Ch. 18th Birthday 49 18th Birthday 49

Chapter 49 

(Zion’s POV) 

The party was alive with color and magic. 

Music soared, dresses twirled, and the scent of spiced wine clung to the air–but none of it mattered. 

I had planned every second of this night… right down to the seat she would sit on. 

Lily. 

The moment my parents approved it, I didn’t move until I asked Zelda. It was her day, and I wasn’t about to ruin it with my regrets or selfishness. 

She had just smiled and said, “Of course, she can sit there. She’s one of us.” 

And then, a few hours later, I asked her to join us and she walked in. 

Her steps were slow, careful, almost unsure. But to me, it felt like the entire ballroom had stilled. Like the moon goddess herself had graced us with her presence, her sapphire shimmered so brightly, causing my breath to hitch. Everything else had faded… It was just me, and her. 

But then she sat beside me like I was no one. Like I didn’t exist. 

I tried complimenting her but she ignored me, just smoothing her hands on her gown and casting her gaze through the 

room. 

She was very 

cold. 

Then her eyes settled on a silver–haired guy near the crowd. Dev. 

He stood with Aria, Tobe, and a girl. Lily was looking at them, particularly him. 

Dev smiled at her, but she shook her head and looked away. 

My jaw clenched, Ragnar inside me stirred, but I pushed the fury down and stood up to talk with some Alphas. 

UP 

Zelda was no longer seated beside the Queen. A moment ago, I had seen her laughing with her classmates as they pulled her onto the dance floor. Her laughter had filled the room, the silk of her dress catching the lights as she spun between familiar faces. 

She was happy. 

But now, I wasn’t seeing her on the dancefloor. Even Lily’s seat was empty. 

I looked around again, and noticed that Lucien wasn’t at the high table. The young man had said that he wasn’t going to sit with us as he wasn’t ready to be revealed as a royal. I remembered seeing him earlier, lingering near the back, but now he 

gone. 

was… 

A cold feeling slid into my chest. 

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12:51 Wed, Jul 30 

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Chapter 49 

Lucien was unpredictable, and cunny. He couldn’t have followed Lily to talk with her, can he? 

Lily’s soft lavender scent still hung faintly in the air. It wasn’t fresh, she had left a while ago. 

I moved quickly but quietly through the pillars of the hall, scanning the corners. The music pulsed behind me, but it felt distant now as I had left the hall. 

Celeste suddenly stepped out from nowhere, her gown red like blood “Zion!” she called, her two minions trailing behind her like shadows. 

“I have something to tell you,” she said, urgent and breathless. 

“Not now, Celeste.” 

“Please, it’s important-” 

I brushed past her. Her fingers grabbed my arm, and I yanked it free. Her perfume, vanilla and sugar lingered too long. 

Then another scent hit me. 

It was familiar. Zelda’s. 

Her scent was mixed with a male, warm firewood and ash. 

Ragnar stirred instantly. “Who’s that?” he growled. 

I followed it down a dim corridor, where the shadows deepened and the sconces threw weak light across the marble. 

And then I saw them… Partially hidden behind a pillar. 

Zelda and Dev. 

Her hands cradled his face tenderly as his hands rested at her waist, pulling her close. 

Their lips were locked in a passionate kiss. 

I stopped. My breath caught… For a second, I wasn’t sure I was seeing it right. 

My baby sister was kissing a guy? 

She’s just seventeen and is supposed to be innocent and free. She hadn’t even found her mate yet. 

Oh goddess, this can’t be.. 

Why? How? What was he doing? 

All I saw was a boy manipulating my sister. My innocent sister. 

Dev’s hand moved slightly along her waist again, and I just snapped. 

I was in front of them in a heartbeat, grabbing his throat and slamming him into the wall. How dare he? 

My eyes were dark and soulless. 

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12:51 Wed, Jul 30 ~