Chapter 5

Victoria's POV I escaped the bathroom, running my fingers along the back of my neck, desperately wanting to scrub away the feeling of Ethan's attempted kiss. The urge to shower was overwhelming, to wash away any trace of his touch. Before I could leave, Damien's voice caught me from behind, carrying notes of both mockery and amusement. "You're quite the fierce one, aren't you?" I couldn't tell if he was complimenting or mocking me. I stopped and turned to face him. "Doesn't someone who does wrong deserve punishment?" "By that logic," Damien replied, his voice smooth as silk, "I just saved you. How do you plan to thank me?" He leaned against the sink counter, arms crossed over his broad chest, his long legs casually stretched out in front of him. Those tailored dress pants did nothing to hide his powerful physique. The sheer dominance radiating from him made me uncomfortable. He carried himself like an Alpha who knew his power and wasn't afraid to use it. "Since you're dining here too, Mr. Sterling, perhaps I could pick up your bill tonight," I offered, not wanting to be indebted to him. A ghost of a smile played across Damien's lips. "Mr. Sterling? Is that how formal you are with all your one-night stands?" I felt my cheeks heat despite myself. "That's your idea of payment?" he continued, his voice dropping lower. "Am I that cheap in your eyes?" "Then what do you want?" I frowned, beginning to realize that the trouble I'd impulsively gotten myself into last night might be far worse than I'd anticipated. I didn't know Damian well, but the rumors about him were notorious. Everyone said he was ruthless in his methods. His mother had died young, and his father quickly remarried. That stepmother had suffered multiple miscarriages, and everyone firmly believed Damian was secretly behind it—he would never tolerate any potential heir who might threaten his position in the pack. He'd been banished from the pack because of this, only to be brought back later. Word was he secretly colluded with rogues, involved in some truly terrible business. I already harbored deep-seated prejudices against him. Damian studied me leisurely, as if appraising some rare treasure. "Haven't decided yet. Why don't we keep it as an IOU..." He suddenly curved his lips into a smile. "But seriously, it's such a waste that my pathetic brother never got to experience the exquisite pleasure of your body." I turned my face away, refusing to respond to his crude provocation. --- When I returned to our private room, Grace looked up with concern. "Victoria, you were gone so long! Everything okay?" "Everything's fine," I replied, wanting to move past the incident. "Let's continue our dinner." "Oh, I almost forgot!" Grace exclaimed, suddenly excited. "Remember that jewelry design competition? I submitted some of your previous work, and guess what? You won the gold prize! Several famous jewelry companies are dying to sign you. Here's your certificate and prize money—I'll transfer it to you." I merely nodded, unfazed by the news. After all, I’d been molded for excellence my entire life. Music, chess, painting, calligraphy—every refined art a perfect heiress was expected to master, I had conquered with ease. But that was only the surface. Beneath the polished manners and silken dresses ran the blood of an Alpha heir. From the age of ten, I’d been trained by the best—hand-to-hand combat, blade mastery, marksmanship—each discipline drilled into perfection. My reflexes were lightning-fast, my strength twice that of a full-grown werewolf, and my instincts so razor-sharp I could sense danger before it dared to reveal itself. So someone like Ethan—a werewolf of merely average talent—was nothing more than a laughable, insignificant pest in my eyes. Yet I'd never had the chance to showcase these talents to Ethan during our time together. Now, of course, there was no reason to. After dinner, Grace tugged at my arm eagerly. "While it's still early, let's go!" I looked at her quizzically. "Go where?" "To the club! Don't you remember? I promised to introduce you to some male models." After the encounter with Ethan, my mood had soured completely. "Another time, perhaps?" Grace didn't push. "Alright, rest up the next few days. We'll definitely go next time!" After parting with Grace, I went straight home and spent two full hours in the shower, scrubbing at my neck where Ethan had tried to kiss me until the skin turned raw. Even then, I couldn't wash away the feeling of disgust. Over the next couple of days, my phone constantly rang with calls from jewelry companies eager to recruit me after my competition win. Sutton Jewelry, Scarlett's family business, even sent me an invitation, not realizing that the designer known as "Nine" was actually me. I ignored it completely. A few days later, it was time for the gala my grandfather had mentioned. Originally, he'd planned for us to attend together to announce my identity publicly, but he wasn't feeling well at the last minute, so I went alone. This was a birthday celebration for an important figure in the capital—an extravagantly luxurious affair. I arrived early, dressed in a black evening gown. Admiring glances were cast my way from all around. Such occasions were hardly foreign to me. After all, as the heir to the Lancaster family, I had been attending high-end social gatherings since childhood, so I could handle them with complete ease. Unfamiliar with the crowd, I kept to myself in a corner, unintentionally overhearing nearby conversations. "Have you heard? The Lancaster patriarch is supposed to attend tonight," one woman whispered excitedly. "The Lancaster family from overseas?" her companion asked. "Yes! Mr. Lancaster raised his granddaughter alone after his daughter and son-in-law died in that plane crash. He's been retired for years and rarely makes public appearances. Word is he's bringing his granddaughter tonight." "His granddaughter is set to become the next alpha of the Crescent Dawn Pack. All of the Lancaster fortune will go to her as well." "My God, that's the incredibly powerful Crescent Dawn Pack..." "I wonder what she looks like—she must be incredibly lucky." I listened to their speculation with wry amusement, knowing they had no idea the heir they were discussing stood right beside them. As more guests arrived, I spotted Ethan and Scarlett among them. They entered arm-in-arm, making a grand entrance as other guests offered their congratulations to the newlyweds. Author's POV Victoria stood at the edge of the ballroom, where golden chandeliers spilled soft light across a sea of glittering gowns and murmured laughter. She didn’t need to speak or move to draw attention—her presence alone demanded it. The moment she entered, the air shifted. Ethan saw her instantly. And for a heartbeat, he forgot how to breathe. He had never seen her like this—fierce, radiant, untouchable. The black gown hugged her body with sinful precision, every curve outlined in moonlit silk. Her golden hair was swept up, exposing the elegant line of her neck, and her crimson lips curled ever so slightly, as if mocking the very idea of heartbreak. The first glance stunned him. The second shattered what was left of his restraint. Even through the fading remnants of their bond, he could feel her—cool, distant, powerful. And gods, that made him want her all the more. Scarlett noticed his stare. Of course she did. Her laughter faltered as she followed his gaze, and when her eyes landed on Victoria, jealousy clawed its way to the surface. Her nails dug into her palms hard enough to draw blood. She came here for him, Scarlett thought, rage twisting her perfect features. That pathetic little omega actually followed us here. How else could someone like Victoria even step foot into such an exclusive event? The thought alone was enough to ignite Scarlett’s fury. And if Victoria wanted attention, she was about to get it—just not the kind she expected. Scarlett’s voice rang out, sharp and honeyed with malice. “Well, well… isn’t this a surprise? Who let her in?” she sneered, loud enough for the nearby guests to turn. “Security! This event is invitation-only. Please escort that woman out before she embarrasses herself further.” Whispers rippled through the room. Heads turned. Laughter flickered at the edges.