By the time they arrived, the ballroom was alive with the hum of conversation and the gentle clinking of sses
The crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the elegantly dressed crowd, creating a shimmering spectacle of light and shadow.
As Nora and Leo stepped through the grand double doors, heads turned almost instantly.
Nora''s appearance was nothing short of captivating
Her gown, a deep champagne golden thatplimented her striking features, swept gracefully along the polished floor.
The subtle sparkle of her earrings caught the light, drawing attention to her poised expression.
Len, in his tailored midnight-ck suit, exuded a quiet authority that made him the perfect counterpart to Nora''s elegance
"Mr. Leo. Ms. Nara the host eximed, moving quickly to greet them. His smile was broad and genuine, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. "What a pleasure to have you both here tonight." "The pleasure is ears" Leo replied smoothly, shaking the host''s hand. Nora offered a warm smile, her voice calm and measured as she added. "The arrangements are beautiful. It''s a lovely gathering"
As they exchanged pleasantries, Nora couldn''t ignore the growing ripple of whispers among the guests. Eyes darted toward the entrance, and a wave of surprise spread through the room.
Curious, she and Leo turned their heads to see what had drawn such a reaction.
The doors creaked open, and a sudden tension swept over the atmosphere.
Beside her, Lena, her wolf stiffened, her voice a hurried whisper. "It''s him. He''s here."
Nora muttered "Who?, though she already suspected the answer.
"Arnold." Lena murmured, a hint of excitement andplexity in her tone.
The band between their ma
mates still kept them irresistibly drawn to each other, but Nora understood that they were getting farther apart.
True to Lena''s words, Arnold strode into the room with practiced ease.
Hismanding presence drew attention as he walked, his friends trailing behind him.
Among them was Linda, wearing a gown that was unmistakably from one of the most exclusive boutiques in the region.
The shimmering silver fabric clung to her frame, the intricate beadwork catching the light with every step. Her beauty, amplified by her choice of attire, was undeniably striking.
The crowd buzzed with hushed remarks. "That gown... it''s from "élode Haute Couture", isnt it?" year''s sry"
someone whispered Theard it costs more than a
"She must be someone important," another voice chimed in. "Do you think she''s Arnold''s date? Maybe the future Luna?"
Nora''s heart sank, t
,,though her expression remained calm.
Her years of experience in public settings had trained her to mask her emotions.
However, the quiet murmur of a nearby ge ched her ears, bringing a small, unexpected relief.
"To be honest, I much prefer thedy in the champagne golden gown," a manmented, gesturing
subtly toward Nura. "There''s something rape about her. That kind of grace at something money can buy
noise in the balls
ballroom seemed to
Arnold''s gaze swept across the room, his expression unreadable until his eyesnded on Nora. For a brief moment, the noise fade, and an unspoken tension stretched between them.
Beside him. Linda followed his line of sight, her expression shifting su
subtly to one of irritation.
Leg stepped closer to Nora, his presence grounding and protective. He leaned in slightly, his voice low and calm. "Are you all
Nora nodded, her eyes never leaving Arnold. "Tim fine," she replied, though the flutter of unease in her chest betrayed her words.
The warmth of the ballroom seemed distant to Nora as her thoughts drifted.
The Snowmoon pack was small, everyone knew that.
They didn''t have the resources to aff
afferd such
?vextravagant luxuries, let alone fund Linda''s opulent lifestyle.
It wasn''t hard to piece together the truth: Arnold had bought the gown for Linda.
And not just any gown."that" gown. The one from the high-end boutique, its price is like a looming mountain of gold that has deterred countless people. A symbol of his favor, his care.
Nora''s chest tightened briefly, though her face betrayed nothing. She''d always prided herself on herposure, and tonight was no exception. But Leo, standing beside her, wasn''t so easily fooled.
He leaned closer, his sharp eyes scanning her face.
"Nora" be said gently, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "What''s wrong?"
Nora took a steadying breath and turned to him, her lips curving into a faint smile. Tm fine," she replied smoothly, though the tightness in her tone hinted otherwise.
Leo wasn''t convinced. You''re quiet. Too quiet," he pressed, his gaze unwavering. "If something''s bothering you, you can tell me."
matters anymore,
1 appreciate it, Les, but really. I''m fine," she assured him, her voice soft but firm. "It''s nothing that ma And she meant it or at least she was trying to convince herself she did.
Yes, Arnold''s gesture had stung at first, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized she was fast ceasing to care.
Arnold could dress Linda in gold and diamonds for all she cared.
It wouldn''t change who he was or what he had done.
Still, it was hard not to notice the way Arnold and Linda had effortlessly be the center of attention.
A group of guests had gathered around them, theirughter and admiration filling the air.
Linda, basking in the attention, smiled graciously, her every movement calcted to showcase her beauty and charm.
Nora felt a subtle shift in the room''s energy.
It was as if a thread had pulled her attention involuntarily toward Arnold. She looked over, her gaze meeting his for a fraction of a second.
Perhaps he had felt her gazoe or perhaps Enzo, Arnold''s wolf, had
The''s here," Enzo''s voice echoed in Arnold''s und low and insistent. "I can feel her presence. We should meet her."
Arnold frowned slightly, his eyes scaring the roo
"Why would I do that?" he muttered internally, his voiceced with irritation. "If she''s here, it''s because she''s chasing after ine