Chapter 141 The Masquerade of Wolves
\[Lilia\]
My nerves were on edge, and my stomach was starting to get queasy again. I pushed the sensation down, refusing to ruin the hours of meticulous work the team had put into my transformation. The only thing missing—the only thing that would feel right—was the diamond Kael gave me. I left it back in Russia, stashed in a safe place I hoped no one would find. How I wished this night brought me joy instead of this high-wire act of anxiety.
A knock startled me, and the door opened to reveal Pa. Todd and the rest of the team instantly retreated as my grandfather’s gaze swept over me from head to toe.
“Ah, so beautiful, mio cara. You look like an angel.” He spread his arms and glided toward me, pulling me into a gentle hug, careful not to crush the intricate beadwork of my gown.
He kissed my cheeks before pulling back to stare at me with a proud grin. He was dressed in a simple, perfectly tailored black suit with a white rose pinned to his chest, matching his necktie. His graying hair was swept back in a sleek style that made him look every bit the patriarch.
“You look dashing as well, Pa.”
If things were different—if Kael were standing here instead of that dreaded bastard Ronan—I would be happy. But I was trapped in a storm of mixed emotions. I was delighted that my last living relative had claimed me with such pride, yet I couldn’t shake the despair riding in my chest. The man I wanted most was thousands of miles away.
“Your mask, signorina.” Linda appeared, handing me an elegant black mask adorned with feathers.
“Let me.” Pa took the mask and placed it over my face. It only covered the upper half, leaving my nose and mouth exposed. Todd helped Pa tie the straps with a loose knot, ensuring I could remove it later without ruining my hair.
“It’s time. The guests are waiting. Shall we?”
Pa offered his arm, and I wound mine through it. As we stepped into the corridor, I was startled to see an entourage of guards waiting. My steps faltered at the sheer number of them. Pa noticed and gently tapped my hand. “Don’t worry, cara. They are here to keep you safe.”
I nodded and steadied myself. We moved along the corridor, my skirt billowing behind me and my heels clicking rhythmically against the marble. As we reached the grand staircase, the soft swell of music reached my ears. My heart hammered against my throat, but I kept my head high, taking refuge behind the feathers of my mask.
The ballroom was vast and packed with strangers, all hiding behind their own masks. Only Pa remained bare-faced; as he told me earlier, everyone already knew him, and masks merely irritated him.
The music stopped the moment we reached the top of the stairs. A hundred pairs of curious eyes swung toward me in a heavy, collective stare. My palms became clammy. If Pa hadn't been holding me, I might have rolled down the stairs and made a truly humiliating first impression.
“Relax, cara. They just want to meet you,” Pa whispered.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Pa began, his voice projecting across the silent room while I fixed my gaze on the central chandelier to keep from shaking. “It has been years since I lost my only angel, Celestina. But by some miracle, fate has brought me what was left of her soul—my granddaughter. We have been apart for a long time, but here she is tonight. May I present to you my beloved granddaughter and my one true heir, Lilia De Luca.”
The explosion of applause was a perfect match for the tumultuous hammering of my heart. I felt lightheaded.
“Music, maestro!”
The orchestra harmonized, and Pa guided me down the stairs into the den of wolves. At the final step, a man in a deep maroon suit stepped forward. He wore a mask that was the inverse of mine—covering only his nose and mouth. It was an eerie, golden laughing face.
“May I have the pleasure of the first dance?”
I fought the urge to grimace at the sound of his voice. With everyone watching my mouth, any curl of disgust would be visible. I kept my choreographed smile and looked at Pa. I hoped for a decline, but I knew it was as likely as a star falling on command.
“Go on, cara. It is right to have Ronan as your first dance.”
Hell be damned.
I stared at the devil. The corner of his eye twitched, and I could practically feel him snorting and sniffing beneath that mask.
“Everyone is watching you, cara,” he whispered in my ear as he led me to the center of the floor and pulled me into his arms.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I retorted through clenched teeth.
We began to glide.
“Let’s be honest,” he said, his voice dropping. “No one here cares who you are. They only care about the wealth hanging over your head.”
“Oh, so they are just like you, then?” I mused, lifting my chin.
“When Signore announced you as the only heir, he put a target on you. Like prized cattle ready to be disposed of once you've served your purpose.”
“Isn't that what you’re planning to do?” I subtly sniggered, maintaining the facade of a happy dancer. This felt like the auction all over again, only this time the bidders were dressed in silk and lace.
“Ah, you’re getting clever. But the old man would be sad if I disposed of you too soon. We have a charade to play until he draws his last breath.”
“I despise you.”
“Such a strong word. It hurts,” he mocked. “But don't worry. I’ll change that once we’re married and I have you screaming my name while I plant a seed in your belly.”
My skin crawled, and I fought the urge to vomit right on his maroon suit. “That’s not going to happen.”
“We’ll see,” Ronan snorted. He twirled me around, then grabbed my hips to pull me back into the glide. “And oh, that window-sneaking friend of yours is beautiful. Would you be so kind as to introduce us?”
My heart stopped. My steps faltered, and for a second, the room spun. Ronan was quick; he lifted me by the waist, spinning us to cover my stumble before setting me back down.
I couldn’t speak. My palm against his went cold. Had he caught Sasha?
“H-how did you know? Is she alive?” My voice cracked.
“She’s a feisty one. She managed to escape before I could pull the trigger. Don’t worry, she’ll be fine, just a few broken ribs. You know I have eyes everywhere.”
Relief flooded me, though it was tempered by the guilt of her injury. The song ended, and we both bowed. I was ready to bolt, but another hand shot out from the crowd, intercepting me.
“May I have the next dance, la signorina?”
Oh, hell. I just wanted to go to sleep.