CHAPTER 52: 52

Zamiel let out another sigh of frustration, watching Carmela take another shot. He wasn’t sure how to explain the situation to her, knowing that no matter what he said, she was bound to take it the wrong way. With a sigh he signaled the bartender to leave.

"Carmela, I think it’s time we head out," he said, but she paid no heed, lost in her own world.

"Babe," came a soft voice from behind. He looked up to find his fiancée, beautifully dressed, but he couldn’t spare a moment to appreciate her beauty as much as he wanted to. His happiness was overshadowed by the turmoil caused by his childhood friends entangled in a game of cat and mouse.

"Nathan is here," she whispered, and Zamiel felt a breath of relief.

"Alpha One is here, Carmela," he said, tapping her shoulder. She donned her mask, placed her purse to the side, and held her gown in one hand as she rose to her feet.

"What are the chances that I won’t end up dead today?" she suddenly questioned no one in particular. "Death isn’t an option... I still have scores to settle with Nix Dean," she murmured to herself, making her way toward the parking lot.

The guards lined up with their heads slightly bowed, a silent acknowledgment of her presence.

In the dimly lit parking lot of the bar, a line of imposing bodyguards stood at attention, their presence a clear warning to anyone considering trouble. Clad in black suits and dark sunglasses, the men formed an intimidating human barricade, their expressions stern and alert.

At the forefront of this formation were two black Maruti Gypsies, their rugged frames standing out in stark contrast to the sleek luxury vehicle parked between them. The Gypsies’ powerful silhouettes projected an aura of readiness, as their engines radiated heat from a recent drive.

Nestled between the two Gypsies was a black Lamborghini, its glossy exterior gleaming under the dim lights, reflecting the faint neon glow from the bar’s sign. The Lamborghini, a symbol of opulence and power, seemed almost out of place in the gritty surroundings, yet it commanded the most attention.

Beside the Lamborghini, a chauffeur waited with the car door open, his posture professional and composed. He stood by the vehicle with an air of practiced patience, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement.

"Power," she said, the side of her lips raised in a sardonic smile as she approached where the chauffeur waited.

Nix turned to find Carmela standing poised in an elegant black dress, the ruffled off-shoulder design highlighting her graceful neckline and shoulders. The dress, a masterpiece of delicate tulle, cascaded down to the floor, its intricate layers creating a stunning silhouette. A daring slit revealed one toned leg, adding a touch of bold allure to her ensemble.

Her hair was adorned with sparkling stones, each gem catching the light and shimmering like stars. The elaborate hairstyle complemented the sophistication of her dress, enhancing her regal presence.

A mask concealed her identity, adding an air of mystery to her appearance. The mask, adorned with intricate patterns, framed her face perfectly, allowing only her expressive eyes and mouth to be seen. Her heart-shaped lips were painted with a rich cherry red lipstick, standing out vividly against the monochromatic palette of her attire.

Nix wanted to smile and compliment her looks but, remembering the situation they were in, he maintained a straight face, hiding his identity behind the mask he wore.

As the car door slammed shut behind her, the engine roared to life, and just like that, they were on their way to the gathering of harmony, as some called it, a night of prey, as others termed it, and the occasion of sinister events, as it was supposed to be referred to.

They drove for hours in silence, not mentioning a word to one another until Nix noticed that Carmela still wore her ring and hadn’t discarded it.

"Are you married?" he questioned, wanting to gauge her response, but she only looked out the window.

"In legal terms, yes. In other terms, none of your business," she scoffed, and he didn’t know how to react to her response. "I’ll make sure I cause you no harm. I’m sure Alpha Three must have told you about my reasons for wanting to attend this function, even if not the details of it. Just help me get in, and you can bid good riddance to me," was all she said before the car fell back into silence..

...

As I stepped out of the car,old memories rushed in,they weren’t clear but still I could tell how happy I was then.

