Chapter Four

I don't know how I manage to hold up during the whole makeup process but I do. My mind is faraway, rummaging through the recent events in my life, so when the attending omega taps my shoulder lightly to inform me that I'm ready, I'm very startled. 

I look at my reflection in the grand floor length mirror, taking in the icy blue hue of my dress and the matching silver details and accessories, representing the color of Silver Glow. I want to ask them what they did with my red dress….but am I sure I really want to know? They've put my hair up and wiped off my red lipstick, swapping it with a peachy nude one. If left to me, I'd never do my makeup like this in a million years.

"They are calling for you in the banquet hall, Luna". The omega says, head bowed courteously. Luna? Is that what I am now? And most importantly, am I really going to be treated like a Luna. I shove all those thoughts to the back of my mind and give a slight nod, following the omega out the door and towards the faint sound of music. My thoughts drift to my father as we continue to head towards the hall. Did he arrive home safely? When will I ever get to see him again?

The tall, grand doors swing open and I'm hit with the blare of music. The omega halts to let me walk inside alone and I suddenly feel even more lonely. I don't know who she is but it felt good to know I had company beside me. Every head in the room swivels to look at me as I step in and almost simultaneously, the whispers begin.

"She's really from Shadowflame!!!!".

"She's Lyon Heroux's daughter!!!".

"Doesn't mean much, does it? She's just a fallen princess now".

"Shadowflame women are pretty".

"Her hair and skin are so dark!!! In what world is that pretty, you idiot".

I shut off all of them as I march forward, headed straight towards where Draaven sits at the front of the room. His eyes hold mine every step of the way. I hate this man with every last part of me, but at the same time, I can't deny that he's the only person I feel a kinship with in this room. He's the only person I'm even remotely familiar with….and that makes me want to stay close to him against all these peering eyes and wagging tongues. 

He pushes up to his feet when I'm a few feet away and walks towards me, closing the distance between us in three long strides. I stiffen when he reaches for my hand but I don't pull away. That would give these prowling eyes a glimpse of what I'm feeling. I can't give them that satisfaction.

"Everyone". Draaven calls out. The room hushes instantly. "You all have long awaited this day. The day I finally bring a Luna to you. We have gone without one for so long but all of that will now be history. Today, I present to you, Valeria Heroux, former daughter of the Shadowflame Pack, my mate, my bride….and your Luna". Former daughter? I nearly scoff in disbelief. The pack members clap in unison but I see their faces and they are not happy at all. Well, that makes all of us.

"This is an official banquet to welcome you into the pack, Valeria". He says, turning to me slowly. "It took a lot of hard work to put this together. I understand you are nervous…..". His hand travels up to my face in a caress and I stiffen even more, my eyes shooting daggers at him. "...but you should probably smile a little". He offers me a slow, venomous smile before turning back to the crowd. "Please sit. There's more than enough food for everyone. Tonight…..we shall merry!!!!". There's a uniform uproar of cheers in the room before the scrape of chairs as everyone settles into different seats.

Draaven leads me forward to the longest table at the head of the room and pulls out a chair for me beside him. There are already people seated around the seat and they all stare at me curiously as I sit down.

"These are my family and council members. You'll meet each of them in due time". Draaven says as he settles into the seat beside me. "This….". He gestures towards the man sitting by his right, he's the same man who had brought in the document of the agreement the other day. "....this is Luca, my beta". Luca doesn't offer me a smile, just a little courteous bow. I don't even pretend to reciprocate it. "As I said, you'll meet the rest in due time. Please eat". He calls to the table and they all finally begin to eat.

I have no appetite, I realize as I stare at the array of meat and drinks assembled on the table. I hate all of this, I hate the crowd, I hate the setting, I hate the alpha. All around me, the people are chattering among their little groups and I'm pretty sure I'm the topic of discussion in most. This is all so exhausting.

I bring up a tiny piece of meat to my mouth and chew mechanically. It tastes a bit different from what I'm used to. But at least it's seasoned. I thought all the food would be bland over here. I'm still chewing when I feel the weight of someone's stare on me. My shackles rise instinctively. To be fair, everyone is staring at me, or at least sneaking little peeks, but this stare…is different. It's intense. I bring my head up and I meet her gaze instantly.

She's seated a few seats from Luca, decked in a bright blue, thin strapped dress that teases her slim shoulders, her platinum blond hair put up in an elegant do. She's beautiful, that's the first thing I think to myself….and she's shooting daggers at me. If looks could kill, I'd be so dead by now. I glance behind me smoothly to make sure it's really me she's glaring at…..and it's me. It's really me. For some weird reason, a wide smile spreads over my face as I stare at her. I've barely been in here for 10 minutes and I've already made an enemy of someone. That is amusing….and flattering. I wonder what I've done now.

I giggle under my breath and turn back to my food, jamming my fork into a bigger piece of meat. I'll be able to catch some fun pushing these people's buttons. The meal continues and all through, her stare remains fixated on me. I do a good job of putting up a show for her and it does help me eat better. I'm interrupted when a voice calls out.

"The Luna seems to really enjoy her meal". I stiffen, looking up slowly to see that it's her. She finally decided to speak after all. Her voice is drenched in false sweetness. "The kitchen thought long and hard about what to make for our Luna, to really impress her y'know. In the end, we came up with this. Deers sure make a delicious meal…. don't you agree, Luna?".

The blood drains so fast from my face. Deer? This is….this is venison? I glance down at the meat in horror, nearly gagging as the piece of meat I'm chewing slides down my throat. In the south, we do not hunt or eat deers and antelopes. It's our way of teaching our children to tame the wild spirit of their wolves, to teach them not to harm everything that's weaker than them. Some animals will be prey, some won't be, we all learn that from a young age to suppress our predator instincts in the right situations. Deers are highly protected where I come from….and these people just fed me one. 

"You always come up with the best meals, Rosa. this is delicious". Someone calls from the table. And the so-called Rosa smiles sweetly. The blood is roaring in my ears. Draaven continues to eat like he didn't hear any of this. I have never felt more alone in my life. I shakily reach for a glass of water, washing down the taste of the meat in my mouth. 

When I glance back at Rosa, she's looking at me smugly. It takes all I have not to leap over the table and yank her by her stupid hair. I don't know who she is yet, but I definitely know we will not be getting along. My blood simmers as I push up from the table angrily.

"I think I'm done here".