Chapter 54 Slipped
Ryzen’s arm was steady under Selene’s hand as they walked.
The hallway they passed through felt longer than it ever had before. Not because the distance changed, but because the air changed. Everything seemed louder.... The faint tap of shoes against polished floors, the soft rustle of Selene’s dress, the quiet murmur of people ahead.
Selene kept her chin up, but her heart beat fast.
The silver fabric moved with her steps like moonlight sliding over water. It didn’t feel heavy, but she still felt like everyone could see how nervous she was. Her body had healed enough to stand longer, yet she still felt weak in small ways. Not in her legs but inside.
Ryzen leaned slightly closer, his voice low so only she could hear.
“Breathe,” he whispered.
Selene glanced at him. “I am breathing.”
Ryzen’s lips curved. “Not properly.”
Selene tried to glare, but it didn’t last. “You’re annoying.”
“And you’re doing fine,” he replied.
Ahead, two guards stood in front of large double doors.
The doors were tall, made of dark wood with silver carvings along the edges. Symbols were engraved into the surface. Old marks that looked like they carried history. The handles were shaped like wolves, their heads facing each other, as if guarding what was inside.
Light spilled from the small gap beneath the doors, warm and golden.
Voices drifted through too.
Laughter.
Music.
The sound of a crowd.
Selene’s fingers tightened on Ryzen’s arm.
Ryzen noticed. He didn’t say anything. He simply shifted his arm slightly, giving her more support without making it obvious then he gave a short nod to the guards.
The guards opened the doors and Selene stepped into the ballroom.
For a second, her eyes couldn’t adjust.
The room was bright—lit with chandeliers that hung like crystal stars. Candlelight glowed from every corner, flickering softly. Long tables lined the walls, filled with food and drinks. The center of the room was open, polished wood reflecting the light, ready for dancing.
Banners hung high above, deep blue and silver, the Montclair crest shining in embroidered thread.
People filled the room.
High-ranking wolves. Warriors. Council members. Important families. Women in elegant dresses, men in sharp suits, everyone standing in groups, talking, laughing, sipping from glasses.
Then the music softened.
Not because someone told it to.
Because everyone saw them.
Selene felt it instantly—the shift in the room. The way conversations paused like someone had snapped their fingers. Heads turned. Eyes locked. The air grew thick with attention.
She wished she could disappear but Ryzen didn’t let her.
He walked forward calmly, like this was nothing, like he owned every stare.
Selene followed, keeping her steps steady and then she heard it.
Whispers.
“Who is she?”
“I’ve never seen her before.”
“Is she from another pack?”
“No… if she was, we would’ve known.”
“Why is she with the Alpha?”
“She’s beautiful…”
“That dress—”
“That face—”
Selene’s cheeks warmed.
She could feel eyes on her from every direction, like invisible hands brushing her skin. Some stares felt curious. Some looked impressed. Some looked confused.
But some…Some looked sharp.
Jealous.
Angry.
Selene caught a glance from a woman near the left side of the room. The woman’s smile was polite, but her eyes were cold. Another woman beside her whispered something, and they both looked Selene up and down like she was an insult.
Selene’s stomach twisted.
Ryzen’s grip stayed steady.
They walked toward a table slightly raised at the far end of the ballroom. It wasn’t a throne, but it was clearly meant for the council and the leaders. Several older men and women stood there, wearing formal clothing and serious expressions.
The Montclair Council.
Selene could feel her heart pounding in her ears.
Ryzen stopped in front of them, then turned slightly to Selene.
“You’re doing fine,” he murmured again.
Selene forced herself to nod.
Ryzen faced the council and gave a respectful bow.
The council members nodded back.
Then Ryzen spoke clearly.
“Good evening,” he said. “I apologize for arriving late.”
One of the elders, an older man with silver hair, smiled faintly. “You are not late, Alpha. We were simply waiting for you.”
Ryzen nodded, then looked at Selene.
