Chapter 5: Public Disgrace

[Margaret's POV] "The Lycan King is expected to arrive tomorrow. I’ll go over the reception area once more," I stated, exhaustion evident in my voice. The dark circles under my eyes had deepened from lack of rest, and the fatigue clung to my body like a heavy shroud. Elizabeth arched an eyebrow, feigning concern. "Oh, Margaret, you look awful." I sighed, too tired to be offended. "I know, but I don’t have much of a choice. At least the preparations are nearly complete." I was acutely aware of how haggard I appeared. My swollen eyelids struggled to remain open, and I had been surviving on an excessive amount of strong coffee just to keep myself functional. The endless planning and coordination had drained me entirely. It had been three days since I last took a proper shower or changed into fresh clothes. Elizabeth gave me a pitying look. "You should go and rest." "And who’s going to check the reception area?" I countered. "Anthony has already left to oversee the frigate. Someone has to ensure that everything is in order before the Lycan King arrives." Elizabeth said nothing. I knew she wouldn’t volunteer. Even if she did, it would be a futile effort—she was unfamiliar with the arrangements. Everything had been meticulously planned by me alone. "Alright then, you should go back," I said, waving her off. "And don’t forget to wear the dress I told you about tomorrow." As I reached the entrance of the venue, I caught sight of my reflection in the polished pillar by the door and grimaced. Elizabeth had been right—I looked absolutely terrible. My grayish-white dress was wrinkled beyond salvation, stained with remnants of food from the past two days. My shoes were scuffed and covered in dust. My hair, tangled and unruly, resembled a wild mass of seaweed. My skin was ghostly pale, my eyes dull and lifeless, and my lips were parched. I ran my fingers through my hair in an attempt to tame it, but it was hopeless. I exhaled heavily. I would check the venue quickly and then return to freshen up. I couldn’t afford to be seen in this state any longer. The reception hall was grandly decorated, a testament to my painstaking efforts. Rows of dining tables flanked both sides of the expansive room, their surfaces adorned with pristine, polished cutlery and glasses that sparkled under the light. Bottles of fine red wine remained unopened, waiting for the grand occasion. The moment the Lycan King arrived, an array of exquisite dishes and delicacies would be served. "Margaret!" A familiar voice called my name, and I turned to see Anthony rushing towards me, breathless. "What’s wrong?" I asked, concerned. "The Lycan King is here early!" he exclaimed. "I saw the royal entourage while I was on patrol. They’ll be arriving shortly." "What?" My heart lurched. This was a full day earlier than expected. "Luckily, we’re nearly finished with all the preparations," Anthony reassured me. "I’ve already sent word to Luna Elizabeth. I’ll escort the Lycan King here with her. You’ll manage the reception. Can you handle it?" "Of course," I answered without hesitation. There was no time to worry about my disheveled appearance. I immediately alerted the kitchen staff to commence food preparation, instructed the servants to take their positions, and sent word to the pack members, urging them to gather quickly. Within moments, the hall was bustling with activity. Despite the urgency, the women had taken care to present themselves impeccably. Each one was elegantly dressed, their makeup flawlessly applied. For a fleeting moment, I wished I could look more presentable. The Lycan King was the most powerful and esteemed figure in the entire werewolf realm. Elizabeth had been right—there wasn’t a single woman who wouldn’t wish to catch his eye. Despite my personal humiliation of being the Luna’s elder sister rather than the Luna herself, I had secretly hoped to be noticed. Now, however, I found myself instinctively retreating to a quiet corner, unwilling to dwell on such thoughts. "Well, if it isn’t Margaret." A delicate yet mocking voice sliced through the air. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Selena. Elizabeth was beloved by many, but her admirers never extended their favor to me. Instead, I had become the unfortunate target of scorn from her enemies. Selena, in particular, seemed to take pleasure in tormenting me whenever the opportunity arose. I remained silent, hoping she would lose interest. But it was clear she had no intention of letting me off so easily. "Look at what Margaret is wearing! Are those rags?" she sneered loudly, drawing the attention of those nearby. Laughter rippled through the gathered crowd. As always, no one came to my defense. "You’re really going to greet the Lycan King dressed like this?" she continued, her voice dripping with mockery. "What will he think of our pack when he sees the Luna’s sister looking like a servant? You’re an embarrassment to us all." My fists clenched at my sides. I refused to let her words break me. "I arranged everything in this hall," I retorted sharply. "I’ve done more for this pack than anyone else!" Selena smirked. "Oh, please. Everyone knows that the Luna is responsible for these preparations. Even if you did the work, the credit belongs to her. Or have you forgotten? You always thought you would be the Luna, didn’t you?" A chorus of snickers followed her words. My chest tightened. Selena leaned in, her voice a cruel whisper. "Tell me, Margaret, who was it that used to boast about becoming the pack’s Luna? And then, on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, watched helplessly as her younger sister stole the Alpha right out from under her nose?" My vision blurred with unshed tears, but I refused to let them fall. The pain of that moment, of losing not just my dream but my dignity, still haunted me. "It must be humiliating," she continued with a saccharine smile. "Your younger sister is the Alpha’s fated mate. She holds the position of Luna while you—what are you, exactly?" She let out a hollow laugh. "You weren’t even good enough for the Alpha of our pack." The laughter around me grew louder, each note a dagger in my heart. But I stood my ground, swallowing the pain. The Lycan King was about to arrive. I couldn’t afford to break now.