Aria's POV
The ballroom was breathtaking—crystal chandeliers, polished marble floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens.
Alphas and their mates mingled in clusters, drinks in hand, their conversations humming with barely concealed ambition.
Every head turned as we entered.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Is that her? Vincent Smith's daughter?"
"I heard she was human—"
"But she's with the Alpha King—"
"Didn't she used to be with Ethan Holt?"
My stomach tightened at the sound of his name, but I forced myself to keep walking.
Victor was waiting just inside the grand ballroom, dressed in a sharp gray suit. He smiled when he saw me, though his gaze flicked briefly to Damian with something that looked like approval.
"Aria. You look stunn
