant and defensive since it was the Alpha who invited her. Selene was giving nothing.

Lyria leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “Tell me the truth,” she whispered, smile fake again. “Why are you here with the Alpha?”

Selene blinked innocently. “Because he invited me.”

Lyria’s eyes flashed.

Selene added, still sweet, “Maybe he thought I would enjoy the dinner.”

The crowd behind them was listening. Selene could feel it.

Lyria whispered again, “Do you think you deserve to stand beside him?”

Selene looked genuinely confused.

“I don’t know,” Selene answered honestly. “I didn’t think about that.”

Lyria’s lips parted.

That wasn’t the answer she wanted.

Selene smiled gently. “Should I have thought about it?”

A few people coughed.

Someone chuckled quietly.

Lyria’s face went red.

She stepped back, eyes hard.

“You’re playing innocent,” Lyria hissed quietly.

Selene’s eyes widened slightly, as if she was hurt by the accusation. “I’m not playing,” Selene whispered. “I’m just trying to be polite. Since I don't belong here just like you said, I tried to play my part as a guest.”

Lyria clenched her hands.

Selene kept going—soft voice, harmless expression.

“I’m sorry about the dress,” Selene said, flipping the scene without raising her voice. “It must feel embarrassing for you too. People are watching. That must be uncomfortable.”

Lyria stiffened.

Selene smiled gently. “I just want to ask you again. Are you okay, Lyria?”

That did it.

Lyria’s eyes flashed with fury.

Selene’s kindness wasn’t kindness anymore.

It was a mirror.

It was showing the room exactly what Lyria was doing and Lyria hated it.

Lyria’s voice rose again, fake sweet. “Yes. I’m perfectly fine. Thank you for your concern.”

Selene nodded politely. “I’m glad.”

More whispers grew.

“She’s making Selene look bad.”

“Selene didn’t even attack her.”

“Lyria looks furious…”

Lyria’s face flushed deeper.

Her eyes darted around. She could feel the room turning.

She tried one last thing.

“Well,” Lyria said sharply, loud enough for people nearby to hear, “I hope the Alpha realizes what kind of person he brought here.”

Selene’s smile stayed. But inside, she went still.

That was dangerous.

That wasn’t just jealousy.

That was a threat wrapped in a polite sentence.

Selene looked at Lyria with calm eyes.

Then she bowed her head slightly.

“I hope the Alpha enjoys his evening,” Selene said softly. “That’s all I want.”

The silence that followed was heavy because Selene didn’t defend herself.

She didn’t fight.

She didn’t show teeth.

She simply wished the Alpha well.

Lyria’s lips trembled.

Her eyes burned.

She looked like she wanted to scream.

Instead, she snapped her head to the side, her hair swinging with the motion.

“I’ll excuse myself,” Lyria said quickly, voice tight.

She turned and walked away fast. Her face was red, not from embarrassment alone, but anger. It was the anger of someone who planned to win and failed.

Selene watched her go. Only when Lyria disappeared into the crowd did Selene finally exhale.

Her hands shook slightly, but she kept them calm. Her ribs hurt a little from how stiff she had stood, but she didn’t move. She didn’t want anyone to see weakness. The crowd started talking again, but it wasn’t the same.

Some people looked at Selene differently now. Not as a threat. Not as a toy. But as someone… confident and cunning.

Someone hard to break.

Selene swallowed.

She knew this wasn’t over.

Not even close.

If Lyria was bold enough to do that in public, then she would do worse in private and Selene still didn’t know who else wanted her to fail.

She stood there for a few seconds, letting the noise return around her. Her dress was still stained, heavy and ugly against the silver fabric.

She should leave.

She should go change.

But she didn’t want to run.

Running would look like guilt.

Running would look like weakness.

And Selene refused to give them that too.

She lifted her chin slightly, forcing herself to stay calm, to stay “innocent,” to stay safe.

Then a voice spoke behind her.

“Well,” the woman said, “that was… impressive.”

Selene’s spine stiffened.

Slowly, she turned her head.

And the moment she saw the woman, Selene knew that this wasn’t just any guest. She seems like a very important person in this room.