CHAPTER 77

Ariana’s POV

The moment my power surged, the man’s body jerked violently, his limbs locking in place as if invisible chains had bound him. His eyes widened in shock, his breathing turning ragged as he struggled to move.

The others staggered back, their expressions shifting from amusement to confusion.

“H-Hey, what the hell—?” one of them stammered, reaching out toward his frozen friend.

Then, with a sharp crack, the man’s wrist twisted at an unnatural angle.

A strangled scream tore from his throat, but the pounding music swallowed the sound, drowning his agony in the bass.

The other men weren’t spared.

One by one, their bodies stiffened, their own bones snapping as if unseen hands were mercilessly twisting them apart. Knees buckled, shoulders wrenched at painful angles, and they collapsed onto the floor in a heap of writhing agony.

Tears of pain streaked down their faces as they clutched their broken limbs, their bravado crumbling into pitiful sobs.

I stood over them, my gaze cold and unyielding.

“You should’ve stayed in your lane,” I murmured.

Elara gripped my wrist, her voice shaky. “Ariana… people are starting to notice.”

I snapped out of my trance and looked around. A few curious gazes had begun turning in our direction. If I stayed any longer, someone would realize what had happened.

I took Elara’s hand and swiftly pulled her away, leaving the broken men writhing in pain on the floor as we disappeared into the crowd.

Once we were outside the ballroom, I finally let go of Elara’s wrist. The cold night air hit us, a stark contrast to the suffocating heat of the party. The sound of music still thumped through the walls, but out here, it was easier to breathe.

Elara turned to me, her expression torn between awe and unease. “Thanks, Ariana. Really.” She hesitated, then added, “But… when did your powers become so brutal?”

I tilted my head slightly, not understanding the concern in her voice. “That was a little pain, Elara. They’re werewolves—they’ll heal.”

“That’s not what I meant.” She rubbed her arms as if trying to shake off a lingering chill. “I saw your face when you did it. Your eyes… it wasn’t you anymore.”

I frowned. Not me?

I didn’t feel any different. Those men had deserved it. If anything, I had held back.

“I think you’re imagining things,” I said dismissively. “Anyway, I’m looking for Seline. Have you seen her?”

Elara hesitated, still eyeing me warily, but eventually nodded. “Last I saw, she stepped out with two guys. Looked… suspicious.”

I exhaled sharply. Of course she did.

“Take care, Elara.” I turned, heading down the hallway.

“Ariana—” she started, but I didn’t stop.

I had a feeling Seline was up to something. And I was going to find out exactly what.

The ballroom was still alive with music and laughter, but out here, the air was quieter—until I heard voices echoing from further down the hallway.

I immediately pressed myself against the wall, slipping into the shadows. My heart pounded as I strained to listen.

“…when are you going to tell her the truth?” James’ voice was low but firm.

A pause. Then Damien’s voice followed, colder. “She doesn’t need to know about it.”

I frowned, my grip tightening against the wall. Know about what?

James scoffed. “You think she won’t find out? If not from you, then from someone else?”

“She won’t,” Damien said flatly. “Not if we handle things properly.”

James let out a frustrated sigh. “Damien, you’re planning an entire marriage based on something she doesn’t even understand. The moment she finds out, you’ll have bigger problems.”

“I don’t care,” Damien said, his tone final. “She’s mine, James. Whether she accepts it or not. Her aura is unlike anything else, and I won’t let Lycus have her. She is the one that will make me empire stronger.”

I waited for them to walk away till I couldn’t hear their voices. What is Damien talking about?

I went to the opposite direction.

My mind was still reeling from Damien’s words, but I pushed the thoughts aside. Focus on Seline first.

She had left the ballroom earlier with two men. If she was scheming, this was my chance to get proof.

Following the faint sound of voices, I came to a stop near a slightly ajar door. The flickering glow of small light spilled into the hallway. I peered inside carefully.

Seline stood near the center of the room, her back partially turned to me. Across from her was a man—his broad frame blocking most of my view.

Then, to my disgust, he leaned in and kissed her.

I gritted my teeth and quickly pulled out my phone, hitting the record button. Got you.

Seline pulled back, a smirk on her lips. “Be patient,” she purred.

The man let out an impatient sigh. “Are the plans in progress?”

“Yes,” she replied smoothly. “Soon, this territory will be ours.”

I stiffened, my pulse spiking.

The man nodded approvingly. “And your other self? Is she progressing in the other territory?”

Seline’s expression faltered slightly. “He’s resisting,” she admitted. “But not for long. I’ll speed things up—I’ll seduce him if I have to.”

The man chuckled, his voice full of pride. “That’s why I love you. You always think ahead.”

He reached for her again, pulling her flush against him. His hands roamed her body with a familiarity that made my stomach churn.

I clenched my jaw and turned my head away, unwilling to watch. But I kept my phone steady, ensuring it recorded every moment. I need proof.

Seline let out a soft, pleased hum. “You’re in a good mood tonight.”

The man’s voice deepened. “I’ll give you a taste of what’s to come.”

Something in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. What does he mean?

I risked a glance back, and my breath caught.

His body glowed faintly, a golden shimmer outlining his form. Then, right before my eyes, his shape began to shift. His broad shoulders widened, his posture altered, and his entire frame changed until—

Until he looked exactly like Damien.

My fingers tightened around my phone.

Seline’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Now this is the form I love best.”

The man—or whatever he was—chuckled. “Of course you do.”

My breathing grew shallow as realization struck me like a lightning bolt.

He can change forms.

This wasn’t a simple illusion. It wasn’t some trick of the light. The man standing before Seline had completely transformed into Damien—down to the last detail. Even his voice carried the same commanding edge.

A thousand questions raced through my mind, but I didn’t have time to process them. My fingers, damp with sweat, gripped my phone tighter as I took a slow step back—

And my elbow knocked against the door frame.

A quiet thud echoed in the dimly lit corridor.

I froze.

Seline’s head snapped toward the sound, her sharp eyes narrowing. The man beside her turned as well, his expression unreadable.

For a heartbeat, silence hung in the air.

Then Seline took a slow step forward. “Who’s there?”