Chapter 6

“We’ve been here for two minutes, and you still don’t know how to welcome an Alpha,” said the Black man standing beside Alpha Tren“t. His eyes shot Alpha Dane a dagger.

“I’m sorry, Brandon. The maids are on their way with the wine,” Dane replied, his voice unsteady; the aura emanating from them overshadowed him. He cursed their presence inwardly. 

The Moon Claw Pack was once a district under the Fang Pack. It's Alpha Macho, who had ruled with fear. No one dared challenge him. Dane’s father had tried—and paid with his life. After his father’s death, Dane stopped at nothing but to destroy Macho and sought help from the cursed Alpha of Nightflame Pack, Alpha Trent. With Trent’s help, Dane brought down Macho, and since then, his pack has risen to lead the districts.

The presence of Dane’s blood ran cold. Trent never visited without a reason, and it was never a good one. He had never stepped into Moonclaw ever since the day he helped. 

Alpha Trent’s Beta, Brandon, glared at Dane. Dane clenched his fists and swallowed hard, trying to keep calm.

“Wine?” Brandon growled. “Are you insane? Is that for the warriors who followed us? Or the driver? You were told—he drinks no wine. Only blood.”

“Blood!” Dane repeated, his gaze flicking to Alpha Trent, seated like a shadow of death itself. “I thought that was just a rumour…”

Brandon stepped forward and grabbed Dane’s collar. “What rumour?” he snapped, wanting to send him flying.

Alpha Trent could smell his Beta's anger. “He’s welcoming me for the first time. Be gentle with him. Tell him what to do,” he said coldly.

Brandon released him and said, “Bring someone decent for him to drink from.”

Dane’s heart pounded. It was true that he was a vampire. He wanted to stare at him but couldn't with the dark aura Alpha Trent released. No one dared to look him eyeball to eyeball. 

His eyes voluntarily fixated on the ground as he clenched his fist tightly. He instantly developed a hatred for Alpha Trent for making him surrender to his power. 

Brandon, seeing Dane frozen in place, added, “No maids. No elders. If the person is weak, get ready to bury them. Give him your woman. Let him drink from her.” 

“My woman?” Dane repeated, horrified.

“No…” he whispered.

“You are reading to bring your pack to doom with your incompetence,” Brandon said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, but Dane didn't find it funny; he found it a threat.

His mind raced. Alicia, his mate, carried his child. Zora, his Luna, was bonded to him—if Trent touched her, the pain might kill him too.

Who should he choose?

He thought as he walked out of where he kept the visitors.

“No way, I must reject Zora; I need to break the bond.” He muttered and walked to Zora's room.

“What is it? Have you lost your way?” Zora said as soon as she set her eyes on Dane. She was stunned that he entered her room.

“Why would I? I am in my house and in Luna's room. We have an important visitor, and I would like you to welcome him,” he said with a fake smile on his face.

Zora scoffed, “Tell your mate to welcome your visitor. I have no time for this. As you can see, you are disturbing my sleep.” 

“Zora, this is not the time for all these; the visitor we have is not ordinary. If he were, I wouldn't have bothered you. He is…” 

Zora could see a hint of fear on her husband's face; since they had gotten married, she had never seen someone that Dane feared this much. 

A smile formed on her lips as she sprung off from the bed. She thought of taking this chance to free herself; maybe the visitor was the help her mother-in-law talked about.

“I'm ready to welcome him. Where is he?” She asked with enthusiasm.

“The court,” Danes said with a cold expression.

As Zora was about to go out of her room, Dane drew her closer, but Zora quickly withdrew herself. He was disgusting to her. 

“I just want to give you a hug,” he said, his expression unreadable.

“A hug? Have you lost your mind? You are disgusting. You stink of her scent. If you delay me further, consider I won't set out to greet anyone.” There was a hint of threat in her voice.

Alpha Dane clenched his fist tightly at his side—a clear sign he was irritated by what Zora had said. Whatever pity he once felt for her quickly vanished. He made up his mind: he would reject her.

"I didn’t know you hated me this much. For that reason, I’m rejecting you now." He tried to manipulate the situation. He knew he would feel the pain Zora was subjected to because they had each other's mark.

Zora’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief, her heart pounding in her chest. Something felt off. Why now? Why would Dane choose this moment to reject her? Was he hiding something?

"You want to reject me now? Unbelievable. Is there something about your visitor you haven’t told me?" she asked, fear etched across her face.

Dane knew Zora couldn’t find out the truth—not yet. He had to cover it up fast.

"You wanted this. I can see you don’t love me anymore," he lied, masking the truth behind cold words.

Zora shot her a condescending look; she didn't take his word for anything. “I'm going to greet your visitor,” she said and dashed out.

Brandon couldn't keep his emotions in check; Dane had been gone for more than fifteen minutes, and he hadn't shown up. 

“It is indeed that alpha Dane is stupid; should I go and look for him?” 

“No, let's see what he is up to; what you asked him may be beyond his reach,” Alpha Trent replied to his Beta.

A knock on the door made them stare at the door. Alpha Trent was stunned that someone was there and he couldn't smell her blood. Who is she?” 

“Coming in,” Brandon commanded.

“I'm Luna Zora. My husband said I should greet you. You are welcome.” 

Alpha Trent’s eyes darkened as he listened to Zora’s words. He couldn’t believe that Dane had tricked his wife. Just when he was about to react, the door creaked open again, and Alicia stepped in, her pregnant belly slightly swollen, holding a tray of wine in her hand.

“Who are you, again?” Trent asked, his voice cold, releasing his aura. 

“I’m Alicia, Alpha Dane’s mate,” she replied, her lips curling into a smug grin.

Trent's eyes travelled to her stomach, and he clenched his fist; the bone of his hand clenching was heard. 

Alicia, who had no clue who he was but wanted to make herself look her best before him, began to move closer with a light smile on her face, which showed her white teeth.

Alpha Trent was annoyed but maintained his demeanour as he kept his gaze fixed on Alicia, sensing something wasn’t quite right. As Alicia neared Zora, she purposefully shifted her weight, subtly crowding Zora’s space. Her foot brushed against Zora’s, causing her to stumble.

Zora’s eyes widened in surprise, her balance wavering. But before she could fall, Alicia’s own foot slipped on the slick floor, sending her tumbling forward; the tray of wine she was holding flew in the air. 

The glass shattered on the floor, causing her to have a cut on her leg. The stench of her blood filled the air, which made Alpha Trent uncomfortable. His veins bulge, causing the flow of blood to be visible. 

Trent’s eyes narrowed and caught 

Zora was trying to steady herself. Trent swiftly was by Zora’s side, catching her arm just as she was about to lose her balance completely. His grip was firm but gentle, pulling her upright with ease. As he came in contact with her, his body became normal. His hunger for blood disappeared. He felt what he had never felt in his life before. 

“Are you alright?” Trent asked, his voice softer, his protective instinct taking over.

Zora nodded quickly, though her eyes flickered toward Alicia, who was still on the floor, looking both surprised and a little too pleased with the situation. Trent could see the disappointment in Alicia’s eyes as if she had intended for both of them to fall and blame her for it, but she was embarrassed instead.

He stared at Alicia on the floor as he studied her, his expression darkening once again.

“Your blood is black; who dares offer me a carcass!” He growled; his rumbling voice sent a shiver down Alicia's spine.

She began crawling backwards.