Chapter 69

Chapter 69
Eva's POV

The buzz of excitement had started to stretch beyond the walls of the penthouse. It wasn’t just us anymore. This wedding, as fake and contractual as it was, was gaining attention, like a match tossed into dry leaves. It was spreading.

I had barely finished my breakfast when I noticed the scent of unfamiliar wolves around the building. Mail carriers. Dominic barely looked up from his tablet when I asked about it.

“The invitations are going out today,” he said simply, sipping his coffee.

I blinked. “Already?”

He gave a light shrug. “Father moves quickly when he wants something don as soon as possible."

Hector had approved the wedding, and in less than twenty-four hours, the guest list had been finalized, names from all around the region added and sorted based on power, influence, and reputation. The Goldfang Pack was known for hosting elaborate occasions, and this was no exception.

By noon, dozens of professionally printed, gold-embossed wedding invitations had been picked up by emissaries and sent off to major packs across the continent. Some were hand-delivered. No one ignored a summon—or invitation—signed with Hector Goldfang’s personal seal.

Dominic and I watched from the balcony as the pack's fastest runners transformed and vanished into the woods, their packages secured in leather satchels across their backs. Each one carried a message of power, union, and a new beginning.

But even I knew better. This wasn’t about love or unity. This was politics. Strategy. Hector was making a statement, and I was part of it.

The day moved on with quiet anticipation. Inside the penthouse, decorators came in and out to show Dominic color swatches and theme samples. I followed him around, giving my opinion where I could, but mostly staying quiet. The more I tried to pretend this was real, the harder it became to suppress the strange flutter in my chest.

Around late afternoon, we were notified that the first wave of responses had arrived. Some packs had immediately sent back their congratulations. Others promised to attend. And then there were those who didn’t reply—silent, calculating types who were probably wondering what the Goldfang heir wanted with a nobody like me.

Still, the chatter was growing. I could feel it in the air.

Far from the buzz of our preparations, in the quiet luxurious mountainside estate of the Mayhem Pack, Victoria Mayhem reclined in her spa room, surrounded by candles, rose petals, and two silent attendants massaging her shoulders.

Her eyes were closed, lips curved in smug satisfaction. In her world, nothing went wrong. She was born into prestige, wealth, and admiration. And Dominic Vaughan was supposed to be the crown jewel she’d add to her collection. It was no secret Hector had tried for years to merge her father's resources by tying them together through marriage. She’d though she would played her role with grace and elegance. But Dominic had other plans.

A faint knock sounded on the double doors of her spa sanctuary.

“Enter,” she called, barely opening her eyes.

One of her guards, a stiff-looking man in a pressed grey uniform, walked in and presented a square, gold-lined envelope on a velvet tray.

Victoria opened her eyes slowly, eyeing the invitation with curiosity. “Who is sending things without calling first?” she asked, irritation lacing her words.

“From the Vaguhan estate,” the guard replied.

A spark of interest flashed in her eyes as she sat up straighter. She reached for the envelope with long, manicured fingers, slicing it open with a sharp nail. As she pulled out the contents, her lips curled with satisfaction at first.

Her eyes scanned the announcement, every elegant stroke of lettering confirming what she had heard through whispers but refused to believe.

Dominic Vaughan & Eva
Cordially invite you to witness their union on…

She didn’t need to read further.

Her spa room suddenly felt like it was suffocating her.

“What is this?” she hissed, her tone sharp enough to make the massage attendants freeze.

The guard remained motionless. “Their wedding, ma’am.”

Her nails crumpled the card slowly, her jaw clenching tighter with every second that passed. The scent of rosewater and lavender did nothing to calm the fire raging within her.

“She’s a nobody,” Victoria spat. “A low-born debt daughter from a family of beggars.”

She stood up, her silk robe falling open slightly as she stormed across the room. “Dominic wouldn’t, he couldn’t, choose her over me.”

The silence that followed was heavy.

The guard cleared his throat awkwardly. “It’s been officially confirmed, ma’am. The union is taking place this weekend. Hector himself signed off on it.”

Victoria turned slowly, her eyes narrowed into slits. She was beautiful, yes, but the rage contorting her face was anything but.

“Do you think this is a game?” she whispered, voice deadly calm.

“No, ma’am.”

She threw the crumpled invitation at the floor with force. “Then tell the driver to get the car ready. I’ll be attending.”

The guard gave a small bow before turning and leaving quickly.

Alone again, Victoria stared into the mirror hanging across the room. Her chest rose and fell with every breath. Beneath her pride was the sting of betrayal—and a growing need for vengeance.

“If Dominic thinks he can humiliate me like this,” she murmured to her reflection, “then he’s made a mistake he’ll regret for the rest of his life.”

\---

Meanwhile, back at the penthouse, I was curled on the couch, sipping tea while Dominic reviewed the incoming RSVP list. His sharp eyes flicked across the names, his face unreadable.

“Anything interesting?” I asked, trying to mask my nerves.

He didn’t look up. “Everyone expected to come is coming. Except…”

I raised a brow. “Except who?”

“Victoria Mayhem.”

My stomach twisted. “She hasn’t responded?”

“She has now,” he said, finally setting the tablet aside. “She’ll be attending.”

I nodded slowly. “Of course she will.”

He glanced at me. “Don’t let her get under your skin. This is just for show, remember?”

This is the first time I'll be meeting her. The main reason behind this in the first place.