Bella's Pov
I swear, I am not someone who scares easily.
I have faced bad people. I have faced danger. I have faced moments where I had to pretend I was strong even when I wasn't.
But the moment those men walked through the door…
everything changed.
It was like the air shifted.
When he spoke, his voice filled the room.
"This engagement cannot hold."
Every nerve in my body snapped awake.
"You cannot marry that woman."
His finger lifted.
And pointed at me.
Just me.
In that moment, it felt like the whole hall closed in.
Every single eye turned my way.
I couldn't breathe.
Then—
Warmth.
A hand closed around mine.
Strong.
Steady.
I gasped softly.
And then I heard his voice.
Inside my head.
"Calm down, Bella. I'm here."
Logan.
I turned my head slowly and looked at him.
He was staring at me.
Soft eyes.
Gentle smile.
But his lips were not moving.
He squeezed my hand once. Just a little.
"It's going to be fine," his voice came again, calm and sure.
And just like that…
I could breathe.
The man stepped forward again.
"Alpha Logan," he roared. " I bring words from the moon goddess, Come forward and receive your command."
Logan let go of my hand.
He chuckled.
Actually chuckled.
Like this was funny.
He stepped forward, hands tucked into his trousers, relaxed and unbothered.
"You say you have something to say," he said calmly.
"I'm listening."
The man's face hardened.
"You must cancel this engagement at once. This union is against the Moon Goddess. If you go through with it, you will die. And your pack will be punished."
A sharp silence followed.
Logan nodded slowly.
His face turned serious.
"Is that all?" he asked.
No one answered.
"Good," Logan said.
"Then I have a question."
He looked straight at them.
"Who invited you here? Because I don't remember sending you an invite."
Murmurs spread through the hall.
The man stiffened.
"We do not need an invite. This matter is urgent."
Logan smiled.
Not warm.
Not kind.
Dangerous.
"So you break the rules," he said calmly,
"then come here to enforce rules on me?"
The man raised his chin.
"Alpha Logan, be careful. Even as Alpha of Alphas, you are not above the council. Our words come from the Goddess herself."
Logan's smile vanished.
His voice dropped.
"I never said I would disobey the Goddess," he said.
"I asked how the hell you entered my party."
The air shook.
"I am not just Alpha of Alphas," he continued, his voice rolling like thunder.
"I am the King of every living thing in this kingdom."
Something deeper was happening here.
This was not just about me.
This was power clashing with power.
The man bowed his head.
"We meant no disrespect, my King. This is about the safety of the pack."
"Then protect the pack," Logan replied.
"But never disrespect me like this again."
The men bowed together.
"It won't happen again."
"Now," Logan said slowly,
"tell me. Did the Goddess mention her name?"
His finger lifted.
Pointed at me.
The man hesitated.
"No," he admitted.
"Her name was not spoken. But the prophecy is clear. You must marry only for true love."
"And who told you I don't love her?" Logan asked.
The room exploded with gasps.
What the hell?
My head snapped toward Logan. Why is he lying? Cancel it. Save yourself. Save me.
"How can you love her," the old man demanded, "when you just met her?"
Logan shrugged. "Love at first sight."
I nearly choked.
"Now leave my party," he added smoothly. "You're ruining the vibe. We'll meet tomorrow at the Council and discuss this properly."
You are stubborn," the old man said coldly. "But since your mind is made up… here is more warning from the goddess herself."
He lifted both hands.
Thunder cracked outside.
The lights flickered.
Fear washed over me like a blanket. Thick. Heavy.
Tonight," the man said,
"the curse from the witches will activate."
My blood ran cold.
"If your love for each other is real," he said, turning his cold gaze to me, "one touch from her will break the curse and save your life. But if she does not…"
He let the silence finish the sentence.
My stomach dropped.
"Cancel the engagement now," he said,
"or accept your fate."
Logan didn't flinch. Not even a little.
"No," he said easily. "You should know me better than that. I don't scare easily."
The old man's lips curled. "Suit yourself."
He turned and began walking toward the exit, the others following behind him like shadows.
"Elder," Logan called after him.
