chapter 3
Sophia's POV:
Father nodded approvingly, his golden eyes gleaming with long-awaited satisfaction. "We'll have to throw you a proper birthday bash then."
"A birthday party?" I asked, my voice still hoarse from the emotional turmoil.
"Yes," Father replied, his tone stripped of any Lycan authority—he was nothing but a doting father now. "I'll invite every Alpha in the kingdom to your twenty-third birthday. You can take your pick, and whoever catches your eye, I'll make sure you get him."
I couldn't help but be amused by his coaxing tone—he made the Alphas sound like toys in a candy store, ready to be picked and chosen.
Ryder chimed in from the side, "Exactly. My sister's such a knockout, who wouldn't fall head over heels for her? Except for that fool Lucas who wouldn't know a diamond if it hit him in the face."
Just like that, my heavy mood from the nightmare was lifted by their banter. They always knew exactly how to cheer me up. I found myself actually looking forward to tomorrow's birthday party.
"Then I'd better start getting ready."
Father's expression softened slightly. "Of course. Whatever you need, just tell your brother—he'd dive to the bottom of the ocean to get you pearls if you asked."
I flashed Father a sweet smile and said, "Okay."
Ryder's face fell slightly, looking like a kicked puppy. "Does anyone care about my feelings here?"
Father leaned down and kissed my forehead, the tender gesture nearly bringing tears to my eyes. "It's settled then. Tomorrow night, the kingdom will officially welcome their princess."
The next morning, I woke to sunlight streaming through my bedroom's crystal windows, feeling genuinely excited about the day ahead for the first time in years.
Father and Ryder had left early to handle the arrangements.
Now, alone in my room, I found myself pacing by the windows. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I smiled when I saw my longtime friend Chloe's picture lighting up the screen.
"Sophia!" Her voice burst through the speaker the moment I answered the video call. "You finally decided to come back! Ryder told me you're having this huge birthday bash tonight—you're finally ready to step back into the spotlight, my Princess Sophia!"
I flopped back onto my bed, laughing at her enthusiasm. "Chloe, you're being dramatic. It's just a birthday party."
"Like hell it is! This is your grand debut as a free woman," Chloe corrected, bouncing excitedly in what looked like her bedroom. "God, I've been waiting years for this day. We're finally celebrating you ditching that deadweight excuse for a mate and finding yourself a real Alpha!"
"Chloe, enough," I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in months.
"What? I'm just saying what everyone's thinking." She leaned closer to the camera, her brown eyes sparkling with mischief. "But seriously, is Lucas going to be there tonight? Are you ready to face him again?"
I considered the question carefully. Surrounded by family and friends, I felt ready to be brave and true to myself. "Honestly? I am ready. I think I can handle whatever happens."
"Yes!" She clapped her hands. "I heard your dad invited every Alpha in the kingdom—you're going to have quite the selection tonight. Don't miss the forest for the trees, girl."
For years, I'd held onto Lucas, convinced I'd made the right choice. Now that I'd decided to let go of Lucas and open my heart again, it seemed like something that couldn't happen overnight. "Chloe, I'm not sure I'm ready to think about romance again just yet. Maybe I need to find myself first."
Her expression softened with understanding. "I get it. Once bitten, twice shy. But I still hope you don't lose your ability to love or the courage to try."
Before I could respond, a gentle knock interrupted our conversation. "Come in," I called.
Margaret, the elderly servant who'd been caring for our family since I was little, entered with two younger maids. They carried exquisite garment bags, and Margaret's weathered face glowed with excitement.
"Princess," she said with a respectful curtsy, "Prince Ryder requested we select some gowns for tonight's celebration."
"Oh my God, I have to see this," Chloe said from my phone screen. "Show me everything!"
My breath caught as the servants carefully laid out five stunning gowns on my bed. Each was a masterpiece, but one immediately captured my attention.
It was a floor-length gown, pristine white and seemingly luminous. The fitted bodice was adorned with intricate silver beadwork, while the skirt flowed like liquid starlight. It was elegant and regal—the kind of dress I hadn't worn since leaving the castle to become Lucas's luna.
"This one," I said without hesitation, reaching out to touch the exquisite fabric.
"Sophia, you've still got great taste—that dress is absolutely gorgeous," Chloe gasped through the phone, her voice tinged with playful teasing.
As Margaret helped me into the gown, I caught a glimpse of myself in the dressing mirror and felt momentarily disoriented. The three years at Starlight Pack had almost made me forget who I used to be.
I stared at my reflection in stunned silence—confident, radiant, powerful.
"Your Highness, you look absolutely stunning," Margaret whispered as she fastened the delicate buttons along my back.
"Just like before—no matter the occasion, you always loved dressing up beautifully."
She was right. Before becoming Lucas's luna, I'd loved collecting all kinds of outfits, delighting in dressing up. But after marrying Lucas, especially once Aria appeared, my wardrobe became about avoiding attention, making myself invisible so Aria could shine brighter. Muted colors, conservative necklines, plain silhouettes.
Just because Aria was Lucas's fated mate and I had supposedly stolen the luna position that should have been hers, I was expected to fade into the background.
"One final touch," Margaret said, producing a jewelry box I recognized immediately.
It was the Moon Goddess necklace—a gift Father had commissioned for my coming-of-age ceremony. A crescent-shaped pendant encrusted with diamonds.
As Margaret clasped it around my neck, I realized the dress and necklace looked like they'd been made for each other—a perfect match.
The door opened, and Ryder walked in. When his silver-gray eyes landed on me, they widened with amazement and unmistakable pride.
"Damn, Sophia," he said softly, crossing the room to take my hands. "You were born to be a princess. You look absolutely breathtaking."
Ryder's praise brought back the confidence I'd lost so long ago.
"Tonight, every Alpha in that ballroom is going to be completely smitten with you."