Chapter 4

~CHAPTER 4~~

“May I have your attention, please!”

A woman with a dazzling smile and an equally dazzling, bejeweled neck took to a small stage near the head table. The chatter immediately softened, all eyes turning toward the host.

“We are so honored to have all of you, the pillars of our community, join us tonight,” she continued. “And before the main festivities begin, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the Alphas whose leadership make all of our peace possible!”

The applause started instantly.

 I used the distraction, melting behind a towering floral centerpiece. 

The host began listing names, each one greeted with fresh bursts of cheering.

“Alpha Thorne of the Shadow Crest Pack!”

“Alpha Kael of the Moonstone Pack!”

As the host neared the head table, Alpha Damien visibly straightened, a practiced, impassive mask sliding over his features. 

He didn’t even glance in my direction again. My shame and fear were nothing compared to his public image.

“And of course,” the host proclaimed, her voice rising more than it did earlier on. “we must acknowledge the unwavering strength and unparalleled growth of the Crescent Pack under the leadership of the Alpha Damien!”

The applause for my father was the loudest yet. I was not surprised. He’s known for his pack’s riches and warriors. 

Everyone also knows âbout how he abandoned me but they barely speak âbout it. When they do, I’m the one who gets blamed.

He offered a small, curt nod

“But the future of a pack rests on its heirs!” the host declared brightly. “So please join me in also acknowledging Alpha Damien’s magnificent sons, the pride of the Crescent Pack, the Ashwood Triplets!”

My breath hitched again, this time for an entirely different reason. These were the children he had with his first mate, before my mother. 

I barely know them. The short time I spent in the crescent pack, I only heard about them but never saw them.

Three young men, positioned just behind Alpha Damien, stepped forward slightly. They were dressed in tailored suits; one in charcoal, one in midnight blue, and one in a dark, forest green. 

They were tall, well-built, and as striking as their father.

They weren't identical, not quite.

The first, in blue, was a mirror image of my father, all silver-haired severity and cold, assessing eyes. 

The second, in charcoal…. I trailed, my heart caught in  my throat ând a sweat broke out my forehead. Dark hair that fell in heavy waves just across his neck, golden eyes that hit with too much recognition. His once bare chest is now covered in nicely tailored suits. 

“My Saviour?” I whispered after a thorough assessment. 

He looked away from me again, the unimpressed expression still lingering. 

I swallowed hard then found the third of the triplets. 

Dressed in a forest green suit. His hair was a shade of dark brown that refused to lie flat on his head. 

His eyes searched through, in search of something… perhaps someone, until they landed on me. 

He met my gaze, his green eyes locking into mine for a split second ând that’s when I felt it. 

A blinding, painful jolt shot through me, stealing the breath from my lungs. 

Every nerve ending screamed, and my tiny wolf gave a sudden, desperate howl of recognition.

Mate.

I felt the pull. It was him

Utter shock settled over me. It can’t be. I refuse to find my mate in my step brother.. Alpha Damien’s son. 

I was locked in his gaze, staring at the son of the man who despised me. 

Did he feel it too? The pull? Does he realize who I am? The abandoned daughter of the Alpha? 

 “Please, let the celebrating continue! We honor our Alphas, and we look to the future with hope!” The host concluded 

The tension was broken as Alpha Damien turned to his sons, exchanging a few low words. 

“Something is wrong” I mumbled, gripping the cleaning rag even tighter. 

This was supposed to be my chance to escape torture. 

I stumbled back, my legs suddenly weak. 

I took another step backward, trying to break into a run.

My heel caught on something ând the worst happened. My balance failed, causing me to stumble into a small, elegant serving table positioned near the wall. 

It held a silver tray, filled champagne glasses.

.

The world seemed to move in slow motion as the tray tipped.

Shatter.

Champagne splashed everywhere, onto the floor, and most humiliatingly, onto the expensive shoes of several nearby guests.

I landed hard on my knees in a puddle of sticky, cold spilled wine. 

My chest constricted, and the cleaning rag slipped from my fingers, landing beside a shard of broken glass.

Silence followed ând a thousand pats of eyes bore into me.

My face felt hot enough to melt, and I squeezed my eyes shut. I wished for the ground ro just swallow me whole.

Indistinct chatters filled the hall… ones that got louder by the minute. 

"Is that... Freya?"

"The Alpha's abandoned daughter, isn't she?"

"Look at her, clumsy as ever."

"She's serving tonight? Why? I thought Alpha Damien had finally washed his hands off her."

"Disgraceful. And on a night like this."

My eyes blurred with a sting. I’d been trying to avoid such embarassment. 

Before I had the chance to make it up to my feet ând sprint into the night, Clara’s voice cried out

"Freya! What in the Goddess's name have you done?!". She didn't bother to lower her voice or check the audience.

"Get up this instant! You are a useless, clumsy child! Look at this mess! You think this is how we welcome the esteemed guests of the Shadow Moon Pack? On your knees in a puddle, ruining perfectly good champagne! Alpha Damien's son is right here, and you have to cause a scene!"

She grabbed my arm and yanked me up with a threatening scowl on her face.

 I scrambled to my feet, trembling, my eyes locked on the floor.

As I was hauled upright, I couldn't help a sidelong glance.

The three triplets were standing just a few feet away. The silver-haired one wore a look of thorough condemnation. The one in charcoal, my Saviour, stared with a cold, blank expression.

And the third, the one in forest green, my Mate, watched the scene unfold, his green eyes, unreadable, fixed intensely on my face. 

His lips were parted slightly, a muscle ticking in his jaw, and I couldn't tell if he felt pity, disgust, or the same desperate, horrifying pull I did.

I just wanted to disappear.