Victor's POV
The drive to the banquet felt longer than it should have. I sat stiff in the back seat, fingers tapping against my knee, my jaw clenched the whole time.
As we got closer to the venue, my chest felt increasingly heavy.
I couldn't shake the image of Selene being there. Looking beautiful. Dressed like royalty. With a smile on her face.
When we finally pulled up at the palace gates, the area was packed. Expensive cars lined the entrance, guards stood tall, and a red carpet was stretched across the stone steps like a warning sign. People were walking up in pairs—Alphas, Lunas, noble heirs. It was grand. Formal. Loud.
But I wasn’t looking at any of them.
I stepped out of the car and scanned the entrance.
That was when I saw Roland. He was, as usual, placing his hands all ov
