Chapter 5 The Last Good Night
Two Years Ago
My father always said the moon favored birthdays.
It hung lower tonight, huge and gold, brushing its light over the city like a blessing. From our balcony, Silverbourne looked almost kind, no politics, no whispers, just the hum of life below and the glow of our family’s tower crest, Hart Industries, shining proudly in blue glass.
“You’re staring again,” my father said, stepping beside me. His reflection met mine in the window, grey at the temples, eyes tired but still bright. “What’s caught your eye this time, little wolf?”
“The city,” I said, smiling. “It feels alive tonight.”
“It’s always alive,” he said, handing me a flute of sparkling cider. “Just not always honest about it.”
He said things like that sometimes, half jokes, half lessons I didn’t yet understand.
Behind us, the music from the ballroom floated through the open doors, piano notes soft as sighs, my mother laughing with the pack elders, a sea of shimmering gowns and polished smiles. The celebration was as grand as he’d promised, with banners embroidered in silver thread and trays of moonfruit tarts.
A Beta’s daughter’s eighteenth wasn’t just a birthday; it was an event. A declaration that I was grown, that my wolf and I were one.
And yet, here we were, hiding on the balcony, stealing a quiet moment like fugitives from our own party.
“Your mother’s already planning next year’s debut,” he said, leaning on the rail. “Thinks you should attend the council summit as part of Luna’s delegation. Grayson’s mother agrees.”
My cheeks warmed. “Dad.”
He grinned. “What? You think I don’t notice the way that boy looks at you or the other way around?”
“He doesn’t look at me, and I absolutely do not look at him in any way.” The words came out too quickly, too defensive. The blush on my cheeks betrayed my lie.
The truth is entirely different. I have looked at him as a love-sick fool would for as long as I can remember. Especially since knowing that our families formed a marriage alliance between Grayson and me when we were just kids.
Though nothing was put in black and white but it was never really necessary when our mothers had been best friends since they were pups, and our fathers were business partners, best friends, and not to mention Alpha and Beta to all the packs of Silverbourne.
His brow arched. “Mm. If you say so.” He took a slow sip of his drink. “He’s a good lad. Noble. But don’t lose yourself for anyone, Evie. Not even an Alpha’s heir.”
I frowned, half teasing, half-curious. “You sound like you don’t trust him.”
“I don’t trust anyone with you, you're my most precious in this life,” he said lightly, though something in his tone made me glance at him. His gaze had gone distant, fixed on the skyline. “Silverbourne looks clean from up here. But in the council halls, it’s a snake pit. The Vances, the Knights, even us, we’re all pretending at peace while counting each other’s weaknesses.”
I tried to laugh it off. “You make it sound like war.”
“Politics always is,” he said. Then he smiled again, softening. “But that’s not your burden, not yet. Tonight, you’re just my brilliant daughter. turning eighteen, fierce, and far too clever for this world.”
Something tightened in my chest at the way he said tonight. Like he was carving the moment into memory.
A waiter appeared at the door. “Sir, Lady Hart is looking for you. The Knights just arrived.”
Father nodded, finishing his drink. “The Alphas never arrive quietly.” He turned to me, setting his hands gently on my shoulders. “Smile, Evie. Show them that a Hart never bows.”
I wanted to tell him I wasn’t sure what that meant yet, but I nodded anyway.
Inside, the ballroom shimmered under floating lights. I’d been to a hundred gatherings in my life, but tonight every glance felt different. A little more weighted. A little more watchful.
Grayson was already there, taller than I remembered, his training having carved something harder into his posture. When he saw me, his expression softened briefly, then Chloe Vance leaned in close, whispering something that made him laugh.
A small, sharp sound escaped me before I could stop it.
“Don’t let her rattle you,” my father murmured beside me. “The Vances thrive on jealousy. Isabelle trained her daughter well, exactly in her own image.”
I forced a smile, though my heart thudded uncomfortably. “You sound like you’ve been at war with them for years.”
He gave a low chuckle. “Decades, more like. But the Knights keep us balanced. That’s the beauty of the pack: Knight for strength, Hart for wealth, Vance for force. Take one away, and Silverbourne falls.”
The words lingered. I didn’t know then how close we already were to falling.
Later that night, when the guests had drifted home and the servants cleared away the silver trays, I found my father alone in his study. Papers scattered, a half-drained glass beside him.
“Still working?” I asked.
He looked up, startled, then smiled. “Habit.” He gestured to the ledgers. “Numbers don’t sleep.”
I stepped closer. “You’ve been quiet all evening.”
He hesitated, then said, “The council’s been… tense. Some discrepancies in the trade accounts. Isabelle’s been stirring up trouble, hinting that I’ve mismanaged funds.” He shook his head. “It’s nonsense, but whispers grow fast here.”
Something cold brushed the base of my spine. “Can’t Alpha Marcus stop it?”
“He’s trying.” He looked at me, expression softening. “Don’t worry, Evie. It’s nothing that can’t be fixed.”
He reached for my hand, pressing a small, velvet-wrapped box into it.
I frowned, opening it to find a pendant, a silver wolf with sapphire eyes.
“It was your grandmother’s,” he said quietly. “Wear it when you need courage.”
“Why do I feel like you’re saying goodbye?”
He smiled, tired. “Maybe I’m just being sentimental.”
Outside, the moon slipped behind a cloud, and for a moment the whole city dimmed.
I didn’t know it then, but that was the last night I’d see my father truly at peace.