Five Alphas Kneel for Me (Isabella) novel Chapter 532

Chapter 532

Mera

Wendy immediately straightened, her pride radiating through her scent like a flare of dominant pheromones. “Lola, with her incredible talent, has made it to the selection round of the Vienna International Rite of Melodies! The finals are next week. We should all go cheer her on, shouldn’t we?”

She looked at her mate and their pup, her eyes bright with expectation, clearly hoping for their enthusiastic agreement. My wolf paced restlessly at the sight of Wendy’s blatant posturing, her fur bristling at the forced displays of pack unity.

But then Carson spoke up. I knew he had issues with Lola, and I could tell he didn’t want to go, but he still gave Wendy an easy out.

“I have a major international summit at the High Council that day. I won’t be able to get away.”

Wendy’s smile froze, plastered to her face. I knew she understood perfectly well that Carson was still holding a grudge against her, his Alpha aura cooling toward her.

Then she turned to her pup, Evan.

My gaze flickered to Evan. He sat stiffly, and I saw his shoulders tense slightly as he met his mother’s expectant, almost demanding, stare. My own wolf tilted her head, sensing the suffocating weight of maternal expectation radiating from Wendy.

A fleeting shadow of resignation crossed his features, barely perceptible, but I caught it. I knew Evan didn’t actually care for Lola. His polite indifference was always clear to me, and I’d always suspected he found her perpetual damsel–in–distress act as tiresome as I did.

But when it came to his mother, the formidable Wendy, he never dared refuse her outright. Her approval was paramount, even if it meant indulging

Lola’s latest whim.

He finally spoke, his voice cutting through the heavy silence that had settled over the room. “Mom, I’ll go,” Evan said, a strained politeness in his tone. The tension, thick and suffocating, eased just a fraction. “I’m free that day anyway. I’ll go cheer Lola on.”

Wendy’s expression eased a fraction, and she forced a stiff smile. “Who says sons aren’t as good as daughters?” she declared, her voice tight. “No matter. what, your own flesh and blood are what matter most.”

Her eyes darted to me as she finished speaking, her scent spiking with a sharp, exclusionary edge.

I remained completely unaffected by her words, chatting and enjoying my meal with Grandpa Grant as if Wendy’s comments had nothing to do with me. My wolf remained calm, tucked away, refusing to let the Beta’s petty barbs draw out a challenge.

The atmosphere at the dinner table, thanks to that little interlude, became subtly strained.

Wendy, however, was still relentlessly praising Lola.

‘Lola’s using her own original composition for this competition! She’s so talented; even the Elder mentors she hired can’t stop praising her. They say once this piece is out there, the championship is practically hers!”

After she finished, she made sure to glance at me, her eyes holding a hint of challenge and gloating.

Carson’s brow furrowed, almost imperceptibly.

A faint, almost imperceptible curve touched my lips. My wolf let out a low, mocking growl deep in my chest.

The Vienna Sacred Howling Hall?

Using my mother’s unfinished work to compete in such a sacred place of our heritage?

The nerve of her!

I almost hoped Lola would qualify for the competition!

On the day of the competition, the domestic qualifiers for the Vienna International Rite of Melodies were absolutely buzzing with members from various packs.

Wendy had dressed to the nines, even at this early hour. She wore a tailored silver–silk suit, adorned with what I knew were ridiculously expensive moonstones and jewels, her face practically radiating with unconcealed pride and anticipation.

It was as if the championship title had already been etched with Lola’s name, and by extension, hers too.

When she spotted me at the venue entrance, she paused, a fleeting moment of surprise crossing her face before it settled into a smirk of pure

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satisfaction.

Her satisfied look practically spelled out, At least she knows her place.

Like I was finally trying to curry favor with my “aunt” now that I was part of the Grant family territory.

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Wendy imperiously lifted her chin, giving me a dismissive nod that was meant as a greeting, though it felt more like she was bestowing some great favor

upon me.

Then, she hooked her arm through Lola’s with a sickeningly sweet display of affection, and they both glided with practiced elegance towards the exclusive backstage entrance reserved for contestants.

“Lola, don’t be nervous. Just play like you always do. Mom believes in you–you’re truly the best!” Wendy’s voice was gently encouraging.

Lola, dressed in a pristine white performance gown and flawless makeup, nodded obediently. “Mmm, Mom, I won’t disappoint you.”

I watched their show of mother–daughter affection, and a faint, knowing curve played on my lips. My wolf sniffed the air, catching the faint, metallic scent of Lola’s underlying fear beneath her facade.

