CHAPTER 54: _AN OMINOUS PRESENCE

Elian’s POV

*****

[Ding! Congratulations, host. You’ve gotten 50 Ascension points for completing the special mission: Get mate #1 to give you head.]

[Your total Ascension points now is 65... Which is still way too far from your delusional goals of buying a mana core.]

"I still think it’s a rip‑off," Elian muttered under his breath.

[Oh, I’m sorry, would you like a sympathy coupon?]

He rolled his eyes. "You’re impossible."

[And yet, I’m all you’ve got, fruitcake.]

He was halfway to telling the system exactly where it could shove its sarcasm when a ripple of unease shivered down his spine.

It was subtle — like the shift in air pressure before a storm — but enough to make his shoulders stiffen. He glanced over his shoulder toward the tall arched window.

Nothing.

Well... nothing obvious. The moonlight spilled silver across the floorboards, brushing against the hem of his shirt, but the longer he stood there, the more he swore he wasn’t alone.

[Either you’ve developed a sixth sense or you’re finally losing your mind. Honestly, I’m rooting for both.]

Elian’s jaw tightened. The air felt... thick, like it was holding its breath.

And then, as quickly as it came, the sensation dissipated.

He exhaled slowly. "Probably just nerves," he murmured, stepping away from the window.

[Yes, because you always get phantom goosebumps right after a blowjob. Totally normal.]

"Shut up." Elian gave a defeated sigh.

He focused instead on the more immediate problem — making himself presentable for a royal dinner.

Adjusting his cufflinks, he smoothed the crisp sleeves of his dark sapphire shirt. It was formal enough to appease the Luna Queen’s hawk-like gaze but fitted enough to make Lucian lose focus if he so much as glanced twice.

His reflection in the mirror didn’t look half bad. The faint flush had faded from his cheeks, replaced with something sharper.

Oh, he was ready.

[If "ready" means walking into a nest of people who either want to seduce you, kill you, or both.]

He ignored that and stepped into the corridor, closing the door behind him.

.

.

The dining hall was already buzzing when he arrived. Polished silver glinted under chandeliers, long crystal glasses lined the table, and at its center sat the Alpha King and Luna Queen, regal as ever.

The Luna Queen’s gown was a pale gold that caught the light with every movement. The slight upward curve of her lips might have been mistaken for warmth — if you didn’t notice the cool calculation in her eyes as they flicked over him.

As for the Alpha King, he was stoic as ever, taking a sip from a glass of wine with a blue suit shimmering under the lights of the chandelier.

"Elian," The Luna Queen said smoothly. "You made it. Good."

Lucian sat two chairs down from her, broad shoulders relaxed but his gaze laser-focused on him. A slow, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips.

Across from him sat Beta Axel, dressed in black, posture perfect, his watchful stare scanning Elian from head to toe like he was assessing damage after a battle.

And then there was Estella.

Axel’s younger sister was positioned farther down, her dress an unapologetic crimson. She didn’t even try to hide the once-over she gave Lucian before turning her attention to Elian.

"Surprised you showed up," she said with a faint smirk, swirling her wine. "I thought... certain incidents earlier today would have left you hiding in your room."

[She’s fishing. Throw her back, fruitcake.]

Elian smiled pleasantly. "Why hide when the company is so... fascinating?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she leaned back without answering.

Aurora was a breath of fresh air in comparison, her silver hair tied elegantly, a silver pendant catching the light. Beside her sat Baron Magnus — tall, handsome, exuding that quiet confidence of someone used to being underestimated.

He stood when Elian approached.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Elian," Magnus said, voice deep but courteous.

"You too, Baron." Elian smiled at Aurora’s mate.

[Oh, look. Someone with manners. Don’t ruin it.]

Elian smirked faintly to himself as he took his seat — directly between Lucian and Axel. That hadn’t been an accident; both mates had made sure of it...

Dinner began with polite conversation, the clink of cutlery against porcelain filling the gaps.

The Luna Queen inquired about Magnus’s first days in the palace, Aurora glowed under his attention, and Axel poured Elian’s wine without being asked.

Halfway through the meal, Estella struck again.

"It’s remarkable..." she said idly, "how some people manage to stumble into... prestigious company."

Elian arched a brow. "You mean like you, dining with the royal family thanks to your brother?"

The air at the table shifted. Axel’s jaw tightened, Lucian’s smug smirk returned, and Aurora covered her mouth to hide a laugh.

Estella’s fingers curled around her glass. "Careful, omega."

[Oh, she’s resorting to slurs. Classy.]

Axel’s voice cut in, low and dangerous. "You’ll address him by his name, Estella."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she said nothing more.

Axel reached for Elian’s hand under the table — a brief, grounding touch — before letting go.

Magnus cleared his throat lightly, shifting the conversation to safer ground. "The festival next month... I hear the palace will be hosting a masquerade?"

Aurora brightened, talking animatedly about the preparations, but Elian could still feel the weight of Estella’s glare on him.

.

.

Dessert was being served when the unease returned.

It was faint at first — like the brush of invisible fingers along the back of his neck — but it grew heavier with every passing second.

His gaze flicked toward the tall windows lining the hall. Moonlight spilled across the marble floor, just as it had in his room earlier.

[Deja vu, fruitcake. Should I be worried?]

He frowned slightly, forcing himself to reach for his glass instead of staring too long. But then—

CRACK!

One of the crystal goblets at the far end of the table shattered without warning, sending shards scattering across the white tablecloth.

The hall went silent.

No one was touching it.

The Alpha King’s brows furrowed. "Strange..."

Meanwhile, Elian’s pulse hammered. That presence from his room hadn’t gone away.

It was here.

[Well, that’s not ominous at all.]

Surprisingly, Lucian’s hand found his knee under the table, squeezing once. Axel’s gaze scanned the hall, sharp and calculating.

Estella, for once, looked genuinely unsettled.

The sound of glass being cleared away broke the moment, but Elian knew better.

This wasn’t over...