Chapter 16
The guests hurriedly bowed their heads. Even the Alphas from other packs knelt down. No one dared to look directly at the Alpha King.
I held my breath when my eyes met my father’s.
His lips moved slowly. But the whole room could hear him.
“My daughter…”
He stepped forward.
Samuel looked left and right, confused. But what froze him was-my father’s gaze piercing straight into his body.
“You,” the Alpha King pointed sharply. “Dare to raise your hand against my blood?”
Samuel tried to speak. But he seemed to have lost his words. “Your Majesty, this… is a misunderstanding… I didn’t-”
Dominic didn’t wait.
In an instant, the massive figure lunged forward. No warning. No signal. Only sharp claws snatching at Samuel’s legs, sending his body flying into a table laden with food and party chairs Screams echoed from several guests. “How dare he defy the Alpha King!”
Samuel fell. Bleeding. His breath caught before he could process what had happened.
Liora screamed and ran toward him, but Ironshade soldiers blocked her path.
Dominic remained standing tall. His face remained calm, almost cold.
‘How dare you defile this feast with your nonsense,” he said flatly.
The entire hall fell silent. No one dared to move.
Dominic then walked toward me, then stood beside me-as if officially marking his position and protection.
Then he raised his hand into the air.
“Wolves from every corner of the pack,” his voice echoed, filling every corner of the room. “This feast… is to celebrate the return of Princess Ironshade. Helena Ironshade. My blood.”
Whispers of shock broke out from all directions.
“Princess?!”
“She’s Dominic Ironshade’s daughter?!”
“A true noble?!”
“Impossible!”
Dominic turned to me, then placed his hand on my shoulder with pride.
“My daughter has returned, stronger than ever. Anyone who touches her has declared war on
Ironshade.”
My eyes burned. But I didn’t cry. I just lifted my chin higher, staring at the entire hall, all the
wolves, and especially Samuel and Liora-who now looked like the remnants of a shattered
power.
“Helena,” Liora murmured softly. She shook her head in disbelief. “No! It’s impossible!”
“How could she have hidden all this?” Samuel spoke to himself.
And I knew they would be shocked. Now I stood tall above the impossibility they had once believed. It felt relieving.
Gritting his teeth in pain, Samuel tried to kneel before me. And that made me laugh hollowly. Seeing how easily he fell and bowed just because of power.
“Helena, forgive me for thinking you were a traitor! I… I truly regret it!”
My father was furious. He almost raised his claw again, but I stopped him.
“Father, let him beg,” I whispered.
Dominic was silent. He gave me space.
And Samuel didn’t waste the opportunity. He forgot his pride and begged me, overcome with
ear.
‘Helena! You never said anything, please, it was all just a misunderstanding, right?”
His pleading face didn’t move me at all. I wasn’t fooled in the slightest. Instead, I remembered al he words he said when he expelled me. I never forgot them.
He came with great hopes, but he’ll leave with even greater disappointment.
Funny. You came with great hopes, seeking support from Ironshade, but you’ll leave with lisappointment and ruin.”
t wasn’t just a thought in my head.
t was a curse I planted deliberately.
Samuel was still on his knees, now trying to reach the hem of my dress-but the guard wolf quickly pushed him back. His face was covered in party dust now scattered across the floor. Helena…” he whispered, lost for words. His hands trembled, his eyes filled with fear and regret.
How ironic. Once I begged him to trust me.
Now, look. He’s begging me as if I were a queen before his throne.
‘I love you, Helena,” he said desperately. “I was just afraid. I thought you were betraying me, was blinded…”
Liora behind him was holding back tears. She was still trying to stand proudly-but couldn’t hide ner pale face.
‘I’ve lost everything, Helena… Please. Give me one chance… just one.”
I stared at him sharply.
I took a small step forward. All eyes in the room followed my movement.
And I looked straight into his eyes, coldly.
“I’ve already given you enough chances years ago.” I laughed sarcastically. “And didn’t I warn you both about this? But you two never believed me, so feel it all!”
7:35 pm
“And you discarded me as if I were nobody.”
Samuel’s face tensed.
I took a short breath then shifted my gaze to Liora. With disdain.
“You, who is the real traitor? Claiming to be my friend but it turns out you were just stabbing me in the back.”
Liora was flustered. Her arrogant expression had vanished. Gone. All that remained was a look
of fear.
“Helena, I’m sorry-”
“Throw them out.” I cut her off. I didn’t want to hear any more.
The voice that came out of my mouth was calm. But the room seemed to hold its breath.
“By force?”
“By force,” I said firmly. “They’ve been ruining this party for too long.”
Three large wolves from the guard line approached immediately.
Samuel tried to resist as they grabbed his arms, but he was too weak-too battered, and also.. too broken.
Liora screamed, “You can’t do this! We’re from the Silver Moon Pack!”
Dominic just laughed softly. His voice was low, but it echoed.
The other wolves murmured in agreement.
‘On this land, the Silver Moon Pack means nothing at all.”
‘Is he really serious about saying that in front of the Alpha King?”
‘The Silver Moon Pack isn’t even well-known.”
The guard wolves herded them out, dragging them like two despicable lawbreakers. Liora’s shoes scraped the marble floor, while Samuel hung his head, covered in wounds, with no trace of dignity left.
I stood in the middle of the hall, watching everything.
Not with hatred.
But with victory and relief. I had managed to turn the situation around, to make it work in my favor.
Instantly, all the guests clapped. We continued the party.
Alpha Liam stood beside me, along with Thorne, who had now arrived.
“Enjoy the party, princess,” they said.
Helena