“And this,” Ryzen said, his voice calm but proud, “is Selene.”
A wave of whispering rose again behind them.
Selene felt her hands go cold.
The council’s eyes shifted to her.
She bowed her head politely. “Good evening.”
For a moment, she expected tension. Suspicion. Coldness but instead the elder woman beside the silver-haired man stepped forward slightly, her expression warm.
“Welcome, Selene,” she said with utmost sincerity. “You are under Montclair protection as long as you stand under this roof.”
Selene blinked, surprised.
Another council member nodded. “We have heard of your recovery. We are glad you are well enough to attend.”
Selene swallowed. “Thank you.”
The warmth didn’t feel fake.
It felt… real and that scared her in a different way because kindness always came with a price in her world but here, for a moment, it didn’t.
Ryzen turned slightly, as if to guide Selene to the side.
But before he could someone approached quickly.
Shaux. The Beta.
He moved close to Ryzen, leaning in just enough to whisper. His expression stayed calm, but his eyes were serious.
Selene didn’t hear everything, but she caught a few words.
“Someone important… wants to talk… privately.”
Ryzen’s jaw tightened just slightly. A small change, but Selene noticed. He glanced at Selene for a brief moment.
Then he turned to the council. “Excuse me,” he said politely. “I will be away for a moment.”
The elder man nodded. “Go.”
Ryzen turned back to Selene.
His voice lowered. “Stay here. Don’t wander.”
Selene raised an eyebrow. “I’m not a child.”
Ryzen’s lips twitched. “You’re stubborn.”
“And you’re controlling.”
Ryzen almost smiled, but he held it back. Instead, he leaned slightly closer.
“If anything feels wrong,” he whispered, “leave the room and go to the guards. Tell them my name.”
Selene’s throat tightened. “Ryzen…”
He looked at her, serious now. “Promise me.”
Selene nodded slowly. “Okay.”
Ryzen hesitated, like he wanted to say more.
Then he stepped back.
“I’ll return soon,” he said before he was gone, disappearing into the crowd with Shaux.
Selene stood still.
Alone.
The music returned, slowly building again as people regained their voices. Conversations restarted like nothing had happened but Selene could feel it.
Now that Ryzen wasn’t beside her, the room didn’t feel safe anymore.
Eyes returned to her, sharper now.
Whispers grew louder.
Some people didn’t even try to hide it.
“I wonder what Alpha seen in her.”
“Where did the Alpha go?”
“She looks nothing special?”
“She doesn’t look like she belongs here.”
Selene clenched her hands lightly.
She reminded herself not to panic.
Just stand here. Wait. Breathe.
She turned slightly toward the table of drinks, thinking maybe water would calm her throat.
That’s when someone stepped closer.
A girl with brown hair stood near the food table, holding a plate. She looked around Selene’s age, maybe a little older. Her face was pretty in a soft way—bright eyes, neat hair, a practiced smile.
She walked toward Selene with light steps.
Selene didn’t know her.
But the girl smiled politely.
“Excuse me,” the girl said sweetly, shifting her plate in her hands.
Selene nodded, trying to be polite. “Yes?”
The girl stepped closer—too close.
Selene moved slightly back, but the crowd was tight behind her.
Then the girl’s hand “slipped.”
Her plate tilted.
Food and sauce spilled in one motion.
Right onto Selene’s silver dress.
Warm liquid spread across the fabric, staining it instantly. A piece of meat slid down the front. Dark sauce splattered near Selene’s waist.
The ballroom went quiet again.
Selene froze.
The girl gasped loudly, eyes wide, acting shocked.
“Oh my goodness!” she cried. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!”
Selene stared at the stain.
Her breath caught.
Her heart thudded once.
Then twice.
She slowly lifted her gaze and met the girl’s eyes.
The girl was still smiling.
Just slightly.
Just enough for Selene to know that it wasn’t an accident.
And the worst part?
Ryzen wasn’t there.