Chapter 41
Ophelia and Mack arrived at the Red Moon Pack in their sleek black car, the engine purring softly as they pulled up to the entrance. Ophelia glanced at the grand structure of the pack house, her eyes narrowing slightly. She had been here before, but today felt different. Today, she had a plan.
As the car came to a stop, Mack turned to her, his expression neutral but his eyes betraying the tension he felt. “Are you ready for this?” he asked quietly.
Ophelia gave him a tight smile. “Of course. Just follow my lead.”
They stepped out of the car, the chilly morning air brushing against their skin as they approached the entrance. Inside, Azalea was preparing herself, her heart racing with mixed emotions. She knew Ophelia and Mack would be arriving soon, and she wanted to make sure they saw that she wasn’t the weak, suffering woman they thought she was.
Dressed in a beautiful deep red gown, her hair perfectly styled, Azalea looked every bit the Luna she was. As she glanced at herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the interaction to come. She didn’t trust Ophelia, not for a second, but she had to play her part.
“Vick,” she called out softly, and her maid appeared at her side instantly.
“Yes, Luna?”
“Are they here?” Azalea asked, her voice steady despite the anxiety curling in her stomach.
Vick nodded. “Yes, they just arrived.”
Azalea straightened her posture and turned toward the door. “Good. Let’s go greet them.”
She walked gracefully down the stairs and into the grand foyer, where Ophelia and Mack were just stepping inside. The moment Ophelia saw Azalea, her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly masked her surprise with a broad, fake smile.
“Azalea!” Ophelia exclaimed, rushing forward and embracing her as if they were the closest of friends. “It’s been too long! You look stunning.”
Azalea returned the hug, though more stiffly, her smile polite but distant. “Thank you, Ophelia. It’s good to see you again.”
Ophelia pulled back, keeping her hands on Azalea’s shoulders as she looked her up and down. “I’m so happy to see you looking so well. I’ve been worried about you.”
Azalea gave her a small nod. “I’m doing just fine, thank you.”
Before the conversation could go any further, Federico entered the room, his presence commanding as always. Azalea’s heart skipped a beat when she saw him, and without thinking, she stepped toward him and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
Federico wrapped an arm around her waist, returning the kiss without hesitation. It was a brief but intimate gesture, one that spoke volumes about their relationship.
Ophelia’s face froze, her eyes wide with shock. Mack, standing beside her, shifted uncomfortably, clearly just as stunned. Ophelia had expected Azalea to be a broken, submissive woman, but this? This was not part of her plan.
“Oh, Federico,” Ophelia said quickly, recovering from her surprise and forcing a smile onto her face. “It’s wonderful to see you both so happy.”
Federico nodded in acknowledgment, though his attention remained on Azalea, his hand still resting on her lower back.
Ophelia’s eyes flicked toward Azalea’s stomach, and a calculating look crossed her face. “Federico,” she began, her tone light and casual, “I was wondering if Azalea might be able to accompany me to the hospital later. You know, just for a check-up on my baby. I thought it might be nice for us to go together.”
The words hit Azalea like a punch to the gut, though she kept her expression neutral, refusing to show how much it stung. Ophelia’s reminder of her pregnancy, a pregnancy that Azalea had once thought would be hers, was a cruel twist of the knife. But she wouldn’t give Ophelia the satisfaction of seeing her pain.
Federico glanced at Azalea, noticing the way her posture stiffened ever so slightly. He frowned and turned back to Ophelia. “Azalea has duties here,” he said firmly. “But Vick can accompany you to the hospital if you need help.”
Ophelia’s smile faltered for just a second before she quickly regained her composure. “Of course. That’s perfectly fine.”
Azalea caught Ophelia’s eyes for a brief moment, and she could see the flash of anger hidden behind the other woman’s fake smile. She knew Ophelia had wanted to hurt her with that comment, but Azalea wasn’t going to let it break her.
“Vick will be more than capable of helping you,” Azalea added, her voice calm and measured. “You’ll be in good hands.”
Ophelia nodded stiffly, her plan to rattle Azalea seemingly unsuccessful. “Yes, of course.”
With that, they exchanged a few more polite words before Ophelia and Mack excused themselves, heading toward their assigned rooms. Once they were out of earshot, Federico turned to Azalea, concerned in his eyes.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice soft as he gently brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
Azalea gave him a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m fine,” she lied. “Ophelia is just… being Ophelia.”
Federico didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t press her further. Instead, he kissed her forehead softly. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
Azalea nodded, though her mind was elsewhere, still reeling from the interaction with Ophelia. As much as she hated to admit it, the other woman’s words had struck a chord. But she wouldn’t let them control her.
—
Meanwhile, in a private chamber, Queen Selena and Queen Lucia sat with King Marcos, discussing the preparations for the upcoming ball. The king was in good spirits, though his sharp mind was focused on the political implications of the event.
“The ball will be a grand affair,” Queen Lucia said with a smile, though her tone was serious. “Many important guests will be attending. Everything must go smoothly.”
King Marcos nodded, leaning back in his chair. “Indeed. This is not just a celebration; it’s an opportunity to solidify alliances.”
As they continued discussing the details, Gabe, one of the sentinels, entered the room and bowed respectfully. “Your Majesties, the visitors have begun to arrive.”
Queen Selena’s face tightened slightly as she thought of Azalea. She turned to the king, her voice measured but with an edge of irritation. “I must say, my king, that Azalea spoke rather rudely to me earlier. She seems to have forgotten her place.”
King Marcos’s expression darkened. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” Queen Selena continued. “I believe it would be wise to remind her of the respect she owes to the crown. Perhaps a public lesson is in order.”
The king’s eyes flashed with cold authority. “If she has disrespected the royal family, she must be punished. I will deal with this matter personally during the ball. She will learn her lesson in front of all the guests.”
—
Ophelia, meanwhile, was seething as she paced back and forth in her room. Mack sat on the edge of the bed, watching her with a frown.
“I can’t believe that didn’t work,” Ophelia spat, her hands clenched into fists. “I thought for sure that bringing up the baby would break her.”
Mack shook his head. “It didn’t even phase her. She played it perfectly.”
Ophelia stopped pacing, her eyes narrowing. “We need a new plan. Something bigger. Something that will hurt her.”
Mack looked at her warily. “And what do you have in mind?”
Ophelia smiled darkly, her mind already racing with possibilities. “We’ll have to get creative, but there’s always a way to tear someone down. We just have to find the right angle.”
She sat down beside Mack, her eyes gleaming with malice. “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
Mack nodded slowly, though there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. “I just hope you know what you’re doing, Ophelia.”
Ophelia smiled, though there was nothing warm about it. “Don’t worry, Mack. I always know what I’m doing.”