Jayden's mind was a storm. The pieces he had been carefully collecting finally snapped together into a single, staggering possibility…his mysterious stalker, the shadow that had loomed over his life for years, could very well be Castor Lunaria.

The conclusion made sense… too much sense. Castor was Miss Kate's father. He was powerful, ancient, and most likely a werewolf of terrifying caliber. His status alone placed him among the rare few who could orchestrate something so intricate, so deliberate.

But what unsettled Jayden wasn't the logic… it was the contradiction.

Castor wasn't merely the ruler of Beta, he was also one of the founding members of the EVA. The man wasn't some aloof monarch hiding in his castle; he was part of the organization that supposedly safeguarded humanity across the five planets. He should have known everything… Jasmine's location, the movements of the beasts, even the tragedy that happened on the Oneiri Island seven years ago.

So why?

Why, if Castor truly had been watching, hadn't he intervened? Why hadn't he stopped the assault on the island? Why hadn't he lifted a finger to save his mother?

And more importantly, why didn't he stop Jasmine from being taken away?

The questions clawed at Jayden's thoughts, pulling him deeper and deeper into a spiral. Nothing about it made sense. Nothing aligned.

He forced himself to exhale, shoulders easing with the effort. If he let his thoughts consume him now, they would swallow him whole. He needed clarity, but clarity could only come with time. For now, he would put aside his doubts and investigate later, when he had more pieces of the puzzle.

His gaze flicked to Miss Kate. The urge to ask her about her father burned at the back of his throat, but he swallowed it down. Now wasn't the time. He didn't want to sound invasive, not when she had already revealed so much to him.

So they remained there, side by side, silent for a moment. The hum of conversation and the gentle rise of the orchestra filled the space between them.

And then she walked in.

Jayden's heart faltered when he caught sight of the familiar figure striding into the grand hall. Her hips swayed with natural elegance, her golden hair shimmering beneath the chandelier's light. She moved like she was born to command attention, though she seemed utterly unaware of the glances trailing her.

Jayden couldn't help himself. His lips curved into a small smile as he admired her quietly, caught and lost in her presence.

Kate noticed this almost instantly. Jayden's eyes had glazed over, his focus stolen away. With mild curiosity, she followed the line of his gaze, her head tilting until she landed on the figure at the far end of the hall.

Recognition dawned, and a knowing smirk played at her lips. It was none other than Penelope.

"Well," Kate murmured, amusement dripping from her voice, "She seems a lot happier than I remember."

Jayden blinked, snapping out of his trance, caught off guard by her remark. "Huh?"

Kate turned her gaze back toward Penelope and motioned with a subtle tilt of her chin. "Penny," she clarified, her smirk widening. "She's been a lot more jovial lately… blissful, even."

Jayden chuckled under his breath, a little amused. "I didn't know you two were acquainted," he admitted, though his words carried the upward lilt of a question. He had seen Penelope and Kate embrace earlier, and it had piqued his curiosity.. but he hadn't guessed the depth of their bond.

Kate's brows arched in playful disbelief. "Acquainted?" She let out a light laugh. "Penelope and I are far more than that."

Her tone shifted, softening with sincerity as she leaned back in her chair. "Just like your mother… Penelope was also my mentor. Cyllene was like an older sister to me, someone I could lean on… but Penelope?" Kate paused, her eyes finding Penelope again, her smile touched with warmth. "She has always been my godmother."

Jayden's lips parted slightly. He had suspected they were close, but godmother? That was beyond what he imagined.

Kate went on, her voice carrying the ease of someone remembering a life long past. "Y'know, Cyllene, Penelope, and I… we were inseparable back then. And we were more than friends.. we were family. The three of us were like the musketeers, but stronger for it. We fought, trained, laughed, cried… and through it all, we were bound together."

Her eyes softened further as they lingered on Penelope, who was now laughing heartily with a guest nearby, her posture radiating a joy Jayden knew well.

"Penelope was the eldest and the strongest of us. She carried the heaviest burdens with grace, always teaching us, always protecting us like a mother would their child. But…" Kate's tone dipped, more fragile now. "…she was never truly happy. Life had been cruel to her. The only spark that gave her meaning was her daughter."

