CHAPTER 104: WOLF OUT

**~ Hazel’s POV ~**

Evening came, and I was beyond ready..but not in the way everyone expected. My twins were already fast asleep, soft breaths rising and falling like music to my soul. I stared at them, heart torn. There was no way I was attending that ball if it meant leaving them alone in this room. Or worse, dragging them to some loud, glittering mess where I’d be distracted every other second. Absolutely not.

Then came a soft knock at the door.

I practically flew toward it and swung it open. The maids stood there, all grins and glowing excitement.

"My Lady," one of them beamed, "is it time? We’re here to get you dressed for the ball."

My gaze flicked immediately back to my babies. "And where exactly am I supposed to keep them while I’m playing dress-up and dancing around with strangers?"

She stepped forward. "You can lock the door and leave them here, or you can entrust them to us, or you could even take them along with you—"

"None of that sounds right," I snapped, cutting her off with a raised hand. "Did you not hear me? I’m not leaving my babies with anyone. I’m not locking them alone. And I’m sure as hell not dragging them to a noisy ballroom. So, go tell your Alpha..or my husband, or whoever that I’m not attending."

They paused, stunned. I could see their smiles twitching, falling. They turned slowly to leave, disappointed.

Then I stopped them.

"Wait," I muttered, jaw tight. "Did you say a guard would be stationed at the door?"

"Yes, my Lady," the other maid answered quickly. "Always. One outside at all times."

I turned toward my twins again, heart pounding with hesitation. "How far is the ballroom from here?"

"Just one floor below, my Lady. Just downstairs."

I paused. I could already hear the music from here..lively strings, the thrum of footsteps, muffled laughter. Even Cyrius’s heartbeat faintly echoed beneath it all.

If I stayed close enough... I could still hear my babies. Their little heartbeats. I’d know the moment something felt off.

I gave a reluctant nod. "Fine."

The maids clapped quietly in victory. "Perfect, my Lady! Now please, it’s time for styling—you’re going to be lit."

They guided me to the vanity and let my hair cascade free. I didn’t even need to debate it. Between the sleek look SkateSpan gave me and this soft, French-inspired elegance, I knew which one was winning tonight.

Once the dress was on, I was stunned.

It hugged me perfectly in all the right places, accentuating every curve with delicate detail. The rich, red fabric shimmered softly, catching every flicker of candlelight. The neckline dipped just enough, and the sleeves were made of sheer lace, woven with subtle golden vines. It was pure art—dangerously beautiful, just like me.

"We’re already late, my Lady," one maid whispered. "We should go."

I gave my babies one last lingering look. They were still sleeping so peacefully, faces angelic, untouched by the madness of the world.

Good vibes only, I told myself. Nothing bad will happen. I don’t feel any dread, not tonight.

The guard stationed outside gave me a respectful nod as he locked the room. I hesitated, just for a moment, until the maid pulled something out from behind her back.

"My Lady, you need to wear this. It’s a masquerade ball. Faces must be covered."

I frowned. "A mask?"

"You’ll understand why when you see your husband... and everyone else."

I raised a brow but took it. It was delicate—deep crimson with gold filigree, covering only my eyes and brushing the bridge of my nose.

I slid it on.

The moment I did, I felt different. Mysterious. Regal. A little dangerous.

Then we descended the grand staircase... and I was wowed.

Everyone was perfectly dressed and masked. Even though I was wearing one of the best dresses I had ever owned, I still barely fit in among the other women. They looked so elegant and ravishing, like goddesses from a different world.

The maid held my hand as we descended the grand staircase, and my eyes frantically searched for someone—him. The moment I spotted Cyrius, my breath hitched. God. Even with that mask, I almost fell down the stairs.

Those yellow eyes.

His long hair had been cut and styled, now curled slightly to frame his face, making him look even more handsome than usual. The tuxedo hugged him in all the right places, tall and regal, hands casually stuffed in his pockets. But it was the woman beside him—her arm looped lazily around his neck, whispering something into his ear—that made something burn hot inside me.

His eyes met mine. The woman was still touching him, but he wasn’t paying her any mind anymore. He was staring..burning into me.

I clenched my fists, ignoring the sudden twist in my chest, and continued down the stairs.

The maid led me toward the main hall, where people were seated and chatting. I picked up a glass of something sweet, though I hardly tasted it. Cyrius was still busy with that woman. And honestly? She was beautiful. That long black hair, those icy blue eyes... she looked expensive, ethereal. Like a damn supermodel or maybe not even human.

And the worst part?

He looked impressed. He hadn’t even come over to say anything to me. Just kept making eye contact from across the room, scanning my body with that irritatingly smug little smirk—but still holding onto her.

They started dancing.

And eventually, he wasn’t even looking at me anymore.

Not that I cared. I didn’t. I was here for a reason—to study the environment. But let’s be real, nothing seemed out of place so far. It was clear that most people here were wolves. The way the men laughed, the ease in their movements, the raw energy humming in the air—it was unmistakable.

And the alpha? I noticed a large throne-like chair positioned right in front, but it was still empty. Maybe the main event hadn’t started yet.

I stood up and began walking through the hall, just observing, until I spotted a corner table with brown wine. Before I could reach it, a man appeared beside me.

"Hello, beautiful," he said smoothly. "I haven’t seen you around here before... because I don’t think I’ve ever seen this level of beauty in my life."

I smirked. "Maybe you’ve just been too distracted to notice what was in front of you."

He chuckled. "No, mamacita, mon chéri. If I had noticed, I would’ve come running straight to you."

He held out his hand. "Philip."

I nodded politely. "Esther," I said with a small curtsy.

He leaned forward and kissed my hand. My eyes flicked immediately toward Cyrius and there he was, glowering at the sight. I waved at him with a sugary sweet smile, pretending not to notice the storm brewing in his gaze.

"Oh, Philip," I laughed. "You’re so sweet."

"And I love your charming smile even more."

He was smooth, I’ll give him that. I hadn’t even noticed his features until now. He looked like your average man—brown hair, clean-cut—but the way he talked and dressed screamed wealth. He looked like someone who could buy me a kingdom if he wanted to.

Wow. These people were really loaded.

"The noise is getting to me," I said suddenly. "Can we step out?"

He smiled. "Of course."

We stepped onto the balcony, and the night air wrapped around me like silk. The moon was high and glowing brilliantly.

Ah. Full moon.

Now it made sense why they were hosting this ball.

I paused, tilting my head slightly as I focused. I could still hear my babies’ heartbeats upstairs—calm and steady. Everything was fine. Good.