Chapter 163: THE UNEXPECTED MESSENGER
KEISHA’S POV
I stood before the full-length mirror in my room, smoothing the front of my dress for what felt like the tenth time.
The fabric flowed elegantly around me, carefully tailored to flatter my changing figure without being too harsh on me. When Vera had insisted on buying it, I’d been convinced it would never suit someone carrying twins, but now, seeing my reflection beneath the glow of the lights, I had to admit she’d been right.
Pregnancy had changed me.
My waist had become softer, my stomach had begun to round noticeably, and there were moments when I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.
Yet, I still felt sexy and confident in the dress. Like the pregnancy only amplified my attractiveness.
I rested a hand lightly over my belly. "You’ve both picked quite the timing," I murmured with a smile.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. Before I could answer, the door flew open.
"Keisha!" Nadia hurried inside, her excitement evident. She stopped directly in front of me and turned in a slow circle, holding the sides of her dress as though presenting it for inspection. "Be honest." She looked almost nervous despite the smile on her face. "Does this actually look good?"
I couldn’t help laughing. She had spent the better part of two days pretending she wasn’t particularly interested in celebrating her birthday, yet now that the evening had finally arrived, she was already hyperventilating. "You haven’t even let me look yet."
"I know, but hurry." She pointed toward her shoes. "Are the heels too much? Vera said they weren’t."
Before I could answer, she reached for the necklace resting against her collarbone.n"And these? Do they match, or should I have picked the silver ones instead?"
I folded my arms, studying her from head to toe with exaggerated seriousness while she stood perfectly still, waiting for my verdict.
The dress complemented her beautifully, she looked stunning as always. When I finally smiled, the tension visibly eased from her shoulders. "You look beautiful."
"Really?" She gushed.
"Really."
"And nothing looks strange?" She pressed.
"Nothing." I shook my head.
She let out an enormous sigh of relief.n"I was starting to think I’d overdone it."
"You definitely didn’t."
She laughed, shaking her head. "I still can’t believe how many people are coming."
Neither could I.
Until yesterday, I’d imagined the celebration would be a quiet gathering inside the mansion with close friends and trusted pack members. Then Vera had calmly revealed the guest list.
Alphas. Betas. Pack elders. Influential merchants. Political allies from neighbouring territories. Representatives from packs I’d only ever heard mentioned during official meetings.
By the time she’d finished listing everyone expected to attend, it no longer sounded like a birthday celebration.
It was like a political gathering.
"I think Vera enjoys surprising people," I said.
"I think she enjoys giving Father headaches." She chuckled.
We both laughed because there was probably some truth in that.
A maid knocked gently before informing us that the cars were ready and we went on our way.
Long before we arrived, we could already see lights illuminating the building from every direction, elegant decorations stretching across the entrance while guards stood watch along the surrounding grounds.
The event was clearly far grander than Nadia had ever anticipated.
As soon as the car stopped, attendants hurried forward to open the doors.
Nadia was naturally the centre of attention.
Several guests waiting near the entrance immediately greeted her with smiles and birthday wishes, drawing her toward the front steps before I had even finished stepping out of the vehicle.
"I’ll see you inside," she called over her shoulder, already being swept into conversation.
I smiled as I watched her go.
She deserved tonight. After everything she’d endured these past months, seeing genuine excitement replace the sadness she’d carried for so long felt refreshing.
"Keisha." I turned toward the familiar voice.
Dane stood near the entrance dressed far more formally than I was accustomed to seeing him. Even so, the relaxed grin on his face remained exactly the same.
He looked me over briefly before smiling wider. "You look wonderful."
Heat crept into my cheeks before I could stop it. "Thank you."
"I suppose I should thank Vera." He shrugged. "Heard she took you both out for the dresses."
"She’ll probably take full credit whether you do or not."
A quiet laugh escaped both of us and he glanced toward the crowded entrance before offering me his arm with exaggerated formality. "The Alpha’s Beta has been assigned a very important duty today."
"Oh?" I waited.
"My orders are to make sure you reach the ballroom safely."
I raised an eyebrow. "I wasn’t aware I needed an escort."
"You always need an escort." There was unmistakable amusement in his voice. "Think of me as your bodyguard for the evening."
"I thought that’s what all the guards outside were for." I gestured behind me.
"They’re the official guards." He placed a hand lightly against his chest. "I’m the better-looking one."
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. "You’re impossible."
Still smiling, I accepted his arm, and together we walked toward the entrance.
The ballroom was even more breathtaking than I had imagined.
Uniformed maids moved gracefully between guests carrying silver trays filled with drinks and freshly prepared meals, never interrupting conversations despite the sheer number of people present.
Everywhere I looked stood someone important. The gathering reminded me just how influential Ashveil truly was.
My gaze drifted naturally toward the front of the hall.
Callum stood speaking with several visiting Alphas, carrying himself with effortless confidence and power.
Nadia was fortunate. Before he did his duties, he made sure to be the father she deserved first.
Suddenly, a loud gasp echoed through the ballroom and people started pointing, muttering about something.
A frown pulled at my lips and I looked up in time to see a dark shadow.
A raven.
Its powerful wings carried it above the stunned crowd, circling the ballroom once before gliding lower. Guests instinctively stepped aside, confused murmurs spreading through the hall as people pointed upward, each trying to guess how a wild bird had managed to enter such a heavily guarded celebration.
"Where did that come from?"
"Was a window left open?"
"Whose bird is that? Can someone get that thing out?!"
I wasn’t listening. My eyes remained fixed on the raven. My heart was hammering in my chest and I couldn’t look away from it.
I knew that raven. And I knew why it was here again.
The mysterious person had sent a reply.