60 Chapter 60 CELESTE’S PARADE
60 Chapter 60 CELESTE’S PARADE
A sharp crash sounded from somewhere at the back of the room-glass on tile, followed
by the startled hush of nearby guests.
We’d barely clinked glasses when a shift rippled through the room.
“You are a goddess.” Emma grinned, adjusting one of the gold cuffs on my wrist. “Kieran’s
going to choke on his own tongue when he sees you.”
I shot her a grateful smile.
“Bye, girls!” Maya called out after them in a sing-song voice. “We should do this again
sometime.”
Abby’s eyes narrowed. “At least she doesn’t show up to events looking like a funeral
date.”
“I can’t wait for her to see me,” I said softly, pressing a ring onto my finger. “I can’t wait for
her to look at me, and she lost. That there was never any competition to begin with.”
“Sera?” Abby scoffed. “That little hermit? She wouldn’t dare show her face.”
Maya made a face beside me. “Did Versailles throw up in here?”
I just hope Mom managed to guilt-trip her into accepting my invitation. None of this
would matter if Sera weren’t here for me to flaunt my victory.
Lucian moved slightly closer, his presence solid at my side. “Still want to stay?”
Lucian leaned in, murmuring, “Well handled. That was the most entertaining shit I’ve
seen in a while.”
“Let me know when you want to do it so I can get a camera crew out there. I’m pissed I
don’t have any memories of the first one.”
“Deeply,” he replied dryly. “By how much tacky wealth can fit into one venue. Celeste is
truly an artist.”
Gold. Everywhere. Walls draped in satin. Chandeliers dripping with crystals. Gold-tinted
16:49
1/6-
<
60 Chapter 60 CELESTE’S PARADE
white roses spilling out of marble urns like the set of an overproduced wedding.
The three of them flounced away in a flurry of glitter and cattiness, heels clicking like war drums on the polished floor.
I’d waited long enough. Played the patient, grieving fool while Sera stomped around like a tragic shadow. But tonight? Tonight was mine.
“I was invited,” I replied calmly.
“What now?” Maya murmured.
CELESTE’S POV
I took a slow breath and steadied myself. My black dress was simple yet elegant, fitted at
the waist and flowing to the floor.
The music didn’t pause, but the conversation dipped for a beat as everyone turned in the
direction.
A hundred times better than the stupid dress Sera wore to the gala.
Of course, a spectacle this gaudy couldn’t unfold without a bit of chaos to match.
“You bitch-”
She stretched her hand out. “You gonna drag me outside and find a body of water to
throw me into?”
And now? Now they’d watch me win.
“Oh, don’t let us interrupt,” Emma cooed, tilting her head like a curious vulture. “We just wanted to see for ourselves. You know, if the tragic little wallflower actually had the nerve to show her face in public.”
“Why would you do that?” Emma asked.
“Because I want her here,” I said, turning to face them. “I want her to see this”-I waved around the room-“and know she can never have it back. It’s all mine now.”
I stood in front of it, soaking in every inch of my reflection as Abby zipped up the back of
my dress.
16:49
2/6
60 Chapter 60 CELESTE’S PARADE
I laughed, the sound light and effortless. “Good. Maybe he’ll stop grumping about expenses long enough to remember what he’s been missing out on.”
Lucian snorted, quietly taking in the room from just behind us. “We’re supposed to be impressed, I think.”
Kieran’s Luna.
I snorted.
I nodded once. “None of them matter, not really.”
Davina placed a hand on Emma’s arm, pulling her back. “Cool it, Em.”
“You ready to show them who runs this pack now?” Abby asked when we’d composed
ourselves.
“Eyes on us,” Maya murmured. “Left. Far wall.”
This was Celeste’s parade-funded by Kieran’s pocket, of course-and she was dragging
his name behind her like a prize ribbon.
Davina had to grip Emma to keep her from turning back, and Maya and I snorted.
“Are you?” I asked.
SERAPHINA’S POV
“I look like a goddess,” I declared.
This party would be written into the social pages like a coronation.
The voice was nasal and unmistakable. Emma
“I would rather make out with a cactus than belong inside Celeste’s ego with a glitter
filter.
I couldn’t lie. Part of me had braced for this. Celeste didn’t know the meaning of restraint.
But this? This was worse than I’d imagined.
Emma took a step forward, and Maya raised a brow, unflinching. “What? What are you going to do?”
18:49
3/6
60 Chapter 60 CELESTE’S PARADE
I smiled at them through the mirror. They’d been with me through it all: the betrayal, the
lies, the humiliations.
Abby ignored him. “You’ve got nerve, showing up after everything.”
For all his wealth, he was as minimalistic as they came, prizing functionality and comfort
over gaudiness and performative luxury.
Lucian raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. “If this is how you greet guests, no wonder the
coat check line is empty.”
“Good,” Maya muttered. “You keep that chin up, girl, and the second you’ve had enough,
say the word and we’ll go get McDonald’s and a shit ton of alcohol.”
“You always did think you were better than everyone,” Emma hissed, turning her venomous glare on Maya. She was definitely still bitter about Ethan.
Maya’s dress was something sleek and emerald green, with a high slit and a smirk to
match.
