Chapter 43
Azalea stood in front of the mirror, her fingers trembling slightly as she fastened the last clasp on her gown. The tension in the air was suffocating, her mind racing with everything that had happened in the last few hours. She looked at her reflection, her face carefully composed, though inside, she felt like she was unravelling. Tonight had to be perfect, and yet, all she could think about was how many eyes would be watching her, waiting for her to slip up.
The door opened quietly, and Federico stepped inside, already dressed in his formal attire. He gave her a brief smile, the kind they had both perfected in the months they had spent pretending to be in love. It was a smile that reached their lips but never their eyes.
“You look stunning,” he said, his tone devoid of emotion, but the compliment was necessary for the show they had to put on.
Azalea turned to face him, forcing a smile of her own. “Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” She smoothed down her gown, her hands still trembling slightly. “Are you ready for this?”
Federico nodded, moving closer to her. He took her hands in his, gently squeezing them as though they were the couple everyone believed them to be. “It’s going to be fine. Just remember what we’ve rehearsed.”
She nodded, though her heart was pounding in her chest. “I know. But tonight feels… different. I can feel it.”
Federico’s expression tightened ever so slightly. “There’s a lot at stake, Azalea. For both of us. We can’t afford to let anyone see through this.”
“I’m aware,” she whispered, her eyes lowering. “But it’s not just the guests I’m worried about.”
“Ophelia?” Federico asked, his voice low.
Azalea nodded. “She’s been getting more aggressive. And with everything else going on… I just have a bad feeling.”
Federico sighed, stepping even closer, his hand brushing her cheek in an affectionate gesture that felt hollow. “Don’t let her get to you. She’s desperate, and desperate people make mistakes. All we have to do is survive the night.”
Azalea looked up at him, searching his eyes for some kind of reassurance, but found none. She knew he was right. Surviving the night was all that mattered, but it was easier said than done.
Federico offered her his arm, and with one last glance in the mirror, Azalea took it. They walked out of the chamber together, their footsteps echoing in the hallway as they headed toward the grand hall where the ball was already beginning.
—
The grand hall was filled with people when Azalea and Federico arrived, all eyes turning to them as they descended the stairs. Azalea’s heart raced as she felt the weight of their gazes, but she kept her chin high, her hand resting lightly on Federico’s arm.
They made their way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and false smiles with the guests. Azalea felt like she was walking through a minefield, every step filled with danger. She could feel the tension between herself and Federico, the way they had to act like they were madly in love when, in reality, they were barely holding it together.
Federico leaned in close as they passed a group of alphas, his breath warm against her ear. “Smile more,” he whispered. “They’re watching.”
Azalea forced a smile, her cheeks aching from the effort. “I am smiling,” she muttered through clenched teeth.
Federico chuckled softly, the sound so genuine that it made her stomach turn. He was too good at this. Too good at pretending everything was fine when it was anything but.
They reached the centre of the hall, where the most important guests were gathered. Azalea’s eyes flicked over to where Ophelia stood, dressed in a gown that was meant to outshine everyone else. Mack was by her side, his eyes cold and calculating. Azalea could feel their hatred from across the room.
Ophelia’s gaze locked onto her, a slow, mocking smile spreading across her lips. She raised her glass in a silent toast, her eyes filled with malice. Azalea’s hand tightened on Federico’s arm, her heart pounding in her chest.
Federico noticed and leaned in again. “Don’t let her get to you. We’re almost through the worst of it.”
Azalea nodded, though her stomach churned with unease. She could feel the eyes of the queens, of Leandro and Thomas, of everyone who wanted her to fail. She had to stay strong.
—
Across the room, Leandro and Thomas stood with smug expressions, watching as Azalea and Federico navigated the crowd. They exchanged a look, knowing full well that tonight was the night everything could fall apart for Azalea.
“Look at her,” Thomas muttered under his breath. “She’s barely holding it together.”
Leandro smirked, crossing his arms. “She won’t last much longer. Not with everything we’ve set in motion.”
Thomas glanced at the queens, who were speaking quietly with each other, their eyes also trained on Azalea. “Do you think they’ll go through with it? Punishing her in front of everyone?”
Leandro’s smirk widened. “Of course they will. Mother’s been waiting for an opportunity like this for years. And Azalea just handed it to her on a silver platter.”
Thomas chuckled darkly. “I can’t wait to see the look on her face when it happens.”
They both fell silent as they watched Azalea and Federico continue to pretend, knowing full well that the charade wouldn’t last much longer. Not with what was coming.
—
Ophelia’s fingers drummed lightly on the side of her glass as she watched Azalea, her eyes narrowing with every forced smile the Luna gave. She could see the cracks in the facade, the way Azalea’s grip on Federico tightened every time someone looked their way. It was only a matter of time before Luna broke, and Ophelia would be there to watch it happen.
Mack leaned closer to her, his voice low. “Everything’s going as planned. She’s already on edge.”
Ophelia nodded, her eyes never leaving Azalea. “Good. Tonight will be the night she falls. And when she does, we’ll be ready.”
Mack glanced around the room, his eyes scanning the crowd. “Bennett’s inside. He just needs the signal.”
Ophelia’s smile widened slightly. “Perfect. Let’s wait until the tension reaches its peak. Then we strike.”
Mack nodded, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “This is going to be fun.”
—
As the evening wore on, Azalea felt the weight of the night pressing down on her. She danced with Federico, smiled at the guests, and played her role perfectly. But inside, she was crumbling. Every glance from Ophelia, every whisper she caught from Leandro and Thomas, made her feel like the walls were closing in.
Federico leaned in once again, his voice low. “We need to keep moving. If we stop, they’ll start asking questions.”
Azalea nodded, though she felt exhausted. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
Federico squeezed her hand gently. “Just a little longer. We’re almost there.”
But Azalea wasn’t so sure. Something felt wrong. The air was thick with tension, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something bad.
—
Meanwhile, Ophelia stood near the edge of the room, her eyes flicking to Mack, who gave her a small nod. The signal had been given. It was time.
She turned back to the crowd, her eyes locking on Azalea, who looked more fragile than ever. A slow smile spread across her face.
“Watch closely, Mack,” she whispered. “This is where the fun begins.”
Mack grinned, leaning in slightly. “What’s the plan?”
Ophelia’s eyes gleamed with malice. “We let Bennett do his part. Once the chaos starts, Azalea will have nowhere to hide.”
—
The tension in the room was unbearable. Azalea could feel it building with every passing second. She glanced at Federico, her heart racing. He met her gaze, his expression unreadable.
But before she could say anything, the doors to the grand hall burst open.
A figure stepped inside, and the entire room fell silent.
Azalea’s heart stopped.
It was Bennett.