A few minutes later, a figure in a black baseball cap and mask, completely bundled up to hide her scent and identity, hurried towards me.

‘Isabella.”

Vivian Hall lifted her head slightly, revealing a delicate face from beneath her hat.

Seeing her, the cool composure I usually wore softened, and a genuine smile touched my lips.

How’s the prep going?”

She radiated confidence, a stark contrast to when I’d seen her at the hospital.

Don’t you worry, Isabella!” Lola chirped, her voice brimming with confidence. “With you cheering me on, and especially with the piece you gave me, I’m absolutely certain I’ll take first place!”

I smiled. Just approach it with a calm heart,” I advised her gently. “It’s the participation that truly counts.”

We continued chatting as we headed further inside.

Neither of us noticed Lola, standing hidden in a distant corner of the hall.

Later, I’d realize she must have just gotten off a telepathic link with Grant, leaving backstage to meet him, only to reach the corridor’s entrance just as >ur conversation unfolded.

could only imagine her body stiffening, her jaw clenching as she absorbed our words.

And in that instant, I knew, everything must have clicked for her.

Even then, I knew she saw me as nothing more than a rival, someone who wasn’t there to genuinely cheer her on.

She was convinced I was actively trying to sabotage her, to make her look bad. That I’d deliberately sought out someone to defeat her in the Competition, solely to humiliate her.

The silent fury she harbored for me was palpable, her every glance screaming that one word: Bitch.

I watched Lola, her entire body trembling with a fury so potent her nails dug painful crescent moons into her palms. Her wolf was likely clawing at the surface, desperate to shift and tear.

I watched her face contort, a flash of comprehension replacing her rage. She finally knew: my ‘good intentions were just the bait, and this was exactly where I’d been waiting for her.

She was convinced I hadn’t dared to make a scene about the stolen sheet music, and that this was my twisted way of getting revenge to ensure she’d crash and burn in the competition, utterly humiliated in front of the whole pack.

What a truly vicious scheme!

Lola bit down on her lip with such ferocity, I could practically taste the metallic tang of blood myself. Her jaw was rigid, every muscle in her face screaming that she was barely keeping her wolf contained.

And just then, Evan came into view, not far from where I was.

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< Chapter 532

“Lola?”

Evan’s voice sliced through the tension, yanking her out of whatever dark reverie she was lost in.

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Lola snapped back to reality, her expression morphing instantly. By the time Evan was just steps away, she’d already conjured a sweet, surprised smile.

“Oh, Evan! You’re here!”

She rushed toward him, linking her arm through his with an almost intimate familiarity, and pulled him into the backstage lounge. It was as if the person with the twisted, furious expression just moments ago had never existed.

Evan subtly pulled his arm free, his Alpha instincts clearly uncomfortable with the forced contact.

I knew he hadn’t really wanted to come; his mother must have been insistent.

He asked casually, “How are your preparations coming along? Nervous?”

Lola lowered her gaze shyly, a demure smile playing on her lips. “With you here, Brother Evan, I’m not nervous at all.”

Evan gave a casual nod, but Lola beamed at him as if he’d just granted her the greatest honor.

Let’s head inside. My mom’s in there, right?”

She nodded, then led him in.

Soon enough, the competition officially kicked off.

I found an inconspicuous seat in the audience, masking my presence.

Meanwhile, Wendy, clutching a bouquet of moon–lilies, was seated in the most prominent spot in the very front row, poised to present them to Lola.

The contestants performed according to the pre–drawn order.

Then it was Vivian’s turn to take the stage.

Since she was a well–known presence on the Howlnet, she was clearly afraid of being recognized, so she’d gone all out with a very distinctive masked makeup look today. A magnificent silver mask covered the upper half of her face, revealing only her bright eyes and a gracefully sculpted jawline.

Her chosen outfit, probably an attempt at being understated, instead wrapped her in an aura of mystery.

Vivian glided to the center of the stage, offering a graceful bow to both the judges and the audience before settling her violin onto her shoulder. The instant the first note poured from the strings, the entire hall fell into a breathless silence.

The melody swelled with such raw power, a tragic, struggling emotion poured from every note–it was the sound of a wolf crying out to a moon that refused to rise. Her exquisite skill wasn’t just on display; it was the emotion, laid bare for all to witness.

I could feel the entire hall holding its breath, pulled into the world she built with her music. We were all caught in that desperate yearning for light in the abyss, that fierce, struggling power that fights even in despair.

As the final note faded, a profound silence enveloped the hall for several tense seconds. Then, like a dam breaking, thunderous applause crupted, shaking the very foundations of the room, sounding like the collective howl of a thousand wolves.

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