Maya cracked her knuckles. “That was stretching; I’m ready for Celeste now.”
The three of us erupted into fits of giggles at the mental image of Sera soaked and
shivering.
The gown-gold, encrusted with crystals that caught the light like I was born in it-fit me like destiny. Not a wrinkle out of place. Not a single flaw in sight.
The mirror loved me tonight.
The second I stepped inside the ballroom, my senses were assaulted.
“I don’t think.” Maya smirked. “I know, sweetie.”
If I spent tonight without anyone so much as glancing my way, I would consider it a
victory.
“Easy, Tiger,” I said, accepting the champagne flutes a passing waiter gave us.
Kieran was hers. I stole Kieran. Kieran came to his senses. He was hers again-and this
time she had no intentions of letting him go.
30.66
4/6
60 Chapter 60 CELESTE’S PARADE
I smiled at them through the mirror. They’d been with me through it all: the betrayal, the
lies, the humiliations.
Abby ignored him. “You’ve got nerve, showing up after everything.”
For all his wealth, he was as minimalistic as they came, prizing functionality and comfort
over gaudiness and performative luxury.
Lucian raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. “If this is how you greet guests, no wonder the
coat check line is empty.”
“Good,” Maya muttered. “You keep that chin up, girl, and the second you’ve had enough, say the word and we’ll go get McDonald’s and a shit ton of alcohol.”
“You always did think you were better than everyone,” Emma hissed, turning her venomous glare on Maya. She was definitely still bitter about Ethan.
Maya’s dress was something sleek and emerald green, with a high slit and a smirk to
match.
Maya cracked her knuckles. “That was stretching; I’m ready for Celeste now.”
The three of us erupted into fits of giggles at the mental image of Sera soaked and
shivering.
The gown-gold, encrusted with crystals that caught the light like I was born in it-fit me like destiny. Not a wrinkle out of place. Not a single flaw in sight.
The mirror loved me tonight.
The second I stepped inside the ballroom, my senses were assaulted.
“I don’t think.” Maya smirked. “I know, sweetie.”
If I spent tonight without anyone so much as glancing my way, I would consider it a
victory.
“Easy, Tiger,” I said, accepting the champagne flutes a passing waiter gave us.
Kieran was hers. I stole Kieran. Kieran came to his senses. He was hers again-and this time she had no intentions of letting him go.
4/0
<
60 Chapter 60 CELESTE’S PARADE
“Ooooh,” Abby giggled. “She’s going to be so green with envy.” She nudged Emma.
“There’s a man-made lake in the garden if you’re feeling pushy tonight, too.”
Well, I should have known it was too much to hope.
And the saddest part? I knew in my bones that Kieran hadn’t planned a single detail.
I shook my head. “I invited her personally.”
I didn’t turn. I didn’t need to. I could feel them. Whispers curling through the crowd like smoke. Some recognized me. Some were just guessing. But they all watched.
I smiled, letting the fire in my chest flare. “More than ready.”
I really hoped she would come tonight. Even if she didn’t end up drenched in a lake or having a whole tray of hors d’oeuvres dumped on her, I just needed to see the look of
defeat in her eyes.
The media was already here. I’d made sure of it. Not just the shifter press, but everyone- fashion bloggers, socialites, even that ridiculous human gossip site that loved werewolf
drama.
“Come on,” she finally spat. “Let’s not waste time on ghosts.”
“By Celeste,” Emma jumped in. “Out of pity.”
I squinted, trying to make out the commotion, and sighed.
That landed. Emma’s mouth opened, then shut. Abby looked like she wanted to lunge.
It smelled like expensive perfume, burning candles, and desperation.
“Look who crawled out of hiding.”
“It smells like money and bad decisions in here,” Emma added with a snort. “God, I love it.”
Abby stepped back, her eyes gleaming. “All of LA’s elite wolves will see you tonight. No one can deny who you are after this.”
It was comical to see them try to compose themselves, and then, the focus back on me, Abby said, “Just remember you’re only here because Celeste allowed it. You don’t belong anymore.”
5/6
60 Chapter 60 CELESTE’S PARADE
Most knew the story already, at least the one Celeste had meticulously constructed.
I turned slowly, schooling my expression into something neutral. She stood just a few feet away, flanked by Abby and one of Celeste’s other friends, Davina.
The trio looked like shiny bridesmaids in their matching silver dresses. I was willing to bet anything that Celeste’s dress was gold. I wondered if they noticed the symbolism.
“It’s called elegance,” Maya replied without missing a beat, “though I wouldn’t expect your second-place trophy looking ass to recognize it.”
“Pity,” Maya repeated, dry as dust. “That’s what this is?” She waved a hand at the gold-drenched room. “Because it’s giving low-rent award show with a sugar daddy budget.”
We looked nothing like the women here-the ones in overdone curls and gowns that screamed designer labels. I was fine with that.
“Something tells me that’s the mildest altercation we’ll have tonight,” I chuckled.
We spent the next couple of minutes daydreaming about all the ways we could humiliate my man-stealing sister.
Comment 0
0
Leave the first comment for this chapter.
Vote
59
Swipe left to continue >