The Dalton house hasn’t changed much over the years it was almost the way it was when I left except for maybe the chance of maids and retouch of paint to the building

"Catch me if you can" i saw the younger version of me scream as she ran past me with a smile on her face,I turned to the garden and there she was in the hands of a man who’s face wasn’t visible yet but from the way my younger self reacted I could tell he was my father, mum stood with a big tummy at the side and anyone could tell without words being said that we were a happy family but everything got ruined by one person

"Shall we?" I turned to find Alpha one offering me his hand which I took as he led the way up the grand stairs.

Security stood at both side checking and confirming invitations and identity and I couldn’t help but clench tighter to his hand feeling the rush of nervousness in my stomach,but surprisingly they just bowed their heads and made way for us

"You seem surprised"he suddenly spoke up and I nodded "we weren’t checked.."

"There has been a new update in the system,each power and rank have their own color masks to make it easier to differentiate them." he informed

As we stepped inside,the grand ballroom glittered under the soft glow of countless chandeliers, casting a warm light over the sea of elegantly dressed guests. Each person was adorned in sophisticated black attire, creating a striking and mysterious atmosphere. The women wore gowns that flowed like liquid shadows, adorned with intricate lace and shimmering sequins. The men donned sharp tuxedos, their crisp lines adding to the event’s sense of timeless elegance.

Every face was hidden behind a unique mask, adding an air of intrigue and anonymity. Some masks were delicate and lacy, barely obscuring the wearer’s features, while others were elaborate and adorned with feathers, gems, and intricate designs. The masks ranged from classic Venetian styles to more modern, avant-garde creations, each one telling its own silent story.

Soft music played in the background,and i couldn’t resist the urge of familiarity with the entire place, starting with the weird familiarity I got from Alpha one and the way he sounded much like Nix,I’ve shakes my head several times saying I could be hearing things since I’ve spent lots of intimate time with it but still it couldn’t change the reality of things.

"Just one more night and I’ll be done with everything concerning the Dean’s and Daltons" I said letting out a soft sigh

"Alpha one" a man called with excitement as he approached us "it’s a pleasure finally having you back at such gatherings" he said but Alpha one didn’t respond he just nodded his head and walked on while the man chased after us

".. there has been rumors that you are going to join the fight of become the heir so why didn’t you take Alpha two help? Marrying her makes you the automatic heir and.."

"I guess you’re lacking on the gossips,cause if you weren’t then you’d know I’m already married" the air got a bit awkward seeing the man before us stiffen before we resume our step

"I didn’t know you were married" amusement lingering all over my voice as we took our seat at one of the tables

"You weren’t observant enough to take note" He raised his hand showing off his finger "I’m not sure what you’re planning but I’d advise you hold back until everyone is relaxed and unwary,I’ll be taking my seat at the high table.."

"Why is your wife not here?" I interrupted him as I didn’t want to talk about what I was up to

"I can simply ask the same as your partner isn’t here as well" he retorted and I scoff,he is a hard one to play with "I don’t want my husband to be open to danger if I introduce him to this world..." I said simply

"..or maybe I’ll be the one in danger if I get to know his world" I murmured to myself unsure of what the right answer to his question was.

"You can say the same for my case but we got a little misunderstanding and she’s really upset"

"You love her?" I said with a teasing smile but I got no response from him, even his composure was unreadable

"Even if you don’t love her as long as your intentions are genuine I’m sure she’ll forgive you.." our chat got cut off by a man who approached us leading us to the seats ment for the occasion

We got to the grand hall, where three long tables formed a U-shape, two tables faced each other lengthwise, while the third stood prominently at the head. Hundreds of chairs lined the sides of the facing tables, creating an impressive display of symmetry and grandeur. At the head table, ten grand chairs were meticulously arranged, each symbolizing a rank of importance, with the highest rank seated in the center.

The tables were adorned with an array of dishes catering to both vegetarian and non-vegetarian palates. The sumptuous spread included exotic fruits, fresh salads, succulent meats, and delicate seafood, each dish artfully presented. Between the plates, an assortment of expensive wine bottles gleamed, their labels showcasing renowned vintages. Crystal glasses sparkled beside polished cutlery, reflecting the opulence of the feast.

