Preparations for dinner had started long before sunset. The palace maids moved tirelessly through the grand dining hall, dusting every surface until it gleamed beneath the chandeliers. More chairs were added to the already vast table that stretched almost endlessly through the room, enough to accommodate nobles, alphas, lords, and honored guests from every corner of the realm.
The atmosphere was tense.
Every servant knew tonight's dinner was important.
The head maid, Linda, stood at the center of the chaos like a commander preparing for war. Nothing escaped her sharp eyes. Seating arrangements had already been decided beforehand, and she made sure every chair, plate, and cup was placed exactly where it belonged.
"Sophia," Linda snapped sharply, "I told you Alpha Victor is only allowed to bring his wife, not an entire crowd. He gets two seats, not three."
Sophia immediately rushed forward in panic.
