THE ALPHA KING REJECTED ME, THEN BECAME THE FATHER OF MY TWINS

"Is she really wearing that?" The whisper carried across the ballroom before Elara had even crossed the threshold. She kept her chin level and her steps even, though every instinct in her told her to turn back through the door and disappear into the night. The gathering was for her grandmother's birthday, and the entire Vale family had assembled beneath the chandelier of the east hall. Silk gowns. Polished jewels. Faces that turned, one by one, toward the left side of her own. She had chosen the dress herself. No sleeve to hide behind, no scarf artfully draped over her shoulder. Just her, and the raised, silvery scar that ran from her temple to her jaw. "Elara." Selene's voice reached her first, sweet as spun sugar and twice as sharp. She glided across the floor in emerald silk, arms open as though to embrace her, though she stopped short, letting her gaze do the work instead. "How brave of you to come like this." "Like what, Selene?" "Uncovered." Selene's smile didn't waver. "I only mean it kindly. Some of the older relatives haven't seen it yet. It might frighten them." A ripple of laughter moved through the small circle that had gathered near the refreshment table. Elara felt the heat climb her neck, but she held Selene's gaze and did not look away first. "They'll survive," Elara said. "Will you?" Selene tilted her head, studying her. "I always forget how it changes your whole face. Such a shame. You used to be the pretty one, before." Before. The word landed exactly where Selene meant it to. Elara said nothing. She had learned, over the years, that silence gave Selene less to work with than anger did. She stepped past her towards the drinks table, aware of the eyes still following the line of her scar as though it were the only interesting thing about her in the entire room. Near the far window, her father stood in conversation with two of his business associates, his laugh booming across the hall. He caught Elara's eye for half a second. Then he looked away, back to his companions. He had done that for eleven years. Look, then look away. Elena appeared at Selene's shoulder a moment later, her hand settling with practiced gentleness against her daughter's arm. "Selene, darling, don't tease your sister." Her eyes flicked to Elara, and there was nothing warm in them at all. "It isn't her fault she draws attention." "I wasn't teasing," Selene said, all wounded innocence. "I only worry about her." Elara poured herself a glass of water she didn't want, just to have something to hold. Her hand was steady. She was proud of that, at least. Whatever else this family had taken from her, they hadn't managed to take that. "You look tired, Elara," Elena continued. "Perhaps you should have stayed home tonight." "Perhaps I should have," Elara agreed, and watched something flicker across Elena's face, some brief irritation at not getting the reaction she wanted. The string quartet in the corner shifted into a new piece. Guests drifted back into conversation, and for a moment Elara thought the worst of it had passed. Then Selene's voice rose again, pitched just loud enough to carry. "Actually," Selene said, glancing toward the entrance with sudden interest, "isn't that Prince Adrian's carriage outside?" The entire hall seemed to still be there. Elara turned toward the door, glass forgotten in her hand and heart lifting.