As everyone settled into their seats, the maids took their positions beside the chairs, poised and ready to serve with flawless precision. Their presence added an air of refined elegance to the already majestic setting, ensuring that every guest would experience the height of hospitality.

Alpha One took his seat at the center chair, and I took mine beside him. Soon, Zamiel and his fiancée, as well as Alpha Four and his father, joined us. Yet, the person I urgently wanted to see was nowhere to be found.

As the maids prepared to pour water into everyone’s glasses, they halted at the raised hand of Alpha One.

"Forgive the late appearance, this old man has a lot going on," came the voice I had been waiting for. I turned to see him seated in a wheelchair, being pushed in by none other than my replacement, who wore a plain black gown covering and a mask.

"Shall we?" Alpha One said as he and Ella took their seats. The maids began serving the dishes, but the atmosphere was heavy, charged with a mix of conflicting auras and complex emotions. The air felt thick with tension, as if it was holding its breath, waiting for something to break the silence. Each person seemed to radiate fear, anger, sorrow, and anticipation, creating a chaotic yet strangely cohesive blend.

The silence was oppressive, amplifying every slight movement and breath. The weight of unexpressed emotions hung in the air, threatening to suffocate anyone who lingered too long. It was the kind of quiet that felt like it could erupt at any moment.

This atmosphere was expected, as no one knew who would emerge as the next heir. Some were trying to curry favor with potential heirs, while others sought to change their fates by backing the future leader.

Complicated, right?

Regardless, I was here to kill, and I was determined to do so. I munched on a spoonful of food, but my lack of appetite and time made it difficult to swallow. My thoughts were interrupted when Alpha One placed a saucer with bunny-shaped apples before me. Memories of Nix doing the same flooded my mind, but I composed myself and let out a deep breath.

"What a show-off," someone muttered in French. I didn’t react. Instead, I pushed my dish aside and began eating the apples as refusing them would only draw unwanted attention.

"Alpha One never ceases to amaze us. He initially refused to contest for the dynasty heir but now suddenly wants us to make him heir, defying the dynasty law of marrying within the dynasty," Grand Alpha Four remarked.

"Don’t be like that, Grand Alpha Four. It isn’t compulsory to marry within our own circle, but we should at least marry someone of similar class and status, not a nobody," Ella added and I couldn’t resist chuckling, drawing everyone’s attention.

"Oh, I’m sorry," I said with a small smile as I munched on another slice of apple. If I were her, I’d surely be perturbed not only was she rejected by Nix Dean but also by Alpha One. She must be lacking a lot.

"Alpha One seems not to have enlightened his wife on courtesy," Ella added and despite the fact that I wasn’t his wife I felt the impulse to retort.

"Says someone who spends the entire day at the shopping mall," Zamiel’s fiancée responded, and the battle of words began.

"I bet your store wouldn’t make sales if I decided not to go there for a day," she shot back, and this was my cue to join in.

"Your absence would be a relief. Her store thrives on genuine support, not empty boasts from someone who has failed to contribute meaningfully to society."

"What do we call them in Spanish? ’Tonto’?" I asked, turning to Zamiel’s fiancée with a smile. She returned the smile and replied, "Sí, sis." Her response seemed to infuriate Ella, who slammed her hand on the table. The noise startled everyone, but before any further conflict could erupt, my so-called grandfather intervened. He placed a steadying hand on Ella’s arm, silencing her.

"I’d love to excuse myself," he said, rising gracefully from his seat. I seized the opportunity and excused myself as well, citing a need to use the restroom.

I followed him at a cautious distance, careful not to draw attention. My steps were deliberate, avoiding any movement that might appear suspicious to those observing the CCTV cameras. As I slipped through the door behind him, I heard him call out, "Carmela!"

Before I could respond, a sharp pain pierced my neck. The world around me began to blur as a needle delivered its payload. My vision swayed and darkened, and I felt a disorienting weight pressing down on my consciousness. The last thing I registered was the cold, metallic taste of fear before everything slipped into unconsciousness.