Chapter 157: _Illusion Of Festivity

Words : 1079 Updated : Oct 2nd, 2025

Chapter 157: _Illusion Of Festivity When I was finally able to grab Odessa away from Marcellus, I noticed something strange. The mate mark on her neck was glowing faintly. The more confusing part was when Odessa admitted that she could feel my jealousy while dancing with Marcellus. But then she went ahead to reveal something that had me stumped. "Five days ago, I got an anonymous text telling me that the whole pack will know my secret today. Celine threw this Charity Ball TODAY." She said in a panic after I asked her what was bothering her. An anonymous text? And she didn’t let me know about it. ’Hey, give the girl a break. She probably didn’t want to stress you out with all the work you’ve been doing.’ Damon muttered in my head, but I nearly snapped at him. ’Stress me? THIS right here, telling me about some anonymous text and the possibility of my ex-wife being the one who sent it is the real stress.’ I sighed as the lights in the event hall dimmed down and only a single spotlight remained shining on the stage. I glanced at the stage and spotted Layla signalling to me discreetly. It’s time for me to give an opening speech for the Charity Ball... "I’ll deal with Celine later." I blurted to Odessa, clenching my jaw. "But for now, stay put and don’t do anything stupid." With that, I left her and went up the stage, forcing a smile on my face as the people in the hall clapped and cheered. This Charity Ball would be broadcast all around the continent. Let’s make it work... I dimmed my eyes slightly at the lone spotlight centered on the stage, illuminating my path as I straightened my posture. The crowd was silent. All eyes turned to me. Cameras from local and international media streamed the event live, feeding the entire continent visuals of peace and grandeur... Exactly what Celine had intended. But I would make this moment mine. "Good evening," I began, my voice resonating through the speakers, calm yet firm. "I stand before you tonight not just as the Alpha King of the North American packs, but as a symbol of what unity can look like when we choose understanding over bloodshed." There was a murmur of agreement from the guests. "This Charity Ball, though hosted in grandeur, holds more than celebration. It is a call to action. A reminder that we, whether werewolves, witches, or humans, have shared this continent too long to remain divided." Odessa’s eyes met mine across the room. Her presence grounded me, even now, when the tension was almost suffocating. "There are still threats that seek to destabilize the peace we’ve worked so hard to forge. Rogue wolves continue to grow in number, feeding off fear, loss, and hatred. But I assure you... This continent is not complacent. We are vigilant. We will find the root of this chaos, and we will end it before it consumes us all." There was a round of applause after that, but I wasn’t done yet. I fixed my gaze on a camera pointed at me, my eyes cold. "To those hiding in the shadows, those who plot against the unity we’ve built... know this: I will NOT be merciful." Silence came after those words, but soon enough, thunderous applause erupted, some people rising to their feet. As I descended the stage, basking in the claps, I pulled my phone out to check the time, but paused when I saw a forwarded message from Odessa. The text preview alone made my stomach clench: Smile for the cameras, little witch. My thumb tapped it open as adrenaline surged through me. No name. No sender. Just those words. And the timestamp? Two minutes ago. Odessa had forwarded it without a note, but that alone told me everything. Something was about to happen. I made my way back to her, weaving past a cluster of laughing nobles and council members. She was standing near one of the decorated pillars, her arms folded. "You saw the message?" She asked as I approached. "Yeah. Just now." Layla, always efficient, took the microphone and stepped onto the stage as the auction began. "Thank you, Alpha King Kaelos, for that inspiring speech. We now begin the auction portion of the evening..." As her voice echoed through the ballroom, Odessa leaned closer to me. "It’s the way the message said ’little witch,’" She whispered, her voice urgent. "If Celine or whoever sent that knew I was a hybrid, they wouldn’t word it that way." I narrowed my eyes. "So what are they planning to reveal?" Odessa shook her head. "I don’t know. That’s what’s bothering me. If it’s not about the hybrid thing, then what?" On stage, Layla raised the first item: an enchanted necklace said to have once belonged to a powerful witch high priestess during the beginning of the war. A bidding war broke out instantly, the numbers escalating rapidly. Relics followed... ornate daggers, a grimoire preserved in enchanted crystal, and even a ceremonial robe worn by an elder from the human-witch coalition. Everything was pristine, stolen from history and repackaged for display. It was a strange, surreal contrast. Elegant people in tuxedos and gowns raising paddles for the stolen remnants of war-torn factions... while just a few feet away, Odessa and I stood in dread. "Do you think this is a trap?" I asked quietly. She nodded. "Of course it is. I just don’t know what kind." Another item sold. Then another. Laughter and celebration echoed all around. The illusion of festivity. It was all for show... Until the projector screen flickered. It was subtle at first... it dimmed then a slight flutter of pixels. Then it went completely black. Layla paused mid-announcement, glancing toward the tech team. The crowd murmured, confusion spreading like wildfire. Then the projector came back to life again. A grainy video flickered onto the massive screen behind the stage. It wasn’t part of the event, and everyone knew it. Gasps echoed through the hall. Everyone turned, their eyes glued to the display. Some covered their mouths. Others stepped back as if the screen had exploded. But as for me... I blinked repeatedly, unable to believe what I was seeing. It had to be a trick of some kind... right? My heart pounded as I turned sharply to Odessa, who stood frozen with shock in her eyes.

Chapter 157: _Illusion Of Festivity

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