10

A wave of cheers and applause swept through the hall, the guests rising to their feet in admiration and respect. Lana, standing near the back of the room, felt her heart sink at the sight. She watched as the couple made their way down the grand staircase, hand in hand, their presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room.

Lana's vision blurred, not from her fever this time, but from the sting of tears threatening to spill. She took a deep breath, willing herself to stay composed. This was not the time for personal feelings; she had a job to do. Yet, the realization that it should have been her standing beside Sahan, sharing in his triumphs and responsibilities, weighed heavily on her heart.

Marissa, noticing Lana's pallor and the distant look in her eyes, gently touched her arm. "Are you alright, Lana? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

Lana forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "I’m fine, Marissa. Just tired."

As Sahan and Maybel reached the bottom of the staircase, they began to mingle with the guests. Sahan's gaze swept the room, his eyes momentarily locking with Lana's. For a fleeting second, something unspoken passed between them—a shared history, a connection that time and circumstance could not entirely erase. But then, his attention shifted back to Maybel, who was graciously accepting compliments and congratulations from the guests.

Lana turned away, unable to watch any longer. She busied herself with adjusting the table settings, her movements mechanical. Each cheer and applause for the couple felt like a dagger to her heart. She tried to remind herself of the duty and loyalty she owed to her people, but it was hard to drown out the sorrow of what could have been.

Evelyn approached, sensing Lana's distress. "You’ve done an excellent job, Lana. The hall looks beautiful, and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."

"Thank you, Evelyn," Lana replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced toward Sahan and Maybel once more, seeing them surrounded by adoring guests. "It's just...difficult."

Evelyn followed her gaze, understanding dawning in her eyes. "I know it’s hard, Lana. But remember, you are stronger than you think. You've proven that time and again."

Lana nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I just need a moment," she said, stepping away from the bustling activity to find a quiet corner.

She leaned against the wall, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The room felt both too large and too small, filled with memories and unfulfilled dreams. She closed her eyes, trying to center herself, to find some semblance of peace amidst the chaos of her emotions.

"Lana?" A familiar voice broke through her thoughts. She opened her eyes to see Sahan standing before her, his expression unreadable. "Are you alright?"

She straightened up, masking her turmoil with a practiced smile. "Yes, Alpha. Just making sure everything is in order."

Sahan studied her for a moment, his eyes searching hers. "You've done a remarkable job tonight. The hall looks magnificent."

"Thank you," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. "I'm glad everything is to your satisfaction."

There was a pause, an unspoken tension between them. Sahan seemed to want to say more, but before he could, Maybel approached, her smile radiant and her presence commanding.

"Alpha, the guests are waiting for your speech," she said, slipping her arm through his.

Sahan nodded, casting one last, lingering look at Lana. "Of course. Thank you, Lana. For everything."

As they walked away, arm in arm, Lana felt a mixture of pride and sorrow. She had given her all to make the evening a success, but the cost to her heart was high. She watched as Sahan took the stage, addressing the guests with confidence and grace, his Luna by his side.

The applause and cheers swelled once more, filling the grand hall. Lana took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped back into the fray. There was still work to be done, and she would see it through, no matter the personal cost.

As the night wore on, Lana moved through the hall with quiet efficiency, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She knew she had to face the reality of her situation and find a way to move forward. For now, though, she would focus on the task at hand, drawing strength from her resilience and determination.

And perhaps, in the quiet moments after the party, she would find a way to heal her wounded heart and rediscover the path that was truly meant for her.

The evening wore on, the grand hall now filled with the lively chatter and laughter of guests. The music played softly in the background, and the aroma of exquisite dishes wafted through the air. Lana continued to move through the crowd, her fever making every step feel like an enormous effort. She forced herself to focus on the task, ensuring the guests were well attended to and everything remained in order.

Evelyn and Marissa, keeping a watchful eye on her, exchanged worried glances as they noticed Lana's condition worsening. Marissa approached her first, her voice gentle but firm.

"Lana, you need to rest. You’re burning up," Marissa said, placing a hand on Lana's forehead.

Lana shook her head weakly. "I’m fine, Marissa. Just a little more to do."

Evelyn stepped in, her concern evident. "Lana, listen to her. You’ve done more than enough. The party is running smoothly. You need to take care of yourself."

As if in response, Lana's vision swam, and she stumbled slightly. Marissa caught her arm, steadying her. "That’s it. You’re coming with us," she said decisively.

With Evelyn and Marissa supporting her on either side, Lana allowed herself to be led away from the hall. They guided her through the kitchen, where the staff paused in their work, watching with concern. The heat and noise of the kitchen faded as they moved down the quieter corridors of the estate, the cool air a welcome relief against Lana’s burning skin.

Evelyn spoke softly as they walked. "You’ve done a wonderful job, Lana. You don’t need to push yourself any further."

Marissa nodded in agreement. "You’ve been incredibly strong, but you need to let us take care of you now."

Lana, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her, nodded weakly. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

They reached her bedroom, and Marissa pushed the door open, guiding Lana inside. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm, comforting light. Evelyn helped Lana sit on the edge of the bed while Marissa hurried to fetch a cold compress and some water.

Lana sank onto the mattress, her body trembling with fever and fatigue. Evelyn sat beside her, brushing a damp strand of hair from her forehead. "You’ve always been so strong, Lana. But even the strongest need rest."

Marissa returned with a basin of cool water and a cloth, gently placing the compress on Lana’s forehead. "This should help with the fever," she said soothingly.

Lana closed her eyes, the coolness of the cloth a welcome relief. "I didn’t want to let anyone down," she murmured, her voice thick with exhaustion.

Evelyn squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You haven’t. You’ve done more than anyone could ask for. Now it’s time to take care of yourself."

Marissa helped Lana lie back against the pillows, covering her with a light blanket. "Rest now, Lana. We’ll take care of everything else."

As Lana drifted into a fitful sleep, the events of the night played through her mind. The grand hall, the guests, Alpha Sahan and Luna Maybel, and the overwhelming realization that she had once dreamed of a different future. But in that moment, surrounded by the comforting presence of Evelyn and Marissa, she allowed herself to let go, if only for a while.

Evelyn and Marissa exchanged a look of understanding, knowing that Lana’s road to recovery would be as much emotional as it was physical. They remained by her side, ensuring she was comfortable and cool, their presence a steadfast reminder that she was not alone.

As the sounds of the party continued faintly in the background, Lana slept, her fever gradually beginning to break. Evelyn and Marissa kept vigil, their quiet conversation a soothing backdrop to Lana’s much-needed rest. And in the quiet of her room, amidst the turmoil of her heart and mind, Lana found a small measure of peace.