The man paused and glanced back.
"See you tomorrow at the Council."
The elder gave a curt nod. Then his mouth twisted into something that made my stomach drop. "That is… if you make it alive till daybreak, my King."
The doors shut behind them with a heavy thud.
Silence.
A few seconds later, someone started clapping.
Slow. Deliberate.
We all turned.
It was Logan's uncle—Clara's father—grinning like he hadn't just watched a death sentence get casually announced.
"Thank goodness the party poppers are gone," he said lightly, lifting his glass. "Let's get back to celebrating."
Just like that, the tension snapped.
Laughter bubbled up. Music restarted. Glasses clinked. People smiled, drank, and danced—like death hadn't just been penciled into tonight's schedule.
I stared at them, stunned.
Logan turned back to me and took my hand. His grip was firm, grounding—too steady for someone who might die before sunrise.
"Are you okay?" he asked, searching my face.
"Yeah," I said.
Biggest lie of the night.
His fingers tightened slightly. "Good."
I opened my mouth to unload every question rattling around my skull—
—and got shoved aside.
"Logan! Are you alright?" she cried, already touching his face.
I rolled my eyes.
Of course. The witch.
"I'm fine," Logan said, gently removing her hand. His eyes never left mine.
Clara finally looked at me. "Oh—Bella. You're here?" she said, feigning surprise. "I didn't even see you."
This woman had nerve.
I forced a smile. "Yeah. I was the one you shoved. I was standing right next to Logan. Very visible. Very real."
"Oh my goodness!" she gasped. "I pushed you? I'm so sorry."
Then—just like that—her attention snapped right back to Logan.
"Are you really going through with this engagement after what the council said?" Her voice cracked as she touched his face again. "Please cancel it. I can't lose you."
"I'll be fine," Logan said flatly, removing her hand. Again.
A voice cut in from behind us.
"Are you sure about that?"
Logan's father stepped forward, Malcolm at his side.
"I warned you," his father said. "The elders wouldn't take this lightly."
Logan scoffed. "I don't give a damn what those old men think."
"Careful," Uncle Malcolm said calmly. "They are the eyes of the goddess."
"Please," Logan snapped. "They're corrupt. Greedy. Power-hungry."
"But Logan," Clara cut in sharply, frustration lacing her voice, "this isn't new. We all knew this was the only way to break the curse.
And you have only tonight."
Logan's jaw tightened.
"What I want to know," he said slowly, "is who invited them."
Silence fell.
"I did not invite a single one of those idiots to my party. Which means someone sent them invitations behind my back." His eyes darkened. "So who betrayed me?"
"Logan, not now," his father warned. "People are staring. This is how rumors start."
Logan laughed coldly. "I don't care. I'm pissed."
"You have every right to be," Uncle Malcolm said, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. "Robert, he's right. If someone is working against him, we need to find them. Don't worry, Logan—I will look into this and root out the traitor."
Logan nodded. "Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate it."
"But tonight," Uncle Malcolm continued, smiling, "is still your night."
Logan slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me close.
Ah. Showtime.
I tilted my head up at him, pasting on a sweet smile. God, when would this act end?
"Yes," Logan said, eyes locked on mine. "This night is still ours."
Then he raised his voice.
"Everyone head outside! I've got a surprise waiting."
Uncle Malcolm gestured toward the exit. "We'll leave you two to enjoy the rest of the party."
Logan's father sighed and walked off. Clara followed, clearly annoyed—guess she forgot she was supposed to be the graceful, understanding almost-fiancée.
Uncle Malcolm lingered.
"Bella," he said warmly, "welcome to the family."
I smiled.
And immediately didn't trust him.
Maybe it was just me. Maybe I was projecting Clara's venom onto him. Or maybe my instincts were screaming for a reason.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" Logan murmured near my ear.
I shook my head. "Nothing."
"I hope you like the surprise," he said.
"What is it?" I asked, curiosity winning.
He smiled. "If I tell you, it won't be a surprise."
"Fine," I sighed. "Let's go."
"Good," he said, leading me forward.
And I followed him—
straight into whatever nightmare was waiting next.