Chapter 7
Sophia's POV
The moment I step through the grand entrance of the birthday celebration, my eyes start scanning the crowd for one particular person. The elegant ballroom buzzes with conversation and the soft rustle of silk gowns, but I'm not ready to dive into the social scene just yet.
"Miss Sophia!" A server approaches with a warm smile. "Miss Chloe asked me to tell you she's waiting for you in the upstairs lounge."
"Thank you," I reply politely, eagerly making my way toward the marble staircase.
I gather the shimmering fabric of my gown and climb the stairs, my heart racing with anticipation. It's been way too long since I've seen Chloe, and I desperately need to catch up with my best friend before facing that pack of Alphas downstairs.
The second floor is much quieter, with carpeted hallways lined with several elegantly decorated lounges. I push open the door to the largest one and immediately spot the familiar figure I've been looking for.
"Chloe!"
She spins around from the floor-to-ceiling windows, her face lighting up with pure joy. Her gorgeous blonde hair cascades down her back, and she's wearing a flowing yellow gown that perfectly complements her warm brown eyes—she looks absolutely stunning.
"Sophia!" she squeals, rushing across the room to give me a bone-crushing hug. "Oh my God, you look even more beautiful than you did on video!"
I laugh, feeling some of the tension melt from my shoulders as I hug her back tightly. "I've missed you so much."
"Me too!" Chloe squeezes me hard, then pulls back slightly, her brown eyes filled with concern. "Sophia, I heard about what went down with the Starlight Pack. How dare those bastards treat you like that!" Her voice trembles with rage. "Elena, Aria, and that blind idiot Lucas! If I ever get my hands on them, I'll make them regret the day they were born!"
"Chloe..." I say softly, touched by her fierce protectiveness.
Just then, a commotion erupts from downstairs—a mix of whispers and gasps that breaks the peaceful quiet of the second floor.
"What the hell's all that noise about?" Chloe frowns, walking toward the window. "Come on, let's see what's going down."
I follow her to the floor-to-ceiling windows and peer down at the ballroom entrance. A crowd has gathered there, everyone craning their necks to look in one direction, chattering excitedly.
"Is that..." I squint, trying to make out the figure at the center of the crowd.
"Holy shit!" Chloe suddenly exclaims. "Isn't that Aria? She actually had the balls to show up!"
My heart races as I spot that familiar petite figure. Aria's wearing a pink evening gown, her arm linked with a tall man's as she glides gracefully through the crowd. And that man...
"Lucas actually brought her!" Chloe says in disbelief, her voice dripping with fury. "How dare he bring that woman to such an important event? When you're still technically his Luna!"
I watch the scene below, feeling dizzy. Lucas looks devastatingly handsome in his black tuxedo, while Aria clings to his arm with a smug smile, as if announcing her status to everyone present.
"This is a straight-up slap in the face!" Chloe's practically grinding her teeth. "Who the hell do they think they are? Having the nerve to act so cocky at your birthday party!"
With that, Chloe angrily turns toward the door, clearly planning to march downstairs and give them a piece of her mind.
"I'm going down there to teach them some manners! Especially that Aria—just looking at her smug face makes me sick!" Chloe mutters furiously as she storms toward the exit. "And that asshole Lucas, bringing his side piece to your birthday party!"
"Chloe, wait!" I quickly catch up and grab her arm. "Don't do anything rash!"
"What do you mean don't be rash?" Chloe whirls around, her brown eyes blazing with fury. "Sophia, are you seriously gonna let them humiliate you like this? This is your birthday party, not their damn show!"
I take a deep breath, trying to keep my cool. "I know you've got my back, but I don't want my first public appearance to be this unexpectedly... dramatic."
"But..." Chloe starts to protest, but seeing the determination in my eyes, she calms down slightly.
"Trust me," I say quietly. "They're out in the open, I'm in the shadows. That's when things get interesting."
Just then, there's a knock at the door.
"Knock knock knock—"
"Come in," I call out.
The door swings open and Ryder pokes his head in, wearing his signature mischievous grin. "Well, well, our birthday girl's having a secret meeting up here?" He strolls into the room, dramatically surveying the space. "Let me guess—are you plotting world domination, or discussing that 'loving' couple downstairs?"
Chloe looks surprised. "Ryder, your intel network's pretty damn impressive."
"Of course it is!" Ryder proudly pats his chest. "As the mastermind behind this epic bash, I've got eyes and ears all over this joint. Speaking of which," he turns to me, clearing his throat with mock seriousness, "Princess Sophia, Your Highness, your—I mean, the birthday celebration is about to officially begin. Are you ready for your moment in the spotlight?"
Looking at his ridiculous expression, I can't help but laugh. "Ryder, I need you to get me something."
"Oh? What's that? A diamond tiara? A golden scepter?" He gestures dramatically, then suddenly his face changes. "Please don't tell me you actually want me to dive for pearls in the ocean."
"I just want a mask," I say with amusement. "Something elegant. I'm not ready for too many people to know who I am just yet."
Ryder immediately looks relieved, dramatically clutching his chest. "Thank God!"
He doesn't ask why I need the mask, just cheerfully nods. "No problem! I'll get you the most exquisite mask money can buy."
Twenty minutes later, I'm standing center stage, bathed in warm spotlight. The silver mask Ryder found for me is absolutely gorgeous. It only covers the upper half of my face, but it's enough to add an air of mystery.
Hundreds of eyes are fixed on me from below, murmurs rippling through the crowd. I can feel everyone's curiosity and speculation, especially when my gaze sweeps over the crowd and I catch Lucas and Aria's shocked expressions.
Father stands beside me, his commanding voice carrying through the microphone to every corner of the ballroom: "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I want to introduce you to a very special young lady."
He pauses, surveying the entire room, then continues: "Please allow me to formally present—my daughter, Princess of the Anderson Kingdom, Her Royal Highness Sophia Anderson."
The crowd erupts in shocked gasps and excited whispers.