Jayden's chest tightened. He thought back to Cassandra, to the bond Penelope always mentioned.

Kate continued, her voice a soft confession. "But even with her daughter, Penelope always carried this weight. There was still something missing in her.. as if her light was fading." she explained. "She smiled, but it never reached her soul. It was like watching someone wither in silence."

Jayden frowned faintly. That didn't sound like the Penelope he knew. The Penelope he had met was radiant, playful, vibrant. Yes, she had her scars, especially when speaking about her past and her ex-husband, but she had always felt… alive.

Kate then turned back to him, a knowing smile tugging her lips.

"But then she met you."

Jayden blinked. "…Me?"

Kate nodded. "Yes. You. I've never seen her this joyful in years. It's like you lit a fire in her again, brought back the glow she had lost. Look at her." She gestured subtly toward Penelope, whose golden hair shimmered as she laughed with genuine warmth. "Her light shines brighter now than it has in decades. And it's all because of you."

Jayden stood there, stunned. He had never thought of Penelope as someone who had been silently fading. To him, she had always been… Penelope.

Strong, kind, mischievous, full of life. To imagine her once weighed down by such sorrow was almost impossible.

"I don't know how you did it, Jayden," Kate said, her voice carrying both gratitude and wonder. "But thank you… for giving her that happiness again."

Jayden's throat tightened. He scratched the back of his neck, flustered by the praise. "Well, I… I mean… it's nothing, really. I just… care for her, the same way she cares for me."

Kate chuckled knowingly, her smirk returning. "That much is obvious." She muttered it almost to herself, though the amusement in her tone lingered.

Just then, Penelope's sharp eyes swept the hall and landed on them. The moment she spotted Kate and Jayden together in the corner, a radiant smile broke across her lips. Her stride shifted, deliberate now, her golden hair shimmering as she began to make her way toward them with effortless grace.

Kate caught sight of her approach and smirked knowingly. "I suppose this concludes our meeting, Jayden," she whispered, lowering her voice just enough for him to hear over the orchestra. "I'll see if there's any way I can reach out to you before the tournament."

Jayden nodded, his tone respectful. "Thank you.. for taking the trouble to see me, and for answering my questions. I still have so many more, but… what you've shared tonight, it's enough. For now." he said with gratitude.

Kate's eyes softened, her expression carrying a strange warmth. "I'm just doing my job as family." She leaned in slightly, her tone firm yet gentle. "But remember… if we want uninterrupted conversations, you'll need to get into Beta National University. That's your entry point."

Jayden absorbed the words and nodded firmly. "Of course. I'll make sure to do my best."

"And don't forget what I told you," Kate added, her gaze serious now. "Your primal instinct. You can't cage it with force forever. You have to divert it.. naturally."

Jayden's golden eyes hardened with determination. "I understand. I'll do everything I can."

Kate smiled faintly, the kind of smile that carried faith. "Good. I'm counting on you. Jasmine is too."

The weight of that name anchored Jayden's resolve. He gave her a sharp nod, his jaw tight with determination.

And just then, Penelope finally reached them. She placed one hand on her hip, a playful glint in her eyes as her gaze danced between Jayden and Kate.

"Well, don't you two look adorable together. Like a cute brother and sister pair," she purred, her tone teasing.

Kate chuckled, rising smoothly to her feet. "Hey, Penny. Enjoying the party?"

Penelope let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes heavenward. "Not quite. The arrangement is a bit… out of place." she said casually.

Kate smirked knowingly. "The event planner would be heartbroken to hear that."

Penelope scoffed, her lips curling with sarcasm. "You're one to talk. You didn't even bother greeting the guests, and you're supposed to be the celebrant. And I'm sure you haven't even left this spot since the party began?"

Kate gave a nonchalant shrug. "What can I say? Some of us just aren't party material." Her chuckle was low and unbothered.

Penelope shook her head with a smirk. "I guess so." Then she turned toward Jayden, her expression softening into a warm smile. "And you, Jayden? Did you enjoy the party?"