Chapter 7
Sophia's POV:
Just as we were about to move forward and start a conflict, a hand stopped us.
The entire entrance hall fell into an eerie silence, as if someone had cast a spell over the hundreds of guests gathered for my birthday celebration. Elena's accusations still echoed in the air, but suddenly, no one dared to breathe.
I felt the shift before I saw him. A powerful presence that commanded absolute respect filled the space, and I knew exactly who had arrived.
"Excuse me," came a voice so cold it could freeze fire itself. "Did someone just accuse this lady destroyed others' feelings?"
His familiar green eyes were blazing with deadly fury.
The whispers started immediately, rippling through the crowd like wildfire.
"It's Prince Ryder, he's gorgeous..."
"Look at how everyone's stepping aside..."
"Wait, what is the relationship between this woman and Prince Ryder? Why is Prince Ryder helping her?"
"I heard she was having an affair..."
My stomach clenched as I heard the ugly words spreading through the crowd.
Ryder's gaze swept over the crowd before settling on Isabelle and Aria with the kind of look that could make grown Alphas submit. "I'm waiting for an answer," he said, his voice carrying an authority that made everyone present unconsciously straighten.
"As far as I know, Lucas's fated mate had not appeared before Sophia married him, so there was nothing to ruin."
Isabelle's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. I could see her trying to process this new information, trying to figure out what my relationship with Ryder was and why he was defending me.
"She's still a conniving—" Isabelle started, her pride getting the better of her judgment.
"Finish that sentence," Ryder's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper that somehow carried throughout the entire hall, "and I'll be having a very interesting conversation with Alpha Lucas about his family's behavior."
The threat hung in the air like a sword. Isabelle went completely white, finally understanding that Prince Ryder had the power to cause serious trouble for her family.
I find Ryder's seriousness at this moment novel. Leave it to my overprotective brother to make everything more dramatic than necessary.
Ryder caught my expression and his fierce look softened slightly with concern. "Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"
"I'm fine," I said, though part of me was grateful for his intervention. "Just tired of dealing with delusional people."
He studied my face carefully, those protective instincts kicking into overdrive. "Are you sure? You look shaken."
"I said I'm fine," I repeated, but my voice came out gentler this time. Despite everything, seeing him worry about me still made my heart warm.
"Good." He offered me his arm. "Come on. Let's get you away from this circus."
When we just arrived at the private lounge, I heard heavy footsteps approaching fast. I knew those footsteps.
"What the hell happened just now?"
A commanding voice boomed across the lounge, and I watched my father arriving, and he was furious.
His dark eyes found Ryder first, then me, and his expression shifted from anger to worry in an instant. "What's going on? I could sense trouble from upstairs."
Chloe said quickly. "Isabelle and Aria showed up uninvited and started making false accusations about Sophia."
Father's attention snapped to the entrance where Isabelle and Aria were still being held by security. "Who are they?"
"Alpha Lucas's sister and his... fate mate," my voice cut through the tension.
Father's eyes darkened dangerously. "Guards!" Two security personnel stepped forward immediately. "Escort those women off the property. Make sure they understand they're not welcome here."
"Wait," I placed a hand on his arm. "Just let them leave. No need for more drama."
"Sophia," he said, his voice firm but concerned. "They publicly humiliated you. There should be consequences."
"I know, But today is my birthday, and I don't want to ruin today." I looked up at him. "Please?"
He stared at me for a long moment, clearly torn between his protective instincts and my wishes. Finally, he turned back to the guards. "Cancel that order. Simply escort them off the property."
"Yes, sir." one of the guards began.
I watched Isabelle and Aria being led away, Isabelle still sputtering protests about her rights while Aria had gone completely silent. The crowd was still buzzing with whispered conversations about what they'd just witnessed.
Ryder affectionately patted my head. "It's time to reveal your identity so that some clueless guys won't keep bothering you." he murmured.
Father nodded in agreement. "Ryder's right."
I pulled back slightly, considering their words.
Twenty minutes later, I stood backstage wearing an elegant white evening gown that flowed like water around my feet. The delicate white mask covered half my face, leaving only my lips and chin visible. My heart hammered as I heard my father's voice boom across the celebration hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have an important announcement to make."
The crowd quieted, hundreds of pairs of eyes turning toward the stage where Father stood in his formal royal attire.
"Tonight, I am proud to present someone very special to our kingdom." He gestured toward the side of the stage. "Please welcome my youngest daughter, the future heir to the Anderson Kingdom."
I stepped onto the stage, my white gown catching the lights as gasps rippled through the audience.
"She will be the first female Lycan Queen in our history," Father continued, his voice carrying across the stunned crowd.
The whispers exploded like fireworks.
"A female heir?"
"The first Lycan Queen?"
"Who is she?"
"That dress... she's beautiful..."
From behind my mask, I scanned the crowd, my eyes searching the sea of faces. And then, near the back of the hall, I saw him.
Lucas stood among the crowd, his eyes fixed on the stage with an intensity I recognized all too well. But there was no recognition in his gaze—only fascination.
I once drowned in the depths of his passionate eyes.
He had no idea who I was, but he was utterly, completely drawn to me.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips behind the mask. How ironic that he could be so enchanted by the very woman he had thrown away.