6. Eon Pack

Radella stopped at the center of the hall and faced Khalien.

She wasn't certain what Viola intended to do with Nalath. Show them she was the rightful owner?

To her, this was to carve herself into their memories. This should be the beginning of their downfall.

Now... what kind of gift should she give them? Ah, right, weren't they here for an alliance?

"If this alliance is still to happen," Radella began, "then on that day, I will make sure it ends well. The decorations, the guests, and the ceremony itself."

Confused glances were exchanged between them.

That strong liquor was getting to her, and her vision swayed. She couldn't even feel Zaphyra's presence.

Anais smiled with amused curiosity. "What exactly are you trying to say, Nalath?" she asked. "'If this alliance is still to happen?' Were you expecting it not to?"

Radella slowly turned toward Khalien's fiancée.

"Didn't he tell you..." Radella's gaze settled on Khalien before returning to Anais, "...that he has a mate?"

Khalien's eyes widened.

Anais glanced at Khalien before returning to Radella. "Oh. Now I understand why you talked about the failure of this alliance." She smiled. "But I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm not going to believe someone who even thought about leaving her pack."

"I was very heartbroken. You would've done the same."

Khalien frowned and mind-linked Radella. "Don't do anything you will regret. I won't be able to help you."

Anais narrowed her eyes as she began to understand something. "Do you want to say you were mated to him, Nalath?"

"What? Khalien is Nalath's mate?"

Anais studied Khalien. He was silent. Hah. "You've been hiding quite an interesting mate, Khalien."

Khalien eyes fixed on Radella as she stood with her hands folded behind her back.

Something he had never dared to let anyone know, at least not yet. Nalath had spoken it without hesitation before those guests, pack members, and worst of all... his father.

His hands slowly curled into fists.

Why did she have to ruin everything at the last moment?

Was this her revenge?

"It can't be!" Lysha shouted as she rose from her seat. "Khalien could never have someone like her as his mate. Nalath's mate is Eldric!"

Eldric had already left the hall.

Beta Ghilas' expression darkened as murmurs spread through the guests. He had never bothered with Nalath, as he had never found her a threat, but what she displayed today... Ghilas could only smile with disbelief.

"You should've kept her under control, Viola," Ghilas told the woman.

Viola bent the fork in her hand. She hadn't realized Nalath had been corrupted while she was away.

"Beta Ghilas," Anais's father called, rising from his chair, "I believe this matter deserves an explanation."

Ghilas stood up and lowered his head slightly.

"My apologies, Alpha Silas. None of us anticipated this disturbance—"

Alpha Silas raised his hand, silencing him.

"This explanation should come from your son."

Every eye shifted toward Khalien.

Khalien met his father's cold gaze before slowly standing.

His jaw remained tight as he looked once at Radella before facing the audience. Denying it would put Nalath in a difficult position. If he admitted it, how could Alpha Silas trust his daughter to someone who had abandoned his mate? Khalien tried to decide.

"It's true," he admitted almost absentmindedly. "Nalath and I were once mates... but that bond no longer exists."

"The bond doesn't exist? He rejected her?"

Who could prove the bond was there or not?

He had never marked her.

His teeth ground together.

Why was she smiling as though watching him struggle satisfied her?

Lysha stared at Khalien, tears filling her eyes.

So it was true...

Nalath had been his mate all along.

Ghilas slowly turned toward Radella.

She had humiliated his son before every guest and turned an important gathering into a joke. If he allowed it to pass, every guest would question his authority here.

The sound echoed across the hall with fearless confidence. "My gift was nothing special, but it seems you quite enjoyed it."

Across the hall, Anais's fingers tightened around her wine cup until it shattered in her grasp. But her face was calm.

Didn't Nala know how much she had pleaded with her father to agree to this alliance, despite it having disadvantages, just because she wanted Khalien? Anais chuckled. "I really liked the gift."

Before anyone could respond...

The massive entrance doors opened.

Three figures stepped inside.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Every conversation died.

All those present rose from their seats and bowed respectfully.

Only Radella remained standing, watching them descend the staircase, every instinct within her screaming to hide. The hairs on her skin stood on end.

Her fingers trembled uncontrollably.

The first was a woman with short hair framing gentle, round eyes. Jewels glittered across her elegant purple dress, its flowing fabric trailing gracefully behind every step.

Beside her walked a man with messy black hair and a beard on his sharply defined jaw. His face carried a mischievous grin.

Leading them both was a tall man whose long crimson hair had been braided neatly down his back. His deep blue eyes rested on a face so defined it seemed unreal. He carried himself with composed elegance, but with a hint of madness.

"We aren't late, are we?" Adrien asked with an easy smile after reaching the bottom of the stairs.

Menelyck slipped both hands into the pockets of his fur-lined coat while lazily surveying the hall.

"Rise," he ordered.

The entire hall obeyed instantly.

Ghilas observed the newcomers with a guarded gaze.

It was rare for the Eon Pack to visit another territory.

When they did... it usually wasn't for good news.

Then all three noticed the lone figure standing nearest them.

The only person who had not bowed.

And the only person glaring directly at them.

Everyone silently concluded that today would become the final day of the Alpha Hunt family.

Even Viola hesitated.

Menelyck's gaze drifted away dismissively as he walked past Radella without acknowledging her.

Radella slowly turned to follow them with her eyes.

"There wasn't a single moment..." she said, her voice echoing through the silent hall, "...that I didn't look forward to seeing you again."

All three stopped.

Menelyck glanced sideways at Adrien before pointing casually at himself. "Is she speaking to me?"

The hall watched in stunned disbelief.

Moments ago, they had believed Nalath was merely reckless.

Now... it was obvious she didn't wish to live.

Menelyck looked at her more carefully.

Pure, unmistakable hatred burned in her eyes.

How could he forget someone who looked at him as though she wished to tear him apart?

Adrien leaned closer.

"Is it her?" he whispered.

Menelyck answered only with a brief side glance.

Celia quietly examined Radella from head to toe.

Impossible.

There was no chance this woman could be Menelyck's destined mate.

One member of the gathering whispered nervously,

"Has the Eclipse Pack completely lost control of her? If someone behaved like this in our territory, they would already be dead."

"Quiet," another hissed immediately.

Without another glance at Radella, Menelyck turned away.

"I'll remain in this pack until I find what I'm looking for. Prepare rooms for us," Menelyck informed them.

Adrien frowned at Menelyck. "We agreed to have a feast!"

At once, Viola stepped forward and bowed. "Please follow me."

Then they followed Viola, Adrien reluctantly. As they passed near Radella, all three of them glanced at her, and she returned the stare before they went outside.

Only after they disappeared beyond the doors did the hall let out relieved sighs.

"That shameless woman wants to die and drag all of us with her."

"Even Beta Ghilas has never dared challenge the Eon Pack."

"She has truly lost her mind."

Radella remained where she stood. The voices around her didn't reach her.

Only one thought echoed in her mind.

They're here.

"Father!"

Khalien's panicked voice shattered her thoughts.

She lifted her head just in time to see Ghilas standing before her.

His palm crashed into her chest with overwhelming force.

The impact stole every breath from her lungs as her body was hurled across the hall.

She slammed into a banquet table, splintering it apart before collapsing onto the scattered dishes.

Excruciating pain spread through her chest and back.

She struggled to rise, but she ended up coughing up blood.

Then she sank into darkness.