Chapter 485 Why are they here?

Seraphine froze the moment the words hit her, echoing loud and heavy through her mind. ’Daisy is pregnant.’

Her heart tightened in her chest before she slowly released the breath she’d been holding.

At first, the news shook her to her core. She worried that this pregnancy might give everyone the perfect excuse to let Daisy slip away from the brutal punishment she so richly deserved.

But then another thought crashed in, and a faint, sharp little smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Daisy wasn’t the only one tied to that pup. She was Ravyn’s greatest weakness now. Without Daisy, he might eventually heal from all the damage she’d caused.

But if she was carrying his child when the full truth about her crimes exploded into the open, Ravyn would be forced to live with the soul-crushing pain of loving someone who had betrayed him in the worst ways imaginable.

That kind of lifelong torment was far more devastating than anything Seraphine could ever dream up herself. The idea sent a dark thrill through her, reminding her so much of what had happened with Vladimir and Olivia.

The middle aged Alpha had been torturing Olivia mercilessly and who knows? Daisy might just suffer the same fate when Ravyn does all the dirty work for Seraphine.

A quiet, satisfied chuckle escaped her lips. “It’s okay,” Seraphine said, her voice staying perfectly calm and steady. “But does she know yet?”

Damon glanced down at the medical file still gripped in his hand. “Not yet. I only grabbed the results for her.”

“Good,” Seraphine replied, her expression turning dead serious. “Don’t tell her anything.”

She lowered her voice even further, carefully scanning the area around her. The Moon Festival was going to run all night long, and Daisy’s coronation wasn’t happening until mid-morning.

There were tons of activities planned to keep everyone busy and distracted that played right into her hands. She needed everything to unfold at exactly the perfect moment.

If Daisy found out too soon, she might try to weaponize the pregnancy and wiggle out of taking punishments when she’s exposed. Seraphine refused to let that happen. The only time she planned to drop that bombshell was if Ravyn tried to go easy on Daisy. Death would be way too merciful. She wanted him to face the ugly truth before any judgment was handed down.

“Let me be the one to tell them,” she whispered, her voice barely cutting through the festival noise.

Damon understood right away. “As you wish, Sera,” he said, his tone softening with warmth. “I’ll be there soon.”

The call ended, and Seraphine slowly lowered her phone. That’s when she finally noticed something weird. Dozens of eyes were locked straight on her. Some looked curious, others amused, and a few just waited to see how she’d react.

She frowned, wondering why the hell everyone had suddenly become so interested in her business.

Before she could piece it together, Ravyn’s deep, commanding voice boomed across the festival grounds. “I welcome everyone to this year’s Full Moon Festival!”

The conversations around them gradually faded out as every guest turned toward the large platform where Ravyn stood tall, flashing that confident smile of his.

“As you all know, the full moon won’t be rising for another few hours.” He stretched both arms wide toward the crowd. “So until then… let’s make these hours absolutely unforgettable with games and celebrations!”

Thunderous applause exploded around the bonfire. Cheers ripped through the pack, mixing with wild laughter, thumping music, clinking glasses, and the mouthwatering sizzle of meat roasting on giant grills. The whole festival burst into vibrant, electric life.

Ravyn raised one hand for silence, then added with a playful grin, “And remember… whatever happens at the Full Moon Festival stays at the Full Moon Festival!”

The crowd roared back in agreement, some bursting into laughter while others whistled loudly. Only then did it finally click for Seraphine why so many people had been staring at her.

Years ago, she had stood on these very same words during another Full Moon Festival—young, hopelessly in love, and bold enough to scream at the top of her lungs that she loved Ravyn.

Back then, she’d thought those words would stay as a sweet little secret among the people who heard it. Instead, that confession had spread like wildfire through every pack.

It haunted her for years, with people laughing about it, whispering behind her back, and mocking her every chance they got. The festival’s famous slogan had never once protected her.

A warm, steady voice pulled her out of that painful swirl of memories. “Ignore them,” Corvine murmured, leaning in close so only she could hear. His calm presence instantly eased the tight knot in her chest.

Before she could even respond, a fresh wave of excited whispers rippled through the crowd.

“Alpha Killian…”

“He actually came…”

“I’ve never seen him show up at any festival.”

“I thought he hated these kinds of gatherings.”

Heads turned almost in unison. Even Ravyn looked genuinely surprised. Ever since becoming Alpha of the Shadow Pack, Killian had skipped every major event, coronations, alliance meetings, festivals.

He always found some excuse to stay away. Seeing him here tonight had everyone stunned.

Killian ignored all the curious stares swirling around him. His intense eyes stayed locked on only one person: Athaliah. Without missing a beat, he walked straight toward her, his face unreadable.

“Princess,” his deep voice carried enough natural authority to hush the conversations nearby. “I’d like to speak with you.”

Corvine’s stomach tightened, his heartbeat growing heavier with every step Killian took. He already had a strong suspicion about why the Alpha had approached Athaliah, but he couldn’t help clinging to the desperate hope that he was wrong.

Athaliah met Killian’s gaze for a long moment before offering a polite smile. “I’m sorry, Alpha Killian,” she said, her tone respectful but firm. “We invited you to my dinner party, but you chose not to come.” She glanced toward the lively bonfire. “I’m here to enjoy the festival.”

Her meaning was crystal clear. She wasn’t interested in any private conversation right now.

For the first time that evening, a rush of warmth flooded through Corvine’s chest, and he almost let a real smile break across his face.

Killian’s expression darkened instantly, his jaw tightening with frustration. “Your father—”

“I’m not on good terms with my father right now,” Athaliah cut him off smoothly, her voice calm but leaving zero room for argument.

Just then, another familiar voice sliced through the rising tension. “Alpha Ravyn.” Luna Mayo’s sweet tone sounded perfectly innocent on the surface, but anyone who knew her could hear the venom dripping underneath.

She stepped forward with a pleasant smile plastered on her face. “Isn’t this side of the festival reserved for leaders?”

Her eyes slowly drifted over to Seraphine, then moved to Corvine. A smug little smile curled across her lips. “If I remember correctly, Luna Sera and Beta Corvine are no longer leaders. So… why are they here?”