Chapter 3

It isn't long before all the dignitaries are summoned to the great dining hall. The Lycan Alpha clearly has no tolerance for delay. The other maids and I rush in and out of the hall, placing dishes, and ensuring the drinks are perfectly arranged. Even though the Lycan Alpha said he wanted no festivities, it'd be suicidal for our pack not to prepare a feast. 

Compared to the Bloodmoon Pack, our Blueridge Pack is nothing. Rumor has it their wolves are the strongest in all the lands, and to make it all worse, their Alpha isn't just a wolf. He's a Lycan.

By the time the table is fully set, Alpha Terran, Beta Jarek, and the other high-ranking members of our pack are already seated. The guests from the Bloodmoon pack sit across from them, their storm-grey eyes making them impossible to miss.

Everyone is present except for the supposed bride and groom, Layla, and the Lycan Alpha. From where I stand, I can see the anxiety written all over Alpha Terran’s face, his fingers drumming impatiently on the large table. I’ve seen him angry, resentful, even cruel. But fear? That’s new. This Lycan Alpha must be exactly who they say he is to have them all so shaken.

Across the table, the Lycan Alpha’s Beta, Theron, leans forward, his expression cold. 

“Alpha Terran,” his deep voice cuts through the tense atmosphere. “Where is the bride? My Alpha will not step foot in this hall until she is present.”

Panic flashes in Alpha Terran’s eyes. He leans towards Beta Jarek who is sitting beside him and whispers something to his ears. Beta Jarek’s face hardens immediately. He pushes back his chair with a loud scrape, and walks towards me. 

“Oh no!” I whisper. I know what is coming before he even opens his mouth. My stomach twists in disgust.

“Find the Alpha’s daughter and bring her here

 Now!” He orders. “Tell her it’s time. Her groom is waiting.”

I bow silently and leave the hall. Every curse I could think of flares through my mind as I walked towards Layla’s room. All my life, I have done everything for her. And now, even after she has taken my own mate, I still have to be the one to fetch her for her new mate. Stupid, spoiled brat.

I pause outside her door, forcing my fingers to stop trembling as I raise them to knock.

“Layla!” I call.

No answer 

“Lay…”

The door flies open violently, slamming into my face before I could call her the second time.

“Shut the fuck up! I'm going already!” Laula snaps, storming past me with Aiden trailing behind her like the spineless fool he is.

Yuck, he disgusts me.

His eyes dodge mine like a shadow as he follows her blindly. I trail behind them, quietly anticipating the drama about to unfold. Relief washes over Alpha Terran the moment Layla steps into the hall. Aiden of course silently disappears among the guards. Coward.

“Beta Theron”, Alpha Terran calls out. “Now that my daughter is here, I request that you summon your Alpha.” 

Beta Theron gives a curt nod and stands to leave, but before he takes a step, Layla suddenly stands up, tapping a fork against the rim of her wine glass, the eerie clink ringing through the hall.

“Hey everyone,” she says with a false cheer. “I have an announcement.” 

The room goes quiet as everyone turns to her, questions etched on their faces. Even Beta Theron freezes mid-step, anticipation rising in the air. Then, with a smirk on her face, she drops the bombshell.

“I’m pregnant.”

The room explodes. Gasps and murmurs spread across the hall like a wildfire. The Bloodmoon guests exchange glances, their expressions unreadable. Beta Theron’s jaw clenches, his face contorts in pure rage. 

Alpha Terran shoots up from his seat. “What?!” He roars, “what nonsense are you spewing, Layla?”

“Oh yes father,” she replies with a mischievous smile. “I’m two weeks pregnant. Which means, I won’t be marrying that old, ugly-looking fucker you’re trying to sell me off to.”

“What insolence!” Beta Theron yells as he slams his fists on the table, his eyes blazing with fury.

 “Alpha Terran! Obviously you haven't raised your daughter well enough! This is not just an insult to my Alpha, it is an insult to the Bloodmoon Pack!” You should cover your face in shame and seek for my Alpha’s mercy.” His voice drops into something colder. “Or you wish to see your entire pack wiped out?”

“Easy, Theron.” A new, deep voice comes in from behind me. 

A man steps forward, massive and cloaked like the others from Bloodmoon. He walks past me, his hood low and voice calm.

“No need for threats?” he says as he strides closer to Alpha Terran. “Talk is the wind. We are the storm that follows.”

As if it's rehearsed, Beta Theron and the rest of the Bloodmoon entourage bow immediately. My breath catches. I can’t see his face yet his back is to me. But his aura… it’s strange. It's like a mix of cold and warm at the same time. 

From where I am, I see the people at the table shaking with fear. Then it clicks, alarm bells ringing viciously in my head.

Oh shit! The Scarred Alpha.  

A shiver runs down my spine as realization dawns on me.

“Did you just say… pregnant?” His voice vibrates as he speaks.

Layla stiffens. She exhales sharply, suddenly unable to speak.

“Answer him!” Beta Theron roars at her.

“Y-yes…” she stammers..

The room falls so silent one would hear a pin drop loud and clear.

“Alpha,” he turns to Alpha Terran. “I agreed to a peace treaty after you trespassed into my territory on the condition that your daughter would be my mate. And this… this is what you bring to me?” He roars, his voice cold as ice. The power in his voice coils around the room like smoke, choking everyone. Alpha Terran's voice sticks to his throat as he stares blankly at the lycan Alpha.

“And you”, he turns back to Layla, her eyes blinking rapidly. “You called me an old, ugly fucker,” he chuckles. “Tell me…,” he slowly raises his hands and takes off his hood. “...how about now?”

A loud gasp echoes through the hall. Some people cover their faces, while others keep their heads bowed in fear.

I hurry to the other side of the hall to get a glimpse of him. And dear Goddess…

He is beautiful.