A heavy silence settled over the hall. No one spoke. No one even knew what to say anymore. The excitement from earlier had completely disappeared, replaced by a thick mix of disbelief and sadness that hung in the air like a weight.

This wasn’t entertainment anymore. It was a family being torn apart right in front of everyone. Many of the guests lowered their heads. Others quietly shook theirs.

Something this painful should have been handled behind closed doors, not dragged out before the entire pack. But none of this would have happened if Ravyn hadn’t refused to believe anyone except Daisy. His blind trust had pushed everything straight to this point.

Daisy’s heart pounded wildly inside her chest. Fear wrapped tightly around her like a vice. She had no idea what would happen next, but one thing was certain—she couldn’t afford to look guilty.

If everyone started seeing her as Noelle and Chuck’s accomplice, her life would be over. Thinking quickly, she hurried toward Madison. "Mom..." her voice trembled as tears filled her eyes again. "What’s going on?"

Madison slowly turned to look at her. Then she laughed. The sound held no warmth at all. It was pure disappointment. "So now you’re calling me ’Mom’?" Her cold eyes met Daisy’s. "Tell me honestly, have you ever treated me like your mother?"

Every word pierced straight through Daisy’s heart. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. For the first time she had no excuse, no explanation, and no amount of fake tears could erase the truth.

Madison looked at her for another second before letting out a disappointed sigh. She turned around and walked away without another glance, not once looking back.

Daisy remained rooted to the spot, staring helplessly at Madison’s retreating figure. For the first time she understood what it felt like to be abandoned.

Across the hall Alpha Vladimir slowly rose from his seat, his expression still unreadable. Without saying a word he grabbed Olivia’s wrist and pulled her along with him. Olivia obediently followed behind, too nervous to resist.

At the same time King Jaron walked toward Athaliah. His serious expression immediately caught her attention. "Where have you been these past few days?" His deep voice carried that familiar authority. "We need to talk."

Athaliah was just about to answer when her eyes landed on Killian. He was smiling, not because he was happy, but because everything seemed to be going exactly the way he wanted.

In that instant she understood. Her father had been working together with Killian all along.

The realization left a bitter taste in her mouth. She smiled faintly, a smile without any real happiness in it. "So, you wanted to teach me a lesson." Her voice stayed calm. "Congratulations. I learned it." She looked directly into her father’s eyes. "That’s why I’m leaving for France tonight."

Those words stunned everyone nearby. Corvine’s heart sank. Killian’s smile instantly faded. Even the Alpha King looked surprised, his face darkening almost immediately. "If you leave without my permission," his voice echoed with unmistakable authority, "then I no longer have a daughter."

Athaliah didn’t even blink. Instead, a faint smile appeared on her lips. "Wonderful," she answered without the slightest regret, without fear, without hesitation.

King Jaron’s face twisted with anger. For the first time in his life, he raised his hand against his daughter, but the slap never landed. A strong hand caught his wrist halfway through the air.

Jaron’s eyes narrowed as Corvine stood between them, grip never loosening. His expression remained calm, but his eyes were firm. "Let go, Corvine," Jaron ordered, voice dangerously low.

Corvine didn’t move. "So you can hit her?" He met the King’s furious stare without flinching. "Not while I’m standing here."

Athaliah stared at him in shock. Warmth slowly spread through her chest. She had honestly believed Corvine came only because of Seraphine. She never imagined he would stand against the Alpha King for her.

Aside from Voren, Corvine was the only other person willing to challenge her father.

Jaron forcefully pulled his hand free. His eyes lingered on Corvine for a long moment before he finally spoke. "So that’s how it is." His voice turned cold. "I thought Athaliah only got close to you because of Alpha Voren. But I was wrong."

A bitter smile crossed his face. "I can see it in your eyes." He looked directly at Corvine. "You have feelings for her."

Corvine’s breathing became uneven. Before he could accept or deny it Jaron’s voice turned even colder. "Unfortunately for you, you’re beneath her. I will never allow it."

The declaration echoed through the silent hall. Without waiting for a response, the Alpha King turned around and walked away.

Corvine stood frozen, heart feeling painfully heavy. Every word Jaron had spoken cut deeper than he wanted to admit.

Not far away Damon let out a frustrated sigh and rubbed his forehead. Only now did he realize he had wasted his wish during the full moon. Athaliah might not be his if she harbored mutual feelings for Corvine.

Athaliah remained standing where she was, her father’s words still ringing inside her head. She slowly turned toward Corvine, confusion filling her eyes.

He had never flirted with her, never crossed any boundaries, never confessed anything. Yet her father had sounded completely certain. She gently smiled. "Thank you," she told him, voice sincere. "Thank you for standing up for me. I really appreciate it."

Corvine forced a small smile. "It was nothing." The words were simple, but inside his heart ached. King Jaron’s rejection still lingered in his mind.

"We should end today’s gathering." Daisy’s voice suddenly broke the silence. Every head turned toward her. She desperately needed this nightmare to end.

If everyone left now, maybe she could still find a way to escape the disaster unfolding around her.

Unfortunately for her, Seraphine had no intention of stopping, not now, not when the truth was finally coming to light. She politely looked at Corvine.

"Corvine..." A calm smile rested on her face. "Please bring Raul." Since Ravyn refused to believe her words, it was time to show him proof he couldn’t deny.