The banquet was late in the evening, and Garsam was charged with receiving guests. Hence she stood by the door, all smiles and welcoming, even though she wanted to chuck a bull at her father. Every one of the guests attended with gifts and a bellyful of gossip. They smiled and shook her hand, but once they walked in, they gossiped behind their hands.
She could only imagine the topics of their gossip. She shook her head to clear her mind. She only had to survive the rest of the night without killing someone; that should be easy enough. If not for her mom's insistence, she wouldn't have even bothered to turn up.
A figure entered her line of sight, and her mouth hung open in awe. Against her better judgment, she had invited Klaus to attend. He was dressed in a black tuxedo that complemented his hair and eyes. His usually pale face had a bit of color. How did he become more handsome since they last saw each other this morning?
He walked up to her and shook her hand. He whispered, "Hello, gorgeous."
Garsam blushed. She had dressed in a plain white tux under her mom's behest. She looked at the box in his hand, and her face darkened. "You brought a gift?"
She glared at him as if daring him to admit.
He nodded.
"A box of frozen vinegar," he grinned. "When it melts, she won't be having fun unwrapping these presents."
Garsam's eyes widened in surprise and mischief. "What a thoughtful present, stranger. Put it at the top of the gift pile; we wouldn't want your sincerity to go to waste."
Klaus bowed like a gentleman and walked to the gift pile. His box was black and tied with red ribbons; it didn't look very festive, more ominous. Garsam sighed; oh, she was falling for this man.
Half an hour later, the banquet officially started. Her mom gave a short speech that received sparse applause. Everyone behaved coldly as they saw she wasn't favored by the Alpha King. There were even speculations that Garsam's position as Heir was no longer certain. All those Alphas from lesser packs who flocked around him during banquets now offered short, simple greetings before going off on their own.
She was a little disturbed by how quickly they sang a different tune, but at least she was left alone. She glanced at Klaus's gift, wondering if it was already melting. She could almost imagine Molly's face crumpling in sadness and anger when she sees her gifts are ruined.
After checking up on her mom, she walked into the crowd to locate Klaus. She found him surrounded by a band of she-wolves. A brave one leaned towards him and asked if he was free tonight!
Garsam didn't recognize her, so she must be from a neighboring pack. Were they so loose that they would ask to hook up barely a few minutes after meeting, and that too with someone who wasn't their mate?
Garsam stomped over to the table. "Excuse me, ladies," she grinned, showing off her best features. Garsam was popular, so even if she didn't know them, they knew her.
The ladies bowed. "Greetings, Princely Heir."
One girl blushed. "The Princely Heir looks as good as always."
Garsam gasped and touched her chest. "Complimented by a beauty on a starry night, I will sleep with a smile on my lips."
The girls giggled.
"I need to talk business with my friend; would you ladies please excuse us?"
The girls nodded and scampered away. One of them turned back to look at Garsam and Klaus. She whispered to her friend, "Is it just me, or do they look good together?"
At the table, Garsam glared at Klaus. "I leave you for a few minutes, and you have bees buzzing to pollinate your flower."
Klaus laughed. "I think they were more eager to pollinate yours; I know I am."
"Can you not be so dirty-minded?" Garsam whisper-yelled. Could she ever spend time with him without blushing beet red!
Klaus shrugged. She was one to talk. The only difference between them was that he said his desires out loud. No hurry, he will soon make her learn to moan hers.
The host of the event said a few words in welcome. Then he announced the reason for the banquet. Everyone clapped. Most of them already knew the reason even before the invitation was sent, but they still acted surprised, and even though they looked down on mistresses, they still cheered congratulations. It was how society worked.
The lights dimmed, and a small spotlight appeared at the top of the stairs. Everyone turned to look. Her mom and Molly stepped down together. Her mom had chosen a regal look, a dark purple dress that matched her gemstone crown. Molly, on the other hand, was dressed in a pure white dress that reached her knees; her heels gave her a few extra inches and made her legs appear slender. Her makeup was delicate and cute, unlike her previous seductive look. She looked like the college girl next door. Garsam scoffed and looked away.
She saw Klaus looking at her. "If she upsets you that much, I could get rid of the child she's carrying and make it so that she can never give birth."
Garsam sputtered in shock. "Don't say scary things like that with a blank face."
She took his hand in her own. "As much as I want to toss her off a roof, I still have some humanity."
She leaned into her seat when she heard the crowd gasp. She turned to look just in time to see Molly tumble down the stairs; there was a dull thud when she hit the bottom. After a moment of shocked stillness, the banquet hall erupted in screams. Guards ran towards her and lifted her up. The Alpha King, who had been entertaining some other Alphas, rushed over. The utter panic was evident in his face. Something caught Garsam's eyes and made her blood run cold. Molly's pure white dress was stained with bright red blood.
Everyone's eyes turned to the woman on the stairs. The Luna Queen's hands were stretched out. Her expression was frozen in shock.
"The Queen pushed her!" Someone screamed. And like a tidal wave, the banquet hall erupted in a drone of murmurs.
"You bitch!" The Alpha King roared. "Guards arrest her!"